Chapter 2.50
PARKS, RECREATION AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
Sections:
2.50.010 Commission established.
2.50.010 Commission established.
There is hereby established a parks, recreation and beautification commission. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).
2.50.020 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this chapter:
“City representative” shall mean a member of the commission appointed by the city council.
“Commission” shall mean the parks, recreation, and beautification commission established by this chapter. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).
2.50.030 Purpose.
The commission shall encourage, promote and make recommendations to the city council regarding parks, recreation, beautification and aesthetics for the enrichment of the city. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).
2.50.040 Members.
A. The commission shall consist of five members. Each member, before being appointed or reappointed, must pass a Department of Justice (“DOJ”) fingerprint screening, per California Public Resources Code Section 5164. DOJ fingerprint screenings are valid for two years from the date taken.
B. Each member of the commission shall be city representatives appointed by the city council.
C. All applicants who wish to serve on the commission, either to fill a vacancy on the commission or to serve as a new member following the expiration of an existing member’s term, shall fill out a city application for appointment or reappointment as provided by the city. Selection shall be made based on the application and the interview process detailed in subsection D of this section.
D. Applicants chosen for an interview shall be interviewed by a panel consisting of the mayor and one city councilmember. One or two member(s) of the school board may participate in the interviews of the commission and may recommend member(s) to the commission. The mayor and one city councilmember shall then make a recommendation for appointment or reappointment to the city council for approval.
E. No later than one month prior to the expiration of the terms of office on the commission, city staff shall advertise either in the local paper, at least twice, or city website of vacancies on the commission. The interview panel shall interview applicants within one month after the closing deadline advertised to submit applications. Where only the incumbent and no other candidates have applied, the mayor may make a recommendation to the city council for appointment or reappointment without going through the interview process.
F. Applications for appointment or reappointment shall be public records subject to disclosure. The city clerk will keep all applications for one year from the date stamped received.
G. Each member of the commission shall file fair political practices commission statements of economic interest in the same manner as elected city officials, which are public records subject to disclosure.
H. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation. The city may, upon appropriate action, approve reimbursement to the members of the commission for necessary expenses incurred by them when acting in their official capacity.
I. The city recreation and community services director or his or her designee shall be an ex officio member of the commission with no voting power. The public works director or his or her designee shall be an ex officio member of the commission with no voting power. The chairperson of the commission shall not be the city recreation and community services director, the public works director, or any other member of city staff.
J. Each year at the first regular meeting in May, the commission shall choose from its membership a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and other such offices as the commission may deem necessary. The terms for chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be for one year starting in May. The chairperson shall serve as a liaison to the city council and provide monthly reports to the city clerk regarding the commission.
K. The terms of office of the commission shall be for two years starting in May. Current members shall continue to serve until reappointed or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The terms of office shall be staggered so that the terms of two commissioners shall expire in even-numbered years and the terms of the other three commissioners shall expire in odd-numbered years.
L. A member of the commission who fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings or four meetings within any six-month period, without permission from the commission, may be removed from the commission upon a finding by the city council that the member’s absences are unexcused. The city council’s finding shall be based on an attendance log kept by city staff serving as the ex officio members of the commission. The city council may remove any member of the commission from office prior to the expiration of his or her term by a majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).
2.50.050 Powers and duties.
A. The commission shall have the power to adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for the proper conduct of the commission, subject at all times to the approval of the city.
B. The commission shall have the authority to enlist the assistance of such other person as the commission may deem necessary to accomplish the powers and duties assigned to it. Any individual enlisted to assist the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the commission, and without a vote.
C. The commission shall encourage, stimulate, promote and foster programs for the enrichment of the city and thereby contribute to the quality of life in Patterson. The commission shall also aim to facilitate the public’s awareness in the local business community, local government, and the value of constructive use of leisure time in the city. The commission may perform other related functions that may come before the commission or may be referred to it by the city council.
D. The commission shall support and assist in programs to further the development and public awareness of, and interest in, park and recreation and beautification issues.
E. The commission may seek funds from private, county, state and federal sources for park and recreation and beautification programs and facilities. The commission may also receive funds, devises, bequests, endowments, or other donations of money and property for parks and recreation on behalf of the city.
F. The commission shall have the power to issue certificates in recognition of support or in honor of outstanding achievements related to parks, recreation and beautification.
G. The commission shall support and facilitate joint cooperation with local school districts, community athletic associations, and other community organizations for the purpose of enhancing parks, recreation, and beautification.
H. The city recreation and community services director or the public works director, or their designees, shall maintain agendas and minutes of meetings, attendance logs, records of hearings, official actions, findings, determinations and transactions of the commission. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).
2.50.060 Meetings.
A. Assuming there are items for the agenda, the commission shall meet at least once each month. The time and place of regular meeting of the commission shall be on the third Wednesday of the month beginning at five p.m. at City Hall, city council chambers. In the event said meeting date falls on a legal holiday, the commission shall hold its regular meeting on the next succeeding business day.
B. A special meeting may be called at any time by the chairperson or upon the written request of any three members of the commission in accordance with the laws of the state of California as they now exist or may exist hereafter.
C. The majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting the business of the commission. (Ord. 805 § 1 (part), 2017: Ord. 781 § 1 (part), 2015).