Chapter 2.12
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Sections:
2.12.010 Established – Membership.
2.12.030 Primary functions and duties.
2.12.040 Eligibility and selection of board members.
2.12.050 Terms of appointments.
2.12.060 Meetings and records.
2.12.090 Staff communications to city council.
2.12.110 Agenda and order of business.
Prior legislation: Ords. 156, 285, 5-88 and 40-95.
2.12.010 Established – Membership.
The official name of this board shall be the West Richland parks and recreation board. The word “board,” whenever used in this chapter, shall be deemed to mean the parks and recreation board. The board shall be composed of seven members. At a minimum, five of the members shall be adult residents of the city of West Richland, and shall have resided within the West Richland city limits during the preceding 12-month period or longer. Two of the members may be high school students or adults who may reside in the postal zip code area of 99353. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007].
2.12.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of the board is to serve in an advisory capacity to the mayor and city council relative to the beautification, improvement, development, management, and planning of all West Richland city parks and associated facilities. This includes parks, green belts, trails, recreation areas, and all parks and recreation buildings, equipment, and facilities.
This advisory board will also take citizen input relative to the provision of facilities and programs for recreation, environmental and cultural preservation, and education and civic beautification in order to make advisory recommendations to council. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.030 Primary functions and duties.
A. The board has the following major functions:
1. Formulates and recommends to the city council goals relating to parks, trails and recreation for the city.
2. Assesses existing park and trail system development policies for the purpose of recommending to the city council such modifications as may be appropriate to achieve park and trail system development and maintenance goals approved by the city council.
3. Formulates and recommends to the city council new park and trail system development plans, policies and strategies for the purpose of assuring achievement of the park and trail system development and maintenance goals approved by the city council.
4. Serves in an advisory role to the city council and mayor, and provides a connection to the general public on parks and recreation issues.
5. Maintains awareness of the council’s adopted strategic focus areas, and provides guidance and recommendations to staff.
B. In addition to the board’s major functions specified in subsection A of this section, the board, consistent with established city council policy, performs the following duties:
1. Prepares and submits recommendations to staff and city council on a broad range of matters generally related to parks, trails and recreation issues.
2. Provides guidance and recommendations to staff and assists in formulating, refining and developing city park plans and other park development plans, policies and strategies including those contained within the city’s comprehensive plan.
3. Develops and recommends to the city council plans and programs for the purpose of enhancing and sustaining the city’s park and trail system.
4. Reviews periodically whether the lands being used for park and trail purposes are adequate and recommends to the city council when additional lands and grounds should be acquired and used for park and trail purposes.
5. Recommends to the city council appropriate measures to ensure that the city has a well-integrated and complete program for the use of its parks and facilities.
6. Reviews and provides recommendations to the city council and mayor on the relative merits of individual park and trail development proposals.
7. Works with the planning commission and economic development board to review and provide recommendations to the city council and mayor on the synergistic impact of development proposals.
8. Develops and recommends to the city council strategies for the collection and utilization of park impact funds, securing and utilizing park grants, and developing or securing such other sources of prospective park funding the board may identify. The board may recommend or endorse submission of grant applications or similar instruments to the city council.
9. Performs such other duties and provides such additional information, assistance and advice to the mayor, the city council and city staff as may be requested from time to time. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.040 Eligibility and selection of board members.
Members are selected without regard to political affiliation from a broad spectrum of the public, and serve without compensation. The selection process shall follow established procedures as set forth in WRMC 2.10.010. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 30-04 § 1, 2004; Ord. 12-03 § 1, 2003; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.050 Terms of appointments.
Terms for positions filled by adult board members shall be for four years. Terms shall be staggered providing for expiration of the terms on a rotating basis. Terms for positions filled by high school members shall be for the lesser of: (A) two years, or (B) until the student graduates or leaves high school. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.060 Meetings and records.
The board shall fix the day, time, and place of its regularly scheduled monthly meeting during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. If no issues over which the board has jurisdiction are pending upon its calendar, a meeting may be canceled. On the call of the chairperson, mayor or staff, special meetings may be held from time to time as necessary or desirable. Notice of any such special meeting shall be issued as required by state law. All meetings shall be open public meetings as required by state law; provided, however, that when appropriate and allowable by state law, executive sessions may be declared for the purpose of considering those items which are recognized by state law as appropriate subject matter for closed executive sessions.
The board shall adopt rules for transaction of business and keep a record of its meetings, resolutions, transactions, findings and determinations, which record shall be open to public inspection. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 11-05 § 1, 2005; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.070 Attendance.
The attendance of board members at meetings is required, and may be excused by a majority vote of the board. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007].
2.12.080 Officers.
The officers of the board shall consist of a chairperson and a vice-chairperson who are elected from the appointed members of the board by its members. The chairperson shall preside over the meetings of the board and may exercise all the powers usually incident to the office. The chairperson, as a member of the board, retains the full right to have his/her own vote recorded in all deliberations of the board. The vice-chairperson shall preside as temporary chairperson for the meeting in the chairperson’s absence. The election of officers shall take place once each year during the occasion of the first meeting of the year. The term of office for each officer runs until the next subsequent election; provided, however, that the chairperson or vice-chairperson may be removed at any time by a vote of the majority of the board entered on record. In the event of a vacancy of the chairperson or vice-chairperson, an election shall be held to fill the officer position for the remainder of the year. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.090 Staff communications to city council.
City staff, as assigned by the mayor, shall serve to facilitate communications on parks and recreation board recommendations to city council. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.100 Quorum.
Due to vacancies occurring from time to time on the West Richland parks and recreation board, the following ratios will constitute a quorum to enable the park board to conduct its business: six or seven members, requires a quorum of four members; three, four, or five members, requires a quorum of three members. The city will endeavor to appoint a full complement of seven park board members. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 6-09 § 1, 2009; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].
2.12.110 Agenda and order of business.
An agenda shall be prepared by the chairperson and the assigned city staff member for each meeting and distributed, along with the minutes of the preceding meeting and any supportive documents or reports, to the members of the board at least three days prior to the next meeting date. Any member of the board may recommend that additional items be added to the agenda with chair approval at least three days prior to the meeting, or by approval of a majority of those members present at the meeting. The regular order of business shall be developed by the chair and approved by the board. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007].
2.12.120 Rules of order.
When necessary and appropriate the chairperson shall maintain order by utilizing Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. [Ord. 7-15 § 1, 2015; Ord. 31-07 § 1, 2007; Ord. 27-01 § 1, 2001].