Township of Forks, PA Chapter 40 Recreation Board

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Forks 4-7-2011 by Ord. No. 318[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 129.

[1] Editor's Note: The provisions of this ordinance were originally adopted as Ch. 32, but were renumbered to maintain the alphabetical organization of the Code.

§ 40-1 Mission; goals.

A. Mission Statement. It is the mission of the Forks Township Recreation Board to create leisure, enrichment and recreational opportunities for personal growth and enhancement for all ages, in conjunction with the Township's Parks and Recreation Director. To achieve this, the Board shall develop diverse services and programs that promote citizen involvement and a strong sense of community. Such services and programs shall strive to increase the social, cultural, and physical well-being of Forks residents and visitors.

B. Statement of goals. The goals of the Forks Township Recreation Board are to.

(1) Promote clean and safe parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities.

(2) Promote efficient services and programs for Forks Township residents regardless of age, income, background, and ability.

(3) Effectively plan for the future parks and recreation facilities and programs for Forks Township residents.

(4) Continually strive to promote improved existing facilities while seeking opportunities for future development.

(5) Create a partnership with the Forks Township community to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

(6) Work closely with the Township Parks and Recreation Director to promote ready access to funds from the Township's Recreation Petty Cash Fund for officials' fees, league fees, and emergency recreation needs.

(7) Work closely with any organized athletic program that receives funding from the Township, including but not limited to the Forks Township Athletic Association (hereinafter each such program shall be referred to as "Athletic Association").

[Amended 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

§ 40-2 Reaffirmation; members; terms; administration; officers.

A. The existence of the Forks Township Recreation Board is reaffirmed by the Board of Supervisors.

B. The Forks Township Recreation Board shall consist of seven persons. The members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and shall serve for terms of five years. The current members shall remain in office until their respective terms expire.

C. Members shall serve without pay but may be reimbursed by the Township for all expenses incurred in performing their duties. All persons appointed shall serve their full terms unless voluntarily resigned or removed by the Board of Supervisors for dereliction or neglect of duty. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of term shall be for the unexpired term and shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.

D. At the first meeting each calendar year, the members of the Recreation Board shall elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer to serve for a period of one year. The Recreation Board may adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction and exercise powers and functions concerning parks and recreation facilities, but only to the extent delegated to it by the Board of Supervisors. In conjunction with the Township's Parks and Recreation Director, the Recreation Board shall submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors, said report to include an analysis of the adequacy and effectiveness of community recreation areas, facilities and leadership.

E. The duties of the officers of the Recreation Board are as follows:

(1) Chairman. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Recreation Board; shall be an ex officio member of all Recreation Board committees; and shall be the Recreation Board liaison to the Board of Supervisors and the Parks and Recreation Committee of the Board of Supervisors.

(2) Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as an aid to the Chairman; shall exercise all of the functions of the Chairman and shall be vested with all of the powers of the Chairman in the Chairman's absence.

(3) Secretary. The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of meetings of the Recreation Board; shall have charge of all documents and records of the Recreation Board; shall keep attendance records of the Recreation Board meetings and record such attendance in the minutes; and shall be responsible to send approved Recreation Board minutes to the Township for appropriate distribution.

(4) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall work with the Township Parks and Recreation Director to facilitate ready access to funds from the Township's Recreation Petty Cash Fund for officials' fees, league fees, and emergency recreation needs; shall be an authorized check signer for the Township's Recreation Petty Cash Fund; shall present a statement of account at every meeting of the Recreation Board, if necessary; and shall present a financial report to the Board of Supervisors every December, if necessary.

F. Attendance. The Recreation Board shall conduct no fewer than 10 regular Recreation Board meetings in each calendar year. The Recreation Board meetings shall be advertised by the Township Manager in connection with the annual reorganization meeting legal notices. Any deviation from the publicly advertised date, time or location of any Recreation Board meeting shall be publicly advertised no fewer than seven calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. The unexcused absence of any Recreation Board member from three or more regular meetings in any calendar year may constitute neglect of duty, which may be a basis for removal by the Board of Supervisors, upon recommendation of the Recreation Board.

§ 40-3 Powers and duties.

The powers of the Recreation Board are as follows:

A. Advise the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Board of Supervisors on establishing and maintaining ongoing adult athletic and youth sports programs, youth nonsports activities, leisure activities, enrichment and cultural opportunities, and such other programs for all ages that will enhance the mental and physical well-being of Forks Township residents and help assure that the Township's recreation goals and objectives are being achieved.

B. Advise the Board of Supervisors and the Forks Township Planning Commission concerning proposed recreation plans and facilities in connection with subdivision or land development plans presented to the Township.

C. Work in connection with the Township Parks and Recreation Director to review and approve the annual budget for the Forks Youth Athletic Association, with said approved budget to be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for inclusion in the Township's annual budget.

D. Provide an annual report to the Board of Supervisors on suggested upgrades to existing recreation parks and facilities and proposed additions to the recreation parks and facilities.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

E. Approve bylaws, policies and code of conduct of any Athletic Association.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

F. Receive and review of the minutes of each meeting of any Athletic Association.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

G. Attend meetings of any Athletic Association.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

H. Develop Township required participation policies to be followed by any Athletic Association.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

I. Receive and review documentation of all disciplinary actions taken by an Athletic Association.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

J. Develop a written process for an appellate review, and conduct hearings on appeals of all disciplinary actions of an Athletic Association (if requested by an Athletic Association) and uphold or modify decisions based on written findings of the Recreation Board.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

K. Make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors to withhold funds and/or use of recreation facilities in the event the Recreation Board determines that bylaws, policies or code of conduct of an Athletic Association have not been followed.

[Added 6-18-2015 by Ord. No. 334]

§ 40-4 Noncommercial and nonsectarian conduct.

The Recreation Board shall be noncommercial and nonsectarian; shall not endorse any commercial enterprise; shall not endorse a candidate for any elected office and shall not participate in any political campaign; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting an individual Recreation Board member from endorsing any candidate for elected office or prohibiting participation in any political campaign. No individual member shall use membership on the Recreation Board for personal financial gain.