[Adopted 2-9-2006 as Sec. 2-71 of the 2006 Code of the Borough of High Bridge;
amended in its entirety 7-16-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-033]
A.
The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Committee shall be to provide
the finest recreational opportunities in the Borough of High Bridge
for all citizens. The Committee will make recommendations to the Mayor
and Council about the daily operation of all passive and active recreational
activity. This includes the Borough's system of parks, playgrounds,
recreational centers, facilities, and recreational programs, including
community sports, celebrations, special events and other recreational
activities. Furthermore, the Parks and Recreation Committee shall
provide a means of encouraging community involvement to park development
and recreational programming. Recreational operations will be funded
primarily through user fees, sponsors, and grants, and less significantly
from Borough tax revenues.
B.
Jurisdiction. The Parks and Recreation Committee shall have supervisory
jurisdiction over the parks and recreational areas owned by the Borough
but shall report to the Mayor and Council. It shall be the duty of
this Committee to oversee and guide development and maintenance of
the Borough park system, sporting fields, forestry and turf maintenance
services and leisure services for the residents of the Borough of
High Bridge.
The Parks and Recreation Committee shall have the following
duties as determined by the Mayor and Council:
A.
Identify areas of the Borough where new parks or recreation facilities
may be desired.
B.
Review existing recreational programs and improve recreational curriculum.
C.
Review existing facilities and recommend future park improvements
and major purchases to Borough Council for consideration.
D.
Interface with private recreational programs and sports organizations
for the betterment of recreational opportunities for our citizens.
E.
Identify sources of funding, such as grants, for facility and program
improvement.
F.
Provide a yearly budget to Council for specific needs in the parks
and recreational areas which identifies and meets recreational priorities.
G.
(Reserved)
H.
Be responsible for overseeing all playground, field, and park equipment
and grounds. Responsibility includes identifying maintenance, repair,
and preservation needs with specific attention committed to public
safety.
I.
Unite and interface with various Borough committees as necessary
to provide for quality, established, enduring events and activities.
J.
Encourage volunteer involvement.
K.
Undertake special projects as desired by the Mayor and Borough Council.
A.
The Parks and Recreation Committee shall consist of seven members
appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough
Council.
B.
Committee membership may be other than residents of the Borough.
C.
The term of membership shall be three years.
D.
A Borough Councilperson or his/her designee shall be a member of
the Committee and act as liaison.
Each Committee member shall be entitled to one vote with the
exception of the Council liaison who shall not be a voting member.
Approval of any matter requires an affirmative vote from the majority
of the members present, provided a quorum of four is present and voting.
If any member misses more than three consecutive meetings of
the Committee without prior authorization from the Chairperson, such
members shall be considered to have resigned from the Committee. In
addition, any member of the Committee may be removed at any time and
without cause by a majority vote of the Mayor and Borough Council.
A.
Regular meetings of the Committee shall be scheduled at least monthly,
with the exception of August and December, at a time and place determined
by the Committee and convenient for the public in order to encourage
community involvement.
B.
Special meetings may be called at any time by, or under the approval
of, the Chairperson or four or more members; provided, however, that
notification to the public and press is made in accordance with applicable
state laws.
A.
The officers of the Committee shall be a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson,
and Secretary. Other officers may be appointed as necessary to carry
out the work of the Committee.
B.
The officers shall be appointed annually by the Mayor with the advice
and consent of Council. The term for an officer shall be one year.
C.
The term for an officer shall run from January 1 and expire December
31 of each year, or until such time as a new officer is appointed.
D.
The Chairperson can be a member of the Borough Council. If the Chairperson
is a member of Council, then the member shall only vote in the case
of a tie vote by other members.
A.
Duties of
the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of
the Committee. When appropriate, the Chairperson will attend meetings
of the Borough Council. If the Chairperson is a Councilmember, the
Vice Chair or a surrogate (member of the Committee) may attend in
his or her place.
B.
Duties of
the Vice Chairperson. In the absence or disqualification of the Chairperson,
the Vice Chairperson shall assume all the duties and responsibilities
of the Chairperson.
C.
Duties of
the Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept a book
of minutes of all meetings of the Committee. The Secretary shall prepare
agendas under direction of the Chairperson and shall give notice of
regular and special meetings of the Committee. The Secretary shall
forward all approved meeting minutes to the Borough Clerk monthly.
The Chairperson may create such ad hoc committees as the business
of the Committee may require, each of which shall exist for such a
period of time and perform such duties as the Committee may determine.
A.
Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation.
B.
Members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in carrying out
the duties of the Committee as approved by the Borough Council. A
request for preapproval of available funds must be made to the Finance
Department prior to the expenditure.
