[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of South Strabane 5-24-2022 by Ord. No. 3-2022. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
Pursuant to Section 2204 of the Second Class Township Code, a recreation board known as the Parks and Recreation Commission ("Commission") is hereby created in and for South Strabane Township. The Commission shall consist of seven members, who are residents of the Township, appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
The purpose of the Commission is to advise the Board of Supervisors on the development, oversight, maintenance and regulation of Township parks, recreation areas, park facilities and provide recommendations on recreational programming, open space management and long-range planning.
Members of the Commission shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
A. 
Commission members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors in a public meeting.
B. 
Commission members shall receive child abuse history clearance from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
C. 
Commission members shall serve for terms of five years or until their successors are appointed, except those members first appointed shall be appointed so that the terms of not more than two members expire annually.
D. 
All persons appointed shall serve their full terms unless they voluntarily resign or are removed by the Board of Supervisors for dereliction or neglect of duty.
E. 
Should a vacancy occur by means other than by the expiration of a term, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion of the term.
The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed by the Township for expenses incurred in performing their duties.
A. 
The Commission shall meet monthly in a public meeting which has been previously advertised and at which the public shall be given an opportunity to be heard.
B. 
The Commission shall, from their own membership, elect a Chairman, Secretary and such other officers that the members may deem necessary and proper.
C. 
All officers shall serve in their position for one year and may succeed themselves.
D. 
The Commission shall exercise only those responsibilities specifically delegated to it by the Board of Supervisors.
E. 
The Commission may adopt protocols for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction.
F. 
The Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings, which it shall submit to the Board of Supervisors.
The following responsibilities are delegated to the Commission by the Board of Supervisors:
A. 
Serve as an advisory board on matters concerning parks and recreation.
B. 
Review, discuss and advise on programs and the operation of parks and recreation services.
C. 
Plan, recommend and implement recreational programming.
D. 
Advise the Board of Supervisors in the acquisition and development of parklands.
E. 
Inform the Board of Supervisors as to the status and progress of recreation and parks services.
F. 
Develop, maintain and promote the implementation of a comprehensive parks, recreation and open space plan.
G. 
Evaluate annually the park and recreation system in the community in relation to its purpose and other Township, county and state planning and visioning documents.
H. 
Identify open space, recreation, park and trail needs of the Township.
I. 
Actively promote parks and recreation activities throughout the Township.
J. 
Utilize the regular public meetings of the Commission, in addition to regular business to serve as a forum to discuss new programs and services that benefit the Township.
K. 
Collaborate and cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups in the advancement of parks and recreation in the Township.
L. 
Communicate the importance and need of recreation services to the general public.
M. 
Recommend plans, programs and policies regarding the provision of recreation and parks services.
N. 
Develop and recommend policies for implementation to provide and manage the equitable and full use of all recreation facilities.
O. 
Submit an annual report to the Board of Supervisors as deemed necessary.
P. 
Perform such other duties relating to parks and recreation as may be assigned to it from time to time by the Board of Supervisors.