There is hereby created an advisory council in each of the County parks: Boyce Park, Deer Lakes Park, Harrison Hills Park, Hartwood Acres Park, North Park, Round Hill Park, Settler's Cabin Park, South Park and White Oak Park. Each council shall be designated as the "Council of Friends" of the respective park. Each council shall be a County agency as defined in the Administrative Code, and shall be subject to all provisions within the Administrative Code relating to agencies.
Unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the following terms, as used in this article, shall be defined as follows:
DEPARTMENT The Department of Parks and Recreation.
DIRECTOR The Director of Parks and Recreation.
MEMBERS The members of the Council of Friends.
[Amended 2-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-03; 4-16-2013 by Ord. No. 11-13]
A. Each Friends Council shall be comprised of a minimum of seven members per county park. Appointments to each Friends Council shall be made as designated in this article and presented to County Council for confirmation. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner for an unexpired term. The appointment process will begin with the confirmation of the Commission.
B. County Council members that represent a district in which a park is located shall make seven appointments for each park located within their district. If a member has more than one park in his or her district, there shall be seven selections per park. The Council members shall present their appointments to the full Council for confirmation.
C. County Council members that represent a district in which there is no park shall make three appointments each and shall designate to which Friends Council those appointments are being made. The at-large members of County Council shall also make three appointments each and shall designate to which Friends Council those appointments are being made. The Council members shall present their appointments to the full Council for confirmation.
D. The members of the Friends Council must reside in the County at the time of their appointment and must maintain residence within the County at all times during their service on the Friends Council.
E. The terms of office shall be two years for each member of the Friends Council. Members may be reappointed after their initial term. The term of office shall begin with the appointment of the Director of Parks and Recreation by the County Executive. The terms shall terminate when members' successors are appointed and qualified.
F. The members of the Friends Councils shall receive no compensation for the performance of their official duties.
G. The members of the Friends Councils shall include, to the extent possible, representation from the labor, the disability community, education, environmental advocates, sports and athletic programs landscape architecture and historic preservation. Consideration shall also be given to geographic diversity among members.
H. Members of the Friends Councils may be removed by the appointing official at will.
Each Friends Council shall have the following powers and duties:
A. Streamline communications with all existing "friends" groups within their respective park by sharing information on park plans that impact their specific interest areas.
B. Conduct periodic public meetings to report to the community and to receive input on various issues from the citizens.
C. Communicate information from the public meetings to the Director and the Parks and Recreation Commission, including initiatives undertaken by special interest groups and suggestions for changes or attention to park facilities.
D. Maximize the effectiveness of efforts by the various "friends" groups within the park by sharing information at public meetings and coordinating events and initiatives.
E. Work in conjunction with the County Council members representing the district in which the park is located to address issues of concern or interest.
F. Make reports to the community and special interest groups in existence on Department plans for the parks.
G. Work closely with the Director and staff to educate park users about changes in governance and the positive impacts for their interest areas.