[Adopted 12-13-1993 by Ord. No. 1868]
The Whitehall Township Recreation Commission
is hereby established as an advisory board to the administrative and
legislative branches of the Township government. The purpose of the
Recreation Commission is to foster the development, use and maintenance
of the system of parks, recreational programs and opportunities to
residents of Whitehall Township. In addition, the purpose of the Commission
is to seek informed input, recommendations and plans to utilize the
resources of the Township to the greatest efficiency and to implement
the recreational programs for residents. In addition, the Whitehall
Township Recreation Commission is created as an organizational umbrella
for other advisory boards within the Township, to foster communication,
cooperation and efficiency.
[Amended 11-12-2001 by Ord. No. 2342; 12-8-2003 by Ord. No.
2447]
A.
The Whitehall Township Recreation Commission shall
consist of 10 members, including one representative from each of the
following:
B.
The remainder of the 10 seats shall be filled by members "at large." All member shall be appointed by the Board of Commissioners of Whitehall Township. The representative from each of these groups sitting on the Commission need not be the chairperson of the group, but shall be a member in good standing of that group at all times while serving as that group's representative on the Recreation Commission. Each group shall be given the option of electing their own representative, subject to ratification by the Board of Commissioners, but, if such an option is not exercised at least four weeks prior to the meeting of the Board of Commissioners at which appointments are made, said appointment shall be made by the Board of Commissioners. All appointed members shall be residents of Whitehall Township throughout their terms. In the event the representative of one of the groups listed in Subsection A(1) through (6) above ceases membership in said group, a new representative shall be appointed in the manner previously stated to fill the unexpired term of that member. The Bureau Chief for Recreation shall sit as an ex officio member of the Recreation Commission, but shall not have a vote.
All Whitehall Township Recreation Commission
members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
B.
The appointment of the initial membership shall be
three members for a term of one year, three members for a term of
two years and three members for a term of three years. Thereafter,
all persons appointed shall serve a term of three years or the remainder
of the unexpired term for which they have been appointed unless removed
sooner by the Board of Commissioners for "just cause."
C.
Grounds for removal for "just cause" shall include,
but are not limited to, nonattendance at three consecutive regular
meetings or more than 1/2 of the total number of regular meetings
during the calendar year without acceptable excuse or conviction of
a crime of the third degree or above, a crime involving moral turpitude
or a crime involving the office of the member. Members shall also
be removed for "just cause" if they cease membership in the designated
group which they represent or cease to be domiciled in Whitehall Township.
[Amended 6-8-2009 by Ord. No. 2776, approved 11-3-2009]
Commission members shall receive no compensation
for their services but may be reimbursed for the expense actually
and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties
so long as prior approval has been given by the Bureau Chief of Recreation
and affirmed by the Mayor or his or her designee.
The Whitehall Township Recreation Commission
shall be advisory and shall coordinate all activities with the Bureau
Chief of Recreation, the Board of Commissioners and other appropriate
Township officials.
At its organization meeting, the Whitehall Township
Recreation Commission shall elect its own officers for positions of
chairperson, vice chairperson, financial secretary and secretary from
among its members. The terms of officers shall be for a duration of
one year. Officers may repeat themselves in any office up to a period
of three consecutive one year terms.
The Whitehall Recreation Commission shall have
the following powers:
A.
Recommend plans and programs to the appropriate agencies
for the enhancement of Township owned facilities and Township sponsored
programs, in accordance with the park, open space and recreation plan
adopted by the Township.
B.
Make recommendations for the possible use or expansion
of use of open park area within the Township.
C.
Review any subdivision and land development plans
which may be submitted to the Township and make such recommendations
and reports as may be deemed appropriate to the Planning Commission
or Township Engineer for incorporation into land use comments.
D.
In cooperation with the other agencies represented
on the Recreation Commission, as well as the Bureau Chief of Recreation
and the Township Bureau of Planning, Zoning and Development, assist
in planning and coordinating the use of facilities for special events
sponsored by the Township.
E.
Make recommendations for the use or location of recreational
fees or lands dedicated to the Township as a part of a subdivision
and land development or building permit process pursuant to the Municipalities
Planning Code, 53 P.S. § 10503.
This section shall not be construed to modify,
limit or alter the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Whitehall
Township Park and Recreation Board, established by Ord. No. 1228,
12-16-1976 (§ 1-411 et seq.). That Board shall continue
to function with the duties and responsibilities currently within
its charge.
