[Added by L.L. No. 60-1961]
As used in this article, unless another meaning is clearly indicated by the text:
(1) 
The term "recreation facilities" shall mean and include Memorial Field and all parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, and all buildings, structures, parking lots, equipment and appurtenances, and such other rights and appurtenances as the Recreation Commission of the City of Mount Vernon as constituted prior to the adoption of this local law utilized for recreation purposes, whether the same be now or hereafter owned or acquired by the City, by purchase, grant, lease, or otherwise;
(2) 
The term "Commissioner" shall mean the Commissioner of Recreation;
(3) 
The term "Board" shall mean the Recreation Board;
(4) 
The term "Department" shall mean the Department of Recreation.
There shall be a Department of Recreation in which there shall be a Commissioner of Recreation and a Recreation Board. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the Department shall have and exercise all the powers and perform all the duties vested in or imposed upon the Recreation Commission prior to the adoption of this local law.
The Mayor shall appoint, to hold office at his pleasure, a Commissioner of Recreation, who shall be the head of the Department of Recreation. The Commissioner of Recreation shall appoint, to hold office at his pleasure, except as otherwise provided by law, a Deputy Commissioner of Recreation and such other subordinates as may be prescribed by the Board of Estimate and Contract. The Commissioner of Recreation shall define the duties of the Deputy, and may delegate to him any of his powers except that of appointment and transfer. In the event of the absence or disability of the Commissioner of Recreation, or of a vacancy in his office, the Deputy shall discharge the duties of the office of the Commissioner until the Commissioner returns, his disability ceases, or the vacancy is filled, as the case may be.
The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner shall possess the qualifications prescribed by § 3 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York.
In addition thereto the Commissioner shall possess the following training and experience requirements: graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a bachelor's degree in recreation or physical education or allied field and three years of experience in the conduct of recreation activities which shall have been in a responsible supervisory or administrative capacity; or a master's degree in recreation or physical education or allied field and two years of experience in the conduct of recreation activities which shall have been in a responsible supervisory or administrative capacity; or a bachelor's degree in recreation or allied field and any equivalent combination of education and experience.
The Deputy Commissioner shall also possess the following training and experience requirements: graduation from a college or university of recognized standing with a bachelor's degree in recreation or allied field and, in addition, two years of experience in the conduct of recreation; or a master's degree in recreation or allied field and one year of appropriate experience in the conduct of recreation activities which shall have been in a responsible supervisory or administrative capacity; or a bachelor's degree in recreation or allied field and any equivalent combination of education and experience.
[Amended by L.L. No. 1-1972]
The Commissioner of Recreation shall exercise all the powers and be charged with all the duties now conferred upon or required of the Recreation Commission and the Superintendent thereof, except as limited or extended by the provisions of this chapter and shall also possess such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by ordinance of the City Council or otherwise by law. The Commissioner shall have cognizance, jurisdiction, supervision and control of the City's recreation facilities and shall formulate, adopt, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations, orders and directives for the use, operation, care, custody, supervision and maintenance of such facilities. He shall also, subject to the approval by the City Council, fix the fees to be paid by the public for the use of such facilities.
The Recreation Board shall consist of five members who shall be residents of the City, to be appointed by the Mayor. The five members shall be selected with a view to their demonstrated interest in recreation, and, to the extent possible, shall be persons of diverse backgrounds from different sections of the City.
The terms of the appointed members of the Board shall be for five years each to expire at the end of the calendar year, except that present members of the Recreation Commission of the City of Mount Vernon shall continue in office as members of the newly constituted Recreation Board until their terms of office in the Recreation Commission have expired.
Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner in which the original appointment was made. The members of the Board shall serve as such without compensation but shall be entitled to receive their actual disbursements and expenses in performing the duties of their office. The Board shall elect from its own members both a Chairman and a Vice Chairman for a term of one year and may from time to time name such other officers as it deems necessary, except that the first Chairman shall be appointed by the Mayor.
The Board shall meet once each month on a stated date to be selected by the Board, and may hold such other meetings as the Board may from time to time determine. Three members shall constitute a quorum. Wherever approval by the Board is required, a majority of the whole Board shall be required.
[Amended by L.L. No. 1-1972]
The Recreation Board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) 
To formulate and make recommendations with respect to the City's recreation program and the use, operation, care, custody, supervision and maintenance of the City's recreation facilities.
(2) 
To develop and recommend long-range plans for additional recreation facilities in cooperation with the School District of the City of Mount Vernon and Planning Board and to recommend capital projects for submission by the Commissioner to the City's Capital Projects Board.
(3) 
To recommend fees to be charged the public for the use of the City's recreation facilities.
(4) 
To recommend qualifications for all supervisory positions in the Department of Recreation excluding the office of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.
(5) 
To encourage the maximum use of the City's recreational facilities and the coordination of the same with the recreation facilities owned by the School District of the City of Mount Vernon, and such other powers and duties as may be conferred upon them by ordinance of the City Council.