[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Pittston 10-16-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-10. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 349.
This chapter may be referred to as the "Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Establishment Ordinance."
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Pittston, in order to obtain sound advice on the best utilization of City parklands and recreation facilities, as well as recreational programming for City residents and visitors, deems it prudent to establish a Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and by means of Resolution No. 11402, adopted on June 19, 2013, did hereby authorize and direct that an ordinance to establish such a Commission be produced.
In accordance with § C12.04 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Pittston (Ordinance No. 2013-1), which authorizes the City Council to establish boards and commissions, there is hereby established a Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for the City of Pittston as follows:
A. 
Composition. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission shall be comprised of five members, appointed by resolution of the City Council in accordance with § C7.01 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Pittston.
(1) 
Qualifications. Commission members shall be stakeholders of the City of Pittston with a demonstrated background and/or interest in public parks and/or public recreation programs. Up to one member of the Commission may be a member of the City Council.
(2) 
Term of office. Commission members shall serve a three-year term of office. In order to stagger the terms, for the first five members appointed, two shall serve a three-year term, two shall serve a two-year term, and one shall serve a one-year term. Vacancies shall occur in the event of death, resignation, failure to maintain City residence, or failure to attend three unexcused consecutive meetings of the Commission. In the event of a vacancy, the City Council shall appoint a replacement, who shall serve the remainder of the term.
(3) 
Chairperson. The City Council shall designate the Chairperson of the Commission, who shall chair all meetings of the Commission. The Commission may appoint a Chairperson pro tempore, who shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson.
(4) 
Junior member. The City Council may, by resolution, appoint a junior member of the Commission, who shall be less than 18 years of age, for the purpose of receiving input from the youth of the City. The junior member must be a resident of the City. The junior member shall have no power to vote on matters before the Commission, but shall be entitled to make comment on the record.
(5) 
Vacancies. The Commission shall promptly inform the City Council of any vacancies which occur.
B. 
Powers and duties. The Commission shall have the following purview:
(1) 
Make recommendations on the acquisition and disposition of public parks and recreations lands and facilities;
(2) 
Make recommendations on the conditions within and maintenance of and operational policies for City public parks and recreation areas to promote safe use, equal opportunity, and alignment of park and recreation resources to the needs of City residents;
(3) 
Make recommendations on long-term capital improvement plans for City parks and recreation areas;
(4) 
Make recommendations on recreational programs and activities for City residents within City park and recreational areas;
(5) 
Provide a forum for public input on public parks and recreation areas for current use and future planning;
(6) 
Any other duties assigned by the Mayor and City Council.
A. 
Meetings. The Commission shall hold public meetings as needed, but nothing shall preclude the Commission from meeting more often as deemed prudent or necessary. For purposes of conducting operations, a quorum shall consist of not less than three Commission members in attendance. All Commission meetings shall be advertised and open to the public in accordance with the requirements of the Home Rule Charter, City ordinances and applicable state law. The City Administrator is directed to assist the Commission in placing proper legal notices of its meetings. Residents of the City of Pittston shall be afforded an opportunity to provide input to the Commission in verbal and/or written form in a manner to be prescribed by the Commission. The Commission may establish operating policies for the conduct of its meetings.
B. 
Recordkeeping. The Commission shall appoint a Secretary, who shall keep minutes of all meetings in a manner prescribed by the City Administrator, and copies of approved minutes shall be provided to the City Administrator for filing.
C. 
Operating budget. The City Council shall provide an appropriation for the operations of the Commission in the annual approved budget. The Commission shall incur no expenses not in accordance with the approved budget for the Commission and shall adhere to all City budget and financial management policies and regulations.
D. 
Reports and recommendations. At any time, the Commission may make a report or recommendation on any matter within the scope of its jurisdiction to the Mayor and City Council, except that such report and/or recommendation must be approved by a majority vote of the Commission. Reports and recommendations from the Commission to the Mayor and City Council are advisory in nature in accordance with the jurisdiction of the Commission. The City Council may, at any time, direct the Commission to prepare a report or recommendation on a matter of specified interest.
E. 
Donations. The Commission shall not seek or accept any donations, financial or material, without the approval in advance of the City Administrator. Any funds, equipment or material that is donated shall be donated to the City of Pittston for the City parks and recreation facilities and programs with the approval of the City Administrator and shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Home Rule Charter and the City's financial management policies.