[Adopted 2-19-2008 (Ch. 2, Art. XVIII, of the 2010 Code)]
[Amended 10-7-2014]
There is hereby established a Parking Commission, known as the "Taunton Parking Commission" (hereinafter the "Commission"), which shall be composed of five members. Three members, all of whom shall be persons residing or owning a business within the limits of the City of Taunton, shall be appointed by the Mayor for a term of three years. There shall be two ex officio members, one of whom shall be the Chief of Police or his designee and one of whom shall be the President of the Municipal Council or such other member of the Municipal Council as may be designated from time to time by the President thereof. Members of the Commission shall not receive any compensation for services rendered to the Commission but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by them in carrying out their duties.
Upon recommendation of the Commission, the Taunton Municipal Council may create subordinate staff positions for the Parking Commission, including parking control officers. Upon creation of subordinate positions, the Commission shall make appointments to such subordinate positions.
[Amended 10-7-2014]
The Commission shall carry out the functions and duties prescribed for it in § 10-66. The Commission shall hold regular meetings not less than once per month at a fixed time and place determined by the Commission. Meetings of the Commission shall also be held at such times as may be voted by the Commission or as may be called by the Mayor or the Chairperson of the Commission. Three members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of at least three members shall be required to pass any motion or measure. Notices of meetings shall in all cases be made in accordance with the General Laws of Massachusetts. Notices of meetings shall also be issued to the Mayor, Commission members, members of the Municipal Council, the Chief of the Fire Department, and the Commissioner of Public Works, but the failure to provide such notices, or any errors contained therein, shall not serve to prohibit or prevent the Commission from meeting or transacting business, so long as the notice of the meeting and the posting of such notice otherwise comply with the General Laws of Massachusetts. Any elected official or department head of the City may attend Commission meetings and present his views, and the Commission shall entertain such other public input as it deems appropriate, but only members of the Commission shall be entitled to vote.
The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to:
A. 
Adopt bylaws for the regulations of its affairs and the conduct of its business.
B. 
Clear, grade, surface, and resurface land acquired or used for the purposes of off-street parking and to construct, reconstruct, operate and maintain thereon such facilities for public off-street parking as are determined necessary, and to annually recommend such rates to the Municipal Council to be charged for use of the facilities by the public as the Commission deems appropriate.
C. 
Contract for service for a maximum period not exceeding five years, pursuant to MGL c. 30B.
D. 
Operate and maintain all City-owned off-street parking facilities, on-street parking facilities and meters off street, or any portion thereof operated and maintained within the boundaries of the City of Taunton.
E. 
Issue rules and regulations for all parking areas subject to its control. Rules and regulations that are proposed shall be first reviewed and approved by the Municipal Council prior to implementation.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any municipal ordinances, the Parking Commission shall be the entity authorized to collect money deposited in any meters or collected at any municipal parking facility. Such money shall be deposited forthwith with the City Treasurer/Collector into the appropriate municipal account as created by municipal ordinance at §§ 405-22, 405-81 and 405-87. Expenditure of the receipts shall be as authorized by the Commission in conformance with MGL c. 40, §§ 22A to 22C.
On or before March 1 of each year, the Commission shall submit its proposed budget for the next fiscal year to the Mayor for inclusion within the municipal budget. The budget submitted shall project revenue based upon the pro rata actual revenue through the date of submission unless exigent circumstances dictate otherwise. The budget shall project expenses in two separate categories: operating and capital. The capital budget shall be funded by all or a portion of the unexpended funds from the prior fiscal year, and amounts not expended may be carried from year to year. The remaining unexpended surplus shall be appropriated for any use permissible under MGL c. 40, §§ 22A to 22C.
The City of Taunton meter officer assigned to the Police Department will continue until such time as an agreement is readied with the Taunton Police Patrolmen's Association to perform his present duties.