[Adopted as § 2.05(7) of the former City Code;
amended by Ord. No. 96-8; Ord. No. 02-47]
The Park, Recreation and Forestry Commission shall consist of
seven members. Six members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with the
approval of the Common Council. One member shall be an Alderperson
appointed by the Mayor, with the approval of the Common Council. All
members of the Commission shall be qualified electors of the City
and shall serve as members of the Commission without compensation.
The terms of office for each member of the Commission shall
be three years, except that the Aldermanic member of the Commission
shall be appointed annually by the Mayor. All terms shall commence
effective May 1 of the year of appointment.
The duties of the Commission shall be as follows:
A.
There shall be a President and Secretary elected at the first meeting
after April 30 of each year. The Commission shall hire a properly
qualified director as may be required to conduct a comprehensive park,
recreation and forestry program.
B.
The Commission shall review, recommend and implement policies, rules,
regulations and budgets (subject to Common Council approval) relating
to park, playground, recreational and cultural facilities or functions
and develop an urban forestry program.
C.
The Commission shall exercise broad responsibility for the development
and improvement of park, playground, recreational and cultural facilities
or functions to better serve the City. Special attention shall be
given to long-range planning and programming. Further, the Commission
shall promote the general beauty of the City and its approaches.
D.
The Commission is authorized to create and appoint advisory groups
to make studies and to disseminate information on all of its activities.
Such groups shall serve without compensation.
E.
The Commission shall transmit to the Common Council full and complete
annual reports of department activities, and also such additional
reports as the Commission deems in the public interest.
F.
Exemptions-granting authority to Parks Director. Upon Park, Recreation
and Forestry Commission approval, the Director of Parks or his or
her designee may implement exemptions related to the enforceability
or applicability of City ordinances affecting parks, recreation or
forestry uses, interests or operations upon demonstrated management
needs, safety concerns or reasons of the general public good or benefit.
[Added 1-6-2015 by Ord.
No. 14-36]
(1)
Any
such exemptions shall not affect the force or effect of ordinances
in this or any other chapter except as narrowly described by written
memorandum for specifically defined purposes and times; any conflict
nevertheless arising by way of an exemption implemented pursuant to
this subsection in light of the meaning or effect of a City ordinance
shall result in the City ordinance serving as authoritative and controlling.
(2)
Any
such exemptions shall be approved only upon consultation with any
other directly or indirectly impacted City department, unit or official.
All due and careful attention is to be given to the uniform and equal
affording of exemptions as well as the minimizing of any risk attendant
to the implementation of exemptions. Exemptions implemented under
this subsection shall have no fiscal impact.
