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Borough of Downingtown, PA
Chester County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (1) Index Notes (1)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Downingtown 8-20-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-08.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Officers and employees — See Ch. 52.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was originally adopted as Ch. 69, but was redesignated in order to maintain the alphabetical organization of the Code.
There is hereby established a Commission to be named the "Downingtown Parks and Recreation Commission."
A. 
The purpose of this Commission shall be to assist in the development, use, improvement, and maintenance of the Borough parks, open space, and recreational facilities.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall:
A. 
Review and make recommendations for adoption to the Borough Council regarding the following:
(1) 
Any rules and regulations necessary for the operation of all parks, open space, and recreational facilities owned by the Borough.
(2) 
Maintenance, use, removal, or improvement of existing parks and recreational facilities;
(3) 
Acquisition and development of new parks and facilities.
(4) 
Creation of new recreational programs.
(5) 
Ordinance provisions that relate to the preservation of open space, use of the parks/recreational areas, and management of these areas.
(6) 
New development proposals, with regard to the adequacy of open space, park land, trails, or other recreational areas.
(7) 
Contracts with outside organizations and regional groups that provide recreational services to Downingtown Borough.
B. 
Provide, organize and undertake any special projects or events related to parks and recreation deemed appropriate to meet the needs of the citizens of the Borough. This may also come in the form of a request by the Borough Council. Any funds generated by the Commission as a result of events shall be earmarked for a specific purpose, budget item or capital project. This earmarking will be done prior to the fund-raising event, if at all possible; however, if not earmarked, the moneys will accrue in a fund for future parks and recreational projects. Periodic activities notwithstanding, all issues relating to the use and/or scheduling of park/athletic facilities shall be handled jointly with the Parks and Recreation Commission and with the Borough Administration.
C. 
Provide input to the Public Works Director in developing the annual operating budget for the Borough parks, open space, and recreational facilities.
D. 
Submit an annual report to the Borough Council, including an analysis of the adequacy and effectiveness of Borough parks, recreation areas, facilities and leadership. Also included in the annual report should be:
(1) 
Recommendations for improvements, additions, deletions or upgrades for parks and recreation facilities.
(2) 
A review of the Borough-owned open space tracts and recommendation to the Borough Council for possible uses, improvements and required maintenance.
E. 
Use the most current Downingtown Borough Comprehensive Plan and the most current Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan as tools to guide the Borough's role in park, open space, and recreational efforts, and make recommendations to the Borough Council to revise and update these documents from time to time.
F. 
The Commission may at any time establish committees as may be needed to carry out the purposes of the Parks and Recreation Commission. For any newly established committee, the President shall appoint the chair and the membership of the committee as soon as practicable after the committee is established. For ongoing established committees, the President shall appoint the chair and the membership of each committee every two years as soon as practicable. The Parks and Recreation Commission or Borough Council may terminate any committee at any time.
[Amended 7-1-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-05; 11-6-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
A. 
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have nine members; all members shall be Borough residents. All members shall be appointed by the Borough Council.
B. 
Each Commission member shall serve for a term of three years. Upon formation of the Commission, members' terms will be staggered with one one-year-term member appointed, two two-year-term members appointed, and two three-year-term members appointed.
C. 
Borough Council may fill a vacancy for the duration of an unexpired term.
The Commission shall elect a Chairperson who will direct the activities of the Commission, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary. All officers shall serve yearly. The Commission shall establish its own rules of order.
The Borough Manager and/or Council Liaison will attend regular Commission meetings as necessary in an effort to facilitate communication between the Commission, the Borough Council and the Administration. The Borough Manager and/or Council Liaison will work with the Commission on researching and applying for available grant moneys. The Public Works Director will be responsible for considering the Commission's annual parks operation and maintenance budget recommendations and make himself/herself available for consultations with the Commission.
Public meetings shall be held to conduct the business of the Commission. Meetings shall be held at least quarterly or more frequent as deemed reasonable by the Commission. A report of the preceding year's activities shall be presented to the Borough Council prior to March 1 of each year.