[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Brigantine 9-4-2019 by Ord. No. 16-2019. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:69A-89, the Garden Club Advisory Board
(hereinafter the "Garden Club") is hereby created and established.
This Board is not a Shade Tree Commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:64-1,
et seq., and is not intended to have the powers of a Commission.
The Garden Club shall act in an advisory capacity to the City
Council, and provide the following:
A.
Plan, organize the planting, and maintain the City-owned flowerbeds,
parks and other designated locations in the discretion of the City
Council, as directed by the Director of Public Works.
B.
Make recommendations to the City Council with regard to planning
and planting of flowers and shrubs in the City flowerbeds and parks,
as well as, performing the task of planting.
C.
Submit an annual report to the City Council regarding its activities
over the prior 12 months, and if requested, appear before the City
Council for the discussion of same.
Members of the Garden Club shall be appointed by the City Council
by resolution. The Garden Club shall consist of nine members, with
at least one member being a member of City Council and one member
being the City's Director of Public Works. With the exception
of the Director of Public Works, each member shall be a resident of
Brigantine.
The term of members of the Garden Club shall be for a one-year
period. Members may serve for successive years if reappointed by Council.
Any vacancy created other than by expiration of a term shall
be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term only.
No member or volunteer of the Garden Club shall receive any
compensation for being a member.
The City Council may, if necessary, appropriate funds on an
annual basis for use by the Garden Club to meet its stated purposes,
and expenses of the Garden Club shall not exceed the funds appropriated
by the City Council.
The City is permitted to accept donations on behalf of the Garden
Club for the purposes of assisting with the beautification of the
City, and promoting environmental responsibility, conservation and
education. Any donation shall be held in trust by the City designated
to the Garden Club Trust Fund in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:4-39
and be used in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29.
The Garden Club shall provide for its own internal organizational
rules and procedures, as it deems desirable and shall organize immediately,
however no rule or procedure shall be inconsistent with any federal,
state or local statute or regulation.
A.
The Garden Club shall ensure accurate minutes of each meeting are
prepared and approved by the Board and forwarded to City Council.
B.
The Garden Club may recruit community volunteers to assist on projects.
The names of the volunteers shall be submitted to the City Manager
on an annual basis or when volunteers change. No volunteer shall be
considered or have any rights of an employee of the City of Brigantine.
C.
The Garden Club volunteers engaged in activity as authorized herein
or directed by Council and/or the Director of Public Works shall be
extended insurance coverage by the City of Brigantine through the
Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund. The insurance coverage
provided herein, does not establish an obligation on the part of the
City to indemnify or hold harmless the Garden Club volunteers nor
provide any compensation in excess of the amounts provided by the
ACMJIF.
D.
The Garden Club shall be an advisory committee to City Council, and
any reports or actions recommended by the Garden Club shall not be
effective until approved by the City Council and directed by the Director
of Public Works. The Garden Club shall conduct its activities and
meetings in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local
statutes and regulations, which shall include, but not be limited
to, the Local Government Ethics Law,[1] the Open Public Meetings Act[2] and the Open Public Records Act.[3]
