In this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
The Advisory Board of Parks and Recreation.
The County Commissioners may establish an Advisory Board of
Parks and Recreation with the powers and duties specified in this
article.
A.
B.
Tenure; vacancies.
(1)
Except for the County Commissioner member, the term of a member is
three years and begins on January 1.
(2)
The County Commissioner member may serve for the member's elected
term of office as a County Commissioner.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor
is appointed.
(4)
Vacancies, except those at the expiration of a term, shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointments.
(5)
A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for
the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed.
A.
Annual report. The Board shall submit to the County Commissioners
a regular report of the Board's activities, and may recommend
further activities and development of the County Parks system and
Recreation programs.
B.
The Board may advocate to the County Commissioners for budget recommendations
that may further the goals and objectives of the Department.
A.
In general. The County Commissioners may employ the personnel that
the County Commissioners consider necessary to administer properly
the functions of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
B.
Director of Parks and Recreation.
(1)
If the County Commissioners employ a Director of Parks and Recreation,
the person shall have the training, experience, and capacity to initiate
and maintain a public park system and a program of public recreation
under the person's general supervision.
(2)
The Director of Parks and Recreation serves at the pleasure of the
County Commissioners.
C.
Salaries. The County Commissioners shall fix the salaries of all
personnel.
A.
Questions of general policy. The Board shall advise the Department
of Parks and Recreation and the County Commissioners on all questions
of general policy relating to parks and public recreation in the County.
The Board shall furthermore advise the Department of Parks and Recreation
as to matters of general policy and direction, and, when appropriate,
bring matters of public interest to the attention of the Department
and the County Administration. The Department shall endeavor to work
cooperatively with the Board whenever possible and in case of dispute,
the matter shall be addressed to the County Administrator or Commissioners
for settlement.
B.
Regulations. The Board may recommend to the County Commissioners
any regulation necessary to carry out this chapter or to protect the
property under its control.
C.
Expenditure of funds. The Board shall be charged with the responsibility
of setting fees and charges for all those properties, programs and
activities supervised or controlled by the Department of Parks and
Recreation, and these assessments shall be reviewed no less than annually
by the Board, subject only to the authority of the County Commissioners
to amend or revise such fees and charges in their discretion.
D.
Appointment of advisory committees. The Board may appoint advisory
committees or panels to assist in the exercise of the Board's
powers and duties.
A.
Adoption of program. Subject to budgetary policies and appropriations
of the County Commissioners, the Board may recommend or cause to be
conducted or directed a comprehensive program of public recreation
in schools, parks, or other lands or buildings, either publicly or
privately owned.
B.
The Board may advise as to the development, operation and maintenance of County parks and recreation facilities, subject to § 22-8 above.
C.
Issuance of permits. The Department may issue permits for the use
of any facilities under the control of the Department of Parks and
Recreation.
A.
Agreements. The control of any land, buildings, or other acceptable
facilities shall be in accordance with agreements reached between
the Department and the person who has jurisdiction over the property.
B.
Power not limited. The power conferred by this section does not limit
the power of the County Commissioners, the Board of Education, any
governmental agency, or any person to refuse to allow or to limit
the use of any ground, building, or facility under their control,
ownership, or jurisdiction.
A.
Authorized. With the approval of a majority of the members of the
Board, the Chairman of the Board may annually appoint committees to
collect data and study and make recommendations to the Board on recreation
and park issues of particular concern to the Board.
B.
Reports. A committee may submit reports to the County Planning Commission
when the committee's work or observations relate to planning
and zoning.
C.
Appropriations. The County Commissioners may appropriate public funds
to implement and support the powers and duties under this section.
The County Commissioners, by and through the Board, may join
or cooperate with the federal government, the State of Maryland, any
municipality, or other governmental agency in providing, establishing,
conducting, and maintaining recreation centers, playgrounds, parks,
and other recreation facilities and activities.
