The purpose of the Youth & Recreation Commission is to promote
recreation and social programs in the Town of West Seneca by acting
in an advisory capacity to the Town Board and by serving as a liaison
between the Town Board, Recreation Department, and Town residents
on programs, facilities, parks, and other matters pertaining to recreation.
The Commission's main function is to develop a sense of community
and enhancement of the Town residents' quality of life by providing
recreational opportunities and social programs to youth and adults.
The Town Board of the Town of West Seneca hereby creates a commission
which shall be known as the "Town of West Seneca Youth and Recreation
Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission."
[Amended 6-6-2022 by L.L.
No. 7-2022;8-1-2022 by L.L. No. 10-2022]
A. All members shall be residents of the Town of West Seneca with a
proven interest in serving the needs and interests of the Town's residents.
The Commission shall consist of nine voting members, as follows:
(1) The West Seneca Recreation Supervisor;
(2) Each Town Board member (five) shall appoint one member each;
(3) Three members selected by the West Seneca Recreation Supervisor and
approved by the Town Board – from organizations/individuals
affiliated with the West Seneca School District; and
(4) The Highway Superintendent, Town Attorney, Town Finance Director,
and Town Board Liaison to Recreation shall serve as ex officio members
of the Commission without voting rights.
B. Terms of membership. All terms expire after three years. Members
may be reappointed to serve on the Commission.
(1) Following appointments every three years.
C. Ex officio members without voting rights:
(5) Town Board Liaison to Recreation.
D. Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner as
the original appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than
by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder
of the unexpired term.
At the first meeting of the Youth and Recreation Commission, its members shall elect from among themselves a Chairman and Recording Secretary. The Commission shall maintain Roberts Rules of Order and/or follow any Town of West Seneca procedures and policies for meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in §
11-5 of this chapter.
The powers and duties of the Youth and Recreation Commission
shall be to:
A. Complete a survey of Town residents to assess the recreational needs
and interests in West Seneca using the information obtained in the
survey.
B. Develop a master plan for recreation, including parks, facilities,
and programs that meet the future needs of the community, including
recommending any acquisitions, design and improvement of current and
future facilities.
C. Recommend all service, participation, registration and admission
fees.
D. Provide well-researched and well-thought-out recommendations to the
Town Board to enhance and/or expand recreation. The Commission may
be tasked with carrying through these recommendations, if approved
by the West Seneca Town Board.
E. The Commission shall put on various community events and assist the
Recreation Department by volunteering at other programs and events.
F. The Commission works to establish and maintain cooperative relationships
with community partner and other local recreation groups and agencies.
G. Hold meetings on a quarterly basis at a minimum.
H. Three unexcused absences in a period of one year may be regarded
as grounds for termination of Recreation Commission membership. A
determination of excused/unexcused absences shall be made by the Town
Board.
I. Develop and maintain a capital plan to enhance recreation opportunities
for all residents of all ages.
J. Increase community input.
K. The members must work closely with the Town Board, Recreation Supervisor,
and Highway Superintendent.
L. Adopt suitable rules of conduct for use of all recreational facilities
and the conduct of all persons while on or using the same.
The Youth and Recreation Commission shall submit an annual report
to the Town Board no later than the April 1 each year. The report
must include a detailed summary of the activities and work of the
Commission for the past year, including but not limited to, any recommendations
made and the outcome of those recommendations, all programs/events
that took place, fees collected, etc. From time to time, the Commission
may be asked by the Town Board to submit an interim report, as may
be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. Interim reports
shall be due 30 days from the date requested by the Town Board.
The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation
for their services as members but may be reimbursed from funds raised
by and held for the benefit of the Commission for reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. All funds must
be held in an account established and maintained by the Town Finance
Department. The Commission must follow the Towns Purchasing Policy
and vendor payment policy.
The Commission shall be subject to the New York State Open Meeting
Law. As such, the meeting shall be public meetings and minutes shall
be taken.
All members of the Commission shall abide by the Town of West
Seneca Ethics Code, Whistleblower Policy, and Social Media Policy.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the
Town of West Seneca to preserve and improve the quality of life on
behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This Chapter
is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any
other public corporation.
This chapter shall become effective immediately upon its enactment
by the Town Board after proper filing, including filing with the office
of the State Comptroller and the Office of the Secretary of State.