The Parks, Recreation, and Tree Advisory Commission would act in an advisory capacity to the city council and Parks and Recreation Department on matters related to park, trail, and facility improvements, prioritization, and updates to the park master plan. The commission would also advise on matters involving Albany’s urban forest, recommend policies for planting, removal, and care of public trees, and support maintaining Albany’s status as a Tree City USA since 1994.
General functions and specific responsibilities of the Commission are as follows:
(1) General functions of the commission:
(a) To promote and build awareness of our recreation services and park system to other boards, community members, and civic groups;
(b) To define the objectives of public recreation services;
(c) To maintain the highest quality and standards of recreation service;
(d) To interpret the importance of and need of recreation services to the general public;
(e) To keep public officials informed of the status and progress of recreation services;
(f) To recommend a sound fiscal plan to achieve recreation goals;
(g) To recommend an adequate system of recreation areas and facilities; and
(h) To evaluate the services of the recreation system in relation to its objectives.
(2) Specific responsibilities of the commission:
(a) Act in an advisory capacity to the city council, the city manager and the Parks and Recreation Director;
(b) Recommend policies as to recreation service for approval of the city council;
(c) Advise the city council on problems of development of recreation areas, facilities, programs and improved recreation services;
(d) Interpret the policies and functions of the Parks and Recreation Department to the public; and
(e) Review the annual budget of the Parks and Recreation Department before presentation to the city manager and advise the Parks and Recreation Director on the development of long-range capital improvement programs;
(f) Develop criteria for the City Forester to apply in making decisions entrusted to his/her dis-cretion;
(g) Designate heritage trees on public and private lands within the city as part of the Heritage Tree Program;
(h) Promote the planting and proper maintenance of trees through special events including an annual local celebration of Arbor Day;
(i) Obtain the annual Tree City USA designation by the National Arbor Day Foundation;
(j) Review the discretionary decisions of the City Forester;
(k) Consider grant opportunities; and
(l) Carry out such other tasks as may be delegated to them by the city council.
(Ord. 6002 § 1, 2022)