The purpose and intent of this chapter is to make available to the city council and staff an advisory body to provide additional expertise and citizen input relative to the provision of facilities and programs for recreation, environmental and cultural preservation and education and civic beautification in order to enhance the quality of life.
(Ord. 42-92; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 18-09; Ord. 17-19 § 1)
There is created a parks and recreation commission (hereinafter referred to as "commission") composed of seven adult and two youth members, all of whom have commission voting privileges, who shall be appointed by the city council. The two youth members shall serve one-year terms. The adult members shall serve staggered three-year terms and until their successors are appointed and confirmed.
(Ord. 303; Ord. 742; Ord. 7-74; Ord. 59-77 § 1.02; Ord. 7-80 § 1.04; Ord. 10-85; Ord. 39-90; Ord. 40-91; Ord. 22-95; Ord. 12-98; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 14-03; Ord. 18-09; Ord. 17-19 § 1)
The commission shall hold monthly and/or special meetings at least 10 times each year, and shall encourage public comment on major items.
(Ord. 42-92; Ord. 28-93; Ord. 22-95; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 18-09; Ord. 17-19 § 1)
The commission shall perform the following duties:
A. 
Serve as an advisor to the city council in order to promote parks, trails, open space and recreation for the city.
B. 
Provide recommendations to the council and, as appropriate, to other boards and commissions, on matters related to the provision of parks and recreation facilities and services that promote healthy lifestyles and contribute to the quality of life for all citizens. In this role, the commission shall seek public input at regular monthly meetings, neighborhood meetings, master plan meetings and as needed to determine the public view on parks and recreation matters.
C. 
Regularly review and provide recommendations to the council on updating the parks, trails and open space master plan and the individual venue master plans based on needs assessment, utilization data, staff proposals, and public input.
D. 
Review and recommend to the council priorities for the parks and recreation portion of the annual capital facilities plan and for trail and streetscape portions of the transportation section of this plan. Review and recommend to council park reserve fund appropriations, park partnership projects, applications for grants, park impact fees, and donations.
E. 
Review, comment and make recommendations on the annual city long range transportation plan with respect to bicycle lanes, trails and multi-use trails.
F. 
Review and make recommendations to the council on park and recreational facility names and site selection of art in park and recreation lands.
G. 
Review and recommend to the council rules and regulations for the use of public grounds, facilities and equipment.
H. 
Support cooperative and collaborative partnerships with the Richland school district, neighboring communities, Native American organizations and other governmental jurisdictions to promote healthy lifestyle opportunities.
I. 
Review and recommend to the council proposed amendments to the city code for events, concessions or use of facilities on park property and make recommendations on leases of city park property.
J. 
Review, analyze and provide comments or recommendations on matters referred to the commission by city staff, council or other boards, commissions or committees.
K. 
Adopt annual commission goals and, at a regular council meeting during the first quarter of the year, report to council on the past year's commission activities and progress and submit goals for the new year.
(Ord. 18-09; Ord. 17-19 § 1)
If any one or more sections, subsections or sentences of this chapter are held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter, and the same shall remain in full force and effect.
(Ord. 42-92; Ord. 40-98; Ord. 18-09; Ord. 17-19 § 1)