There is hereby established a five-member Allegheny
County Countywide Riverfront Park Commission. The Commission generally
shall be empowered to assist in the implementation of land acquisition
and development plans, as well as to control revenues appropriated
by Allegheny County Council for the Commission's use in acquiring
or improving land for a Countywide Riverfront Park.
Members of the Countywide Riverfront Park Commission
shall be residents of the County at the time of appointment and throughout
their service. No more than one regular member of the panel may be
a County officer or employee at the time of appointment. Members of
the Commission shall receive no compensation for the performance of
their duties.
Four regular members of the Commission shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Commission
shall conduct no business except in the presence of a quorum. The
Chairman of the Commission shall ensure that appropriate measures
are taken to keep minutes of the Commission's proceedings. Such records
shall be kept and preserved in accordance with applicable law. The
Council shall furnish to the Commission such clerical assistance and
supplies as may be deemed reasonable by the President.
In the case of a vacancy, the President of Allegheny
County Council shall, within 30 days of the vacancy, make an appointment
to fill the unexpired term.
The Commission shall have the following powers
and duties:
A. Enhance citizen involvement in policymaking issues
by advising the Director of Parks and Recreation regarding the budget,
fees and charges, personnel recruitment and training, and general
operation of the Allegheny Countywide Riverfront Park (the "Park").
B. Subject to the terms of §
215-20, conduct periodic public meetings to report to the community and to receive input on various issues pertaining to the Park from citizens.
C. Recommend to the County Executive and the County Council
plans for beautification and maintenance of the Park and its recreational
areas and amenities.
D. Investigate the acquisition or abandonment of lands,
lakes, waterways, trails, utility rights-of-way, greenways, buildings
or other facilities for the purpose of constructing or improving the
Park.
E. Investigate, recommend and implement construction
of the Park in such a manner so as to maximize its value and use to
existing riverfront communities and, specifically, to enhance the
quality of life and increase property values in existing riverfront
communities.
F. Work with public and private sector partners to connect
the riverfront park to existing greenways and open space, and with
local municipalities to preserve valuable open space lands adjacent
to the Park.
G. Review and recommend to the Director of Parks and
Recreation plans for the construction or improvement of buildings
or other facilities within the Park.
H. Recommend fees and charges for Park services to the
Director of Parks and Recreation for consideration, subject to the
review and approval by Council and the Chief Executive.
I. Assist the Law Department, the Parks Department and
the Department of Economic Development in the implementation of land
acquisition and development plans.
J. Subject to the terms of §§
215-22 and
215-23, authorize expenditures of County revenue appropriated by Council to the Commission for the purposes of land acquisition for or development of the Park.
The Countywide Riverfront Park Commission shall
be required to obtain a binding resolution from the County of Allegheny
authorizing the request, application, or acceptance of any state or
federal funds requiring a County match from the operating or capital
budgets of the County prior to any such request, application, or acceptance
of funds.
The Countywide Riverfront Park Commission shall
be deemed subject to the audit requirements contained within § 5-205.02
of the Administrative Code of Allegheny County in any calendar year(s)
in which County revenue was appropriated for its use.