City of Saco, ME Boards, Commissions and Committees

A City Planning Board is hereby created, which Board shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, none of whom shall hold the elective office of Mayor, Councilor or School Board member.

A quorum, for the purpose of voting, shall consist of four members, and a simple majority of members present and voting shall be sufficient for passage of a motion. In case of a tie vote, the motion fails.

The City Planning Board shall meet with the City Council at least twice each year to report on problems, progress and needs, to make recommendations to the Council and to be assigned whatever advisory tasks the Council may request.

Membership of the Planning Board shall be subject to the following requirements:

Only residents of the City may serve on the Board.

There shall be no more than two members on the Board who are residents of the same ward. In the event that a member moves during his/her term and his/her move results in more than two members living in the same ward, the member who has moved shall forfeit his/her seat on the Board.

No more than two members of the Board shall have the same full-time occupation.

Any question of whether a member shall be disqualified from voting or shall abstain from voting on a particular issue before the Board shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present except the member who is the subject of the vote, who shall not vote on the question of his/her disqualification or abstention.

Terms of office; vacancies; procedure.

Terms. The terms of membership shall be three years. An appointment to fill a vacancy during an unexpired term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. Board members serving as full members at the time of the effective date of this section shall serve for the remainder of their current term. Alternate members serving at the time of the effective date of this section shall be eligible for appointment for membership under this section; any alternate member appointed as a member shall be deemed to begin serving his/her first term upon appointment. In the event of an appointment for the remainder of an unexpired term, the partial term shall be considered a first term if the time to be served is two years or more, but shall not be considered a first term under this subsection if the portion of the term to be served is less than two years.

Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board shall be created under any of the following circumstances:

A member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Planning Board or to the Mayor.

A member's residence is no longer within the City or a member moves to a ward which already has two Planning Board members, in which instance the Chairperson shall so notify the Mayor in writing.

A member fails to attend three or more consecutive regular monthly meetings of the Board without being excused by the Chairperson, in which instance the Chairperson shall so notify the Mayor in writing.

A member fails to attend 75% of all meetings, including workshops, special meetings and regular meetings, within the four most recent consecutive months, in which instance the Chairperson shall so notify the Mayor in writing.

(e)

The term of a member expires.

Procedure. Upon the occurrence of any of the above circumstances, the City Council shall declare the seat vacant, and the Mayor shall appoint a new member with the approval of the City Council.

Powers and duties. The Board shall have the power and be required to:

Review Comprehensive Plan updates and amendments as submitted to the Planning Board by the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC). The LRPC will be responsible for developing the Comprehensive Plans, Comprehensive Plan updates, and Comprehensive Plan amendments, and for overseeing the implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Board will then be responsible to conduct public hearings on the Comprehensive Plan updates and amendments, approve by a majority vote after the public hearings, and submit a report to the City Council, and submit the Comprehensive Plan and any amendments to the City Council for approval.

Prepare and adopt and thereafter amend subdivision regulations approved by a majority vote of the Board after a public hearing.

Review subdivisions within the City as required by state law, local ordinances and Planning Board regulations.

Review site plans, planned unit developments and other land use proposals as authorized by state statutes, City ordinances and Planning Board regulations. The Board may delegate, through written procedures, all or part of the review function to the City Planner and may refer applications to special committees, commissions and technical experts for review and comment.

Prepare and recommend, after approval by a majority vote following a public hearing, for adoption by the City Council a Zoning Plan and Map and amendments thereto which shall be pursuant to and consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

Meet in regular session not less than once a month, adopt rules for transaction of business and keep a public record of its resolutions and determinations. At its first meeting in January of every year, the Board shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson. The Board shall file its rules for procedure with the City Clerk and shall amend these by majority vote, as needed.

(7)

Participate in and review programs or plans required by state and federal law or regulation.

(8)

Review applications for conditional uses, as required by the City of Saco Zoning Regulations.

(9)

Perform such other advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or by resolution of the City Council for the assistance of the Council or other City agencies or officers.

Authorization. The Planning Board may be delegated the following, at the request of the City Council at its discretion, to:

Undertake studies and make recommendations on matters of land development, energy and water conservation, transportation, solid waste disposal, location of municipal and school facilities, affordable housing, urban beautification and design improvements, historic and scenic preservations and agricultural preservation.

Prepare and present to the municipal officers recommended building, plumbing, fire, electrical, housing and related codes and enforcement procedures and construction specifications for streets and related public improvements.

Participate in a regional planning program with regional planning agencies, municipalities, state and federal agencies.

Record of membership. The City Clerk and Chairperson of the Planning Board shall keep an accurate record of membership which shall be available to the Board, the City Council and the public at all times.

§ 4-35 Economic Development Commission.

[Amended 1-18-2011; 11-18-2013; 12-17-2018[1]

Purpose and responsibilities.

The Economic Development Commission is established to support the City of Saco's economic and community development efforts and to advise the City Council, staff and community on strategies, programs and policies, funding sources, and various actions that the City should undertake to promote and enhance the City of Saco; to assist City staff to actively pursue, within the goals and guidelines of City Council, commercial and industrial business development/investment for relocation into the City of Saco in order to achieve a balanced tax base; to assist City staff in working with the business community in the retention and expansion of the businesses already within the City; and to promote the City in various manners as an excellent place to live, work and do business.

The objectives of the Economic Development Commission shall be to:

Encourage and promote desirable economic development within the City consistent with other ordinances and policies, so as to keep an equitable and diverse tax base.

Undertake and support activities aimed at enhancing the economic well-being of the community by the promotion of a sustainable economy which will retain and create quality employment opportunities and a broadened tax base for the City and its residents.

Negotiate to purchase, enter into options to purchase, and purchase lands lying within the City for current and prospective industrial uses, with City Council's approval.

Negotiate and enter into lease and rental transactions of industrial sites and improvements owned by the City, with City Council's approval.

(e)

Conduct preliminary review of business development site plans and building designs and make recommendations to the Planning Board.

(f)

Develop guidelines and recommendations in such areas related to economic development including but not limited to business retention, business attraction, workforce development, the development of infrastructure necessary to support economic growth, redevelopment, and business development.

(g)

Assist City Council with implementation of the goals and strategies of the Comprehensive Plan.

(h)

Provide advisory guidance to Economic Development staff for matters pertaining to economic development including but not limited to the annual budget process, policy development, strategic planning, tax increment financing and land use.

(i)

(Reserved).

(j)

Act as a liaison and advocate for businesses in the licensing and permitting processes.

(k)

Work with other public and private entities and staff to promote the economic well being of the community and perform such other functions as may be appropriate to achieve such goals.

(l)

Participate in regional economic development efforts.

Commission membership and terms of office.

Voting members. The Commission consists of seven voting members who shall be appointed by the Mayor, with Council confirmation, for terms of five years. Commission members shall be residents of the City of Saco and shall be selected for their business knowledge and interest in economic development issues.

Nonvoting members. The Commission shall consist of six nonvoting members. These members will consist of the executive directors or their designees of the Biddeford Saco Area Economic Development Commission, Saco Main Street, and the Chamber of Commerce; the headmaster of Thornton Academy or their designee; a Council liaison; and the City Administrator or their designee.

Organization.

A quorum consists of four voting members. The Commission may act by a majority vote of those present and voting, but at least three affirmative votes shall be necessary to take any action under Subsection C(2).

The Commission shall annually elect a Chairperson. They shall hold regular meetings as they shall determine. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman after notice to each member at least seventy-two hours in advance of such meeting.

Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded by City Staff and upon approval of the Commission shall be made available to the public.

The Commission shall prepare an operating budget for each fiscal year and shall submit such budget to the City Administrator, for inclusion in the City operating budget.

Vacancy in office.

Vacancies in office occur when:

A member submits his/her resignation.

A member's official residence is no longer within the City.

A member fails to attend three consecutive unexcused meetings of the Commission.

Upon the expiration of the term of a member.

In the event that a vacancy does occur, the Mayor shall appoint a replacement for the unexpired term, subject to confirmation by the City Council. A member whose term has expired may continue to serve until the vacancy is filled.

Confidentiality of negotiations. It is hereby determined that premature disclosure of information used in or generated by negotiations undertaken pursuant to Subsection A(2)(c), (d), and (j) would prejudice the competitive and bargaining positions of the Commission and the City. Therefore, the Commission (all members and involved staff) may conduct those negotiations in accordance with M.R.S.A. Title 1, Chapter 13, Subchapter 1, § 405(6).

Editor’s Note: This amendment provided an effective date of 1-17-2019.

§ 4-36 Board of Assessment Review.

Adoption. Pursuant to 30 M.R.S.A. § 5351, Subsection 2,[1] and the City Charter, a Board of Assessment Review is hereby adopted.

Editor's Note: Said section was repealed by Chapter 737 of the Laws of 1987. See now 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2552.

Composition. The Board of Assessment Review shall consist of five members. A quorum, for the purpose of voting, shall consist of three members eligible to vote, and a simple majority shall be sufficient for passage of a motion.

Appointment of members. The Members of the Board of Assessment Review shall, subject to the confirmation by the Council, be appointed by the Mayor.

Terms of office of members.

The terms of the appointive members shall be five years.

Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board shall be created under any of the following circumstances:

A member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Mayor and City Council.

A member's official residence is no longer within the City.

Compensation. The members of the Board of Assessment Review shall receive such compensation as determined and approved by the Council.

Duty to review tax appeals. It shall be the duty of the Board of Assessment Review to review appeals duly filed in writing by taxpayers regarding any tax assessment made by the Tax Assessor, such review to commence within 60 days from the date the appeal is filed.

Authority to review tax assessments. Any member or members of the Board of Assessment Review shall have the authority to initiate an appeal, in writing, for any tax assessment made by the Tax Assessor which he/she and/or they severally deem to merit review.

Political activities of members restricted. The members of the Board of Assessment Review shall not indulge in City political activity, as defined and understood under the City Charter.

§ 4-37 Conservation Commission.

Intent. The intent of this section is to create a Conservation Commission under 30 M.R.S.A. § 3851, Parks and Conservation Commissions.[1] The Commission shall act as advisory body to the City Council and any other municipal bodies requesting its services.

Editor's Note: See 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3261 et seq.

Name. A Commission to be called the "Saco Conservation Commission" is hereby established for the City of Saco.

Membership of Commission; terms of office. The Commission shall be composed of 11 regular and four associate members, to be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council. All shall be residents of the City of Saco. There shall be no more than three regular members on the Commission who are residents of the same ward. No more than two members of a similar profession shall serve on the Commission at one time. No member shall hold any elective office or other appointive position in the City, county, state or federal government, except that member(s) may be appointed to ad hoc or other special committees for a specified period of time. Members shall be appointed for a term of three years, except that the new appointments of three members shall be for terms of one year and one member for a term of two years.

[Amended 9-16-2002; 5-17-2004]

Vacancies. Vacancies on the Commission shall be created under the following circumstances:

When a member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Mayor, who shall declare that the member's seat is vacant.

When a member's official residence is no longer in the City, the Secretary of the Commission shall notify, in writing, the Mayor and the City Council, who shall declare that seat vacant.

Upon expiration of the term of a member.

When a member is asked to resign by the Commission Chairman because he/she missed three consecutive meetings without his/her absence approved by the Conservation Commission.

Election of officers; rules; quorum.

The Commission shall annually elect its own Chairman and Secretary and have power to adopt rules of procedure and prescribe regulations for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction. Six regular members shall constitute a quorum. Associate members shall not vote, unless the Chairman appoints them to act in place of a regular member who is absent or is excused from voting because of a conflict of interest, in order to achieve a quorum. If less than a quorum is present, the meeting shall be adjourned.

[Amended 9-16-2002]

The Conservation Commission may, at its discretion, by majority vote, appoint for a term of one year up to 30 nonvoting affiliate members to staff special committees. Said committees shall include, but not be limited to, the Trail Committee, Recreation Committee, Open Space Inventory Committee, Regulatory Study Committee, Land Use Committee, etc.

[Added 12-18-1995]

Authority.

The Commission shall conduct research, in conjunction with the Planning Board, into local land area usage at the request of the Planning Board, follow any plan of development adopted by the Planning Board and make recommendations to preserve and enhance the natural resources of the City.

In addition to its responsibility for the stewardship of the City's natural resources, the Conservation Commission shall provide the Planning Board with technical assistance, operating as an advisory body to the Board, with the following functions. The Commission shall:

Review and provide comments to the Planning Board on development applications as to their potential impacts, either positive or negative, on the natural environment.

Assist the Planning Board in the preparation and periodic updating of the Comprehensive Plan, particularly in the data collection, mapping and interpretation of natural features.

Advise the Planning Board on other relevant issues pertaining to the natural resources of the City.

Perform monitoring services.

The Commission may seek to coordinate activities of conservation bodies organized for similar purposes.

The Commission may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets deemed necessary, subject to approval of funds by the City Council.

The Commission shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, within the City, including springs, open marshland, swamps and other wetlands, for the purpose of obtaining information pertinent to proper utilization, protection and development or use of such areas.

The Commission may recommend to the City Council, any municipal board or any board of the State of Maine a program for the better utilization, protection, development or use of such areas, including conservation easements. It may recommend acquisition of land in the name of the City for the purposes set forth in this section with the approval of the City Council.

(7)

The Commission shall be notified at least 30 days prior to implementation of any action, plans or planning operations by any body politic or public agency of the State of Maine in any open areas.

(8)

The Commission may receive gifts in the name of the City for any purpose set forth in this section and shall administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the gifts.

(9)

The Commission shall keep records of all its meetings and activities and submit copies of its agendas.

(10)

The Commission shall make an annual report to the Council, which shall be published as part of the City of Saco's Annual Report.

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

OPEN AREAS

Includes but is not limited to the preservation or restriction of the use of which would maintain or enhance the conservation of natural or scenic resources, protect natural streams or water supplies, promote conservation of swamps, wetlands, beaches or tidal marshes, forests, wildlife preserves, nature reservations, sanctuaries. In the case where an open area may already be under the control of another environmental protection agency of the City, state or federal government, including the Saco River Corridor and the Saco Parks and Recreation Commission, the Conservation Commission shall operate in these areas under the guidelines set up by the other body.

§ 4-38 Long-Range Planning Committee. [1]

[Added 12-14-2020]

Purpose and responsibilities.

A Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is hereby created and will serve as an advisory committee to the City Council. Its charge will be to oversee the City's long-term vision for the City by studying and making recommendations on managing the City's future growth and development, assessing zoning and land use initiatives, growth management initiatives, environmental efforts, and updates to the Comprehensive Plan.

Upon creation of this Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC), the Committee will be tasked with reviewing the 2011 Comprehensive Plan and 2018 Comprehensive Plan Update with City staff and consultants to develop the 2021 Comprehensive Plan. The focus of the LRPC will be on zoning and land use with the goals of effective growth management, responsible economic development, carefully considered infrastructure improvements, improving Saco's stature as a desirable community in which to live, work and raise a family.

The LRPC will then shift its focus from the development of the Comprehensive Plan 2021 to overseeing the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to ensure that the City Council, Planning Board, City staff, annual fiscal year and tax increment financing budgets, capital plans, policies and other critical initiatives reflect the vision and intention of the Comprehensive Plan 2021, and subsequent Comprehensive Plans and updates.

The LRPC, together with City staff, will be responsible for documenting and developing an annual reporting tool to the City Council that will report out the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

Terms of office; membership; vacancies; procedure.

A Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) is hereby created and shall consist of 13 members, all whom must be Saco residents, and who shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The composition of the LRPC will consist of the following: two City Councilors, two Planning Board members, two Economic Development Commission members, two Saco Schools staff designated by the Superintendent, Saco Main Street Executive Director (or designee), Age Friendly Saco Coordinator (or designee), and five Saco residents. City staff from Planning and Economic Development, Assessing, Codes Enforcement, and Public Works will serve as staff liaisons and to help guide the LRPC.

Terms. The terms of membership shall be three years for the initial establishment of the LRPC. Upon completion of the initial three-year term, the members from the City Council, Planning Board, Economic Development Commission and Saco Schools will be appointed for subsequent three-year terms. The Saco citizens shall be appointed with staggered terms: two three-year terms; two two-year terms and one one-year term. Saco Main Street and Age Friendly Saco members will serve indefinitely. An appointment to fill a vacancy during an unexpired term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Vacancies. Vacancies on the LRPC are created when one of the following conditions is met, and all vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor, upon confirmation by the City Council.

A member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Long-Range Planning Committee or to the Mayor.

A member's residence is no longer within the City.

A member fails to attend regular meetings of the Committee without being excused by the Chairperson, in which instance the Chairperson shall so notify the Mayor in writing.

The term of a member expires.

(e)

The member does not meet the City's Code of Conduct expectations.

A quorum, for the purpose of voting, shall consist of seven members, and a simple majority of members present and voting shall be sufficient for passage of a motion. In case of a tie vote, the motion fails.

The Long-Range Planning Committee shall meet at least six times per year during the development of the Comprehensive Plan and its respective updates; and shall meet at least twice per year during the years of the Comprehensive Plan's implementation. In addition, the LRPC will meet with the City Council at least once each year to report on implementation progress and to make recommendations to the Council and to be assigned whatever advisory tasks the Council may request. The LRPC will comply with the State of Maine's Growth Management Act, and comply with meeting public notification processes, public hearings, and be responsible for submitting the Comprehensive Plan updates to both the City Council and the Planning Board for their review and for the City Council approval.

Any question of whether a member shall be disqualified from voting or shall abstain from voting on a particular issue before the Committee shall be decided by a majority vote of the members present except the member who is the subject of the vote, who shall not vote on the question of his/her disqualification or abstention.

Powers and duties. The Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) shall have the power and be required to:

Record of membership. The City Clerk and Chairperson of the Long-Range Planning Committee shall keep an accurate record of membership which shall be available to the LRPC, the City Council and the public at all times.

Editor's Note: Former § 4-38, Community Activities Committee, was repealed 12-20-2004.

§ 4-39 Coastal Waters Commission.

Duties of the Coastal Waters Commission.

Establishing policy. The Saco Coastal Waters Commission exists for the general purpose of studying and evaluating public usage of and boating access to coastal waters under the jurisdiction of the City of Saco, planning for its future use, advising the City Council on policy matters and proposing to the City Council regulations concerning the Saco River and the City's coastal waters. The proposed regulations and policies shall be consistent with federal and state law.

Further duties. In addition, the Commission shall review and cooperate in maintenance and care of City-owned waterfront facilities with the Harbor Master and Public Works Department and plan harbor improvements in conjunction with the City, state and federal authorities. The Commission shall sit as a Board of Appeals to hear an appeal from any person aggrieved by any decision, act or failure to act of the Harbor Master. The Commission shall regularly inform the City Council and other boards, committees, commissions or officials of the City, as is appropriate, of its activities.

Organization.

The Coastal Waters Commission shall consist of seven members, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Each Commissioner shall be a resident of the City and shall serve without compensation.

[Amended 9-16-2002]

Neither a municipal officer nor his/her spouse may be a member of the Commission.

Any question of whether a particular issue involves a conflict of interest sufficient to disqualify a member from voting thereon shall be decided by a majority vote of the members, except the member who is being challenged.

Commissioners may be removed by the City Council for cause, after notice and hearing. A Commissioner shall forfeit his/her membership on the Commission if he/she fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission without being excused by the Commission. The Chairman of the Commission shall notify the Mayor of the forfeiture of office by a Commissioner.

The term of office of a member shall be three years.

[Amended 9-16-2002; 5-15-2007; 5-20-2013]

Procedure.

A Chairman and a Secretary shall be elected by the Board in April of each year.

The Chairman or City Administrator shall call meetings of the Commission as required. The Chairman shall also call meetings of the Commission when requested to do so by a majority of the members or by the Mayor. The Commission shall meet at least twice per year, semiannually, to conduct official business. A quorum of the Commission necessary to conduct an official Commission meeting shall consist of at least four members. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and shall be the official spokesman of the Commission.

[Amended 5-15-2006]

The Secretary shall maintain a permanent record of all Commission meetings and all correspondence of the Commission. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining those records which are required as a part of the various proceedings which may be brought before the Commission. All records to be maintained or prepared by the Secretary are deemed public and shall be filed in the Municipal Clerk's office and may be inspected at reasonable times. The City Administrator may assign secretarial help to do minutes and other clerical work of the Commission.

The Commission shall adopt rules of procedure, which shall be recorded by the Secretary, for any matter relating to the conduct of any hearing, provided that any rule may be waived by the Commission upon good cause shown.

Procedure for appeals from decision of the Harbor Master.

Jurisdiction. The Coastal Waters Commission shall hear any appeal by any person affected directly or indirectly by any decision, order, rule, act or failure to act of the Harbor Master. In deciding any appeal, the Commission shall hear and approve, approve with modifications or conditions or disapprove the decision, order, rule, act or failure to act of the Harbor Master from which the appeal is made. The Commission's decision shall be made within 30 days of the filing of the appeal.

Evidence. The Commission may receive any oral or documentary evidence but shall provide, as a matter of policy, for the exclusion of irrelevant, immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence. Every party shall have the right to present his/her case or defense by oral or documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence and to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.

Record of proceedings. The transcript of testimony, if any, and exhibits, together with all papers and requests filed in the proceeding, shall constitute the record. All decisions shall become part of the record and shall include a statement of findings and conclusions, as well as the reasons and/or basis therefor. Notice of any decision shall be mailed or hand-delivered to the petitioner, his/her representative or agent, agency or office, the City Administrator, City Clerk, Mayor and City Council within seven days of the Commission's decision.

Appeal. An appeal may be taken from any act or decision of the Coastal Waters Commission by notice to the City Council by the appealing party within 30 days of such act or decision.

[Amended 11-18-2019]

Interlocal cooperation. The municipal officers of the City of Saco recognize the aesthetic beauty and environmentally sensitive condition of the Saco River, its harbors and the coastal waters of Saco Bay and fully recognize the City's obligation to the citizens of Saco and future generations to protect such a natural resource. The City Council further recognizes that the City of Biddeford also has an obligation to its citizens to protect these natural resources and, in the spirit of cooperation, hereby authorizes that the Coastal Waters Commission of Saco join with a similar Commission created by the City of Biddeford to address and incorporate community needs and wishes. The Commission shall have no police powers nor authority to create regulations or ordinances or to commit funds, but shall exist for the general purpose enumerated in Subsection A(1), Establishment of policy.

§ 4-39.1 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

[Added 12-15-2003]

Purpose and responsibilities.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is established with the purpose of planning a Citywide parks and recreation program and to advise and assist the Parks and Recreation Director in initiating and maintaining this program.

The responsibilities of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board include:

Overall responsibility to promote, enhance and protect recreational opportunities in Saco in order to maintain and further develop the quality of life.

Serving as an advisor to the Parks and Recreation Director and as a forum for the discussion of new and creative programs, including needs and requirements of present and future activities, programs, and projects.

Membership and terms. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall consist of 11 members, all being residents of the City of Saco. Members shall be appointed by the Mayor, with Council confirmation, for a term of three years beginning July 1 initially with four members being appointed for one year, four members appointed for two years and three members being appointed for three years. An appointment to fill a vacancy during an unexpired term shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.

[Amended 5-16-2005]

Vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board shall be created under any of the following circumstances:

Letter of resignation to the Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board or to the Mayor.

The expiration of the term of a member.

The residency requirement is not met.

Failure to attend three or more consecutive regular monthly meetings of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Officers, rules and quorum.

The members of the Board shall elect a Chairman for a one-year term. Election of officers shall take place at the regularly scheduled meeting in July.

A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of business. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations as it deems proper and necessary for the carrying out of its duties and functions.

Meetings.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will meet monthly on a date and place agreed on by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board with all meetings open to the public.

Special meetings may be called by the Chair or by the Parks and Recreation Director, with the approval of the Chair.

§ 4-39.2 Shoreline Commission.

[Added 4-6-1998; amended 5-21-2012[1]]

Powers and duties.

The Saco Shoreline Commission exists for the general purpose of studying the continuing effects of erosion on Saco's shorefront, as well as evaluating public usage of the beaches and other public infrastructure within a coastal zone under the jurisdiction of the City of Saco and advising the City Council on policy matters relating to coastal erosion and use.

The Commission shall review and advise the City on issues relating to the Saco shoreline, including but not limited to maintenance and the care of City-owned waterfront facilities. In addition, the Commission shall advise on all dredging issues related to the mouth of the Saco River.

The Commission shall participate in planning efforts and review plans affecting the shoreline as required by City, state or federal rules or regulations.

The Commission shall make recommendations to the City Council regarding the implementation or amendment of the Camp Ellis Beach Erosion Study Committee Report of October 1997.

The Commission shall participate in local, regional or state coastal planning efforts.

The Commission shall perform other such advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or by the City Council

(7)

The Commission shall regularly inform the City Council and other boards, committees, commissions or officials of the City, as is appropriate, of its activities.

Organization and membership; conflicts and removal; terms.

Shoreline Commission shall consist of nine members, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council. Each Commissioner shall be a resident of the City and shall serve without compensation.

Neither a municipal officer nor his/her spouse may be a member of the Commission.

The term of office of a member shall be three years, except the initial appointments, which shall be as follows: three members for three-year terms; three members for two-year terms; and three members for one-year terms.

Officers; administrative procedures.

A Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall be elected by the Commission annually.

The Commission shall meet at least monthly, except that the Chairperson or City Administrator may call special meetings of the Commission as required. The Chairman shall also call meetings of the Commission when requested to do so by a majority of the members or by the Mayor. A quorum of the Commission necessary to conduct an official Commission meeting shall consist of at least five members. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Commission and shall be the official spokesman of the Commission. A simple majority of members present and voting shall be sufficient for passage of a motion.

The Secretary shall maintain a permanent record of all Commission meetings and all correspondence of the Commission. The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining those records which are required as a part of the various proceedings which may be brought before the Commission. All records to be maintained or prepared by the Secretary are deemed public and shall be filed in the Planning Office and may be inspected at reasonable times.

The Commission shall provide public notice of Commission meetings by posting agendas at City Hall at least 24 hours in advance of a meeting. All meetings shall be open to the public. The Commission may hold hearings at its discretion, upon published notice in a newspaper of general circulation at least seven days prior to the hearing.

Interlocal cooperation. The municipal officers of the City of Saco recognize the aesthetic beauty and environmental sensitivity of the ocean front and fully recognize the City's obligation to the citizens of Saco and future generations to protect such a natural resource. The City Council further recognizes that Saco's beach front, as part of the Saco Bay system, is integrally connected with beach systems in Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough and that these towns have an obligation to their citizens to protect these natural resources and, in the spirit of cooperation, hereby authorizes that the Saco Shoreline Commission join with similar commissions, committees, organizations or individuals established by the Towns of Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough to address and incorporate community needs and wishes. The Commission shall have no police powers nor authority to create regulations or ordinances or to commit funds but shall exist for the general purpose enumerated in § 45-1, Powers and duties.

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

SHORELINE

That portion of Saco's waterfront affected by daily tides, excluding the portions of the shoreline within the Saco River or between the jetties at the mouth of the Saco River.