[Amended 12-14-2020]
A.
Organization.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
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.
(4)
Membership of the Planning Board shall be subject to the following
requirements:
(a)
Only residents of the City may serve on the Board.
(b)
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.
(c)
No more than two members of the Board shall have the same full-time
occupation.
(5)
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.
B.
Terms of office; vacancies; procedure.
(1)
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.
(2)
Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board shall be created under any of the
following circumstances:
(a)
A member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Chairperson
of the Planning Board or to the Mayor.
(b)
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.
(c)
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.
(d)
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.
(3)
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.
C.
Powers and duties. The Board shall have the power and be required
to:
(1)
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.
(2)
Prepare and adopt and thereafter amend subdivision regulations approved
by a majority vote of the Board after a public hearing.
(3)
Review subdivisions within the City as required by state law, local
ordinances and Planning Board regulations.
(4)
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.
(5)
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.
(6)
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.
D.
Authorization. The Planning Board may be delegated the following,
at the request of the City Council at its discretion, to:
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
Participate in a regional planning program with regional planning
agencies, municipalities, state and federal agencies.
E.
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.
A.
Purpose
and responsibilities.
(1)
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.
(2)
The objectives of the Economic Development Commission shall be to:
(a)
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.
(b)
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.
(c)
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.
(d)
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.
B.
Commission
membership and terms of office.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
C.
Organization.
(1)
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).
(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.
(3)
Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded by City Staff and upon
approval of the Commission shall be made available to the public.
(4)
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.
D.
E.
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).
[1]
Editor’s Note: This amendment provided an effective
date of 1-17-2019.
B.
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.
C.
Appointment of members. The Members of the Board of
Assessment Review shall, subject to the confirmation by the Council,
be appointed by the Mayor.
E.
Compensation. The members of the Board of Assessment
Review shall receive such compensation as determined and approved
by the Council.
F.
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.
G.
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.
H.
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.
A.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 30-A M.R.S.A. § 3261
et seq.
B.
Name. A Commission to be called the "Saco Conservation
Commission" is hereby established for the City of Saco.
C.
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]
D.
Vacancies. Vacancies on the Commission shall be created
under the following circumstances:
(1)
When a member submits his/her resignation, in writing,
to the Mayor, who shall declare that the member's seat is vacant.
(2)
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.
(3)
Upon expiration of the term of a member.
(4)
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.
E.
Election of officers; rules; quorum.
(1)
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]
(2)
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]
F.
Authority.
(1)
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.
(2)
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:
(a)
Review and provide comments to the Planning Board
on development applications as to their potential impacts, either
positive or negative, on the natural environment.
(b)
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.
(c)
Advise the Planning Board on other relevant issues
pertaining to the natural resources of the City.
(d)
Perform monitoring services.
(3)
The Commission may seek to coordinate activities of
conservation bodies organized for similar purposes.
(4)
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.
(5)
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.
(6)
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.
G.
OPEN AREAS
Definitions. As used in this section, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
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.
[Added 12-14-2020]
A.
Purpose and responsibilities.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
B.
Terms of office; membership; vacancies; procedure.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
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)
A member submits his/her resignation, in writing, to the Chairperson
of the Long-Range Planning Committee or to the Mayor.
(b)
A member's residence is no longer within the City.
(c)
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.
(d)
The term of a member expires.
(e)
The member does not meet the City's Code of Conduct expectations.
(4)
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.
(5)
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.
(6)
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.
C.
Powers and duties. The Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) shall
have the power and be required to:
(1)
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.
D.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 4-38, Community
Activities Committee, was repealed 12-20-2004.
A.
Duties of the Coastal Waters Commission.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
B.
Organization.
(1)
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]
(2)
Neither a municipal officer nor his/her spouse may
be a member of the Commission.
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
(5)
The term of office of a member shall be three years.
[Amended 9-16-2002; 5-15-2007; 5-20-2013]
C.
Procedure.
(1)
A Chairman and a Secretary shall be elected by the
Board in April of each year.
(2)
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]
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
D.
Procedure for appeals from decision of the Harbor
Master.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
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.
(4)
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]
E.
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.
[Added 12-15-2003]
A.
Purpose and responsibilities.
(1)
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.
(2)
The responsibilities of the Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board include:
(a)
Overall responsibility to promote, enhance and
protect recreational opportunities in Saco in order to maintain and
further develop the quality of life.
(b)
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.
B.
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]
C.
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:
(1)
Letter of resignation to the Chair of the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board or to the Mayor.
(2)
The expiration of the term of a member.
(3)
The residency requirement is not met.
(4)
Failure to attend three or more consecutive regular
monthly meetings of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
D.
Officers, rules and quorum.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
E.
Meetings.
A.
Powers and duties.
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
(3)
The Commission shall participate in planning efforts
and review plans affecting the shoreline as required by City, state
or federal rules or regulations.
(4)
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.
(5)
The Commission shall participate in local, regional
or state coastal planning efforts.
(6)
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.
B.
Organization and membership; conflicts and removal; terms.
(1)
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.
(2)
Neither a municipal officer nor his/her spouse may
be a member of the Commission.
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
(5)
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.
C.
Officers; administrative procedures.
(1)
A Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary shall be elected
by the Commission annually.
(2)
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.
(3)
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.
(4)
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.
(5)
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.
D.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: This legislation redesignated the text of former
Ch. 45, Shoreline Commission, as this section.
