HomeMy WebLinkAboutOB 2 PARK ADV COMM 01-04-88..... OLD BUSINESS
TO:
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
FROM:.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SUBJECT:.
PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE~
RECREATION COMMISSION
HISTORY
OF PARKS AND
RECOMMENDATION:
Pleasure of the Council.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council has actually created two separate Recreation and
Parks Commissions. The first appeared to be a "working"
Commission in 1961, which assumed a staff role in organizing
programs, overseeing them, accepting gifts, et cetera.
In 1966 the Council abolished the "working group" and created a
more typical advisory Parks and Recreation Commission. The
Commission had only such authority as that expressly granted to
it by the. Council. The Commission was an advisory body to the
Council on matters relating to acquisition of park land, capital
improvements in recreation and parks, advice on recreation
programming, and reviewing the recreation and parks budget. The
members of the Commission received compensation for their
services as established by the City Council. The section of the
Ordinance dealing with the Commission's composition was amended
no less than four times between 1970 and 1976. The issue appears
to have been residence and nonresidence.
The City Council abolished the Parks and Recreation Commission in
July 1977. The three Council members in favor of abolishing the
Commission stated the reasons as "expense," need to "streamline
government," and the "tremendous level of staff support" needed
to service the Commission.
Should the Council wish to reinstate a Commission or a Committee
that meets on a regular basis and has broad advisory powers,staff
recommends further study regarding levels of support, Committee
composition, responsibilities, method of appointment and other
pertinent issues.
Royleen A. White~, Direc~
Community and Administrative Services