BYLAW NO. 2508

A bylaw to establish a Parks and Recreation Commission, pursuant to s. 619 of the Municipal Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 323.

The Council of the City of Port Moody in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:

1. Title

 This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Parks and Recreation Commission Bylaw, 2002” No. 2508.

2. Repeal

 The following bylaw is hereby repealed:

Bylaw No. 2369  “Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission Bylaw, 1998”

3.  Commission Establishment

There is hereby established a commission known as the Parks and Recreation Commission hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”.

4. Definitions

 In this Bylaw

 “Administrative Representative” means a staff member assigned by the City Administrator to assist the Commission in a non-voting advisory and resource capacity.

 “Council” means the Council of the City of Port Moody.

 “Member” or “Members” means a duly appointed member or members of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

 “Meeting” or “Meetings” means a meeting or meetings of the Commission.
 
5. Composition and Membership of Commission

The Commission shall be composed of a minimum of nine (9) members; appointed by Council as follows:

• two (2) members of Council  who shall be the Chair and Vice-Chair;
• a minimum of seven (7) members from the City at large who shall be residents of the City of Port Moody;
  and
• one (1) member who is a Port Moody School Trustee and recommended by the Board of School District No. 43 to serve as a representative for the District on matters of parks and recreation that are common to the Commission and the District.

Nominations for Commission appointments will be sought from as wide a group of citizens as possible who will represent the City at large.  Where possible and without discrimination, the following criteria should be considered with respect to each nomination:  geographic representation, age group representation, community association representation, and areas of special knowledge such as outdoor or indoor recreation.

5.3 All members shall be appointed annually in the month of December to commence their term of office in January of the following year.

5.4 All members shall hold office until their successors are appointed and retiring members shall be eligible for re-appointment to a maximum of five successive terms.

5.5 In the event of a vacancy, a person appointed by Council to fill such vacancy shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the vacated member.
 
5.6 Any member who is absent from two (2) consecutive regular meetings without leave of absence from the Commission or without reason satisfactory to the Commission shall forthwith cease to be a member and Council shall be advised by the Commission.

5.7 Any member may resign upon sending a written notice to the Chair and Commission administrative representative.

5.8 At the request of the Commission or on Council’s initiative, Council may remove or request the resignation of any member for malfeasance in office, or any other good and sufficient cause.

5.9 No member shall receive compensation for services to the Commission, other than allowances for actual expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties for the Commission pursuant to current City policies.

6. Purpose of Commission

The Commission shall act as an advisory body to Council regarding the public use and needs of amenities, facilities, programs, and services provided by the Community Services Department.

7.  Duties and Powers of Commission

7.1 The Commission shall:

• make recommendations to Council on the long term planning, management, maintenance, improvement, operation, control, construction and use of Community Services facilities.
• make recommendations to Council on the public use of Community Services facilities.
• make recommendations to Council on the planning, organizing, operating, and facilitating of Community Services programs.
• review and make recommendations to Council annually in October on a fee schedule for all facilities, programs and operations on which fees shall be levied. 
• cooperate with and encourage all public, private, civic, social, and other such organizations within the City that support, promote, and work for recreation.
• Hear and consider representations by any individual, organization or delegation of citizens with respect to parks and recreation activities, and with Council approval act on such recommendations arising as the Commission shall deem to be in the best general interest of all citizens.
• seek public input and assistance in the development of master plans and procedures for Community Services operations. 
• develop a ten (10) year Master Plan, which Plan shall be reviewed and updated annually by October of each year and provided to Council for consideration and approval.
• work closely with Community Services Department administration staff in providing the best possible services for the citizens of the City.
• provide and complete reports as requested by Council.
• undertake any other matter referred to the Commission by Council.
  

7.2 The powers delegated to the Commission do not include:

• the authority to authorize expenditures or to control budget funds except those provided for in the annual budget as approved by Council and in accordance with procedures approved by Council.
• the authority to officially represent the City to outside agencies, bodies, or other governments unless approved by Council.
• the authority to pledge the credit of, or indebt the City.

8.  Procedures

8.1 Meetings of the Commission shall be held on a regular basis at a time agreeable to the members, at least once a month, and at such other times as deemed necessary.

8.2 Special meetings may be called by the Chair, or by a majority of members, giving at least twenty four (24) hours written notice to each member and the Administrative Representative which states the date, time, location, and purpose for which the meeting is being called.

8.3 A majority of members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings.

8.4 The minutes of the proceedings of all meetings shall be legibly recorded in a minute book.  The minutes shall be certified as correct by the Administrative Representative and Secretary, and shall be signed by the Chair, or other member presiding at such meeting, following their adoption.  Copies of the minutes shall be forwarded to Council and circulated to all members.

8.5 Subject to the provisions of this Bylaw and the Municipal Act, the Commission shall have the power to prescribe its own rules of procedure which shall not be inconsistent with the rules of procedure or policies of the City.

8.6 All members, including the Chair, shall have a vote on any question before it, and in all cases in the event of a tie, the motion shall be lost.  Any member who abstains from voting shall be deemed to have voted in the affirmative.

8.7 The Chair shall preserve order and decide all points of order that may arise, subject to an appeal by other members present. All such appeals shall be decided without debate.

8.8 No act or other proceeding of the Commission shall be valid unless it is authorized by resolution at a regular or special meeting of the Commission.
 

8.9 The Commission may establish sub-committees and shall advise Council of their purpose and composition.

8.10 Should the Commission wish to appoint from among its members a representative to an external organization, prior approval of Council is required.

9.  Personal Liability

No member of the Commission shall be liable in the member’s personal capacity for any debt or liability of the Commission.  It is the responsibility of the City to insure the members against all liabilities related to fulfilling their responsibilities as a member.

READ A FIRST TIME THE 8th day of JANUARY, 2002                

READ A SECOND TIME THE 8TH day of JANUARY, 2002          

READ A THIRD TIME THE 8TH day of JANUARY, 2002
   
         
ADOPTED THE 22nd day of JANUARY, 2002