AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI TO CREATE AN ADVISORY PARK BOARD, DEFINE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PARK BOARD, AND THE QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP.
WHEREAS, at the Mayor’s suggestion, the Board of Aldermen has determined it to be in the best interest for the health and welfare of the City of Rich Hill (“City”) to have an advisory appointed citizen body to serve as a park board for the City.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF RICH HILL, MISSOURI AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. – Creation and Establishment of Advisory Park Board
There is hereby created a Park Board consisting of five (5) members. Three (3) members of the Park Board shall constitute a quorum. The members shall be residents of the City.
Section 2. – Appointment and Qualifications – Generally
- With the approval of the Board of Aldermen, the Mayor shall appoint to the Park Board: five (5) persons, citizens and residents of the City.
- The City Clerk or an Alderperson may serve as a member and such individual shall serve as a liaison between the Park Board and the Board of Aldermen. If neither the City Clerk or an Alderperson serves on the Advisory Park Board, then the City Clerk shall serve as a liaison between the Advisory Park Board and the Board of Aldermen.
- All appointees must be a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age at the time of their appointment.
Section 3. – Terms of Office and Vacancies
- The term of the five persons to be appointed by the mayor shall be three years except that the term of two of the members appointed to the first board shall be for only one year and the term of two members of the first board shall be for two years. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed for a new three year term.
- Except in the cases of fulfillment of vacancies and involving the Alderman appointee, full terms of office shall commence on the first day of June.
- Vacancies on the Park Board, occasioned by removal, resignation or otherwise, shall be reported to the Mayor and shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 4. – Compensation of Members
No member shall receive compensation for services on the Park Board.
Section 5. – Organization
During the first Park Board meeting after July 1 of each calendar year, the members of the Park Board shall elect one member as the Chairperson. The members may also elect other officers as they may deem necessary.
Section 6. – Powers and Duties
- The Park Board serves as an advisory board to the Board of Aldermen in matters involving the recreational programming and budget planning of the City’s parks for the welfare of Rich Hill citizens.
- The Park Board shall have the power to recommend to the Board of Aldermen.
- The Park Board shall make recommendations to the Board of Aldermen for expenditures, and regarding the care of the City’s parks and trail system. These recommendations may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following matters:
- All matters relating to policy formation, programming, legislation and use of park and recreation facilities and areas;
- Changes, additions or uses that will improve the effectiveness of the parks and recreation programs or facilities, including budgetary recommendations;
- Rules and regulations to govern the City’s parks, recreation areas, and facilities as may be expedient and not inconsistent with this Article or directives of the Board of Aldermen;
- Recommend recreational programming for citizens of Rich Hill to the Board of Aldermen; and
- Any other duties as may be assigned by the Mayor or the Board of Aldermen.
- The Park Board does not have the power to make expenditures without permission of the Board of Aldermen. Such expenditures, even if permitted by the Board of Aldermen, shall only be related to those powers and duties stipulated in this Section.
- The Park Board shall make and adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for their own guidance. These bylaws, rules, and regulations shall be subject to Board of Aldermen approval.
- The Park Board shall also serve as the City’s Tree Board as laid out in Ordinance 777.
Section 7. – Annual Budget
The Park Board, in conjunction with City Staff and the Board of Aldermen, shall prepare a budget showing proposed expenditures of money (and the purpose for such expenditures) for the upcoming fiscal year. Said budget shall be presented to the Board of Aldermen for their general approval or disapproval, on or before the 1st day of October. Substitute or amended budgets may be prepared in like manner for their approval or disapproval.
Section 8. – Sunshine Law Compliance
That the Advisory Park Board is a public body and that required to adhere to the requirements of Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, more commonly known as the “Sunshine Law”.
Section 9. – Disband
That the Board of Aldermen may at its own discretion disband the Advisory Park Board for any reason whatsoever.
PASSED THIS 17TH DAY OF MAY, 2023, BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN FOR THE CITY OF RICH HILL MISSOURI
First Read on the 17th day of May, 2023.
Second Read on 17th day of May, 2023.
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Nathan Kassner, Mayor
Attest:
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Casey Crews, City Clerk
Ayes: Entrikin, Bonham, Tourtillott, Simon
Nays: None