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HomeMy WebLinkAbout#18 - Chapter 32 - Parks Commission STAFF REPORT DATE: November 20th, 2018 REGULAR MOTION TO: City Council FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner AGENDA ITEM: Revision of Parks Commission Ordinance. Chapter 32 REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt – City Administrator BACKGROUND: Upon an email from the City Administrator back in February about Commission procedure, a member of the Parks Commission asked the City to review the Parks Commission Ordinance and that it either be followed or revised as needed. The City Administrator agreed that a review of the ordinance would be a good idea. ISSUE BEFORE THE COUNCIL: Would the Council like to accept the recommended amendments to Chapter 32 as it pertains to the Parks Commission? PROPOSAL: In preparation of review of Lake Elmo’s Parks Commission Ordinance, staff gathered examples from other Washington County communities and did some comparisons and analysis. Staff has proposed amendments to the ordinance in order to shorten and further clarify the objectives of the chapter. There are many corrections to the chapter but staff has chosen to highlight some of the amendments below. In addition to the amendments, staff would propose creating a set of bylaws for the Parks Commission. If the commission is supportive of having bylaws, draft bylaws could be brought to them at a future meeting for their review. 32.082 Composition Comparable communities have 5 - 7 voting members. Staff also noticed that Lake Elmo code restricts members to two consecutive terms. Placing term limits was not a trend in the surveyed communities. Because of this this language is being proposed for removal from the City Code. 32.085 Officers There is no longer a need to elect a secretary for the purpose of keeping minutes. This task has been removed from the commission since there are staff members who have been hired to perform that duty. 32.086 Annual Meeting The current ordinance reads “The commission shall hold an annual meeting the first Monday of January…” Staff no longer believes this to be a necessary requirement, and if strictly adhered to may become unnecessarily burdensome. Instead the proposed language leaves it as flexible as requiring election to happen during the first available meeting. I have underlined the sections relating to the Hugo 7 voting members Stillwater 7 voting members with 1 non-voting council representative Oak Park Heights 5 voting members with 2 alternates Mahtomedi 7 voting members Oakdale 7 voting members Parks Commission Page 2 election of officers from the other communities; if needed their code allows them a degree of flexibility which ours does not. This has also been moved to 32.088 Meetings. Hugo “…shall be appointed annually from the membership…” Stillwater “At the beginning of each calendar year the commission must select a chairperson.” Oak Park Heights A chair and vice chair shall be elected every year. (Paraphrased section 205.02 Composition) Mahtomedi “At its first meeting every April, the members of the Park Commission shall appoint...” Oakdale “…at its first meeting of each year.” 32.087 Annual Work Plan This section has been completely removed and is being abbreviated to section 32.097 Powers and Duties. 32.088 Regular Meetings and 32.089 Special Meetings Staff believes there is no need to have two sections dedicated to meetings and special meetings. Combining the sections makes the code more useable while still making note of how to proceed if a special meeting is needed. Many of the other communities do not address special meetings. 32.094 Agenda This is not something that should be kept in an ordinance. Instead it is more procedural and should be regulated through bylaws. 32.095 Records It would be ideal to have minutes and outcomes delivered within 7 days to the Council and public. Though, it seems unreasonable considering the potential for vacation, sick time, etc. Instead minutes are to be approved at a future meeting and recommendations and findings will still be presented to the Council at the next regular meetings. Including language that references a future meeting is consistent with the language used for Council meeting minutes. FISCAL IMPACT: Staff does not foresee a fiscal impact with the proposed ordinance changes. RECOMMENDATION AND STAFF COMMENTS: Staff City staff is supportive of the amended changes too Chapter 32 as it pertains to the Parks Commission. In terms of how positions should be reduced, Staff recommends removing the two alternate positions at the end of the year. Parks Commission Comments The commission did not amend any section of the proposed ordinance except what was necessary to make the language cohesive. The Parks commission recommends approval of the proposed ordinance 5-2. “Motion to approve amendments to chapter 32 as outlined in Ordinance 08-217” ATTACHMENTS: • Proposed Ordinance. • Cities used for comparison o Hugo, Mahtomedi, Oak Park Heights, and Oakdale CITY OF LAKE ELMO COUNTY OF WASHINGTON STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 08-XX217 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAKE ELMO CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING CHAPTER 32 TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS AND SIMPLIFY THE CHAPTER. SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Lake Elmo hereby amends Title III, Chapter 32, City Organizations, Sections 32.080-32.097, Parks Commission by amending the following language: § 32.080 ESTABLISHMENT. A Parks Commission of the city is hereby continued. (1997 Code, § 225.01) § 32.081 PURPOSE. The Parks Commission is established to review and make recommendations to the Council on the future development of city parks, including the establishment of and improvements to the parks, and to make recommendations to the Council on policies governing the maintenance and public use of the parks within the city. (1997 Code, § 225.02) (Am. Ord. 08-092, passed 10-15-2013) § 32.082 COMPOSITION. The Parks Commission shall consist of 7 voting members and 2 alternate members. The voting members shall be appointed by the City Council for a 3-year term. Voting members may not serve more than 2 consecutive terms. Appointment to an additional term(s) will be considered with the available applicant pool. Alternate members shall be appointed to serve until there is a vacancy on the Parks Commission. The City Council shall appoint a first alternate and a second alternate who shall become voting members in the order of their appointment. In its discretion, the City Council may adjust the lengths of terms of office for Parks Commission members so that no more than one-half of the terms expire in any given year. (1997 Code, § 225.03) (Am. Ord. 97-148, passed 2-15-2005; Am. Ord. 08-038, passed 1-25-2011) § 32.083 QUALIFICATIONS. Each member and alternate member shall be a resident of the city. Each member shall be a resident of the City and Wwherever possible, Commission members should represent all geographical areas of the city and a cross-section of the population of the city at the time of appointment. (1997 Code, § 225.04) § 32.084 REMOVAL. Any member or alternate member may be removed by a 4/5 majority vote of the Council, for cause. Cause shall include but not be limited to having more than 3 consecutive unexcused absences or being absent from more than 1/3 of the meetings in any 1 calendar year. The Council may consider exceptional circumstances when applying this rule. (1997 Code, § 225.05) § 32.085 OFFICERS. The Commission shall elect a Chairperson, and a Vice Chairperson, and may elect a Secretary from among its appointed members at the annual meeting each year beginning of the New Year, for a term of 1 year. The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Commission, if present, and shall perform all other duties and functions assigned by the Commission or the Council. The Vice Chairperson shall perform these duties in the absence of the Chairperson. If a vacancy occurs in the Chairperson's office, the Vice Chairperson shall assume the Chairperson's duties for the remainder of the year; and a new Vice Chairperson shall be elected by the Commission at a special election to be held at the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting., after at least 2-days written notice to each Commission member. A recording Secretary shall be appointed by the Council to take and keep the minutes and records of the Commission. (1997 Code, § 225.06) § 32.086 ANNUAL MEETING. The Commission shall hold an annual meeting the first Monday in the month of January in each year, unless the first Monday is New Year's Day, in which case the annual meeting shall be held at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission in the month of January in each year. The meeting shall be devoted to the election of officers and other business as shall be scheduled. (1997 Code, § 225.07) § 32.087 ANNUAL WORK PLAN. The Parks Commission shall meet with the Council at their first meeting in April each year to develop an annual work plan, including a list of projects, points of interaction on projects, programs, and goals for the year. (1997 Code, § 225.08) § 32.0868 REGULAR MEETINGS. (A) The first available meeting of the New Year, with a quorum, shall be devoted to the election of officers and other business as scheduled. (AB) The date, place, and time of regular meetings of the Parks Commission will be specified by the Council as a policy statement that will be included in the city's policy book. The intent of this section is to allow the Parks Commission meetings to be set by city policy rather than by ordinance. Regular Commission meetings shall be held monthly, or more often as required. The time and place of all regular meetings shall be posted in the City Hall. The chairperson may call special meetings following three days’ posted notice at the City Hall. (BC) No action shall be taken in the absence of a quorum, except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date. A regular meeting may be canceled or rescheduled by the Commission at a prior meetingChair if there are no scheduled agenda items on the Thursday prior to the meeting. All action taken by the Commission shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present. (1997 Code, § 225.09) § 32.089 SPECIAL MEETINGS. (A) Special meetings of the Commission shall be held in the City Hall at a time and place designated or at a public place at a time designated and shall be called by the Chairperson. (B) Upon the written request of at least 4 members, the Chairperson shall be required to call a special meeting to be held within 7 days of the request. (C) Written notice of the special meeting shall be given to all members not less than 72 hours in advance of the meeting. (1997 Code, § 225.10) § 32.08790 REQUIRED NUMBER OF MEMBERS PRESENT TO CONDUCT MEETINGS QUORUM. A meeting can be conducted if 54 members of the Commission are present. (1997 Code, § 225.11) (Am. Ord. 97-114, passed 9-17-2002) § 32.08891 VOTING. Each member attending any meeting shall be entitled to cast 1 vote. Voting shall be by voice vote. If any member has a personal interest of any kind in the matter then before the Commission, the member shall disclose this interest and be disqualified from voting upon the matter. The Secretary shall record in the minutes that no vote was cast by the member. Alternate members shall be entitled to cast 1 vote in the absence of any member. The second alternate shall be entitled to cast 1 vote in the absence of any 2 members. (1997 Code, § 225.12) § 32.092 PROCEEDINGS. At any regular meeting of the Commission, the following shall be the regular order of business: (A) Roll call; (B) Minutes of the preceding meeting; (C) Public hearings as scheduled on the agenda; (D) Old and new business as scheduled on the agenda; (E) Communications; and (F) Adjournment. (1997 Code, § 225.13) § 32.08993 RULES OF PROCEDURE. All meetings of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the Revised Robert's Rules of Order. (1997 Code, § 225.14) § 32.094 AGENDA. The Chairperson shall cause all items to be considered at any meeting to be placed on a written agenda by the City Administrator. The City Administrator shall advise the Chairperson of any matters the Commission must consider by Council directive, ordinance, or statute and shall have prepared and mailed a written agenda of all meetings to all Commission members, the Council, and the public, no less than 4 days before each meeting. (1997 Code, § 225.15) § 32.0905 RECORDS. Each formal action of the Commission shall be embodied in full upon the minute book as a formal motion or resolution after an affirmative vote as provided in this section. The minutes of each meeting shall be provided to each member, the Council, and the public no more than 7 days after the date of each meeting. approved at a future meeting. The recommendations and findings of the Commission shall be presented to the Council at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. The records of meetings and actions and recommendations shall be transmitted to the City Administrator Clerk for keeping and distribution. (1997 Code, § 225.16) § 32.0916 TRAINING. Commission members shall be encouraged to avail themselves of training courses offered by the city, the state, and other government and public training agencies and the Council shall budget for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in training each year. (1997 Code, § 225.17) § 32.0927 POWERS AND DUTIES. (A) The Commission shall prepare, hold hearings on, and recommend to the Council the plans, programs, and policies as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of §§ 32.080 et seq. (B) The powers shall include but not necessarily be limited to studying and recommending to the Council on the following: (1) Land acquisition for park, trails, and recreation purposes; (2) Plans for major improvements in city parks and trails; (3) Rules and requirements for conduct of and in parks and recreation facilities; (4) Plans and programs relating to the design and programming of city parks; (6) Development of a Capital Improvement Plan for the City’s parks and recreation system; (7) Annual Work Plan; and (8) The other plans and programs as may be assigned from time to time. (C) The Commission shall not be considered a park board under Minnesota Statutes and shall have no powers to acquire or lease land, employ personnel, enter into contracts or leases, or any similar powers authorized a park board by Minnesota Statutes. (1997 Code, § 225.18) SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption and publication in the official newspaper of the City of Lake Elmo. SECTION 3. Adoption Date. This Ordinance 08-XX 217 was adopted on this ______ day of ___ 2018, by a vote of ___ Ayes and ___ Nays. LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL ________________________________ Mike Pearson, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Julie Johnson, City Clerk This Ordinance 08-____ was published on the ____ day of ___________________, 2018. DIVISION 3. - PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE COMMISSION Sec. 2-195. - Purpose and intent. The city recognizes the importance of adequate, useful and attractive parks and open areas to promote public health and fitness, provide for leisure activities, maintain property values and sustain a high quality of life in the community. Both a master park plan and a park development fund have been created for the city to provide for park development. In order to assist the city council in setting park development and open space preservation policies, establish design and operating standards for the city 's park system, efficiently allocate resources, and implement the city 's master park plan, the parks, recreation and open space commission is hereby established for the city. (Prior Code, § 185-020) Sec. 2-196. - Duties and responsibilities. The city parks, recreation and open space commission shall provide the city council recommendations and advice for the development, maintenance and operation of parks, recreation and open space programs in the city. The commission shall have the following duties: (1) Periodically review and make recommendations to the city council on necessary, prudent, or desirable changes to the city's master park plan and parks, recreation and open space policies. (2) Monitor, and annually report to the city council regarding the city's success in implementing its master park plan and the city's contribution toward meeting the community's parks, recreation, and leisure needs. (3) Prepare, and annually update for city council approval, a five-year capital improvement plan for the development of the city's parks and recreation system. (4) Annually prepare and recommend to the city council a parks and recreation capital improvement budget for the following year. (5) Prepare for city council approval, standards for park development to assure the public's safety, provide for adequate service, create a unified and identifiable design for the city's parks, and promote their efficient maintenance and operation. (6) Recommend to the city council necessary, prudent, and desirable rules and regulations for park use to ensure the public's safety, enhance system use, discourage vandalism, maintain cost-effective operations, and to resolve conflicts in park use. (7) Coordinate the development and operation of recreation programs with governmental agencies, civic groups, and other organizations promoting or assisting recreation activities in the community. (8) Communicate the city's parks and recreation goals, plans and programs to the public. (9) Perform such other duties regarding the city's parks and recreation system, as may be requested by the city council from time to time. (Prior Code, § 185-040) Sec. 2-197. - Organization and membership. (a) Members appointed. The parks, recreation and open space commission shall consist of seven members, all eligible voters in the city. All members shall be appointed by the mayor with city council approval. Consideration in making appointments shall be given to having one or more residents residing in each ward and school district of the city appointed to the commission, though representation from each such section of the city is not required. (b) Terms of service. All members appointed by the mayor with council approval shall be appointed for staggered three-year terms. (c) Removal from office. Commission members may be removed from office by the city council for: (1) Changing their place of residence to a location outside the corporate boundaries of the city, or otherwise not meeting the requirements for office; (2) Failure to perform their official duties, including not attending called and noticed meetings; (3) Behavior disruptive to the good order and efficiency of the commission; (4) Committing an act of moral turpitude. (d) Vacancies. Appointments made to fill a vacancy on the commission that occurs during a normal term of office shall be made for the balance of the term remaining. (e) Officers. A chairperson and vice-chairperson shall be appointed annually from the membership of the commission by the mayor, with approval of the city council. The commission may appoint a secretary, who need not be a member of the commission. The chairperson, or vice-chairperson in the absence of the chairperson, shall: (1) Preside over meetings of the commission. (2) Represent the commission, or appoint a person to represent the commission before the city council on matters pertaining to the commission. (3) Certify official written documents of the commission. (f) Individual commissioners as petitioners. No commissioner shall take part in the consideration of any matter in which he or she is the applicant, petitioner, or appellant, nor in the consideration of any action in which he or she has a direct financial interest. (g) Compensation. Commissioners shall serve without compensation. (Prior Code, § 185-050; Ord. No. 2007-411, § 1, 9-4-2007; Ord. No. 2013-467, 12-2-2013) Sec. 2-198. - Rules and procedures. (a) The commission shall adopt such rules and procedures as are consistent with this division and as may be necessary for the proper execution and conduct of their duties and responsibilities. (b) Regular meetings of the commission shall be held monthly, or more often as required. The time and place of all regular meetings shall be posted in the city hall. The chairperson may call special meetings following three days' posted notice at the city hall. (Prior Code, § 185-060; Ord. No. 2013-467, 12-2-2013) Sec. 2-199. - Staffing. In order to allow commission members to concentrate on policy development and issues of general concern, and relieve them of administrative detail, the city council shall provide adequate staff to assist the parks, recreation and open space commission with their assigned duties. (Prior Code, § 185-070) State Law reference— Open meeting requirements, Minn. Stats. ch. 13D. Secs. 2-200—2-221. - Reserved. Chapter 2 - 6 charge of all physical evidence relating to the cause of the fire and pursue the investigation to its conclusion. A report shall be submitted to the Fire Chief of all facts and findings relative to each investigation. 10. Mutual Aid and Automatic Aid Agreements. The City Council may enter into such mutual aid and automatic aid agreements it deems appropriate, consistent with the Fire Department’s obligations under this Chapter. Such agreements shall be premised on the condition that the Fire Department shall not send personnel, equipment, and apparatus for fire protection to property owned, leased, or represented by persons, organizations or political subdivisions outside the City if the Fire Chief determines that such equipment and manpower is needed for service within the City. 11. Budget. The Fire Chief shall submit to the City Administrator an outline of the Fire Department’s work program for the current budget period. 12. Compensation. Members of the Fire Department shall receive compensation for services rendered at a rate to be established by the City Council. 2.09 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The City Council may designate, appoint, hire, or contract with such persons as they deem necessary and appropriate to act as Animal Control Officers to enforce and administer Chapter 3 of this Code. The Animal Control Officer is authorized to issue citations and take all other necessary actions in accordance with Minnesota Statutes to enforce and administer the provisions of Chapter 3 and other relevant provisions of this Code. 2.10 PARK COMMISSION. 1. Appointment. The City Council shall appoint a Park Commission made up of seven (7) members. Members shall serve a three (3) year term on the Commission. Each member of the Commission shall be a resident of the City and shall serve without compensation. At its first meeting every April, the members of the Park Commission shall appoint from among their membership a chairperson for a term of one (1) year. The chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Commission if present and shall perform all other duties and functions assigned by the Commission or the City Council. The members of the Commission may appoint from among the membership a vice-chairperson to act for the chairperson during his or her absence. 2. Vacancies. If a commission member is absent from three (3) meetings during a one (1) year period, unless excused in advance by the Chairperson, that commission member will be considered to have abandoned their position, creating a vacancy. In the event of a vacancy, the City Council shall appoint a successor to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the unexpired term. Chapter 2 - 7 3. Meetings. The Park Commission shall meet at such times and places as it shall designate and may adopt and amend rules and procedures governing its proceedings. Unless otherwise provided, any action taken by the Commission shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present. The Commission shall keep a public record of its meetings, resolutions, findings, and reports. 4. Duties. The Park Commission shall prepare and recommend to the City Council such plans, programs, and reports as it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Section and to establish an integrated program for the creation, improvement, maintenance, and management of parks, parkways, and recreational facilities within the City. In furtherance of these general duties, the Commission shall: A. Review and recommend land acquisition for park and recreational purposes; B. Review and recommend plans and procedures for the construction of roadways, paths, buildings, fountains, docks, boathouses, bathhouses, refreshment booths, amusement houses, pavilions, and other necessary structures and improvements in parks; C. Recommend reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of parks and recreational facilities, including charges and fees for public use of constructed premises; D. Recommend the purchase of necessary materials, supplies, equipment, and services to carry out the purposes of this Section; E. Recommend plans and programs relating to (i) the design of parks, parkways and public grounds; (ii) care, maintenance, and landscaping of parks, parkways and recreational facilities; and (iii) care, trimming, and removal of trees and shrubbery on public lands; F. Prepare such other plans and programs as the Commission may deem necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this Section 5. Commission Not a Park Board. The Commission shall not be considered a Park Board under Minnesota Statutes Sections 412.491 through 412.531, and shall have no powers to acquire land, employ personnel, enter into contracts or leases, or any similar powers authorized a Park Board by Minnesota Statutes Sections 412.491 through 412.531. 1 205 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN; 205.01 Establishment of a Commission. A City Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation Commission for the City of Oak Park Heights, Washington County, Minnesota, is hereby established. 205.02 Composition. That parks, playgrounds and recreation commissions shall consist of five (5) voting members. The five members shall be appointed by the City Council to serve for three (3) year terms, or as otherwise approved by the City Council. Both original and successive appointees shall hold office until their successors are appointed and shall have qualified. The City Council shall also appoint two (2) alternate members to serve as alternates who shall have the ability to fill the position of Park Commission member and cast votes in the event of absence of any member of the Park Commission. The members of the Commission shall elect one member as Chairperson and one member as Vice-Chairperson of said Commission, who shall be elected every year. Vacancies on the Commission during a term shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired term of said vacancy. Every appointed member shall, before entering upon the disposition of his or her duties, take an oath that he or she will faithfully perform the duties of that office. Except as otherwise established by resolution of the City Council, all members of the Park Commission shall be compensated $25.00 for each month of service, but must be present at the Park Commission to qualify for such compensation. Any member of the Park Commission may be removed by the Mayor with the Consent of the City Council for cause after a hearing. The Commission shall additionally operate under the auspices of official “Park Commission By-Laws” which shall be approved by the City Council. Current By-Laws adopted October 14, 2008. 205.03 Duties. It shall be the duty of the Commission to study and recommend to the City Council: (1) the needed and necessary parks and recreational facilities in said City, and (2) also to study and recommend provisions for the utilization and maintenance of present and future facilities that may be created from time to time by the City 2 Council. Said recommendations shall then be acted upon within a reasonable length of time by the City Council. 205.04 Budget. The Parks, Playgrounds, and Recreation Commission shall propose an annual budget which shall be considered and acted upon by the City Council annually. Amended: Section 205.02. Passed October 14, 2008. Oakdale MN Code of Ordinances: Chapter 15 - Page 1 CHAPTER 15 PARKS AND RECREATION Article I Parks and Recreation Commission Article II Open Space Preservation Article III Use of Facilities Regulated Article IV Tanner's Lake Article V Dog Park ARTICLE I. PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Sec. 15-01. Commission Established. A Parks and Recreation Commission for the City of Oakdale is hereby established. The commission serves as an advisory board for the City Council, City Administrator, and Recreation Superintendent. All conclusions reached by the commission shall serve as recommendations and powers of execution shall be vested in the City Council. Sec. 15-02. Functions and Duties of Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall act in an advisory capacity to the City Council, City Administrator, and the Recreation Superintendent in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation planning and programming. Specific responsibilities of the commission shall be: (a) To establish plans, policies, and procedures in matters relating to the development and use of parks, trails, open space, and recreational facilities. (b) To advise and assist the City Council in planning the development and use of parks and recreational facilities. (c) To plan for the best use of the city’s natural resources with minimal adverse effect on the environment. (d) To help develop a diversity of recreational opportunities for the maximum benefit of all residents. (e) To cooperate with various athletic organizations with the city to achieve common goals related to parks and recreation. (f) To work with parks and recreation agencies outside the city, including the state, counties, schools, and municipalities to minimize duplication of services and maximize use of land and regional recreational facilities. Sec. 15-03. Composition of Commission; Appointment to Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall consist of seven (7) regular members, appointed by the City Council. Four (4) serving members shall constitute a quorum. Vacancies shall be filled by City Council appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. Resignation of Parks and Recreation members shall be submitted in writing to the City Council. At their discretion, the City Council may appoint up to two (2) student representatives to serve on the commission; such individuals shall serve in an advisory role without voting privileges and do not need to meet the residency requirements for a commissioner. (Ord. 836, 02/27/18) Sec. 15-04. Terms of Members. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall be appointed by the City Council for three (3) year terms. Terms, in general, begin July 1 of each year. Members that have served on one commission for three consecutive terms shall be given the option of submitting an application to be considered for appointment to another advisory commission or to Oakdale MN Code of Ordinances: Chapter 15 - Page 2 submit an application to be considered for appointment to the same commission the following June. Exception: at the sole discretion of the City Council, seated commissioners that have served on one commission for three or more consecutive terms may be reappointed to the same commission when the continuation of their service on said commission is deemed vital to projects and/or programs under the purview of the commission. The initial term for appointments to the commission shall be staggered so that only three (3) new appointment or reappointments need to be made in any one year. (Ord. 833, 10/10/17) Sec. 15-05. Organization of Commission . The Parks and Recreation Commission shall elect from its membership, a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson annually at its first meeting of each year. The election of Chairperson is subject to veto by the Mayor. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall adopt its own Rules of Order and Bylaws for the purpose of governing procedure. Sec. 15-06. Commission Meetings and Records. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall hold regular meetings as established in the bylaws. These meetings shall be open to the public. The Parks and Recreation Commission shall submit copies of its meeting minutes to the City Council following each scheduled meeting and shall submit periodic reports when requested by the City Council. Sec. 15-07. Removal of Commission Members. Commission members may be removed, at will, by action supported by a majority of the City Council. Also, given that the City Council expects diligence in attendance by the members of the Parks and Recreation Commission at commission meetings, excessive absences will be considered as grounds for removal from the commission. Sec. 15-08. Residency Requirement. No person appointed to represent the residents shall continue to serve on the commission once that member has taken residence outside of the corporate limits of Oakdale. A written resignation shall be submitted to the City Council in this instance. ARTICLE II. OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION Sec. 15-09. Purpose. The city recognizes that open space not otherwise designated as parkland, owned by the city is a resource that is intended to benefit, because of its status as publicly owned land, all residents of the city. City-owned open space (hereinafter “open space”) generally serves a number of functions, including conservation of natural resources and environmentally sensitive land; screening and buffering of residents from other land uses and developments; preservation of scenic vistas and rural characteristics; and recreational areas. These functions are usually best accomplished through the preservation of open space in a natural state. The following ordinance, rules and regulations are designed and intended to accomplish the purposes described herein. Sec. 15-10. Definitions. The following words and terms, whenever they occur in this section, are defined as follows:  Natural State means land that is undisturbed by human intrusions, including but not limited to: construction; filling or excavation; removal or destruction of trees, shrubs or vegetation (live or dead); and activities detrimental to drainage, flood control, water conservation, erosion control, soil conservation or the preservation of wildlife.  Open Space means any publicly-owned parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved except under circumstances noted within this section and set aside, dedicated, designated or reserved for public use or enjoyment.