Borough of Clayton, NJ Chapter 16 Park and Recreation Committee

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Clayton 3-28-1968 by Ord. No. 68-3; amended in its entirety 5-13-1982 by Ord. No. 82-7.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Parks and recreation escrow account — See Ch. 17.

Parks and recreation areas — See Ch. 68.

[1] Editor's Note: Section 8A of this ordinance provided that the Park Committee be disbanded and replaced by the Park and Recreation Committee.

§ 16-1 Establishment.

There is hereby established in the Borough of Clayton a Parks and Recreation Committee, which shall have the duties and powers hereinafter more particularly set forth, and the members of which shall be appointed by the Borough Council in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

§ 16-2 Membership; terms; liaison; filling of vacancies.

[Amended 2-13-1987 by Ord. No. 87-1]

A. The Park and Recreation Committee shall be composed of nine members and three alternate members, who shall be citizens and residents of the Borough of Clayton. Such members and alternate members shall be appointed by the Borough Council to serve three-year terms; provided, however, that the initial appointments shall be made in the following manner: three members for initial one-year terms, three members for initial two-year terms, three members for initial three-year terms, one alternate for an initial one-year term, one alternate for an initial two-year term and one alternate for an initial three-year term. After the conclusion of the initial terms as herein provided, all terms shall be for three years. The Borough Council shall designate the alternate members as "Alternate No. 1," "Alternate No. 2" and "Alternate No. 3." At meetings of the Park and Recreation Committee, alternate members shall be permitted to participate in discussion of the proceedings but shall not be permitted to vote except in the absence or disqualification of one or more regular members, in which event alternate members shall be permitted to vote in lieu of such absent or disqualified regular members in the order of numerical designation of such alternate members.

B. In addition to the aforementioned members, the Borough Council shall appoint a member of the Borough Council to serve as a liaison to the Park and Recreation Committee each year, who shall be permitted to participate in discussions of the proceedings of the Committee but who shall not be permitted to vote. Such member of the Borough Council shall serve a one-year term.

C. All appointments shall expire on December 31. Initial appointments as above provided shall be made for the balance of the one-, two-, or three-year term designated, ending on December 31 of such year.

D. Vacancies shall be filled by the Borough Council for the unexpired term only. The members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and found qualified.

§ 16-3 Relation to Borough Council.

A. The Borough Council shall cooperate with the Park and Recreation Committee to coordinate and provide equipment for recreational activities, as well as to coordinate the development, operation and maintenance of parks, public places, playgrounds, and recreational areas, in the Borough of Clayton, in order to provide for the maximum benefit and planned development for the residents of the Borough of Clayton.

B. The Borough Council may, from time to time, by resolution, place activities, parks, public places, playgrounds and recreational areas under the jurisdiction of the Park and Recreation Committee for development, operation or maintenance thereof or for such purposes as may be specified in any such resolution. The Borough shall continue to be responsible for the care, custody and policing of any such parks, public places, playgrounds and recreational areas which, from time to time, may be placed under the jurisdiction of the Park and Recreation Committee, unless such responsibilities or any others shall be specifically assigned in any such resolution.

C. The Park and Recreation Committee herein established shall not be deemed to be a park or recreation commission pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:12-1 et seq., but such Park and Recreation Committee shall have only those powers and duties as may be set forth herein or as may be more particularly provided by resolution of the Borough Council.

D. There shall be no appropriation of public funds to the Parks and Recreation Committee, except as may be provided by the Borough Council for designated purposes consistent with the intent of this chapter. The Park and Recreation Committee shall recommend to the Borough Council proposals, from time to time, as may be consistent herewith.

E. The Borough Council shall obtain liability insurance coverage covering the approved activities under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Committee, the participants in those activities, the Borough of Clayton and individual members of the Park and Recreation Committee.

F. Neither the Park and Recreation Committee nor any member or members thereof shall have any power or right, express or implied, to bind or obligate the Borough of Clayton or the Council of the Borough of Clayton, directly or indirectly.

§ 16-4 Duties.

The primary purpose of the Park and Recreation Committee shall be to:

A. Assist in providing equipment as needed to programs concerned with the recreation of the residents of the Borough of Clayton.

B. Provide for the orderly development of parks or other public lands in the Borough of Clayton.

C. Coordinate activities and groups using the parks or other public lands in the Borough of Clayton.

D. Cooperate with Gloucester County Parks and Recreation in coordinating and advising on activities to be held on county-owned recreational land should such aid be requested by Gloucester County Parks and Recreation.

E. Suggest improvements needed for orderly development and to undertake such improvements as it is authorized to carry out pursuant to this chapter or hereafter by resolution of the Borough Council.

F. Operate and maintain such parks or other public lands over which it is given jurisdiction in any resolution of the Borough Council and shall do so pursuant to any standards set forth in any such resolution.

G. Work with the Borough Council and other boards, agencies and groups, whether or not connected with the municipal government, in order to provide a balanced plan of development and use of parks and other public lands.

H. Handle other specific programs which may be assigned or authorized by the Borough Council, by resolution from time to time, in accordance with the general purposes of the Park and Recreation Committee and the provisions of this chapter and subject to the limitations contained herein.

§ 16-5 Limitations.

The Park and Recreation Committee shall not act in any manner which would cause a forfeiture of any lands of the Borough of Clayton. The Borough Council reserves the right at any time to limit the jurisdiction, purposes or programs of the Park and Recreation Committee by resolution of the Borough Council.

§ 16-6 Organization.

The Park and Recreation Committee may organize as it sees fit, choosing a Chairperson and such other officers from among its members as it may deem advisable, adopt rules and bylaws for the proper administration of its functions and formulate committees for the administration and handling of its programs.