[Adopted as indicated in text (Ch. 57, §§ 57-1
through 57-12, of the 1990 Code of Public Local Laws)]
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(a); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2; 2007, ch. 328,
§ 1; amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
There is a Board of Parks and Recreation and a Director of Parks
and Recreation, with powers and duties as specified in this article.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(b); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2; 1993, ch. 251,
§ 1[1]]
A.
The Board shall consist of eight members, appointed by the County
Executive in accordance with the Charter. One member shall be appointed
by the Board of Education. The Cecil County Council shall annually
select, from its membership, an ex officio member for this Board,
who shall serve without voting privileges.
[2007, ch. 328, § 1; amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
B.
All members of the Board, with the exception of the ex officio member,
shall be appointed for three-year staggered terms from the first day
of January of the year of their appointments or until their successors
are appointed. Vacancies, except those at the expiration of a term,
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments and
for the unexpired term. All members of the Board shall serve without
compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for necessary and
proper expenses incurred while performing their duties thereon.
[1]
Editor's Note: Section 6 of ch. 251 provided that notwithstanding
Subsections A and B below, as amended by Laws of 1993, ch. 251, § 1,
members of the Cecil County Board of Parks and Recreation, other than
an ex officio member, shall be appointed for terms beginning 1-1-1997
as follows: three members for a one-year term; two members for a two-year
term; and two members (including the member selected by the Board
of Education) for a three-year term to stagger the terms of the Board.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(c); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The Board shall annually select a Chairman and a Vice Chairman
from its membership; and it shall also select a Secretary and a Treasurer,
who may or may not be members thereof. The Board may require the Treasurer
to give bond in such amount as it may determine, and it is further
authorized to adopt all necessary rules and regulations for the conduct
of its business and for the protection of properties under its control.
The Board shall hold such regular and special meetings as it may deem
necessary. The Board is authorized to determine all questions of general
policy relating to parks and public recreation in Cecil County, to
supervise the expenditure of funds appropriated to these purposes,
and to keep the County informed as to the availability of federal
and state funds for these purposes. It may appoint advisory committees
or panels to assist in the exercise of its powers and functions.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(d); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2; amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
The Board, upon recommendation of the County Executive and approval
by the County Council, may accept real and personal property of all
kinds suitable for public parks, open space programs, and recreational
purposes, legal title to which shall always be in the name of Cecil
County, Maryland. The Cecil County Council shall appropriate in the
annual budget of the County such sums as shall be necessary to purchase
land, construct improvements, and defray expenses for the maintenance
of park and recreation areas under the control of the Board and for
the support of the park and recreational programs. The acquisition
of property, with the approval of the County, may be by purchase,
condemnation, grant, bequest, devise, or lease of the fee or any lessor
interest, development right, assignment, covenant, or other contractual
right necessary for park and recreation programs. The County may sell
or in any manner dispose of these parks and recreational properties.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(e); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The Board, subject to budgetary policies and appropriations
of the County, may establish, adopt, direct, or cause to be conducted
or directed a comprehensive program of public recreation in schools,
parks, or other lands or buildings, either publicly or privately owned.
It further may develop, equip, operate, maintain, or issue permits
for the use of any facilities made available to the Board and make
charges where appropriate. The initiative for all programs shall come
from the general public.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(f); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The control of any land, buildings, or other acceptable facilities
shall be in accord with agreements reached between the Board and the
person, corporation, or agency having jurisdiction over such properties.
No power or authority conferred by this article shall be construed
to abridge or limit the power of Cecil County, the Board of Education,
or of any governmental agency, or of any person or corporation, to
refuse to permit or to limit the use of any ground, building, or facility
under their control, ownership or jurisdiction.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(g); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The Board, subject to the approval of the County, may contract
with private organizations for the initiation and maintenance of public
recreation programs.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(h); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
The Board shall submit to the County an annual report of its
activities, together with recommendations for further activities and
development of the County recreation program. It shall also submit
an annual budget, pursuant to the requirements of law, itemizing the
appropriations necessary for the performance of its functions and
duties.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(i); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
Cecil County, by and through the Board of Parks and Recreation,
may join or cooperate with the federal government, the State of Maryland,
any municipality, any other governmental agency or citizen group in
providing, establishing, conducting, and maintaining recreation centers,
playgrounds, parks, and other recreation facilities and activities.
[1968, ch. 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(j); 1977,
ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2]
Cecil County may borrow funds for the purposes of this article
and issue individual notes, bonds or other evidence of indebtedness
for the repayment of the funds and of interest thereon.
[1968, § 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(k)(1)
and (2); 1977, ch. 841, § 1; 1988, ch. 227, § 2;
1992, ch. 88, § 1; amended 11-13-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-12]
A.
The Director of Parks and Recreation shall be appointed by the County
Executive in accordance with the Charter. The Director shall have
a degree in recreation or a similar field or have five years'
experience in parks and recreation and shall serve at the will of
the County Executive. The annual salary for the Director shall be
determined by the County, except that it shall not be less than $10,000.
B.
The Director serves under the general direction and supervision of
the County Executive and provides staff support to the Board of Parks
and Recreation. The Director's duties shall consist of maintenance
of equipment and facilities used in the public recreation program
and in scheduling and operating programs established by the County
and adopted by the Board of Parks and Recreation.
[1968, § 697, § 1; 1970 Code, Sec. 1-8(1);
1977, ch. 841, § 1; 1988, Ch. 227, § 2]
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the authority
of the Cecil County Planning Commission, as set forth under § 3.08
of Article 66B, Annotated Code of Maryland, shall not be diminished
or impaired.
