pages: RecreationandParkCommission/2017-12-14.pdf, 7
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RecreationandParkCommission | 2017-12-14 | 7 | DISCUSSION I spoke briefly with the Director regarding these questions during the week of November 13, 2017. I also met with the Commissioner on November 29, 2017 in my office. During these conversations I learned that City staff presented the Commission with a series of recommendations regarding fees and charges for 2018. It is my understanding that the Commission was largely in support of staff's recommendation but had 3 - 4 recommendations of their own. Staff was in support of some but not all of the Commission's recommendations, thus raising the above questions. Authority to Set Fees The Recreation and Park Commission is not specially mentioned in the City Charter. Thus they have no Charter derived authority. The Commission was created by statute and their powers and duties are currently codified in Alameda Municipal Code ("AMC") Section 2-12. A copy of which is attached as Exhibit A for your ease of reference. AMC Section 2-12 was last amended on April 5, 2011. The Commission created for itself a set of bylaws. A copy of which is attached as Exhibit B for your ease of reference. The bylaws were last revised on November 4, 1998. When analyzing the role and responsibility of a public body like the Commission, there is a hierarchy of authority: First is Charter authority, Second is statutory authority, Third are any interpretations of the Charter or statute, and Last are the Bylaws or other rules and standards (like Robert's Rules) that the body has set for itself. In this case, the Charter does not grant any authority to the Commission. The legal authority of the Commission is found in AMC 2-12 which states that the Commission's purpose is advisory. The pertinent AMC Sections are 2-12.1 and 2-12.4 which read as follows: 2-12.1 Commission Created; Purpose. There is hereby created a commission which shall be known as the Recreation and Park Commission, whose purpose shall be to advise, coordinate and give guidance to the acquisition, development, maintenance and operation of parks, playgrounds, and other recreational facilities in the City of Alameda for the promotion of a sound program of community recreation and vocational activities, using to the greatest practicable extent the land, equipment and personnel of the City of Alameda and the Alameda Unified School District. 2 | RecreationandParkCommission/2017-12-14.pdf |