HomeMy WebLinkAboutApproved Bylaws - RES 4497 - 3-14/2023Page 1 of 5
Rev. 3/14/2023
City of Renton Parks Commission Bylaws
The City of Renton Parks Commission (the “Commission”) has adopted the following as its
Bylaws setting forth the rules and procedures deemed necessary to carry out its duties
established in chapter 2-9 of the Renton Municipal Code (“RMC”). The Commission will file a
copy of these Bylaws with the City Clerk of the City of Renton.
I.Membership
A.Membership on the Commission will be as established in RMC 2-9-4.
B.Procedures for filling Commission vacancies, including term expirations.
1.Pursuant to RMC 2-9-5, upon the expiration of a Commissioner’s term, the Mayor will
reappoint the incumbent or appoint a successor, subject to City Council confirmation. The
following provisions establish the Commission’s process in making recommendations to the
Mayor’s Office regarding such reappointments or appointments. The following also applies
to Commission vacancies for reasons other than expiration of a Commissioner’s term.
2.Identification of candidates to fill a vacancy.
a.Upon a vacancy or pending vacancy, the Commission chairperson or a City staff member
will check with the Mayor’s Office to obtain any existing applications on file for
membership to the Commission.
b.The Commission may advertise to fill a vacancy.
c.In the case of a pending term expiration, the Commission chairperson will contact a
Commission member whose term is about to expire to inquire whether he or she would
like to be considered for reappointment.
3.Any person interested in being interviewed for Commission membership must complete the
City’s application for boards/commissions/committees (available online or by request).
Applications are retained by the City as required by law per the State Retention Schedule.
Applications are available for review for vacancies by the Commission for one year from the
date submitted. The Commission maintains an objective of having a broad and inclusive
membership (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity), and candidates should have a passion for parks.
Candidates are invited to attend one or more Commission meetings to hear subject matters
discussed.
4.The Commission chairperson will appoint a nominating committee that may consist of
Commission members and others to review applications and set up interviews to fill
vacancies. The nominating committee will interview candidates and formulate
recommendations to bring to the full board to approve recommendations to forward to the
PARKS COMMISSION BYLAWS RESOLUTION ________ - EXHIBIT “A”4497
Bylaws
Parks Commission
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Rev. 3/14/2023
Mayor. The full list of candidates, with Commission recommendations, will be referred to
the Mayor for action.
II.Attendance
A.Any member may attend a meeting remotely if
1.by telephonic access, or by other electronic, internet or other means of remote access
acceptable to and arranged with City staff, and
2.if all persons attending the meeting can hear and be heard by the member attending
remotely. This paragraph will be interpreted to comply with Washington State
requirements for the OPMA and may be subject to change to comply with those
requirements.
B.There is no limit to the number of board meetings that Commissioners may attend virtually.
C.The Chairperson may call special meetings, work sessions and Commission meetings when
proper and as necessary with notice to Commission members and the public. Work sessions
shall be noticed as public meetings and all Commission members may participate
III.Term
A.The length of term of Commissioners is set forth in RMC 2-9-5.A. The expiration date of
Commissioners’ terms will be staggered so that not more than four (4) positions expire in the
same year.
B.Any newly appointed Commissioner will attend an orientation with the Commission chairperson
and the Parks and Recreation Administrator or his/her designee.
C.Persons appointed to Commission membership during the pendency of the term for that
position will serve until the end of the term unless circumstances warrant otherwise.
D.The Commission shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and the Public Records
Act (collectively the “Acts”). In accordance with RCW 42.30.205, RCW 42.56.150, and RCW
42.56.152, members are required to complete OPMA and Public Records Act training within 90
days of their appointment. These trainings will be conducted during the Commission’s inaugural
meeting. Each board member will receive Open Public Meetings Act Training from the City
Clerk’s office within Ninety (90) of appointment and then every four years per the Open Public
Meetings Act.
IV.Chairperson and Officers
A.Chairperson
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Parks Commission
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1.Biennially, the Commission will elect a chairperson, by a majority vote, and such officers, as
the Commission deems necessary.
2.The duties of the chairperson are as follows:
a.Preside over the Commission and exercise all powers incidental to the office and may
propose motions or second motions.
b.Establish special committees and appoint a committee lead to carry out assigned tasks.
c.Call special Commission meetings as needed.
d.Determine the agenda.
e.Coordinate Commission appointments for vacant positions.
f.In the absence of the chairperson from any meeting, the chairperson will designate a
member to perform all the duties incumbent upon the chairperson, and, while
performing the chairperson’s duties, may propose motions or second motions.
3.Chairperson appointments will follow in sequence of term seniority so that every member
has the opportunity to serve. The Chairperson is elected to a two (2)-year term to begin
serving at the June meeting. There is no limit to the number of terms to which a Chairperson
may serve. Vacancies occurring for reasons other than the expiration of a term will be filled,
by majority vote, for the remainder of the unexpired portion of the term.
B.Officers
1.The Commission may appoint officers, if any, to begin serving at the June meeting. Officers
hold office for a two (2)-year term. There is no limit on the number of terms to which
officers may be approved. All officers will be elected biennially. Vacancies occurring for
reasons other than the expiration of a term will be filled, by majority vote, for the remainder
of the unexpired portion of the term.
V.Rules of Procedure
A.Quorum
1.The Commission has 7 voting members. More than 50% of the seated voting members shall
constitute a quorum at any given meeting.
2.If less than a quorum is present at any meeting, the meeting may continue, however no
action can be taken, only informational items may be presented. Current items will be
carried over to the next regular meeting.
Bylaws
Parks Commission
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3.A meeting may be canceled if needed (e.g., weather, local, state, or national emergency).
Current items will be carried over to the next meeting.
B.Voting
When a quorum is present, a simple majority vote suffices for all action unless otherwise
expressly provided by law or these Bylaws. No vote may be made by proxy.
C.Meetings
1.The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
To continue past this time of adjournment, a majority vote is required. Additional meetings
may be held upon the call of the chairperson or at the written request of at least three (3)
Commissioners. All members will be given notice of additional meetings. No less than
twenty-four (24) hours’ notice will be given for the posting, publication, or cancellation of
any meeting of the Commission.
2.A physical meeting location is required where members of the commission can hear and be
heard by those attending the meeting at the physical location. The Parks and Recreation
department will have a staff person present at all meetings held at a physical location.
3.Public/Oral/Audience Comment
a.Public comment may be received in person during a board meeting either in-person,
virtually, or by telephone or may be submitted in writing to parksandrec@rentonwa.gov
before noon of the day of the meeting. Comments received via email will be noted on
the record and read into the record for up to three (3) minutes per comment email
during the appropriate section of the agenda.
b.Live public comment will be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless an
exception is granted by the Chair.
4.In compliance with the OPMA, serial meetings, emails, or conversations between 50% or more
of the Commission members, that stimulate dialogue, and /or discussion of pending action
items are prohibited; such interaction should be made during the next Commission meeting
during which a quorum is present.”
VI.Agendas and Minutes
Minutes of Commission meetings may be kept. A copy of the next meeting’s agenda, prior
meeting draft minutes, if any, and handouts for each Commission meeting may be sent to each
Commission member in advance of the next meeting.
VII.Code of Ethics
Bylaws
Parks Commission
All members of the Commission must abide by the City of Renton Code of Ethics established in
Renton Municipal Code Chapter 1-6 and the City Code of Ethics Policy 100-07.
VIII.Amendment
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be presented in writing and distributed to the
membership at least three (3) days before the meeting at which the amendments are to be
considered. These Bylaws may be amended by majority vote at any Commission meeting when
a quorum is in attendance.
IX.Adoption
The undersigned chairperson of the City of Renton Parks Commission does hereby attest that
the foregoing Bylaws have been duly adopted by a majority vote of the members of the
Commission. These Bylaws supersede any previously passed bylaws of the Commission.
:�EST , Ar 12,�J(h--oe-
AI Dieckman, Chairperson, Parks Commission Date
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