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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_Resolution Renewing the Ecological Advocacy Committee For 5 Addl Years 8-23-2021RESOLUTION NO. 0002-2021 A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, EXTENDING THE TERM OF EXISTENCE OF THE ECOLOGICAL ADVOCACY COMMITTEE WHEREAS, pursuant to I.C. 36-10-3-10 the Board of Park commissioners of the City of South Bend (“Park Board”) exercises general supervision over the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of South Bend (“Park Department”) and, pursuant to I.C. 36-10-4-9, has exclusive control of all property within the City used for park purposes; and WHEREAS, the many lands under the control of the Park Board are, as a whole, populated with a wide and divergent variety of natural resources; and WHEREAS, the Park Board has determined that it is in the best interest of the City of South Bend, and the Park Department that care and attention be given to the long-term nurturing and management of the City’s natural resources; and WHEREAS, the Park Board expanded the resolution which created the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee that expired on December 31, 1998; and WHEREAS, the City of South Bend Parks 5 year Master Plan (2014-2018) called to “strengthen the ethic of environmental stewardship, while identifying a need for “cooperative planning, community engagement, strategic thinking and natural resource management”; and WHEREAS, the Park Department created a comprehensive Natural Resource Management Plan; and WHEREAS, the Park Board determined that the Park Board would be well served by the creation and establishment of a subcommittee to advise it on matters concerning the perpetuation of a healthy ecological system within the City of South Bend; and, WHEREAS, under the authority granted under I.C. 36-10-3-17, the Park Board established the Ecological Advocacy Committee to serve as a subcommittee to the Park Board via adoption of Resolution No. 0004-2016 for an initial term of five (5) years, sun-setting on December 31, 2021, unless renewed by a subsequent resolution. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: 1. Pursuant to the authority granted under I.C. 36-10-3-17, the Park Board extends the existence of the Ecological Advocacy Committee for an additional five (5) year period, beginning on January 1, 2022 and terminating on December 31, 2027, unless renewed by a subsequent resolution of the Park Board. 2. That the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall continue be to help enhance and maintain the ecological health of the environment within the City of South Bend, thereby enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of the City of South Bend. 3. That the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall continue to have responsibility for advising the Park Board with respect to issues involving or impacting the perpetuation of a healthy ecological system within the parks system in the City of South Bend, including, but not limited to, advising the Park Board on the following matters: A. Identification of significant natural resources with the parks system and the completion of an overarching resource management plan for the parks system. B. Impacts that park development has on the natural environment. C. Educational programs. D. Improvement of plant diversity, population and health within the City of South Bend. E. Such other related matters as the Park Board deems appropriate. 4. That the membership of the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall consist of citizens interested in parks and recreation, in general, and in the preservation and perpetuation of natural resources. 5. That the membership of the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall be appointed by the Park Board and shall be no fewer than 5 members and no more than 10 members, the exact number at any point in time to be a matter solely within the discretion of the Park Board. 6. That members of the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall serve for a term of two (2) calendar years. The Park Board retains the discretion to reappoint any member of the Ecological Advocacy Committee to any number of two (2) year terms. 7. That the Ecological Advocacy Committee, at its first meeting of each calendar year, shall appoint or reaffirm one (1) of its members as the Chairperson of the Ecological Advocacy Committee, who shall serve in said position until replaced by the Ecological Advocacy Committee at the end of the term or for cause. The Ecological Advocacy Committee may (re) appoint a Chairperson to no more than two (2) consecutive two (2) year terms as Chairperson. 8. That any member appointed to complete the term of a member who leaves the Ecological Advocacy Committee prior to the expiration of his term shall serve the remainder of that member’s term plus the next calendar year. 9. That the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall meet no fewer than six (6) times per year and shall conduct its meetings in public, pursuant to I.C. 5-14-1.5. 10. That the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall report to the Park Board, periodically, on the status of its work and shall report and make such formal presentations, written or otherwise, to the Park Board on matters of interest at the request of the Park Board and provide updates to the PARC Committee of the Common Council. 11. That a quorum of the Ecological Advocacy Committee shall consist of a majority of its current membership. 12. That a matter before the Ecological Advocacy Committee for consideration shall pass upon the affirmative vote of a majority of members present and voting. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption. BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS CITY OF SOUTH BEND _________________________________ Mark Neal, President _________________________________ Consuela Hopkins, Vice President _________________________________ Aimee Buccellato, Member _________________________________ Dan Farrell, Member ATTEST _________________________________ Eva Ennis, Park Board Clerk