Fiscal Note
The proposed ordinance amends Subsection 33.05(5) of the Madison General Ordinances to eliminate the Golf Subcommittee and the Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) Advisory Subcommittees of the Board of Parks Commissioners (BPC), consolidating those Subcommittee’s responsibilities with the remaining BPC subcommittees. This ordinance also updates the meeting schedule and some of the duties of the remaining Subcommittees in order to bring the ordinance in line with existing practices and to better detail the duties of the remaining Subcommittees. There may be some savings in staff time as a result of the consolidations but it is expected to be minimal. No appropriation is required.
Title
Amending Subsection 33.05(5) of the Madison General Ordinances to Eliminate the Golf Subcommittee and the Warner Park Community Recreation Center Advisory Subcommittees of the Board of Parks Commissioners.
Body
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This ordinance will eliminate the Golf Subcommittee and the Warner Park Community Recreation Center (WPCRC) Advisory Subcommittees of the Board of Parks Commissioners (BPC), consolidating those Subcommittee’s responsibilities with the remaining BPC subcommittees. These two standing sub-units have been in existence for some time, and were officially codified in the ordinances in 2009 as part of a broader effort to update the City’s board, committee and commission system. In 2019, the Task Force on Structure of City Government (TFOGS) released its final report on City government. One of the TFOGS report’s recommendations was to eliminate or combine boards, committees or commissions that are redundant or that have outlived their purposes. With this directive in mind, on January 11, 2023, the Parks Division presented the BPC with a review of its existing subcommittees (Legistar File No. 75275). The BPC was given two options: maintain the status quo; or, consolidating the responsibilities of the Golf Subcommittee and the WPCRC Advisory Subcommittee into the remaining BPC Subcommittees. The BPC recommended consolidating the Subcommittee responsibilities and eliminating the two Subcommittees. This ordinance is in response to that directive. This ordinance also updates the meeting schedule and some of the duties of the remaining Subcommittees in order to bring the ordinance in line with existing practices and to better detail the duties of the remaining Subcommittees.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Subsection (5) entitled “Subcommittees” of Section 33.05 entitled “Board of Park Commissioners” of the Madison General Ordinances is amended as follows:
“(5) Subcommittees . The following subcommittees of the Board of Park Commissioners assist in receiving resident input and making recommendations to the Park Commission. Except where specified, members shall be appointed by the President of the Board of Park Commissioners and each subcommittee shall contain at least one member from the Park Commission.
(a) Golf Subcommittee. Advises the Commission regarding policies, rate structure, rules and regulations, capital improvements, user complaints, operations and the selection of golf pros. The Golf Subcommittee is composed of seven (7) persons: one Park Commissioner; the President or designee representing the Odana Golf Association, the Yahara Golf Association, the Madison Area Retiree Association, and the Women's Municipal Golf Association; and two at-large members. This subcommittee meets quarterly, and all members shall be City of Madison residents.
(b) Warner Park Community Recreation Center Advisory Subcommittee. Advises the Board of Park Commissioners regarding operations, policies and procedures, fees and user concerns, and makes program and budget recommendations, concerning the Warner Park Community Recreation Center. The Subcommittee consists of nine (9) persons: four (4) representatives from the Northside and at large; the NewBridge Madison Executive Director or designee; the MSCR Executive Director or designee; a representative of the Board of Park Commissioners; and the two Warner Park area aldermanic representatives. This committee meets bi-monthly and all members shall be City of Madison residents. The Facility Manager, or their designee, shall be eligible to attend meetings of the Subcommittee with privilege of the floor, but does not count for quorum and cannot vote. Notwithstanding Sec. 33.01(6)(b), and except for the Alder members, a member may not serve on the Subcommittee for more than two consecutive three-year terms.
(ac) Facilities, Programs and Fees Subcommittee. Reviews policies, rules and regulations, and operation standards, special event permit applications and makes program recommendations and recommendations on new and updated user fees and charges for all parks, Parks Division operated facilities, the City’s golf courses and Forest Hill Cemetery. The Subcommittee consists of seven (7) members, including at least one member of the Park Commission, and meets as needed.
(bd) Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee. Reviews public tree concerns and policies, advises and makes recommendations concerning the Conservation Parks land stewardship, ecological and sustainability practices for all park land. Advises and makes recommendations concerning the Parks Division’s Integrated Pest Management Policy and annual report. The Subcommittee consists of five (5) members, including at least one member of the Park Commission, and meets quarterly as needed.
(ce) Long-Range Planning Subcommittee. Advises the Board of Park Commissioners, reviews the procedures and policies of the Parks Division and solicits input regarding the Parks Division from alders, groups and residents. Also, when necessary, researches and advises regarding the naming of public parks. The Subcommittee consists of five (5) members, including at least one member of the Park Commission, and meets quarterly as needed.”