Item 10ECity of Southlake, Texas
MEMORANDUM
October 18, 2004
TO: Billy Campbell, City Manager
FROM: Malcolm Jackson, Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: Appointment of liaisons to Committee for Review of Policies and Ordinances
relating to parks and recreation, senior and youth issues, and related community
services items
Action Requested: City Council appointment of two liaisons to the committee for review of
existing policies and ordinances relating to parks and recreation, senior and
youth issues, and community services items.
Background
Information: Over the years a number of policies and ordinances have been implemented
that influence the operations of the Community Services Department. This
primarily includes the areas of parks and recreation and senior services. Many
of the policies are outdated and no longer consistent with current practices.
Likewise, ordinances governing the Department also require review to ensure
their relevance as it relates to existing conditions.
A committee consisting of appointees from the Parks Board, Senior Advisory
Commission, and Southlake Youth Action Commission, along with City staff,
is recommended to study existing policies and ordinances. The goal of the
committee is to develop recommendations that improve the relevancy of
related policies and ordinances and remove any contradictions or redundancies.
The process is also intended to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of
the Department. It is recommended that the Committee consist of three
members appointed by the Parks Board, two members appointed by the Senior
Advisory Commission, one member representing SYAC, and two staff
members, one of whom would chair the Committee and be appointed by the
Director of Community Services, along with two City Council members to
serve as liaisons. Following a recommendation by the Parks Board to include
citizen input into the process, staff anticipates periodically calling upon other
citizens and organizations to provide input into select topics for which they
have specific expertise or interest. The goal is to develop recommendations
that improve the relevancy of related policies and ordinances and remove any
contradictions or redundancies, and then to present the appropriate
recommended changes to the City Council upon completion of the process.
The addition of two City Council liaisons allows for direct interaction with the
committee and input during the process. Council inclusion in such practices
has been successful in the past as demonstrated during the review of Senior
Transportation issues. Upon completion, the committee would then present
Billy Campbell, City Manager
October 18, 2004
Page 2
its findings to the Park Board, Senior Advisory Commission, and Youth
Advisory Commission prior to presentation to the City Council. This process
is anticipated to take between six and nine months.
Financial
Considerations: Not applicable.
Financial Impact: Not applicable.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Policies are generally addressed individually by the Board and City Council on
an as- needed basis. The proposed committee approach is the first such review.
The Parks Board considered this item at their October 11, 2004 meeting and
assigned Board Members Mike Mills, Cara White, and Katrina Peebles to
serve on the Committee. Following their consideration of this item the Parks
Board suggested the appointment of a citizen representative to serve on the
committee as well.
The Senior Advisory Commission considered this item at their October 12,
2004 meeting and assigned Commission Members Bill Kyle and Jean Boland
to serve on the Committee.
Legal Review: Any questions of form or legality will be forwarded to the City Attorneys
during the process.
Alternatives: Direction as presented.
Supporting
Documents: None
Staff
Recommendation: City Council appointment of two liaisons to the committee for review of
existing policies and ordinances relating to parks and recreation, senior issues,
and related subject items.