Title
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER II, SECTION A.10.a. OF
THE CODE OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to amend Chapter II, Section A.10.a. of the Chicago Park District Code to allow the Board President to suspend the use of Standing Committees at the Board President's discretion until the Board President elects to reinstate the Standing Committees or a new President is appointed.
II. Explanation
Section 7.02 of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/7.02, enables the Board of Commissioners to "establish by ordinance all needful rules and regulations for government and protection of parks..." Chapter II of the Park District Code specifically addresses the Board of Commissioners and appointment of officers and employees. Chapter II provides for the appointment of Standing Committees and the duties, rules and policies applied to them.
The Board President is authorized under Chapter II, Section A.10.c to annually appoint Standing Committees. Standing Committees conduct preliminary work in the preparation of matters before the Board. Under the present system, Standing Committees meet on mornings of scheduled Board meetings. Staff presentation regarding items requiring Board action and public comment take place before the Standing Committees; however, the full Board ratifies Standing Committee rulings on these matters in the afternoon meeting.
The Board has looked at the efficacy of this strategy and determined that the number of action items before the Board is manageable without the benefit of Standing Committees. Staff presentations on action items and any ensuing discussions would likely reach a greater audience if presented at one afternoon Board meeting. By making this code change, the Board President may suspend the use of Standing Committees and move those activities to better-attend...
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