To strengthen the Watertown Park and Rec Board, council looks to revise ordinance

The Watertown City Council wants to change how city boards and committees do business.

During a work session on Monday, the council began discussing what those changes might look like for the park and recreation board.

The council focused on park and recreation as the first board for potential ordinance revisions. Membership changes that the board has experienced with resignations and members not wanting to run for an additional term allow the council an opportunity to modify the ordinance before new members begin.

"This is a unique board, much more so than other boards in Watertown. It has had the autonomy to set rules, spend money and set a precedent for the entire city that sometimes does not get council review," Mayor Ried Holien said.

City Manager Amanda Mack explained to the council that park and recreation boards belonging to a city manager form of government are commonly conducted as advisory boards. That board is not responsible for the hiring and managing of their staff, nor do they make major financial decisions without direct guidance from the city council.  

"This would be a rather large change from how the park and recreation board has operated in the past, but I think it will give them more ownership of park planning and visioning for our parks system," said Mack.

These potential ordinance changes aim to help boards and committees follow their dedicated missions. And to ensure that the city council, as elected officials, is doing its part to be responsible for managing and spending tax dollars.

Currently, the park and recreation board can hire its superintendent, which Mack felt was not "appropriate" for the city's new form of government.

"Under our new form of government, that puts a challenging twist on how we manage operations," she said.

Redefining the roles and responsibilities between the park and recreation board and the city council can help place community members who are passionate and knowledgeable about the parks system on the board. This will allow the board to take greater responsibility for following its mission.

"We do not think the park and rec board is doing a bad job," said Holien. "They have some very dedicated and knowledgeable people on that board. As Watertown transitions into this new form of government, many things are different, and we must ensure things are being done as they should be." 

A closer working relationship between the council and the board will also provide greater communication, particularly regarding the city budget.

"I don't know to what extend the park and rec board has ever been involved with budgeting, but there always seems to be a disconnect," said Councilman Michael Danforth. "That's where we need them to be involved, and they will have a greater satisfaction taking over that position than their authority to spend the dollar."

More than 20 boards and committees within Watertown will have their ordinances examined to see if updates are needed. The city council will continue to address the park and recreation board ordinance at later council meetings.