Parks and Recreation Rules of Order
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
RULES OF ORDER
In accordance with the City of Mendota Heights Ordinance No. 109, “Establishing A Parks
and Recreation Commission,” the following rules of order are adopted by the parks and
recreation commission to facilitate the performance of its duties and the exercising of its
functions as a Commission created by the city council.
SECTION 1. MEETING
1.1 – Time. Regular meetings of the commission are held on the second Tuesday
of each month at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise agreed to and so stated in the agenda.
When the regular meeting day falls on a legal holiday, there is no meeting that month
unless otherwise noted.
1.2 - Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or
the Secretary.
1.3 – Place. Meetings are held in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1101
Victoria Curve.
1.4 – Public. All meetings and hearings, and all records and minutes are open to
the public.
1.5 – Quorum. Four parks and recreation commission members, at the beginning of
the meeting, constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
When a quorum is not present, the Chairperson may adjourn the meeting for the
purpose of hearing interested parties on items on the agenda. No final or official
action is taken at such a meeting. However, the facts and information gathered at such
a meeting may be taken as a basis for action at a subsequent meeting at which a
quorum is present.
1.6 – Vote. Voting is by voice. Commission members voice votes on each issue are
recorded. In the event that any member shall have a financial interest in a matter
before the commission, the member shall disclose the interest and refrain from voting
upon the matter, and the secretary shall so record in the minutes that no vote was cast
by such member.
SECTION 2. ORGANIZATION
2.1 – Membership. The number of members of the Parks & Recreation Commission is
established by the City Council. Three-year appointments are made by the Mayor and
approved by the City Council.
Rules of Order – Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, March 8, 2015
2.2 – Absenteeism. A Commission member with four unexcused absences from
regular meetings is dropped from the commission and the Secretary then informs the
City Council so that another appointment is made.
An absence is excused if the member notifies the Secretary or Chairperson before 4:00
p.m. of the day of the meeting that the member will be unable to attend. Minutes of
the meetings will record whether the absent member was excused or not excused.
2.3 – Election of Officers. At the February meeting each year, the commission elects
from its membership a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson.
If the Chairperson retires from the commission before the next organizational
meeting, the Vice-Chairperson becomes Chairperson. If both Chairperson and Vice-
Chairperson retire, new officers are elected at the next meeting.
If both Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are absent from a meeting, the commission
elects a temporary Chairperson by voice vote.
The Secretary to the parks and recreation commission is appointed by the city
administrator from the city staff.
2.4 – Tenure of Officers. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson take office
immediately following their election and hold office until their successors are elected
and assume office.
2.5 – Duties of Officers. The Chairperson, or if absent, the Vice-Chairperson presides
at meetings, appoints committees and performs other duties as may be ordered by the
commission.
The Chairperson conducts meetings so as to keep them moving as rapidly and
efficiently as possible and reminds members, witnesses and petitioners to discuss only
the subject at hand.
The Chairperson is a voting member of the commission.
The Secretary is responsible for recording the minutes, keeping records of commission
actions, conveying commission recommendations to the city council and providing
general administrative and clerical service to the commission.
SECTION 3. PUBLIC COMMENT
3.1 – Public Input on Agenda Items. The following procedure is followed when
citizens wish to provide input into a parks and recreation commission discussion.
a. Staff shall make presentation
b. The commission asks questions
c. The applicant shall make a presentation
Rules of Order – Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, March 8, 2015
d. The commission asks questions
e. The audience is allowed to speak in favor of the request
f. The audience is allowed to speak against the request
g. The applicant and/or staff responds
h. Commission members may ask questions throughout the discussion
3.2 – Public Comment. The parks and recreation commission does not hold public
hearings, but may from time to time have public comment.
SECTION 4. MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Amendments. These Rules of Order may be amended with the approval by voice
vote by a majority (four) of the members of the parks and recreation commission.
4.1 Adoption. These Rules of Order were duly adopted by the Parks and Recreation
th
Commission of the City of Mendota Heights on the 13 day of April, 2010.
Rules of Order – Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, March 8, 2015