One can only imagine why the City of Centralia’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board frequently lacks the members present for a quorum.
“It’s been three months in a row that we’ve had less than a quorum attend our parks board meeting(s),” said Community Development Director Emil Pierson.
To entice more participation in the festivity that is civic engagement, the city made a few code changes in a regular meeting last week.
The council voted 6-0 — with Councilor Cameron McGee absent last week — to expand the board from five members to seven. Making the quorum size larger wasn’t an oversight, however, with the changes, high school students will now be able to serve longer terms on the parks board as youth representatives, earning both community service hours and a glimpse at the ongoings of local government.
Term limits for both adult and youth board members were also extended. They were previously limited to two. Now, members can serve until their successors are appointed by the council.
Pierson works with the city’s Historic Preservation Committee and Planning Commission and said neither have term limits for members.
“We’ve watched people … great people, they showed up to every single meeting,” Pierson said. “All of a sudden, their second term is over, they walk and we don’t see them anymore.”
The new rules allow the council to remove members with more than three unexcused absences. Other reasons for removal could include negligence of duty, conflict of interest and malfeasance in office.
The parks board meets on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in kitchen No. 2 at Fort Borst Park.
“For anyone here or listening in, opportunities to serve abound, and if parks sounds interesting, let us know,” said Mayor Kelly Smith Johnston.
Anyone interested in serving on the volunteer group can contact City Clerk Kristan McConnell via email at KMcConnell@cityofcentralia.com for information on how to apply. Applicants must live within the Centralia School District to be eligible.
The board has no final authority or responsibility for policy and administration, but it is responsible for interpreting programs and facilities, conducting studies and facilitating communication between Centralia residents and City Council.
