PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

SEA-MC tit. 3, subtit. II, ch. 3.26

in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 3.26.010 Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners—Membership

3.26.010 - Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners—Membership A. The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners is the Board of Park Commissioners for the purposes of Article XI, Section 2 of the City Charter. B. The Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners shall consist of 15 members. 1. Seven members shall be individuals from each City Council district and nominated and appointed by the City Council. 2. Eight members shall be nominated by the Mayor subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the City Council. a. Four members shall be at-large members. b. Three other members shall be from existing City boards and commissions that have expressed an interest in serving on the Board. If a board or commission representative is not identified for a position, the Mayor shall nominate an at-large member for that position. c. One member shall be a designated young adult position pursuant to the Get Engaged Program, Chapter 3.51. The Mayor and Parks Superintendent must make all reasonable and diligent efforts to appoint a Get Engaged young adult to the Board. After a showing to the Board that all reasonable and diligent efforts have resulted in not obtaining a Get Engaged young adult for the position, the Mayor shall appoint any person to the position subject to confirmation by a majority of the City Council. C. The City will seek to appoint members with a diversity of expertise, experience, and perspectives including but not limited to parks management, public financing, economic development, land use, anti-displacement, urban horticulture, landscape architecture, art, contract management, social and human services, youth development, recreation, and the interests of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other historically underserved communities. D. Except for Get Engaged members, whose terms are governed by Chapter 3.51, appointments shall be for three-year terms ending on the third anniversary of their appointment. No member shall serve more than two terms. E. Any vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. The term for the member filling a vacancy shall be three years. Members of the Board shall annually appoint one or more members to serve as Chair(s) for a term of one year, pursuant to Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners Operating Procedures. A member whose term is ending may continue on an interim basis as a member with voting rights until such time as a successor for that position has been appointed by the City Council or confirmed by the City Council. (Ord. 126380, § 4, 2021; Ord. 123803, § 1, 2011; Ord. 122332, § 1, 2007; Ord. 96453, § 1, 1968.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 3.26.020 Board—Adoption of rules

3.26.020 - Board—Adoption of rules The Board shall meet not less than once each month at a time and place set by the Board and shall adopt such rules and administrative procedures consistent with the City Charter and this Chapter 3.26 as are necessary to accomplish the duties prescribed in Section 3.26.030. (Ord. 123831, § 1, 2012; Ord. 96453, § 1, 1968.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 3.26.030 Board—Duties

3.26.030 - Board—Duties The Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, City Council, Department of Parks and Recreation, and other City departments in respect to park and recreation matters and in furtherance thereof shall have the following specific responsibilities: A. To consult with and make recommendations to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and other City departments and officials with regard to the development and amendment from time to time of the City's parks and recreation comprehensive plan and capital improvement program; B. To consult with and make recommendations to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation regarding policies for the planning, development, and implementation of policy concerning the City's recreation program; C. To consult with and make recommendations to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation regarding policies for the planning, development, and use of all of the City's park and recreation facilities; D. To consult with the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation on matters pertaining to the proposed annual budget of the Park and Recreation Department during the period of its preparation and from time to time thereafter; E. To hold public meetings from time to time in various parts of the City for the purpose of reviewing park and recreation programs and objectives with citizen groups and the community at large. A major objective of the Board shall be to develop public interest in the activities of the Park and Recreation Department and to solicit, to the fullest extent, participation of community groups, the general public, and public and private agencies; F. To make recommendations on the acceptance of gifts and bequests to the City's Park and Recreation System; G. To meet from time to time with local, regional, and national park and recreation agencies and, when possible, attend park and recreation meetings and seminars in order to keep informed of new trends in policy, programs and park facilities' development; and H. To provide advice to the Mayor, City Council, and Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, and to provide oversight of the projects, programs, and services undertaken jointly by the City and the Seattle Park District, pursuant to the interlocal agreement between The City of Seattle and the Seattle Park District. (Ord. 126380, § 5, 2021; Ord. 96453, § 2, 1968.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 3.26.040 Superintendent—Duties—Park and recreation system

3.26.040 - Superintendent—Duties—Park and recreation system The Superintendent of Parks and Recreation shall have responsibility for the management and control of the park and recreation system of the City and shall: A. Direct the planning, design, construction, improvement, and maintenance of all parks and recreation areas and facilities; B. Develop and administer broad and varied programs of public recreation activities; C. Develop, in cooperation with other City departments and officials, policies relating to the City's parks and recreation comprehensive plan and capital improvement program; D. Support and encourage the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners in its efforts to assess and interpret the City's recreational and parks needs; E. Administer all ordinances pertaining to the Parks and Recreation Department; F. Appoint, remove, supervise and control officers and employees in the Parks and Recreation Department in accordance with civil service rules and regulations; G. Manage the preparation of the proposed annual budget of the Parks and Recreation Department, authorize necessary expenditures, and supervise the maintenance of adequate accounting systems and procedures; H. Supervise all public works construction contracts, service contracts, leases, and permits pertaining to the parks and recreation system, in accordance with City ordinances and rules adopted from time to time; I. Enter into and administer such concession contracts as are authorized by ordinance; J. Provide staff support for and consult regularly with the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners to keep the Board informed of the activities of the Parks and Recreation Department, and for such purpose attend, either in person or by designated representative, all regular meetings of the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners; K. Meet with community groups and individuals to determine park and recreation program needs, facility requirements, and other improvements; L. Make rules and regulations not inconsistent with the City Charter and the provisions of this Chapter 3.26 and other City ordinances for the management, control, and use of the park and recreation system of the City, a copy of which rules and regulations shall be filed and be available for public examination in the office of the City Clerk; M. Prepare and recommend a schedule of fees for the use of park and recreation facilities. This schedule, when approved by the City council by ordinance, shall govern the amount of the fee to be collected as a condition to the use of such facilities, except when such use is permitted pursuant to or as a component of a master filming permit issued under Section 15.35.010. (Ord. 126380, § 3, 2021 [board name change]; Ord. 121317, § 4, 2003; Ord. 119299, § 11, 1998; Ord. 117242, § 3, 1994 [department head name change]; Ord. 116368, § 42, 1992 [department head name change]; Ord. 96453, § 3, 1968.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 3.26.041 Superintendent—Other duties—Sand Point.

3.26.041 - Superintendent—Other duties—Sand Point. A. The Superintendent of Parks and Recreation shall have the power to maintain and manage the City's Sand Point properties that are not within the park and recreation system of the City, except to the extent that responsibility for specific functions regarding portions of these properties is allocated exclusively to another department by ordinance. The authority conferred on the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation by this Section 3.26.041 includes contracting with other City departments, adjacent property owners, or occupants of Sand Point to perform property maintenance and management; making rules for the use of the City's Sand Point properties that are not within the City's park and recreation system; and supervising public works construction contracts, service contracts, and permits if the work to be performed pursuant to such contracts or permits shall occur on or require coordination with the City's Sand Point properties that are not within the City's park and recreation system. B. As to the City's Sand Point properties within the park and recreation system, in addition to the authority conferred upon the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation by Section 3.26.040 and consistent with the Superintendent's Charter-based authority to manage and control the park and recreation system of the City, the Superintendent is authorized to grant revocable licenses or permits for temporary uses or activities at said properties and to negotiate and enter into such concession or other agreements as are consistent with the terms of the conveyance of such properties to the City. The authority in this subsection is limited as follows: 1. The Superintendent shall use the existing standard Parks Department form concession agreements or, with prior consultation with the City Attorney regarding the differences between the standard and any nonstandard form, such nonstandard form concession agreement as the Superintendent may deem appropriate; and 2. The total term of any concession agreement shall not exceed five years in duration; provided, however, that this limitation shall not restrict the authority of the Superintendent to negotiate and to enter into new concession agreements for the same property with the same occupant upon terms and conditions different from any earlier concession agreement pertaining to such property; and 3. The consideration to be paid to the City for the concession agreement shall be in the form of legal tender of the United States of America or services rendered to or for the benefit of the City, or a combination thereof, in such amounts or value as shall be reasonable under the circumstances considering the negotiated terms of the occupancy or use, condition of the premises, and current rental rates for similar property in the vicinity. (Ord. 119299, § 12, 1998.)

Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT3AD_SUBTITLE_IIDEOF_CH3.26PAREDEFetched: 11/1/2026