GALLATIN COUNTY BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS BY-LAWS
I -AUTHORITY
The Gallatin County Board of Park Commissioners (“the Board”) shall operate pursuant to the authority granted under Secs. 76-16-2301,et. seq., M.C.A., and Resolution No. 2004-130 of the Gallatin County Board of County Commissioners.
II- MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a system of interconnected parks and trails for a wide range of recreational opportunities for Gallatin County.
III- MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICERS
1. Membership. The Board of Park Commissioners shall consist of seven members to be appointed by and serve at the will of the Gallatin County Commission. Five (5) of the members shall be representative of each of the cities of Bozeman, Belgrade, Three Forks, Manhattan, and West Yellowstone. Each city member will be recommended by the governing body of the municipality and appointed by the County Commission. The remaining two Park Commissioners will be appointed at-large by the County Commissioners from within Gallatin County. Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed, subject to earlier termination by removal or resignation. Terms shall be determined as follows: Four (4) shall
serve for two years, and three (3) shall serve for one year and all terms shall begin July 1st. Upon initial appointment, the members shall be selected for specific terms by lottery. After the initial terms have expired, all members shall be appointed or re-appointed for two years, except that appointments may be made for less than two years to fill unexpired terms.
2. Election of Officers. At its first regular meeting in August of each year, the Board shall elect a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary-treasurer. The vice-chairperson shall succeed the chairperson if the chairperson vacates the office before the term is completed andthe vice-chairperson will serve the unexpired term of the vacated office. A new vice chairperson shall be elected at the next regular meeting.
3. Powers and Duties of Officers. Officers of the Board shall have the powers and perform the duties, which are customarily associated with, and may reasonably be construed as attaching to, such offices. Without limiting the foregoing, the following powers and duties are specified.
A. Chairperson:
(1) Preside at all meetings of the Board.
(2) Call special meetings of the Board in accordance with these By- laws.
(3) Sign Board documents, as authorized by these By-laws or the Board.
(4) See that the Board complies with these By-laws and applicable law.
(5) Appoint standing or ad hoc subcommittees of the Board.
(6) The chairperson may be an ex officio member of all subcommittees with a voice but no vote.
(7) Act as official spokesman for the Board.
B. Vice-chairperson:
The vice-chairperson shall assist the chairperson, and during the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall exercise or perform all the duties and be subject to all the responsibilities of the chairperson.
C. Secretary-Treasurer:
(1) Supervise the work of the recording secretary.
(2) Act as custodian for funds raised by the Board.
(3) Supervise preparation of Board budgets.
D. Executive Committee
(1) An Executive Committee shall be made up of the board’s elected officers.
(2) The Executive Committee shall meet when needed and shall set the agenda for the monthly board meetings.
IV-MEETINGS
1. Regular Meetings. The Board shall hold regular meetings at least once a month. The Board shall establish a schedule specifying the times, dates and locations of regular meetings. The Board may alter the schedule at any regular meeting. The Board shall comply with open meeting laws and provide sufficient public notice of the date and time of the meeting as well as the agenda for each meeting.
2. Special Meetings. The chairperson, or any three Board members upon written request to the recording secretary, may call special meetings. The recording secretary shall send to all members, at least two days in advance of a special meeting, a written notice fixing the time and place of the meeting. Written notice of the special meeting is not required if the time of the special meeting has been fixed in a regular meeting, or if all members are present at the special meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall be published on the Gallatin County website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
3. Quorum. A majority of the total number of Board members then in office must be present in order to conduct business. A majority of those present may, however, adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
4. Voting. Unless otherwise provided in these By-laws, a majority of the Board members present is required to approve a measure.
5. Rules of Order. Rules of Order shall apply to Board proceedings, except as otherwise provided in these By-laws and in standing Resolutions of the Board.
6. Order of Business. At any regular meeting of the Board, the following shall be the regular order of business:
A. Roll call
B. Approval of minutes.
C. Public Comment on non-agenda items.
C. Chairperson’s report.
D. Staff report.
E. Subcommittee reports.
F. Old business.
G. New business.
H. Set agenda; Meeting Location.
I. Adjournment.
V-CONFLICT OF INTEREST /EX PARTE COMMUNICATION
Board members are obligated to avoid and disclose conflicts of interest. If any member suspects that a particular set of circumstances might involve a conflict of interest, whether that conflict involves him or another member, he shall notify a Gallatin County Commissioner requesting an opinion of the Gallatin County Attorney on whether there is a conflict and how to avoid or otherwise resolve it. Board members may also obligate to comply with rules related to ex-parte communication. Board members may contact a County Commissioner requesting an opinion of the Gallatin County Attorney on whether an ex-part communication exists and how to disclose the communication.
VI-AMENDMENT
These By-Laws may be amended by a minimum vote of four (4) members at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
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