DIVISION 4. - CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Part of the Code of Ordinances of East Providence, RI.
The text
Footnotes:
--- (6) --- State Law reference— Local conservation commissions, G.L. 1956, §§ 45-35-1—45-35-4.
Sec. 2-96. - Created; membership; appointment of members.#
There is created a conservation commission of the city consisting of nine members. Such members shall consist of a member of the city council selected by the council, the director of planning or his authorized representative, and seven other persons who shall be qualified electors of the city and shall not be public office holders of the city. These seven persons shall be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council and shall be appointed in accordance with provisions of the Charter and G.L. 1956, § 45-35-2.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-96)
State Law reference— Membership, G.L. 1956, § 45-35-2.
Sec. 2-97. - Compensation; terms; vacancies; removal of members.#
Members of the conservation commission shall serve without compensation. The city council member and the directors of recreation and planning shall serve in such capacity for and during their term of office with the city. The three persons presently appointed as members by the mayor and confirmed by the city council shall serve the remaining portion of their unexpired term. The fourth member shall be appointed immediately for a term which shall expire on January 1, 1976. Thereafter the city council shall on January 1 of each year, or at its first regular meeting after such date, fill any vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of any appointed member for a term of three years. Vacancies caused by resignation, death or for any other reason shall be filled by the city council in the manner set forth in section 2-96 for the unexpired term of such office. The city council may remove any such member appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council from such commission for cause, after such member receives in writing the charges for his removal and a public hearing is held on the charges by the council.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-97)
Sec. 2-98. - Election of officers; rules, records and reports.#
(a)
The conservation commission shall elect a chair from among its members whose term of office shall be for one year and who may be eligible for reelection thereafter. The commission may at its discretion elect a vice-chair. The commission shall also elect a secretary in the same manner as a chair.
(b)
The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business and shall keep permanent and accurate records of all its resolutions, transactions, findings, determinations and recommendations. All such records shall become public records. The commission shall file an annual report on or before January 15 of each year.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-98)
Sec. 2-99. - Duties of officers.#
(a)
The chair of the conservation commission shall preside over all meetings or in his absence the vice-chair, if such office exists. If the commission fails to elect a vice-chair, the members of the commission shall appoint a temporary chair to conduct such meeting in the absence of the chair.
(b)
It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep minutes of all commission meetings, record all its transactions and authenticate such minutes, records and transactions. All such records shall be kept by the secretary as the commission's permanent records which shall be available to the general public for inspection at all times after the authentication of such records.
(c)
All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public and any person or his duly constituted representative shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any matter before the commission before it reaches final decision on such matter or matters.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-99)
Sec. 2-100. - Powers and duties generally.#
(a)
The duties of the conservation commission shall be to promote and develop the city's natural resources, to protect its watershed resources and to preserve natural esthetic areas, open spaces, woodlands, fields and streams and recreational areas within the city. The commission shall conduct such research as it may deem necessary to carry out its purposes and shall seek to coordinate the activities of other unofficial bodies organized in the city for similar purposes.
(b)
The commission shall from time to time, as it may deem necessary, make reports or recommendations to the city council and city departments, boards or agencies concerning programs or action necessary for the improved promotion, development, utilization, protection or preservation of open areas, streams, shores, wooded areas, roadsides, swamps, marshlands and recreational and esthetic areas.
(c)
In carrying out its program the commission may call on other city departments, boards or agencies for such information, assistance or advice as may conveniently be rendered by such departments, boards or agencies and may advertise, prepare, print or distribute maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary for its work within the limit of any funds that may be provided for such work.
(d)
Prior to making any findings, taking any action or preparing any reports or recommendations, the commission shall consult with all other city departments, boards or agencies that may be in any way directly or indirectly affected by such findings, actions, reports or recommendations and shall take into consideration such departments', boards' or agencies' comments or recommendations.
(e)
All actions of the commission that may relate to land use or other physical aspects of the city shall be in general conformance with the master plan or any portion thereof for the city that may have been adopted or approved by the city council.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-100)
Sec. 2-101. - Acceptance of gifts.#
The conservation commission may receive gifts of funds, lands, buildings or other properties in the name of the city, subject to the approval of the city council, and thereafter may manage such funds, lands, buildings and property in accordance with the purposes set forth in this article and G.L. 1956, § 45-35-1, provided that such authority shall not be construed to deny to the people of the city access to such lands for all legitimate purposes.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-101)