Parks Bond Citizen Oversight Committee

9 Members - 3 Year Terms

Membership :

The San Jose Safe Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Bond (Measure P) approved by the voters in November 2000 for the purpose of acquiring property for and constructing improvements to parks and recreation facilities throughout the City. Measure P required a Citizen’s Oversight Committee (PBCOC). On April 10, 2001, the City Council designated the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) as a Committee of the Whole to conduct the citizen’s oversight review responsibilities associated with Measure P

DUTIES :

The responsbility of the Committee is to oversee that the following language on the ballot measure below is carried out:

San Jose Safe Neighborhood Parks and Recreation Bond: To improve San Jose's neighborhoods parks' safety and expand recreation opportunities for children, families and seniors by : installing lighting; reconstructing deteriorating playgrounds and restrooms; reserving open space; constructing trails; constructing new recreational sports facilities; improving community and senior centers; and constructing improvements to regional parks like Happy Hollow, shall the City issue $228,030,000 in bonds, at the best rates possible, with guaranteed annual audits, a citizen's oversight committee, and no money for parks administrators' salaries.

RELATIONSHIPS:

The committee acts as a conduit for community input to both the Council and the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department and acts in an advisory capacity on all matters relating to the implementation of the Parks Bond Program. The City Council is the final decision-making body.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Members should have an awareness and sensitivity to community needs, and any background in recreation or leisure studies, planning or landscape architecture would be helpful. Commission members must live in San Jose.

MEETINGS:

The committee serves as a source of community information regarding parks and recreation bond projects by providing the opportunity for public input and inquiries through three scheduled public hearings conducted each year; February, August, and October, in conjunction with the regular meetings of the Parks and Recreation Commission. The committee reviews the status of projects under the Parks Bond Program, discusses any concerns that the committee may have regarding the implementation of the Program, finalizes an Annual Report on the performance of the Program for submission to the City Council. The Committee may call for a special meeting in order to conduct its work in preparing the Annual Report for Council consideration.

BENEFITS:

There is no compensation for the Committee members. However, from time to time, Committee members may be reimbursed for some expenses incurred on City business.

POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 AS AMENDED:

The Conflicts of Interest section of the Political Reform Act applies to the PRC; however, Commission members are not required to file a Statement of Economic Interests.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS :

Since the City Council designated the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) to serve as a Committee of the Whole to conduct the citizen’s oversight review responsibilities associated with Measure P, appointed members of the PRC are also the appointed members of the committee.

ATTENDANCE :

Committee members are expected to attend all committee meetings (February, August, October and any additional meetings, as needed).

For further information about the Committee, please contact the Committee Staff at 408-793-5551.