Mayor Jan Hill has designated one seat on the Haines Borough’s revived, seven-member Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to be filled by a representative between the ages of 16 and 21.
“I’d like to just encourage some youth involvement in this as one of the user groups that we would be accommodating,” Hill said at the July 12 meeting of the Haines Borough Assembly.
According to an ordinance the Haines Borough Assembly adopted in May to re-establish the group, committee members “will be appointed to reflect the diversity of user groups in the Haines Borough.” Appointees would serve staggered, three-year terms and “advise the borough in the operation and maintenance of parks and recreation programs, facilities, and activities.”
The previous group, called the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, went dormant in 2008, with members citing a lack of authority.
Members would serve as volunteers. Travel assistance money is available for residents driving more than 10 miles one way to attend regular meetings.
The newly-adopted ordinance also states the committee will have a chair, vice chair and secretary, and a seat shall be deemed vacated if a member fails to attend three consecutive meetings without being excused.
Hill on July 12 appointed the committee’s first two members, residents Darsie Culbeck and Dr. Marnie Hartman, to serve until November 2014.
Hill said for upcoming appointments to the committee, she will “make sure that all the user groups are represented on this new board,” including the one open seat specifically for a youth.
Application forms are available online at http://www.hainesborough.us and will be accepted until all seats are filled.