The city of Oneonta’s Legislative Committee approved new rules for city parks for review by the full council Monday, Jan. 13.
The discussion focused on amendments to Parks and Recreation policies in the city code.
Kaytee Lipari Shue, D-Fourth Ward, suggested striking the word “bicycles” from the policy, saying that non-motorized bicycle riding should be allowed in parks.
“You wouldn’t necessarily want those riding all around under grass,” she said. “I think that it’s perfectly fine to ride or set down your bicycle in the park.”
Len Carson, R-Fifth Ward, said that a bicyclist would have to ride on the grass to get to the Oneonta Susquehanna Greenway, a partially-finished bicycle and pedestrian trail with a section in Neahwa Park.
The discussions also covered the inclusion of fire pits and grills in parks, with concerns about their necessity.
It was the committee’s third time discussing the changes, Carson said.
Other business
In other business, the committee spent an hour reviewing administrative fee processes with city Code Enforcement Officer Steve Yerly and how the city enforced housing codes for rental dwellings. Rentals make up roughly half of the city’s housing.
The city Board of Ethics appointment process was reviewed, emphasizing the need for tracking and replacing appointees.
According to the latest version of the appointment process, the board would consist of nine members. Each member of the Common Council would suggest a person to the mayor for appointment.
Members of the Board of Ethics would serve without compensation. Initial appointments to the board would be staggered, consisting of three three-year, three two-year and three one-year terms. Subsequent appointments would be incompliance with the city charter for three-year terms.
Parliamentary procedures at Common Council meetings and the role of council subcommittees were discussed, with a call for better understanding and adherence to rules. The council uses Robert’s Rules of Order for conducting meetings, as described in “American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure.”
The importance of orienting new council members was highlighted, and a proposal for a presentation on parliamentary procedures was agreed upon for the Feb. 18 council meeting.