Fairview commissioners and Parks & Landscape Board discuss priorities, liaison and bylaws

Commissioner Roberts told the board on Nov. 20 that the Parks & Landscape Board needs a clear charge from the Board of Commissioners to be effective. David Dodaro, chair of the Parks & Landscape Board, said volunteers were ready to work on concrete projects (pier and pavers at Veterans Park, trail erosion fixes at Bowie Park, no-smoking signs, improved signage and parking) but lack authority to obtain estimates or implement projects without a staff tasking.

"This board is slightly unique in that we take our charge from the BOC," Dodaro told the commissioners, describing a history of volunteer-driven fundraising and project research but limited formal authority. City manager Tom Doherty recommended the commissioners review the ordinance that established the board (recorded in the minutes as "ordinance 24 dash o 7") and the board's bylaws, and he suggested appointing a liaison or establishing quarterly reporting to coordinate volunteers and staff.

Vice Mayor McDonald encouraged the board to produce a prioritized list of five to 10 projects, separating smaller items that could be accomplished quickly from larger grant-dependent projects. Commissioners discussed the idea of a work session and periodic updates; several said they supported giving the board clearer direction and a mechanism to move from recommendations to staff-implemented actions.

No formal change to the board's charge was adopted at the meeting; commissioners asked for a proposal from staff and volunteers to outline a practical process for assigning tasks, improving communication and avoiding duplication of work.