Rules of Procedure and Bylaws
INTRODUCTION & HISTORY
The Tampa Greenways and Trails Citizens Advisory Committee
(GTCAC) was formed in April 1999 to provide stewardship for the development of
the Tampa Greenways & Trails Master Plan utilizing public input as the focus for
the formation of the project. GTCAC tasks were focused on:
- Continue to assist the City in educating and informing
the community about greenways and trails;
- Be a voice for community ideas and concerns;
- Be an advocate for greenway and trail development on
public and private developments;
- Using the method adopted by the committee, update
yearly the greenways and trails projects prioritization list; and
- Review plans for trail design and construction.
The Tampa Greenways and Trails Master Plan, adopted by City
Council called for the original Citizens Advisory Committee to remain standing
through the summer of 2001. The Master Plan is a conceptual and strategic plan
for creating and maintaining a citywide greenway system. The vision is to
provide a network of trails that provide natural resource protection,
recreational opportunities, open space, environmental and historical education
and a means of alternative transportation. Connections to existing trails and
greenways beyond the city limits extend the benefits of the Tampa system to all
residents of the Bay area. By working in partnership with residents and the
community, the city greenway system links parks and open spaces by safe,
well-maintained recreational corridors compatible with surrounding
neighborhoods. Since then, the GTCAC has meet regularly and more formal
recognition as a continuing standing committee of the City of Tampa is now
recognized as a priority of the GTCAC.
Outlined below are recommended Rules of Procedures and
Bylaws for the Greenways & Trails Citizens Advisory Committee (GTCAC) to be
recommended by the GTCAC for review and adoption by City Council.
Article I: Preamble
Section I: Preamble
The following sets forth the rules
of procedure and bylaws of the Greenways and Trails Citizens Advisory Committee
(GTCAC) of the City of Tampa.
Article II: Creation
Section 1: Creation
The City of Tampa City Council shall appoint a
Greenways & Trails Citizens Advisory Committee, the member of which serve at the
pleasure of City Council. The membership of the citizens advisory committee
must reflect a broad cross-section of local residents with an interest in the
development of greenway, trails and blueways. The membership of the citizens
advisory committee includes local citizens, representatives of local
governments, utility companies and greenway interest areas. Broad
representation of neighborhoods within the city, persons with disabilities,
women, minorities and persons with low incomes, local governments, utility
companies and special interest areas is encouraged.
Article III: Administrative Services
Section 1: Administrative
Services
The City of Tampa Parks and
Recreation Department, Planning and Design Division administer the program and
provide planning, technical and administrative support to the GTCAC.
<>
The Greenways &
Trails Coordinator staffs the GTCAC.
<>
Section 2:
Location of Offices
All general
administrative services for the GTCAC shall be provided through the City of
Tampa Parks & Recreation Department, Planning & Design Division, located at 730
W. Emma Street, Tampa, Florida, 33603, with telephone number 813-231-1332 and
facsimile number 813-231-1339. All GTCAC publications, forms and documents are
available at the above referenced location during the office hours of 8:00am to
5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Article IV: Purpose and
Responsibilities
Section 1: Purpose and Responsibilities
The GTCAC is established to provide citizen
comments and views on the greenways and trails planning process and to serve in
an advisory capacity to the
City Council
City of Tampa
on matters related to greenways and trails.
Responsibilities of the GTCAC include:
1. Review and comment on proposed goals and
policies for the greenways and trails planning process.
2. Review and comment on development and
subsequent text and map amendments to the Tampa Greenways and Trails Master
Plan. Formal review to be conducted every two years
at a minimum
or as needed.
3. Review and comment on specific trail
projects and trail corridor studies.
4. Participate in public education and
outreach activities.
5. Be a voice for community ideas and
concerns.
6. Prioritize greenways and trails projects
for <>
local
all funding.
7. Seek out opportunities for funding
greenways and trails and trail improvements.
8. Guide development of new trail concepts.
9. Carry out other tasks as<>
requested by City Council
needed.
Article V: Membership
Section 1:
Selection <>
Appointment
of Members of the Greenways & Trails Citizens Advisory Committee
Selection<>Appointment:
The GTCAC shall be composed of <>
no fewer than
fifteen (15) and no more than twenty-one (21)
seventeen (17)
members. Members shall be
voted on
<>
appointed
by the GTCAC upon
completion of a application of interest or
<>
the
recommendation of the GTCAC, the Mayor <>
and/or
<>
the recommendation
of a member of City Council.
A citizen member may designate an alternate, to be confirmed by the Committee,
to attend meetings that the
member
is unable to attend and to vote on the
member’s
behalf.
General Qualifications:
To be considered
<>
for appointment to
to serve as
a citizen member position on the GTCAC, an individual must
meet at least one of the following qualifications: 1) resident of the City of
Tampa; 2) property owner or owner representative in the City of Tampa; or 3)
business owner/representative in the City of Tampa. Individuals who represent a
local government or government agency cannot be appointed to a citizen member on
the Committee.
Representation:
Of the
17<>21
Citizen Members, <>
seventeen (17)
twelve (12)
are selected to represent the greenway related interests
below. <>
Two (2Three
(3) individuals are selected to at-large positions. One (1) individual
is appointed as a City Council representative. Ross J. Ferlita is Member
Emeritus.
Number of Positions Greenway Interest
Area
<>
2
Unpaved Trails (Hiking, Equestrian, Mountain Biking)
<>
2
Paved trails (Walking, Jogging, Running)
<>
1
Bicycling, Inline Skating, Trikes (paved, multi-use trails)
2<>
Off-Road Trail
1 On-Road
1
Blueways, Canoeing, Kayaking (rivers, creeks & coastal preserves)
<>
Alternative
Transportation (segways, electric bicycles, pedestrian, commuters) (paved,
multi-use trails)
<>
1 Physically Challenged (paved, multi-use trails)
<>
21
Natural Resources/Conservation (water, wildlife, natural systems, native plants,
riverine corridors, restoration, resource management)
<>
<>
Historical and
Cultural Resources (heritage or art trails)
1<>
City Council <>
representative
<>
Appointee
3 Citizens
at Large
1
<>
Member Emeritus – Ross J. Ferlita
<>
6
7 <>
Greenway
Area Representatives
<>
22
17 TOTAL
Liaisons, Governmental and
Utility Members: The following agencies serve as liaisons to the GTCAC and
attend GTCAC meetings. These agencies designate their representatives or
alternates on the committee. The GTCAC may add liaison agencies with a majority
vote:
§<>
Florida Department of Transportation
§<>
City of Tampa Transportation Division
§<>
City of Tampa Riverwalk
<>
§City
of Tampa Police Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Unit<>City
of Tampa Water Department
§<>
<>
City of Tampa
Stormwater Department
§<>
City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department<>City
of Tampa Strategic Planning & Information Technology Department
<>
§City
of Tampa Neighborhood & Community Relations Department<>City
of Tampa Department of Business & Housing Development
§<>
<>
Hillsborough County
Planning & Growth Management Department
§<>
Hillsborough County Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
§<>
Planning Commission
§<>
Metropolitan Planning Organization Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory
Committee (MPO BPAC)
§<>
Metropolitan Planning Organization Livable Roadways Committee
§<>
Hillsborough County Greenways
§<>
Friendship Trail Bridge Corporation
§<>
Tampa Downtown Partnership
§<>
THAN
§<>
Tampa Electric Company/Peoples
Gas<>TECO
Peoples Gas
<>
§MacDill
Air Force Base<>Tampa
Port Authority
<>
§Tampa-Hillsborough
Aviation Authority
<>
§Tampa-Hillsborough
Expressway Authority
<>
§Sierra Club
§<>
<>
Audubon Society
§<>
Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
§<>
Environmental Lands Acquisition Protection Program (ELAPP)
§<>
Hillsborough County School Board
§<>
University of Tampa
§<>
University of South Florida
<>
§Hillsborough River
Technical Advisory Committee
<>
Business & Civic
Associations
Section 2. Term of Membership
The initial terms (beginning in
2008<>5)
are staggered, with seven (7) members serving a
term of three (3) years and <>
eight
ten (10<>8)
members serving a term of two (2) years.<>
and seven (7) members serving a term of one (1) year. Succeeding
terms are three (3) year terms.
Section 3. Officers
Each<>
DecemberNovember,
the GTCAC shall elect a Chair,
and Vice-Chair<>
and Secretary. The Chair guides the development of meeting agendas
with City staff and conducts the meetings of the GTCAC, with administrative
support provided by the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department.<>
Greenways & Trails Coordinator. The Chair, or designee, also
represents the GTCAC at various meetings in the community and before the Tampa
City Council concerning implementation of the Tampa Greenways & Trails Master
Plan. The Vice-Chair assumes the duties of the Chair when the Chair is unable
to do so. <>
The Secretary
ensures the summary minutes prepared by the City Parks & Recreation Department
staff accurately reflect the proceedings of the Committee.
Section 4. Member
Communications
The GTCAC is subject to the
Florida Sunshine Law, in accordance with Chapter 285.01 of the Florida
Statutes. Discussion by GTCAC members of matters that may result in
recommendations on which the Tampa City Council will take foreseeable action can
only occur during a noticed meeting.
Section 5. Termination of Membership
A member’s term may be declared vacant by the GTCAC
for any of the following causes:
A.<>
The member no longer resides within the
geographical boundaries he/she were appointed to represent.
B.<>
A member who misses three consecutive
unexcused meetings will be notified by US mail that their membership will be
terminated if he/she fails to attend the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Section 6. Resignation of
Membership
A member of the GTCAC wishing to
resign prior to the end of his/her term shall submit a letter of resignation to
the GTCAC Chair stating the effective date of such resignation.
ARTICLE
VI: Meetings
Section 1. Meetings
The regular meetings of the GTCAC
shall be held at 6:30pm on the third Tuesday
quarterly, starting in February. <>
bi-monthly.
When conflicting with a national, state or local holiday the meeting will move
to the following Tuesday or as otherwise agreed to by the GTCAC by a majority
vote. The meetings shall be held in a facility that is readily accessible to
all citizens including those with disabilities.
Section 2. Committee Meetings
Open to Public; Meeting Notice
All meetings shall be noticed in
accordance with Chapter 285.01, Florida Statues. All meetings of the GTCAC are
open to the general public, and the meeting location will be accessible by the
public. Notice of GTCAC meetings will be given a reasonable time prior to the
meeting, but no later than 48 hours before a meeting. Meeting notices will be
posted on the official City of Tampa Meeting Notice Board in the City Clerk’s
office as well as posted to the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department
trails citizen participation webpage. Members will receive a meeting agenda and
any accompanying meeting material by email. Others who have requested meeting
notice will be sent the meeting agenda. The mailing list will be updated and
revised as needed during the year.
Noticing of GTCAC meetings to the
public will be the responsibility of the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation
Department, which will notice meetings in accordance with the City Clerk’s
office noticing procedures. Meeting schedules and agendas will be maintained at
the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department Planning & Design Division
Office<>,
Greenways & Trails Office located at 730 W. Emma Street, Tampa, FL 33603..
Section 3. Special Meetings
The Chair may call special meetings. Special
meetings can also be called by a majority vote of the Committee members.
Section 4. Decision
Making/Quorum
A.<>
For the purpose of conducting the
business of the full GTCAC, a quorum of the Committee, comprised of the Chair or
Vice-Chair and one-half of the filled GTCAC positions must be present.
B.<>
The GTCAC has the discretion to delay a
vote on a matter until more members are present.
C.<>
A motion must be favored by a majority of
those present to pass.
D.<>
The Chair may appoint an ad-hoc
sub-committee for specific purposes.
Section 5. Record of Meetings
The proceedings of the GTCAC meetings will be
recorded by the City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department in the form of
summary meeting minutes and reviewed for accuracy by the <>
Secretary
Chair
prior to the GTCAC’s vote to approve the minutes. The City of Tampa
Parks & Recreation Department will maintain a file of meeting minutes and
attendance, which will be available to the public on request.
ARTICLE VII: Public
Participation in GTCAC Meetings
Section 1: Public
Participation
Persons attending a meeting of the GTCAC have the
opportunity to address the Committee during a scheduled public hearing and at
all regularly scheduled meetings and when otherwise invited by the Chair. A
time limit of three minutes will be allowed for presentations unless extended by
the Chair. If the speaker is reading from a prepared text, a copy should be
provided for the recording secretary.
Presented: January 18, 2005
Modified: March 14, 2005
Presented: March 15, 2005
Approved: March 29, 2005
Amended: May 17, 2005
Amended: July 18, 2006
Amended: January 15, 2008
Approved: February 12, 2008
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