Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – The Public Services Council Committee unanimously forwarded an ordinance Tuesday night that will create a Sports Advisory Committee.
The idea for the committee was initially presented during a special-called meeting in February between the Public Services Committee and the Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, in which aligning sports tourism and recreational sports was discussed.
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According to the ordinance, the committee would be responsible for determining the best practices, operational methods, and tourism strategies regarding youth sports. It will serve in a strictly advisory role and will not have contracting, budgeting, or regulatory powers.
“I’ve heard several times that this is an attempt for a takeover. I’ve met with the other committee, that is the Parks Advisory Committee, I’ve made it very clear to them, this is not a hostile takeover. This is just to enhance what we provide to the City of Jonesboro,” said Public Services Council Committee chair Chris Gibson.
It would also look for ways to expand sports tourism and research how other cities manage and utilize their sports tourism models. It would develop standards for program quality, safety compliance, and performance metrics for any youth sports providers using city facilities. Any recommendations it has will be submitted to the city council for review and action.
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The committee will be comprised of one member from the Public Facilities Board, one member from the Advertising and Promotions Commission, the chair of the Public Services Committee, and five at-large members with experience in youth sports, sports tourism, recreational management, nonprofit governance, or any other related field.
One at-large member may be recommended by the Public Facilities Board, and another may be recommended by the A&P Commission. All committee members serve three-year terms.
In addition, the director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the committee.
The committee would meet quarterly and provide an annual written report to the city council regarding its findings and recommendations.
The committee unanimously recommended the resolution to the full city council. It was walked on for its first reading at the council meeting, where there was no discussion. It will have two more readings before the council votes on it.
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