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Park board approves four resolutions expanding superintendent authorities and approving residency rule
Summary
The Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved four resolutions giving the parks superintendent authority to prepare vouchers and make limited fund transfers, complete interdepartmental transfers, require on-site residency for certain park staff, and apply for grants; one resolution will expire Dec. 31, 2025.
The Lancaster Board of Park Commissioners on Jan. 8 unanimously approved four resolutions expanding administrative authority for the Parks Superintendent and setting residency requirements for park housing.
Permanent Resolution 25-1 authorizes the superintendent to prepare and submit vouchers, issue time reports for Parks personnel and transfer up to 10% of the department’s total appropriations between line items for contingencies, excluding salary, benefits and overtime. The resolution takes effect immediately and expires Dec. 31, 2025.
Resolution 25-2 authorizes the superintendent to complete interdepartmental fund-to-fund transfers with other City departments for daily park management in 2025, while expressly reserving final spending approval to the Board.
Resolution 25-3 requires the Parks Superintendent to reside in the residence at Rising Park and requires maintenance employees assigned to Alley Park and Olivedale Park to live in the on-site residences provided by the Board; utilities for those residences will be furnished by the Board. Commissioner Kari James said she would like the Board to consider changing the residency requirement after Superintendent Steve Gayfield retires, expressing concern it could deter future candidates for the superintendent role.
Resolution 25-4 authorizes the superintendent to seek and apply for any federal, state or local grants that align with the Parks Department’s mission. Staff noted the 2025 language differs from 2024 by allowing applications for “any grant” rather than listing specific grants.
All four motions passed unanimously. The Board did not record roll-call vote-by-name in the minutes; the motions were made and seconded and recorded as passing without further discussion. The resolutions’ full texts were entered into the meeting record as Exhibits C–F. The Board scheduled its next meeting for Feb. 5, 2025.
Votes at a glance
25-1: Authorize preparation of vouchers and limited transfers (expires Dec. 31, 2025) — Passed unanimously.
25-2: Authorize interdepartmental fund transfers for daily park management (2025) — Passed unanimously.
25-3: Require superintendent and certain maintenance staff to reside in park housing — Passed unanimously.
25-4: Authorize superintendent to apply for any federal, state, or local grants — Passed unanimously.
