Sec. 11. (a) The board has exclusive control over the planting, trimming, and maintenance of shade trees along the public ways of the city. The board may:

(1) take over and control the improvement, maintenance, and embellishment of all lawns and street centers in and along the public ways of the city; or

(2) compel the owners of lots and parcels of land bordering on the public ways to plant, trim, protect, and maintain shade trees and to sod, plant, and maintain lawns and centers after first adopting a resolution showing the public necessity and assessing the cost against the abutting lots and parcels of land.

     (b) After adopting a resolution under subsection (a), the board shall give notice and provide a hearing, with right of remonstrance, in the same manner as is provided for street and sidewalk improvements by the works board of the city. However, instead of letting a contract to the highest and best bidder, the board may carry out the improvement with its own employees and charge the actual cost in the same manner as if a contract was let. The cost may include a reasonable guaranty, but may not, however, exceed the estimate to be made and placed on file at the time of the adoption of the resolution.

     (c) All assessments levied for the improvements are payable in one (1) payment, without notice, at the next regular taxpaying time after the completion of the improvement. The assessments are liens against the separate lots and parcels of land abutting the improvement. If they are not paid when due, they may be enforced by foreclosure, after giving notice, in the same manner as assessments for street and sidewalk improvements.

     (d) The board has exclusive control over the establishment and maintenance of public playgrounds, public playfields, public swimming pools, public baths, community centers, and recreation centers in the city. The board shall select directors, assistants, and employees to manage and control the facilities and shall prescribe their duties and fix their compensation. The board may expend the sums from the general park fund for recreation purposes that it considers advantageous to the city.

     (e) The governing body of the school corporation of the city may permit the use of public school grounds or buildings under its control that are required or adaptable for recreation purposes when that use will not interfere with use for school purposes.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 19-7-9-4 part; 19-7-9-7 part; 19-7-30-9 part; 19-7-30-36; 19-7-30-37 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.111.