[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the City of
Clifton 7-6-2010 by Ord. No. 6891-10. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land use procedures — See Ch. 57.
Air pollution — See Ch. 127.
Brush, weeds, uncut grass and debris — See Ch. 175.
Compost, mulch and topsoil — See Ch. 196.
Garbage, rubbish and refuse — See Ch. 261.
Littering — See Ch. 307.
Noise — See Ch. 327.
Parks and playgrounds — See Ch. 351.
Sewers — See Ch. 375.
Soil removal — See Ch. 387.
Stormwater control — See Ch. 394.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 399.
Trees and shrubbery — See Ch. 433.
Water — See Ch. 455.
Zoning — See Ch. 461.
An Environmental Commission is hereby established for the protection,
development or use of natural resources, including water resources,
located within the City of Clifton.
The Commission shall consist of seven members, appointed by
the Mayor, one of whom shall also be a member of the Municipal Planning
Board and all of whom shall be residents of the City. The members
shall serve without compensation except as hereinafter provided. The
Mayor shall designate one of the members to serve as Chairman and
presiding officer of the Commission.
The terms of office of the first Commissioners shall be for
one, two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor in making his
appointments so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members
will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for
terms of three years and until the appointment and qualification of
their successors. The Mayor or governing body may remove any member
of the Commission for cause, on written charges served upon the member
and after a hearing thereon at which the member shall be entitled
to be heard in person or by counsel. A vacancy on the Commission occurring
otherwise than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired
term in the same manner as an original appointment. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of law to the contrary, the powers of appointment
and removal hereby accorded to the Mayor shall be vested in the elected
official so designated or, where there is a vacancy in the office
of Mayor, in the duly designated Acting Mayor.
A.
The Mayor shall appoint two alternate members in addition to the
seven regular members. The alternate members shall be designated at
the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
B.
The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except
that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two
years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2 so that
the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any
one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term
shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
C.
An alternate member shall not be permitted to act on any matter in
which he has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial
interest. An alternate member may, after public hearing if he requests
one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
D.
An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings
but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular
member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member
may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice
must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No.
1 shall vote first.
A.
The Environmental Commission shall have power to conduct research
into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the City of
Clifton and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized
for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute
books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets which, in its judgment, it
deems necessary for its purposes. It shall keep an index of all open
areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps
and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use
of such areas, and may from time to time recommend to the Planning
Board or, if none, to the Mayor and governing body of the City plans
and programs for inclusion in a Municipal Master Plan and the development
and use of such areas.
B.
The Environmental Commission shall have power to study and make recommendations
concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air
pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and
landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and
protection of flora and fauna.
C.
The Environmental Commission is hereby designated and shall constitute
the "Green Team" for the City of Clifton, which shall have the following
powers and purposes:
[Added 6-8-2016 by Ord.
No. 7296-16]
(1)
To facilitate the successful completion of the requirements for certification
of Sustainable Jersey;
(2)
To educate, advise and encourage the City and all City employees,
residents and businesses to participate in green initiatives; and
(3)
To collaborate with public and private green committees, to advise
on the replication of best practices, and to help ensure a coordinated
effort within the City of Clifton and with neighboring communities.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of
the governing body, acquire property, both real and personal, in the
name of the City by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease
for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes
subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such an acquisition
may be to acquire the fee or any lesser interest, development right,
easement (including conservation easement), covenant or other contractual
right (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or
reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect,
limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize
open spaces and other land and water areas in the City of Clifton.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and shall make an annual report to the governing body
of the City.
The governing body may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred
by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks
and other employees as it may from time to time require and as shall
be within the limits of funds appropriated to it.
