[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt 8-12-2003 by L.L. No. 8-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Department of Technical Services — See Ch. 30.
The availability of adequate housing at affordable prices in Westchester County, including the Town of Cortlandt, is of increasing concern to residents and county and municipal officials, as evidenced in the widespread public debate and discussion of these issues and the County Executive’s Housing Implementation Plan. An aging population, smaller families and changing family composition have contributed to an increase in demand for housing. Increased construction costs, increased operating and maintenance costs, more stringent financing and more regulation have had a negative impact on the production of additional housing. A general scarcity of housing and steep rental increases have resulted. In view of the existing disparity between the demand and supply of rental housing and the potential for an even greater disparity, it is desirable and necessary to establish a Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board to gather facts, analyze and make recommendations to the Town Board with respect to tenant-landlord relations and to mediate and fact-find with respect to any agreements or memorandums of understanding between the Town Board and any tenant, tenants’ group, landlord or landlords’ group to the extent that any such agreement or memorandum of understanding authorizes the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board to do so.
The Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt hereby creates a board which shall be known as the “Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board.”
A. 
The Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall consist of seven members. The Director of Technical Services or his designee shall be a permanent member. The remaining six members shall be appointed by the Town Board for terms of three years, with the exception of the initial appointments, two of which shall be for terms of one year, two others of which shall be for terms of two years and two others of which shall be for terms of three years. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration of term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the unexpired term.
B. 
The composition of the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall be two members representing tenants, two members representing landlords, two public officials (the Director of Technical Services and one other) and one member at large.
A. 
The Director of Technical Services serves as Chairman, and the Department of Technical Services shall provide the staff support necessary to the smooth operation of the Board.
B. 
The Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report to the Town Board not later than the first day of April of each year, concerning the activities and work of the Board. The Board may also submit to the Town Board such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.
C. 
The members of the Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of their duties within the appropriations made therefor.
The powers and duties of the Cortlandt Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board shall be:
A. 
To gather facts, analyze and make recommendations to the Town Board with respect to housing policy in an effort to maintain good tenant-landlord relations in the Town of Cortlandt.
B. 
To mediate and fact-find with respect to any written complaints filed with the Department of Technical Services pursuant to any memorandum of understanding effective, signed by the Supervisor of the Town of Cortlandt as authorized by Town Board resolution and the owners of any apartment complex within the Town.
C. 
To mediate and fact-find with respect to any written complaints filed with the Department of Technical Services Improvement pursuant to any amendments to the above memorandum of understanding or any other memorandum of understanding or agreement between the Town Board and any tenant, tenants’ group, landlord or landlords’ group to the extent that any such memorandum of understanding or agreement authorizes the Tenant-Landlord Advisory Board to do so.
D. 
To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Town Board.
E. 
Approximately 90 days prior to any expiration date of this chapter, to recommend to the Town Board whether or not the effective period of this chapter should be extended.
This chapter shall take effect immediately as prescribed by law and shall be in effect for a period of five years. At the end of the said five-year period, the Town Board may extend the effective time period by local law after proper notice and public hearing as prescribed by law.