[Added 4-16-1996 by Ord. No. 19-4-96]
There is hereby created the Marlton Economic
Development Advisory Commission.
A. Purpose; powers; duties; responsibilities. The purpose
of this article, as amended, is to assist in the development and maintenance
of a positive business environment in this community and to foster
the appropriate and successful use of commercial land use areas throughout
the Township, thereby maximizing the commercial tax ratables in Evesham
Township and avoiding the proliferation of vacant or underuse of commercial
lots and buildings, and the nuisances inherit with said vacancies.
Specifically, the Commission shall perform the following functions:
(1) Prepare a commercial use survey and inventory for
Evesham Township, to monitor the commercial uses and commercial tax
ratables and to attract and assist businesses which are appropriate
and will be a contributing part of Evesham Township.
(2) Coordinate efforts with county and state economic
development agencies, as well as any regional, federal or private
agencies, in an attempt to foster and perpetuate a positive commercial
economic environment for Evesham Township.
(3) Assist Township Council, if requested, in the preparation
of applications for any grants or funding which would help facilitate
efforts and to research the availability of such grants or funding.
(4) Coordinate with the Small Business Administration
and any other federal, state or local agencies which assist and/or
promote business and commerce in order to enable the Commission to
give guidance and information to businesses which desire to start
up or to relocate in Evesham Township.
(5) Promote the appreciation of each of the neighborhood
shops/services district.
(6) Encourage reinvestment in existing but unused or underused
commercial structures in the Township.
(7) Maintain a perpetual inventory of available vacant
or underutilized commercial properties, including property that could
be used for economic development.
(8) Confer with the Planning Board and Council, as requested,
concerning land use issues, ordinances and resolutions that may have
an impact upon commercial and industrial retail use in the Township.
(9) Report at least annually to the Planning Board and
the Township Council on the state of the business environment in the
Township and recommend measures to improve the same.
B. Composition; compensation; residency.
(1) The membership of this committee shall be composed
of 13 voting members and three ex officio members and shall serve
without compensation for their services. A majority of the voting
members shall constitute a quorum. The membership shall be divided
into six classes as follows:
[Amended 1-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1-1-2009]
(a)
Class I. There shall be one member who shall
possess the background or experience relating to the financial sector,
with preference given to related experience in the banking industry.
(b)
Class II. There shall be one member who shall
possess the background or experience relating to the real estate sector,
with preference given to background in commercial real estate or corporate
relocation.
(c)
Class III. There shall be two members who shall
possess the background or experience relating to the regional retail
sector, with preference given to residents who own or are employed
by a regional retail establishment located in Evesham Township.
(d)
Class IV. There shall be four members who shall
possess the background or experience relating to small business. Preference
shall be given to residents who own or are employed by a small business
located in Evesham Township; however, the four positions should represent
varied types of small business, such as local retail, professional
or service.
(e)
Class V. There shall be five members of the
community at large, with preference given to those who reside in the
neighborhoods or residential developments which abut the commercial
land use zones.
(f)
Class VI. The three ex officio members shall
consist of the Director of Community Development and the Chairpersons
of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Adjustment or the appointees
as chosen by the respective boards.
(2) In addition to the defining preferences of each class,
the members of the Commission shall possess qualifications, as determined
by the Township Council, in furtherance of the goals and purposes
of this Commission.
(3) All Class V members shall be residents of the Township
of Evesham at all times during the occupation of their position membership.
The cessation of residency in the Township of Evesham by any Class
V member during his or her term shall result in the creation of vacancy
for that member's position.
(4) All regular and special meetings of the Commission
shall be open to the public.
A. Appointments; terms of office; conflicts of interest;
removal; vacancies.
(1) All appointments, including the Chairperson, shall
be made by a majority vote of the Township Council.
[Amended 1-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1-1-2009]
(2) Initial terms of members shall be as follows: the
Class I and one Class IV member shall be three years; the Class II
and two Class IV members shall serve two years; the Class III and
one Class IV member shall serve one year; two Class V members shall
serve for two years and two Class V members shall serve for one year.
Thereafter, the terms of members shall be as follows: three-year terms
for Class I, II, III and IV members and two-year terms for Class V
members. The terms of the Class III members shall not expire in the
same year. Class VI members shall serve for terms concurrent with
their term on their respective boards.
[Amended 1-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1-1-2009]
(3) Although nothing herein is meant to limit the number
of terms that any member may serve, and preference should be given
to reappoint a seated member, no member is to be seated for more than
three consecutive terms.
(4) No members may act on any matter in which the member
has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(5) The Township Council may remove any member of the
Commission for good 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.
(6) Any vacancy occurring by reason of the death, resignation
or removal of any member shall be filled by the Township Council for
the balance of the former member's unexpired term.
B. Election of officers.
(1) The Commission shall, at its first organizational
meeting and at each annual reorganizational meeting, elect a Vice
Chairperson from its members and select a Secretary who may or may
not be a member of the Commission or a municipal employee.
[Amended 1-20-2009 by Ord. No. 1-1-2009]
(2) The Township Council shall provide for the Commission
in its budget and shall appropriate funds for the expenses of the
Commission.