[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hackensack 11-20-1989 by Ord. No. 35-89. Amendments noted where applicable.[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: The title of this chapter was amended 10-3-2022 by Ord. No. 44-2022 to add "and Green Team."
Editor's Note: The title of this chapter was amended 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 03-2024 to add "and Creative Team."
[Amended 9-4-2018 by Ord. No. 38-2018]
There is hereby created an Environmental Commission for the City of Hackensack. The membership of the Commission shall consist of seven persons who are citizens and residents of the City. One such member shall also be a member of the Planning Board. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor. Additionally, there shall be two alternate members of the Commission, also appointed by the Mayor, who shall be designated at the time of appointment as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2."
[Amended 9-4-2018 by Ord. No. 38-2018]
The Commission members first appointed shall be appointed for the following terms: two members for one year, three members for two years and two members for three years. Following the initial appointments, all appointments shall be for three years, and vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only. The members shall receive no compensation for their services. With the exception of the Commission members first appointed, the term of office of each appointee shall commence on the first day of January and shall expire on the 31st day of December of the appropriate year. The Commission members first appointed as aforesaid shall also serve from the date of their respective appointments through and including December 31, 1989, at which time the term of years of their full appointment shall be deemed to commence. 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. Any alternate member vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
With the exception of the Chairperson, who shall be designated annually by the Mayor, the Commission shall choose its own officers, make its own rules and regulations for the discharge of its duties and for the proper exercise of the powers conferred upon it by the Mayor and Council and keep a record of its proceedings. The Board shall meet at least monthly, but as frequently as may be provided for in its rules and regulations and as circumstances may require.
Subject to the availability of duly appropriated funds by the Mayor and Council, the Environmental Commission shall perform the following duties:
A. 
Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the City.
B. 
Prepare an index of all such open lands, publicly and privately owned, within the City. Said index shall be updated annually and, upon completion, shall be transmitted to the Mayor and Council, the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment.
C. 
Make recommendations concerning such open lands to the Mayor and Council and the Planning Board regarding plans and programs for inclusions in the Master Plan.
D. 
Study and make recommendations to the Mayor and Council, including but not limited to open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste managements, recycling programs, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance and protection of flora and fauna.
E. 
Coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for environmental and conservational purposes within the City.
F. 
Prepare, print and distribute informational materials which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes, so long as the same relates to its authorized duties as set forth herein.
G. 
When authorized by ordinance, review and report upon any environmental impact statement referred to it by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment in a timely fashion.
H. 
Upon receiving the prior approval by resolution of the Mayor and Council, assist in the acquisition of property, real and personal, by the City gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall assist in the administration of 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 or other contractual right, including a conveyance on conditions or with limitation 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.
I. 
Prepare such advisory reports and perform such other duties as may from time to time be requested by the Mayor and Council.
In the event that any member of the Commission shall miss three consecutive meetings, the Commission shall report such absences to the Mayor and Council. If the Mayor and Council, after due inquiry, are satisfied that the absences were not occasioned by reasonable cause, the Commission member may be removed by resolution of the Mayor and Council.
[Added 10-3-2022 by Ord. No. 44-2022]
Effective January 1, 2023, there is hereby established in and for the City of Hackensack a "Green Team," which is a group of citizens dedicated to the sustainability of the community. The Green Team shall perform the following specific duties:
A. 
Support the City of Hackensack's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program.
B. 
Facilitate the successful completion of the requirements for achieving Sustainable Jersey certification.
C. 
Educate and encourage all City employees, residents, and businesses to participate in green initiatives.
D. 
Collaborate with public and private green committees, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, academic institutions, and industry to ensure the replication of best practices and to ensure a coordinated effort towards sustainability within the City of Hackensack and with neighboring communities.
E. 
Actively solicit and evaluate sustainable environmental ideas and suggestions from the Hackensack community and recommend same to the governing body.
[Added 10-3-2022 by Ord. No. 44-2022]
A. 
The Green Team will consist of no less than five nor more than 11 regular voting members, to be appointed by the City Council.
B. 
Membership on the Green Team shall be persons who reside, are full-time students or are employed in the City of Hackensack. Members of the Green Team may also serve on other municipal boards or committees without limitation.
C. 
Appointments to the Green Team shall run for one year from the date of City Council appointment.
D. 
The City Council may appoint nonvoting associate members to the Green Team to serve terms of one year, who are not required to reside, study or work in the City of Hackensack.
E. 
Green Team members shall serve on a voluntary basis and without compensation.
[Added 2-20-2024 by Ord. No. 03-2024]
Effective January 1, 2024, there is hereby established in and for the City of Hackensack a "Creative Team," which shall be part of the City of Hackensack's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program. The Creative Team shall consist of a minimum of six members and a maximum of 11 members to be appointed by the City Council to serve two-year terms, and members need not be residents of the City so long as they have a demonstrable interest in the City's cultural development. One member shall be an elected or appointed official of the City. The members may further serve on any other City board or commission without limitation, shall serve on a voluntary basis and without compensation, and perform the following duties:
A. 
Assist the City in developing creative programs that meet the guidelines established by the Sustainable Jersey program.
B. 
Develop a vision for the City as to how arts and culture, and the creative industries can connect with, and contribute to sustainability in the City, and coordinate with the Green Team in such efforts.
C. 
Prepare the report required by Sustainable Jersey.
D. 
Educate and encourage all City employees, residents, and businesses to participate in arts and culture and the creative industries.
E. 
Actively solicit and evaluate ideas and suggestions from the Hackensack community and other pertinent stakeholders regarding arts and culture development and recommend same to the City Council.