[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Geneva 2-24-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
Section 961 of Article 18-B of the General Municipal
Law has authorized applications by cities for designation as an economic
development zone within the meaning of said statute.
Such a designation could greatly benefit the
City of Geneva in that new businesses would be encouraged to locate
in the zone area, existing businesses would be encouraged to expand
in the zone area, and new and expanded businesses would generate new
jobs for Geneva residents.
[Amended 3-22-2006 by L.L. No. 1-2006; 6-21-2006 by L.L. No.
2-2006]
The City Manager is hereby authorized and empowered
to submit an application for redesignation of certain areas within
the City of Geneva, Town of Geneva and Town of Victor as an Empire
Zone; provided, however, that such authorization and empowerment shall
be conditioned upon the concurrence, through properly adopted resolution(s)
with respect to such application of the governing bodies of any and
all cities, towns and villages in which such Zone is located.
The boundaries of said areas shall be as set
forth in Schedule A which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included at the end of this chapter.
[Amended 3-22-2006 by L.L. No. 1-2006; 6-21-2006 by L.L. No.
2-2006]
Pursuant to requirements of Section 963(a) of
the General Municipal Law, the City of Geneva Comptroller shall continue
to serve as the local Empire Zone certification officer of the City
of Geneva's Empire Zone, and shall, pursuant to the regulations promulgated
pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law, perform the
following duty, to wit: certify, jointly with the New York State Commissioner
of Economic Development and the New York State Commissioner of Labor,
those businesses enterprises that are eligible to receive those benefits
referred to in § 966 of the General Municipal Law, and any other
applicable statutes.
[Amended 3-22-2006 by L.L. No. 1-2006;
amended 6-21-2006 by L.L. No. 2-2006]
Pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal
Law, the Local Empire Zone Administrative Board as presently constituted
is hereby continued. The Local Empire Zone Administrative Board, pursuant
to § 963(a) of the General Municipal Law, as amended, shall approve
for certification by the zone certification officer, the New York
State Commissioner of Economic Development, and the New York State
Commissioner of Labor, the applications of those businesses eligible
for certification to receive the benefits referred to in § 966
of the General Municipal Law, and shall perform all other duties required
of it pursuant to § 963(b) of the General Municipal Law.
A.
Pursuant to the requirements of the aforesaid statute,
a local economic development zone administrative board is hereby established
to consist of not less than 15 members. Initial appointments to the
board shall be made by nomination by the Mayor with the consent of
the Geneva City Council. Membership of the administrative board shall
be comprised of the City Manager, as Chairman, and the Mayor, as standing
members with the remaining membership comprised of individuals from
the following categories: local business, organized labor, financial
institutions, educational institutions, community groups and zone
residents. Initial terms shall be for a period of three years for
1/3 of the membership; two years for 1/3 of the membership; and one
year for balance of membership.
B.
All subsequent new appointments and reappointments
shall be for a term of three years and shall be filled by the majority
vote of the then current membership of the administrative board. Expired
terms shall be filled for the duration of the unexpired term.
C.
The local economic development zone administrative
board shall perform the following duties, to wit:
(1)
Submit an annual report to the Commissioner of Commerce
regarding economic development zone activities, including an analysis
of the extent to which the goals set forth in the economic development
zone application have been met.
(2)
Undertake efforts to ensure meaningful participation
by minority and women businesses in economic development zone activities.
(3)
Enter into an agreement with the office of business
permits and regulatory assistance to participate in a business permit
assistance program to be provided to applicants for business permits
required by county, city, town or village or for a business undertaking.
(4)
Enter into agreements with the commissions of commerce,
labor and special services, local education agencies as defined in
paragraph (b) of Subdivision 1 of § 3032 of the Education
Law, local community-based organizations, private employers, labor
unions, the administrative entity and established under the job training
partnership act (P.L. 97-300) that includes the economic development
zone, and any other person or state or federal agency for the purpose
of establishing, implementing and coordinating job training programs
for employees and businesses to be located in an economic development
zone; provided, however, that:
(a)
Any agreement to establish a job training program
designed to meet the specific needs of private employers shall require
such employer to retain in his employ for not less than six months
an employee who has satisfactorily completed a course of training
for a particular job opening.
(b)
Any job training program established pursuant
to this subsection shall make use of the job service division of the
Labor Department as well other sources for the purpose of recruitment.
(5)
In cooperation with local services officials, establish
a job training opportunities program sponsored by private employers
in accordance with the provisions of § 164-b or § 350-l
of the Social Services Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Sections 164-b and 350-l of
the Social Services Law were repealed by L.1990, c. 453, § 6.
(6)
Enter into agreements with local departments of social
services and community-based organizations to facilitate the provision
of ancillary or enhanced social services in any such zone.
(7)
Ensure that job training programs meet standards of
instructional quality established in regulations promulgated by the
commission of education.
(8)
Provide within the zone, or contract with a new or
existing community-based local development corporation or entity to
provide strategic economic development planning for the zone, marketing
and promotion of the zone, assistance to companies in applying for
available benefits, preparation of application for financing assistance
and other technical assistance services; coordination of the delivery
of state and local programs with the zones; and operation of such
economic development assistance programs in furtherance of the economic
development plan as shall be determined by the designee. Provided,
however, within the amount appropriated therefor and allocated by
the director of the budget, the commissioner shall, to the maximum
extent feasible, make equally available financial support, through
contracts or other means, to assist with the administrative expenses
of the local zone administrative bodies or community-based development
organizations. No funds shall be made available for this purpose unless
the amount to be provided has been matched by private and governmental
sources, other than state sources, in amounts at least equaling that
to be provided by the state.
There shall also be established a zone capital
corporation pursuant to General Municipal Law, Article 18-B, § 964.
