[1][HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Gloversville 2-24-1987 by L.L. No. 2-1987. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: The title of this chapter, and the zone established herein, formerly "Economic Development Zone," was changed 10-24-2000 to "Empire Zone."
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
The title of this chapter shall be the "Empire Zone of the Cities of Gloversville and Johnstown."
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is for the establishment of the Gloversville Empire Zone, as authorized under Article 18-B of the New York State General Municipal Law, as well as other pertinent state legislation including the Executive Law, the General Municipal Law, the New York State Urban Development Corporation Act, the Public Authorities Law, the Real Property Tax Law, the Tax Law and the Public Service Law.
B. 
Additionally, the amendments to this chapter are designated to provide continued incentives in the later years of the zone and to enlarge the Empire Zone to include lands within the City of Johnstown in the Johnstown Industrial Park.
A. 
Zone Administrator.
(1) 
A Zone Administrator shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and shall be an officer of the City of Gloversville. The functions of the Zone Administrator include certifying, with the State Commerce Commissioner and Commissioner of Labor, the local businesses and industries which are eligible to receive benefits under General Municipal Law Article 18-B, § 966, and as it may be amended from time to time.
(2) 
The Zone Administrator shall not serve on the Zone Administrative Board.
B. 
Zone Administrative Board.
(1) 
A Zone Administrative Board shall be comprised of nine members appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of the Common Council. Not less than three members shall be residents of the City of Johnstown, recommended by the Mayor of the City of Johnstown and approved by the Aldermen of the City of Johnstown. This Board shall be chaired by the Mayor and shall be representative of local businesses, organized labor, community organization, financial institutions, local educational institutions and residents of the Empire Zone. The Zone Administrative Board shall give direction to the activities of the zone, and its responsibilities shall include those set forth in General Municipal Law Article 18-B, § 963, and as it may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
(2) 
The members of the Zone Administrative Board, other than the Mayor, shall be appointed for two-year terms, except that the initial Board shall include four members appointed for one-year terms. No individual shall serve longer than three successive two-year terms.
C. 
Program management. The Zone Administrative Board, subject to the approval of the Common Council, shall appoint and contract with a program management agency, which shall provide staff support to the Zone Administrative Board. This entity shall assist the Board in performing those duties assigned to it in § 128-3 of this chapter and under state legislation. The activities shall include day to day administration, zone marketing, financial assistance, technical business assistance, government liaison, coordination and implementation of local and state incentives and services, data collection, clerical support, evaluation of zone programs and effectiveness, annual reports and similar activities.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
The boundaries of the Empire Zone are delineated on a map which shall be filed in the offices of the City Clerk and the City Engineer and are described more particularly in § 128-10 hereof. The state and local zone incentives as well as other activities associated with this chapter and the zone development plan shall be effective only within this area, unless otherwise amended by the State of New York or the Cities of Gloversville and Johnstown as provided by law.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
A development plan for the Empire Zone shall be considered and adopted by the Common Council. It shall provide the framework for the administration and development of the local zone.
The City of Gloversville shall take all necessary and appropriate steps to form a separate and independent Gloversville Empire Zone Capital Corporation in conformance with the procedures and authorities outlined in General Municipal Law Article 18-B, § 964, and as the same may be amended from time to time.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
The Common Council of the City of Gloversville hereby authorizes the Mayor to sign the application to amend the Empire Zone to be submitted to the New York State Department of Commerce Economic Development Program, and any and all other zone documents associated with this chapter or the program as a whole, to the extent permitted by law.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
The Common Council of the City of Gloversville, by agreement with the City of Johnstown, shall provide funds and compensation to the Zone Administrative Board, the Zone Administrator, the program management agency, the Zone Capital Corporation and other individuals or organizations involved in relevant administrative or developmental matters.
[Added 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994]
A. 
This chapter shall be effective immediately, subject to Municipal Home Rule Law § 27.
B. 
The amendments to enlarge the Empire Zone to include lands within the City of Johnstown in the Johnstown Industrial Park shall be effective upon adoption of similar legislation by the City of Johnstown and approval of the application to extend the boundaries of the Empire Zone as set forth herein.
[Amended 5-25-1994 by L.L. No. 1-1994; 4-25-1995 by L.L. No. 4-1995; 1-22-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002; 1-22-2002 by L.L. No. 2-2002; 2-26-2002 by L.L. No. 3-2002; 9-28-2004 by L.L. No. 4-2004; 12-27-2005 by L.L. No. 2-2005; 6-27-2006 by L.L. No. 3-2006]
(The schedule delineating the boundaries of the Empire Zone is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
[Added 9-22-1987 by L.L. No. 13-1987]
Real property constructed, altered, installed or improved in the area designated by the New York State Department of Commerce on July 21, 1987, as the Empire Zone pursuant to Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law shall be exempt from taxation and special ad valorem levies by the City of Gloversville for the period and to the extent provided in Real Property Tax Law § 485-e and as the same is amended from time to time.