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City of Glen Cove, NY
Nassau County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A. 
The officers of the city shall consist of the following:
(1) 
A Mayor, to be also a member of the City Council.
[Amended 5-27-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997]
(2) 
Six City Council members elected at large.
B. 
Each officer, unless otherwise provided in this Charter, shall be elected for the term of two years from and including the first day of January succeeding his or her election, and until the election and qualifications of his or her successor.
C. 
The Mayor shall receive from the city a salary of $100,000 per year, payable biweekly.
[Amended 10-24-1995 by L.L. No. 2-1997; 12-28-1999 by L.L. No. 4-1999[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: Per L.L. No. 4-2000, adopted 10-10-2000, this local law shall take effect 1-1-2001.
D. 
Each Council member shall receive a salary of $10,000 per year, payable biweekly.
[Amended 2-10-1987 by L.L. No. 1-1987; 12-26-1989 by L.L. No. 3-1989; 10-5-1999 by L.L. No. 4-1999]
E. 
Before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, each officer shall take and file the constitutional oath of office.
F. 
No person shall be eligible to any elective office unless he or she is an elector of the city.
[6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 2-2016]
A. 
Each city office shall be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each weekday except holidays.
B. 
Whenever the last day in which any paper shall be filed or act done or performed falls on any Saturday, Sunday or holiday, which said offices are closed, as herein proclaimed, the time therefor is hereby extended to and including the next business day.
A. 
The Mayor and six Council members shall constitute the City Council for the government of the city, vested with the powers granted to the city and subject to delegation by the Council. The City Council has authority to enact, amend or repeal local laws, resolutions or ordinances not inconsistent with the laws of the state for the government of the city and the management of its business, for the preservation of good order, peace and health, for the safety and welfare of its inhabitants and the protection and security of their property.
B. 
All legislative acts of the City Council shall be by local law, ordinance or resolution, and on the passage of every local law, ordinance or resolution the yeas and nays of the members shall be taken and entered in full in the City Council Minutes. The Mayor and Council members shall, when physically present, vote on all questions and the votes of four shall be necessary to pass any measure unless otherwise provided in this Charter. Four members shall constitute a quorum, but a less number may adjourn.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 3-2016]
C. 
The City Council, by majority vote, may retain an independent auditor.
D. 
The City Council shall sit with open doors and shall keep an accurate record of its proceedings which shall be a public record.
A. 
The Mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city. The Mayor, with the consent of four members of the City Council, shall appoint the heads of departments, all commissioners and all other officers and employees not elected by the people except as otherwise provided by law or by this Charter.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
B. 
The term of office of Deputy Mayor, Director of Public Works, Controller, City Clerk, City Attorney and Deputy City Attorneys shall be one year. Subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law, any such appointive officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the appointment of another to replace or supersede such officer, in the manner provided for by this Charter. For the purposes of this section, the residency requirement of the New York State Public Officer's Law, § 3, Qualifications for holding office, is superseded to the extent that, with the exception of the Deputy Mayor, the Mayor can waive the residency requirement that an appointive public officer be a resident of the City.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by L.L. No. 3-2008]
C. 
The Mayor shall devote full time to the performance of the duties of the office.
D. 
The Mayor shall preside at all City Council meetings, may take part in the discussions and other actions of the City Council, may vote on all matters, except as otherwise provided in this Charter. The Mayor shall designate a City Council Member to preside at a Council meeting in his/her absence.
[Amended 5-27-1997 by L.L. No. 3-1997; 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
E. 
On or before the first day of October of each year, the Mayor shall prepare and submit to the City Council an itemized statement in writing of the estimated revenues and expenditures of the city for the next ensuing fiscal year, which statement shall be known as the proposed budget. The Mayor shall have no vote on the proposed budget. The Mayor shall, at least once a year, submit to the City Council and make available to the public, a complete written report on the finances and administrative activities of the city. The Mayor shall make such other reports as the City Council may require concerning the operations of city departments, offices and agencies. The Mayor shall keep the City Council fully advised as to the financial condition and future needs of the city, and make such recommendations to the City Council concerning the affairs of the city as the Mayor deems desirable.
F. 
The Mayor shall, subject to the approval of four members of the City Council, excluding the Mayor, by resolution, negotiate, sell city-owned property, and grant leases, concessions, licenses and permits for the use of all city land, structures, facilities and appurtenances. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subdivision 2b of § 23 of the General City Law, or any special act, local law or charter, real property belonging to the city which is not needed for public purpose may be leased and may be sold at public or private sale. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subdivision 2-a of § 20 of the General City Law, or any special act, local law or charter, real property belonging to the city which is not needed for public purpose may be leased for a period not to exceed 30 years.
[Amended 11-12-2002 by L.L. No. 8-2002; 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 4-2016]
A. 
The Mayor shall, subject to this Charter, exercise supervision over all agencies and over all public utilities of the city. The Mayor shall, in the name of the city, execute all instruments requiring assent of the city. The Mayor shall have such powers and perform such other duties as specified by law or by this Charter.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 5-2016]
B. 
The Mayor shall appoint one Deputy Mayor who shall possess the power to act generally for and in place of the Mayor during the absence or disability of the Mayor, except that the Deputy Mayor shall not be entitled to sit or vote as part of the City Council, nor shall the Deputy Mayor be entitled to make any appointments as herein provided. No person shall be eligible to be appointed Deputy Mayor unless he or she is a resident and elector of the City.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by L.L. No. 3-2008]
C. 
The Mayor shall, with the consent of the City Council, except as otherwise provided by law, appoint the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals, pursuant to § 81 of the General City Law; the Housing Authority, pursuant to § 30 of the Public Housing Law; the Planning Board, pursuant to § 27 of the General City Law; the Recreation Commission, pursuant to § 243 of the General Municipal Law; and the members of any other commission, agency or board of the city. Persons appointed to the various boards and commissions which serve the city must be residents of the City of Glen Cove. If a vacancy is not filled within 60 days of its occurrence, the City Council shall have the power to fill such vacancy by a vote of four of its members.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 5-2016]
D. 
The Mayor shall propose the creation, continuance or abolishment of such departments and divisions not otherwise called for in this Charter, as deemed necessary and in the best interest of the City, by designation in or omission from the budget, whether by original proposal of or amendment thereto, and shall determine and provide for the staffing necessary to accomplish the purpose of such departments or divisions.
[Added 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 5-2016]
A. 
The Mayor may be removed from office by the Governor for cause, after a hearing. Pending the preparation and disposition of charges, the Governor may suspend the Mayor for a period not exceeding 30 days.
B. 
The City Council, excluding the Mayor, shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members and of the grounds for their removal from office. A member charged with conduct constituting grounds for removal from office shall be entitled to a public hearing on demand, and written notice of such hearing shall be filed with the City Clerk and published in the official newspaper of the city at least one week in advance of the hearing. A vote of four members of the City Council, excluding the Mayor, is required for removal from office of any Council member. Any vote for removal under this section shall be subject to review by the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
The powers and duties of the Mayor shall devolve upon the Deputy Mayor until a new Mayor shall be elected or appointed as provided herein.
Other than as provided in this Charter, if a vacancy shall occur in any elective office of the city, otherwise than by expiration of term, the Mayor and City Council shall appoint a person to fill such vacancy until the next general election. If the vacancy shall occur in the office of Mayor, it shall be filled by appointment made by the City Council. A vacancy occurring in an appointive office of the city, otherwise than by expiration of term, shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term by the same authorities and in the same manner as an appointment for a full term.
The Controller shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the City Council and shall have the following powers and duties as head of the Department of Finance:
A. 
To be the chief fiscal officer of the city.
B. 
To act as custodian of all public moneys collected within the city or paid to the city.
C. 
To collect taxes, assessments, water rents, sewer rents, rents and all other moneys due to the city except that payments made to other offices, agencies, boards or commissions shall be turned over to the Controller monthly or at such other intervals as provided by law or ordinance.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
D. 
To act as city auditor. Audit all bills, claims and demands for payment against the city and perform any other internal audit necessary to protect the integrity of the internal controls of the city.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
E. 
To make monthly written reports at regular meetings of the City Council of the receipts, disbursements and cash balances of the city accounts and any special reports upon the request of any members.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
F. 
To disburse the city funds upon receipt of a signed Warrant of the City Council.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
G. 
To assist the Mayor in the preparation of the city budget and exercise financial budgetary control over such budget.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
H. 
To maintain a general accounting system that provides for financial budgetary information for the separate accounts of appropriation and estimated revenues.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
I. 
To give a bond to the city for the faithful performance of his or her duties, to be approved by the Mayor.
J. 
To make all arrangements for the issuance of city bonds and notes as authorized by the City Council.
[Added 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
K. 
To maintain a central payroll system.
[Added 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 6-2016]
[Amended 3-10-1992 by L.L. No. 2-1992; 11-24-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015; 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 7-2016]
A. 
The City Purchasing Agent is a position within the Department of Finance, appointed from an eligible Civil Service list by the Mayor and with consent of the City Council. The City Purchasing Agent shall:
[Amended 10-27-2020 by L.L. No. 1-2020]
(1) 
Directly procure or approve purchasing of all supplies, materials, equipment, and contractual services required by any department, office, board or commission of the City of Glen Cove, pursuant to such rules and regulations as may be established by the City Council. All purchases made by the Purchasing Agent shall be pursuant to a signed requisition from the head of the department, office, board, or commission, whose appropriation is to be charged. All purchases shall be made in accordance the New York State General Municipal Law and the City of Glen Cove's Purchasing Policy as adopted and amended by the City Council from time to time and any other state or local legislation.
(2) 
Establish and enforce, after consultation with the heads of all departments, standard specifications for all supplies, materials and equipment to be purchased by the City of Glen Cove.
(3) 
Prescribe the process of requisitioning for such supplies, materials, and equipment.
(4) 
Ensure the inspection of deliveries of such supplies, materials and equipment, and cause tests to be made when necessary to determine the quality, quantity, and conformance with specifications.
(5) 
Negotiate and submit to City Council for approval all inter-municipal agreements. Enter into cooperative purchasing Agreements.
(6) 
Assure that contracts are subject to City Council approval, providing all relevant detail on procurement matters in a timely and complete fashion.
(7) 
Solicit by public bid or request for proposal, and recommend for award by the City Council, contracts to vendors that have met the required specifications and will provide the best value to the city.
B. 
Competitive bidding is required in all situations where so designated under the provisions of the General Municipal Law, including the "best value" provision (GML § 103), and in all other situations where required by the City Council.
A. 
There shall be a Department of Public Works, the head of which shall be the Director of Public Works.
B. 
The Director of Public Works shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council, and shall be under the direction and supervision of the Mayor.
C. 
The Director of Public Works shall, except as otherwise provided by this Charter or by law:
(1) 
Design or cause to be designed, construct or cause to be constructed, manage, maintain and operate all the public works and physical properties of the city.
(2) 
Supervise and administer all contracts with the city for public construction.
(3) 
Direct and supervise the following divisions within the Department of Public Works:
(a) 
Division of Highways.
(b) 
Division of Water.
(c) 
Division of Sanitation and Recycling.[1]
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 8-2016]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection C(3)(d), Division of Waste Management, was removed from the Code pursuant to L.L. No. 8-2016, adopted 6-28-2016.
(d) 
Division of Maintenance.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 8-2016]
A. 
The City Council shall appoint three Civil Service Commissioners to serve for two, four and six years respectively, and thereafter for six years, without compensation. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms. No member of the Civil Service Commission shall hold any other office under the city.
B. 
The Civil Service Law shall govern the acts of the Commissioners.
[Amended 5-12-1992 by L.L. No. 4-1992]
No member of the City Council shall be appointed to any office, position or employment, except for the Office of Mayor, the compensation of which was increased or fixed by the City Council while such Councilperson was a member, until after the expiration of one year from the date when such Councilperson ceased to be such a member.
A. 
A City Clerk shall be appointed by the City Council at a salary to be fixed by the City Council. The Clerk shall have an office in City Hall, act as City Clerk and, in addition thereto, have the following duties:
(1) 
Keep the minutes of the City Council.
(2) 
Receive, file, index and be the custodian of all city documents and records, and other instruments required by law to be filed in the city, including petitions for nomination and such other papers pertaining to the election of officials as are required to be filed.
(3) 
Be the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
(4) 
Serve or cause to be served all notices required by the City Council, and perform such other duties as the City Council may require.
B. 
The office of City Clerk is declared to be a Town Clerk's office for the purpose of depositing and filing therein all books and papers required by law to be filed in a Town Clerk's office and the City Clerk shall possess all the powers and perform all the duties of a Town Clerk not inconsistent with this Charter.
C. 
The Mayor may designate any officer or employee of the city to serve as acting City Clerk in case of absence, temporarily or otherwise, disability or vacancy in the office of City Clerk.
[Amended 4-14-2009 by L.L. No. 1-2009]
A. 
There shall be a Building Department, the head of which shall be the Director of the Building Department.
B. 
The Director of the Building Department shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council, and shall be under the direction and supervision of the Mayor.
C. 
The Director of the Building Department shall:
a. 
Plan, direct and supervise the enforcement of all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, codes and orders and for the issuance of certificates of occupancy, permits or licenses applicable to the use of land and the location, design, materials, construction, alteration, repair, equipment, maintenance, use, occupancy, removal and demolition of the buildings and structures and their appurtenances located in the City of Glen Cove;
b. 
Serve as advisor to the local Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Examining Board of Plumbers and Urban Renewal agencies;
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
c. 
Provide to the Mayor quarterly reports of all activities of the Department and all inspectors, in addition to any reports directed to be made to the Mayor; and
d. 
Make recommendations to the Mayor for the hiring of a Building Inspector and sufficient Assistant Building Inspectors as warranted by the workload and within allocated resources whereby each of these inspectors may act for and in place of Plumbing Inspectors, Fire Inspectors and/or Multiple Residence Inspectors.
D. 
This section shall take effect upon its filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.
A municipal housing authority to be known as the "Glen Cove Housing Authority" is hereby created and established for the City of Glen Cove, in the County of Nassau, New York for the accomplishment of any or all of the purposes specified in Article eighteen of the Constitution of the State of New York. It shall constitute a body corporate and politic, be perpetual in duration and consist of five members. It shall have the powers and duties now or hereafter conferred by the Public Housing Law upon municipal housing authorities. It shall be organized in the manner prescribed by and be subject to the provisions of the Public Housing Law, and the authority, its members, officers and employees and its operations and activities shall in all respects be governed by the provisions of the Public Housing Law.
[Amended 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 10-2016]
A. 
There is hereby continued the Youth Council, the Recreation Commission, the Board of Ethics, the Grievance Board, the Examining Board of Plumbers, the Planning Board, the Commission for Conservation of the Environment, the Commission on Architecture and Urban Design, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Senior Citizens Advisory Council, the Harbor and Waterfront Development and Conservation Commission, and the Municipal Golf Course Commission.
B. 
The City Council may from time to time abolish or establish such other boards, commissions and agencies as provided in this Charter and any general or special law.
A. 
The City of Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department shall continue to consist of the following companies:
(1) 
Pacific Engine and Hose Company No. 1.
(2) 
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1.
(3) 
Chemical Engine Company No. 1.
(4) 
Engine and Hose Company No. 4.
B. 
The purpose and objectives of the Department shall be:
(1) 
To maintain a volunteer organization to extinguish fire and to protect the lives and property of the residents of the city from destruction and damage by fire;
(2) 
To perform any other service in the line of fire duty when called upon by the Mayor for aid or assistance; and
(3) 
To render service in case of accident, public disaster or other emergencies in which their services may be required.
C. 
The Department and its Companies shall have all the powers and duties conferred upon it or them by all general and special laws and shall have the power to adopt and amend a Constitution and Bylaws for the organization, operation and discipline of the Department, which shall be subject to approval, amendment or revocation by the City Council. The Mayor shall generally exercise supervision over the Fire Department, shall have the powers to appoint five members to the Board of Fire Commissioners from outside the Department, to approve or disapprove the election of officers of the Department and the officers and new members of the various Companies and to approve or disapprove the removal of new members on probation. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Department shall specify the manner in which the powers of the Mayor shall be exercised.
D. 
Membership; meetings.
(1) 
The Board of Fire Commissioners shall consist of five members from outside the Department membership and one member from each of the Companies. The Fire Chief and his or her Assistant Chiefs shall be ex officio members of the Board.
(2) 
The members from outside the Department shall be appointed by the Mayor within one month of assuming his or her office. The Mayor shall appoint one of the outside members as Chairperson of the Board who shall vote only in case of a tie.
(3) 
The member of each Company shall be elected on the third Monday of December preceding the January in which the Mayor takes office.
(4) 
The members of the Board shall hold office during the term of office of the Mayor or until his or her successor has been appointed and qualifies.
(5) 
The Board shall hold such meetings and fix such rules for their government as they may deem proper.
(6) 
The Board shall have the power to instigate any investigation regarding the affairs of the Department or Companies or the conduct of any member of the Department which might reflect discredit to the Department, and to examine the books and records of the Department, of any Company or any officer thereof and to summon in writing, stating reasons, any member of the Department to appear before them if such appearance is in judgment of the Board in the best interests of the Department.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § C2-19, Department of Code Enforcement; powers; duties, added 4-14-2009 by L.L. No. 2-2009, was repealed 1-29-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015.
[Added 4-14-2009 by L.L. No. 3-2009]
A. 
There shall be a Department of Personnel, the head of which shall be the Personnel Officer.
B. 
The Personnel Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Council, subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Law, and shall be under the direction and supervision of the Mayor.
C. 
The Personnel Officer shall:
a. 
Provide a uniform and comprehensive approach to the personnel management needs of the City and its employees;
b. 
Support the Civil Service Commission, which possesses the statutory authority to enforce the various provisions of New York State Civil Service Law and local civil service rules; and
c. 
Plan, direct and supervise the administration of the City’s employee benefits programs.
D. 
This section shall take effect upon its filing with the Office of the Secretary of State.
[Added 6-28-2016 by L.L. No. 11-2016]
There shall be a City Attorney and such deputies as authorized by the City Council who shall be appointed by the City Council at salaries to be fixed by the City Council. The City Attorney shall be and act as the attorney and counsel for the City Council, the Mayor, and all departments, officers, boards, commissions and agencies of the city. He or she shall upon request, furnish them with a written opinion on any question of law involving their respective powers and duties. He or she shall appear for and protect the rights of the city in all actions, suits or proceedings brought by or against it or any department, officer, board, commission or agency. He or she shall have power with the approval of the City Council, to appeal from orders, decisions or judgments in such cases, and to compromise and settle any claims by or against the city. The City Attorney shall prepare all local laws, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds and other instruments for the city except in such instances where special counsel has been retained to perform such duties and as otherwise provided by the local finance law. Before the execution of any contract other than those prepared by special counsel, he or she shall endorse on each his or her approval of the form and correctness thereof. He or she shall, at the expiration of his or her term of office, deliver personally to his or her successor all records and files pertaining to the office, and the record or register of all suits or proceedings in which the city or any of its officers, departments, boards, commissions or agencies may be a party and all the papers pertaining to such suits or proceedings. The City Council may designate which of the above duties of the City Attorney are to be performed by the respective deputy city attorneys.