[HISTORY: Comes from L.L. No. 96-1975, adopted 10-14-1975, effective 10-17-1975.]
There shall be in the Town of Hempstead a Department of Industry and Commerce, hereinafter called "the Department." The principal executive officer of such Department shall be the Commissioner of Industry and Commerce, who shall be appointed by the Town Board and who shall hold office until his successor is appointed by the Town Board and has qualified, at such salary as may, from time to time, be fixed by the Town Board. The Commissioner of Industry and Commerce shall be vested with the authority, direction and control over the Department and may appoint Deputy Commissioners to serve during his pleasure who, individually and in the order named, shall have all of the rights, powers, duties, obligations and responsibilities of the Commissioner and the authority to act in his place and stead. The Commissioner shall have the power to appoint and remove all other subordinate officers and all other employees and to assign them to their respective duties. The Commissioner shall be in the unclassified service of the civil service.
[Amended 6-18-1985 by L.L. No. 62-1985, effective 6-29-1985]
There shall be within the Department of Industry and Commerce the following divisions: Research and Development Division; and Local Community Administration Division. Each of the divisions shall be supervised by an administrative officer who shall be a Deputy Commissioner of the Department. The Commissioner, with the approval of the Town Board, may establish, consolidate or abolish additional divisions. Deputy Commissioners shall be deemed to occupy confidential positions to the Commissioner, and the positions of such Deputies shall be in the noncompetitive class of the civil service.
A. 
The Commissioner, acting by and through the Division of Research and Development, shall have the power and it shall be his duty to:
[Amended 6-18-1985 by L.L. No. 62-1985, effective 6-29-1985]
(1) 
Compile, collect and develop periodically, or otherwise make available, scientific indices and other information relating to current business conditions.
(2) 
Study trends and developments in the industries of the town and to analyze the reasons underlying such trends; and to study costs and other factors affecting the successful operation of businesses within the town.
(3) 
To conduct or encourage research designed to further new and more extensive uses of natural and other resources of the town.
(4) 
Investigate and study conditions affecting Hempstead business, industry and commerce; and to collect and disseminate information; and engage in technical studies, scientific investigations and statistical research and educational activities necessary or useful for the proper execution of the powers and duties of the Department in promoting and developing Hempstead business, industry and commerce, both within and outside the town.
(5) 
Maintain a computerized inventory of all business, commercial and industrial zoned lands in the Town of Hempstead, including developed, undeveloped and underdeveloped parcels.
(6) 
Compile periodically a census of business and industry in the town, with the cooperation of other agencies and departments, and to analyze and publish this information in such form as to be most valuable to the business and industry of the town.
(7) 
Collect, compile and prepare information and literature regarding the advantages, attractions and facilities of the town and the historic and scenic points and places of interest within the town.
(8) 
Investigate, study and analyze all local, state and federal programs which may provide financial assistance to business and industry of the town.
B. 
The Commissioner, acting by and through the Division of Local Community Administration, shall have the power and it shall be his duty to:
(1) 
Prepare and submit for Town Board consideration, recommendations and reports designed to promote and encourage the location of new business and industry in the town, as well as the maintenance and expansion of existing business and industry.
(2) 
Assist business and industry in the acquisition of venture capital for the purpose of expansion and/or the improvement of existing facilities.
(3) 
Plan and develop an effective business information service for the direct assistance of business and industry within the town and for the encouragement of business and industry outside the town to utilize business and industrial facilities within the state.
(4) 
Make recommendations regarding circumstances promoting or hampering business or industrial development and for the elimination of any restrictions and burdens imposed by law or otherwise existing which adversely affect or retard the legitimate development and expansion of business or industry.
(5) 
Serve as a clearinghouse for the industrial problems of the town.
(6) 
Plan and conduct a program of information designed to attract business and industry to the Town of Hempstead and to encourage and coordinate the efforts of other public and private organizations or groups of citizens to publicize the facilities and attractions of the town for the same purposes.
(7) 
Conduct regular meetings with all business and commercial organizations in the town, including but not limited to chambers of commerce, boards of trade, realtors' associations and labor organizations; and to gather data on sales forecasts, employment and payroll projections, work stoppages, availability of materials and other pertinent information which would reflect present and future economic trends in the town.
(8) 
Assume jurisdiction over the development of townowned lands presently zoned for business or industrial use for the purpose of conceptual planning and preliminary design work, construction review and/or operational control.
(9) 
Confer and cooperate with all public and private agencies, groups or individuals seeking commercial, industrial and economic expansion and to furnish such aid and assistance as is deemed appropriate for the purposes and policies of the Department.
(10) 
Periodically survey the town to determine whether the town furnishes such services and facilities as are conductive to the industrial and economic expansion of the town.
(11) 
Submit an annual report to the Town Board.
The Commissioner, subject to the approval of the Town Board, may, from time to time, employ such additional persons, such as technical, fiscal and legal consultants, as may be necessary or desirable to the performance of the duties imposed upon the Department of Industry and Commerce.
The Town of Hempstead has heretofore embarked on a program to seek ways and means to increase productivity, create job opportunities and revitalize the town's underdeveloped lands by assisting town industry and commerce to modernize and expand, thereby providing the needed additional tax revenue to pay for governmental services, utilizing the town's local development corporation and, more recently, the town's industrial development agency. However, due to the structure of the local development corporation, the town is ineligible to offer small businesses located within the town the low-interest financial help pursuant to § 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended. In order to obtain additional avenues of financial assistance to the beleaguered small businessman located within the Town of Hempstead, this Town Board now deems it appropriate to take effective measures for the engagement of wide public business participation by the establishment of a Local Business Advisory Industrial and Commerce Board, hereinafter referred to as "the Board."
It is intended hereby to provide an effective means of liaison between the town's Department of Industry and Commerce and the general business public to promote and assist the growth and development of small businesses in the Town of Hempstead.
In interpreting and applying the provisions of this local law, the rules of interpretation applicable to remedial legislation shall apply, so that the spirit and intent of this local law shall be observed.
A. 
There is hereby established a Local Business Advisory Industrial and Commerce Board. The Board shall consist of a minimum of 25 business representatives of local resident business industry, commercial or educational establishments. Two members of the Local Business Advisory Industrial and Commerce Board shall be appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman, respectively. The members of the Board and the Chairman and the Vice Chairman shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Town Board.
B. 
The Board shall cooperate with the existing local development corporation and industrial development agency to provide extensive and far-reaching impact for the purpose of assisting the industrial and commercial development of the town.
Members of the Board shall serve without compensation.
The Board shall have the following powers and functions:
A. 
To assist the Commissioner in making his recommendations to the Town Board in respect to the economic development of the town.
B. 
To conduct informal meetings, forums, workshops and seminars to encourage public response to proposals advanced by the Board.
C. 
To make rules for the conduct of its business.
D. 
To meet, from time to time, at the call of the Commissioner.
E. 
To keep minutes of its proceedings.
F. 
To undertake such other meetings as the Town Board or the Commissioner may, from time to time, require.
G. 
To assist in the development of effective policies and programs designed to promote the economic growth of the town.
H. 
To receive and expend grants from state, federal or county governments or from private individuals, corporations or associations for the purpose of actively implementing the stated purpose of this chapter.
The staff work of the Board shall be performed by the Department of Industry and Commerce.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to delegate, diminish or transfer any power of the Town Board or the Board of Zoning Appeals of the Town of Hempstead.