[Adopted 8-13-1991 by Ch. No. 983 as §§ 2-251 through 2-256 of the 1991 Code (Ch. Nos. 991; 1033); amended in its entirety 10-24-2011 by Ch. No. 1759]
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
There is hereby created in the Town an Economic Development Commission which shall function as an advisory body to the Town Council and the Town Manager to assist in the development of the Town's economic development strategy as well as to support the economic development goals of the Town and to help with initiatives to maintain and enhance the economic vitality of Westerly.
The goals and objectives of the Economic Development Commission are as follows:
A. 
To support activities that promote orderly growth and diversification of development that recognizes the natural characteristics of the land, its suitability for use and the availability of existing and proposed public and/or private services and facilities.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
B. 
To support activities that promote an economic climate which increases the quality and quantity of job opportunities and the overall economic well-being of the Town and its residents.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
C. 
To support local business activities by promoting the revitalization and development of all aspects of Westerly's economy.
D. 
To support the implementation of the economic development goals and the intent of the Town's Comprehensive Plan and/or make advisory opinions should a conflict arise.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
A. 
There shall be seven members appointed by the Town Council. Initial appointees shall be for the following terms: Two shall be appointed for one-year terms, two shall be appointed for two-year terms and three shall be appointed for three-year terms. Thereafter, as terms expire, appointments other than interim appointments shall be made in January and shall be for terms of three years. Members shall serve without compensation. The Town Council will solicit, but not be limited to, applications for membership from the local business community and the general public.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
B. 
Members of the Economic Development Commission, at the time of their appointment and for the duration of their term, shall be residents and qualified to vote in the Town of Westerly.
[Added 3-10-2014 by Ch. No. 1811[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsections B and C as Subsections C and D, respectively.
C. 
The Town Manager or his or her designee shall serve as an ex officio member.
D. 
Any vacancy which occurs on the Commission shall be filled by the Town Council for the remainder of the unexpired term. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed by the Town Council.
E. 
There shall be one alternate member of the Economic Development Commission who shall be appointed by the Town Council for a three-year term. The initial appointment shall occur upon passage of this article. Thereafter, as the term expires, the appointment shall be made in January. The alternate member shall sit as an active member of the Commission when and if a member of the Commission is unable to serve at a meeting and shall have the same voting rights, powers and duties of the absent member. The alternate member of the Economic Development Commission shall serve without pay.
[Added 6-28-2017 by Ch. No. 1889]
Following the initial appointment, the Economic Development Commission shall organize by electing a Chairman, a Vice Chairman and a Secretary from among its membership. At the first meeting following the annual appointments, the Commission shall elect its officers; existing officers shall continue to hold their respective offices until their successors are elected.
The duties of the Economic Development Commission shall be as follows:
A. 
Annually, commencing in 2012, at a regularly scheduled Town Council meeting, not later than October 1, for inclusion in the Town Annual Report, or more often as the Town Council sees suitable, the Commission shall submit to the Town Council a report of its activities during the past year.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
B. 
Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist the Planning Board with the development of economic development goals and objectives that give consideration to the proper role for Westerly's waterfront, tourism, commercial development, downtown revitalization, and industrial development for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
C. 
Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist the Planning Board and the Town Council with the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and make recommendations as to individual activity compliant with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
D. 
Coordinate activities with adjacent and regional communities as necessary.
E. 
Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist with early potential project development plans and meetings in conjunction with appropriate Town staff and receive updates periodically.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
F. 
Provide the Town Council advisory opinions on requests for any incentives, subsidies, tax abatements, financial assistance programs or other assistance to promote industrial or commercial relocation or expansion.
G. 
Provide the Town Council with input as to recipients for any federal, state or local loan projects and recommend financing conditions for such projects relative to the projects' needs.
H. 
May assist existing and potential industries/businesses in the search for available public funding opportunities.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
A. 
The Commission may develop subcommittees as necessary.
B. 
The Commission shall hold meetings on a monthly basis or as needed. All meetings and agendas shall be posted 48 hours in advance as required by the Rhode Island Open Meetings Law[1] and notice given to all members at least five days in advance of the scheduled meeting. All Board meetings will be open to the public except as otherwise provided by open meetings law. Special meetings of the Commission may be called by the Chairman or at the request of three or more members of the Commission as necessary to the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the Commission.
[1]
Editor's Note: See RIGL 42-46-1 et seq.
C. 
The Commission Secretary will establish and maintain a file of meeting minutes and agendas, official incoming and outgoing Commission correspondence. The Commission Secretary shall be the focal point for the preparation and editing of all correspondence to outside sources.
D. 
Press inquiries concerning the Commission actions and plans shall be referred to the Chairman, his or her designee and/or the Town Manager.
E. 
The Town Council shall be informed, and approve through the Town Manager, press releases of the Commission. A report of the proceedings of each Commission meeting shall be forwarded to each member of the Town Council.
F. 
Administrative procedures for the Commission shall conform to established procedures of the Town for boards and commissions.