[Adopted 4-16-2014 by Ord. No. 7-14]
A.
In order to foster the economic development needs of the Township
of Morris, stimulate economic growth, both in terms of new economic
development and the retention of existing commercial businesses and
industries, the Township Committee hereby establishes the Morris Township
Economic Development Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred as the
"EDAC." The EDAC shall be advisory in nature and provide the Township
Committee, the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, and other
municipal advisory bodies, departments and officials as appropriate
with recommendations in addressing the economic development needs
of the Township. The EDAC shall serve as a liaison between the Township's
government and businesses as well as reaching out to prospective commercial
businesses and industries seeking to become a member of the Morris
Township corporate community.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
B.
Upon the request of the Township Committee, the EDAC may also initiate
studies to analyze the potential and rational economic development
of the Township and identify those resources in attracting businesses
to relocate to the Morris Township community.
A.
Membership. The Township Committee shall appoint nine regular members
to the EDAC. The Mayor or his designee (Township Committee member)
shall serve on the EDAC as a regular voting member. The governing
body shall also appoint three ex officio nonvoting members. The nine
regular members shall be selected based on their knowledge, expertise
and experience as members of the commercial and industrial businesses
community and shall reside in, have involvement in, work or maintain
a place of business in the Township.
B.
Membership composition. The regular members of the EDAC shall represent
a cross section of the corporate, commercial and industrial business
community, including representation from the Morris Area Chamber of
Commerce. In furtherance of EDAC's role as a liaison to Township businesses,
EDAC members may communicate to EDAC the views of their clients or
other business contacts with respect to matters being considered by
EDAC, so long as (1) whenever a member of EDAC expresses a view on
such a matter on behalf of a third party, such member shall disclose
that fact and the identity of such third party; (2) no member of EDAC
shall accept compensation from any third party for time spent serving
on EDAC or for advocating for a position on behalf of such third party
in his/her capacity as an EDAC member; and (3) if EDAC is requested
to make a recommendation with respect to any site plan, variance,
redevelopment or tax-abatement application or similar applicant-specific
matter, and an EDAC member has a personal or business interest in
such application or matter, such member shall recuse him/herself from
voting on such recommendation.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
C.
Ex officio members. The three ex officio nonvoting members shall
consist of the Township's Administrator or his or her designee, the
Township's Tax Assessor or his or her designee and the Township Planner.
D.
Terms of office. Five regular members shall serve two-year terms
of office commencing January 1 and ending on December 31 of the second
year. The Mayor or his designee and the ex officio members shall only
serve a one-year term of office expiring on December 31 of every year.
Four regular members shall initially serve a one-year term and upon
reappointment or upon the appointment of replacement members shall
serve two-year terms, such that five regular members and four regular
members are appointed every other year, respectively.
E.
Vacancies. In the event a regular or ex officio member seat becomes
vacant, other than by expiration of a member's term, it shall be filled
for the remaining unexpired balance of the term.
Duties and responsibilities shall include but not be limited
to:
A.
Monitoring the current state of the Township's economy and exploring
ways to stimulate economic growth and development.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
B.
Actively promoting and seeking businesses which are financially sound,
environmentally responsible and have good growth potential.
C.
Working in creating, maintaining and implementing a positive business
climate that fosters a strong economic community by developing a strategic
plan, consistent with the Township's Master Plan (or recommending
changes to the Master Plan if appropriate), which will result in business
growth, the creation of more local jobs and provide new municipal
tax revenue sources with minimal impact on municipal services.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
D.
Determining,
where applicable, new and improved modes of transportation to reduce
vehicle trips and recommending ways to initiate a more efficient transportation
infrastructure as it impacts potential economic growth issues and
consumer convenience.
E.
Consulting and communicating with the Township Committee, the Planning
Board, the Board of Adjustment, and other municipal advisory bodies,
departments and officials as appropriate concerning land use issues
that may have an impact upon development in the Township as it affects
economic growth issues and consumer convenience. This may also include
recommendations concerning changes to land use and zoning regulations
that could impact economic growth, provided that EDAC shall not consider
particular site plan, variance, redevelopment or tax-abatement applications
or similar applicant-specific matters unless specifically requested
to do so by the Township Committee, Planning Board or Board of Adjustment.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
F.
With the prior approval of the Township Committee, designing, producing
and distributing marketing, advertising and public relations materials
that promote the economic and business location advantages, land development
opportunities and/or property leasing availability within the Township
that make it a desirable place to locate.
G.
Identifying and classifying, by utilizing an updated inventory list,
map or visual aids, all improved and unimproved commercial and industrial
lands, depicting their permitted uses within the Township and, as
a method of determining their current and potential tax status as
a way of measuring their utility, the adaptability and potential advantages
for development, redevelopment or rehabilitation.
H.
Creating an information guide to assist businesses interested in
relocating to Morris Township.
I.
Assisting the Township's Department of Administration in the research
and preparation of applications for grants or funding which fosters
economic development.
J.
Performing other duties and tasks as assigned by the governing body.
K.
Preparing an annual report to be submitted to the Township Committee
setting forth in detail its achievements and recommendations covering
the preceding 12 months.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
Other than the duties and responsibilities enumerated above,
the EDAC shall not have the power to enter into contracts, create
debt or take property by condemnation or eminent domain.
A.
The members of the EDAC shall annually choose from among its regular
voting members a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. A majority of the
voting members shall constitute a quorum.
B.
The Township will provide a Secretary to the EDAC. The Secretary
does not have voting rights.
C.
The Secretary shall be responsible for maintaining correspondence,
memoranda and preparing written minutes of all EDAC meetings. However,
in accordance with Township policy, before any correspondence or memoranda
is sent under the auspices of the EDAC, any draft letter or memoranda
shall be submitted to the Township Administrator for the review and
approval of the governing body.
D.
Organization. The EDAC shall meet in January of each year (or as
soon as possible thereafter) to organize or reorganize and, at that
time, determine when it shall meet and how often. In accordance with
the Open Public Meetings Act, the EDAC shall publish a notice of meetings
in a local newspaper, post the same on the Township website, post
the same on the Township's official bulletin board and file such notice
with the Municipal Clerk. The annual notice shall contain the dates,
times and locations of each meeting to be held during the forthcoming
year.
[Amended 6-19-2019 by Ord. No. 08-19]
Regular members and officers of the EDAC shall serve without
compensation, except that the Township Committee may reimburse members
for incurring legitimate out-of-pocket expenses in the discharge of
EDAC duties and responsibilities such as the development of presentation
and marketing materials, flyers, brochures and correspondence. Members
of the EDAC must first receive the approval of the Township Administrator
or, in his or her absence, the Township's Chief Municipal Finance
Officer before any out-of-pocket expenses (such as travel mileage)
are incurred. If approved, and following such expenditure, EDAC members
shall certify and complete an official Township voucher, providing
a full description and itemization of their expenses.
Before assuming office, each member and officer of the EDAC
shall take an oath that he/she will faithfully and impartially discharge
the duties of his/her office.
The Township Committee may appropriate such sum of money as
may be determined in each year's current fund operating budget in
order for the EDAC to discharge its duties and responsibilities. The
EDAC shall submit a request for funding to the Business Administrator
no later than January 10 of each year or earlier, if requested. Any
approved out-of-pocket expenses shall be charged against the EDAC's
approved calendar-year budget if such budgetary appropriation is granted
by the Township Committee.
