[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of South Hackensack 4-3-2014 by Ord. No.
2014-02. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby created a Department of Economic Development
to be known as the "South Hackensack Department of Economic Development".
The purpose of the South Hackensack Department of Economic Development
shall be severalfold. The Department shall analyze and review the
existing land development of the Township and report to the governing
body on its consistency with the Master Plan, proposed changes and
potential opportunities to enhance the tax base of the Township and
to implement a vision of development consistent with future growth
and opportunity. The Department shall seek sources of revenue to meet
the aforesaid objectives and report to the governing body on the potential
utilization of the same. The Department shall communicate with businesses
within the community and outside of it to ensure that the Township's
policies are consistent with fair and favorable business growth and
development. The Department shall prepare all reports and analysis
and take any and all steps necessary and proper to ensure that the
environment in the Township is conducive to proper development of
its real estate and business sectors.
A.
Creation. There is hereby created the Office of Director of Economic
Development to serve in accordance with the laws of the State of New
Jersey and the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual of the Township
and to perform those duties as set forth in this chapter.
B.
Appointment. The Director of Economic Development shall be appointed
by a majority vote of the Township Committee. Said individual may
be hired as a full- or part-time employee or a contract consultant
as determined in the sole discretion of the governing body.
C.
Qualifications. The appointment of a Director of Economic Development
shall be solely based on the administrative qualifications of the
appointee, with special regard as to his or her education, training
and actual experience in governmental affairs. The Director of Economic
Development shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(1)
Educational. The Director of Economic Development shall possess at
a minimum a bachelors degree (and preferably) an advanced degree (masters
or higher) in the fields of public administration, government, law,
business administration, real estate or similar field from a university
or college accredited and/or recognized by the Department of Education
of the State of New Jersey.
(2)
Experience. The Director of Economic Development shall possess experience
in the real estate, land use, development, business and transactional
sectors necessary to properly discharge the duties of Director of
Economic Development.
(3)
Community familiarity. The Director of Economic Development shall
display familiarity with the Township, including its issues and demographics.
A candidate for the position of Director of Economic Development shall
be required to meet with the governing body and provide satisfactory
evidence of knowledge of the Township geography, zoning, demographics
and history.
(4)
Background check. The Director of Economic Development shall submit
to a criminal background check to be performed by the South Hackensack
Police Department. Any conviction of a crime higher than a disorderly
person offense shall disqualify an applicant from consideration.
D.
Compensation and manner of work. At the option of the governing body,
the Director of Economic Development shall be paid a salary as set
by the governing body and reflected in its annual salary ordinance
and benefits consistent with those of other full time employees of
the Township or shall be paid an amount agreed to by contract and
appropriate resolution for a nonemployee consultant.
E.
Incentive compensation. A primary objective of the Director of Economic
Development is to increase the tax base of the Township. In order
to provide for incentive for the same by December 15 of each year
in conjunction with the South Hackensack Tax Assessor and Building
Department the Director shall prepare and submit a report to the governing
body detailing the type and assessed value of any development within
said calendar year. The governing body shall have the discretion to
add to the Director's salary or compensation an incentive component
that it deems to be in the best interest of the Township.
F.
Stipends. The governing body shall in its sole discretion create
such stipend as it deems necessary in consultation with the Director
of Economic Development to provide for the discharge of the duties
set forth in this chapter. Said stipend shall be utilized for purposes,
including but not limited to applicable seminars, meeting costs, specific
stationary or office supplies and events. Any expenditure in excess
of $500 shall first receive the approval of the governing body. Any
expenditure shall be detailed on a quarterly report to the governing
body along with supporting receipts.
There shall be created an advisory board consisting of the Township's
Chief Legal Counsel, Chief Financial Officer, Zoning Officer, and
Superintendent of Schools. Additionally, the governing body shall
designate a liaison member of the Township Committee and in consultation
with the Director of Economic Development shall designate a Resident
Representative and Business Representative. The purpose of the advisory
board is provide ongoing advice and information to the Director and
Township Committee as requested by either. The Township may select
any of these individuals to act as the Director of Economic Development
except the Township Committee liaison. Said board members shall serve
without compensation and at the pleasure of the governing body. Said
members may be removed or replaced by the governing body in consultation
with the Director of Economic Development. The Director in consultation
with the governing body shall have the discretion to retain or consult
with individuals that he or she deems necessary to discharge the duties
of his or her office. In the event that any consultant is to receive
compensation from the Township, the governing body retains the sole
authority regarding any such retention.
The Department of Economic Development shall coordinate any
requests for administrative support for its functions with the Township
Clerk whose staff shall provide the same. In the event that the Department
of Economic Development and the Township Clerk cannot agree on the
provision of support, the governing body shall make any such final
determination.
