[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village
of Hempstead 9-20-2022 by L.L. No. 5-2022. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
A
City Charter Commission is hereby established by the Village.
B.
The
City Charter Commission shall consist of not more than 15 members,
including the Mayor and Trustees. All nonelected members shall be
appointed by the Mayor of the Village of Hempstead and shall be Village
residents with demonstrated interest and commitment to serve and reflect
the diversity of the community. Such nonelected members shall serve
at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees.
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to establish an advisory
City Charter Commission to assist and advise the Board of Trustees
to advance Hempstead becoming a city.
The City Charter Commission is charged with developing a draft
city charter that would form the basis for special legislation that
would be advanced in the State Legislature. The Commission shall exercise
such other powers and duties as the Board of Trustees may so direct
to advance the objective of city status. The City Charter Commission
shall be advisory only to the Board of Trustees.
The City Charter Commission shall elect the Chair at its first
meeting. The Commission shall meet regularly and at the call of the
Chair for a special meeting, should the need arise. Meetings shall
be conducted and minutes taken in accordance with the Open Meetings
Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Public Officers Law § 100
et seq.
The City Charter Commission shall, to the greatest extent practicable,
solicit public comment and engage the community. To that end, the
Commission may facilitate community engagement in the form of neighborhood
meetings, public forums, mailing or surveys.
It is recognized that outside resources will likely be necessary
for the City Charter Commission to discharge its important duties.
In the exercise of its due diligence, the Commission shall identify
the need for outside resources, solicit same in accordance with applicable
law and/or the Village's procurement policies and, upon selection
of same, make request to the Board of Trustees for retainer and an
appropriation to cover any expense.
The City Charter Commission shall establish a work schedule,
set milestones, and provide time lines for deliverables. The Commission
shall further make periodic report to the Board of Trustees as to
its progress. It is expected that the Commission will endeavor to
complete its work, which shall consist of a final report and draft
city charter, with all deliberate speed so that the Board of Trustees
may consider same for timely action by the State Legislature.
Each member of the Commission shall serve without compensation.
This chapter shall supersede any inconsistent or conflicting
provisions of the Village Code or Charter.
