The Mayor and City Council have determined that it is in the public interest to officially recognize a Residents Advisory Board with membership from each of the City's Five Wards as a mechanism to provide efficient and real-time communication to the Mayor and City Council regarding issues of concern City-wide. Accordingly, the Mayor and City Council will be able to provide attention to the issues raised.
[Adopted 4-8-2025 by Ord. No. 3065]
Pursuant to the authority vested in the City Council of the City of Garfield under and by virtue of N.J.S.A. 40:81-13 et seq., there is hereby created the Residents Advisory Board of the City of Garfield.
A.
The Mayor shall appoint a President and Vice President of the Residents Advisory Board, each of whom shall be a City resident and a resident for at least three years prior to the appointment. The President and Vice President shall thereafter propose two Garfield residents from each of the City's five Wards (10 people in total) to the Mayor and City Council for appointment from the pool of residents who have submitted an application as set out immediately below.
B.
The term of office for the President and Vice President shall be for two years. Regardless of what month an appointment is made, the two-year term for the President and/or Vice President shall end December 31 of the second calendar year of the term.
C.
If a vacancy in any term shall occur, otherwise than by expiration of the term, it shall be filled by appointment as above provided for the unexpired term.
D.
The Mayor, or his/her designee, shall be an ex officio member thereof.
E.
The President and Vice President of the Board must be residents of the City and shall, before assuming office, take and subscribe to an oath that he or she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office.
A.
The Residents Advisory Board shall consist of up to 10 members of the City of Garfield, not including the President and Vice President, each of whom resided in the City for at least one year prior to appointment. Board members will serve without compensation.
B.
To be considered for a position on the Residents Advisory Board, a qualified City resident must complete an application form and submit same to the President of the Residents Advisory Board.
C.
The President and Vice President shall select candidates from the applications submitted; 10 residents two from each of the City's five wards) and recommend a slate of 10 applicants to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council may interview candidates by way of a committee of less than three City Council members in coordination with the President and Vice President of the Board. The Mayor and Council shall appoint members (two from each Ward) to serve for a one-year term. Regardless of what month an appointment is made, the one-year Member term shall end December 31 of the calendar year of the appointment.
D.
Notwithstanding, the Mayor and City Council may re-appoint member(s) for additional term(s) without having the member(s) re-apply as often as it may deem appropriate and as long as the Board's make up consists of two members from each of the City's Wards. There will be no holdovers.
E.
The members of the Board must be residents of the City and shall, before assuming office, take and subscribe to an oath that he or she will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his or her office.
A.
The Residents Advisory Board shall have the power and duty to:
(1)
Create subcommittees as necessary.
(2)
Make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council and other City departments, commissions, boards and agencies in order to improve the quality of life in the City of Garfield.
(3)
Engage with City residents to gather issues of concern Ward by Ward.
(4)
Make recommendations on funding opportunities and priorities to the Mayor and City Council as well as other departments, commissions, boards and agencies.
(5)
Identify, discuss and document key issues Ward by Ward.
(6)
Hold a public forum or town hall meeting for each City Ward at least once per year.
(7)
Report to the Mayor and City Council on at least an annual basis.
The Residents Advisory Board shall receive, from all officers and official bodies of the City, such assistance as may be required by it in performing its duties. The Committee shall have access to City public information and records, which may assist in the performance of its duties.
The Residents Advisory Board shall meet no more often than once per month and shall make written report/recommendation to the Mayor and Council no more frequently than quarterly and no less frequently than annually. The Residents Advisory Board may call an emergency meeting at any time with the approval of the Mayor.
The Residents Advisory Board shall expend no money without the approval of the Mayor and Council.