There is herewith established an Environmental Commission for the City, pursuant to Chapter 35, P.L. 1972 and N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
This Environmental Commission is established for the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the City.
[Amended 6-19-2007 by Ord. No. 105-2007]
The Environmental Commission shall consist of seven members and two alternate members appointed by the Mayor. One of the members shall also be a member of the City Planning Board, and all members shall be residents of the City and serve without compensation, except as hereinafter provided. The Mayor shall designate one of the members as Chairman. The terms of office shall initially be as follows:
A. 
Three members for three-year terms.
B. 
Three members for two-year teams.
C. 
One member for a one-year term.
D. 
Thereafter, each appointment shall be for three years and until the appointment and qualification of their successors. A member may be removed for cause pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq.
[Added 6-19-2007 by Ord. No. 105-2007]
There shall be two alternate members appointed by the Mayor who shall be designated at the time of appointment as Alternate No. 1 and Alternate No. 2. The terms of the alternate members shall be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members first appointed shall be two years for Alternate No. 1 and one year for Alternate No. 2 so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only. An alternate member may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
A. 
In addition to regular members and alternate members set forth above, the Mayor, with advice and consent of City Council, may appoint up to four associate members for a term of one year. Each year all four terms shall expire. The associate members shall not be entitled to vote with the Commission. Associate members are not required to satisfy the residency requirements of regular and alternate voting members.
[Added 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 471-2022]
[Added by Ord. No. 368-2019]
The City of Cape May Municipal Council shall designate a member to act as a liaison between the Environmental Commission and the Council. The Council Liaison shall perform the following functions:
A. 
The Council Liaison shall serve as the Council's contact with the Environmental Commission.
B. 
The Council Liaison shall facilitate the exchange of information between the Environmental Commission and the City Council.
C. 
The Council Liaison shall foster a productive relationship among the Environmental Commission, the City Council, and the community.
D. 
The Council Liaison shall not function as a member of the Environmental Commission.
[Added 8-18-2009 by Ord. No. 186-2009]
A. 
This Environmental Commission shall have the powers enumerated in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., specifically the power to study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna.
B. 
The Environmental Commission may conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas of the City. It shall keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information on the proper use of the areas, and may recommend to the Planning Board plans and programs for inclusion in the City Master Plan and the development and use of the areas.
C. 
The Environmental Commission shall assume the duties of the former Energy Committee which shall entail studying and researching options for alternative energy such as, without limitation, wind, solar, geothermal and other sources, both for public and private sector development within the City of Cape May, and to make recommendations to the Cape May City Council, in an advisory capacity, in connection therewith.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval and, if necessary, the appropriation of the City Council, acquire property, both real and personal, in the name of the City by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise or lease for any of its purposes and shall administer the same for such purposes subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. An acquisition may be to acquire the fee or any lease interest, development right, easement (including a conveyance on conditions or with limitations or reversions), as may be necessary to acquire, maintain, improve, protect, limit the future use of, or otherwise conserve and properly utilize open spaces and other land and water areas in the City.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the City Council. The Commission may hire a clerk as necessary when the funds therefor have been appropriated by the City Council.