[Adopted 9-10-2003 by L.L. No. 6-2003]
The purpose of this article is to advise, counsel,
mediate problems and disputes, and to improve relations between landlords
and tenants.
The Village Board of Trustees of the Village
of New Paltz hereby creates a council, which shall be known as the
“Village of New Paltz Landlord-Tenant Relations Council,”
hereinafter called the “Council.”
[Amended 1-25-2012 by L.L. No. 1-2012]
The Council shall consist of seven members,
who shall be appointed by the Mayor subject to the approval of the
Board of Trustees and who shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor
and the Village Board of Trustees. Three of such members shall represent
landlord interests, three shall represent tenant interests, and the
seventh shall be an impartial appointee. Persons representing tenant
interests, as well as the impartial appointee, must reside within
the Village of New Paltz. Persons representing landlord interests
must either reside within the Village of New Paltz, or reside within
the Town of New Paltz, but own property within the Village of New
Paltz. Persons who meet the membership criteria and who are interested
in the improvement and stabilization of relations between property
owners and their residential tenants shall be eligible for appointment
as member of the Council. The first three members appointed shall
hold office for a term of one year, and the second four appointees
shall hold office for a term of two years. The successors of all seven
appointees shall be appointed for full terms of two years. Vacancies
on the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment, except that a vacancy occurring other than by the expiration
of the term of office shall be filled only for the remainder of the
unexpired term. The Village Board of Trustees shall have the authority
to remove any member of the Council so appointed for cause, after
a public hearing, if requested by the affected member.
A.
Officers. The Chairman of the Council shall be designated
by the Village Board of Trustees from the members so appointed to
the Council. All other officer positions necessary for the welfare
and efficiency of the Council shall be determined by the members and
elected from said members by the members.
B.
Meetings. The Council shall meet on a monthly basis
at a day and time of the week to be determined by the Council at the
commencement meeting. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman
or the Village Board of Trustees as needed.
The powers and duties of the Council shall be
to:
A.
Conduct research into community housing issues;
B.
Formulate programs to improve landlord-tenant relations;
C.
Accumulate statistical information on available housing
accommodations;
D.
Counsel the Board of Trustees on landlord-tenant issues,
problems, and disputes and recommend programs for the solution of
the same;
E.
Resolve problems and disputes between landlords and
tenants through mediation and/or discussion at meetings of the Council.
The Council shall submit an annual report to
the Village Board of Trustees not later than the first day of April
of each year, commencing in 2004, concerning the activities and work
of the Council and from time to time shall submit such reports and
recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purposes of this
article.
The members of the Council shall receive no
compensation for their services as members thereof, but may be reimbursed
for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties within the appropriations made therefor.
