[HISTORY: Adopted by the North Wildwood City Council 11-15-1994 by Ord. No. 1192. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The North Wildwood Environmental Commission is hereby established for the protection, development and use of natural resources, including water resources, located within the territorial limits of the City of North Wildwood, to be run pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 as follows:
A. 
One of the five members shall be a member of the City Planning Board and all members shall be residents of the City of North Wildwood, and shall serve without compensation. The Mayor shall annually designate a member to serve as both Chairman and presiding officer of the Commission.
B. 
The first Commission shall be made up of five members, one having a one-year term, two having two-year terms and two having three-year terms, all terms to expire at the end of the calendar year of said members final year of his or her appointment, however, such member shall continue in office until his or her successor has been appointed and has qualified. All terms after the terms of the first Commissioners shall be three years.
C. 
The Mayor or City Council may remove any member of the Commission for causes upon written charges served upon the member, and after as hearing held thereon pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1.
D. 
A vacancy on the Commission, occurring otherwise then by expiration of a Commissioner's term, shall be filled for the unexpired term, by an appointment of the Mayor.
E. 
The Mayor shall also appoint two alternates, designated as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." Each alternate shall serve a two-year term, except that the term of the first alternate appointed to the Commission shall be for the period of one-year and the second alternate for a period of two-years so that the term of not more than one alternate member shall expire in any one year. A vacancy with respect to the alternate members shall also 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. No vote shall be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. If both alternates are present during the discussion and vote of one of them is necessary by reason of the absence or disqualification of a regular member, Alternate No. 1 shall be the alternate entitled to vote. An alternate member may, after public hearing, if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
F. 
No member (regular or alternate) shall participate in discussions or vote on any matter in which he or she has either directly or indirectly any personal or financial interest.
A. 
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas in the City and may coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar purposes, and may advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts, plans and pamphlets, which, in its judgment, it deems necessary for its purposes. It shall have additional powers as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended from time to time.
B. 
The Environmental Commission shall have the power to study and made 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, together with such other studies and recommendations authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended from time to time.
The Environmental Commission may, subject to the approval of the governing body, acquire real and personal property, or any interest therein, but in the name of the municipality. Such acquisition may be by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, devise, or lease, and the Commission shall administer the same for the Commission's purposes, subject to the terms of the conveyance or gift. Such acquisitions shall be governed by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 et seq., as amended.
The Environmental Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities, including minutes of the meetings, and shall make an annual report to the governing body of the municipality prior to the last regular meeting of City Council in December of each year.
City Council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Commission. The Commission may appoint such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require, within the limits of the funds appropriated to it.