[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Ithaca 3-18-1994
by L.L. No. 1-1994. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 325.
Section 961 of Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law has authorized
applications by cities for designation as an Economic Development Zone within
the meaning of said statute.
Such a designation could greatly benefit the City of Ithaca in that
new businesses would be encouraged to locate in the zone area, existing businesses
would be encouraged to expand in the zone area, and new and expanded businesses
would generate new jobs for Ithaca residents, particularly residents of that
zone.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to submit an application for designation
of certain areas within the City of Ithaca as an Economic Development Zone.
The boundaries of said areas shall be as set forth in Schedule A, which
is attached hereto and made a part hereof.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is on file in the city offices.
Pursuant to the requirements of the aforesaid statute, the City Controller
shall serve as the City of Ithaca Economic Development Zone Certification
Officer and shall perform the following duty, to wit: certify, jointly with
the Commissioner of Commerce and the Commissioner of Labor, those business
enterprises which are eligible to receive benefits referred to in § 966
of Article 18-B of the General Municipal Law.
A.
Pursuant to the requirements of the aforesaid statute,
a local Economic Development Zone Administrative Board is hereby established
to consist of 13 members to be appointed by the Mayor, with the consent of
Common Council, for terms of three years, except that four of the original
appointees shall be appointed to a one-year term, and five of the original
appointees shall be pointed to a two-year term, and four of the original appointees
shall be appointed for a term of three years. All subsequent new appointments
and reappointments shall be for a term of three years. Unexpired terms shall
be filled for duration of the unexpired term. The Board shall be representative
of local businesses, organized labor, community organizations, financial institutions,
local educational institutions and residents of the Economic Development Zone.
The Mayor shall designate one member of the Board to serve as Chairperson
of the Board. The City of Ithaca Economic Development Zone Certification Officer
shall not be a member of the Board.
B.
The City of Ithaca Economic Development Zone Administrative
Board shall perform the following duties, to wit:
(1)
Develop short-term goals for zone activities on an annual
basis.
(2)
Prepare, or cause to be prepared, an annual report and
submit copies to New York State Department of Audit and Control, Department
of Taxation and Finance and Department of Economic Development and to the
Ithaca City Council, on or before the first day of July next succeeding the
year to which the report pertains, regarding Economic Development Zone activities,
including information which would allow for substantive review of the zone's
strategies and progress of the zone in meeting its short-term objectives,
and an analysis of the extent to which the long-term goals set forth in the
Economic Development Zone application have been met.
(3)
Undertake efforts to ensure meaningful participation
by minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises in Economic Development
Zone activities.
(4)
Enter into agreements to participate in a business permit
assistance program to be provided to applicants for business permits required
by the state or the county or city for a business undertaking, project or
activity in the Economic Development Zone.
(5)
Enter into agreements with the Commissioners of Economic
Development, Labor and Social Services, local departments of social services
and local education agencies as defined in Paragraph (b) of Subdivision 1
of § 3032 of the Education Law, local community-based organizations,
private employers, labor unions, the administrative entity and private industry
council for the service delivery area established under the Job Training Partnership
Act (P.L. 97-300, as amended) that includes the Economic Development Zone
and any other person or state or federal agency for the purpose of establishing,
implementing and coordinating job training programs for workers and businesses
to be located in an Economic Development Zone; provided, however, that:
(a)
Any agreement to establish a job training program designed
to meet the specific needs of a private employer shall require such employer
to retain in its employ for not less than six months an employee who has satisfactorily
completed a course of training for a particular job opening unless such employee
voluntarily leaves such employment or is discharged for misconduct or other
good cause.
(b)
Any job training program established pursuant to this
section shall make use of the Community Service Division of the Labor Department
as well as other sources for the purpose of recruitment.
(6)
In cooperation with local social services officials,
establish a job training opportunities program sponsored by private employers
in accordance with the provisions of § 164-b or 350-l of the Social
Services Law.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Sections 164-b and 350-l of the Social Services
Law were repealed by L. 1990, c. 453, § 6, effective 10-1-1990.
(7)
Enter into agreements with local departments of social
services or community-based organizations to facilitate the provision of ancillary
or enhanced social services, including licensed and certified child day care,
in any such zone.
(8)
Ensure that job training programs meet standards of instructional
quality established in regulations promulgated by the commissioner of education.
(9)
Organize or use the existing human resource development
network within the zone, including a committee of representatives of human
resource agencies and organizations serving the zone, organized labor and
business representatives, to develop strategies and activities for improving
the coordination and delivery of human services to residents of the zone and
zone businesses.
(10)
Prepare and implement a small business development and
assistance plan.
(11)
In conjunction with zone administrative entities, develop
and implement a system for continuous monitoring and evaluation of zone performance
at the local level consistent with the guidelines set forth in Subdivisions
(l) through (p) of § 959 of Article 18-B of the General Municipal
Law.
(12)
Provide within the zone, or contract with a new or existing
community-based local development corporation or entity to provide strategic
economic development planning for the zone, marketing and promotion of the
zone, assistance to companies in applying for available benefits, preparation
of applications for financing assistance and other technical assistance services;
coordination of the delivery of state and local programs within the zones;
and operation of such other economic development assistance programs in furtherance
of the Economic Development Zone development plan as may be appropriate.
