[Amended 4-11-1989 by Ord. No. 8-1989; 7-11-1989 by Ord. No. 18-1989; 8-27-1991 by Ord. No. 3-1991; 2-15-1992 by Ord. No. 12-1992; 2-1-1994 by Ord. No. 1-1994; 8-6-1996 by Ord. No. 12-1996; 8-6-1996 by Ord. No. 12-1996; 9-5-2000 by Ord. No. 9-2000; 4-1-2003 by Ord. No. 6-2003; 8-26-2003 by Ord. No. 15-2003; 5-9-2006 by Ord. No. 3-2006; 6-3-2014 by Ord. No. 10-2014; 3-10-2015 by Ord. No. 3-2015; 1-26-2016 by Ord. No. 2-2016; 9-10-2019 by Ord. No. 13-2019; 6-7-2022 by Ord. No. 5-2022; 12-5-2023 by Ord. No. 11-2023; 12-2-2025 by Ord. No. 5-2025]
County advisory boards shall exist as delineated herein. All County advisory boards shall, in an advisory capacity only, consult with the division and/or department with which they are affiliated and may make recommendations to the department head, the County Administrator, the County Executive and the Board of County Commissioners with respect to matters they have considered.
A.
(Reserved)
B.
Library Advisory Commission. There shall be a Library Advisory Commission within the Division of Library Services.
(1)
Membership shall consist of seven persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing January 1.
(2)
The function of the Library Advisory Commission shall be to advise and consult with the Division of Library Services in all matters related to library services in Atlantic County.
C.
Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. There shall be a Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (LACADA) within the Division of Public Health.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 12 persons who shall serve for staggered terms of three years commencing November 1.
(2)
The functions of the LACADA shall be to:
(a)
Advise the County on policy, program needs and priorities in the County for comprehensive treatment and care of individuals with a substance use disorder and affected others and for the education of the citizenry to promote public awareness of substance use disorders.
(b)
Advise the County on the planning, development and establishment of new programs and facilities and to review continuing programs.
(c)
Review the provisions of the state plan applicable to the County and to develop a County Comprehensive Plan to provide for the care and treatment of individuals with a substance use disorder. The plan shall include a detailed analysis of immediate and long-term needs for personnel and facilities and detailed information concerning the availability of funds to implement the plan.
(d)
Maintain the County Alliance Steering Committee for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and to develop and incorporate into an annual plan a detailed analysis of immediate and long-term needs relative to substance use disorder prevention.
D.
Health Advisory Board. There shall be a Mental Health Advisory Board, created in lieu of the County Mental Health Board established by N.J.S.A. 30:9A-3 et seq.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 12 persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing July 1.
(2)
The function of the Mental Health Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Mental Health Coordinator upon all matters related to mental health.
(3)
The Mental Health Advisory Board shall develop a plan of mental health services for the County.
(4)
The Mental Health Advisory Board shall review and comment on funding applications for state hospitals, County hospitals, community mental health projects and, where appropriate, certificate of need applications.
(5)
The Mental Health Advisory Board shall review and recommend funding allocations to County agencies consistent with the approved County Mental Health Plan and monitor the service delivery of those agencies.
(6)
The Mental Health Advisory Board shall respond to client grievances as identified in N.J.S.A. 10:37-4.3.
E.
Parks and Environment Advisory Commission. There shall be a Parks and Environment Advisory Commission within the Division of Parks and Recreation.
(1)
Membership shall consist of nine persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing July 1.
(2)
The function of the Parks and Environment Advisory Commission shall be to advise and consult with the Division of Parks and Recreation upon all matters related to the County parks, the environment, recreation and the preservation of County lands for recreational use and historical significance.
F.
Senior Citizens' Advisory Board. There shall be a Senior Citizens' Advisory Board within the Division of Intergenerational Services.
(1)
Membership shall consist of nine persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing February 1. There shall also be three alternate members appointed for a term of three years each. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the County Executive as "Alternate No. 1," "Alternate No. 2" and "Alternate No. 3." Alternate members may participate in discussions but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. Alternates shall vote in the order in which they were designated when appointed.
(2)
The function of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Division of Intergenerational Services upon all matters relating to senior citizens.
G.
Atlantic County Disability Advisory Board. There shall be an Atlantic County Disability Advisory Board within the Division of Intergenerational Services.
(1)
Membership shall consist of nine persons who shall be appointed for staggered term of three years commencing October 1. There shall also be three alternate members appointed for a term of three years each. Alternate members shall be designated at the time of appointment by the County Executive as "Alternate No. 1," "Alternate No. 2" and "Alternate No. 3." Alternate members may participate in discussions but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member. Alternates shall vote in the order in which they were designated when appointed.
(2)
The function of the Atlantic County Disability Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Division of Intergenerational Services upon all matters relating to disabled citizens.
H.
Criminal Justice Advisory Board. There shall be a Criminal Justice Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 15 persons who shall be appointed for a term of one year commencing April 1. Membership shall include but not be limited to nine professionals, one representative from an institution of higher education and one public or private education professional.
(2)
The function of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Department of Public Safety on all matters relating to youths or adults in the criminal justice system.
I.
Economic Development Advisory Commission. There shall be an Economic Development Advisory Commission within the Office of Policy and Planning.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 20 persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing July 1.
(2)
The function of the Economic Development Advisory Commission shall be to advise and consult with the Office of Policy and Planning upon all matters relating to the promotion, encouragement, stimulation and maximum use of the commercial, industrial and residential resources of the County.
J.
Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. There shall be a Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board within the Division of Library Services, created in lieu of the County Cultural and Heritage Commission established by N.J.S.A. 40:33A-1 et seq.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 11 persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing August 1.
(2)
The function of the Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board shall be limited to advising and consulting with the Division of Library Services upon all matters relating to the acquisition, preservation and dissemination of information which promotes an awareness of and appreciation for the culture and heritage of the County.
K.
Emergency Management Advisory Board. There shall be an Emergency Management Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety, Office of Emergency Management.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 11 persons who shall be appointed for terms of one year commencing May 1. Membership shall include but not be limited to representatives of state, County and local police personnel, volunteer and regular firefighters, rescue squads and the Atlantic County Fire Marshall.
(2)
The function of the Emergency Management Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Office of Emergency Management in all matters relating to emergency management and public safety.
L.
Police Training Advisory Board. There shall be a Police Training Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety.
(1)
Membership shall consist of six members, five of whom are also members of the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Association, who shall be nominated by the President of the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Association, and one of whom shall be a representative of County government. All members shall be appointed to serve a one-year term to expire June 30 of each year. This change in the term of the appointment shall apply only to appointees who commence their term of office in calendar year 2024 and in subsequent calendar years.
(2)
The function of the Police Training Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Department of Public Safety and the Prosecutor on all matters relating to the operations of the Police Training Center.
M.
Planning Advisory Board. There shall be a County Planning Advisory Board within the Office of Policy and Planning, created in lieu of the County Planning Board established by N.J.S.A. 40:27-1.
(1)
Membership shall consist of nine persons who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing May 1. Membership shall include, but not be limited to, the County Engineer, the head of the Office of Policy and Planning and seven citizens who may not hold any other County office. Alternate members may be designated at the time of appointment by the County Executive as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." Alternate members may participate in discussions but may only vote, in rotation, during the absence or disqualification of a citizen member. An Assistant Engineer may be designated to serve as an alternate to the County Engineer, and another planner may be designated to serve as an alternate to the head of the Office of Policy and Planning. Alternate members shall be appointed for terms to expire at the same time as the terms of the regular members for whom they are alternates.
(2)
The functions of the Planning Advisory Board shall be limited to the following:
(a)
To advise and consult with the Office of Policy and Planning on all matters relating to planning for the County.
(b)
To advise and consult with the Office of Policy and Planning in the development and preparation of the Official Map. After preparation, the Official Map will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners to be considered by the Board for official action as required by N.J.S.A. 40:27-5.
(c)
To advise and consult with the Office of Policy and Planning in the development of the County Master Plan.
(d)
To advise and consult with the Office of Policy and Planning regarding proposed amendments to the 208 Water Quality Management Plan Ordinance.
(e)
To designate three of its members to serve on a subcommittee entitled the "Atlantic County Development Review Committee (DRC)." Membership of the DRC shall also include the County Engineer and the head of the Office of Policy and Planning.
(3)
Development Review Committee. Pursuant to the Atlantic County Land Development Standards Ordinance, there shall be a Development Review Committee (DRC) within the Office of Policy and Planning and as a standing subcommittee of the Planning Advisory Board, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.8.
(a)
Membership of the DRC shall consist of five members of the Planning Advisory Board designated by the Chairperson, and the County Engineer or official designee (as previously appointed by the Chair at the annual Reorganization Meeting), and the department head of the Office of Regional Planning and Development or official designee (as previously appointed by the Chair at the annual Reorganization Meeting), all to serve for terms of one year commencing May 1.
(b)
The function of DRC shall be to review and take formal and final action, consistent with the Atlantic County Land Development Standard Ordinance, approving or disapproving applications for site plans and subdivisions subject to County jurisdiction pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.2, 27-6.3, 27-6.4, 27-6.5, 27-6.6 and 27-6.7, subject to the rights of appeal conferred by N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.9.
O.
(Reserved)
P.
Human Relations Advisory Council. There shall be a Human Relations Advisory Council under the Office of the County Administrator.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 13 persons who shall serve without compensation. Membership shall include the Atlantic County Affirmative Action Officer and one representative from each of the following seven Atlantic County advisory boards: Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Mental Health Advisory Board; Senior Citizen's Advisory Board; Disabled Citizens' Advisory Board; Criminal Justice Advisory Board; Human Services Advisory Council; and Youth Commission. The remaining five members shall be chosen from among the public, no more than one of whom shall reside in the same municipality, and who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years. The membership of the Council shall represent a cross section of the population of the County by race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability and sex. Members shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners.
(2)
The County Executive shall designate the Chairperson of the Human Relations Advisory Council. The Council shall select its Vice Chairperson and such other officers from its members as the Council may determine.
(3)
The functions of the Human Relations Advisory Council shall be to:
(a)
Consult with the Office of the County Administrator and attempt to foster, through community effort or otherwise, good will, cooperation and conciliation among County residents.
(b)
Make recommendations to the County on County programs, policies and procedures to foster good relations among the diverse social interest groups in the County.
(c)
Make recommendations to the County on County programs, policies and procedures to protect the people's human rights.
(d)
Recommend programs of formal and informal education that will aid in eliminating all types of discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or sex.
(e)
Act in an advisory capacity with County law enforcement agencies to create a knowledgeable and meaningful understanding of the unique sensitivities of minority groups.
(f)
Work with County education and job training agencies to encourage the business and civic community to overcome the social and employment problems that result in wide gaps between the minority and majority citizenry.
(g)
Consult and work with the Atlantic County Affirmative Action Officer on issues of discrimination.
(h)
Accomplish the above within the parameters established under federal and state laws and regulations and within the limits of County powers.
(4)
The Human Relations Advisory Council shall hold at least four meetings a year. It shall make an annual report to the County Executive and the Board of County Commissioners concerning its activities and make such recommendations, periodically, as it may deem necessary.
Q.
Advisory Commission on Women. There shall be an Advisory Commission on Women under the Office of the County Administrator.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 15 persons who reside in Atlantic County and who have a demonstrated interest in women's issues and who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing March 1. Members shall serve without compensation.
(a)
Membership shall include at least one person who will represent women's issues in each of the following areas:
[1]
Women with disabilities and/or handicapping conditions.
[2]
Labor (both public and private sector labor organizations).
[3]
Health care.
[4]
Women in the professions.
[5]
Women in government employment.
[6]
Providers of women's services.
[7]
Clients of women's services providers.
[8]
Education.
[9]
Business.
[10]
Women's service organizations.
[11]
Women in the home.
(b)
The remaining membership of the Commission shall be filled with at-large members in such a manner as to assure that the membership of the Commission represents a cross-section of the population of the County by race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, sex and geographic area.
(c)
Members shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners.
(2)
The County Executive shall designate the person who shall serve as the Chair of the Advisory Commission on Women for the first year. In subsequent years, all officers shall be elected from among the membership of the Commission according to its bylaws.
(3)
The functions of the Women's Advisory Commission shall be:
(a)
To be a catalyst and advocate for women's issues.
(b)
To increase public awareness of the needs, interests, concerns, contributions and potential of women.
(c)
To promote the participation of women in educational programs and the work force.
(d)
To recommend and urge reforms in the law, public policy, services and public attitudes on women.
(e)
To keep the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners and the Atlantic County Executive aware and current on women's issues within the County.
(f)
To act as a resource center, clearinghouse and implementor of education programs, outreach projects and public hearings.
(g)
To accomplish the above within the parameters established under federal and state laws and regulations and within the limits of County powers.
R.
Advisory Committee on Tourism. There shall be an Advisory Committee on Tourism within the Office of the County Executive.
(1)
The Advisory Committee on Tourism shall be composed of 15 members who shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years commencing May 1. The terms of initial members may be for less than three years to establish the staggering of terms. Members shall be individuals with a background and demonstrated interest in tourism who are geographically and demographically reflective of the County. A member of the Board of County Commissioners shall serve as an ex officio member. Members shall by appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners and shall serve without compensation.
(2)
The Chair shall be designated by the County Executive and shall serve in that capacity for the duration of his or her term, but if continuing to serve as Chair, must be redesignated as such upon reappointment for a new term.
(3)
The committee may adopt appropriate bylaws, appoint officers and adopt a schedule of meetings. The Committee shall meet a minimum of four times during a calendar year. Notices of the time, date and place of all meetings shall be submitted in advance with sufficient notice to the County Executive. The Committee shall not conduct business at any meeting without a majority of its members present. At the conclusion of a meeting, the Chairperson shall forward to the County Executive in a timely manner a copy of the minutes of the meeting.
(4)
The functions of the Advisory Committee on Tourism shall be to:
(a)
Advise and submit recommendations to the County on matters related to the role County government may play to improve regional tourism promotion and development in Atlantic County.
(b)
Provide educational and technical assistance to foster tourism development and to enhance the quality of nonresident visitor experience in Atlantic County.
(c)
Strengthen Atlantic County's tourism industry marketing efforts through increased communication, educational opportunities, participation in industry activities and cooperative marketing activities.
(d)
Increase public awareness regarding the importance of tourism to the local economy.
(e)
Review and make recommendations on pending federal and state legislation.
S.
Groundwater Advisory Committee. There shall be a Groundwater Advisory Committee within the Office of the County Executive.
(1)
The Groundwater Advisory Committee, whose members, to be appointed by the County Executive and to serve with advice and consent, shall number not less than 16 nor more than 20, and shall include among their membership representatives from water purveyors, environmentalists, municipal and county officials, scientists, real estate developers, farmers, landscapers and academicians.
(2)
The Groundwater Advisory Committee shall be staffed by the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.
(3)
The function of the Groundwater Advisory Committee shall be to advise and consult with the County Executive in all matters related to groundwater resource development, management, planning and conservation.
(4)
The Committee shall report no less than semiannually to the Executive and the Board of County Commissioners.
T.
Fire Training Advisory Board.
(1)
Membership shall consist of 12 members, two of whom are also members of the Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association who shall be nominated by the President of the Atlantic County Fire Chiefs Association; two of whom are also members of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association who shall be nominated by the President of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association; two of whom are also members of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association Executive Board who shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Atlantic County Firefighters Association Executive Board; two of whom are also active fire instructors who shall be nominated by the Director of the Fire Academy; and four representatives of County government. Each member shall be appointed for a term of one year, commencing March 1.
(2)
The function of the Fire Training Advisory Board shall be to advise and consult with the Department of Public Safety on all matters relating to fire training.
U.
Veterans Advisory Board. There shall be a Veterans Advisory Board under the Office of the County Executive/Administrator.
(1)
Board membership/eligibility.
(a)
Membership shall consist of 15 active voting members who shall serve without compensation and shall be selected from among the veterans' groups located within Atlantic County. Members shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners to staggered terms of three years commencing January 1, 2015. In addition to the voting members, the Board may consist of such number of nonvoting emeritus members as the Board membership shall select.
(b)
The following eligibility requirements must be met in order for a person to be eligible for selection to the Board either as an active voting member or as an emeritus member:
[1]
The person must be a bona fide resident of Atlantic County;
[2]
The person must be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces and have served on active duty for other than training purposes for a period of not less than 180 days and must produce proof of service consisting of either a DD-214 or a WD Form 53-55 showing discharge other than dishonorable or undesirable.
[3]
The person must also undergo and pass a criminal background check.
(c)
There shall also be a Board of County Commissioners representative who shall be selected by the Board of County Commissioners Chairman and may be a nonveteran.
(d)
The following procedures will be followed for the selection of future Board members:
[1]
Applications will be made to the County Executive, who will forward the information to the current Board members for review, vetting of the application, and then the Board will make a recommendation to the County Executive who shall then make the formal appointment.
(2)
Governance. The Veterans Advisory Board established by this subsection shall operate in accordance with the bylaws of the organization. Selection of the chairman, vice chairman and secretary shall be decided in accordance with the nomination and election process procedures as set forth in the organization's bylaws.
(3)
Meetings/attendance.
(a)
The Veterans Advisory Board shall hold at least nine meetings per year which shall be scheduled by the Board, which schedule may be changed to meet certain conditions. The Advisory Board shall submit an annual written report to the County Executive and the Board of County Commissioners detailing its activities in the particular calendar year.
(b)
Three or more unexcused absences from meetings will subject a voting member to continued eligibility review. An absence will be deemed to be an excused absence due to sickness, death of a family member or relative or any other documented unforeseen circumstance. The eligibility review of any voting member which may include possible removal from the Board shall be undertaken by the remaining Board members in accordance with the organization's bylaws.
(4)
Voting. Voting on all matters will be done in person by those attending the meeting at which votes on any matters are entertained. No absentee votes will be permitted. The Board of County Commissioners liaison will not have a vote on any matters.
(5)
Meeting location. Meetings will be held at such locations as determined by and publicly announced by the Board.
(6)
Purpose and functions.
(a)
The Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board shall advise and consult with Atlantic County government on issues of importance and concern to the veterans of the Uniformed Services of the United States, and its allies, residing in the County of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, and in order to ensure that Atlantic County Veterans are fully served and recognized, will include in its activities all interested Veterans and Veteran Organizations; and the Veterans Advisory Board will assist and promote legitimate causes of these organizations.
(b)
The Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board shall assist in the promulgation of news, services, and programs of interest to veterans.
(c)
The principal responsibility of the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board is the formulation of policies and recommendations to improve the availability and coordination of services offered to veterans and their dependents. To achieve this goal, the Board shall continually assess and identify the needs of the veterans of Atlantic County; inform the public and legislative bodies of those needs; assist in the development of and recommendation of public policy to meet those needs; and monitor those agencies which provide services to veterans to ensure that public policy is being implemented effectively.
(d)
The Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board may advocate for veterans and their dependents. As such, the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board shall be permitted to communicate with veterans, veterans advisory boards and veterans service organizations, elected and appointed officials at the municipal, county, state and federal level along with other interested individuals, committees, agencies or organizations as may be determined by the Atlantic County Veterans Advisory Board to be appropriate.
(e)
The Veterans Advisory Board shall function only in an advisory capacity. While it shall have the right to make various recommendations to County Administration and to other entities as previously set forth, its recommendation shall not be binding in any manner upon County Administration or any department, division or agency of County government.
(7)
Veterans' Services Officer.
(a)
There is hereby created the Office of Veterans' Services Officer in the County Department of Administration.
(b)
The Veterans' Services Officer shall be appointed by the County Executive with the advice and consent of the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners and shall receive such salary as recommended by County Administration and approved by the Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners. Inasmuch as the current Veterans Services Officer commenced that position February 2, 2002, the Board does hereby ratify and confirm the original salary and such subsequent salary increases as have taken place during the ensuing time frame.