There is hereby established the Department of
Policy, Planning and Economic Development. The Department shall operate
under the direction of the Director of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development, who shall be an officer of the City appointed by the
Mayor, subject to confirmation by City Council. The Director shall
serve for a term coterminous with that of the Mayor. The Director
of Policy, Planning and Economic Development shall, by education,
experience and ability, be qualified to perform the duties established
for him or her.
The Director of Policy, Planning and Economic Development shall perform the duties required by law and/or ordinance. The office shall have the following duties as they relate to the divisions set forth in §
5-93. The office shall:
A. Compile, correlate and review information regarding
federal, state and private foundation funds that are available in
order to obtain the maximum aid available consistent with the needs
and programs of the City.
B. Identify programs available for existing and proposed
projects.
C. Outline major provisions and requirements of proposed
projects and their funding grants.
D. Act as point of contact with state, regional, federal
and foundation officials.
E. Establish active liaison with City department or division
heads, boards and commissions as well as with appropriate officials
of governing agencies and private foundations.
F. Make studies, surveys and reports recommending uses
of federal, state or private foundation aid.
G. As directed, prepare and process applications for
aid on behalf of the City.
H. Expedite and follow up on funding of projects already
approved and in progress.
I. Establish and maintain needed or required records
and files.
J. Administer such programs emanating from grants to
the City as may be assigned to it.
The Office of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development shall have the following divisions:
A. In the Department of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development there shall be the Division of Grants and Community Development.
(1) The Division of Grants and Community Development shall
be supervised by a City employee in the classified civil service,
qualified by experience and training to execute the duties and responsibilities
of the Division.
B. In the Department of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development there shall be a Division of Public Information and Consumer
Services. The Public Information and Consumer Services office shall
be responsible for handling citizens' questions, concerns and complaints
related to the delivery of municipal services and aid in the protection
of the public against fraud and unfair business practices. The office
shall also serve as a public information resource for each department
within the City and be responsible for the dissemination of information
to the public about the City.
C. In the Department of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development there shall be a Division of Comprehensive Planning. The
Director shall employ the services of a licensed professional planner
pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14A-1 et seq., as necessary,
either by contract or appointment, for comprehensive land use planning.
D. In the Department of Policy, Planning and Economic
Development there shall be a Division of Economic and Business Development.
The Division shall implement the following responsibilities:
(1) Administratively operate and oversee all programs
and projects relating to economic development and all other development
projects and programs as directed by the Mayor and City Council.
(2) Serve as an ombudsman to business and community organizations
through ongoing liaison with those organizations which are deemed
essential to the success of the various programs, projects and policies
of the Department.
(3) Facilitate all appropriate public and private agencies
in focusing their resources on specific City projects and programs
in an effort to attain maximum leverage of public investment.
(4) Undertake technical research, recommend Citywide development
policies to the Mayor and City Council and Business Development Authority;
further, to effectuate projects and programs to implement said policies.
(5) Coordinate programs and projects aimed at the retention
of existing businesses as well as the attraction of new or expanded
business opportunities within the City.
(6) Schedule or attend meetings for the Mayor with federal,
state, county and private officials and develop related entities and
serve as liaison between the City and other officials of government
agencies.
(7) Assume responsibility for the implementation and development
of employment training programs within the City of East Orange. The
Department shall also perform the following duties:
(a) Act as liaison to federal, state, county, local and
private sector agencies to ascertain the availability of funding for
employment training and improvement programs within the City.
(b) Act as informational resource person to employees,
employers, community groups and other citizens for career improvement
services which may be available within the City.
(c) Conduct and/or arrange courses, services or other
informational programs for departments, boards and commissions to
enable employees to develop better work habits and skills in the workplace.
(d) Provide intake services to compile a listing of individuals
seeking employment and assist them in applying for employment.
(e) Develop and identify jobs in private industry and
refer appropriate applicants to them.
(f) Coordinate all related educational training and social
services to assist citizens who are seeking employment.
(g) Perform any other duties that the Mayor or his designee
may assign in furtherance of the aforesaid objectives.
(8) The Department of Policy, Planning and Development
shall have additional personnel as may be provided for by the budget
and set forth in the Salary Ordinance of the City. Said personnel
shall be qualified by experience and training to perform the duties
assigned by the Director.