Town of Victor, NY Chapter 46 Sustainability Advisory Committee

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Victor 7-27-2015 by L.L. No. 6-2015.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]

[1] Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 46, Sustainability Advisory Committee, adopted 1-12-2009 by Res. No. 40-2009.

§ 46-1 Committee established.

By Resolution No. 40, dated January 12, 2009, the Victor Town Board established a committee to be named the "Town of Victor Sustainability Advisory Committee" to serve Victor.

§ 46-2 Intent and purpose.

A. The Town of Victor's Sustainability Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Advisory Committee") was created in an effort to support the Town of Victor by working cooperatively with Town and Village governments and residents to address the shared social, economic, and environmental challenges by enhancing the sustainability of the community. This mission statement reflects the Town's commitment to the importance, preservation, continuance of the Town's natural, human, social, and economic resources for generations to come.

B. The Advisory Committee is established:

(1) To support the Town and Village as they launch internal green initiatives to heighten awareness of the environmental impact of Town and Village operations and codes;

(2) To support the Town by recommending that the sustainable and green infrastructure measures of the Comprehensive Plan are considered in applicable situations, and make recommendations for future revisions of the Comprehensive Plan;

(3) To gather information on current sustainability and green practices of Town departments, make suggestions for the improvement of such practices, and recommend green/sustainable action steps to appropriate Town Board body;

(4) To increase public awareness of the value of sustainability by developing and participating in education programs as approved by the Town Board;

(5) To provide assistance to the Town Board by recommending when and where development can be done with greater consideration towards the projected needs of future generations;

(6) To provide assistance in securing grants that might contribute to the reuse and preservation of sustainable infrastructures in the community.

§ 46-3 Duties.

A. The Committee shall have the powers and duties set forth below. The powers and duties of the Committee are advisory in nature only.

B. To advise, assist and support all Town boards, departments, and committees in all matters pertaining to the Town's green initiatives and sustainable resources.

C. To provide assistance in securing grants that might contribute to the reuse and preservation of sustainable resources in the community.

D. To contribute knowledge toward or develop educational materials as approved by the Town Board that promote an understanding and appreciation of preserving the character of Victor and the value of sustainability and resiliency, including, but not limited to, walking tours, brochures, collection events, lectures, exhibits and conferences.

§ 46-4 Development of goals, objectives, and plans of action.

A. The Director of Development, and/or his/her designee, shall serve as the facilitator to help the Committee with the development of its specific goals, objectives, and plans of action consistent with the Committee's duties and purpose.

B. Minutes of each meeting will be recorded by the designated secretary at each meeting.

C. The results of the facilitation process shall include, but not be limited to, issues such as frequency and method of reporting to the Town Board, revenue opportunities, the process for selection of and terms for the Committee Chair, budget considerations, program recommendations, and implementation strategies.

§ 46-5 Membership and terms.

A. The membership of this Committee shall be appointed by the Town Board, and shall consist of five members, providing a balanced, community-wide representation. Members shall be residents of the Town of Victor who have an interest in helping Victor enhance its reputation as a green and vibrant community. In addition, a high school student who resides in the Town or Village and is at least 16 years of age may serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Committee.

B. In addition, the Director of Development or his/her designee shall serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member.

C. Members shall serve staggering terms set by the Town Board. Vacancies on the Committee other than by expiration of a term shall be filled to complete the unexpired term of the vacancy. Recommendations for new Committee members shall be forwarded to the Town Board for review.

D. Sustainability Advisory Committee members shall serve for a term of three years. Members may continue to serve until their successors have been appointed. The student member will serve for a one-year term.

E. All members of the Sustainability Advisory Committee shall serve without compensation except for such amounts determined appropriate, in advance, by the Town Board to offset expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

F. Sustainability Advisory Committee members will be expected to attend all meetings and functions of the Committee. In the event of two absences by a Committee member in one calendar year, of malfeasance of membership as determined by the Committee, said Committee member's position may be declared vacant by a majority vote of a quorum of the Committee, subject to final approval by the Town Board. The Director of Development and the Town Board Liaison to the Committee will attend Committee meetings as needed.

G. Sustainability Advisory Committee members may resign at any time by providing formal written notice to the Chairperson of the Committee who will then forward such notice to Human Resources.

H. A Committee member serves at the pleasure of the Town Board, and may be removed from office if such Committee member engages in an act (or acts) demonstrating a conflict of interest, misconduct, a violation of the Town's Code of Ethics or Standards of Conduct, or any other act which calls into question the Committee member's qualifications, integrity, or ability to participate on the advisory board in a manner upholding the public trust, as may be determined by the Town Board in its sole discretion.

I. Members shall be residents of the Town community who are willing to volunteer their time.

§ 46-6 Organization.

A. The Advisory Committee will report to the Director of Development.

B. The Advisory Committee shall, by majority vote, recommend to the Town Board one of its members to serve as Chairperson to preside over the meetings and one member to serve as Vice Chairman. After approval by the Town Board, such members so designated shall serve in these capacities for the term of two years, as designated in the Town Board organizational meeting.

C. A quorum for the Sustainability Advisory Committee shall consist of at least 50% of its sitting members. A quorum is necessary for the Sustainability Advisory Committee to conduct business. A roll call shall be taken upon the request of any member. A tie vote shall be deemed a denial of the motion or recommended action.

D. Standing and special committees may be created by the Advisory Committee and appointed by the Town Board to assist with the functions of the Committee. These groups may be created for designated periods of time to accomplish specific tasks for the Committee. These subcommittees may include individuals who are not members of the Advisory Committee, but who may contribute some unique expertise on a specific task.

§ 46-7 Meetings.

A. The Advisory Committee shall meet on at least a monthly basis at a mutually agreeable date/time specified by the members of the Committee. Meetings may be cancelled or rescheduled by the mutual agreement of the Committee Chairperson and the Director of Development, or his/her designee, so that meetings may be properly advertised.

B. A written agenda for each meeting shall be drafted by the Chairperson with input from the Committee members and the Director of Development or his/her designee and be sent to the members of the Committee at least three days prior to the meeting, as well as to be posted on the Town of Victor website. These agendas will be used to facilitate the meetings.

C. Minutes will be kept by a designated member of the Committee and shall be distributed to all Committee members, the Planning and Building Department, and appropriate personnel within seven days of the meeting.

D. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson or the Director of Development for a date and time that can be accommodated by a quorum of voting members. These meetings must be scheduled at least three days prior to the intended meeting date with written notification of the date, time, location, and purpose of the meeting sent to all Committee members in advance. These notices will also be placed on the Town of Victor website within three days of the intended meeting date.

E. Each member of the Advisory Committee shall have one vote on any matter submitted to the Committee for action. A majority vote is required for the passage of any action items. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. All meetings shall follow Robert's Rules of Order.

F. Committee business at each meeting shall be as follows:

(1) Approval of the previous meeting minutes.

(2) Review of the agenda.

(3) Discussion of the agenda items.

(4) Review of action items.

(5) Set agenda for subsequent meeting including the action items for that meeting.

§ 46-8 Copies sent.

Copies of this chapter shall be sent to each member of the Committee.