[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough
of Fort Lee 2-11-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-1. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
There is hereby established in the Borough of Fort Lee, County
of Bergen, State of New Jersey, an Environmental and Beautification
Committee (hereinafter "the Committee"). The purpose of the Committee
is to assist the governing body in its deliberative process by making
recommendations relating to issues of aesthetic and environmental
concerns in the Borough.
The Committee shall consist of no more than 15 members appointed
by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fort Lee, all of whom shall
be residents of the Borough or business owners/executives of businesses
located in Fort Lee, except that no more than two members shall be
nonresidents. One member shall be a member of the Council, approved
by the Council and such appointment shall be made annually at the
Borough's annual reorganization meeting. The Mayor shall annually
select one member as Chairperson of the Committee and a second member
as Vice Chairperson. All members shall serve without compensation.
A.
The term of office of the first Committee members shall be for one,
two or three years, to be designated by the Mayor and Council in making
the appointments, so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the members
will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed for
terms of three years and until the appointment and qualifications
of their successors. Alternates shall have terms of three years. All
appointments shall be made to take effect on January 1 of each year,
for a full term of three years.
B.
The Mayor and Council, by resolution, may remove any or all of the
members of the Committee, with or without cause at any time and written
charges served upon the member and after a hearing thereon at which
the member will be entitled to be heard in person or by counsel.
C.
A vacancy on the Committee occurring otherwise than by expiration
of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner
as an original appointment.
The Committee shall organize annually within 30 days of January
1, by the election of one of its members as Secretary. The Committee
shall have the right to make reasonable rules of procedure.
The Committee shall report solely, exclusively and directly
to the Mayor and Council and generally have the following duties,
subject to the more specific instructions or limitations set forth
by the Mayor or by resolution of the governing body:
A.
Make recommendations regarding any and all projects which the Committee
has determined to be in the best interests of the Borough.
B.
Make recommendations regarding such improvements of property concerning
presently pending applications for development, as may be in the best
interests of the Borough of Fort Lee.
C.
Make recommendations concerning the abatement of any and all unsightly
property conditions.
D.
Make recommendations concerning property maintenance violations.
E.
Consult with the Department of Public Works, the Recreation Department
and the Parking Authority concerning specific recommendations to be
made to the Mayor and Council to upgrade and beautify Borough property.
F.
Make findings upon and recommendations concerning acquisition and
use of property within the Borough in order to maintain, improve,
and protect the beauty of the community.
G.
Make recommendations concerning the regulation, planting and care
of trees and shrubbery now located or which may hereafter be planted
in public streets, places and parks and make recommendations concerning
the removal of any such tree or part thereof which may be dangerous
to public safety.
H.
Meet at least four times each year and forward minutes of its meetings
to the Mayor and Council.
I.
Conduct research into the use and possible use of the open land areas
of the municipality.
J.
At the specific direction and authorization of the Mayor and Council,
coordinate the activities of unofficial bodies organized for similar
purposes and advertise, prepare, print and distribute books, maps,
charts, plans and pamphlets which in its judgment it deems necessary
for its purposes.
K.
Keep an index of all open areas, publicly or privately owned, including
open marshlands, swamps and other wetlands, in order to obtain information
on the proper use of such areas.
L.
Recommend plans and programs for inclusion in a municipal master
plan and the development and use of such areas.
M.
Study and make recommendations concerning open space preservation,
water resources management, air pollution control, solid waste management,
noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance
and protection of flora and fauna.
N.
Any and all other duties and/or powers that may be delegated by the
Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fort Lee, by resolution or ordinance.
