[HISTORY: Adopted by the Suffolk County Legislature 5-15-2018 by Res. No. 341-2018. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Suffolk County has over 980 miles of shoreline and over 300
bodies of water. The marine industry is critical to Suffolk County's
economy and it should be supported by government to improve market
conditions and opportunities in our region. The marine industry in
Suffolk County has an economic impact of $1.579 billion annually and
employs over 7,000 people in marine-industry-related jobs. Local industry
leaders have the knowledge and capabilities necessary to help Suffolk
County become a more attractive location for marine businesses and
activities, and these leaders should be consulted to aid in that pursuit.
Recreational boating and fishing are at the heart of the region's
tourism, and are a main economic driver on Long Island, which is why
Suffolk County invests millions of dollars each year to ensure safe
navigation of its waterways. Greater investments in marine workforce
development, dredging and tourism-related activities will have a positive
impact on Suffolk County's economy and quality of life. An advisory
council should be established to allow government and private industry
to work with local communities to attract good-paying jobs to the
region and encourage the growth of the marine sector of the local
economy.
The Marine Industry Revitalization Advisory Council ("Advisory
Council") is hereby established to help Suffolk County attract and
retain marine-related companies and jobs in the area, help increase
critical dredging of County waterways and improve marine tourism.
[Amended 12-4-2018 by Res. No. 1081-2018]
The Advisory Council shall be comprised of the following 17
members:
A.
The Presiding Officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, or his or
her designee;
B.
The Commissioner of the Department of Health Services, or his or
her designee;
C.
A representative from an island-wide tourism promotion organization
appointed by the Presiding Officer;
D.
The Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development and Planning,
or his or her designee;
E.
The Commissioner of the Department of Labor, or his or her designee;
F.
The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, or his or her
designee;
G.
A representative of Suffolk County Community College, to be appointed
by the Presiding Officer;
H.
The President of the Suffolk County Town Supervisors Association
or his or her designee;
I.
A representative of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation;
J.
A representative of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County,
to be appointed by the Presiding Officer;
K.
A representative from Western Suffolk BOCES, to be appointed by the
Presiding Officer;
L.
A representative from Eastern Suffolk BOCES, to be appointed by the
Presiding Officer;
M.
Two representatives from the Association of Marine Industries, to
be appointed by the Presiding Officer;
N.
A representative of the commercial fishing industry in Suffolk County,
to be appointed by the Presiding Officer;
O.
The Suffolk County Legislator representing the 1st Legislative District;
and
P.
The Suffolk County Legislator representing the 2nd Legislative District.
A.
The Advisory Council will require technical assistance from important
stakeholders in order to carry out its duties, and is empowered to
identify and designate agencies and individuals to sit on subcommittees,
including, but not limited to:
B.
The Advisory Council may call upon these technical advisors on an
as-needed basis in order to gather input and make informed decisions
that will address dredging, workforce development and other marine-industry-related
issues.
A.
The Advisory
Council shall meet no later than 30 days after all members take their
oaths of office for the purpose of selecting a Chairperson and Secretary.
B.
The members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation
and shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities.
C.
The Advisory Council shall hold regular meetings, keep a record of
all its proceedings and determine the rules of its own proceedings,
with special meetings to be called by the Chairperson upon his or
her own initiative or upon receipt of a written request therefor signed
by at least three members of the Advisory Council. Written notice
of the time and place of such special meetings shall be given by the
Secretary to each member at least four days before the date fixed
by the notice for such special meeting.
D.
Nine members of the Advisory Council shall constitute a quorum for
the purpose of transacting the business of the Advisory Council at
both regular and special meetings.
[Amended 12-4-2018 by Res. No. 1081-2018]
E.
The Advisory Council may conduct such informal hearings and meetings
at any place or places within the County of Suffolk for the purpose
of obtaining necessary information or other data to assist in the
proper performance of its duties and functions as it deems necessary.
F.
The Advisory Council shall obtain input from any and all County departments
to maximize opportunities for the marine industries in Suffolk County.
The Advisory Council shall submit an annual written report of
its findings and determinations, together with its recommendations
for attracting and retaining marine industry jobs in the County of
Suffolk to stimulate and grow the local economy, and to complete dredging
projects to each member of the County Legislature, the Clerk of the
County Legislature and the County Executive no later than December
31 of each year, beginning in 2018.
