[Added 4-13-1988 by Ord. No. 8-1988]
There is hereby created and established a Commission to be known as the "Economic Development Commission of the Township of Egg Harbor."
A. 
Appointment; terms.
[Amended 5-25-2005 by Ord. No. 22-2005]
(1) 
The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Township Committee. Each member shall have been, for the last five years next preceding his appointment, a citizen of the United States and a qualified voter of the State of New Jersey and must reside in, work or have a place of business in the Township. There shall be a total of 15 members whose terms are as indicated below:
Number of Members
Term
(years)
3
1
3
2
3
3
3
4
3
5
(2) 
At the expiration of each of the above terms, the new member or members shall be appointed for a term of five years. Vacancies in the membership for any cause shall be filled by the Township Committee for the unexpired term thereof. Members shall serve for their respective terms and until their successors are thereafter appointed and qualified.
B. 
Each member of the Commission shall be selected based upon his qualifications and fitness for service, shall have had experience in industry and commerce, shall be conversant with the economic needs and facilities of Egg Harbor Township and shall be of known devotion to public service.
C. 
Whenever practicable, there may be appointed to said Commission a representative of a real estate dealers' association, a representative with a background in banking or finance and a representative of the legal profession.
Each member and officer of the Commission shall, before assuming office, take and subscribe an oath that he will honestly, faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of his office.
It shall be deemed to be a conflict, of interest for any member, officer or employee of the Commission to have any financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any contracts or other transactions by, of or with the Commission for work or materials used by the Commission or in any sales, leases or agreements in connection with lands, buildings or other property owned or controlled by the Commission or in any fees or compensation of any kind paid to any broker, architect, engineer, merchant or other person doing business with the Commission.
The members and officers of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but each shall receive his actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.
The members of the Commission shall choose annually from among its members a Chairman or President and such other officers as they may deem necessary. The Mayor and Township Committee may choose a representative from the Committee to serve as an ex officio member of the Commission. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the Board.
The Commission shall adopt suitable bylaws for the management of its affairs, shall determine the qualifications and duties of its employees and may fix the compensation to be paid to any of its employees, subject to the budget for the Commission as adopted by the Township Committee.
A. 
The Commission will be responsible for ways and means of promoting Egg Harbor Township's economic development of its assets, business, industry, resorts, tourism, transportation, governmental and other economic interest. Recommendations of the Commission to attract economic development will be forwarded to the mayor and Township Committee for consideration.
B. 
The Commission shall not exercise any power of condemnation or eminent domain and shall not be authorized to pledge the credit of the Township of Egg Harbor or to create any debt against said Township.
C. 
The Commission shall classify vacant lands according to their adaptability for the establishment thereon of various types of business and industrial enterprises.
D. 
The Commission shall perform a study of the tax structure of the Township for the purpose of reducing the tax burden of the residents of the Township of Egg Harbor.
E. 
During the month of January, the Commission shall make an annual report to the Mayor and Township Committee, setting forth in detail all of its operations and transactions for the preceding 12 months.
F. 
The Commission shall keep complete and accurate books and records of accounts and transactions. The Commission shall not exceed its budget as appropriated by the Township Committee of Egg Harbor Township. These funds shall only be expended for the purposes for which they have been appropriated.
G. 
The Economic Development Commission shall assemble information regarding opportunities for business and investment in the Township. The Economic Development Commission shall prepare and distribute pamphlets explaining opportunities in the Township, outlining Township regulations affecting businesses and indicating Township regulations relating to energy conservation and environmental protection. The Commission shall be authorized to raise such funds necessary and sufficient to accomplish its purposes as set forth herein through advertising and other promotional means.
H. 
The Commission shall administratively establish, operate and/ or oversee all programs and projects relating to economic development as directed by the Mayor and the Township Committee.
I. 
The Commission shall serve as an ombudsman to business and community organizations by maintaining liaison with those organizations which are deemed essential to the success of the various policies, programs and projects of the Township Committee.
J. 
The Commission shall coordinate programs and projects whose purpose is the retention of existing as well as the attraction of new businesses.
K. 
The Commission shall, by a majority vote, select one member who shall act as liaison to the Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board of the Township of Egg Harbor. Said member may render nonbinding advice and information to each Board on matters involving land use generally within the Township or with respect to particular applications brought before such Boards involving commercial development within the Township of Egg Harbor. The liaison member shall also be responsible for providing the Commission with information as to the status or pendency of applications involving commercial developments and/or land use matters before either Board relevant to the economic development of the Township of Egg Harbor.