[Adopted 12-10-1965]
It is found and declared that the continued
growth of industrial and research enterprise within the Town is essential
to the support of the tax base, to the provision of public services,
to the provision of employment opportunities for a growing population
and, through the maintenance of the Town's competitive position among
the other municipalities of the state, to continue the high standard
of living for the citizens of the Town; that the assembly of suitable
land resources within the Town to meet the needs of modern, low-density
research and industrial requirements is increasingly difficult; and
that the provision of utilities, streets and other public services
as part of a unified land development operation is difficult to attain
at a competitive rate of progress and economy of cost. Therefore,
it is essential to the public interest that there be created in the
Town an Economic Development Commission.
[Amended 5-11-1992; 9-8-2003 by Ord. No. 03-01]
A.
The Economic Development Commission shall consist
of nine members and three alternates appointed by the Town Council,
as follows: one member representing an employer located in Town which
employs 100 or more employees, one member representing an employer
located in Town which employs 15 or fewer employees, one member representing
a taxpayer in Town which is one of the top 10 highest taxpayers, one
member representing the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, one member
representing the private nonprofit community in Town and four members
and the three alternates appointed from the Town's electorate. Members
and alternates shall serve for three years; provided, however, that
the four members of the current Economic Development Commission who
are appointed to a term of office terminating at a future date shall
complete the remainder of their appointed term. The other three members
whose term of office has expired and for whom no successors have been
appointed, together with the two new Commission members and the three
new alternates positions created by this ordinance, shall be initially
appointed as follows: one member and one alternate to a one-year term,
two members and one alternate to a two-year term, and two members
and one alternate to a two-year term. Thereafter, members and alternates
shall be appointed annually to serve for three years commencing and
terminating on March 1. If a member of the Commission is absent or
has a conflict of interest, the Chairman of the Commission shall designate
an alternate to so act, choosing alternates in rotation. Upon the
expiration of the term of each member of the Economic Development
Commission, a successor shall be appointed for a three-year term,
except that any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired portion
of the term only. Members may only be removed for cause as provided
in the state statutes.
B.
The Commission shall also consist of six ex-officio
members as follows: the Town Council Chairman or his/her designee,
one Council member of the opposing party or unaffiliated, the Mayor
or the Town's Economic Development Director, the Executive Director
of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce, the Town's Planning and Zoning
Administrator, and a representative from the Local Reuse Authority.
The ex-officio members shall participate in all Commission meetings;
however, they shall possess no voting rights.[1]
[1]
Editor’s Note: The term “Town
Manager” was changed to “Mayor” in this subsection
at the direction of the Town so that the provisions herein would be
consistent with the provisions of the Charter adopted by the Town
on 11-4-2003.
[Amended 9-8-2003 by Ord. No. 03-01]
The Town Council shall appoint the members and
alternates of the Commission by a majority vote of all its members
and shall fill any vacancy for any unexpired term.
The Economic Development Commission shall choose
from among its members a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary and
any other officers it shall deem necessary to carry out its purpose.
[Amended 4-14-1997 by Ord. No. 97-11; 9-8-2003 by Ord. No.
03-01]
The Commission's general mission shall be to
create and encourage a planned strategy to increase the Town's well-being
by retaining, improving and attracting commerce in order to achieve
sustainable improvements in the Town's tax base, its infrastructure,
and the quantity and quality of jobs while maintaining and improving
Stratford's quality of life.
A.
The Commission shall promote and develop the economic
resources of the Town.
B.
The Commission shall conduct research into the economic
and trends in the Town of Stratford, shall make recommendations to
appropriate officials and agencies of the Town of Stratford regarding
action to improve the Town's economic condition and development, shall
seek to coordinate the activities of and cooperate with unofficial
bodies organized to promote such economic development and may advertise
and may prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets
which in its judgment will further its official purposes.
C.
The Commission shall conduct round table discussions
with all the Town's commissions, boards, agencies and municipal departments
that interact with the business community to review issues and concerns
that impact economic development.
D.
The Commission shall interact with the Stratford business
community to review its needs and solicit its ideas.
E.
The Commission shall act as a resource for the Stratford
business community.
F.
The Commission shall act with the Town's Economic
Development Department and business community to promote and enhance
the Town's image.
G.
The Commission shall encourage the Stratford business
community to sponsor and actively participate in Town projects and
community causes.
H.
The Commission shall facilitate and identify redevelopment
ideas and opportunities.
I.
The Commission shall prepare and transmit to the Stratford
Town Council a report of its activities and of its recommendations
for improving such economic conditions, development and redevelopment
quarterannually.
[Amended 4-14-1997 by Ord. No. 97-11]
A.
The Town Council may annually appropriate to the Economic
Development Commission, for its purposes, a sum in accordance with
the limitations set forth in Connecticut General Statute Section 7-136.
B.
The Economic Development Commission shall seek and
receive the approval of the Stratford Town Council prior to the Commission's
expending or contracting to expend any funds which were appropriated
from the Stratford Town Council.
