(A) Appointment; term.
(1) The Community Relations Department shall consist of a Community Relations Officer appointed by the Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees.
(2) The term of the Community Relations Officer shall be as announced by the Mayor at the time of appointment and shall not exceed four years or the remaining portion of the Mayor’s term of office, whichever is shorter.
(B) Qualifications; oath; bond; removal from office.
(1) The Community Relations Officer shall possess the qualifications required of other officers of the village, shall be required to give bond, shall take oath or affirmation of office as required by law and shall be subject to removal from office by the Mayor in the same manner as other appointive officers of the village.
(2) The Community Relations Officer may also be an appointed official, serving in another position, or an employed person of the village and may act in the further capacity as Community Relations Officer. The compensation provided herein shall be in addition to that compensation applicable to the Community Relations Officer’s other position and/or employment.
(3) No elected official of the village shall be eligible to serve as Community Relations Officer.
(C) Powers and duties; limitations.
(1) Powers and duties generally. The Community Relations Officer will perform services on behalf of the village, as directed by the Mayor and Board of Trustees, including, but not limited to:
(a) Providing public information to residents and business persons of the village as to village activities and programs;
(b) Promoting safety programs for residents, business persons and children of the village in order to assist in the protection of persons and properties in the village;
(c) Conducting “Officer Friendly” type programs intended to inform children of school ages as to the operation of the Village’s Police Department and other law enforcement agencies;
(d) Performing public appearances with, and before, civic, neighborhood, business, religious and charitable organizations in the village for the purpose of providing information as to the aforesaid and other programs and to receive inquiries, recommendations, suggestions and proposals for consideration and action by appropriate village officials and employees;
(e) Undertaking responses to requests for information as to village activities, subject to the legal responsibilities of others applicable thereto as provided by the village code and the State Municipal Code;
(f) Serving as a liaison between departments, boards and commissions of the village for the purpose of assuring a unified effort in promoting the efficient operation of village government and the welfare and safety of its residents and business persons;
(g) Promulgating the publication of information as to public safety and protection activities and programs in the village;
(h) Assisting in the preparation, as required, of grant assistance applications and duty benefits claims involving public safety personnel, equipment and buildings; and
(i) Attending meetings of the Mayor and Board of Trustees for the purpose of receiving directions therefrom and public participation thereat.
(2) Reports required. Not less than once each fiscal year and at any other times as requested by the Mayor or Board of Trustees, the Community Relations Officer shall provide a written report of his or her services, activities, programs and duties, together with his or her recommendations, and the proposals received from others as to additional and further Community Relations Department activities, plans and studies.
(3) Limitations on powers. The Community Relations Officer shall have no power to incur liability or, in any way, transact business for or in the name of the village.
(D) Compensation. The Community Relations Officer shall receive compensation as prescribed and approved at the time of appointment or as recited, from time to time, in the appropriation ordinance of the village. Upon approval by the Mayor and Village Board, funds may be paid for necessary and proper expenses of the Community Relations Department and the Community Relations Officer, upon the same approval, may be reimbursed for necessary and proper expenses.
(Prior Code, § 1-8-2) (Ord. 828, passed 12-18-1980)