ARTICLE II. DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT [2]

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 09-1226, adopted June 1, 2009, amended Art. II in its entirety and enacted similar provisions as set out herein. The former Art. II derived from Ord. No. 81-122, §§ 1—3, adopted Nov. 4, 1981.

Sec. 7-26. - Established.

   (a)   There is hereby created and established in and for the city a department in the city government to be known as the Department of Economic Development which shall be under the supervision of a director, who shall be appointed by the mayor in accordance with the Charter provisions pertaining to the directors of departments, and shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the council.

   (b)   The city council shall provide the necessary appropriations annually to provide suitable office space, facilities, equipment and personnel to carry on the work of the Department of Economic Development.

   (c)   The director shall be the appointing authority for all employees who may be required to operate the department.

(Ord. No. 09-1226, 6-1-09; Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Sec. 7-27. - Functions and duties.

   The director of the Department of Economic Development shall supervise and control the department. Functions and duties of the director shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

   (1)   To be responsible for helping maintain and expand existing businesses and industries, attracting new business and industry to the city, as well as develop new programs beneficial to the general development of the city.

   (2)   Planning and coordinating the activities of the city and private business in connection with the improvement and beautification of the business districts within the community.

   (3)   Planning and coordinating the activities of the city and private industry in connection with the improvement and beautification of the industrial districts within the community.

   (4)   To serve as the administrative liaison and provide supportive staff for the East Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority, East Dearborn Development Area Citizens Council, West Dearborn Development Area Citizens Council, commercial corridor improvement authorities, economic development corporation, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and zoning board of appeals.

   (5)   To coordinate the economic and community development department's activities with related planning activities of other departments or subdivisions of the government and with those of other state, local and federal governmental agencies.

   (6)   To serve as the city representative in connection with the state and federal programs relative to community improvement, education and job training, and other similar matters.

   (7)   To prepare annual application, administer the day-to-day operation, to prepare annual reports and to otherwise be the administrative officer in charge of the city's participation under the community development block grant program.

   (8)   To administer the functions and duties of the Property Maintenance and Buildings Division, as explained in Secs. 7-35 to 7-37 of this Code.

   (9)   To coordinate the review of plans for commercial, industrial, and residential development with appropriate city agencies.

(Ord. No. 09-1226, 6-1-09; Ord. No. 14-1443, 11-12-14; Ord. No. 16-1522, 2-9-16; Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Sec. 7-28. - Assignment of duties and responsibilities.

   Any reference in the building, zoning, nuisance and other applicable codes to the department of building and safety, as previously constituted and/or the director of building and safety or property maintenance and development services, insofar as they relate to the construction, authorization, inspection, or repair of commercial and industrial buildings or other appurtenant structures, shall be applicable instead to the Department of Economic Development and its director, or their designee, respectively.

(Ord. No. 09-1226, 6-1-09; Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Sec. 7-29. Planning director - Appointment and vacancy.

   The director of the Department of Economic Development shall be the appointing authority of the planning director, who may be a part-time, contractual employee, and who shall assume all the duties and responsibilities of the planning director and exercise all the powers granted to the planning director, as requested by the director.

(Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Sec. 7-30. Same - Authority Generally.

   The director of the Department of Economic Development shall be the appointing authority of all members of the planning staff and shall assist the city planning commission in carrying out its powers and duties, as prescribed by the charter.

(Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Sec. 7-31. Urban renewal.

   In addition to any and all duties of the planning director, they may be charged with planning and coordinating the activities of the city in connection with residential and commercial renewal and establishing a program which will qualify for federal assistance. In connection with such duties, the planning director may also be responsible for formulating a program for the continued prevention of blighted areas within the city and for removal of existing blight.

(Ord. No. 22-1732, 1-25-22)

Secs. 7-32—7-34. Reserved.