(A) Incorporation. The recitals in the ordinance codified herein are incorporated herein and made a part hereof.
(B) Business and Economic Development Commission reconstituted. A Business and Economic Development Commission (“Development Commission”) is hereby reconstituted to encourage industrial development, commercial business, retail and other supporting services which will provide job opportunities, broaden the tax base, stimulate the local economy and ultimately improve the quality of life within the village. At all times, the Development Commission shall act as an advisory body for the corporate authorities, without the authority to independently make, adopt or change the policies of the village.
(C) Membership.
(1) Residency requirements. All members of the Development Commission shall reside within the village or within territory contiguous to the village, but not more than one and one-half miles beyond the corporate limits and not included within any other municipality.
(2) Number. The Development Commission shall consist of seven members unless otherwise modified by the corporate authorities.
(3) Membership qualifications.
(a) All members to serve on the Development Commission shall possess the following qualifications:
1. Be an employee, officer, manager or owner of a business which has one or more business locations within the corporate limits of the village; or
2. Conduct a substantial amount of business in the village or otherwise have a significant economic interest therein.
(b) A member shall have experience or expertise in one or more of the following concentrated areas:
1. Commercial or industrial real estate development;
2. Real estate brokerage;
3. Financial institutions;
4. Manufacturing or industrial activity;
5. Retail sales;
6. Large business (greater than 20 employees) within the village;
7. Small business (20 employees or less) within the village;
8. Business development; or
9. Experience in legal or other aspects of business operations, expansion, retention or attraction such as involvement in economic incentives, business districts or other public/private business agreements.
(4) Appointment. Except as otherwise provided herein, the members of the Development Commission shall be subject to the appointment by the Village President with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees and shall serve without compensation.
(5) Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, terms for members of the Development Commission are hereby established in the following manner, or until their successors are appointed and have qualified:
(a) Two members shall serve a two-year term;
(b) Two members shall serve a three-year term;
(c) Two members shall serve a four-year term; and
(d) One member, who shall serve as the Chairperson, shall serve a five-year term.
(6) Resignation. A member of the Development Commission may resign at any time by giving written notice to the member(s) and corporate authorities. The resignation of the member shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall be specified in the notice; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
(7) Removal of members. The Village President may remove any member of the Development Commission, with the advice and consent of the Village Board of Trustees whenever the best interest of the village shall be served thereby.
(8) Vacancies. A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office and shall hold office until the expiration of the term and until a successor shall be appointed and shall qualify until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
(D) Powers and duties of Development Commission.
(1) The duty of the Development Commission shall be to foster and facilitate desirable economic growth within the village, in pursuit of the policy goals and objectives established by the corporate authorities. An official plan shall be adopted by the Development Commission which designates the goals and objectives of the village in terms of business and economic growth; and economic restructuring and development within the community’s commercial, industrial and residential/office zoning districts as described therein.
(2) The Development Commission is further empowered to review, advise and make recommendations to the corporate authorities regarding any or all economic development projects (proposed or actual) undertaken in the commercial, industrial and residential/office zoning districts.
(3) The Development Commission shall function in an advisory capacity to the corporate authorities with respect to such matters herein set forth below and as otherwise determined by the corporate authorities from time to time:
(a) To prepare, develop and recommend to the Village Board a long-term strategic plan, including such amendments as may from time to time be appropriate;
(b) To prepare, review and evaluate proposals concerning the location of new businesses within the village, and to encourage the retention and expansion of existing businesses;
(c) To prepare, review and develop marketing strategies, promotional brochures and other materials to advertise or otherwise promote the village as a desirable community to locate, retain and expand a business;
(d) To review, evaluate and make recommendations to the Village Board concerning the funding and promotion of projects which encourage the location, retention and expansion of businesses within the village;
(e) To identify and evaluate business development or redevelopment opportunities within the village, including identifying parcels where development or redevelopment will benefit local economic conditions;
(f) To review and prepare appropriate reports regarding the demographic and economic aspects of the village and their impact upon the location, retention and expansion of businesses within the village;
(g) To identify other economic development needs of the community as may arise from time to time, relative to the retention, location and expansion of businesses within the village;
(h) To investigate and evaluate economic incentive applications regarding the attraction, retention and expansion of business in the village at the request of the corporate authorities and make recommendations relating to the applications in an advisory capacity;
(i) To provide input and assistance in the development of strategic plans for business areas and commercial area of the village such as downtown Elwood or any other commercial or business districts as determined by the corporate authorities;
(j) Preparation of an implementation strategy to address parking needs within the commercial, industrial and residential/office zoning districts;
(k) To coordinate with other municipal and county organizations as appropriate, to achieve the goals and objectives set forth herein;
(l) To recommend reasonable rules and regulations governing the functions of the Development Commission, consistent with this section, approved by laws and otherwise consistent with the powers and duties set forth herein; and
(m) To perform such additional functions and activities, as appropriate and convenient to achieve the purposes, goals and objectives of the Development Commission.
(E) Limitation of authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Development Commission shall not review or make any recommendations before the corporate authorities which pertain to any matter that rests within the exclusive powers or decision making authority vested in the Village Plan Commission.
(F) Adoption of rules of governance.
(1) As a public body, the Development Commission shall comply with the Open Meetings Act (ILCS Ch. 5, Act 120, § 2.06) and any other applicable statutory requirement.
(2) The Development Commission may adopt other rules of governance within the authority granted herein, provided that approval is first obtained from the corporate authorities.
(Ord. 907, passed 4-16-2008)