Richmond Municipal Code Ch. 3.56 Economic Development Commission

There is created an economic development commission.

The purpose of this commission is to recommend long term economic development goals to the City Council and City officials as it concerns the overall economic development of the City. Staff resources necessary to facilitate economic development shall be coordinated through the City Manager's office.

The commission shall consist of fifteen commissioners who shall be broadly representative of the community, who shall not be officers or employees of the City and who shall be appointed by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council. Any vacancies on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term of the appointee's predecessor. Each individual considered for appointment to the commission shall either reside or work in the City and shall have a background which provides the commission with expertise in a field related to the economic development of the City; provided, however, that a majority of the members of the commission shall be residents of the City. The commissioners shall serve without compensation, provided that the City Council may authorize the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by the commissioners in the performance of their duties.

The term of each member of the commission shall be for three years; provided, however, that of the members first appointed, five shall serve for a term of one year, five shall serve for a term of two years, and five shall serve for a term of three years as determined by lot by such members at the first regularly scheduled meeting following adoption of this chapter. No member shall serve for more than three consecutive full terms.

The absence of any member of the commission from more than three regularly scheduled meetings of the commission within any twelve consecutive month period shall constitute an automatic resignation from the commission. Such a resignation shall not however, disqualify an individual from subsequently being appointed to the same or any other City commission or board. In the event of any such resignation, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired portion of the term as prescribed in Section 3.56.030.

The commission shall elect from among their own number a chairman and a vice-chairman who shall serve in such capacity for one year. In the case of a vacancy in the position of chairman or vice-chairman, the commission shall elect a successor who shall serve for the predecessor's term. The commission shall appoint a secretary who may be, but need not be, a member of the commission.

The specific powers and duties of the commission are as follows:

(a) Work with state and local agencies, governing bodies, public and private organizations as appropriate to encourage economic development in the City;

(b) Promote the interests of commercial and industrial development in metropolitan Richmond while giving due consideration to the interests of the neighborhoods and the overall quality of life in the City;

(c) Review and comment on the City's program of providing economic development, business information and economic promotion services to the business community;

(d) Review and comment on opportunities for enhancing economic development through major public works projects, emerging growth industries, annexations, use of redevelopment, ports development, etc.;

(e) Review and comment on programs which may enhance employment of Richmond residents;

(f) Perform other tasks related to the City's economic development as requested by the City Manager or City Council.

The commission shall hold its first meeting within thirty days after all of its members have been appointed. At such meeting, the commission shall fix the time and place of regular meetings of the commission which shall not be less frequent than once each month. All meetings of the commission shall be open to the public.

The commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of the business of the commission, which rules shall, among other things, include the term of the secretary of the commission, the manner of calling and giving notice of special meetings and hearings, and the appointment and powers of standing committees. The commission shall keep records which shall be open to the public of its resolutions, transactions, motions, orders, findings and determinations.

(Source: Ordinance No. 34-89 N.S.)