Chapter 2.85
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Sections:
2.85.010 Economic development commission established.
2.85.020 Membership qualifications.
2.85.030 Terms of appointment.
2.85.070 Compensation of members.
2.85.080 Quorum – Rules and regulations.
2.85.090 Members – Prohibited acts.
2.85.010 Economic development commission established.
The economic development commission composed of seven members to be appointed and, when necessary or appropriate, removed by the mayor with the consent of the city council is hereby established. The economic development commission members shall appoint, at their first regular meeting, a chairperson, vice chairperson and secretary from their membership. The position of chairperson shall be selected each January for a one-year term; provided, however, that no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms as chairperson. Resignation when made shall be addressed to and accepted by the mayor. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.970; Ord. 2023-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
2.85.020 Membership qualifications.
Qualifications for appointment to membership on the economic development commission include demonstration of positive interest in the development of Cornelius and creation of job opportunities or status as a resident or representative of a property or business owner within the city limits, or both (as determined in the discretion of the mayor and city council). [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.972; Ord. 2023-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
2.85.030 Terms of appointment.
Upon the expiration of the term of any member, the mayor shall, with the advice of the council, appoint a successor to each member whose term shall have expired. Each succeeding term shall be for a period of three years, and the mayor shall, with the advice of the council, appoint successors to such offices for each term of three years thereafter. Appointments shall be structured so as to ensure that terms overlap. No member shall serve more than three consecutive three-year terms. Following the completion of three consecutive three-year terms, a member may not apply for an additional term until they have stepped down from the commission for a period of no less than one year, after which point they may reapply.
The mayor, with the advice of the council, may expand or contract the membership of the economic development commission to not more than 15 members, nor less than nine members.
Vacancies on the economic development commission shall be filled for the remaining term of the members ceasing to be members of the board in the same manner as the original appointment. It shall be the duty of the chair or the vice chair of the board to notify the mayor and city council when a vacancy so exists. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.974; Ord. 2014-09, 2014; Ord. 2021-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2021; Ord. 2023-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
2.85.040 Ex officio members.
The city manager or designee shall serve as the secretary and as an ex officio member. The ex officio member may participate in the economic development commission meetings and deliberations, but will not be a voting member. The mayor may also appoint city council advisory members to the commission who will serve on an ex officio basis and without a vote. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.976.]
2.85.050 Meetings.
The economic development commission shall meet at least quarterly on a regular schedule adopted for the year by the board members. Special meetings of the board may be called by the chairperson, or upon the concurrence of three members, or as scheduled by the city manager. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.978.]
2.85.060 Purpose and duties.
(A) The purposes for the creation and continued existence of the commission are:
(1) To create an awareness both in the public and private sectors of the city of the need for and the encouragement of effective community and economic development.
(2) To encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors of the city and the region to provide an effective community economic development program, the goals of which shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) The upgrading and physical renewal of housing facilities, neighborhood and business area;
(b) The attraction to the city and its environs not only of new job-producing businesses and enterprises, but the retention and enlargement of existing ones;
(c) To seek and obtain cooperation between the public and private sectors of the community and achievement of the purposes and goals outlined herein;
(d) Increasing the job and entrepreneurial skills of Cornelius residents, including, but not limited to, workforce development opportunities;
(e) To serve in an advisory capacity to the council, the Cornelius urban renewal agency, and the various departments which deal with development programs, particularly as to long-range programs which affect the economic interests of the city and its inhabitants.
(3) To assist in city policy advocacy relating to community and economic development.
(B) The duties and responsibilities of the commission shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) Evaluate the city’s existing programs and improvement projects and make recommendations to the council and the city manager for the continuance, discontinuance or modification of the same.
(2) Receive input from the general public regarding the economic betterment and improvement of the city and make reports and recommendations thereof to the council and city manager.
(3) Recommend to the council and the city manager ways and means for improving the economic betterment and improvement of the city.
(4) Seek to develop, collaborate with and coordinate close communications and relationships between the city government, chamber of commerce, private businesses and industries, neighboring cities, regional/state economic development agencies and interested citizens regarding the economic betterment and improvement.
(5) When directed by the council and within the resources available to the commission, carry on a comprehensive program of economic betterment and improvement. The economic development commission members shall have no authority to make any direct expenditure on behalf of the city or obligate the city for payment of any sums of money except as expressly authorized. However, they will make recommendations to city council from time to time regarding expenditures and/or obligations.
(6) Advocate on behalf of new and existing city policies relating to community and economic development.
(7) Serve as the urban renewal advisory committee by making recommendations to the urban renewal agency regarding projects to undertake, changes to project lists, changes to the capital investment program, and all other matters related to urban renewal in the city.
(C) The board shall not direct personnel nor investigate complaints regarding performance of personnel. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.980; Ord. 2023-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 2023-05 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024.]
2.85.070 Compensation of members.
Economic development commission members shall receive no compensation for their services. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.982.]
2.85.080 Quorum – Rules and regulations.
A majority of the economic development commission shall constitute a quorum. The board may adopt and alter rules and regulations to conduct its affairs, which rules and regulations shall be consistent with the laws of the state of Oregon, Cornelius City Charter and Cornelius Municipal Code. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.984; Ord. 2023-01 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
2.85.090 Members – Prohibited acts.
An economic development commission member shall not participate in any board proceeding or action in which the following has a direct or substantial financial interest: a member or member’s spouse, brother, sister, child, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, any business in which the member has been serving or has served in the previous two years as an officer, director, board member, manager or owner, or any business with which the member is negotiating for or has an arrangement or understanding concerning a prospective partnership or employment. Any actual or potential interest shall be disclosed at the meeting of the board where the action is being taken. [Ord. 893 § 1 (Exh. A), 2007; Code 2000 § 2.986.]