The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutRES-1994-031 Resolution to amend the Orange County Economic Development Commission i 2 031 -� Current: June 1994 Adopted: December 14, 1982 Amended: January 20, 1987 January 4, 1988 RESOLUTION CREATING THE ORANGE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION WHEREAS, economic development is a countywide concern; and, WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners in cooperation with the municipal governments of Orange County wishes to take an active lead role in economic development efforts to directly and indirectly address the problems of economic development in Orange County (e.g. underemployment, uneven tax base, uneven geographic distribution of job opportunities) ; and, WHEREAS, the establishment of an economic development commission would provide for the economic development functions and activities desired and provide a mechanism for representation of and continuous funding by the County, municipalities and business interests served by the Commission; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Orange County: THAT the Orange County Economic Development Commission be established under public control as provided in General Statute Chapter 158, Article 2 and be furnished a full time staff and finances for various economic development efforts; THAT the Commission: a) Carry out an economic development program for all portions of the County and its encompassed municipalities; b) Formulate projects in cooperation with local governments for carrying out such an economic development program to address the need for gainful employment and upgrading skill levels for current County residents as primary goals; C) Furnish advice and assistance to existing businesses wishing to alter or expand operations, to prospects desiring to locate in the County, and to developers of office parks and shopping centers; d) Encourage stimulation of locally-owned enterprises, small businesses and farm operations, such as through local marketing of locally produced farm goods; e) Encourage policies that take account of scarce natural resources such as water, existing and proposed water supply watersheds, and prime and locally important farmlands, and which reflect sound overall development patterns and the public cost of servicing these patterns; f) conduct commercial and industrial surveys as needed; -2- 3 g) Carry on such other activities as may be necessary in the proper exercise of the functions described herein; THAT the Commission be made up of thirteen (13) voting members who shall act as the Board of Directors to the Commission as follows: Eight members appointed by the Board of Commissioners; one member each representing and recommended by the municipalities of Mebane, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill and Carrboro; and one member representing and recommended by the Chapel Hill- Carrboro and Hillsborough Chambers of Commerce. One of the Orange County positions shall be reserved for a member of the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Authority in order to coordinate actions of the two organizations; THAT the voting members of the Commission shall serve staggered terms such that the initial appointments of one-third of the members shall be for one year, one-third for two years and one third for three year terms. The terms served initially by Orange County members shall be three years for one member, two years for one member and one year for two members. The Towns of Chapel Hill and Hillsborough members shall each serve a term of three years. The Towns of Mebane and Carrboro members shall each serve a term of two years. The representative of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Hillsborough Chambers of Commerce shall serve a term of one year. Following expiration of the initial terms served, the members may be considered for reappointment. All subsequent terms shall be for three years; THAT the Town Managers and County Manager be ex-officio, non-voting members of the Commission for coordination between governments; THAT the Executive Directors of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and the Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce be ex-officio, non-voting members; THAT the Commission, through its Chair who shall be elected by the Commission members as provided for in G.S. 158-9, will act in a supervisory capacity to the staff. The Commission shall set policy and guidelines for operations, assist recruitment, determine the type of liaison contact to be mounted, review the progress of the Commission, and adopt rules and regulations as necessary to perform its functions. The Commission shall meet regularly at least once every three months as provided for in G.S. 158-9. Both the Chair and County Manager shall be kept informed by staff of any major operational developments occurring between meetings of the Commission; THAT there be a budget for Commission, subject to the annual audit review for all expenditures. The Commission Chair and the County Manager shall serve as a personal committee to determine qualifications, hire, dismiss and fix the compensation of all personnel necessary to the functioning of the Commission, including the Director of the Commission. All employees of the Commission will be considered County employees subject to the Orange County personnel Ordinance and fringe benefits applicable to all County employees; THAT the Commission may lease, rent or purchase or otherwise obtain suitable quarters and office space for its staff, and may lease, rent or purchase necessary furniture, fixtures and other equipment as provided for in G.S. 158-11; -3- 4 THAT the Commission Director also provide staff support to the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Authority and provide contact with all other agencies and groups which may now or in the future be involved in actions affecting economic development of Orange County; THAT the Commission receive, accept and disburse any funds and services made available by local governments and their agencies and by private and civic sources in furtherance of its functions; THAT the initial annual budget not exceed $50,000 dollars and be provided through non-property tax funds and contributions. The prorated share of the funds for the Commission's budget shall be as follows: 56% from Orange County, . 6% from each municipality and 20% combined amount from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Hillsborough Chambers of Commerce; THAT available funding sources and project initiatives be designed and pursued through available financial resources such as those provided by the Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Authority and the Federal-State Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Fund: THAT the Commission and staff work affirmatively with the County and municipal planning agencies and in particular to rely on what the agencies provide in such areas as: a) Planning Department and Planning Board surveys and plans which identify resources for and constraints to economic development; b) Zoning designed to identify potential industrial and commercial sites and protect them against types of development that would lessen their attractiveness or their compatibility with surrounding areas; C) Provision of adequate governmental facilities to serve industrial sites thus identified. THAT the Commission and staff work affirmatively with the Triangle J Council of Governments, the contemplated Foreign Trade Zone, the Research Triangle Park Foundation and the Department of Commerce; THAT this resolution takes effect upon its passage, this the 14th day of December, 1982. Signed by: Richard E. Whitted Chair of the Board of Commissioners Attest: Paulette Pridgen-Pond Clerk to the Board of Commissioners (Original, signed Resolution on file in the Clerk's Office)