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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE II, ADMINISTRATION, CHAPTER 10, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, SECTION 6, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, TO AMEND THE DUTIES OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER AND ESTABLISH A CITY-WIDE GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE TO SERVE AS THE ADVISORY BODY TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR PURSUING CERTIFICATION WITH THE SUSTAINABLE JERSEY PROGRAM.
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark wishes to promote environmental, social, and economic health for all Newark residents and has incorporated this commitment into its Master Plan, its Sustainability Action Plan, and the activities of its Environmental Commission and municipal operations; and
WHEREAS, the Mayors' Committee for a Green Future of the New Jersey League of Municipalities has promulgated and published a voluntary municipal certification program and organization called "Sustainable New Jersey" ("Sustainable Jersey"); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of Sustainable Jersey is to enlist municipalities in a concerted and organized state-wide effort to improve the environment and promote sustainability; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark initially authorized the creation of a Green Team Committee composed of municipal staff and led by the Newark Sustainability Office to pursue Sustainable Jersey certification via Ordinance 6PSF-a, adopted on January 5, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark now wishes to build on sustainability accomplishments to date and broaden community engagement and impact by establishing a City-wide Newark Green Team Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
Section 1. Title II, Administration, Chapter 10, Department of Economic and Housing Development, Section 6, Office of Sustainability of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark, New Jersey, 2000, is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows (note: additions are shown in bold underlined and deletions are shown with a strikethrough):
2:10-6. OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY.
2:10-6.1. Office Created; Sustainability Officer.
The Municipal Council hereby authorizes the creation of a Sustainability Office and of the position of Sustainability Officer within the Department of Economic and Housing Development. (Ord. 6 PSF-A, 1-5-11 § 1)
2:10-6.2. Authorization as Agent for Sustainable Jersey Municipal CertificationDuties of the Sustainability Officer
The Sustainability Officer of the City of Newark is hereby authorized to serve as Newark's agent for the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification process and to complete the municipal registration in the Sustainable New Jersey initiative on behalf of the City of Newark shall be responsible for coordinating and promoting efforts across departments within City government and with community and business partners throughout the City to advance sustainability goals as outlined in the Newark Sustainability Action Plan and as further directed by the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development (the “Director”). (Ord. 6 PSF-A, 1-5-11 § 2)
2:10-6.3. Duties of Sustainability OfficerEstablishment of City-Wide Green Team.
To carry out the mission of promoting sustainability within City operations and throughout the City, the Sustainability Officer is hereby authorized to convene an inter-departmental Green Team to develop targets and actions that reduce energy use, waste, toxicity and greenhouse gas emissions, and that promote public health, qualify of life, energy cost savings, natural resources conservation, and access for Newark residents to job and business opportunities in the green economy. The Director is hereby authorized to appoint a City-Wide Green Team to serve as an advisory body to the Director for pursuing certification on behalf of the City of Newark with the Sustainable Jersey Program. (Ord. 6 PSF-A, 1-5-11 § 3)
2:10-6.4. Responsibilities of the Green Team.
The general purposes for the Green Team Committee shall include but not be limited to:
(a) Completing the municipal registration in the Sustainable Jersey Program;
(b) Managing Newark's participation in the Sustainable Jersey Program, including initiating, supporting, and documenting activities that qualify for points within the Sustainable Jersey certification framework;
(c) Ensuring that activities carried out pursuant to Sustainable Jersey certification advance the principles and goals of the Newark Sustainability Action Plan;
(d) Coordinating with staff within municipal government to identify and support City government activities that advance Sustainable Jersey certification;
(e) Convening and coordinating efforts within the community to advance city-wide sustainability in areas including but not limited to: gardening, farming, tree planting, and green infrastructure projects, air quality monitoring and air pollution reduction projects, energy efficiency and indoor air quality projects, materials re-use and recycling projects, green local economy projects, arts and cultural activities that promote sustainability, and youth engagement and educational projects;
(f) Soliciting and evaluating ideas for sustainability projects and policies from the community;
(g) Engaging Newark businesses and institutions in promoting and highlighting sustainability initiatives that strengthen the local economy; and
(h) Supporting municipal staff and the Newark Environmental Commission in setting and reaching measurable benchmarks for progress in advancing municipal sustainability, including reducing energy use, air pollution, stormwater run-off, waste, toxicity and greenhouse gas emissions and promoting public health, quality of life, cost savings, natural resource conservation, and access for Newark residents to job and business opportunities in the green economy.
2:10-6.5 Membership, Term of Office
The Director shall appoint 12 members to serve on the Green Team. Membership of the Newark Green Team Committee shall be open to all Newark residents, workers, and business owners via invitation by the Director. To the greatest extent possible, the Director shall make appointments that strive to include membership from the following sectors: (a) Members of the Newark Environmental Commission; (b) City residents; (c) Representatives of community-based organizations; (d) Representatives of K-12 schools, vocational and technical schools, and higher education institutions; (e) Representatives of small and large businesses; (f) Representatives of civic institutions such as the library, museum, hospitals, and arts and cultural venues; and (g) Representatives of municipal government.
The Green Team shall elect from among its members a Chair, Vice Chair and a Secretary. Initially seven (7) members shall be appointed with a term ending December 31, 2017 and five (5) members with a term ending December 31, 2016. Thereafter, all terms shall be for three (3) years.
The Green Team shall recruit City volunteers to work on Green Team projects. The names of the Green Team volunteers and the Green Team committee reports, minutes, etc. shall be submitted to the Municipal Council on a biannual basis.
2:10-6.6 Meetings
The Green Team shall meet monthly. Additional meetings of the Green Team Committee may be scheduled at the discretion of the Chair. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Green Team.
Section 2. Any existing ordinance, or part thereof, inconsistent with this ordinance is hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.
Section 3. If any section, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or provision of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to the specific section, paragraph, subparagraph, clause or provision so adjudged and the remainder of the Ordinance shall be deemed valid and effective.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey.
STATEMENT
This ordinance amends Title II, Administration, Chapter 10, Department of Economic and Housing Development, Section 6, Office of Sustainability to amend the duties of the Sustainability Officer and establish a City-wide Green Team to serve as the advisory body to the Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development for pursuing certification on behalf of the City of Newark with the Sustainability Jersey program.