Title
Dept/ Agency: Economic & Housing Development
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Consortium Memorandum of Understanding
Purpose: Membership in HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program and designation of representatives to Steering Committee of Consortium
Entity Name: North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium
Entity Address: Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Additional Information:
body
WHEREAS, in June 2009, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined with the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency to create an Interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities. In the context of the federal partnership, HUD created the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program in an effort to support metropolitan and multijurisdictional planning efforts that integrate housing, land use, economic and workforce development, transportation, infrastructure plans and to empower jurisdictions to consider the interdependent challenges of economic growth and revitalization, access to opportunity, public health, and environmental impact simultaneously; and
WHEREAS, in November 2011, a group consisting of Rutgers University, the North Jersey Transportation Authority (NJTPA), NJ TRANSIT, the Office for Planning Advocacy and others received a $5 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to create the North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium ("Consortium") which will guide the development of a Regional Plan for Sustainable Development ("RPSD") for the 13-county NJTPA region; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this planning effort is to enhance, coordinate, and expand existing planning work being conducted at the local, county, regional, and state level to address economic growth, development, transportation, access to jobs and housing, and other interrelated factors; and
WHEREAS, the grant requires that Consortium participants sign a Memorandum of Understanding that explains the benefits and responsibilities of membership and identifies the processes and procedures that will govern the business of the Consortium; and
WHEREAS, membership in the Consortium is voluntary and open to any public jurisdiction, agency or authority; non-governmental organization; neighborhood association; community and faith-based organization; private corporation or company; or educational institution located in or serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren Counties; and
WHEREAS, the Counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren and the Cities of Elizabeth, Newark, New Brunswick, Jersey City and Paterson are eligible to serve on the Consortium Steering Committee if they elect to become a member of the Consortium; and
WHEREAS, local government participation in this effort is critical for its success; and
WHEREAS, the City of Newark desires to further its commitment to comprehensive planning, sustainability, and the promotion of housing, workforce, infrastructure and transportation improvements for Newark residents by participating in the regional planning process afforded by this grant.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The City of Newark hereby agrees to join the North Jersey Sustainable Communities Consortium and to become a member of the Consortium Steering Committee.
2. The Mayor and/or his designee, the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development are hereby authorized to enter into and execute the Consortium Memorandum of Understanding attached hereto, which is required by the Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program.
3. The Mayor and/or his designees, the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development and the Director of Engineering are hereby authorized to represent the City in connection with the Consortium and to work collaboratively with other members of the Consortium and the public to: a) create a comprehensive and balanced vision for the region's future in which the economy, housing market, transportation and infrastructure systems advance and sustain a high quality of life for all the region's residents and ensure the competitiveness of our businesses and industries without endangering natural resources; and b) develop a plan that makes the region attractive to both public- and private-sector investment that encourages residential and business growth in areas that can support growth and choose to do so.
4. A duly executed copy of the Consortium Memorandum of Understanding shall be filed in the Office of the City Clerk by the Deputy Mayor/ Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development.
5. The execution of the Consortium Memorandum of Understanding shall not require the use of City of Newark Municipal Funds.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the Mayor and/or his designee the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development to enter into and execute a Memorandum of Understanding to join the HUD Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. The Resolution further authorizes the Mayor and/or his designees the Deputy Mayor/Director of the Department of Economic and Housing Development and the Director of Engineering to represent the City of Newark on the Steering Committee of the Consortium.