SEC. 2.56.  STAR CITY ADVISORY COMMISSION.

 Subd. 1.  Definitions.  The following terms, as used in this Section, shall have the meanings stated:

 A.  "Commission" is the Star City Commission of the City as created by this Section.

 B.  "Chairman" is the Chairman of the Star City Commission as provided hereunder.

 C.  "Vice-Chairman" is the Vice-Chairman of the Star City Commission as provided hereunder.

D.  "Secretary" is the Secretary of the Star City Commission as provided hereunder.

  E.  "Planning Commission" is the City Planning Commission.

 Subd. 2.  Establishment.  A Star City Commission is hereby established to be advisory to the Council and Planning Commission, which Star City Commission shall have the powers and duties hereinafter set forth.

 Subd. 3.  Terms of Office.  Of the members of the Commission first appointed, three shall be appointed for terms expiring in January of 1987, and two shall be appointed for terms expiring in January of 1988.  Upon expiration of said initial terms, future appointees shall serve three-year terms expiring in January of the appropriate year; provided, however, that members shall continue their terms until new appointments or reappointments are made by the Council.  The Council shall make appointments to the Commission at its second official meeting in January of each year or as soon thereafter as it desires.  Vacancies during the term shall be filled by the Council for the unexpired portion of the term.

  Subd. 4.  Qualifications.  The Commission shall consist of the following:  One Council member; and members of the community representing, but not limited to the Chamber of Commerce, the Improvement Association, Independent School District Board, Area Board of Realtors, and the general public; also one representative of the Wright County Ministerial Association; and one County Commissioner from either District #2 or District #3, and the City Administrator.

  Subd. 5.  Removal of Members.  The Council by a four-fifths vote of its members shall have the authority to remove any member of the Commission from office whenever, in its discretion, the best interest of the City shall be served thereby.

  Subd. 6.  Meetings, Officers.  The Commission will name its own officers to serve at its pleasure from the membership of the Commission.

      A.  Regular Meetings.  The Commission shall meet publicly in regular session at least once each month at a time and place selected by a majority of its members.

      B.  Special Meetings.  The Chairman or any three (3) members of the Commission shall have the authority to call a special meeting of the Commission.  Written notice of special meetings shall be given to all members at least twenty‑four (24) hours prior to the time of the meeting unless the time and place for the special meetings is set at a regular meeting.

  Subd. 7.  Commission Staff.  The Commission shall receive the staff services of the City Administrator and approved by the Council within the means provided by an appropriations made therefor by the Council.

Subd. 8.  Rules and Procedure.  The Commission shall adopt a set of rules to govern its own meetings and procedures.  The rules may be amended from time to time, but only upon notice to all members that the said proposed amendments shall be acted upon at a specified meeting.  A majority vote of the Commission shall be required for the approval of the proposed amendment.

  Subd. 9.  Absence of Members.  Absence from three consecutive regular meetings without the formal consent of the Commission shall be deemed to constitute a resignation of a member; and the vacancy thus created shall be filled thereafter by appointment of the Council for the remainder of the term of the member so deemed to have resigned.

  Subd. 10.  Powers and Duties.  The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

      A.  To confer with and advise the Council and Planning Commission on all matters concerning the industrial and commercial development of the City.

      B.  To publicize, with the consent of the Council, the industrial and commercial advantages and opportunities of the City.

      C.  To collect data and information as to the type of industries and commerce best suited to the City.

      D.  To periodically survey the overall condition of the City from the standpoint of determining whether the City has a community climate for industry and to determine the general receptiveness of the City of particular types of industry.

      E.  To publicize information as to the general advantages of industrial and commercial development in a community.

      F.  To cooperate with all industries and businesses in the City and in the solution of any community problems which they may have, and to encourage the expansion, development and management of such industries and business so as to promote the general welfare of the City.   

    G.  To cooperate with the Regional Development Commission in the undertaking of necessary surveys and studies in the furtherance of commercial and industrial development.

      H.  To aid the Council and Planning Commission in the proper zoning and orderly development of areas suitable for industrial and commercial development.

      I.  To develop, compile, coordinate and publicize information such as, but not limited to, the following:

          1.  Existing industrial and commercial concerns with the City, their addresses, type of business, number of employees and whether each serves local, regional or national markets.

        2.  Available industrial and commercial sites including number of acres, approximate price, existing zoning and proximity to trackage and highways.

          3.  Available buildings for industrial and commercial operations, including type of building, number of square feet, existing zoning and proximity to trackage and highways.  (Minn. State Dept. Form.)

          4.  Transportation facilities, including railroads, motor carriers, water transportation, air transportation and highway facilities.

          5.  Electric power available.

          6.  Fuels available for industrial and commercial use.

        7.  Sewage disposal facilities.

          8.  Water supply facilities.

          9.  Community facilities such as fire, police and educational.      

        10.  Recreational facilities.

          11.  Going wage rate in the City for the trades, skilled and semi‑skilled and white collar workers.

          12.  Availability of labor.

          13.  General community attitude toward industrial and commercial expansion, development and attraction.

          14.  Experience and program of surround­ing suburban communities in regards to industrial and commercial expansion, development and attraction.

      J.  To recommend to the Council and Planning Commission policies and particular actions in regards to industrial and commercial expansion development and attraction.

      K.  To cooperate with and use the facilities of the Minnesota Department of Energy and Economic Development's Star Cities Program.

    L.  To cooperate and coordinate with the Buffalo 503 Development Company, the Buffalo Area Board of Realtors and local lending institutions in defining available property and assembling financing packages for commercial and industrial prospects.

      M.  The Commission shall have the power to appoint subcommittees of a size and nature it may deem necessary and may enlist the aid of persons and/or organizations who are not members of the Commission.  The Commission shall have no power to make contracts, levy taxes, borrow money or condemn property, but shall have the full power and responsibility to investigate the necessity

and recommend the taking of these and any other actions related to the industrial and commercial development by the Council and all other officers of the City responsible to formulate the terms of and the procedure for taking such action.

  Subd. ll.  Annual Report.  The Commission shall make a report to the Council of its activities in December of each year.

 

                             Source:  Ordinance No. 4, Second Series                              Effective Date:  3-21-86