A special meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to have the governing body review and interview for the position of Economic Development Coordinator.
The majority of the meeting will be in closed session but the agenda has two public portions. The first will be only for comments or questions on the Economic Development Coordinator. The second public comment portion will allow the public to speak on any subject matter – not just limited to meeting topics.
The Economic Development Coordinator will be responsible for “professionalizing the process of helping businesses, both current and prospective, in making Roselle Park business-friendly”. The 14 duties and responsibilities of the coordinator will be:
- Generally and regularly assist current and prospective businesses communicate and interact with the Borough government to promote a business-friendly environment;
- Identify existing businesses seeking to expand and assist in furthering their goal;
- Identify prospective businesses seeking to locate to the area and market Roselle Park as a viable business opportunity;
- Assist businesses in the permitting process, including, but not limited to, health, building, and zoning;
- Assist in the redevelopment process with the objective of securing new commercial or mixed-use spaces;
- Market the local business community to interested developers, customers, and investors;
- Maintain a running list of commercial and retail locations available for rent or purchase;
- Research grants and programs available for business improvements;
- Create networking opportunities for realtors, developers and chambers of commerce;
- Create welcome and educational materials for the local business community;
- Periodically host workshops and gatherings on various commerce-related topics for the benefit of the local business community;
- Regularly monitor and report on the conditions of the local business community to the Mayor and Council as a whole;
- Make recommendations to the Mayor and Council as to how to improve processes of the Borough to gain efficiencies;
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Mayor and Council.
This year’s municipal budget dedicated $45,000 for the position. This amount was based on half a year. The proposed maximum – if approved at the August meeting – will be $100,000 a year (Ordinance 2540).
It is expected that a decision will be made at the end of the first meeting and acted on during the regularly scheduled 7 p.m. municipal meeting later that evening through two ordinances that will be introduced. They will be voted on by the governing body at the August Mayor & Council meeting.