Section 831. Powers and duties of the downstate council


Latest version.
  • The downstate
      council shall have the power:
        1. to make by-laws for the management and regulation of its affairs;
        2. to make and execute contracts and all other  instruments  necessary
      or  convenient  for  the exercise of its powers and functions under this
      article;
        3. to appoint and remove an executive officer,  officers,  agents  and
      employees, and prescribe their duties and qualifications;
        4.  to  develop  a comprehensive marketing program and plan to promote
      the  attractions  within  the   downstate   region   to   domestic   and
      international travelers and to enhance tourism in the downstate region;
        5.  to  utilize,  to  the extent feasible, the staff and facilities of
      existing state agencies, pursuant to an allocation to  be  made  by  the
      state division of the budget;
        6. to develop in cooperation with schools, colleges and universities a
      training  and educational program to promote the tourism industry within
      the downstate region;
        7. to review and comment on capital and  long  range  plans  of  state
      agencies as they affect tourism in the downstate region;
        8.  to  encourage  individuals,  corporations, associations and public
      entities to establish,  maintain,  protect,  preserve  and  promote  the
      tourism resources of the downstate region;
        9. to prepare an annual report on the conduct of its activities;
        10.  to utilize the staff and facilities of existing local agencies to
      the extent that local agencies make them available;
        11. to hold hearings in the exercise  of  its  powers,  functions  and
      duties provided for by this article;
        12.  to  intervene  in  proceedings  before  state agencies on matters
      affecting tourists and tourism in the downstate region;
        13. to, whenever in the opinion of the downstate council it  would  be
      in  the  public  interest,  after  prior approval of the director of the
      budget,  request  the  temporary  assignment  and  transfer  of  certain
      employees of any board, commission, agency or department of the state or
      its  political  subdivisions,  and  said  board,  commission,  agency or
      department, if in its opinion such transfer will not interfere with  the
      performance  of  its  duties  and functions may make such assignment and
      transfer of said employees to the downstate council. Such assignment and
      transfer or extension thereof shall not in  any  way  affect  the  civil
      service  status, continuity of service, retirement plan status, right to
      compensation, grade or compensation or other rights or privileges of any
      employee so transferred;
        14. notwithstanding any other section of law,  the  downstate  council
      shall  not  have  the  power of eminent domain or to acquire property by
      eminent domain;
        15. to take any actions and to adopt regulations  necessary  to  carry
      out  the  functions, powers and duties imposed by this article. Any such
      regulations shall be adopted in accordance with article two of the state
      administrative procedure act; and
        16. to exercise and perform such other powers and  duties  subject  to
      the  availability  of  appropriations  as shall have been or may be from
      time to time conferred by law.