SENATE, No. 1335

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 27, 2014

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JEFF VAN DREW

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Authorizes mayors to veto proposed actions of municipal authorities.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act authorizing mayors to veto actions of municipal authorities and revising various parts of the statutory law.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  Section 22 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22) is amended to read as follows:

     22.  a.  Records of minutes, accounts, bills, vouchers, contracts or other papers connected with or used or filed with any authority or with any officer or employee acting for or in its behalf are declared to be public records, and shall be open to public inspection in accordance with P.L.1963, c. 73 (C. 47:1A-1 et seq.) and regulations of the authority.

     b.  (1) The secretary of an authority created by a municipality, including a joint municipal authority, which has adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to veto the minutes of the authority, shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.

     (2)  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.

     (3)  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.

     (4)  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

     (5)  The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to an authority established pursuant to P.L.1992, c.165 (C.40:54D-1 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.1983, c.313, s.22)


     2.  R.S.40:48-1 is amended to read as follows:

     40:48-1.  Ordinances; general purpose.  The governing body of every municipality may make, amend, repeal and enforce ordinances to:

     Finances and property.  1. Manage, regulate and control the finances and property, real and personal, of the municipality;

     Contracts and contractor's bonds.  2. Prescribe the form and manner of execution and approval of all contracts to be executed by the municipality and of all bonds to be given to it;

     Officers and employees; duties, terms and salaries.  3. Prescribe and define, except as otherwise provided by law, the duties and terms of office or employment, of all officers and employees; and to provide for the employment and compensation of such officials and employees, in addition to those provided for by statute, as may be deemed necessary for the efficient conduct of the affairs of the municipality;

     Fees.  4. Fix the fees of any officer or employee of the municipality for any service rendered in connection with his office or position, for which no specific fee or compensation is provided.  In the case of salaried officers or employees, such fee shall be paid into the municipal treasury;

     Salaries instead of fees; disposition of fees.  5. Provide that any officer or employee receiving compensation for his services, in whole or in part by fees, whether paid by the municipality or otherwise, shall be paid a salary to be fixed in the ordinance, and thereafter all fees received by such officer or employee shall be paid into the municipal treasury;

     Maintain order.  6. Prevent vice, drunkenness and immorality; to preserve the public peace and order; to prevent and quell riots, disturbances and disorderly assemblages; to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages by underage persons on private property pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2000, c.33 (C.40:48-1.2);

     Punish beggars; prevention of loitering.  7. Restrain and punish drunkards, vagrants, mendicants and street beggars; to prevent loitering, lounging or sleeping in the streets, parks or public places;

     Auctions and noises.  8. Regulate the ringing of bells and the crying of goods and other commodities for sale at auction or otherwise, and to prevent disturbing noises;

     Swimming; bathing costume; prohibition of public nudity.  9. Regulate or prohibit swimming or bathing in the waters of, in, or bounding the municipality, and to regulate or prohibit persons from appearing upon the public streets, parks and places clad in bathing costumes or robes, or costumes of a similar character; regulate or prohibit persons from appearing in a state of nudity upon all lands within its borders which are under the jurisdiction of the State including, without limitation, all lands owned by, controlled by, managed by or leased by the State;

     Prohibit annoyance of persons or animals.  10. Regulate or prohibit any practice tending to frighten animals, or to annoy or injure persons in the public streets;

     Animals; pounds; establishment and regulation.  11. Establish and regulate one or more pounds, and to prohibit or regulate the running at large of horses, cattle, dogs, swine, goats and other animals, and to authorize their impounding and sale for the penalty incurred, and the costs of impounding, keeping and sale; to regulate or prohibit the keeping of cattle, goats or swine in any part of the municipality; to authorize the destruction of dogs running at large therein;

     Hucksters.  12. Prescribe and regulate the place of vending or exposing for sale articles of merchandise from vehicles;

     Building regulations; wooden structures.  13. Regulate and control the construction, erection, alteration and repair of buildings and structures of every kind within the municipality; and to prohibit, within certain limits, the construction, erection or alteration of buildings or structures of wood or other combustible material;

     Inflammable materials; inspect docks and buildings.  14. Regulate the use, storage, sale and disposal of inflammable or combustible materials, and to provide for the protection of life and property from fire, explosions and other dangers; to provide for inspections of buildings, docks, wharves, warehouses and other places, and of goods and materials contained therein, to secure the proper enforcement of such ordinance;

     Dangerous structures; removal or destruction; procedure.  15. Provide for the removal or destruction of any building, wall or structure which is or may become dangerous to life or health, or might tend to extend a conflagration; and to assess the cost thereof as a municipal lien against the premises;

     Chimneys and boilers.  16. Regulate the construction and setting up of chimneys, furnaces, stoves, boilers, ovens and other contrivances in which fire is used;

     Explosives.  17. Regulate, in conformity with the statutes of this State, the manufacture, storage, sale, keeping or conveying of gunpowder, nitroglycerine, dynamite and other explosives;

     Firearms and fireworks.  18. Regulate and prohibit the sale and use of guns, pistols, firearms, and fireworks of all descriptions;

     Soft coal.  19. Regulate the use of soft coal in locomotives, factories, power houses and other places;

     Theaters, schools, churches and public places.  20. Regulate the use of theaters, cinema houses, public halls, schools, churches, and other places where numbers of people assemble, and the exits therefrom, so that escape therefrom may be easily and safely made in case of fire or panic; and to regulate any machinery, scenery, lights, wires and other apparatus, equipment or appliances used in all places of public amusement;

     Excavations.  21. Regulate excavations below the established grade or curb line of any street, not greater than eight feet, which the owner of any land may make, in the erection of any building upon his own property; and to provide for the giving of notice, in writing, of such intended excavation to any adjoining owner or owners, and that they will be required to protect and care for their several foundation walls that may be endangered by such excavation; and to provide that in case of the neglect or refusal, for 10 days, of such adjoining owner or owners to take proper action to secure and protect the foundations of any adjacent building or other structure, that the party or parties giving such notice, or their agents, contractors or employees, may enter into and upon such adjoining property and do all necessary work to make such foundations secure, and may recover the cost of such work and labor in so protecting such adjacent property; and to make such further and other provisions in relation to the proper conduct and performance of said work as the governing body or board of the municipality may deem necessary and proper;

     Sample medicines.  22. Regulate and prohibit the distribution, depositing or leaving on the public streets or highways, public places or private property, or at any private place or places within any such municipality, any medicine, medicinal preparation or preparations represented to cure ailments or diseases of the body or mind, or any samples thereof, or any advertisements or circulars relating thereto, but no ordinance shall prohibit a delivery of any such article to any person above the age of 12 years willing to receive the same;

     Boating.  23. Regulate the use of motor and other boats upon waters within or bounding the municipality;

     Fire escapes.  24. Provide for the erection of fire escapes on buildings in the municipality, and to provide rules and regulations concerning the construction and maintenance of the same, and for the prevention of any obstruction thereof or thereon;

     Care of injured employees.  25. Provide for the payment of compensation and for medical attendance to any officer or employee of the municipality injured in the performance of his duty;

     Bulkheads and other structures.  26. Fix and determine the lines of bulkheads or other works or structures to be erected, constructed or maintained by the owners of lands facing upon any navigable water in front of their lands, and in front of or along any highway or public lands of said municipality, and to designate the materials to be used, and the type, height and dimensions thereof;

     Lifeguard.  27. Establish, maintain, regulate and control a lifeguard upon any beach within or bordering on the municipality;

     Appropriation for life-saving apparatus.  28. Appropriate moneys to safeguard people from drowning within its borders, by location of apparatus or conduct of educational work in harmony with the plans of the United States volunteer life-saving corps in this State;

     Fences.  29. Regulate the size, height and dimensions of any fences between the lands of adjoining owners, whether built or erected as division or partition fences between such lands, and whether the same exist or be erected entirely or only partly upon the lands of any such adjoining owners, or along or immediately adjacent to any division or partition line of such lands.  To provide, in such ordinance, the manner of securing, fastening or shoring such fences, and for surveying the land when required by statute, and to prohibit in any such ordinance the use at a height of under 10 feet from the ground, of any device, such as wire or cable, that would be dangerous to pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists, or drivers of off-the-road vehicles, unless that device is clearly visible to pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists or drivers of off-the-road vehicles.  In the case of fences thereafter erected contrary to the provisions thereof, the governing body may provide for a penalty for the violation of such ordinance, and in the case of such fence or fences erected or existing at the time of the passage of any such ordinance, may provide therein for the removal, change or alteration thereof, so as to make such fence or fences comply with the provisions of any such ordinance;

     Advertise municipality.  30. Appropriate funds for advertising the advantages of the municipality;

     Government Energy Aggregation Programs.  31. Establish programs and procedures pursuant to which the municipality may act as a government aggregator pursuant to sections 40 through 43 of P.L.1999,c.23 (C.48:3-89 through C.48:3-92), section 45 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-94), and sections 1, 2 and 6 of P.L.2003, c.24 (C.48:3-93.1 through C.48:3-93.3).  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a municipality acting as a government aggregator pursuant to P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-49 et al.) shall not be deemed to be a public utility pursuant to R.S.40:62-24 or R.S.48:1-1 et seq. or be deemed to be operating any form of public utility service pursuant to R.S.40:62-1 et seq., to the extent such municipality is solely engaged in the provision of such aggregation service and not otherwise owning or operating any plant or facility for the production or distribution of gas, electricity, steam or other product as provided in R.S.40:62-12;

     Joint municipal action on consent for the provision of cable television service.  32. Establish programs and procedures pursuant to which a municipality may act together with one or more municipalities in granting municipal consent for the provision of cable television service pursuant to the provisions of the "Cable Television Act," P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, two or more municipalities acting jointly pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) shall not be deemed a public utility pursuant to R.S.48:1-1 et seq., to the extent those municipalities are solely engaged in granting municipal consent jointly and are not otherwise owning or operating any facility for the provision of cable television service as provided in P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.);

     Private cable television service aggregation programs.  33. Establish programs and procedures pursuant to which a municipality may employ the services of a private aggregator for the purpose of facilitating the joint action of two or more municipalities in granting municipal consent for the provision of cable television service provided that any such municipality shall adhere to the provisions of the "Cable Television Act," P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented, and to the provisions of the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, a municipality that employs the services of a private aggregator pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.)  shall not be deemed a public utility pursuant to R.S.48:1-1 et seq., to the extent that the municipality is solely engaged in employing the services of a private aggregator for the purpose of facilitating the joint action of two or more municipalities in granting municipal consent and is not otherwise owning or operating any facility for the provision of cable television service as provided in P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.);

     Protective Custody. 34. Provide protective custody to persons arrested for  operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance, or any controlled dangerous substance in violation of R.S.39:4-50 as provided in section 1 of P.L.2003, c.164 (C.40:48-1.3).

     Authorities.  35. Provide the mayor with veto power over the approved minutes of any authority, to which the municipality is required to appoint one or more members, pursuant to the provisions of section 22 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).  The municipal clerk of a municipality adopting an ordinance pursuant to this paragraph shall forward a copy of the ordinance to any authority to which the municipality is required to appoint one or more members no later than five days following final passage of the ordinance.

(cf:  P.L. 2003, c.164, s.2)

 

     3.  Section 6 of P.L.2006, c.46 (C.30:9-23.20) is amended to read as follows:

     6.  a.  The authority shall exercise its powers and duties to manage and operate a hospital owned by it through a contract or contracts with a manager, which may be entered into without public advertising for bid as otherwise required pursuant to the provisions of section 3 of P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-3); provided, however, that the primary responsibility of operating the hospital shall remain that of the authority.

     b.  The initial duration of a contract shall not exceed five years.  A contract entered into pursuant to this subsection may be renewed for an additional period, not to exceed five years.  A contract entered into more than ten years from the date of the initial contract shall be negotiated as a new contract and not as a renewal contract.

     c.  A contract, or a renewal thereof, with a manager to manage and operate a hospital owned by the authority shall be effective only with the prior written consent of the Local Finance Board, which shall consult with the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services.  The Local Finance Board shall establish an application procedure, submission requirements, and set minimum standards and content that shall be included in any contract with a nonprofit entity to manage and operate a hospital owned by the authority.

     A contract with a manager shall provide that, in addition to such other matters as determined to be necessary by the authority or as otherwise required by law or regulation:

     (1)  The authority or its agents, and the city or its agents, shall have independent access to the books and records of the hospital at all times;

     (2)  The Governor of the State of New Jersey shall appoint an individual to serve on the board of directors of the manager during the term of the contract, including renewals; and

     (3)  Other than for routine, day-to-day business activities, the authority shall have the final determination regarding the acquisition and disposition of assets, or the incurring of debt or expenses.

     d.  When contracting with a manager, the authority shall approve the individuals that the manager proposes to designate as the hospital's chief executive officer and chief financial officer, by whatever title, and any change thereof and shall also approve contracts or other arrangements setting forth terms and conditions of employment for those positions.

     e.  An authority shall take the following actions pursuant to any requirements that may be established by the Local Finance Board:

     (1)  adopt a management plan for the hospital, including monitoring and review methods of financial activities;

     (2)  set minimum requirements for meetings of the authority, and minimum attendance requirements for members;

     (3)  establish a formal mechanism for communication among the members of the authority's board, hospital administrators and medical staff;

     (4)  form a finance committee, which shall be responsible for the oversight of the finances of the authority, and delineate the duties and obligations of the finance committee; and

     (5)  include minimum provisions that shall be included in a contract with a manager.  Such provisions shall include the submission of an annual budget of the hospital and of the nonprofit manager by the manager for the approval of the authority.  The approval of these items shall be conditioned upon the approval of the authority's annual budget pursuant to the "Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law," P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-1 et seq.).  The budget and any supporting documents as may be required by the Division of Local Government Services shall be submitted to the division as part of the submission of the authority's annual budget.

     (6)  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this paragraph shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.2006, c.46, s.6)

 

     4.  Section 6 of P.L.1948, c.198 (C.40:11A-6) is amended to read as follows:

     6.  (1)  Every parking authority shall constitute a public body corporate and politic and a political subdivision of the State with the same territorial boundaries as the boundaries of the municipality or county creating the authority, exercising public and essential governmental functions, and having all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate its corporate purposes and the purposes and provisions of this act.

     (2)  The purposes of every parking authority shall be the construction, provision or operation of offstreet parking projects within its area of operation and, subject to the provisions of R.S. 39:4-202, shall include, to the extent authorized by the governing body of the municipality, the management and operation of onstreet and other parking meters and related facilities and enforcement of the applicable law, ordinances and regulations as to the parking of vehicles in such municipality, and the consequent promotion of free movement of traffic and relief of traffic congestion on the streets of said area or municipality and improvement of conditions affecting the public safety and welfare therein.

     (3)  Every parking authority is hereby authorized to plan, design, construct, reconstruct, enlarge, improve, manage, maintain, repair, operate and use such parking project or projects as in the opinion of the authority will provide an effective and satisfactory method for promoting the purposes of the authority.

     (4)  Every parking authority shall have perpetual succession and have the following powers in addition to any others herein granted:

     (a)  To sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority; and to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this act, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority.

     (b)  To conduct research respecting parking and the possibility or necessity of fulfillment of public needs in relation thereto.

     (c)  To acquire by gift, purchase, lease, devise or otherwise and hold and use, and to construct, improve, maintain, operate, own, manage, or lease either in a capacity of lessor or lessee parking projects and any land, franchise, property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, meters, equipment or facilities to be devoted to the parking or storage of vehicles of any kind or which in the opinion of the authority are necessary or useful and convenient in connection therewith or with the promotion of free movement of traffic, subject to the provisions of R.S.  39:4-202.

     (d)  Subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 of this section, to lease as lessor any real property, parking project or portion or portions of parking projects for any business, commercial or other use to any person for such consideration and for such period or periods of time and upon such other terms and conditions as it may fix and agree upon.  Any such lease may be upon condition that the lessee shall or may construct or provide any building or buildings or other facilities on such real property, parking project or projects or portions thereof, including space for business, commercial or other  uses, all upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon.

     (e)  To sell, transfer and dispose of any property or interest therein at any time acquired by it upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, with or without public bidding.

     (f)  To fix, alter, charge and collect rents, rates and other charges at reasonable rates to be determined exclusively by it, for the use of the facilities and projects of the authority and for all services sold, furnished or supplied directly or indirectly by the authority through said facilities and projects, which shall, together with any grants, receipts, contributions or income from other sources, be sufficient to provide for the payment of the expenses of the authority, repair, maintenance and operation of its facilities and projects, and payment of the principal of and interest on, and any premiums  upon the redemption of, its bonds and other obligations, and to fulfill the terms and provisions of any agreements made with the purchasers or holders of any such bonds or other obligations.

     (g)  To invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest funds subject to their control.

     (h)  To borrow money and accept grants from and to enter into contracts, leases or other transactions with the State of New Jersey, any Federal agency, any person, or any municipality, county or other public body.

     (i)  To mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber all or any of its property or assets then existing or thereafter acquired or coming into existence, including real and personal property donated to it by a municipality or county.

     (j)  To enter into contracts with the State of New Jersey or any municipality, county or governmental agency for the use of any project of the authority.

     (k)  To do and perform any acts and things authorized by this act under, through or by means of its own officers, agents and employees, or by contract with any person.

     (l)  To enter into and perform any and all contracts, execute any and all instruments, and do and perform any and all acts and things necessary or useful and convenient for the purposes of the authority or to carry out any of the powers expressly granted to it by this act or any other acts subject to P.L.1971, c.198 "Local Public Contracts Law" (C. 40A:11-1 et seq.).

     (5)  No parking authority shall engage directly in the sale of gasoline or accessories for, or in the repair or other servicing of, automobiles and other motor vehicles except in emergency, or shall engage directly in the sale of any commodity of trade or commerce, but any authority may include in any parking project, and provide and lease as lessor, structures, buildings, space or accommodations (whether constructed by the authority or by a lessee) for any business, commercial or other use, including the sale of gasoline or accessories for, or the repair or other servicing of, automobiles and other motor vehicles, if, in the opinion of the authority, such inclusion, provision and proposed leasing is necessary to assist in defraying the expenses of the authority and make possible the operation of the parking facilities of such project at reasonable rates and will increase the facilities for offstreet parking which can be feasibly included, financed, constructed and operated as part of such project.

     (6)  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this paragraph shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.1975, c.96, s.1)

 

     5.  Section 5 of P.L.1946, c.138 (C.40:14A-5) is amended to read as follows:

     5.  (a)  The powers of a sewerage authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time.  A majority of the entire authorized membership of the sewerage authority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof.  Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the sewerage authority at any meeting of the members thereof by vote of a majority of the members present, unless in any case the by-laws of the sewerage authority shall require a larger number.  The sewerage authority may delegate to one or more of its officers, agents or employees such powers and duties as it may deem proper.

     The minutes of every meeting of an authority created by a county organized pursuant to the provisions of the "county executive plan" of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.) shall be delivered by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting, except as otherwise provided herein, by and under the certification of the secretary of the authority to the county executive.  Except as otherwise provided herein, no action taken at a meeting by the members of an authority shall be effective until approved by the county executive or until 10 days after the copy of the minutes shall have been delivered.  If, within the 10-day period, the county executive returns to the authority and to the board of freeholders the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any member thereof at a meeting, together with a written explanation of the reasons for his veto of the action, that action shall be of no effect unless the board of freeholders overrides the veto of the action by a majority vote of its full membership within 10 days of the receipt of the veto action.  The county executive may approve all or any part of an action taken at a meeting prior to the expiration of the 10-day period.  If the county executive takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  The veto powers accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

     No resolution or other action of the authority providing for the issuance or refunding of bonds or other financial obligations shall be adopted or otherwise made effective by the authority without the prior approval in writing of the county executive.  This power shall be exercised with due regard for the rights of the holders of bonds of the authority at any time outstanding, and nothing in, or done pursuant to, this subsection shall in any way limit, restrict or alter the obligations or powers of the authority or any representative or officer of the authority to carry out and perform in every detail each and every covenant, agreement or contract at any time made or entered into by or on behalf of the authority with respect to its bonds or for the benefit, protection or security of the holders thereof.

     If two-thirds or more of the members of an authority make a determination that an action taken at a meeting is in response to an emergency situation, a copy of the minutes of that meeting shall be delivered to the county executive as soon as practicable following the meeting and the county executive shall have up to 24 hours after the copy of the minutes has been delivered to approve or veto the minutes of that meeting.  If the county executive takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 24-hour period, the minutes shall be deemed approved.  If, within the 24-hour period, the county executive returns to the authority and to the board of freeholders the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any member thereof at the meeting, together with a written explanation of the reasons for his veto of the action, that action shall be of no effect unless the board of freeholders overrides the veto of the action by a majority vote of its full membership within 48 hours of the receipt of the veto action.

     (b)  Each member of a sewerage authority shall hold office for the term for which he was appointed and until his successor has been appointed and has qualified.

     (c)  No member, officer or employee of a sewerage authority shall have or acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in the sewerage system or in any property included or planned to be included in the sewerage system or in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished to or used by the sewerage authority, but neither the holding of any office or employment in the government of any county or municipality or under any law of the State nor the owning of any property within the State shall be deemed a disqualification for membership in or employment by a sewerage authority, and members of the governing body of a local unit may be appointed by such governing body and may serve as members of a sewerage authority.  A member of a sewerage authority may be removed only by the governing body by which he was appointed and only for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office and after he shall have been given a copy of the charges against him and, not sooner than ten days thereafter, had opportunity in person or by counsel to be heard thereon by such governing body.

     (d)  A sewerage authority may reimburse its members for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.  The resolution, ordinance or parallel ordinances for the creation of a sewerage authority may provide that the members of the sewerage authority may receive compensation for their services within an annual and other limitations to be stated in such resolution, ordinance or parallel ordinances, and in that event, each member may receive from the sewerage authority such compensation for his services as the sewerage authority may determine within the limitations stated in such resolution, ordinance or parallel ordinances.  The said annual or other limitations stated in any such resolution, ordinance or parallel ordinances may be amended by subsequent resolution, ordinance or parallel ordinances, as the case may be, but no reduction of any such limitation shall be effective as to any member of the sewerage authority then in office except upon the written consent of the sewerage authority.  No member of any sewerage authority shall receive any compensation for his services except as provided in this subsection.

     (e)  Every sewerage authority, upon the first appointment of its members and thereafter on or after the first day of February in each year, shall annually elect from among its members a chairman and a vice-chairman who shall hold office, until the first day of February next ensuing and until their respective successors have been appointed and have qualified.  Every sewerage authority may also, without regard to the provisions of Title 11 of the Revised Statutes, appoint and employ a secretary and such professional and technical advisers and experts and such other officers, agents and employees as it may require, and shall determine their qualifications, terms of office, duties and compensation.

     (f)  The minutes of every meeting of an authority created by a county which has not adopted the provisions of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), shall be delivered by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting, by and under the certification of the secretary of the authority to each member of the county board of freeholders.  No action taken at a meeting by the members of an authority shall be effective if, within 10 days after the copy of the minutes shall have been delivered to each member of the board of freeholders, such action is vetoed by the director of the board of freeholders, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the board of freeholders.  If, within the 10-day period, the board of freeholders returns to the authority the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any of the authority's members thereof at a meeting, that action shall be of no effect.  If the director takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

     (g)  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.2010, c.52, s.2)

 

     6.  Section 14 of P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-14) is amended to read as follows:

     14.  a.  The powers of a municipal authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time.  A majority of the entire authorized membership of the municipal authority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof.  Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the municipal authority at any meeting of the members thereof by vote of a majority of the members present, unless in any case the by-laws of the municipal authority shall require a larger number.

     b.  The minutes of every meeting of an authority created by a county organized pursuant to the provisions of the "county executive plan" of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.) shall be delivered by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting, except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section, by and under the certification of the secretary of the authority to the county executive. Except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section, no action taken at a meeting by the members of an authority shall be effective until approved by the county executive or until 10 days after the copy of the minutes shall have been delivered.  If, within the 10-day period, the county executive returns to the authority and to the board of freeholders the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any member thereof at a meeting, together with a written explanation of the reasons for his veto of the action, that action shall be of no effect unless the board of freeholders overrides the veto of the action by a majority vote of its full membership within 10 days of the receipt of the veto action.  The county executive may approve all or any part of an action taken at a meeting prior to the expiration of the 10-day period.  If the county executive takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  The veto powers accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

     c.  No resolution or other action of the authority providing for the issuance or refunding of bonds or other financial obligations shall be adopted or otherwise made effective by the authority without the prior approval in writing of the county executive.  This power shall be exercised with due regard for the rights of the holders of bonds of the authority at any time outstanding, and nothing in, or done pursuant to, this subsection shall in any way limit, restrict or alter the obligations or powers of the authority or any representative or officer of the authority to carry out and perform in every detail each and every covenant, agreement or contract at any time made or entered into by or on behalf of the authority with respect to its bonds or for the benefit, protection or security of the holders thereof.

     d.  If two-thirds or more of the members of an authority make a determination that an action taken at a meeting is in response to an emergency situation, a copy of the minutes of that meeting shall be delivered to the county executive as soon as practicable following the meeting and the county executive shall have up to 24 hours after the copy of the minutes has been delivered to approve or veto the minutes of that meeting.  If the county executive takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 24-hour period, the minutes shall be deemed approved.  If, within the 24-hour period, the county executive returns to the authority and to the board of freeholders the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any member thereof at the meeting, together with a written explanation of the reasons for his veto of the action, that action shall be of no effect unless the board of freeholders overrides the veto of the action by a majority vote of its full membership within 48 hours of the receipt of the veto action.

     e.  The minutes of every meeting of an authority created by a county which has not adopted the provisions of the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), shall be delivered by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting, by and under the certification of the secretary of the authority to each member of the county board of freeholders.  No action taken at a meeting by the members of an authority shall be effective if within 10 days after the copy of the minutes shall have been delivered to each member of the board of freeholders, such action is vetoed by the director of the board of freeholders, with the concurrence of a majority of the members of the board of freeholders.  If, within the 10-day period, the board of freeholders returns to the authority the copy of the minutes with a veto of any action taken by the authority or any of the authority's members thereof at a meeting, that action shall be of no effect.  If the director takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

     (f)  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.2010, c.52, s.3)

 

     7.  Section 5 of P.L.1948, c.348 (C.40:66A-5) is amended to read as follows:

     5.  (a)  The powers of an incinerator or environmental services authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time.  A majority of the entire authorized membership of the incinerator or environmental services authority shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof.  Action may be taken and motions and resolutions adopted by the incinerator or environmental services authority at any meeting of the members thereof by vote of a majority of the members present, unless in any case the by-laws of the incinerator or environmental services authority shall require a larger number. The incinerator or environmental services authority may delegate to one or more of its officers, agents or employees such powers and duties as it may deem proper.

     (b)  Each member of an incinerator or environmental services authority shall hold office for the term for which he was appointed and until his successor has been appointed and has qualified.

     (c)  No member, officer or employee of an incinerator or environmental services authority shall have or acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in the garbage disposal system , in any property included or planned to be included in the garbage disposal system or in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished to or used by the incinerator or environmental services authority, but neither the holding of any office or employment in the government of any municipality or under any law of the State nor the owning of any property within the State shall be deemed a disqualification for membership in or employment by an incinerator or environmental services authority.  A member of an incinerator or environmental services authority may be removed only by the governing body by which he was appointed and only for inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office and after he shall have been given a copy of the charges against him and, not sooner than ten days thereafter, had opportunity in person or by counsel to be heard thereon by such governing body.

     (d)  An incinerator or environmental services authority may reimburse its members for necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties.  The ordinance or parallel ordinances for the creation of an incinerator or environmental services authority may provide that the members of the incinerator or environmental services authority may receive compensation for their services within an annual and other limitations to be stated in such ordinance or parallel ordinances, and in that event, each member may receive from the incinerator or environmental services authority such compensation for his services as the incinerator or environmental services authority may determine within the limitations stated in such ordinance or parallel ordinances.  No member of any incinerator or environmental services authority shall receive any compensation for his services except as provided in this subsection.

     (e)  Every incinerator or environmental services authority, upon the first appointment of its members and thereafter on or after the first day of February in each year, shall annually elect from among its members a chairman and a vice-chairman who shall hold office, until the first day of February next ensuing and until their respective successors have been appointed and have qualified.  Every incinerator or environmental services authority may also appoint and employ a secretary and such professional and technical advisers and experts and such other officers, agents and employees as it may require, and it shall determine their qualifications, duties and compensation.

     (f)  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L. 2012, c.31, s.5)

 

     8.  Section 15 of P.L.1960, c.192 (C.40:68A-43) is amended to read as follows:

     15.  a.  Any municipality shall have power, in the discretion of its governing body, and pursuant to ordinance:

     (1)  To appropriate moneys for the purposes of the municipal port authority, and to loan or donate such moneys to the municipal port authority in such installments and upon such terms as may be agreed upon with the municipal port  authority;

     (2)  To covenant and agree with the municipal port authority to pay to, or on order of, the authority annually or at shorter intervals as a subsidy for the promotion of its purposes, amounts not to exceed those stated in the ordinance;

     (3)  To unconditionally guarantee the punctual payment of the principal and interest of bonds of the authority; and

     (4)  Upon authorization by it in accordance with law of the performance of any act or thing which it is empowered by law to authorize and perform, and after appropriation of the moneys necessary, if any, for such performance, to covenant and agree with the authority to do and perform that act or thing and concerning the time, manner and other details of the action or performance.

     b.  Any guaranty of bonds of an authority made pursuant to this section shall be evidenced by endorsement thereof on the bonds, executed in the name of the municipality and on its behalf by the officer designated in the ordinance authorizing such guaranty, and the municipality shall thereupon and thereafter be obligated to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of bonds issued by it.  Any guaranty of bonds of the authority and any ordinance authorizing the guaranty is subject to all statutory or other debt limitations including particularly any limitation or requirement under or pursuant to the "Local Bond Law" (N.J.S. 40A:2-1 et seq.), and the principal amount of bonds guaranteed pursuant to the ordinance shall be included in the gross and net debt of the municipality for the purpose of determining the indebtedness of the municipality under or pursuant to that law.  Any payment made by a municipality  pursuant to a guaranty shall be considered "debt service" for purposes of the  municipal spending limitations in P.L.1976, c.68, s.3 (C.40A:4-45.3).

     c.  Every municipality which shall make any contract, covenant or agreement with an authority or pledge to an authority pursuant to this section is hereby authorized and directed to do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out and perform the same and to provide for  the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder in the same manner as other obligations of the municipality.  Every authority is hereby empowered to accept, and make and enter into, any of the contracts, covenants, agreements or contractual provisions referred to in this section and is hereby authorized and directed to do and perform any and all acts and things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out and perform the same.  The contract, covenant, agreement  or pledge, and any instrument making or evidencing the same, may be pledged or assigned by the authority to secure its bonds and thereafter may not be  modified except as provided by the terms of that instrument or by the terms of that pledge or assignment.

     d.  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions

affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.1981, c.547, s.1)

 

     9.  Section 3-10 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-40) is amended to read as follows:

     3-10.  The mayor shall:

     a.  Enforce the charter and ordinances of the municipality and all general laws applicable thereto;

     b.  Report annually to the council and to the public on the state of the municipality, and the work of the previous year; he shall also recommend to the council whatever action or programs he deems necessary for the improvement of the municipality and the welfare of its residents.  He may from time to time recommend any action or programs he deems necessary or desirable for the municipality to undertake;

     c.  Supervise, direct and control all departments of the municipal government and shall require each department to make an annual and such other reports on its work as he may deem desirable;

     d.  Require such reports and examine such accounts, records and operations of any board, commission or other agency of municipal government, as he deems necessary;

     e.  Prepare and submit to the council for its consideration and adoption an annual operating budget and a capital budget, establish the schedules and procedures to be followed by all municipal departments, offices and agencies in connection therewith, and supervise and administer all phases of the budgetary process;

     f.  Supervise the care and custody of all municipal property, institutions and agencies, and make recommendations concerning the nature and location of municipal improvements and execute improvements determined by the governing body;

     g.  Sign all contracts, bonds or other instruments requiring the consent of the municipality;

     h.  Review, analyze and forecast trends of municipal services and finances and programs of all boards, commissions, agencies and other municipal bodies, and report and recommend thereon to the council;

     i.  Supervise the development, installation and maintenance of centralized budgeting, personnel and purchasing procedures as may be authorized by ordinance;

     j.  Negotiate contracts for the municipality, subject to council approval;

     k.  Assure that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of the municipality or its inhabitants in any statute, franchise or other contract are faithfully kept and performed;

     l.  Serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of all appointive bodies in municipal government of which he is not an official voting member;

     m.  Veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: P.L.1985, c.374, s.5)

 

     10.  Section 9-7 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-87) is amended to read as follows:

     9-7.  a.  The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the municipal council and shall have a voice and vote in its proceedings.  He shall fill vacancies occurring in the trustees of the public library and in the board of education where the municipality is operating under chapter 6 of Title 18 of the Revised Statutes for such terms of office as are provided by law. All bonds, notes, contracts and written obligations of the municipality shall be executed on its behalf by the mayor or, in the event of his inability to act, by such councilman as the municipal council shall designate to act as mayor during his absence or disability.  The powers and duties of the mayor shall be only such as are expressly conferred upon him by this article.

     b.    The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf:  P.L.1950, c.210, s.9-7)

 

     11.  Section 13-7 of P.L.1950, c.210 (C.40:69A-121) is amended to read as follows:

     13-7.  The executive power of the municipality shall be exercised by the mayor. It shall be his duty to see that all laws and ordinances in force and effect within the municipality are observed.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).  He shall address the council and report to the residents annually, and at such other times as he may deem desirable, on the condition of the municipality and upon its problems of government.

(cf:  P.L.1950, c.210, s.13-7)

 

     12.  Section 36 of P.L.1981, c.465 (C.40:69A-149.7) is amended to read as follows:

     36.  a.  Each ordinance adopted by the council shall be submitted to the mayor, and he shall within 10 days after receiving it either approve the ordinance by affixing his signature thereto or return it to the council by delivering it to the municipal clerk, together with a written statement of his objections thereto or to any item or part thereof.  No ordinance, or any item or part thereof, shall take effect without the mayor's approval unless the mayor fails to return an ordinance to the council within 10 days after it has been presented to him, or unless the council, upon reconsideration thereof on or after the third day following its return by the mayor, shall resolve to override the mayor's veto by a vote of at least 2/3 of the members.

     b.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: P.L.1981, c.465, s.36)

 

     13.  R.S.40:72-10 is amended to read as follows:

     40:72-10. At the first meeting after their election the commissioners shall choose one of their number to preside at all meetings of the board.  He shall be designated "mayor" but shall have no power to veto any measure, except as provided for in R.S.40:72-11.

(cf: R.S.40:72-10)

 

     14.  R.S.40:72-11  is amended to read as follows:

     40:72-11.  The mayor shall be president of the board and shall preside at its meetings, supervise all departments and report to the board for its action all matters requiring the attention of the board or any department.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: R.S.40:72-11)

 

     15.  R.S.40:81-8 is amended to read as follows:

     40:81-8.  a.  The mayor shall preside at all meetings of the municipal council and shall have a voice and vote in its proceedings, but shall not have the power of veto, except as provided for in subsection b. of this section.  He shall fill vacancies occurring in the trustees of the public library for such terms of offices as are provided by law.  All bonds, notes, contracts and written obligations of the municipality shall be executed on its behalf by the mayor or, in the event of his inability to act, by such councilman as the municipal council shall designate to act as mayor during his absence or disability.  The powers and duties of the mayor shall be only such as are expressly conferred upon him by this subtitle.

     b.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: R.S.40:81-8)

 

     16.  Section 17 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-17) is amended to read as follows:

     17.  a.  Except as provided in subsection b. of this section, the governing body of any county or municipality may, by ordinance, or by resolution in the case of a county whose charter does not provide for the adoption of ordinances, create a body corporate and politic to be known as the "Housing Authority of . . . ," inserting the name of the county or municipality.  The authority shall constitute an agency and instrumentality of the municipality or county creating it.  A housing authority shall be created pursuant to the procedures of the "Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law," P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-1 et seq.). The authority shall consist of seven members. In a county that operates under the "county executive plan" set forth in the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), six members shall be appointed by the county executive with the advice and consent of the board of chosen freeholders, and one member shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Community Affairs.  In all other counties and municipalities, five members shall be appointed by the governing body of the county or municipality, as the case may be, one by the mayor or other chief executive officer of the municipality, or in the case of a county by the director of the board of chosen freeholders or by the chief executive officer of the county if the county's charter provides for such an officer, and one by the Commissioner of Community Affairs. The members shall serve for terms of five years and until their respective successors have been appointed and qualified; except that of the five members first appointed by the governing body one shall be appointed for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of five years. All appointments shall be subject to and made in the manner required by the law under which the county or municipality is governed.  Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made, but for the unexpired term.  If a vacancy is not filled by the county executive, governing body or chief executive officer within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs shall notify the county executive, governing body or chief executive officer of his intent to fill the vacancy if it is not filled in 30 days. If the vacancy is not filled within that 30 day period, the commissioner may appoint a member for the unexpired term. 

     In any county or municipality which has heretofore created a housing authority pursuant to R.S.55:14A-4, the members of the authority who were appointed by the governing body and the chief executive officer of the county or municipality and who are in office upon the effective date of this act shall continue in office until the expiration of the terms for which they are appointed and qualified in accordance with the terms of this act. 

     b.  No municipality which has been included with its consent within the area of operation of a county housing authority shall thereafter create a municipal housing authority.  Where there is no housing authority in existence in any municipality of a county, the governing body of that county may create a housing authority, and thereafter no municipality within that county shall create an authority without the consent of the county governing body and the county housing authority. 

     c.  A county may provide such publicly assisted housing programs as it chooses anywhere within the county; but it may provide such programs in municipalities which are within the area of operation of a county or municipal housing authority only after adoption of a resolution of the housing authority consenting thereto. 

     d.  No more than one member of a housing authority may be an officer or employee of the municipality or county by which the authority is created.  A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any member shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality or the county, as the case may be, and that certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the due and proper appointment of that member.  A member of an authority shall receive no compensation for his services, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of the duties of membership, including travel expenses.  The powers of the authority shall be vested in the members thereof in office from time to time. Four members shall constitute a quorum of the authority for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and all other purposes.  Action may be taken by the authority upon the affirmative vote of the majority, but not less than four of the members present, unless in any case the bylaws of the authority shall require a larger number.  The authority shall select a chairman and a vice-chairman from among its members, and shall employ an executive director, who shall be its secretary. 

     e.  No member or employee of an authority shall acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any housing project or in any property included or planned to be included in such a project, nor shall he have any interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or proposed contract for materials and services to be furnished or used in connection with any housing project.  If any member or employee of an authority owns or controls an interest, direct or indirect, in any property included or planned to be included in a housing project he shall immediately disclose the same in writing to the authority and the disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the authority.  Failure to disclose such an interest shall constitute misconduct in office.  A member or employee required by this subsection to make such a disclosure shall not participate in any action by the authority affecting the property with respect to which such disclosure is required.  For inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office a member of an authority may be removed by the governing body or officer by which he was appointed; but a member may be removed only after he has been given a copy of the charges at least 10 days prior to a hearing thereon and has had the opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.  In the event of a removal of any member of an authority a record of the proceedings, together with the charges and findings thereon, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county or municipality.

     f.  The secretary of an authority created by a municipality shall certify and deliver a copy of the approved minutes of every meeting of the authority to the mayor and each member of the governing body of the municipality by the end of the fifth business day following the meeting at which the minutes were approved.  No action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall take effect until 10 days after the date of delivery.  Within 10 days of the date of delivery, the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality, may veto any action taken by the authority, or any member thereof, at a meeting of the authority.  If the mayor takes no action with respect to the minutes within the 10-day period, the minutes shall be deemed to be approved.  An action taken at a meeting of an authority created by a municipality shall not take effect if, within 10 days after the date of delivery, the mayor and governing body veto the action taken by the authority, or a member thereof, and return to the authority a copy of the minutes with a veto of the action taken.  The veto power accorded under this subsection shall not affect in any way the covenants contained in the bond indentures of the authority, or any collective bargaining agreement or binding arbitration decisions affecting employees of the authority.

(cf: P.L.1993, c.344, s.1)

 

     17.  N.J.S.40A:60-5 is amended to read as follows:

     40A:60-5.  a.  The mayor shall be the head of the municipal government.

     b.  The mayor shall have all those powers designated by general law.

     c.  The mayor shall preside at meetings of the council and may vote to break a tie.

     d.  Every ordinance adopted by the council shall, within five days after its passage, Sundays excepted, be presented to the mayor by the borough clerk.  The mayor shall, within ten days after receiving the ordinance, Sundays excepted, either approve the ordinance by affixing his signature thereto or return it to the council by delivering it to the clerk together with a statement setting forth his objections thereto or any item or part thereof.  No ordinance or any item or part thereof shall take effect without the mayor's approval, unless the mayor fails to return the ordinance to the council, as prescribed above, or unless the council, upon consideration of the ordinance following its return, shall, by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of council, resolve to override the veto.

     e.  No ordinance shall be passed, or appointment of any subordinate officer of the borough be confirmed, except by a vote of a majority of the members of the council present at the meeting, provided that at least three affirmative votes shall be required for such purpose, the mayor voting only in the case of a tie.

     f.  If any ordinance contains more than one distinct section, clause or item, the mayor may approve one or more thereof and veto the rest.

     g.  The mayor shall nominate and, with the advice and consent of council, appoint all subordinate officers of the borough, unless the specific terms of the general law clearly require a different appointment procedure. He shall make his nomination to any such office within thirty days of that office becoming vacant.

     h.  The mayor shall see to it that the laws of the State and the ordinances of the borough are faithfully executed.  He shall recommend to the council such measures as he may deem necessary or expedient for the welfare of the borough.  He shall maintain peace and good order and have the power to suppress all riots and tumultuous assemblies in the borough.

     i.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: N.J.S.40A:60-5)

 

     18.  N.J.S.40A:61-4 is amended to read as follows:

     40A:61-4.  a.  The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city.

     b.  The mayor shall have all those powers designated by general law.

     c.  The mayor may participate in any deliberation of the council and, on any occasion where the council is unable to agree with respect to the adoption of an ordinance or resolution, by reason of being equally divided in a vote therein, the mayor shall have the power to cast a vote to break a tie.

     d.  Every ordinance adopted by the council shall, within five days after its passage, Sundays excepted, be presented to the mayor by the city clerk. The mayor shall, within 10 days after receiving the ordinance, Sundays excepted, either approve the ordinance by affixing his signature thereto or return it to the council by delivering it to the clerk together with a statement setting forth his objections thereto or any item or part thereof. No ordinance or any item or part thereof shall take effect without the mayor's approval, unless the mayor fails to return the ordinance to the council, as prescribed above, or unless the council, upon consideration of the ordinance following its return, shall, by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of council, resolve to override the veto.

     e.  The mayor shall see to it that the laws of the State and the ordinances of the city are faithfully executed.  He shall recommend to the council such measures as he may deem necessary or expedient for the welfare of the city.  He shall maintain peace and good order and have the power to suppress all riots and tumultuous assemblies in the city.

     f.  The mayor shall be the head of the police department and shall have the power to appoint, suspend or remove all employees of the police department.  He shall appoint the chief of police and such captains and sergeants as may be authorized by ordinance, with the advice and consent of council.  He shall control and direct the police force of the city and he may appoint such special policemen as he may deem necessary for the preservation of public order.  He shall enforce the laws of the State and the ordinances of the city.

     g.  The mayor shall supervise the official acts of the city employees and report derelictions of duty to the council.

     h.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: N.J.S.40A:61-4)

 

     19.  N.J.S.40A:62-5 is amended to read as follows:

     40A:62-5.  a.  The councilman-at-large shall be officially known and designated as the mayor of  . . . . . . . . . . . . . (the name of the town in which he is elected).  He shall be so designated in all official documents and instruments of every kind, and shall sign all ordinances, warrants, bonds, notes, contracts and all other official documents and instruments by said title. 

     b.  The mayor shall be the head of the municipal government.

     c.  The mayor shall have all those powers placed in the mayor by general law.

     d.  The mayor shall be known as the chairman of the council, preside at all its meetings and possess all the powers of a member of council.

     e.  Every ordinance adopted by the council shall be presented to the mayor within five days after its passage, Sundays excepted, by the town clerk. The mayor shall, within ten days after receiving the ordinance, either approve it by affixing his signature thereto or return it to the council by delivering it to the clerk together with a statement setting forth his objections thereto.  No ordinance shall take effect without the mayor's approval, unless the mayor fails to return the ordinance to the council, as prescribed above, or unless the council, upon consideration of the ordinance following its return, shall, by a vote of two-thirds of all members of the council, resolve to override the veto. 

     f.  No ordinance shall be passed except by a vote of a majority of the members of the council present at the meeting, provided that at least four affirmative votes shall be required for such purpose. 

     g.  The mayor shall appoint all of the members of the municipal utilities authority in municipalities where such an authority has been created by the municipal governing body pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.).

     h.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: P.L.1991, c.10, s.2)

 

     20.  N.J.S.40A:63-5 is amended to read as follows:

     40A:63-5.  a.  The mayor shall be the chairman of the township committee and head of the municipal government.  In those townships divided into wards the mayor shall be the member of the township committee elected at large.

     b.  The mayor shall have all those powers placed in the mayor by general law.

     c.  The mayor shall preside at meetings of the committee and shall have the right to debate and vote on all questions before the committee.

     d.  The mayor may veto the minutes of a local authority pursuant to the provisions of section 2 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-22).

(cf: N.J.S.40A:63-5)

 

     21.  This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would authorize the mayor of a municipality that has created an authority, with the consent of a majority of the members of the municipality's governing body, to veto any action taken by certain municipal authorities.

     The bill requires certain local authorities, including municipal hospital, parking, incinerator, port, and housing authorities, to submit their minutes to the municipality.  The bill does not provide a mayor with the power to veto the minutes of certain tourism authorities.