3.14 County development corporation.
(1) Establishment. There is established a County Development Corporation in accordance with sec. 59.07(75), Wis. Stats.
(2) Membership.
(a) The County Development Corporation shall consist of 7 members who shall be directors of the Corporation. The Chairman of the County Board shall appoint the members subject to confirmation by the County Board. All members shall be of recognized experience and qualifications and shall represent insofar as practical all labor, industrial, commercial, agriculture, urban and civic groups within the County.
(b) There shall also be established an advisory committee to the County Development Corporation which shall consist of a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 members. The advisory committee shall be appointed by the Chairman of the County Board after consultation with the members of the County Board and shall be subject to confirmation by the County Board.
(3) Term.
(a) The term of the members of the corporation shall be 3 years commencing on August 1, except that the terms of the initial members of the Corporation shall be as follows:
2 members shall be appointed for 1 year.
2 members shall be appointed for 2 years.
3 members shall be appointed for 3 years.
(b) The terms of the members of the advisory committee shall be 3 years commencing August 2, except that the terms of the initial members of this committee shall be as follows:
1/3 of such committee shall be appointed for 1 year.
1/3 of such committee shall be appointed for 2 years.
1/3 of such committee shall be appointed for 3 years.
(4) Compensation. All members shall serve without compensation or expenses.
(5) Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as appointments or elections for the unexpired term for those elected for a full term but members elected to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term of the member whose vacancy they are filling.
(6) Organization.
(a) The County Development Corporation shall convene at the Courthouse within 30 days after their appointment or election and shall organize and adopt rules for its own government in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(b) The Directors of the Corporation shall establish by-laws for the operation of the Corporation. These by-laws shall include:
1. The officers of the Corporation.
2. Regular and special meeting dates.
3. Quorum requirements.
4. Order of business.
5. Recording of actions taken.
6. Such other by-laws as they may deem desirable.
(7) Powers. The County Development Corporation shall have such powers as may be necessary to enable it to perform its functions and duties and promote county planning and economic development, and including the following:
(a) To appoint such agents and employees as may be necessary to carry out its functions.
(b) To represent the County in all economic development programs authorized by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, (P.L. 89-136).
(c) To encourage the cooperation of all local governmental units with the County in any matters whatsoever, that relate to planning and economic development.
(d) To accept, receive and expend funds, grants, and services from the federal government, or its agencies, and instrumentalities of state and local governments.
(e) To make reports and recommendations on any phase of planning or economic development to the County Board, City Council and various municipalities within the City.
(8) Duties. The County Development Corporation shall have the following functions and duties:
(a) Inventory all human resources as well as the physical and natural resources of the area.
(b) Evaluate these resources, their present use and their potential utilization.
(c) Determination of the County problems that have caused the economic stagnation, unemployment and under-employment that have plagued the area.
(d) Find reasonable and attainable solutions for the underlying causes that have brought about the unhealthy economic climate and establish goals and objectives to alleviate these conditions.
(e) Assign priorities to the goals and objectives of the County Development Corporation.
(f) Implement the established priorities and projects through a local action program carried forward by the County Development Corporation, utilizing the combined resources of the federal, state and local government. The County Development Corporation is assigned the responsibility for coordinating all federal, state and local programs.
(g) The County Development Corporation will also function as an O.E.D.P. Committee with the responsibility for carrying forward an Economic Development Program, and submitting reports as required by the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.
(h) Familiarize themselves with the completed district and regional studies and plans prepared by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, the 701 Studies, the economic study by the City of Kenosha under the Economic Development Administration and advise the County Board, City Council, Town and Village Boards on the use of such studies and implementations of such plans.