Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title One, Administrative, Article IX, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, by removing and supplementing language in Chapter 179E, Advisory Board on Entrepreneurship and Start-ups.
Body
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code, Title One, Administrative, Article IX, Boards, Commissions and Authorities, by removing and supplementing language in Chapter 179E, Advisory Board on Entrepreneurship and Start-ups.
CHAPTER 179E: - ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY BOARD ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND START-UPS
§ 179E.01 - MEMBERSHIP.
A. A five ( 5) Six (6)-member Steering Committee shall be appointed by City Council. This Steering Committee shall work to recommend nominees to the Advisory Board in accordance with § 179E.01 (B) and submit said recommendations to City Council for appointment.
I. The Steering Committee shall be charged with creating rules and regulations for its operations and procedures of reviewing the credentials of parties interested in serving on the Advisory Board.
II. Members of the Steering Committee shall serve as full members of the Advisory Board.
III. Upon achieving full membership of the Advisory Board, the Steering Committee shall dissolve.
a. Individuals appointed to the Steering Committee shall still serve as members of the Advisory Board for the duration of their term.
b. Upon achievement of full membership and the dissolving of the Steering Committee, the full membership of the Advisory Board shall subsequently work to recommend nominees to the Advisory Board in accordance with § 179E.01 (B) and submit said recommendations to City Council for appointment as necessary.
B. A. The members full membership of the Advisory Board on Entrepreneurship and Start-ups shall be appointed by City Council upon recommendation of the Steering Committee or Advisory Board, as appropriate, and shall include comprised of the following members:
I. One (1) representative of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
II. One (1) representative of a business working in the field of green technology.
III. One (1) representative of a veteran-owned business within the City of Pittsburgh.
IV. Two (2) representatives of women- and / or minority-owned business enterprises within the City of Pittsburgh.
V. Two (2) members of the restaurant and / or food service community currently working in the industry within the City of Pittsburgh.
VI. Three (3) representatives of the university community, representing the colleges and universities within the City of Pittsburgh.
VII. Five (5) representatives of businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurial ventures, or related organizations throughout the City of Pittsburgh.
B. The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Advisory Board subject to the approval of City Council.
C. Members shall serve for a term of four (4) years or until successors are confirmed and qualified.
D. All members of the Advisory Board must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh.
E. The purpose of this Advisory Board is to provide recommendations and reviews to the Mayor and City Council of policies and regulations affecting business and economic development in the City of Pittsburgh.
F. Members of organizations whose services are needed to augment the work of the Advisory Board shall be invited by the Advisory Board to serve on an ad hoc basis, in committees, to address current issues.
§ 179E.02 - MEETINGS AND CHAIR
A. Within sixty (60) days of the appointment of the Steering Committee, the Steering Committee shall convene to begin the process of soliciting additional members so as to comply with § 179E.01 (B).
B.A. Within sixty (60) days of the confirmation of the appointments of all members of the Advisory Board, the Advisory Board shall convene to elect a chairperson by a roll call vote of the majority of the members of the Advisory Board in attendance.
C.B. The Advisory Board may also elect a vice-chair and other board officers, as needed.
D.C. The chairperson so elected shall serve for the remainder of the calendar year and for the following calendar year. Thereafter, an election shall be held in November of the second year, and the newly elected Chair shall begin serving at the following January meeting and shall serve for two (2) calendar years.
E.D. A vacancy in the position of chairperson of the Advisory Board shall be filled by a roll call vote of the majority of the members of the Advisory Board in attendance. The person selected shall serve temporarily until the end of the calendar year, with an election held in November, so that a duly elected Chair will begin to serve on January 1 of the subsequent calendar year for a complete two-year term.
F.E. If an election for chairperson is not held, the last person holding the position of chairperson will act in that capacity until a successor is appointed.
G.F. The Advisory Board shall meet quarterly, at a minimum, at a time and place designated by the Advisory Board chairperson.
H.G. The Advisory Board shall distribute its agendas and minutes to the Mayor and to City Council.
§ 179E.03 - VACANCY
A. Should any vacancy occur, it shall be filled by City Council the Mayor for the unexpired term.
§ 179E.04 - REGULATIONS
A. A simple majority of the then-standing Advisory Board members shall constitute a quorum, which shall be required for any official meetings to be conducted. A simple majority vote of those present at any meeting is sufficient for any official action.
B. The Advisory Board shall establish rules and regulations for its own organization and procedures consistent with this Chapter, as it deems necessary to implement this Chapter.
C. Members shall serve without compensation.
§ 179E.05 - POWERS AND DUTIES
A. Activities of the Advisory Board may include, but are not limited to:
I. Develop strategies to promote targeted growth opportunities in business districts through the City of Pittsburgh.
II. Provide review of laws, regulations, and policies that impact the business environment.
III. Provide policy recommendations on municipal issues relevant to businesses, including zoning, permitting, community resources, and other related areas.
IV. Serve as a liaison between new entrepreneurs, small business owners and startups by acting as an interface with municipal government.
V. Work with the City of Pittsburgh to identify and work with potential strategic partners for advance of business and economic development opportunities.
VI. Advise the City of Pittsburgh on the development of strategies to promote affordable incubation spaces or similar lodging for new businesses.
B. The Advisory Board shall submit, at a minimum, a yearly report to the Mayor and City Council detailing its activities of the past year and planned activities of the coming year.
C. The Advisory Board shall, at a minimum, meet yearly with the City of Pittsburgh’s Equal Opportunity Review Commission to review topics such as, but not limited to:
I. Contracting practices.
II. Employment opportunities for women and minorities.
§ 179E.07 - EFFECTIVE DATE.
A. This ordinance shall become effective upon signature by the Mayor of the enabling legislation.