52:27BBB-9 Reallocation of functions, powers, duties to chief operating officer.

9. a. Upon the appointment of the chief operating officer pursuant to subsection a. of section 7 of P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-7), all the functions, powers and duties heretofore or hereafter assigned by any statute, regulation, ordinance, resolution, charter or contract for municipal operations, municipal organization and reorganization, development and implementation of workforce training programs, and the hiring and firing of department heads, managers and supervisory employees shall be reallocated to the chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall exercise those functions, powers and duties in consultation with the mayor as are hereinafter provided.

b. Except as otherwise provided in P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-1 et al.), the chief operating officer shall have the power to perform all acts and do all things consistent with law necessary for the proper conduct, maintenance, rehabilitation and supervision of the qualified municipality. The chief operating officer may propose ordinances, resolutions, rules, policies and guidelines, not inconsistent with law, for the proper conduct, maintenance and supervision of the municipality.

Ordinances and resolutions shall be adopted or amended as provided by law except that the chief operating officer shall exercise the functions, powers and duties of the mayor.

A proposal introduced by the chief operating officer shall be deemed approved if the mayor or governing body fails to act upon the proposal within 45 days following the chief operating officer's submission of the proposal to either the mayor or the governing body, or both, as appropriate. Disapproval by the mayor or governing body of any proposal introduced by the chief operating officer shall constitute an impasse and shall be subject to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in section 5 of P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-5).

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law," P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.), the chief operating officer may negotiate financial agreements and otherwise exercise the powers of the governing body pursuant thereto, including making available municipal land in order to facilitate a project pursuant to section 17 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-17). Any such agreements negotiated by the chief operating officer shall be presented to the governing body for the information of the members of the governing body.

d. Notwithstanding any provisions of P.L.2001, c.310 to the contrary, the chief operating officer may, in consultation with the mayor and governing body, negotiate bond financing pursuant to the "Redevelopment Area Bond Financing Law," sections 1 through 10 of P.L.2001, c.310 (C.40A:12A-64 through 73) and revenue allocation financing pursuant to the "Revenue Allocation District Financing Act," sections 11 through 41 of P.L.2001, c.310 (C.52:27D-459 through 489).

e. The functions, powers and duties reallocated to the chief operating officer pursuant to this section shall include, but not be limited to those powers allocated to the mayor which are found in the charter and administrative code of the municipality, Titles 40 and 40A generally and specifically in the "Local Bond Law," N.J.S.40A:2-1 et seq., the "Local Budget Law," N.J.S.40A:4-1 et seq., the "Local Fiscal Affairs Law," N.J.S.40A:5-1 et seq., the "Local Public Contracts Law," P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.), any specific form of government law according to which the municipality is governed, and such other sections or other laws necessary to the governance and administration of a municipality, the control of litigation, and the determination of service levels as provided in this section.

Subject to the approval of the State Treasurer, the chief operating officer may appoint staff necessary to assist the chief operating officer in carrying out those responsibilities set forth in P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-1 et al.). The salary and benefits of persons so appointed and persons designated pursuant to subsection g. of this section shall be included in the budget request prepared by the chief operating officer pursuant to subsection b. of section 27 of P.L.2002, c.43 (C.52:27BBB-27). Persons appointed pursuant to this subsection shall serve at the pleasure of the chief operating officer.

f. During the rehabilitation term, the chief operating officer shall exercise the veto power of the mayor with respect to municipal ordinances; provided, however, that the chief operating officer may delegate the veto power to the mayor. In addition, during the rehabilitation term, the chief operating officer shall have the power to veto the minutes of any independent board or authority, including, but not limited to, the housing authority, parking authority, redevelopment authority, planning board and board of adjustment.

During the rehabilitation term, the chief operating officer may refer any matter involving any action or failure to act to the special arbitrator.

g. Subject to the approval of the treasurer, the chief operating officer may appoint a confidential secretary and executive assistant who shall be State employees and serve in the unclassified service of the Civil Service. The salary and benefits of these appointees shall be fixed by the treasurer and adjusted from time to time as the treasurer deems appropriate. The salary, benefits, and costs of these appointees shall be an expense of the State and shall be paid by the treasurer.

These appointees shall serve at the pleasure of the chief operating officer.

L.2002, c.43, s.9; amended 2007, c.176, s.5.