§ 12-c. Passenger tramway advisory council. 1. To advise the commissioner of labor in relation to his duties and responsibilities under the provisions of section two hundred two-c and article twenty-six of this chapter, there shall be in the department an advisory council, to be known as the passenger tramway advisory council, consisting of seven members to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, and one of whom shall be designated as chairman by the governor. Each of four members of the council shall be an officer or employee of a ski center, and three members of the council shall be representatives of the public and shall not be, nor within five years immediately preceding appointment have been an officer or employee of a ski center.

2. The term of each member of such advisory board shall be for five years, or until a successor is appointed. Any member of the board chosen to fill a vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed. Any member of the council may be removed by the governor for misconduct, incompetence or neglect of duty after being given a written statement of the charges and an opportunity to be heard thereon.

3. Each member of the advisory council shall serve without salary or other compensation, but shall be allowed necessary and actual transportation expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties, and when in travel status shall receive an additional fifty-five dollars and when in travel status in a county or a city with a population in excess of seven hundred thousand an additional seventy-five dollars.

4. The advisory council shall consider all matters in connection with ski tows, other passenger tramways and downhill skiing referred to it by the commissioner and advise him with respect thereto, and on its own initiative, or upon the suggestion of others, may make such recommendations to the commissioner in connection with ski tows, other passenger tramways and downhill skiing as, after consideration by it, may be deemed necessary.

5. The commissioner shall designate an officer or employee of the department to act as secretary of the advisory council, who shall not be a member of such council and who shall not receive any additional compensation therefor.

6. The advisory council may adopt rules and regulations to govern its own proceedings. The secretary shall keep a complete record of all proceedings of the advisory council which shall show the names of the members present at each meeting and every matter considered by the advisory council and the action taken thereon. Such records shall be filed in the office of the department.