S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                  4683

                       2011-2012 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                            February 4, 2011
                               ___________

Introduced  by  M.  of A. SCHROEDER, GABRYSZAK, SCHIMMINGER, McKEVITT --
  Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. MARKEY, PEOPLES-STOKES, TOWNS  --  read
  once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments

AN  ACT  to  amend the general municipal law, in relation to members and
  powers of intergovernmental relations councils

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  Section 239-n of the general municipal law, as amended by
chapter 728 of the laws of 1961, the section heading, the opening  para-
graph  and  paragraph  a  of  subdivision  1 and subdivisions 2 and 3 as
amended and paragraph h of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 203 of  the
laws  of  1983, paragraphs f and g of subdivision 1 as amended and para-
graph e of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 96 of the laws of 1962  and
paragraphs  i,  j  and k of subdivision 1 as added by chapter 605 of the
laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
  S 239-n. Intergovernmental relations councils.  1. Any county  outside
the  city  of  New  York, city, town, village, school district, board of
cooperative educational services, [or] fire district OR  PUBLIC  BENEFIT
CORPORATION  or  any  combination  thereof,  may  create by agreement an
intergovernmental relations council to strengthen local governments  and
to  promote  efficient  and economical provision of [local governmental]
PUBLIC  services  within  or  by  such  participating   [municipalities]
MEMBERS, and to that end such council shall have power to:
  a.  Make  surveys  and studies and conduct research programs to aid in
the solution of local governmental problems and in  efforts  to  improve
administration and services.
  b.  Provide  for  the  distribution of information resulting from such
surveys, studies and programs.
  c. Consult and cooperate with appropriate state, municipal and  public
or private agencies in matters affecting municipal government.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD06768-01-1

              

A. 4683                             2

  d.  Devise,  RECOMMEND  AND  IMPLEMENT  practical  ways  and means for
obtaining greater economy and efficiency in the planning  and  provision
of  [municipal]  PUBLIC services [and make recommendations in accordance
therewith].
  e.  Promote the general commercial, industrial and cultural welfare of
the participating [municipalities] MEMBERS.
  f. Otherwise promote strong and  effective  local  government,  public
health,  safety, morals and general welfare by means of local and inter-
community planning or performance of  [municipal]  PUBLIC  services  AND
GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS.
  g.  Employ  such persons and adopt such rules and regulations as shall
be necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of this section.
  h. Provide a forum for local governments to explore and develop  areas
for  [municipal]  cooperative activities pursuant to [article five-G of]
this chapter.
  i. Operate as a purchasing consortium, where authorized by participat-
ing [municipalities] MEMBERS, for the  purpose  of  obtaining  economies
through joint bidding and purchasing.
  j.  Purchase  and  make  available  to  participating [municipalities]
MEMBERS, where authorized  by  participating  [municipalities]  MEMBERS,
goods  [and],  equipment  AND  SERVICES,  including  but  not limited to
computer hardware and software.
  k. Gather and make available information on surplus goods  and  equip-
ment for sale or lease.
  2. The PARTICIPATING members of an intergovernmental relations council
shall  adopt by-laws to govern its activities and shall elect from their
own number a [chairman] CHAIRPERSON and secretary  and  other  necessary
officers  to  serve  for  such period as the PARTICIPATING members shall
decide.
  3. The board of supervisors of a county, the appropriate officials  of
a  city,  the  governing body of a school district, board of cooperative
educational services or fire  district,  the  board  of  trustees  of  a
village,  [or]  the  town  board  of a town OR THE MEMBERS OR BOARD OF A
PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, is hereby authorized to include annually  in
the  budget and raise by taxation in such county, city, school district,
village or town a sum to meet all or an appropriate share of the  actual
and  necessary expenses of establishing, maintaining and continuing such
intergovernmental relations council.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.