Sec. 2-178. - Department of planning and economic development; director of planning and economic development; division of planning; division of economic development.

(a)

There shall be a department of planning and economic development, the head of which shall be known as the director of planning and economic development who shall be appointed by the mayor. The director of planning and economic development shall possess a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, economics, finance, urban planning, or a related field.

(b)

The department of planning and economic development shall be divided into two divisions, the division of planning and the division of economic development.

(1)

The division of planning shall create, maintain, and implement all neighborhood, redevelopment and special area plans, and oversee environmental planning, historic preservation planning, and transportation planning and transit initiatives.

(2)

The division of economic development shall be responsible for identifying and promoting development opportunities for business growth and development in the city. The division is also responsible for disbursing and monitoring the expenditure of federal community development funding. The division shall be responsible for identifying opportunities to expand development for arts and culture within the city.

(3)

The director of planning and economic development shall work with the division of building inspection, for the purpose of coordinating permitting for developments from the design phase to final inspection,

(4)

The director of planning and economic development shall work with the director of finance and other members of the finance department as may be necessary for the purpose of maximizing economic development initiatives in the city and to promote the long term financial wellbeing of the city which shall include the formulation of a multi-year financial forecast.

(c)

The director of planning and economic development or his or her designee shall be the technical advisor of the planning board and shall be responsible for the preparation of all records of the board, which records shall be authenticated by the board's secretary. The director shall also have the power to call a special meeting of the planning board.

(d)

The director of planning and economic development shall be the administrative head of the department of planning and economic development who, in addition to such other duties fixed by the mayor, shall prepare a fiscal department budget for presentation to the mayor. Such budget shall set forth the necessary funds for the department of planning and economic development, as well as the funds for the use of the planning board.

(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 2-178; Ch. 742, § I, 8-20-19)