§ 42-125-6 - Powers and duties.
SECTION 42-125-6
§ 42-125-6 Powers and duties. – The council has the following powers:
(1) To be entitled to ask for and receive from anycommission, board, officer or agency of the state any information, cooperation,assistance, and advice as shall be reasonable and proper in view of the natureof the council's functions;
(2) To assess and evaluate the current programs and policiesof the state as they relate to the creation and maintenance of systems ofgreenways throughout the state and to make recommendations regarding thecoordination of activities within state government to create and maintainsystems of greenways as part of the state's twenty-first century infrastructure;
(3) To make any recommendations that may be necessary to thestate planning council to maintain a greenways element of the state guide planas described in § 42-11-10;
(4) To make recommendations to the executive director of theRhode Island economic development corporation regarding the inclusion ofgreenways in programs to promote tourism and encourage the location anddevelopment of recreational facilities;
(5) To make recommendations to the director of the departmentof environmental management regarding the inclusion of greenways in (1) thedepartment's cooperation with the Rhode Island economic development corporationin planning and promotional functions relating to recreation as provided for in§ 42-17.1-2(6), and (2) the department's general functions relating toparks and recreation, preservation of wetlands and habitat, and planning anddevelopment as provided for in § 42-17.1-4;
(6) To make recommendations to the director of the departmentof transportation regarding the inclusion of greenways in plans andimplementation programs for transportation as provided for in § 42-13-1;
(7) To provide advice and assistance to politicalsubdivisions, businesses, citizen groups, and nonprofit organizations regardingthe creation and maintenance of greenways;
(8) To foster public involvement in greenways planning anddevelopment;
(9) To apply for, contract for, and expend federal and othergrants or assistance, appropriate to the purposes of this chapter, and
(10) To approve and submit an annual report within ninety(90) days after the end of the fiscal year to the governor, the speaker of thehouse of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary ofstate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: anoperating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meetingminutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, studies conducted, policiesdeveloped, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financialstatement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds,a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical,administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance duringthe previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies;a synopsis of any legal matters related to the authority of the council; asummary of any training courses held pursuant to subsection 42-125-6(11), abriefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findingsand recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted as prescribedin § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall beresponsible for the enforcement of this provision.
(11) To conduct a training course for newly appointed andqualified members and new designees of ex officio members within six (6) monthsof their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by thechair of the council, approved by the council, and conducted by the chair ofthe council. The council may approve the use of any council or staff members ofother individuals to assist with training. The course shall include instructionin the following areas: the provisions of chapter 42-125; § 42-11-10;subsections 42-17.1-2(6), and (2); § 42-17.1-4; § 42-13-1; chapter42-46; chapter 36-14; chapter 38-2; and the council's operating procedures. Thedirector of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days ofMay 3, 2006, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to theprovisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14 and 38-2.