831 - Powers and duties of the downstate council.
§ 831. Powers and duties of the downstate council. The downstate council shall have the power: 1. to make by-laws for the management and regulation of its affairs; 2. to make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this article; 3. to appoint and remove an executive officer, officers, agents and employees, and prescribe their duties and qualifications; 4. to develop a comprehensive marketing program and plan to promote the attractions within the downstate region to domestic and international travelers and to enhance tourism in the downstate region; 5. to utilize, to the extent feasible, the staff and facilities of existing state agencies, pursuant to an allocation to be made by the state division of the budget; 6. to develop in cooperation with schools, colleges and universities a training and educational program to promote the tourism industry within the downstate region; 7. to review and comment on capital and long range plans of state agencies as they affect tourism in the downstate region; 8. to encourage individuals, corporations, associations and public entities to establish, maintain, protect, preserve and promote the tourism resources of the downstate region; 9. to prepare an annual report on the conduct of its activities; 10. to utilize the staff and facilities of existing local agencies to the extent that local agencies make them available; 11. to hold hearings in the exercise of its powers, functions and duties provided for by this article; 12. to intervene in proceedings before state agencies on matters affecting tourists and tourism in the downstate region; 13. to, whenever in the opinion of the downstate council it would be in the public interest, after prior approval of the director of the budget, request the temporary assignment and transfer of certain employees of any board, commission, agency or department of the state or its political subdivisions, and said board, commission, agency or department, if in its opinion such transfer will not interfere with the performance of its duties and functions may make such assignment and transfer of said employees to the downstate council. Such assignment and transfer or extension thereof shall not in any way affect the civil service status, continuity of service, retirement plan status, right to compensation, grade or compensation or other rights or privileges of any employee so transferred; 14. notwithstanding any other section of law, the downstate council shall not have the power of eminent domain or to acquire property by eminent domain; 15. to take any actions and to adopt regulations necessary to carry out the functions, powers and duties imposed by this article. Any such regulations shall be adopted in accordance with article two of the state administrative procedure act; and 16. to exercise and perform such other powers and duties subject to the availability of appropriations as shall have been or may be from time to time conferred by law.