N.Y. General Municipal Law § 239-z: Creation of landlord-tenant relations council

§ 239-z. Creation of landlord-tenant relations council. 1. The local

legislative body of any city, town or village may by resolution create a

landlord-tenant relations council hereinafter called the council, to

advise, counsel, mediate problems and disputes and to improve relations

between landlords and tenants. Such council shall direct itself toward

accomplishing the following:

(a) conduct research into community housing problems;

(b) formulate programs to improve landlord-tenant relations;

(c) accumulate statistical information on available housing

accommodations;

(d) counsel the local legislative body on landlord-tenant problems and

disputes and recommend programs for the solution of same;

(e) resolve problems and disputes between landlords and tenants

through mediation and discussion at meetings of the counsel.

2. Such council shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed

by the local legislative body for a term not exceeding two years and who

shall be unsalaried. Three of such members shall represent landlord

interests, three shall represent tenant interests and the seventh shall

be an impartial appointee.

3. The presiding officer or chairman of the council shall be

designated by the local legislative body from among the members so

appointed to the council. The local legislative body shall have

authority to remove any member of said council so appointed for cause,

after a public hearing, if requested. A vacancy shall be filled for the

unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment. The local

legislative body is authorized to make such appropriations as it may see

fit for such expenses incurred by the council. Such council may appoint

such clerks and other employees as it may from time to time require with

the approval of the local legislative body. The expenses of the council

shall not exceed the appropriation that may be made therefor by the

local legislative body.