§ 42-125-6. Powers and duties.
The council has the following powers:
(1) To be entitled to ask for and receive from any commission, board, officer, or agency
of the state any information, cooperation, assistance, and advice as shall be reasonable
and proper in view of the nature of the council's functions;
(2) To assess and evaluate the current programs and policies of the state as they relate
to the creation and maintenance of systems of greenways throughout the state and to
make recommendations regarding the coordination of activities within state government
to create and maintain systems of greenways as part of the state's twenty-first century
infrastructure;
(3) To make any recommendations that may be necessary to the state planning council to
maintain a greenways element of the state guide plan as described in § 42-11-10;
(4) To make recommendations to the chief executive officer of the Rhode Island commerce
corporation regarding the inclusion of greenways in programs to promote tourism and
encourage the location and development of recreational facilities;
(5) To make recommendations to the director of the department of environmental management
regarding the inclusion of greenways in (1) the department's cooperation with the
Rhode Island commerce corporation in planning and promotional functions relating to
recreation as provided for in § 42-17.1-2(6), and (2) the department's general functions relating to parks and recreation, preservation
of wetlands and habitat, and planning and development as provided for in § 42-17.1-4;
(6) To make recommendations to the director of the department of transportation regarding
the inclusion of greenways in plans and implementation programs for transportation
as provided for in § 42-13-1;
(7) To provide advice and assistance to political subdivisions, businesses, citizen groups,
and nonprofit organizations regarding the creation and maintenance of greenways;
(8) To foster public involvement in greenways planning and development;
(9) To apply for, contract for, and expend federal and other grants 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 the house of representatives, the president
of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year.
The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings
held, including meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, studies conducted,
policies developed, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial
statement 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 during the previous fiscal
year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of any legal
matters related to the authority of the council; a summary of any training courses
held pursuant to subsection (11) of this section, a briefing on anticipated activities
in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The
report shall be posted as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement
of this provision;
(11) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members and new designees
of ex officio members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation.
The course shall be developed by the chair of the council, approved by the council,
and conducted by the chair of the council. The council may approve the use of any
council or staff members of other individuals to assist with training. The course
shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of this chapter;
§ 42-11-10; § 42-17.1-2(6), and (2); § 42-17.1-4; § 42-13-1; chapter 46 of this title; chapter 14 of title 36; chapter 2 of title 38; and the council's operating procedures. The director of the department of administration
shall, within ninety (90) days of May 3, 2006, prepare and disseminate training materials
relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of this title, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.