(a) There is established a Neighborhood Revitalization Zone Advisory Board. The board shall consist of the following voting members: (1) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management; (2) the director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at The University of Connecticut; (3) the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; (4) the heads of those state agencies deemed appropriate by the secretary; (5) the chief executive officer of a municipality in which a neighborhood revitalization zone planning committee, pursuant to this chapter, was established on or before July 1, 1998; and (6) one member of each such neighborhood revitalization zone planning committee appointed by the chief executive officer based upon recommendations submitted to him by such committee. In a municipality having more than one neighborhood revitalization zone planning committee, each committee shall submit its recommendations to the chief executive officer and he shall choose the board member to be appointed from such recommendations. Each member of the board may designate a person to represent him on said board. The membership of the board shall be increased on September 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, to reflect the addition of a municipal chief executive officer and a member of a neighborhood revitalization zone planning committee having been established in the preceding twelve months, in a municipality not previously represented on said board. The members of the board shall serve without compensation.

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(b) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall serve as chairman of the board and shall convene the first meeting of the board not later than September 1, 1998. At the meeting the board shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business. Subsequent to said meeting or any continuation thereof, the board shall meet on a quarterly basis. The Office of Policy and Management shall provide staff support to the board.

(c) The board shall promote neighborhood self-sufficiency and economic development and assist neighborhood revitalization zone planning committees in developing and implementing strategic plans. The board shall make recommendations regarding the disbursement of moneys in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. The board may serve as a clearinghouse for information about neighborhood revitalization zones, including information on (1) linkages with technical experts for the development of strategic plans, (2) innovative neighborhood success models, and (3) training and mentoring opportunities for members of neighborhood revitalization planning zone committees. The board may also conduct seminars or conferences and establish collaborative partnerships with public or private entities, including, but not limited to, financial institutions, nonprofit or religious organizations, state and private institutions of higher learning and libraries.

(d) There is created a neighborhood revitalization zone grant-in-aid program to be administered by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, for the purpose of providing financial assistance for the benefit of neighborhood revitalization zone planning committees. Such financial assistance, within available appropriations, shall be used for activities that promote neighborhood organizational development, economic development and business planning, specialized curriculum development, leadership training, the use of technology, property management, landlord-tenant relations, intergovernmental relations and such other activities as the board may deem appropriate. The secretary shall review recommendations regarding the disbursement of moneys made by the board and shall make a determination concerning the awarding of such financial assistance. Upon making a determination, the secretary shall certify to the State Comptroller the amount payable and the recipient of such grant. Not later than five business days after such certification, the State Comptroller shall draw his or her order on the State Treasurer, who shall pay such grant. The secretary shall not certify a grant in an amount exceeding ten thousand dollars.

(e) The board shall periodically monitor a recipient’s use of such grant, to ensure full compliance with the provisions of this section. Each grant recipient shall, for a period of two years following receipt of such moneys, maintain all invoices, purchase orders and other evidence of expenditures related to the use of such grant.