Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies
(a) Organization description: The department of community affairs, which derives its duties and authority primarily from Chapter 133 of the General Statutes, is under the direction and supervision of a commissioner who shall organize the department into such bureaus as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the department's business. There is an advisory council on community affairs, established according to the provisions of Section 8-204 of the general statutes, which consists of the commissioner of community affairs as chairman, ex officio, the director of the commission on human rights and opportunities, ex officio, and ten other members, appointed by the governor, who serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in performance of advisory council duties. The council consults with and advises the commissioner with respect to the affairs and problems of local government and other problems within the jurisdictional concern of the department, and conducts such studies of specific community problems as may be referred to the council by the governor, the general assembly or the commissioner.
(b) Transfer of certain duties to commissioner: All powers and duties previously delegated to the public works commissioner under the provisions of chapters 128, 129, and 130, were transferred to the commissioner.
All powers and duties previously delegated to the Connecticut development commission under the provisions of sections 8-124 to 8-154, inclusive, and sections 8-160 to 8-162. inclusive, were transferred to the commissioner.
All powers and duties previously delegated to the state office of economic opportunity were transferred to the commissioner, and the term, "director of the state office of economic opportunity" means the commissioner of community affairs.
(c) Duties and responsibilities of the commissioner: The commissioner administers and directs all operations of the department for the purpose of improving the quality of life in Connecticut municipalities. This includes provision of research, survey and planning, financial and technical assistance to municipalities and locally authorized agencies. Contractual agreements between the state and the grantee are mandatory for state financial assistance. Such financial assistance is subject to audit. Technical assistance may be granted upon written request to the commissioner by the chief executive officer of the municipality or of an authorized grantee agency.
The commissioner is responsible for coordinating federal and state assistance in the solution of municipal problems and advising local agencies regarding federal, state and private assistance available from such sources. Ancillary thereto (Section 8-240) he serves as coordinator of the state interagency model cities committee and reports annually to the governor with regard to intergovernmental cooperation in carrying out the program of improving the quality of urban life.
The commissioner being authorized to accept federal funds made available for any purposes or related activities of Chapter 133, is responsible for insuring that such funds are administered in accordance with federal law and segregated from general funds of the state.
The commissioner is empowered under Section 8-227 to make and enforce regulations to effectuate the purposes for which the department was established and to allocate authorized assistance among municipalities on the basis of need to improve living conditions.
(d) Public inspection: Pursuant to Section 4-167 departmental regulations are on file in the offices of the commissioner, and are available for inspection during normal working hours.
Current organizational charts are maintained on file in the commissioner's offices for public inspection.
(Effective August 28, 1975)