§ 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.