The number of Board members, their terms, election and the filling
of Board vacancies shall be as provided in those applicable sections
of the Charter.
A.
The Board shall organize at a meeting held at the Commissioners' meeting room on the day and time designated in § C-212 of the Charter or other public buildings at the discretion of the Commissioners.
B.
As prescribed in § C-212 of the Charter, the Board shall, at its organizational meeting, elect, by a majority of the Board, President and Vice President. Until such election of a President is accomplished, the Township Manager shall serve as presiding officer. The Board may also elect such other officers as it may deem appropriate.
A.
Public notice. Provisions governing public notice of meetings shall
be in accordance with law.
B.
Regular meetings. In accordance with the provisions set forth in § C-213 of the Home Rule Charter, regular meetings shall be held in the Commissioners' Meeting Room of the Ernest J. Quatrani Building, 2325 Darby Road, Havertown, Pennsylvania, at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, unless the day is on a holiday, in which case the meeting shall be held on the following evening at the same time and place.
[Amended 1-12-2015 by Ord. No. 2742]
C.
Special meetings. In compliance with § C-213 of the Charter, special meetings may be called by the presiding officer of the Board at his own instance or upon the written request of any three members of the Board. Written notice shall be given to all members by the Township Manager or, in his absence, by the officer calling the meeting. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meeting by the Board except by unanimous consent of the total membership of the Board. Presence at the meeting constitutes waiver of notice.
D.
Emergency meetings. As provided in § C-213 of the Charter, the Board may hold and take action at an emergency meeting at any time. Such emergency meetings may be called by the Township Manager or by any member of the Board, provided that a quorum is present as provided in § C-215 of the Charter and a majority of the membership of the Board determines that the holding of such meeting and the taking of emergency action at that time is necessary to protect or promote the public health and safety of the Township.
E.
Executive sessions. The Board may hold executive sessions in accordance
with law.
All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance
with law.
A.
The proposed agenda for any regular or special meeting of the Board
shall be prepared by the Township Manager with the approval of the
Board.
B.
The proposed agenda for any regular or special meeting of the Board
shall be forwarded to all members of the Board and shall be available
to the public at the Township Building in advance of the stated meeting.
C.
The title of any ordinance or resolution to be considered shall be
published as part of the agenda.
D.
The published agenda may be amended at the meeting by a majority
of the total membership of the Board.
A.
At the time appointed for any meeting of the Board, the President
shall take the chair and call the meeting to order. If a quorum is
present as provided in the Charter, the President shall proceed with
the order of business prescribed for the meeting. If upon the call
of the roll a quorum is not present, the President shall order a recess
for a maximum period of 30 minutes, and if a quorum has not developed
by that time, the President shall declare the meeting adjourned.
B.
Unless a majority of the Board votes otherwise, the order of business
for each regular meeting shall be as follows:
C.
All petitions, complaints, proposals or like matters shall be heard
by the Board at a citizens' forum following the opening prayer and
salute to the flag. Each citizen shall be allowed to speak for a period
of not more than three minutes, unless extended by the Board. The
comments and answers of the Board shall be made part of the record
of the meeting. The period of the citizens' forum shall be 30 minutes.
If necessary, additional time shall be allowed prior to adjournment
to enable any remaining citizens to speak.
A.
The presiding officer shall be responsible for the orderly conduct
of business at each Board meeting and shall preserve order and decorum
at such meetings.
B.
The Board, at its organization meeting, shall adopt rules governing
its procedure. The presiding officer shall announce all decisions
of the Board and shall decide all questions of order without debate,
subject, however, to an appeal by any Board member. Any ruling by
the presiding officer may be overruled by a majority of the members
present.
C.
Every member of the Board desiring to speak shall address the chair
and, upon recognition by the presiding officer, shall confine remarks
to the question under debate, avoiding all indecorous language or
reference to personalities. A member of the Board, once recognized,
shall not be interrupted when speaking unless it is for the purpose
of calling such person to order. If a member of the Board, while speaking,
is called to order, that person shall cease speaking until the question
of order is determined. When two or more members request the floor
at the same time, the presiding officer shall name the one entitled
to the floor.
D.
The roll of the members shall be called in order of wards, with the
lowest numbered ward called first, except that the President shall
be called last and the Vice President next to last.
E.
Meetings shall be conducted under Robert's Rules, except insofar
as Robert's Rules conflict with provisions of the Charter or Administrative
Code.
A.
When a group of persons wishes to address the Board on the same subject
matter, it shall be proper for the presiding officer to request that
a spokesperson be chosen by the group to address the Board, intending
to limit the number of persons addressing the Board on the same matter
so as to avoid unnecessary repetition.
B.
Any person making offensive, insulting, threatening, insolent, slanderous
or obscene remarks or who becomes boisterous or who makes threats
against any person or against public order and security while in the
Board meeting room shall be forthwith barred by the presiding officer
from further audience at the meeting unless permission to continue
is permitted by the majority vote of the Board members present.
The Board may at any time provide for standing and ad hoc committees
to assist with the carrying out of its function. The presiding officer
shall appoint the chairperson and members for each such committee.
All official action taken by the Board shall be as set forth in § C-216 of the Charter.
[Amended 8-12-2013 by Ord. No. 2699]
The Board shall provide for an independent audit as provided for by § C-710 of the Charter. The Board may designate such accountant or firm for a period not exceeding three years. No such accountant or firm so designated shall serve as independent auditor for more than two consecutive three-year periods.
Compensation for the members of the Board shall be as provided in § C-211 of the Charter. Fringe benefits shall refer to those types relating to health and accident benefits, pension and insurance. Reasonable expenses shall refer to those incurred, when so authorized by the Board, to attend meetings, conferences, conventions, institutes and schools in order to discuss and resolve the various questions arising in the discharge of the duties and functions of their office and those expenses actually incurred by the Board member when acting to provide uniform, efficient and economical methods of administering their Township duties, provided that satisfactory written evidence of those expenses is submitted to the Finance Director prior to reimbursement.
