The legislative branch of the government of Pittston City shall consist of an elective governing body which shall be known as the City Council.
The City Council shall be composed of four members elected at-large by the electors of the City and the Mayor for a total composition of five.
Members of City Council shall be elected to serve staggered terms of four years. At the first municipal election subsequent to the adoption of this Charter in 2013, the offices of two current members of City Council are then expiring and shall be filled. In the second municipal election subsequent to the adoption of this Charter in 2015, the offices of two members of City Council are then expiring and shall be filled. Thereafter, at each municipal election two members of City Council shall be elected. Their terms of office shall begin on the first Monday in January next following their election. If the first Monday is a legal holiday, the term of office shall begin the next day following the holiday.
All members of City Council shall be electors of the City, at least the age of 18 and shall have been residents continuously in the City for at least three years immediately preceding their election and must maintain all qualifications through the duration of their term.
The City Council shall have, but not by way of limitation, the following powers and duties:
A. 
To make appropriations and adopt the budget.
B. 
To approve debt.
C. 
To approve contracts over $5,000. City Council shall review the $5,000 threshold every five years and increase it by ordinance as necessary and appropriate.
D. 
To levy taxes and fees.
E. 
To adopt, amend, and/or repeal motions, resolutions, ordinances and other materials of legislative intent.
F. 
Shall appoint all department heads, except Police Chief, and non-staff municipal appointees.
G. 
May overturn a termination of a City employee by the City Administrator by a supermajority, or a minimum of four, votes of City Council.
H. 
To make or cause to be made such studies, audits and investigations as it deems to be in the best interest of the City.
I. 
To approve the payment of bills.
Initial annual salary compensation for a member of City Council shall be $2,500 per annum. The salary for a member of City Council shall not be less than $2,500 per annum. Any change in compensation of City Council shall only become effective for any member of City Council following the expiration of the term of their current seat. Members of City Council shall receive no other City compensation, direct or indirect; they shall receive no reimbursements for expenses unless previously approved by City Council and the Mayor at a public meeting; and they shall receive no pensions, personal or family insurances, unless otherwise required by law, nor other forms of fringe benefits. City Council shall have the power to fix the salary compensation of its members by ordinance.
No member of City Council, during their City Council term, shall hold any other elected public office. No member of City Council shall be employed by the City whether paid or unpaid.
The office of member of City Council shall become vacant through death, resignation or forfeiture. Forfeiture occurs when a member of City Council lacks the qualifications of the offices as defined by the Charter or violates an express prohibition of the Charter.
The City Council shall, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining members of City Council, fill any vacancy in the office of member of City Council. Should this process fail, for any reason whatsoever, to fill a vacancy within 45 days after the vacancy occurs, then the Court of Common Pleas shall fill the vacancy.
Any person filling a City Council vacancy shall be an elector that meets all of the Charter's qualifications for City Council membership regardless of political affiliation.
The person appointed to fill a vacancy shall take office immediately upon appointment and shall fill the term only until the next municipal election at which time the unexpired term, if applicable, shall be filled by the electors of the City.
The City Council shall meet to organize on the first Monday of January of each even-numbered year. If the first Monday is a legal holiday, the City Council shall meet to organize the next day following the holiday.
The Mayor shall serve as Chairperson at the organization and all meetings of City Council. The City Council at this organization meeting shall elect from its membership a Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of City Council. Whenever any action by the City Council shall result in a specific written contract or agreement or requirement for a signature from City Council, the Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall be authorized to and shall affix his/her signature as necessary.
The City Council shall convene a regular business meeting at least once a month. All meetings of the City Council shall be open to the public. All regular meetings must occur at or after 6:00 p.m. A meeting can only be held if at least three members of City Council are physically in attendance which shall constitute a quorum. A special meeting may be called if notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation 24 hours in advance of said meeting.
A. 
Notice of legislation considered for adoption as an ordinance must be advertised as per the advertising requirements of the Third Class City Code, as amended time from time, prior to consideration of adoption. The City Administrator shall be responsible for the legal notice to be published. Ordinances shall only require one reading prior to consideration of action by City Council regardless of requirements in the Third Class City Code unless required otherwise by a uniform, applicable law.
B. 
Ordinances and other legislation shall require a majority vote of those members present of City Council to be considered passed and adopted.
C. 
Legislation shall take effect as defined by the individual ordinance.
Upon written declaration by the Mayor that an emergency exists within the City, City Council may, without regard to any other provisions contained in § C2.12, adopt a related ordinance upon the affirmative and majority vote of at least three members of City Council who shall be physically present at a meeting of City Council. The ordinance shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and shall cease to be effective upon the Mayor's declaration the emergency has ceased or on the 30th day following its adoption, whichever shall occur first.
All ordinances and resolutions of the City shall be entered, as approved, in the record books of the City. The record books shall be open and available to the public for inspection during posted business hours. The books shall be in the custody and control of the City Administrator. All entries shall be made by the City Administrator. All ordinances and resolutions having legislative effect shall be codified.
City Council shall provide reasonable opportunity for interested residents, taxpayers and interested parties to address the City Council and Mayor at all meetings.