The number of Councilpersons, their terms, election and qualifications
and the filling of Council vacancies shall be as provided in the Charter.
The Council may, at any time, provide for standing and ad hoc
committees to assist with the carrying out of its function. Each committee
so designated by the Council shall elect its officers and provide
for rules governing its procedure. Any such committee appointed by
the Council shall, thereafter, report to the Council at a regular
meeting when requested by Council.
Official actions of the Council shall be taken by ordinance,
resolution, or motion, as provided in the Charter.
Ordinances shall be enacted pursuant to §
C-2.11 of the Home Rule Charter.
A. Ordinance form and procedure.
(1) Every proposed ordinance shall be introduced in writing and in the
form required for final adoption. No ordinance shall contain more
than one subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title. The
enacting clause shall be "The Municipality of Peters Township, Washington
County, Pennsylvania ordains. . ." Any ordinance which repeals or
amends an existing ordinance shall set out in full the ordinance,
sections or subsections to be repealed or amended, and shall indicate
matter to be omitted by enclosing it in brackets or by strike-out
type and shall indicate new matter by underscoring or by italics.
(2) An ordinance may be introduced by any member of Council at any stated
semimonthly or special meeting of the Council. Upon introduction of
any ordinance, a copy shall be distributed to each Council member
and to the Township Manager, and a reasonable number of copies shall
be filed in such other public places as the Council may designate.
B. Ordinance requiring prior public notice and hearing. No final action
shall be taken on the following types of ordinances and amendments
thereto without public hearing thereon and at least 10 days' published
public notice, or such longer notice as may be required by applicable
state law:
(1) Zoning Ordinance and amendments thereto;
(2) Adoption of the Zoning Map and amendments thereto;
(4) Land development and land use regulations;
(5) New taxes, service charges and permit fees, or increases in the rate
of these revenue sources; and
(6) Adoption or amendment of the budget.
C. Copies of ordinances. Copies of ordinances shall be available to
all persons requesting them upon payment of a reasonable charge.
D. Emergency ordinances. To meet a public emergency affecting life, health, property, or the public peace, the Council may adopt, pursuant to §
C-2.18 of the Charter, one or more emergency ordinances, which may be adopted without prior notice and may be made effective immediately. An emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances generally, except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency ordinance and shall contain, after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and describing it in clear and specific terms. After its adoption, the ordinance shall be published and printed as prescribed for other ordinances. It shall become effective upon adoption or at such later time as it may specify. Every emergency ordinance shall automatically stand repealed as of the 61st day following the date on which it was adopted, but this shall not prevent reenactment of the ordinance in the manner specified in this subsection if the emergency still exists. An emergency ordinance may also be repealed by adoption of a repealing ordinance in the same manner specified in this subsection for adoption of emergency ordinance.
E. Codes of technical regulations. The Council may adopt any standard
code of technical regulations by reference thereto in an adopting
ordinance. The procedure and requirements governing such an adopting
ordinance shall be as prescribed for ordinances generally except that:
(1) The requirements of this section for distribution and filing of copies
of the ordinance shall be construed to include copies of the code
of technical regulations as well as the adopting ordinance; and
(2) A copy of each adopted code of technical regulations as well as of
the adopting ordinance shall be authenticated and recorded.
The appointment, supervision, tenure and duties of Township
Manager shall be as provided in the Charter. Under special circumstances, to be determined by resolution,
the Council may employ the services of legal counsel and such other
staff as it deems appropriate.