Township of Cheltenham, PA Article VII Advisory Boards and Commissions

§ 5-43 Purpose.

The advisory boards and commissions specified in this code are hereby recognized for the purpose of proper and efficient conduct of Township affairs, as well as to protect the rights of the citizens of Cheltenham Township to participate in a positive and constructive manner in the government of the Township.

§ 5-44 Establishment of advisory boards and commissions.

A. The advisory boards and commissions herein recognized shall have been previously established by ordinance or resolution. Additional boards shall from time to time be established by ordinance in accordance with § C1301 of the Charter as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners.

B. The advisory boards and commissions specified as being advisory in this code are herein recognized to provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the Township Manager, the Board of Commissioners and the Committees of the Board of Commissioners. No board designated as advisory shall perform administrative duties or have executive authority.

§ 5-45 Expenditure of public funds; contracts.

No advisory board or commission shall have the authority to spend Township funds unless provided for in the budget and subsequently approved by the Township Manager. The Township Manager may assign employees of the Township to serve as liaison to and provide staff services to the boards and commissions. No advisory board or commission shall have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the Township.

§ 5-46 Appointment, vacancies and compensation of members.

[Amended 11-16-1993 by Ord. No. 1787-93]

A. The Board of Commissioners shall appoint the members of advisory boards and commissions in accordance with § C1302 of the Charter, unless otherwise stipulated by this code or ordinance.

B. Appointment to fill vacancies shall only be for the unexpired portion of the term.

C. No member of the advisory board or commission shall be compensated for his duties.

D. All terms of advisory board and commission appointments shall continue until successors are appointed but in no instance later than the regular February meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

§ 5-47 Officers; duties.

A. Each advisory board or commission shall elect at its first regular meeting of each year from among its membership a Chairman and a Vice Chairman to serve for terms of one year.

B. The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice Chairman, shall preside at all meetings of an advisory board or commission and decide all points of order or procedure.

§ 5-48 Procedures for meetings.

A. All meetings and hearings of advisory boards and commissions shall be open to the public.

B. Each advisory board and commission shall set the time, place and frequency of its meetings, unless otherwise prescribed by the Charter or the Board of Commissioners.

C. Special meetings may be held as needed upon the call of the Chairman or Vice Chairman, provided that appropriate notice of each meeting is given to each member and the public.

D. A quorum shall consist of at least a majority of all members of the board or commission.

E. A file of all materials and decisions relating to all official actions of the board or commission shall be kept as part of the records of each board or commission.

F. All official records and files of each board and commission shall be kept in the office of the Township Manager and shall be public records.

G. All meetings of advisory boards and commissions shall be conducted in an orderly fashion and in accordance with the rules delineated in Robert's Rules of Order.

§ 5-49 Boards and commissions enumerated.

[Amended 11-16-1993 by Ord. No. 1787-93; 11-21-1995 by Ord. No. 1846-95]

In accordance with the ordinances and resolutions of Cheltenham Township, there is hereby recognized the existence of the following advisory boards and commissions:

A. Fire Board.

B. (Reserved)[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, Electrical Examining Board, was repealed 12-21-1999 by Ord. No. 1951-99.

C. (Reserved)[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Former Subsection C, Health Advisory Committee, was repealed 6-21-2005 by Ord. No. 2088-05.

D. Historical Commission.

E. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Committee.

[Amended 1-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2151-08]

F. Human Relations Committee.

G. La Mott Board of Historical Architectural Review.

H. La Mott Community Center Citizens Committee.

I. Rowland Community Center Citizens Committee.

J. (Reserved)[3]

[3] Editor's Note: Former Subsection J, Parking and Traffic Advisory Commission, was repealed 6-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2136-07.

K. (Reserved)[4]

[4] Editor's Note: Former Subsection K, Citizens Advisory Committee, was repealed 6-19-2007 by Ord. No. 2136-07.

L. Economic Development Task Force.

[Amended 12-21-1999 by Ord. No. 1952-99]

M. (Reserved)[5]

[5] Editor's Note: Former Subsection M, Task Force on Breyer Tract, was repealed 12-21-1999 by Ord. No. 1951-99.

N. Wyncote Board of Historical Architectural Review.

O. Americans With Disabilities Act Committee.

P. Tree Advisory Commission.

Q. Cheltenham Township Twinning Committee.[6]

[Added 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 1887-97; amended 3-9-2002 by Ord. No. 2005-02; 2-15-2005 by Ord. No. 2077-05; 12-19-2006 by Ord. No. 2122-06; 5-26-2009 by Ord. No. 2184-09]

[6] Editor's Note: With the addition of this Subsection Q, former Subsection Q was redesignated as Subsection R.

R. Any other ad hoc committees which the Board of Commissioners may deem necessary.[7]

[7] Editor's Note: The La Mott Feasibility Study Task Force, which had been established under the provisions of this subsection, was repealed 12-21-1999 by Ord. No. 1951-99.

§ 5-50 Membership; powers and duties.

The composition of membership, term of office, powers and duties of the advisory boards and commissions shall be as prescribed by Township ordinance, the Charter and law.