A.
Purpose. Administrative boards and commissions specified in this chapter have been established for the proper and efficient conduct of Township affairs. The purpose of these boards and commissions is to perform duties of a continuing nature in specified areas as designated by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this chapter and the ordinances of Cheltenham Township.
B.
Establishment; authority.
(1)
The boards and commissions recognized in this article have been previously established by ordinance. Additional boards and commissions shall from time to time be established by ordinance as deemed necessary by the Board of Commissioners.
(2)
Those boards and commissions specified as being administrative in this code have been established within the requirements of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the ordinances of Cheltenham Township and the Charter. These boards and commissions shall perform such administrative duties and possess such authority only in those specific areas of responsibility so designated by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, this code and other ordinances.
C.
Expenditure of public funds; contracts. No administrative board or commission shall have the authority to spend Township funds, unless provided for in the budget and subsequently approved by the Township Manager. Township employees designated by the Township Manager shall serve as liaison to provide staff services to the board or commission. No board or commission shall have the power to enter into contracts unless otherwise provided by ordinance.
D.
Appointments; vacancies; removal; compensation; terms of office.
(1)
The board or commissioners shall appoint the members of administrative boards and commissions as provided for in § C1302 of the Charter.
(2)
Any member of an administrative board or commission may be removed prior to the expiration of his appointed term in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth applicable to such board or commission or as provided for in this code, the Charter or ordinance.
(3)
The members of any administrative board or commission shall serve without compensation, except as otherwise provided by applicable law or ordinance.
E.
Officers; duties.
(1)
A Chairman and a Vice Chairman shall be elected by the members of each administrative board or commission at an annual organization meeting to be held in January and shall hold office until their successors are elected.
(2)
The members of each administrative board or commission may elect one of their own members or appoint an employee of the Township designated by the Township Manager to act as Secretary. The Secretary, if elected from the membership, shall serve a one-year term. If an appointed Township employee, the Secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the board or commission.
(3)
The Chairman, or in his absence the Vice Chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the administrative board or commission and decide all points of order and procedure.
(4)
The Secretary shall conduct, at the direction of the administrative board or commission, all official correspondence of the board or commission; shall send out all notices required by law; shall keep a record of each meeting, examination or other official action; and shall perform all other duties required by the board or commission, applicable law or ordinance.
F.
Procedures for meetings.
(1)
All meetings and hearings of administrative boards and commissions shall be open to the public.
(2)
Regular meetings of administrative boards and commissions shall be held at least once each month on a designated day, unless no matters are pending for consideration.
(3)
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 to the public.
(4)
A quorum shall consist of at least a majority of all members of the board or commission, except for the Zoning Hearing Board which shall be in accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(5)
The Secretary shall keep minutes of the administrative board or commission proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact.
(6)
A file of all materials and decisions relating to each case shall be kept by the Secretary as part of the records of each board or commission.
(7)
All records of administrative boards or commissions shall be public records.