The administrative boards specified in this
Administrative Code have been or are hereby established for the proper
and efficient conduct of municipal affairs. The purpose of these boards
is to perform duties of a continuing nature in specific areas as designated
by this Administrative Code, the Home Rule Charter or other ordinances
of the Borough.
The advisory boards and commissions specified
in this Administrative Code have been or are hereby established for
the proper and efficient conduct of municipal affairs. The purpose
of these boards is to perform duties of a continuing nature in specific
areas as designated by this Administrative Code, the Home Rule Charter
or other ordinances of the Borough.
A. The boards and commissions designated in the following
subsections have been previously established by ordinance or are established
by this Administrative Code. Additional boards shall, from time to
time, be established by ordinance as deemed necessary by the Borough
Council. However, no additional boards may be created until the Borough
Council has determined that the functions of the proposed board cannot
be feasibly performed by one or more of the existing boards.
B. The boards and commissions specified as being advisory
boards or commissions in this Administrative Code have been or are
hereby established within the requirements of the statutes of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the laws of the Borough of West Chester
to provide advice, guidance and recommendations to the Borough Council.
No advisory board shall perform administrative duties or have executive
authority.
C. No advisory board or commission shall have the authority
to spend Borough funds unless provided for in the budget, specifically
approved by the Borough Council and subsequently approved by the Borough
Manager or a member of the administrative staff authorized so to do
by the Manager. The Manager shall assign employees of the Borough
to serve as liaison to and provide staff services to the boards and
commissions where necessary. No advisory commissions or boards shall
have the authority to enter into contracts of any nature.
D. Appointment. The Borough Council shall appoint the
members of advisory boards and commissions. Except for the Community
Campus Committee, no member of Borough Council, nor any person holding
any other office in the Borough, shall be appointed as a member of
an advisory board or commission. Appointments to fill vacancies shall
be only for the unexpired portion of the term."
[Amended 1-17-1996 by Ord. No. 3-1996; 10-20-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021]
E. Removal. Any member of an advisory board or commission
may be removed prior to the expiration of his/her appointed term by
the Borough Council and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania applicable to such board or commission.
F. Compensation. No member of any advisory board or commission
shall be compensated for his/ her duties.
G. Officers.
(1) A Chairman and a Vice Chairman of each advisory board
or commission shall be elected by the members of each commission or
board in January of each year. Each such officer shall serve a one-year
term. The Chairman or, in his/her absence, the Vice Chairman shall
preside at all meetings of an advisory board or commission, decide
all points of order or procedure and perform any other duties required
by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by the ordinances
of the Borough.
(2) The members of each advisory board and commission
shall elect one of their own members to act as the Secretary. The
Secretary, elected from the membership, shall serve a one-year term.
The Secretary or his/her designee shall conduct, at the direction
of the advisory board or commission, all official correspondence of
the board or commission, shall keep a record of each meeting or other
official action of the board or commission and shall perform all other
duties required by the board or commission by this Administrative
Code, by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by the
ordinances of the Borough.
H. Meetings; procedures for meetings. All meetings and
hearings of advisory boards and commissions shall be open to the public
unless otherwise permitted by law.
(1) Regular meetings of advisory boards and commissions
shall be held at least once each month on a designated day unless
no matters are pending for consideration.
(2) 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 in accordance
with the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(3) A quorum shall consist of at least a majority of all
members of the board or commission.
(4) The Secretary or his/her designee shall keep minutes
of the board's or commission's proceedings, showing the vote of each
member upon each question or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating
such fact.
(5) 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.
(6) All official records and files of each board and commission
shall be kept in the Municipal Building and shall be public record
unless otherwise provided by law or regulation.
(7) 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.
I. Planning Commission. There shall be in and for the
Borough of West Chester a Planning Commission, as previously created
by Borough ordinance, pursuant to the Municipalities Planning Code
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(1) The powers and duties of the Planning Commission shall
be only as prescribed in the Borough Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances and in Article
II of the Municipalities Planning Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(2) The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members,
all of whom shall be full-time residents and qualified electors of
the Borough. Each will be appointed by the Borough Council for a four-year
term.
(3) The terms of not more than two members shall expire
each year.
(4) Should a vacancy occur, the Borough Council shall
appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion
of the term. Such appointments shall be made within a period of 60
days after such vacancy occurs.
J. Recreation Commission. There shall be in and for the
Borough of West Chester a Recreation Commission which is hereby established
in accordance with the ordinances of the Borough for the following
purposes and organized as follows:
(1) The Commission shall make recommendations pertaining
to the development, supervision, maintenance and regulation of public
park and recreation areas and facilities located in the Borough.
(2) The Commission shall assist in the operation and conduct
of recreation programs and events.
(3) The Recreation Commission shall consist of up to seven
members, with at least three members being full-time residents of
the Borough and at least two members being property owners in the
Borough who pay real estate taxes.
[Amended 3-15-2000 by Ord. No. 4-2000; 7-17-2013 by Ord. No. 6-2013]
(4) The terms of not more than three members shall expire
each year. Therefore, unless a vacancy occurs, the Borough Council
shall annually appoint no more than three members to the Recreation
Commission.
(5) Should a vacancy occur, the Borough Council shall
appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion
of the term.
(6) The Recreation Commission shall be only advisory in
nature and shall perform no administrative duties. Its duties shall
include but not be limited to the following:
(a) To act in an advisory capacity to the Borough Council
in matters relating to parks, recreation and open space.
(b) To work with the Director of Recreation in reviewing
and developing policy matters for recreation programs and facilities.
(c) To cooperate with other governmental agencies and
civic groups in the advancement of parks and recreation in the Borough.
(d) To recommend policies pertaining to all municipal
park and recreation matters within the Borough.
(e) To review and make recommendations, with the Director
of Recreation, the Borough Manager and the Borough Council, concerning
development of recreation areas, facilities, programs and improved
recreation services.
(f) To make recommendations concerning a comprehensive
system of recreation and park areas, facilities and programs to meet
the needs of Borough residents.
(g) To define the objectives of public park and recreation
services and to recommend plans and general policies harmonizing with
them.
(h) To inform the Borough Council as to the status and
progress of recreation and park services.
(i) To promote stability and continuity of park and recreation
services.
(j) To evaluate annually the park and recreation system
in the community in relation to its objectives.
(k) To submit an annual report to the Borough Council
as deemed necessary.
K. Library Board. There shall be in and for the Borough
of West Chester a Library Board which is hereby established in accordance
with the Borough ordinances and the State Library Code for the following
purposes and organized as follows:
(1) The Board shall serve as Trustees for the West Chester
Public Library as established.
(2) The Library Board shall consist of 13 regular members, a majority
of which shall be full-time residents and qualified electors of the
Borough and be appointed by the Borough Council for three-year terms.
[Amended 3-19-2008 by Ord. No. 5-2008; 8-21-2019 by Ord. No. 10-2019]
(3) Regular members of the Library Board shall hold no other office in
the Borough. If a vacancy occurs, the Borough Council shall annually
appoint no more than four regular members to the Library Board.
[Amended 3-19-2008 by Ord. No. 5-2008]
(4) Should a vacancy occur, the Borough Council shall
appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion
of the term.
(5) The Library Board shall have only those duties set
forth as permitted by the State Library Code.
L. Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). There shall be in and for the Borough of West Chester a Historic Architectural Review Board which is hereby established in accord with the West Chester Zoning Ordinance, Chapter
112, Zoning, Article
XI, of the West Chester Code of Ordinances.
(1) The powers and duties of the HARB shall be only as
prescribed in § 112-56 of the West Chester Code of Ordinances.
(2) The HARB shall consist of not fewer than seven members,
one of whom shall be a registered architect, one a licensed real estate
broker, one a member of the Borough Planning Commission and one a
Building Inspector, and the remaining members shall have a knowledge
of and an interest in historic preservation and preservation of the
West Chester Historic District. A majority of the members shall be
full-time residents and qualified electors of the Borough. Each will
be appointed by the Borough Council for a three-year term.
(3) Should a vacancy occur, the Borough Council shall
appoint a member to fill a vacancy only for the unexpired portion
of the term.
M. Ad hoc boards.
(1) Ad hoc boards may be established as deemed necessary
by the Borough Council in accordance with the requirements of the
ordinances of the Borough and this Administrative Code. Such boards
shall be created only for specific and temporary purposes. The exact
purpose of such boards shall be specified at the time each ad hoc
board is created.
(2) All ad hoc boards shall be advisory boards and, as
such, they shall be advisory in nature and shall perform no administrative
duties. Ad hoc boards shall have the authority and responsibility
to seek findings of fact, express opinions or make recommendations
in the specific areas of responsibility granted to such boards at
the time of their establishment.
N. Tree
Commission. There shall be in and for the Borough of West Chester
a Tree Commission that is hereby established in accordance with the
ordinances of the Borough. The Tree Commission shall be advisory in
nature and shall perform no administrative duties.
[Added 8-20-2003 by Ord.
No. 18-2003; amended 10-19-2016 by Ord. No. 12-2016]
(1) The duties of the Tree Commission shall include, but not be limited
to, the following:
(a) In advance of its formal review, the Planning Commission shall forward
all subdivision and land development plans to the Tree Commission
for review of all matters relating to landscaping, including trees
- both public and private trees. Plans forwarded to the Tree Commission
should include any and all detailed landscape plans which are required
to be submitted as part of any subdivision and land development process.
The Tree Commission shall review plans for compliance with Borough
regulations and ordinances pertaining to trees and landscaping, and
shall offer further recommendations for matters relating to public
and private trees, including, but not limited to, advice for proper
tree species selection, tree management, tree preservation, vegetative
buffer and related shrubbery. The Tree Commission shall submit any
suggested plan modifications and/or review comments to the Planning
Commission prior to the Planning Commission completing its formal
review of the subdivision and land development plans.
(b) Act in an advisory capacity to Borough Council in all matters relating
to trees, and the Borough's overall tree canopy.
(c) Work in conjunction with the Urban Forester, and as necessary, the Director of Public Works, to review, develop and recommend to Borough Council certain policies, ordinances (including amendments to or implementation of the Borough's Tree Ordinance found at Chapter
102), and programs for tree planting, care, treatment, preservation, condemnation, and overall management of the Borough's public trees.
(d) Work in conjunction with the Urban Forester to provide education
and outreach programs to the citizens of the Borough, public officials
and employees, and the development community concerning trees, the
urban forest, all Borough ordinances and regulations relating to tree
matters, tree programs, and other related topics.
(e)
Make recommendations concerning a comprehensive tree program
that aims to preserve, revitalize, and expand the Borough's entire
tree canopy, which includes public trees and private trees.
(f)
Cooperate with other governmental agencies and civic groups
to advance the preservation and restoration of the Borough's tree
canopy.
(g)
Submit an annual report to Borough Council, and inform Borough
Council of the progress and status of the Tree Commission's work on
an as-needed basis.
(h)
Participate in fundraising activities where the proceeds shall
be used to promote the Borough's tree program.
(2) The Tree Commission shall be organized as follows:
(a) The Commission shall consist of up to seven members, a majority of
whom shall be full-time residents and qualified electors of the Borough.
The members shall be appointed to serve a three-year term. At least
one member of the Commission shall have certification, professional
credentialing, formal education and/or substantive experience in the
fields of arboriculture, horticulture, or landscape architecture.
[Amended 5-17-2023 by Ord. No. 04-2023]
(b) Should a vacancy occur, Borough Council shall appoint a member to
fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion of the term.
(c) The Commission shall establish its own agenda and meeting schedule
and shall meet as needed to perform the functions authorized herein.
O. West Chester Citizens Financial Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee. Pursuant to the authority in §
3-38A, there is hereby reestablished for the Borough of West Chester an ad-hoc committee known as the "Citizens Financial Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee" which shall be organized for the purposes hereinafter set forth.
[Added 5-25-2011 by Ord. No. 9-2011; amended 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 03-2020]
(1) The Committee shall consist of not less than five members appointed
by the Borough Council. All members of the Committee shall be residents
of the Borough of West Chester.
(2) The term of this Committee shall commence on June 1, 2020 and continue
until further resolution of Borough Council that terminates the Commission.
(3) The purpose of the Committee is as follows:
(a)
To examine all processes, procedures, services, and systems
of the Borough of West Chester to reduce/avoid expenditures.
(b)
To examine all processes, procedures, services, and systems
of the Borough of West Chester to suggest efficiencies in operation.
(c)
To identify any possible new or enhanced revenue sources.
(d)
To suggest methods to optimize Borough assets.
(e)
To examine actual and estimated revenues and expenditures of
the Borough in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
(f)
To assist the Borough Manager and Borough Council in performing their respective functions prescribed in Article
VIII of the Home Rule Charter and Article
VI of the Administrative Code.
(4) The Committee shall make progress reports to Borough Council at regular
intervals but not less than once every other monthly, either by submission
of a written report sent to Council members or by a Committee member
presenting an oral report at a regular Council work session.
P. Sustainability Advisory Ad-Hoc Committee. Pursuant to the authority in §
3-38A, there is hereby established for the Borough of West Chester an ad-hoc Committee known as the "Sustainability Advisory Committee" which shall be organized for the purposes hereinafter set forth.
[Added 11-17-2015 by Ord.
No. 16-2015]
(1) The term of this Committee shall commence on January 1, 2016, and
continue until Borough Council elects to abolish the same.
(2) The Committee shall consist of a minimum of five and maximum of seven
members appointed by Borough Council. A majority of the members of
the Committee shall be residents of the Borough of West Chester, with
no more than two non-resident members.
(3) Council shall appoint three members of the Committee who shall serve
a two-year term.
[Amended 9-18-2019 by Ord. No. 14-2019]
(4) The mission statement of the Committee is as follows: to increase
collaboration between Borough departments on issues regarding the
economic vitality and environmental sustainability of West Chester
Borough. The Committee seeks to develop initiatives aimed at increasing
Borough staff knowledge, developing community partnerships, and fostering
sustainable best management practices.
(5) The responsibilities of the Committee will include, but are not limited
to, developing policies in order to implement practices and achieve
goals related to sustainable practices and initiatives and making
recommendations to Borough Council on these practices and ways these
goals can be achieved. In addition, the Committee will be responsible
for reviewing land development plans to offer suggestions for implementation
of green infrastructure and to promote the goals of sustainable practices.
The Committee will report to the Public Works, Recreation and Wastewater
Committee when necessary.
Q. Committee to Reestablish Rail Service to West Chester. Pursuant to the authority in §
3-38A, there is hereby established for the Borough of West Chester an ad-hoc committee known as the "Committee to Reestablish Rail Service to West Chester," which shall be organized for the purposes hereinafter set forth.
[Added 3-19-2014 by Ord. No. 2-2014]
(1) The term of this Committee shall commence on the effective date of
this section and shall terminate on a date established by resolution
or motion of Council.
(2) The Committee shall consist of a minimum of seven members appointment
by a majority of the Borough Council. A majority of the Council may
from time to time change the number of members on the Committee, but
such change shall occur no more than once every calendar year. Not
less than three members of the Committee shall be residents of the
Borough of West Chester.
[Amended 6-16-2020 by Ord. No. 04-2020]
(3) The purpose of the Committee is to cause, as soon as possible, the
reestablishment of rail service to West Chester through the following
activities:
(a)
Compiling on a continuing basis as much information and data
on the issues relating to the return of rail service as is necessary
to obtain that goal.
(b)
Preparing a history of the rail line most recently designated
the "R3" from its beginning through its discontinuance in the 1980s
and the efforts and circumstances since then concerning reestablishment
of the service.
(c)
Ascertaining and promptly advising Council of county, state,
regional, national and private plans, actions, meetings, hearings,
conferences and the like, as they develop, that have or may have a
bearing on the return of rail service.
(d)
Ascertaining what groups, organizations, individuals and the
like that are, or are likely to become, allied in securing reestablishment
of rail service to West Chester and contacting and interacting with
such individuals and entities at the direction of Council.
(e)
Attending and/or participating in activities and gatherings,
at the request of Council, in furtherance of reestablishing rail service.
(f)
Serving as advocates for the return of rail service at events
and forums at the direction of Council.
(g)
Recommending to Council publicity and public outreach activities
designed to increase widespread public support for the reestablishment
of rail service and to engage in such activities at the direction
of Council.
(h)
Advising Council, on an ongoing basis, of actions that Council
might take to achieve to goal of reestablishing rail service.
(i)
Other activities that Council may from time to time assign.
(4) The Committee shall report to Borough Council annually, or at any
time as requested by Council, either by submission of a written report
sent to Council members or by a Committee member or members presenting
an oral report at a meeting of Council or a Council committee.
R. Historical Commission. There shall be in and for the Borough of West
Chester a Historical Commission.
[Added 7-19-2017 by Ord.
No. 10-2017]
(1) Mission. It shall be the mission of the Historical Commission to
foster awareness and appreciation of the Borough of West Chester's
heritage as expressed through its people, culture, institutions, and
architecture; to identify and advocate for the preservation of historic
resources, particularly those threatened by neglect and demolition;
and to provide information and advice to the public, Borough, county,
and commonwealth. The Historical Commission's mission will complement
the duties and mission of the Historic Architecture Review Board ("HARB")
within the local HARB district.
(2) Responsibilities. The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity
for historic preservation and to foster a community appreciation for
the historic resources within the Borough. To accomplish this purpose,
the Commission shall:
(a)
Advise the Borough Council in all matters pertaining to historic
resources;
(b)
Implement the West Chester Comprehensive Historic Preservation
Plan of 2011;
(c)
Maintain an inventory and archive of the Borough's historic
resources by gathering documentary evidence, illustrations, photographs
and other appropriate materials;
(d)
Conduct educational programs and prepare publications with respect
to historic resources;
(e)
Act as an historical resource in cooperation with other Borough
boards and committees;
(f)
Develop relationships and liaise with preservation organizations,
government agencies, and community groups;
(g)
Solicit gifts, grants, and money as appropriate for the purposes
of the Commission;
(h)
As directed by Borough Council, represent the community on preservation
matters at the regional, state, and national levels;
(i)
Prepare and submit a yearly report and budget to the Borough
Council for sums deemed necessary to carry out the responsibilities
of the Commission.
(3) Membership and terms of office. The membership of the Historical
Commission shall:
(a)
Consist of a minimum of nine members, all appointed by the Borough
Council.
(b)
Each member shall serve a three-year term of office, except
for the initial term, which for four members shall be two years, and
for five members three years.
(c)
A majority of Commission members must be residents of the Borough.
(d)
Elect a Chair and Vice Chair, who shall be elected annually
from amongst and by the members of the Commission.
(e)
Elect a Secretary, who shall be elected by the members but need
not be a member of the Commission.
(f)
Serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses
necessary to conduct the responsibilities of the Commission when authorized
by the Borough Council.
(4) Vacancy. A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by appointment
by the Borough Council for the unexpired term. The Commission may
make recommendations for appointees to the Borough Council for unfulfilled
terms and for full terms. The Commission may have the right to establish
appropriate committees to assist with research, to lend expertise,
and to perform other duties as assigned by the Commission. Each committee
shall be chaired by a member of the Historical Commission.
(5) Meetings. Meetings shall be held at intervals deemed appropriate
by the Commission. The Commission shall keep records of its meetings
and activities and submit periodic reports to the Borough Council.
(6) In order to carry out its responsibilities, the Historical Commission
may, with the prior consent of the Borough Council, utilize any funds,
personnel, or other assistance made available by the Borough, county,
the commonwealth, or federal government, or any of their agencies,
or from private sources. The Borough Council may enter into agreements
or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds
or assistance in accordance with Borough procedures. The Borough of
West Chester Historical Commission shall submit a proposed budget
to the Borough Council during the regular Borough budget process.
S. Public Arts Commission. There shall be in and for the Borough of
West Chester a Public Arts Commission.
[Added 8-16-2017 by Ord.
No. 13-2017]
(1) Mission. It shall be the mission of the Public Arts Commission ("Commission"
or "PAC") to provide guidance, advocacy, and leadership to support
the reach and impact of public art. The Commission shall promote the
arts, culture, and creative identity of the Borough of West Chester
and is intended to assess and evaluate the merits of applications
for the creation of public art, while advising the Borough Council
on the same.
(2) Definitions. As used in this subsection, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
MURAL
An original work of art painted on or affixed to an exterior
wall, fence or any other surface which can be seen from the public
right-of-way and whose purpose is beautification. A mural may not
serve any promotional purpose, such as advertisement of any product,
service, business, religious or political organization.
PUBLIC ART
Art in any medium, including, but not limited to, murals,
sculptures, and live performances, that is planned and executed with
the intention of being staged in the physical, public domain and whose
purpose is to have a positive impact on the community. Public art
includes art on both public and private property but generally accessible
by all.
(3) Responsibilities. The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity
for the preservation and promotion of arts, culture, and creative
identity within the Borough of West Chester. To accomplish this purpose,
the Commission shall:
(a)
Assess and evaluate all applications received by the Borough for the creation, preservation, alteration or removal of public art (excluding applications for busking, as set forth in Chapter
80, Article
III, of the Borough Code).
(b)
Advise the Borough Council in all matters pertaining to applications
for the creation, preservation, alteration or removal of public art.
(c)
Advise prospective applicants on the process of obtaining a
permit for the creation of public art.
(d)
Help guide applicants through the Borough's permitting process
for the creation of public art.
(e)
Meet on an as-needed basis to review permit applications for
the creation, preservation, alteration or removal of public art in
the Borough.
(f)
Make recommendations to Borough staff and the Council regarding
the Commission's review, evaluation, and assessment of each public
art application.
(g)
For applications received regarding public art in the Historic
District (as established in Article XI of the Borough's Zoning Ordinance,
§§ 112-50 through 112-62), obtain an HARB opinion prior
to making recommendations to Borough staff and/or Council.
(h)
Following the grant of approval by Council, facilitate the execution
of any contractual arrangements and/or agreements between the parties
involved in the public arts project.
(i)
As deemed necessary by the Commission and/or Borough, oversee
the creation, preservation, alteration or removal of public art, as
approved by the Borough Council.
(j)
Serve as an artistic, cultural, and/or creative resource in
cooperation with other Borough boards and committees.
(k)
Develop relationships and liaise with preservation organizations,
government agencies, and community groups.
(l)
Solicit gifts, grants, and money as appropriate and proper for
the purposes of the Commission.
(m)
As directed by Borough Council, represent the community on artistic
and/or cultural matters at the regional, state, and national levels.
(n)
Prepare and submit an annual report and budget to Borough Council
for monetary sums deemed necessary to carry out the responsibilities
and objectives of the Commission, as applicable.
(4) Membership and terms of office. The membership of the Public Arts
Commission shall:
(a)
Consist of a minimum of seven members, all of whom shall be
appointed by the Borough Council.
(b)
Serve a three-year term of office, except for the initial term,
in which four members shall serve three-year terms, and three members
shall serve two-year terms.
(c)
Consist of a majority of Borough residents.
(d)
Be comprised of a minimum of two artists. For purposes of this
requirement, the term "artist" shall be defined as: a person engaged
in an activity or activities related to creating art, practicing the
arts, or demonstrating an art, who make their primary living through
such artistic endeavor(s).
(e)
Be comprised of a minimum of one professional, licensed architect
or certified urban planner.
(f)
Elect a Chair and Vice Chair who shall be elected annually from
amongst and by the members of the Commission.
(g)
Elect a Secretary, who shall be elected by the members of the
Commission but need not be an appointed member of the Commission.
(h)
Serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses
necessary to conduct the duties and responsibilities of the Commission,
when authorized by Borough Council.
(5) Vacancy. A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by appointment
by Borough Council for the unexpired term. The Commission may make
recommendations for appointees to the Borough Council for unfulfilled
terms and for full terms. The Commission may have the right to establish
appropriate committees to assist with research, to lend expertise,
and to perform other duties as assigned by the Commission. Each committee
shall be chaired by a member of the Public Arts Commission.
(6) Meetings. Meetings shall be held as-needed and/or at intervals deemed
appropriate by the Commission. The Commission shall keep records of
its meetings and activities and submit periodic reports to Borough
Council, as deemed necessary and requested by the Council.
(7) In order to carry out its responsibilities, the Public Arts Commission
may, with the prior consent of Borough Council, utilize any funds,
personnel or other assistance made available by the Borough, County,
the Commonwealth, or federal government, or any of their agencies,
or from private sources. Borough Council may enter into agreements
or contracts regarding the acceptance or utilization of the funds
or assistance in accordance with Borough procedures. The Borough of
West Chester Public Arts Commission shall submit a proposed budget
to the Borough Council during the regular Borough budget process.
T. Community Campus Committee. Pursuant to the authority in §
3-38A, there is hereby established for the Borough of West Chester an Advisory Committee known as the "Community Campus Committee" which shall be organized for the purposes hereinafter set forth.
[Added 10-20-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021]
(1) Mission.
The purpose of the Community Campus Committee is to promote and increase
communication and collaboration between Borough of West Chester community
leaders and residents and West Chester University officials and students
on issues that affect health, safety, and quality of life for the
campus and Borough community.
(2) Responsibilities
of Committee. The Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to
Borough Council and to West Chester University administration and
shall perform the following duties:
(a) Partner
in community engagement and conduct regular meetings with Borough
and University community members to discuss issues and concerns about
University activities, events, policies and affairs.
(b) Promote
and encourage cooperation and planning for University events that
will have an impact on Borough residents, such as move in and move
out days, homecoming, graduation and other functions or events that
impact the residents of the Borough in and around the University Campus.
(c) Develop
and foster relationships and liaise with leaders and committees of
the Borough and University.
(d) Identify
issues of mutual concern to the Borough and University while maintaining
open and transparent communications with all relevant parties and
departments within both the Borough and the University.
(e) Initiate
solutions for issues or problems that impact the quality of life for
Borough residents.
(f) Provide
reports to Borough Council on the activities and accomplishments of
the Committee either by submission of a written report sent to Council
members or by a Committee member presenting an oral report at Council
meetings. The Committee shall submit at least one report per University
semester to Borough Council.
(3) Membership
and terms of office.
(a) The
Committee shall consist of 10 members representing the Borough (the
"Borough members"). The Borough members shall consist of the following:
[1] The West Chester Borough Mayor;
[2] A representative from the West Chester Borough Police Department
who is selected by the Mayor;
[3] A member of Borough Council's Public Safety, Events and Quality of
Life Committee who is selected by Council;
[4] A Borough resident from the 2W and 4th Wards who is appointed by
Borough Council;
[5] Two at-large Borough residents who are appointed by Council;
[6] A member of the West Chester Apartment Housing Association or a property
owner in the Borough who owns student rental units who is appointed
by Council;
[7] A member of the West Chester Restaurant Association or a business
owner in the Borough who owns an establishment with a liquor license
who is appointed by Council; and
[8] The Director of the Department of Building, Housing and Code Enforcement.
(b) In
addition to the members appointed by Council, the Committee shall
include 10 representatives from West Chester University (the "University
members") who shall be selected by the University and represent various
departments selected by the University administration such as the
following:
[2] Civic Engagement and Social Impact;
[4] Fraternity and Sorority Life;
[5] Student Government Association;
[6] Off Campus and Commuter Services;
(c) Borough
Council shall appoint the Borough members to serve on the Committee
at the reorganizational meeting of Council held in January of 2022.
The University administration shall appoint the University members
to serve on the Committee on or before January 1, 2022. Members shall
be appointed to serve a three-year term except for the initial terms
which shall be staggered so that the terms of at least three members
shall expire every year.
(d) The
first term of the Committee shall commence on January 1, 2022, and
continue until Borough Council elects to abolish the same.
(4) The
Committee shall have Co-Chairpersons. One Chairperson shall represent
the Borough members and be selected by the Borough members of the
Committee. The second Chairperson shall represent the University members
and be selected by the University members of the Committee.
(5) Vacancy.
A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the
original appointment by the Borough Council for Borough members and
by the University for University members.