The standing committees enumerated in § 210.14 shall have duties as follows, in addition to other duties delegated to them by Council.
(A) Administration Committee. The Administration Committee shall:
(1) Keep informed of and investigate all matters and proposals relating to city personnel including but not limited to department organization and structure, hiring and disciplinary practices, personnel evaluation processes, personnel policies and employee wages and benefits, and shall report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable;
(2) Keep informed as to the activities of the city's administration staff and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable;
(3) Keep informed of and investigate all matters relating to the city's insurance programs; IMRF, vacation and sick policies. The committee will also serve as the authorizing agent, within limits set from time to time by Council, to investigate and authorize settlements of lawsuits and claims against the city.
(B) Budget, Finance and Review Committee. The Budget, Finance and Review Committee shall:
(1) Review upon all accounts payable and payroll reports submitted to the city, and present Council reports recommending payments of sums;
(2) Keep informed of and investigate all matters and proposals relating to finances and investments of the city and the Finance Department of the city, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable;
(3) Coordinate and schedule all meetings and public hearings relating to the proposed annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance submitted by the Mayor, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable.
(C) Building and Zoning Committee. The Building and Zoning Committee shall:
(1) Keep informed of and investigate all matters and proposals relating to the city and the Zoning Code, including but not limited to matters relating to the erection, repairing and remodeling of buildings and structures, accessory buildings, fences and permits, special use permits, certificates of compliance, health and hosing standards and issues related thereto and report periodically to Council as it deems advisable;
(2) Keep informed of and investigate matters and proposals relating to business and economic development within the city including but not limited to all requirements for and administration of issuance of permits, including fee structures therefore;
(3) Keep informed of and investigate city-wide project planning and problem solving proposals relating to the city, including but not limited to infrastructure planning, research of sales and rental data reported by area realtors and landlords, home equity assurance programs, overseeing a plan for capital improvement and redevelopment;
(4) Keep informed of and investigate the activities of the city's Zoning, Planning and Development Commission; and
(5) Report and recommend to Council from time to time as deems advisable in all matters.
(D) Human Relations and Housing Committee. The Human Relations and Housing Committee shall:
(1) Provide education and outreach programs to educate the community, equalize opportunities, eliminate discrimination and promote good will among all persons;
(2) Advise the city and departments on issues of policy that relate to human relations and discrimination; and make recommendations of policy to the city to address, readdress, prevent or discourage acts of discrimination;
(3) Recommend policies for city departments to lessen conflicts and improve understanding in the community; especially for matters related to quality of life issues for residents and businesses;
(4) Study and investigate landlord/tenant issues and concerns;
(5) Advise the City Council on matters relating to policies and programs which will serve to further workforce and affordable housing inventories and programs.
(E) Licensing and Taxation Committee. The Licensing and Taxation Committee shall:
(1) Be responsible for regulating all city licenses, business, and all corresponding fees and sources of revenues;
(2) Act as a hearing board on matters coming within the provision of § 801.12(B) of the Business Regulation and Taxation Code or any similar provision passed by Council in substitution thereof;
(3) Keep informed, investigate and coordinate all matters relating to fees, general and special taxation and special assessments, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable.
(F) Outreach Committee. The Outreach Committee shall:
(1) Create and investigate procedures and ordinances for Council approval providing an open government format;
(2) Assist in the formation of respectful trusting relationships throughout the city and share and distribute important information about the city and topics of concern that adequately inform residents of important events, procedures, departments and general happenings in the city, including but not limited to the use of social media;
(3) Focus on enlisting the participation of residents, community members, and city employees in the educational process and establishing collaborative relationships focused on positive impacts;
(4) Confer with the Berwyn Development Corporation, the Building and Public Works Departments regarding issues related to business, planning and economic development. Confer with all community-based organizations and groups, including citizen, educational civic, fraternal, veteran and social service agencies, regarding issues related to community concerns and activities.
(G) Police and Fire Committee. The Police and Fire Committee shall:
(1) Keep advised concerning the administration, operation and needs of the Fire Department and the Police Department, particularly with relation to the finances thereof;
(2) Confer with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners regarding hiring and promotion policies;
(3) Monitor the safety training and policy manuals of the Fire Department and the Police Department;
(4) Report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable.
(H) Public Works, Parking, Traffic, Tree, Streets and Sewers Committee. The Public Works, Parking, Traffic, Tree, Streets and Sewers Committee shall:
(1) Keep informed of and investigate all matters and proposals relating to Public Works, the care and maintenance of all bridges and streets (including alleys, sidewalks and parkways) and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable;
(2) Keep informed of and investigate all matters and proposals relating to trees, shrubbery and other vegetation in the city, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable;
(3) Recommend to Council action as it deems advisable to be taken with reference to any utility furnishing gas, electricity, internet, cable, telephone service or another public service to the people of the city or to the city itself;
(4) Keep informed concerning the administration of the Water Department, investigate and study problem of furnishing water for use by the residents and for municipal purposes, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable pertaining to the Water Department or water rates to be charged; and
(5) Keep informed of, investigate, and monitor recycling activities and proposals in the city, and report and recommend to Council from time to time as it deems advisable.
(Ord. 17-46, passed 12-26-2017)