(A) The Mayor shall appoint with approval the City Council, members of standing committees at two year intervals, which correspond with the election of Alderman. Each committee shall consist of at least three Alderman (one from each ward). The committee will elect a chairperson of the committee from it’s appointed Alderman members. Committee reports will state the problem, alternatives to problem resolution, and their recommendation to the council during committee reports as scheduled on the agenda. Each committee will receive a department report on progress of current projects and suggestions for future projects. The committees are advisors to the council and their prime function is policy review and recommendation. The committee may request an employee to be present at a committee meeting.
Committees are to receive any information needed to carry out their duties. Committee members may request information from city employees as necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Committee may by majority vote, request the presence of the City Attorney at committee meetings.
(B) The standing committees are as follows:
(1) Finance, Administration and Personnel Policies.
(2) Public Works-Electric, Sewer, Streets and Water Departments.
(3) Emergency Services-Police and Ambulance Departments.
(4) Public Properties, Parks and Recreation.
(C) Committees that are made up of a majority of council members must follow the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The Act requires notification to all news media having a request letter on file of any such committee meeting at least 48 hours in advance. The agenda must be posted in a public area 48 hours prior to any such meeting. Minutes need to be taken of all committees and placed on file with the City Clerk within seven days of the committee meeting, and made available for public inspection within seven days of approval by the City Council.
(D) Committees will follow council rules for conduct of meetings. The chairperson of each committee is responsible for scheduling each meeting, conducting the meetings in accordance with acceptable procedures, notifying the City Clerk to notify committee members, and keep minutes of the meetings. Committees should take and record votes taken on policy recommendations to the council.
(E) Names and responsibilities of standing committees many be changed as necessary to meet the changing needs of the city by a two-thirds vote of the City Council.
(Ord. 568a, passed 3-18-91; Am. Ord. 646, passed 5-1-95)