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A City Planning Commission to be composed of seven members, appointed as provided by law (53 P.S. § 10202), is hereby created in and for the City. The Planning Commission shall perform all duties and may exercise all powers conferred by law upon City planning agencies; provided, the Planning Commission previously created in and for the said City shall constitute the tenure of any of the members thereof, but any and all vacancies in the said Commission, hereafter occurring, shall be filled in the manner and for the term provided in the law governing City planning commissions in effect at the time of the happening of said vacancy.
Any member may be removed for malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance in office or for other just cause by a majority vote of Council taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such vote, as per the PA Municipalities Planning Code. Failure of a member to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Planning Commission will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Planning Commission by City Council. Failure of a member to attend at least 50% of the regular meetings of the Planning Commission in a calendar year will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Planning Commission by City Council. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission shall inform the City Clerk in writing when a member has failed to comply with this attendance policy. Following such notification, City Council may vote to remove the member and seek applicants to fill the vacant position.
Part 2
Penn Square Commission
Penn Square Commission
[Adopted 3-19-1975 by Ord. No. 10-1975 by Ord. No. 10-1975; amended in its entirety 5-29-2001 by Ord. No. 14-2001 (Ch. 1, Part 5F, of the 2001 Code of Ordinances)]
The purpose of the Penn Square Commission is to organize, promote and give direction to the efforts of both private and public organizations interested in fostering the civic, social, cultural and economic development within the City's new public commons in its downtown area; and to renew, preserve and enhance the economic and aesthetic value of the City's central business district.
A. The Penn Square Commission shall administer and supervise the use, operation and maintenance of Penn Square, Market Square and such other public spaces as may be designated by resolution of Council. The powers and duties of the Commission shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the establishment of use, operation and maintenance policies; the promotion of activities; solicitation of funds; the procurement and scheduling of all programs and events; the issuance of use permits; the establishment of a schedule of rental rates and charges; and the establishment of rules of conduct and safety. Provided, however, any leases or contracts in excess of one year shall be subject to the approval of Council.
B. The Commission, within the annual budgetary appropriations established by Council, may employ such persons and make such expenditures as may be necessary for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction. Any such persons employed by the Commission shall be subject to the wages, hours and conditions of employment as established by Council. The Commission shall submit to Council, not later than October 1 of each year, its recommendations for the budgetary appropriations, the personnel complement, and the wage and salary classifications within its jurisdiction for the succeeding year. The Commission shall make an annual report to Council in December of each year on the operations of the Commission.
Membership on the Penn Square Commission shall consist of 11 residents and/or business persons engaged in business in Downtown Reading, at least six of whom shall be residents of the City. At least five such members, if available, shall be members of the Reading Market Association (RMA) or equivalent downtown business organization. At least one such member, if available, shall be a representative of the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County. All members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of Council.
The initial appointment of members serving on the Penn Square Commission shall consist of three members appointed for a term of one year, two of whom shall be representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County and Downtown Association of Reading Endeavors; two members appointed for a term of two years; and two members appointed for a term of three years. Thereafter, the representatives from the Chamber of Commerce of Reading and Berks County shall be appointed on an annual basis for one year and the remaining 10 members shall be appointed for a term of two years and shall serve until their successors are appointed. Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term in the manner as provided herein for original appointments.
The members of the Penn Square Commission shall elect their own Chairman and Secretary and shall select all other officers necessary to conduct business, to serve for a term not exceeding the term of their appointment. The Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for its internal organization and procedure and for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction. The Commission in its discretion may appoint persons to act as advisors to subcommittees appointed by the Commission.
The City shall indemnify and save harmless any officer, director or member of the Penn Square Commission from and against any claims or liabilities (including reasonable attorney fees) on any judgment, decree, fine or penalties imposed on him for any act or omission committed or incurred while acting as such, and reimburse him for all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by him in defense thereof, at such terms as provided by governing law; provided that there shall be no obligation to reimburse, partially or wholly, such persons for claims or liabilities determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.
Part 3
Citizen’s Initiative Commission
Citizen’s Initiative Commission
[Adopted 5-22-17 by Ord. 46-2017]
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