[Amended 12-18-2017 by Ord. No. 109-2017]
A. Public notice. Provisions governing public notice of meetings shall be provided by Sunshine Act, 1998, P.L. 729, No. 93 (65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.), as amended. [Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 35-2013]
B. Regular meetings. See Charter, § 212(b).
Editor's Note: Section 212(b) of the Charter provides:
(b) Meetings. Council shall hold a regular meeting at least twice each month in the evening on a day and place as the Council may prescribe by rule.
C. Special meetings. Special meetings may be called by the President of the Council or upon the written request of a majority of the members of the Council. A written notice shall be delivered by electronic communications to each Council member at least 24 hours before a special meeting is held. Such notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted. No other business shall be considered at such meeting by the Council. Special meetings may also be called by citizens’ petition as referenced in the Charter, § 1112. [Amended 1-27-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]
Editor's Note: Section 1112 of the Charter provides:
§ 1112. Citizens rights to call a special meeting of City Council.
(a) The qualified voters of the City of Reading, upon filing a signed petition with the City Clerk, may require the City Council to hold a special meeting.
(b) The petition filed with the City Clerk must contain the signatures and addresses of 200 duly qualified voters of the City and the purpose for which the meeting is being called. Upon receipt of such petition and a two-day review/certification period of the petition by the City Clerk, the President of City Council must convene the special meeting on an evening within 14 days of the certification.
(c) The public notification process will adhere to the special meetings provisions of this charter.
D. Emergency meetings. The Mayor may call an emergency meeting of Council for the purpose of taking action on an emergency by contacting the President or Vice President of Council who shall then notify the remaining members of Council about the purpose of the meeting and the time and location of the meeting. No action shall be taken at the emergency meeting unless a quorum of Council is present as provided in the Charter. In the event five Council members determine that the emergency meeting is unnecessary, the meeting shall not be held. [Amended 1-27-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]
E. Executive sessions. The Council may hold executive sessions as permitted by law. No official action shall be taken by the Council on any matter in executive session as provided for by the Sunshine Act, 1998, P.L. 729, No. 93 (65 Pa.C.S.A. § 701 et seq.), as amended. [Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 35-2013]
F. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall exercise the duties of the President. In the absence of both the President and the Vice President, the Council shall appoint a President pro-tem who shall have all the powers of the President.
G. In the event a regular or special meeting needs to be postponed because of a weather emergency or similar circumstances, the Council President may determine the date and time of the postponed meeting. Reasonable efforts to fulfill the notice requirements (see Subsections A and C above) shall be made, but broadcast announcements and telephone calls to members shall be deemed to meet minimum requirements. [Amended 1-27-2014 by Ord. No. 7-2014]