[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of York County 12-30-1998 by Ord. No.
1998-05. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The name of this organization shall be the "York County Planning
Commission."
[1]
Editor's Note: The Planning Commission adopted these
bylaws 12-2-1998.
The authorization for the establishment of this Planning Commission
is set forth under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act
247 of 1968) and amendments thereto.[1] Powers and duties are delegated to the Planning Commission
by the County Commissioners by ordinance dated September 21, 1994,[2] in accordance with the above-mentioned enabling law.
Membership shall consist of nine persons to be appointed by
the York County Board of Commissioners. The method of selection and
appointment of members and their terms of office shall be as specified
in the ordinance enacted by the County Commissioners, dated September
21, 1994. All members shall reside in York County. Each member shall
be entitled to one vote.
A.
The officers of the Planning Commission shall consist of a Chairman,
Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
B.
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings and hearings of the Planning
Commission and shall have the duties normally conferred by parliamentary
usage on such officers.
C.
In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall perform the
duties of the Chairman.
D.
The Secretary shall keep the minutes and records of the Commission,
and, with the assistance of such staff as is available, shall prepare
the agenda of regular and special meetings under the direction of
the Chairman, provide notice of all meetings to Commission members,
arrange proper and legal notice of hearings, attend to correspondence
of the Commission and such other duties as are normally carried out
by a Secretary.
E.
The Treasurer, with the assistance of such staff as is available,
shall maintain and keep records of all receipts and disbursements.
An annual audit shall be made, copies of which shall be forwarded
to each member of the Commission and others as directed by the Chairman.
F.
The Treasurer is authorized to receive all appropriations and disburse
moneys as authorized by the Planning Commission.
A.
An annual organization meeting shall be held at the regular meeting
time during the month of January.
B.
Nominations shall be made at the annual organization meeting and election of the officers specified in § 427-4A shall follow immediately thereafter.
C.
A candidate receiving a majority vote of the entire membership of
the Planning Commission shall be declared elected and shall serve
for one year or until his successor shall take office.
D.
Vacancies in office shall be filled at the next scheduled meeting
by regular election procedure.
A.
Meetings will be held monthly at a date, time and location agreed
upon by the majority of the Commission.
B.
Quorum; voting procedures.
C.
Special meetings may be called by the Chairman. It shall be the duty
of the Chairman to call a special meeting when requested to do so
by a majority of members of the Commission. The Secretary shall notify
all members of the Commission, in writing, not less than five days
in advance of such special meeting.
D.
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Pennsylvania
State Sunshine Law, (Act of July 3, 1986, P.L. 388, No. 84, 65 P.S.
§ 271, et seq.) and amendments thereto.
E.
Unless otherwise specified, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern
the proceedings at the meetings of this Commission.
A.
The Chairman, as circumstances require, may create and charge committees
to undertake certain tasks. The Chairman shall designate a Chairman
and committee members.
B.
As circumstances require, advisory committees of noncommission members
may be formed and charged by majority vote of the Commission. Authority
for the appointment of members to such committees shall be vested
with the Chairman.
A.
Within the limits imposed by the funds available for its use, the
Commission may employ such staff personnel and/or consultants as it
sees fit to aid in its work. Appointment of the Staff Director shall
be made by five affirmative votes. Authority for the appointment of
all other personnel shall be vested with the Director, with the consent
of the Commission.
B.
All personnel matters shall be governed by the Employee Handbook
adopted on January 1, 1994, and amendments thereto, and the Equal
Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Program adopted on May 1996,
and amendments thereto.
A.
In addition to those required by law, the Commission may hold public
hearings when it decides that such hearings will be in the public
interest.
B.
Notice of the time and place of such hearings, when on matters of
widespread interest, shall be published once each week for two successive
weeks in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the territorial
jurisdiction of the Commission, not earlier than 30 days prior to
the hearing, and the second publication shall not be less than seven
days from the day of the hearing. For matters of limited territorial
interest, notice shall be given in such manner as is deemed appropriate
by the Commission.
C.
The matter before the Commission shall be presented in summary by
a member of the Commission designated by the Chairman, and parties
in interest shall have the privilege of the floor. Staff may be used
at the direction of the Chairman for this purpose.
D.
No record or statement shall be recorded or sworn to as evidence
for any court of law without notice to the parties.
E.
A record shall be kept of those speaking before the Commission at
such hearings.
These bylaws may be amended by five affirmative votes. Fifteen
days' notice of the intent to consider any such amendment shall
be mailed to each member.
