[1999 Code § 2.12.010; Ord. No.
O.1693-2009 § I; Ord.
No. O.1766-2011 ; Ord. No. O.1821-2013]
The Mayor, as the chief executive officer of the Township, shall
have the power and duty to supervise the administration of the Charter
and ordinances of the Township and the general laws applicable thereto.
He or she shall have such powers of appointment and removal as are
provided by Charter or general law. He or she shall have the power
to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Council, to all offices
where no other provision is made for such appointment; it being the
intent and purpose of this provision, in order to control spending,
that the Mayor shall obtain the advice of the Council and consent
to appoint, hire or retain any supervisory or managerial employee
whose salary, wages, and other compensation equals or exceeds fifty
thousand ($50,000.00) dollars. He or she shall assign or approve the
assignment of space in public buildings and other public places for
the temporary or permanent use of any department, agency, body, officer
or instrumentality and shall, through the Business Administrator,
control the assignment, allocation and use of furniture, equipment
or other public property in the Township government. He or she may
assign and reassign, transfer and retransfer, from time to time, either
temporarily or permanently, any property or personnel from one function
to another or from one administrative unit to another as the management
of the Township government may require, subject to the express requirements
of the Charter and all other applicable general laws. This section
shall not, however, apply to the Council or Township Clerk.
[1999 Code § 2.12.020; Ord. No.
O.1767-2011 ; Ord. No. O.1851-2013 ]
The Mayor may appoint a secretary, executive secretary or other
personnel not exceeding three (3) in number.
[1999 Code § 2.12.030]
The Mayor shall designate the Business Administrator and any
other department head or the Township Clerk to act as Mayor whenever
the Mayor shall be prevented by absences from the Township, disability
or other cause from attending to the duties of his office. During
such time, the person so designated by the Mayor shall possess all
the rights, powers and duties of the Mayor.
[1999 Code § 2.12.040]
Whenever a vacancy exists by resignation, removal or otherwise
in the office of a director of any department, the Mayor may designate
an acting director, who shall perform all the duties and functions
of such department head. Any such designation of an acting director
shall terminate not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after
the date of designation, unless the Council shall, by resolution,
authorize one or more extensions thereof. Such acting director shall
serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and may be removed by the Mayor
at any time without cause.
[1999 Code § 2.12.050]
The Mayor may delegate to the head of any department any functions,
powers or duties conferred upon the Mayor by ordinance which are not
required by Charter or general law to be performed or discharged personally
by the Mayor.
[1999 Code § 2.12.060; New]
The Mayor shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed
by ordinance.
[1999 Code § 2.08.010]
All powers of the Township and determination of all matters
of policy shall be vested in the Council except as otherwise provided
by the Charter, general law or this chapter. The Council shall exercise
the legislative power of the Township, except as may be otherwise
provided by general law. It may require any Township officer, in its
discretion, to prepare and submit statements regarding his or her
official duties and the performance thereof, and it may otherwise
investigate the conduct of any department, officer or agency of the
Township. It may remove any Township officer other than the Mayor
or member of the Council, for cause, upon notice and opportunity to
be heard.
[1999 Code § 2.08.020; New]
[1999 Code § 2.08.030]
The deliberations of the Township Municipal Council shall be
governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The Township Attorney
shall be the parliamentarian when he or she is present. In the absence
of the Township Attorney, the Township Clerk shall serve as parliamentarian.
Any questions arising not provided for in the rules herein after
set forth or the Township's Charter shall be determined by the rules
set forth in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
[1999 Code § 2.08.040; New; Ord.
No. O.1678-2008 § I]
a.
Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Edison Township Municipal
Council shall be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every
month (unless otherwise scheduled by the Municipal Council) and shall
be called to order at 7:00 p.m. or such other time as the Council
may set by resolution, except that the Council may, by resolution,
dispense with one (1) or more meetings as it deems necessary or appropriate.
Regular meetings shall be held in the Council chamber or at such other
place as may be designated by the Municipal Council by resolution
or motion. Any change in venue of regular meetings shall be duly noticed
as required by law.
b.
Work session Meetings. Work session meetings of the Edison Township
Municipal Council shall be held on Mondays preceding the regular Wednesday
meeting of every month at 6:00 p.m. or such other time as the Council
may set by resolution except that the Council may, by resolution,
dispense with one (1) or more meetings as it deems necessary or appropriate.
Work session meetings shall be held in the Council chambers or at
such other place as may be designated by the Township Council by resolution
or motion. Any change in venue of work session meetings shall be duly
noticed as required by law. By the vote of a majority, Council may
recess the work session meeting for not more than fifteen (15) minutes
and reopen same at a specified time and date.
c.
Holidays. When the day fixed for any regular or work session meeting
of the Governing Body falls upon a day designated by law as legal,
State, national or religious holiday, such meeting shall be held at
the same hour on the next succeeding day not a Saturday, Sunday or
holiday. Notice should be in the annual notice of work session and
regular meetings.
d.
Special Meetings. The Council President, upon the oral or written
approval of a majority of the Council, may call a special meeting
of the Council. As provided by N.J.S.A. 40:69A-179, the Mayor may,
and upon written request of a majority of the members of the Council,
shall, call a special meeting of the Council. In the event of a refusal,
inability, or neglect of the Council President or Mayor to call a
special meeting deemed necessary by a majority of the members of the
Council, such members may themselves call a special meeting. For any
special meeting, the call may be oral or written, shall designate
the purpose of the special meeting, and no other business shall be
considered. Except in case of an emergency designated in the call
for a special meeting, notice of special meetings shall be given at
least two (2) days in advance thereof.
e.
Annual Meeting. The Township Council shall hold an annual organizational
meeting during the first seven (7) days of January in the Township
Council chambers or such other place as may be designated by the Township
Council by resolution or motion. The specific time and date of the
organizational meeting shall be established by resolution of Council
during a business meeting in the month of December preceding the organizational
meeting. At the organizational meeting, the Township Council shall
hear reports, elect one of its members to service as Council President
and one (1) of its members to service as Council Vice President for
the ensuing year, adopt its rules of order, adopt its meeting schedule
for the year, make annual appointments, and transact such other business
as properly may be brought before the body.
f.
Budget Adoption. The annual budget is to be introduced, approved,
amended and adopted by resolution adopted by no less than a majority
of the full membership of the Council according to the following general
procedures:
1.
Submission by Mayor of recommended budget to Council.
2.
Departmental budget presentations.
3.
Introduction and approval (first reading, by title) by August 10.
4.
Public advertising.
5.
Public hearing.
6.
Amendments and public hearings if required.
7.
Adoption by September 20 (subject to the terms of N.J.S.A. 40A:4-10)
8.
Deadlines may be extended by Director of the Division of Local Government
Services with the approval of the Local Finance Board.
9.
Transmission of certified copy to County Board to be made within
fifteen (15) days of adoption (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-1 to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-18
included).
g.
Adjourned Meetings. Adjourned meetings shall be called to order and
held at the time and place appointed by the motion or resolution under
which they are held.
h.
Meetings Open to the Public. State Statutes provide that all meetings
of the Township Council shall be open to the public subject to provisions
allowing for executive session discussion. The open public meetings
statement shall be read by the Township Clerk at all work sessions,
regular and special meetings. The Business Administrator, Attorneys,
Clerk and Engineer and such other Township officers or employees,
if they be required by general or special order of the Council, shall
attend regular or special meetings of the Council. The Mayor may attend
meetings of the Council and may take part in discussions of the Council
but shall have no vote, except in the case of a tie on the question
of filling a vacancy on the Council in which case he may cast the
deciding vote.
i.
Quorums.
1.
A quorum shall be as provided by the Revised Statutes of the State
of New Jersey, viz., four (4) Councilpersons. If no quorum exists
at any particular meeting, then those assembled shall have the power
and are authorized to set a new date and then adjourn. In all cases,
reasonable advance notice of the new meeting date shall be given to
all members of the Council or left at their place of residence.
2.
When a sufficient number of members to constitute a quorum is present,
the Council President or the Council Vice President, shall preside,
or in the absence of both, the Council member having the longest term
of service shall take his or her seat. In the case of two (2) members
both having the same term of service the member to preside shall be
determined by lot among those having equal longest service. If no
member of Council is present one-half (1/2) hour after the appointed
time for any meeting, the Clerk shall adjourn the meeting.
j.
Meetings of the Edison Council, Work session, Regular or Special.
1.
Meetings of the Edison Council, work session, regular or special
shall be entitled to take precedence over any other use of the Council
chamber with the exception of regularly scheduled meetings and work
sessions of the Edison Township Planning Board and the Edison Township
Zoning Board of Adjustment.
2.
The Council may meet at any time in informal conference for discussion
and consideration of any Township business or to meet with any officer
or employee of the Township or any other person or persons on Township
business; provided, however, that notices of such meetings shall first
have been communicated to at least two (2) area newspapers and to
the public, in accordance with the Revised Statutes of New Jersey.
Such conferences may be routinely scheduled, or specially arranged
for pressing or emergent business, after notice to public and press
have been given as provided in the statutes.
3.
All members of the public and press in attendance at such meetings
shall be permitted to hear and observe all discussions, decision and
actions of the Council, except those matters which are delineated
in 7b(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) of Chapter 231
of the Public Laws of the Revised Statutes of New Jersey. That portion
of a meeting from which the public and the press shall be excluded
shall not take place until a resolution is passed at the public portion
of the meeting stating the general nature of the subject to be discussed
and a sincere estimate of the time and circumstances under which the
discussion conducted in closed session can be publicly disclosed.
4.
This section shall not apply to any gathering of less than an effective
majority of the Council, nor shall it apply to gatherings at conventions
or seminars or similar occasions attended or open to all members of
three (3) or more similar public bodies.
[1999 Code § 2.08.050]
a.
The President shall take chair for the meeting and shall immediately
call the Council to order. After the call to order, the Council President
shall request the Clerk to call the roll and note the absences. The
Clerk shall also keep a record of attendance of the Clerk, the Attorney,
and the Township Administrator. In the event of the absence of the
Clerk or the Deputy Clerk, the presiding officer shall appoint a Clerk
pro tempore.
b.
The Clerk shall perform his or her duties according to the Revised
Statutes of New Jersey. The Clerk shall record and keep the minutes
of all regular, work session and special meetings and shall keep the
Revised General Ordinances book properly and fully indexed; he or
she shall perform all the duties usually devolving upon such officer;
in addition, he or she shall perform such other duties as the Township
Council may direct.
[1999 Code § 2.08.060; New; Ord.
No. O.1678-2008 §§ II, III]
a.
The business of each regular meeting shall be conducted in the following
manner:
1.
Call to order;
2.
Salute to the Flag ("Pledge of Allegiance");
3.
Roll call;
4.
Reading of the Open Public Meetings Act statement;
5.
Resolutions of Recognition;
6.
Approval of minutes;
7.
Mayor's report;
8.
Reports from Council committees;
9.
Department reports;
10.
Ordinance for further consideration and public hearing;
11.
Proposed ordinances;
12.
Public comments on resolutions;
13.
Proposed resolutions;
14.
Communications;
15.
Oral petitions and remarks;
16.
Miscellaneous;
17.
Adjournment.
b.
The aforesaid order of business at any meeting may be changed by
a majority vote of the members of the Township Council present at
the meeting. It shall be the Council President's prerogative to modify
the agenda to conduct a closed session discussion of the Township
Council. The Council President shall publicly announce at the beginning
of such meeting any modification of the agenda to conduct such closed
session discussion.
c.
All consent agenda items shown on the regular meeting agenda, and
having been properly posted for the public's perusal prior to the
beginning of the meeting, shall be considered in the form of one (1)
motion by Township Council.
If any member of the Township Council requests of the Council
President or presiding officer that a consent agenda item be considered
and voted upon independently of all other consent agenda items, then
that item will be read by title and a separate vote will be taken.
All other consent agenda items not affected by the request shall be
considered in the form of one motion by the Township Council.
d.
Agenda. The agenda for each regular and special meeting of the Council
shall be prepared by the Clerk. Except for emergency matters which
may be added to the agenda at any time with the approval of four (4)
members of Council the agenda for each regular meeting of the Council
shall include only such matters of Council business as have been placed
on the agenda at the Council work session meeting at the request of
a member of Council. In preparing the agenda, the Clerk will list
on the agenda the property address and lot and block for any property
that is the subject of an ordinance or resolution.
[1999 Code § 2.08.070; New; Ord.
No. O.1678-2008 §§ III, IV]
a.
The business of each work session meeting shall be conducted in the
following manner:
1.
Call to order;
2.
Salute to the Flag ("Pledge of Allegiance");
3.
Roll call;
4.
Reading of the Open Public Meetings Act Statement;
5.
Approval of minutes;
6.
Oral petitions and remarks;
7.
Mayor's report;
8.
Reports from Council committees;
9.
Points of Light;
10.
Department reports;
11.
Council liaison to the Planning Board;
12.
Ordinances for further consideration and public hearing;
13.
Proposed ordinances;
14.
Proposed resolutions;
15.
Communications;
16.
Discussion;
17.
Closed session:*
18.
Adjournment.
*It is the Council President's prerogative to determine when
a "Closed Session" will occur during the meeting and will publicly
announce the decision at the beginning of the meeting.
b.
All agenda items and all discussion items shall be submitted to the
Clerk by the Wednesday preceding the Council meeting for inclusion
on the work session meeting agenda.
c.
Items which are not submitted to the Clerk by the Wednesday preceding
the work session meeting may be added to the agenda prior to the beginning
of the meeting with the approval of the Council President, or by an
affirmative vote, without debate, of the majority of the Councilpersons
present at the meeting.
d.
The aforesaid order of business at any meeting may be changed by
majority vote of the members of the Township Council present at the
meeting. It shall be the Council President's prerogative to modify
the agenda to conduct a closed session discussion of the Township
Council. The Council President shall publicly announce at the beginning
of such meeting any modification of the agenda to conduct such closed
session discussion.
e.
All work session meetings shall end at 9:00 p.m. This time may be
extended by a majority vote of the Councilpersons present at the meeting.
f.
All regular meetings shall end no later than 10:00 p.m. This time
may be extended by a majority vote of the Councilpersons present at
the meeting.
[1999 Code § 2.08.080; New]
a.
The Council President shall preside over the deliberations of the
Township Council and shall conduct the meetings, thereof, and shall
also participate in the determination of the Township affairs to the
extent permitted by statute.
b.
The Council President shall, on all occasions, preserve the strictest
order and decorum and shall cause the removal of all persons who interrupt
the orderly proceedings of Council.
c.
When two (2) or more Councilpersons shall rise to speak at the same
time, the Council President shall designate the one (1) entitled to
the floor.
d.
The Council President shall decide all questions of order without
debate, subject to an appeal to the Township Council, and may call
upon the parliamentarian for an opinion on any questions of order.
e.
The Council President or Council members shall not make promises
or commitments to anyone which directly, or by inference, bind the
Township.
f.
The Council President shall be a member ex officio of all Township
Council committees and shall be informed in advance of all meetings
of such committees.
g.
In the absence of the Council President, or in the event that he
or she is unable to perform his or her duties, the Vice President
of Council, or in his or her inability to act, the Councilperson having
the longest term as such, shall act as the presiding officer.
h.
The Council President shall see that all matters referred to the
Council committees are acted upon and reported promptly.
i.
Presiding Officer; Election and Duties.
1.
The presiding officer of the Council shall be the President, who
shall be elected at the reorganization meeting and shall hold office
for a period of one year. The President for each succeeding year shall
be elected by the Council at the first regular meeting in January,
and when elected, he or she shall take office immediately and shall
hold the office for one (1) year from that date or until his or her
successor shall have been duly elected. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary, the person elected to serve as President of the Council
shall not serve more than two (2) successive terms.
2.
The Council shall also select a Vice President, who shall hold the
office for the calendar year in which he or she is elected and who
may be reelected for not more than one (1) additional term. The Vice
President shall preside in the absence of the President.
3.
The President shall assume the chair of the presiding officer immediately
after his or her election.
4.
The President shall vote on all questions, his or her name called
last. The President shall sign all ordinances adopted by the Council
during his or her presence. In the event of the absence of the President,
such ordinances shall be signed by the presiding officer.
j.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Council President. In addition
to the matters outlined in this section, the Council President shall
provide final approval of work session meeting agendas. In this connection,
the Township Council President will consult with the Township Clerk
or his or her designee on a biweekly basis concerning the work session
meeting agendas and will give his or her final approval on the items
to be listed.
[1999 Code § 2.08.090]
Special and ad hoc committees may be created by motion or resolution
of the Township Council and shall consist of such number as shall
be determined by such motion or resolution. The members of all special
and ad hoc committees and the chairpersons thereof shall be appointed
by the Presiding Officer at a regular or special meeting. A majority
of the committee members shall constitute a quorum.
[1999 Code § 2.08.100; Ord. No.
O.1678-2008 § V]
Whenever a vacancy shall occur on one (1) of the Township's
authorities, boards, commissions or committees, except for those authorities,
boards, commissions and committees for which the Mayor is the sole
appointing authority, nominations to fill the vacancies shall be brought
to the attention of the Council in writing, at least seven (7) days
prior to the Council meeting when action is expected to be taken along
with a copy of the candidate's resume. Any applicant seeking to fill
a vacancy shall complete the application form entitled "Township of
Edison Application For Appointment to Citizen Advisory Boards and
Commissions" created by Common Cause of New Jersey, adopted by the
Township Council and on file with the Township Clerk's office. Whenever
possible, prior consultation with the authority, board, commission
or committee that has the vacancy shall occur, and the Councilperson
proposing the name shall report on his or her discussions. An interview
process for prospective candidates shall be conducted at the discretion
of the Council. Under no circumstance shall the nomination and the
appointment of a candidate occur simultaneously. All nominations and
appointments shall be in accordance with the appropriate statute.
[1999 Code § 2.08.110; Ord. No.
O.1234-2010 ]
a.
All ordinances must be presented in writing. Any Councilperson may
introduce any resolution or ordinance. All ordinances and resolutions
shall be drafted by the Township Attorney upon request of the Council
or Mayor. Each ordinance shall be published by the Clerk, considered
and adopted by the Council and become effective according to the procedure
prescribed by the Charter and general law.
b.
Upon the adoption of an ordinance the same shall be properly numbered
and recorded at length by the Township Clerk. The assigned number
of the ordinance shall appear in the advertisement of the ordinance.
c.
Every ordinance submitted for consideration by the Township Council
shall be presented in writing. Resolutions, to the extent possible
should be presented in writing, verbal resolutions may be reduced
to writing as directed by the Council.
d.
Prior to Submission to Business Administrator and Department Head.
Prior to introduction, such proposed ordinance or resolution requiring
or permitting administrative action may be submitted to the Business
Administrator and the Department Head concerned, each of whom shall
submit to the Council an opinion as to the administrative implications
of the proposed ordinance or resolution.
e.
Title. Each ordinance and resolution shall be limited to a single
object which shall be expressed in its title.
f.
All petitions, memorials or other papers addressed to the Township
Council shall be presented by the Clerk who shall state in his or
her place the general object of the petition, memorial or other paper.
[1999 Code § 2.08.120; Ord. No.
O.1678-2008 § VI]
a.
Except as otherwise required by statute, or specifically provided
in these rules of order, all action of the Township Council shall
be by a majority vote of those present. A member abstaining will be
noted in the record, but will not count as a vote to achieve a majority.
b.
A question presented and seconded is under consideration, and no
motion shall be received thereafter, except to adjourn, to lay on
the table, to postpone or amend until question is decided. These motions
shall have preference in the order in which they are mentioned, and
the first two (2) shall be decided without debate.
c.
Upon demand of one (1) member of the Township Council or when directed
by statute, a roll call vote shall be taken and the ayes and nays
entered into the official minutes of the meeting.
d.
The roll shall be called alphabetically.
e.
No member of the Township Council shall question the vote or motives
of a fellow Councilperson.
f.
Any member may call for the division of the question.
g.
Each Council member, prior to voting shall leave the opportunity
to express his or her opinion on the motion. Upon any roll call there
shall be no discussion or explanation given by any member voting and
he or she shall vote "aye" or "nay" unless he or she shall first receive
permission from the Council to explain the vote.
h.
Every Township Councilperson desiring to speak for any purpose whatsoever
shall address the presiding officer, and upon recognition, shall confine
himself or herself to the question under debate, avoiding personal
attacks and indecorous language.
i.
After any question has been decided, any member who voted in the
majority may receive consideration thereof, which shall be favorably
determined if it receives the assent of a majority of the whole Council,
namely four (4) votes, but no discussion of the main question shall
be allowed, unless a reconsideration is had.
j.
No allusion shall be made to the motives actuating any member in
his or her course of debate or other performance of duty.
k.
A Councilperson, once recognized, shall not be interrupted when speaking
unless it is to call a point of order or as herein otherwise provided.
If a Councilperson, while speaking, shall be called on a point of
order, he or she shall cease speaking until the point of order is
determined by the presiding officer; if in order, he or she shall
be permitted to proceed.
Any Councilperson may appeal to the Township Council from the
decision of the presiding officer upon a question of order, whereupon
without debate, the presiding officer shall submit to the Council
the question "Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?", and
the Township Council shall decide the question by a majority vote.
l.
When a motion has been made and seconded, it shall be so stated by
the presiding officer before it is open for discussion, and after
being thus stated, it shall be deemed in the possession of the Township
Council, but may be withdrawn or amended by the mover at any time
before discussion.
m.
No member should abstain except for reasons of conflict, or because
of insufficient knowledge of the matter being voted upon.
n.
A motion to adjourn shall always be an order and shall be decided
without debate.
o.
Filing of Reports and Resolutions. All reports and resolutions shall
be filed with the Clerk and entered in the minutes.
p.
Certification of Passage of Ordinances.
1.
Whenever an ordinance has been vetoed by the Mayor and is passed
by the Council over such veto in the manner provided by the law, the
Clerk shall append to such ordinance a certificate in substantially
the following form:
I hereby certify that the above ordinance adopted by the Council
of the Township of Edison on the ____ day of ____, 20____ was vetoed
by the Mayor of the Township and was passed over said veto on the
____ day of ____, 20____.
Township Clerk.
[1999 Code § 2.08.130; Ord. No.
O.1678-2008 § VII; Ord.
No. O.1733-2010 ]
Any person desiring to address the Council shall first seek
recognition by the presiding officer and, upon recognition, shall
confine his or her statement to the order of business prescribed by
this section.
a.
Resolutions. Under the heading of "Public Comment on Resolutions"
any person may address the Council in regard to one (1) or more resolutions
listed for consideration at that meeting.
b.
Ordinances. Under the heading of "For Further Consideration and Public
Hearing of Ordinances" any person may address the Council during the
public hearing on an ordinance under consideration at that meeting.
c.
Oral Petitions and Remarks. Under the heading of "Oral Petitions
and Remarks" any person may address the Council on any matter over
which the Council has jurisdiction; provided, however, that preference
shall be given to those persons who have notified the Clerk in advance
within the time required for the preparation of the agenda, or their
desire to be heard.
d.
Addressing the Council. After a motion is made by a Councilperson,
no person shall address the Council, except on request of Council.
e.
Manner of Addressing the Council. Upon recognition from the Council
President or presiding officer, a person shall proceed to the floor
and give his or her name, and address, in an audible tone of voice
for the records. He or she shall limit his or her statement to six
(6) minutes. Any person may speak only once during the time of the
meeting allotted each of the categories of business described in paragraph
a, b and c above. Each such statement shall be limited to six (6)
minutes. Any person who has already spoken may speak in rebuttal to
any comment by another member of the public on the same issue(s) which
rebuttal shall be limited to three (3) minutes and shall be limited
to one (1) rebuttal per meeting. However, each person may speak and
present a rebuttal on each ordinance, when the ordinance is presented
for a public hearing, for the duration of time as set forth above.
1.
Statements shall be addressed to the Council President and not to
any member thereof. A Councilperson shall not direct any question
to a speaker addressing the Council except through the Council President
or presiding officer.
2.
It shall be the duty of the Council President or presiding officer
or his designee to monitor the speaking times with an appropriate
timer and notify the speaker when the speaker's time has elapsed.
[1999 Code § 2.08.140; Ord. No.
O.1607-2008 § 7; Ord.
No. O.1678-2008 § VIII; Ord. No. O.1607-2008 ; Ord. No.
O.1722-2009 ]
a.
Council Relations. A cooperative attitude along with courtesy and
respect between Council members are necessary ingredients for full
consideration of adverse viewpoints no matter how strongly held, for
smooth transaction of the Council business, and for the promotion
and preservation of public respect and confidence for the Council.
It is, therefore, incumbent upon each Council member to be cooperative,
courteous and respectful to other Council members, Directors, municipal
officials or professionals hired on behalf of the Township, by their
words, behavior, and considerate listening, particularly during controversy,
disagreement, or expression of divergent view.
b.
Any person making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks or
who becomes boisterous shall be barred by the presiding officer from
further attendance at the meeting of the Council. On request of the
presiding officer, any individual not in compliance with standards
of behavior of Council meetings shall be escorted from the chamber.
c.
The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall be sergeant at arms
of the Council meetings and shall be present at the Council meetings.
The sergeant at arms shall carry out all orders and instructions given
by the presiding officer for the purpose of maintaining order and
decorum at the Council meetings.
d.
All citizens shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
e.
There shall be no food or beverage in the Council chambers while
the Council is in session.
f.
No animal shall be permitted in the Council chambers at any time,
without Council approval except for a seeing eye dog accompanying
a person who is blind.
g.
The members of the Township Council and administration shall:
1.
Fully participate in Township Council meetings and other public forums
while demonstrating respect, kindness, consideration and courtesy
to others.
2.
Prepare in advance of Council meetings and be familiar with issues
on the agenda.
3.
Be respectful of other people's time. Stay focused and act efficiently
during public meetings.
4.
Serve as a model of leadership and civility to the community.
5.
Practice civility and decorum in discussions and debate.
6.
Treat all staff as professionals.
7.
Never publicly criticize an individual employee.
8.
Be welcoming to speakers and treat them with care and gentleness.
9.
Do not take advantage of services or opportunities for personal gain
because of their position.
10.
Keep confidential information concerning property and personnel private,
unless legal permission is given.
11.
Refrain from using non-authorized resources such as equipment and
supplies which are not available to the public.
[1999 Code § 2.08.150]
Whenever a member of the Governing Body shall have occasion
to prepare any correspondence or other document relating to his or
her duties, a copy of such correspondence or other document shall
be provided to the Township Clerk for inclusion in the Township files.
[1999 Code § 2.08.160]
a.
All powers of the Township and determination of all matters of policy
shall be vested in the Council except as otherwise provided by the
Charter, general law or this chapter.
b.
The Council shall exercise the legislative power of the Township,
except as may be otherwise provided by general law. It may require
any Township officer, in its discretion, to prepare and submit statements
regarding his or her official duties and the performance thereof,
and it may otherwise investigate the conduct of any department, officer
or agency of the Township. It may remove any Township officer other
than the Mayor or member of the Council, for cause, upon notice and
opportunity to be heard.
[1999 Code § 2.08.170]
a.
The Council President or any member of the Township Council may propose
amendments to these rules at any regular or adjourned meeting.
b.
The Council President will then appoint a special committee of three
(3) members of the Township Council to consider the proposed amendments.
The special committee will present its recommendations at the next
regular or adjourned meeting of the Township Council.
c.
Any amendment to the Township Code concerning Council procedure shall
be by ordinance.
