Home Rule Study Commission

Home Rule Study Commission Borough of Greenville Minutes of the Meeting held May 9, 7:00 PM Greenville Senior Center 1. Call to Order Paul Miller, Commission Chairman 2. Pledge of Allegiance – Steve Thompson 3. Roll Call: Paul Hamill Hal Johnson Martha Johnson Paul Miller Casey Shilling Steve Thompson Steve Williams Also present: Jasson Urey, Tracy Beil, Lawrence Keller, Jean Carr, David Dobi, Evan Hereford, Ed Fasunaught Media: Caleb Stright, Record-Argus 4. Public Comments: Tracy Beil said she would like to see a line drawn regarding how many positions a City Manager can be expected to absorb. She expressed concern that it could deter future applicants from accepting a position with us. Ed Fausnaught addressed the Commission, thanking them for their time and work. He reminded the group that the finalized HRC must be submitted by September 1 to appear on the November ballot. He reminded the group that a HRC does not have to be lengthy. He expressed concern regarding use of time on recall which he explained was declared unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He said that taxes are an important component of a HRC as Greenville works to exit Act 47. He is concerned that Greenville will struggle to exit without EIT flexibility.  EIT has a more reliable collection rate  It is more tolerable to pay EIT with every paycheck rather than a yearly bill.  Property tax is fixed whereas EIT increases with pay increases  EIT is theoretically paid by those who can better afford it  Farrell’s HRC set a limit on how much taxes can be raised in a year  It is very possible to get a HRC adopted if you can get the HRSC, borough administration, council, fire department, police department and possibly the paper behind it, even with raising the cap on taxes 5. Minutes: Paul H. made a motion to approve the minutes, Steve W. offered a second and the motion carried 7-0. 6. Old Business: A motion was made by Steve W. to amend section 3.3-C5 of the draft to read “Is absent from 25% of the total Regular Meetings of the Council in any 12 month period, whether excused or not excused.” Martha offered a second. During discussion Casey asked Ed if a forfeiture clause is legal at all based on the unconstitutional nature of recall. Ed said that it is not legal. Paul H. said that he is concerned about spending time on City manager power and duties when the current code covers those issues. He would like to see the COW concentrate on Redevelopment Authority and taxation. Paul Miller said that we have increased meeting times to allow us to thoroughly cover all aspects of the charter. Steve W. withdrew his motion. Casey made a motion to strike section 3.3 c from the draft and Paul H. offered a second. The secretary called an individual vote and the motion carried 7-0. Hal made a motion to amend the first sentence of section 3.3 b to read “The voters of the city shall elect a mayor at large for a term of four years.” Steve W. offered a second. The secretary called an individual vote and the motion carried 7-0. Discussion took place regarding 3.3 which focused on the City Manager and intergovernmental relationships. Casey made a motion to adopt section 4.1-2 with “B.A. degree” changed to “Bachelor’s degree” The motion carried 7-0. Hal made a motion to add the City Manager “shall be required to be certified in an accredited professional association or organization in public administration” in section 4.1-2. The motion died for the lack of a second. Casey made a motion to amend section 4.1-1 & 2 to be combined to read “The City Manager shall be hired based on qualifications set by the current council.” Casey withdrew the motion and the COW decided to take time to think on the issue and revisit it at a later meeting. Steve W. made a motion to accept the Model City Charter 4.4 “Powers and Duties” introductory paragraph. Casey offered a second and the motion carried 7-0. Steve W. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-1. Paul H.offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Casey made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-2. Steve T. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-3. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Hal made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-4. Paul H. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-5. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-6. Steve T. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Casey made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-7. Steve T. offered a second, motion carried 7-0.  Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-8. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0 Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-9. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Hal made a motion to strike MCC 4.4-10. Paul H. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-11. Steve T. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-12. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept MCC 4.4-13. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to strike MCC 4.4-14 and replace it with Farrell’s #14 under “City Manager’s Powers and Duties”. Steve W. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Steve W. made a motion to accept Farrell’s “City Manager’s Powers and Duties” #10. Steve T. offered a second, motion carried 6-1 with Martha opposed. Paul H. made a motion to accept Farrell’s “City Manager’s Powers and Duties” #12. Casey offered a second, motion carried 7-0. Casey made a motion to accept Farrell’s “City Manager’s Powers and Duties” #13. Paul H. offered a second, motion carried 7-0. 7. New Business: None 8. Public Comments Tracy Beil and Jean Carr both commented on the fact that they feel it is important for the HRSC to be specific in wording the document. 9. Good of the Order: Paul Hamill: Pass Steve T: Thanked Dr. Keller for his work Martha: Pass Hal: Feels the commission is making headway and that specifics are important Steve Williams: Thanked Dr. Keller for his work Casey: Commented that changing Greenville’s name could work as a rebranding that potentially could play a part in changing the existing negative attitude toward Greenville. Paul M: Thanked Dr. Keller for his work 10. Adjournment Hal made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Steve W. offered a second. Motion carried 7-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM. Respectfully submitted, Martha C. Johnson Commission Secretary /Treasurer