Home Rule Study Commission

Home Rule Study Commission Borough of Greenville Minutes of the Meeting held May 23, 7:00 PM Greenville Senior Center 1. Call to Order Paul Miller, Commission Chairman 2. Pledge of Allegiance – Casey Shilling 3. Roll Call: Paul Hamill Hal Johnson Martha Johnson Paul Miller Casey Shilling Steve Thompson Steve Williams - absent Also present: Jasson Urey, Tracy Beil, Ann Butcher, Jean Carr, Joyce Ammons, Lawrence Keller Media: Caleb Stright, Record-Argus 4. Public Comments: None 5. Minutes: Paul H. made a motion to approve the minutes, Casey offered a second. Motion carried 7-0. 6. Old Business: Paul M. has contacted attorney John Stranahan regarding a review of the charter once completed. He has done work for the borough before and has some charter experience. He will need the draft by August 1 in order to review it in time to get it on the ballot for the November election. Paul believes we could get the draft completed by late June or early July. The commission will not come out of the COW until after the draft is reviewed. Hal made a motion to strike section 5.5 as written in the current draft (Draft # 5). The motion failed for lack of a second. Paul H. made a motion to accept Section 5.5 as written in the current draft and Steve Thompson offered a second. The secretary called an individual vote, motion carried 5-1 with Hal opposing. Paul H. made a motion to accept the first three paragraphs Article 6 of the current draft. Steve T. offered a second. The secretary called an individual vote, motion carried 6-0. Hal asked if changing the fiscal year to a July-June schedule would eliminate the need for tax anticipation notices. Jasson said that it would not and that doing that would mean that school and property taxes would be due at the same time. Paul H. made a motion to accept 6.1 of the current draft as presented. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 6-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.2 as presented in the current draft. Martha offered a second. The motion carried 6-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept in its entirety, section 6.3 as presented in the current draft. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 6-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.4 as presented in the current draft. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 6-0 with a voice vote. Martha made a motion to accept section 6.5 as presented in the current draft. *Steve W. arrived Paul H. offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.6 as presented in the current draft. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.7 all sections (a-e) as presented in the current draft with the understanding that the reference numbers will change to fit the completed draft in section (b). Steve T. offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Steve W. made a motion to accept section 6.8 as presented in the current draft with a change in the last sentence to read “Signatories to checks and drafts of the borough shall be two of the following: Mayor, Deputy Mayor when acting as Mayor, Borough Manager, and administrative appointee of the Borough Manager. Martha offered a second. The secretary called an individual vote and motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.9 as presented in the current draft. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept 6.10 as presented, Casey offered a second. Hal made a motion to amend the motion so that a sentence at the end would read “When borrowing over one million dollars, a vote of the majority of council plus one is required.” The secretary called an individual vote and motion to amend carried 7-0. The secretary called an individual vote and motion carried 7-0. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.11 as presented in the current draft. Martha offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Casey made a motion to accept section 6.12 as presented in the current draft. Paul H. offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Paul H. made a motion to accept section 6.13 as presented in the current draft. Casey offered a second. The motion carried 7-0 with a voice vote. Jasson presented a document showing EIT collection figures from 2013-2018. Discussion on EIT, Real Estate Transfer Tax and Property Tax rates ensued. Paul M. stated that looking ahead the COW would be working through tax rate issues as well as Initiative, Referendum and a few other topics at the upcoming meeting. 7. New Business: None 8. Public Comments Tracy Beil stated that the information seems overwhelming at times as there are many “what ifs” to consider. Ann Butcher suggested that the COW ensure the charter will not tie the hands of council in emergency situations. 9. Good of the Order: Paul Hamill: Thanked community members for their attendance Steve T: Asked about attorney fees – Paul M. Said that had not yet been discussed Martha: Expressed appreciation to commission members saying it is an honor to serve with them Hal: Reminded the group that they are a HRSC, not Borough Council Steve Williams: Congratulated Paul, Jean, Tracy and Ann for moving on in the primary elections Casey: Congratulated Hal on getting his amendment to the motion on section 6.10 through Paul M.: Echoed congratulations to Borough Council candidates for election 10. Adjournment Paul H. made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Casey offered a second. Motion carried 7-0 and the meeting adjourned at 9:08 PM. Respectfully submitted, Martha C. Johnson Commission Secretary /Treasurer