PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 809, 1527, 1549, PRINTER'S NO. 1694 1619, 1690
No. 752 Session of 1971
Report of the Committee of Conference
To the Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:
We, the undersigned, Committee of Conference on the part of
the Senate and House of Representatives for the purpose of
considering Senate Bill No. 752, entitled:
"An act relating to home rule charters for municipalities.
GIVING MUNICIPALITIES THE RIGHT AND POWER TO ADOPT HOME RULE
CHARTERS OR ONE OF SEVERAL OPTIONAL PLANS OF GOVERNMENT AND TO
EXERCISE THE POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS; PROVIDING
PROCEDURES FOR SUCH ADOPTION AND DEFINING THE EFFECT THEREOF."
respectfully submit the following bill as our report:
PAUL W. MAHADY
STANLEY M. NOSZKA
CLARENCE F. MANBECK
(Committee on the part of the Senate.)
JOSEPH F. BONETTO
SAMUEL RAPPAPORT
KENNETH B. LEE
(Committee on the part of the House of Representatives.)
***This page intentionally left blank***
AN ACT 1 Giving municipalities the right and power to adopt home rule 2 charters or one of several optional plans of government and 3 to exercise the powers and authority of local self-government 4 subject to certain restrictions and limitations; providing 5 procedures for such adoption and defining the effect thereof. 6 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 7 hereby enacts as follows: 8 ARTICLE I 9 PRELIMINARY PROVISION 10 Section 101. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 11 "Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law." 12 Section 102. As used in this act: 13 "Government study commission" or "commission" means the body 14 composed of electors of the municipality elected under the 15 provisions of this act. 16 "Councilman" means county commissioner, city councilman, 17 borough councilman, town councilman, township commissioner in a 18 township of the first class, and supervisor in a township of the 19 second class. 20 "Election officials" means the county boards of elections. 21 "Electors" means the registered voters of any municipality 22 involved in proceedings relating to the adoption and repeal of 23 optional forms of government. 24 "Governing body" or "municipal council" or "council" means 25 boards of county commissioners, city councils, borough or 26 incorporated town councils, commissioners of townships of the 27 first class, and supervisors of townships of the second class as 28 their successor forms of government. 29 "Home rule charter" means a written document defining the 30 powers, the structure, privileges, rights and duties of the 31 municipal government and limitations thereon. The charter shall 19710S0752B1694 - 2 -
1 also provide for the composition and election of the governing 2 body, which in all cases shall be chosen by popular elections. 3 "Local municipality" means a city, borough, incorporated town 4 or township. 5 "Municipality" means a county, city, borough, incorporated 6 town or township. 7 "Optional forms" means a general description including both 8 home rule charters and optional plans. 9 "Optional plans" means optional municipal powers, procedures 10 and administrative structures as provided by this act. 11 ARTICLE II 12 PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF A HOME RULE CHARTER 13 OR OPTIONAL PLAN OF GOVERNMENT 14 A. Government Study Commission 15 Section 201. (a) Whenever authorized by ordinance of the 16 governing body, or upon petition of the registered voters of any 17 municipality to the county board of electors of the county 18 wherein the municipality is located, an election shall be held 19 in the municipality upon one of the following questions: 20 (1) "Shall a government study commission of (seven, nine or 21 eleven) be elected to study the charter and form of government 22 of the municipality, to study and consider the advisability of 23 adoption of an optional form of government and to recommend 24 whether or not an optional plan of government should be 25 adopted." 26 (2) "Shall a government study commission of (seven, nine or 27 eleven) be elected to study the charter and form of government 28 of the municipality, to study and draft a home rule charter and 29 to recommend whether or not a home rule charter should be 30 adopted." 19710S0752B1694 - 3 -
1 (3) "Shall a government study commission of (seven, nine or 2 eleven) be elected to study the charter and plan of government 3 of the municipality, to study and consider the advisability of 4 adoption of an optional plan of government or a home rule 5 charter and to recommend whether or not an optional form of 6 government or a home rule charter should be adopted." 7 The petition calling for such election shall be in the form 8 required by subsection (b) hereof, and shall be signed by 9 electors of the municipality comprising five per cent of the 10 number of electors voting for the Office of Governor in the last 11 gubernatorial general election within the municipality. 12 Within five days after the final enactment of an ordinance 13 authorizing such election, the municipal clerk or secretary 14 shall file a certified copy of the ordinance with the county 15 board of elections, together with a copy of the question to be 16 submitted to the electors. At the next municipal or general or 17 primary election occurring not less than sixty days after the 18 filing of the ordinance or the petition with the county election 19 board, it shall cause the appropriate question above stated to 20 be submitted to the electors of the municipality as other 21 questions are submitted under the provisions of the Pennsylvania 22 Election Code. 23 (b) A petition under this section shall be filed at least 24 sixty-four days prior to the municipal or general election, and 25 the petition and the proceedings therein shall be in the manner 26 and subject to the provisions of the election laws which relate 27 to the signing, filing and adjudication of nomination petitions 28 in so far as such provisions are applicable, except that no 29 petition shall be signed or circulated prior to sixty days 30 before the last day on which such petition may be filed. 19710S0752B1694 - 4 -
1 Section 202. A governmental study commission of seven, nine 2 or eleven members as designated in the question shall be elected 3 by the qualified voters at the same election the question is 4 submitted to the electors. Candidates for the office of 5 government study commissioner shall be nominated and placed upon 6 the ballot containing the question in the manner provided by and 7 subject to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Election Code 8 which relate to the nomination of candidates nominated by 9 nomination papers filed for other offices elective by the voters 10 of a municipality, except that they shall be nominated and 11 listed without any political designation or slogan, and, no 12 nomination paper shall be signed or circulated prior to sixty 13 days before the last day on which papers may be filed. Each 14 voter shall be instructed to vote on the question and, 15 regardless of the manner of his vote on the question, to vote 16 for the designated number of members of a government study 17 commission who shall serve if the question is or has been 18 determined in the affirmative. 19 Section 203. (a) Candidates for the government study 20 commission shall be registered voters of the municipality. They 21 may be nominated by nomination papers signed by a number of 22 qualified electors of the municipality equal at least to two per 23 cent of the largest entire vote cast for any municipal officer 24 elected at the last preceding municipal election in the 25 municipality or two hundred registered voters whichever is less 26 and filed with the county board of elections not less than 27 forty-four days prior to the date of the election. 28 (b) Each nominating paper shall set forth the names, places 29 of residence, and post office addresses of the candidate or 30 candidates thereby nominated, that the nomination is for the 19710S0752B1694 - 5 -
1 office of government study commissioner, and that the signers 2 are legally qualified to vote for such candidate or candidates. 3 Every voter signing a nominating paper shall add to his 4 signature his place of residence, post office address and street 5 number, if any. No voter shall sign a nomination paper or papers 6 for more than the designated number of candidates. 7 (c) Each nominating paper shall, before it may be filed with 8 the county board of elections, contain an acceptance of such 9 nomination in writing, signed by the candidate or candidates 10 therein nominated, upon or annexed to such paper, or if the same 11 person or persons be named in more than one paper, upon or 12 annexed to one of such papers. Such acceptance shall certify 13 that the candidate is a registered voter of the municipality, 14 that the nominee consents to stand as a candidate at the 15 election, and that if elected he agrees to take office and 16 serve. 17 (d) Each nominating paper shall be verified by an oath or 18 affirmation of one or more of the signers thereof, taken and 19 subscribed before a person qualified under the laws of 20 Pennsylvania to administer an oath, to the effect that the paper 21 was signed by each of the signers thereof in his proper 22 handwriting, that the signers are, to the best knowledge and 23 belief of the affiant, registered voters of the municipality, 24 and that the nomination paper is prepared and filed in good 25 faith for the sole purpose of endorsing the person or persons 26 named therein for election as stated in the paper. 27 Section 204. The result of the votes cast for and against 28 the question as to the election of a government study commission 29 shall be returned by the election officers, and a canvass of 30 such election had, as is provided by law in the case of other 19710S0752B1694 - 6 -
1 public questions put to the voters of a single municipality. The 2 votes cast for members of the commission shall be counted, and 3 the result thereof returned by the election officers, and a 4 canvass of such election had, as is provided by law in the case 5 of election of members of municipal council or board. The 6 designated number of candidates receiving the greatest number of 7 votes shall be elected and shall constitute the commission: 8 Provided, That if a majority of those voting on said question 9 shall vote against the election of a commission, none of the 10 candidates shall be elected. If two or more candidates for the 11 last seat shall be equal in number of votes, they shall draw 12 lots to determine which one shall be elected. 13 Section 205. As soon as possible and in any event no later 14 than fifteen days after its certification of election, the 15 government study commission shall organize and hold its first 16 meeting and elect one of its members as chairman, another member 17 as vice chairman, fix its hours and place of meeting, and adopt 18 such rules for the conduct of its business as it may deem 19 necessary and advisable. A majority of the members of said 20 commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of 21 business, but no recommendation of said commission shall have 22 any legal effect unless adopted by a majority of the whole 23 number of the members of the commission. 24 Section 206. In case of any vacancy in the government study 25 commission, the remaining members of such commission shall fill 26 it by appointing thereto some other properly qualified elector. 27 Section 207. It shall be the function and duty of the 28 government study commission to study the form of government of 29 the municipality, to compare it with other available forms under 30 the laws of this State, to determine whether or not in its 19710S0752B1694 - 7 -
1 judgment the government of the municipality could be 2 strengthened, made more clearly responsible or accountable to 3 the people, or whether its operation could become more 4 economical or efficient under a changed form of government. 5 Section 208. Members of the government study commission 6 shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed by the 7 municipality for their necessary expenses incurred in the 8 performance of their duties. Council shall appropriate moneys 9 necessary for such purpose. 10 Within the limits of such appropriations and other public and 11 privately contributed funds and services as shall be made 12 available to it, the commission may appoint one or more 13 consultants and clerical and other assistants to serve at the 14 pleasure of the commission and may fix a reasonable compensation 15 to be paid such consultants and clerical and other assistants. 16 Section 209. The government study commission shall hold one 17 or more public hearings, may hold private hearings and sponsor 18 public forums, and generally shall provide for the widest 19 possible public information and discussion respecting the 20 purposes and progress of its work. 21 Section 210. (a) The government study commission shall 22 report its findings and recommendations to the citizens of the 23 municipality within nine calendar months from the date of its 24 election except that it shall be permitted an additional three 25 months if it elects to prepare and submit a proposed home rule 26 charter. It shall publish or cause to be published sufficient 27 copies of its final report for public study and information, and 28 shall deliver to the municipal clerk or secretary sufficient 29 copies of the report to supply it to any interested citizen upon 30 request. If the commission shall recommend the adoption of a 19710S0752B1694 - 8 -
1 home rule charter or any of the optional plans of government as 2 authorized in this act, the report shall contain the complete 3 plans as recommended. 4 (b) There shall be attached to each copy of the report of 5 the commission, as a part thereof, a statement sworn to by the 6 members of the commission listing in detail the funds, goods, 7 materials and services, both public and private, used by the 8 commission in the performance of its work and the preparation 9 and filing of the report. In addition, the list shall identify 10 specifically the supplier of each item thereon. 11 (c) A copy of the final report of the commission with its 12 findings and recommendations shall be filed with the Department 13 of Community Affairs. 14 Section 211. (a) The government study commission shall be 15 discharged upon the filing of its report: Provided, That if the 16 commission's recommendations require further procedure on the 17 part of the municipal council or board or the people of the 18 municipality, the commission shall not be discharged until a 19 copy of the report has been certified to the county board of 20 elections. Any time before such procedure has been finally 21 concluded but not later than one year from the date of the 22 publication of its final report, the commission may modify or 23 change any recommendation set forth in said final report by 24 publishing an amended report. 25 (b) Whenever a commission issues an amended report pursuant 26 to subsection (a) above, such amended report shall supersede the 27 final report and such final report shall cease to have any legal 28 effect under this act. 29 (c) The procedure to be taken under the amended report shall 30 be governed by all provisions of Article II of this act 19710S0752B1694 - 9 -
1 applicable to the final report of a commission submitted 2 pursuant to section 210 of this act. 3 Section 212. The government study commission shall report 4 and recommend in accordance with the question presented to the 5 electorate as provided in section 201: 6 (1) that a referendum shall be held to submit to the 7 qualified voters of the municipality the question of adopting 8 one of the optional plans of government authorized by this act 9 to be specified by the commission; or 10 (2) that a referendum shall be held to submit to the 11 qualified voters of the municipality the question of adopting a 12 home rule charter as prepared by the commission and as 13 authorized by this act; or 14 (3) that the form of government of the municipality shall 15 remain unchanged; or 16 (4) such other action as it may deem advisable consistent 17 with its functions as set forth in this article. 18 Section 213. (a) If the government study commission report, 19 shall recommend the amendment of any of the optional plans of 20 government set forth in this act, except the optional county 21 plan provided in Article X, the report of the commission may 22 specify that (i) the municipal council shall consist of three, 23 five, seven or nine members (except that under the small 24 municipality plan as provided for in Article IX, and under the 25 optional county plan as provided in Article X, the number of 26 councilmen shall be as provided in section 911 and section 1002, 27 respectively); and (ii) the treasurer, where such office is 28 provided, shall be elected by the voters. 29 If a commission report, initiative petition or ordinance 30 shall recommend any optional plan, except for the optional 19710S0752B1694 - 10 -
1 county plan set forth in Article X, it may specify that the then 2 existing basis for electing councilmen shall be changed to an 3 at-large, district, or combination at-large and district basis. 4 If a commission report, initiative petition or ordinance 5 shall recommend the adoption of the council-manager form of 6 government, it may specify that the mayor be elected directly by 7 the voters of the municipality rather than by council. 8 If a commission report, initiative petition or ordinance for 9 a county shall recommend the adoption of any of the optional 10 plans, except the optional county plan set forth in Article X of 11 this act, it may specify that the sheriff be elected directly by 12 the voters of the county as provided in Article XI of this act. 13 In all cases, except for the council-manager plan set forth 14 in Article VIII, the commission report, initiative petition or 15 ordinance shall specify whether the executive (mayor) of the 16 municipality shall be called "Executive" or "Mayor." 17 (b) If the commission shall recommend the adoption of a home 18 rule charter, it shall specify the number to be on the municipal 19 council, all offices to be filled by election, and whether 20 elections shall be on an at-large, district, or combination 21 district and at-large basis. 22 (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act, if an 23 approved home rule charter or optional plan of government or 24 other form of government adopted pursuant to the provisions of 25 this act shall specify that the election of the municipal 26 council shall be on an at-large, district, or combination 27 district and at-large basis, which basis differs from the 28 existing basis and therefore requires eliminating districts or 29 establishing revised or new districts, then election of 30 municipal officials shall not take place on the new basis until 19710S0752B1694 - 11 -
1 the municipal election following the next primary election 2 taking place later than one hundred eighty days after the 3 election at which the referendum on the question of a new form 4 of government has been approved by the electorate. The new form 5 of government shall not go into effect until the first Monday in 6 January following the election of municipal officials on the new 7 basis. New or revised districts shall be established by the 8 court of common pleas in the county within ninety days from the 9 date of approval by the electorate of a new form of government. 10 Section 214. The question to be submitted to the voters for 11 the adoption of a home rule charter or any of the optional plans 12 of government authorized by this act shall be submitted in the 13 following form or such part thereof as shall be applicable. 14 "Shall the Home Rule Charter contained 15 in the report, dated________________________ 16 of the Government Study Commission, prepared Yes 17 in accordance with the Home Rule Charter and 18 Optional Plans Law, be adopted by the 19 __________________________________________?" No 20 (insert type and name of municipality) 21 or 22 "Shall______________________________________, 23 (insert name of plan) 24 including recommendations pertaining to 25 optional provisions contained in the Yes 26 report of the Government Study Commission, 27 dated_______________________________, as 28 authorized by the Home Rule Charter and No 29 Optional Plans Law, be adopted by the 30 _________________________________________?" 19710S0752B1694 - 12 -
1 (insert type and name of municipality) 2 or 3 "Shall the (Home Rule Charter) 4 (Optional Plan) of the 5 ___________________________________________ 6 (insert type and name of municipality) 7 be repealed, and the form of government Yes 8 recommended in the report of the Government 9 Study Commission, dated____________________, 10 be adopted as authorized by the Home Rule 11 Charter and Optional Plans Law?" No 12 or 13 "Shall an Optional Plan for the 14 ___________________________________________ 15 (insert type and name of municipality) 16 be amended as specified in the Yes 17 report of the Government Study Commission 18 filed with the election 19 officials of the County of 20 _______________________, on _______________ 21 (insert name of county) (insert date) 22 as authorized by the Home Rule Charter and 23 Optional Plans Law?" No 24 Section 215. If the government study commission shall 25 recommend that the question of adopting a home rule charter or 26 one of the optional plans of government authorized by this act 27 shall be submitted to the voters of the municipality, it shall 28 be the duty of the municipal clerk or secretary, within five 29 days thereafter, to certify a copy of the commission's report to 30 the county election board, which shall cause the question of 19710S0752B1694 - 13 -
1 adoption or rejection to be placed upon the ballot or voting 2 machines at such time as the commission shall in its report 3 specify. The commission may cause the question to be submitted 4 to the people at the next primary, municipal or general 5 election, occurring not less than sixty days following the 6 filing of a copy of the commission's report with the county 7 board of elections, at such time as the commission's report 8 shall direct. At such election, the question of adopting that 9 form of government recommended by the commission shall be 10 submitted to the voters of the municipality by the county board 11 of elections in the same manner as other questions are submitted 12 to the voters of a municipality under the provisions of the 13 Pennsylvania Election Code. The commission shall frame the 14 question to be placed upon the ballot as herein provided, and if 15 it deems appropriate an interpretative statement to accompany 16 such question. 17 Section 216. (a) No ordinance may be passed and no petition 18 may be filed for the election of a government study commission 19 pursuant to section 201 of this act while proceedings are 20 pending under any other petition or ordinance filed or passed 21 under the authority of this act, nor on the same question if it 22 has been defeated within four years after an election shall have 23 been held pursuant to any such ordinance or petition passed or 24 filed. 25 (b) For the purpose of this section, proceedings shall be 26 considered as having started (i) in the case of an ordinance 27 upon the final vote of council in favor of the ordinance, 28 notwithstanding the fact that the ordinance cannot take effect 29 until a certain number of days thereafter; or (ii) in the case 30 of a petition, as soon as it is properly signed by one-third of 19710S0752B1694 - 14 -
1 the number of registered voters required for such petition and 2 written notice thereof filed in the office of the county board 3 of elections and in the office of the municipal clerk or 4 secretary, who shall cause the same to be immediately posted in 5 a conspicuous place in said office, open to public inspection. 6 Section 217. Whenever the legally qualified voters of any 7 municipality by a majority of those voting on the question vote 8 in favor of adopting a change in their form of government 9 pursuant to this act, the proposed form shall take effect 10 according to its terms and the provisions of this act. 11 Section 218. The voters of any municipality which has 12 adopted a home rule charter or an optional plan of government 13 pursuant to this act may not vote on the question of changing 14 the form of government until five years after the home rule 15 charter or optional plan became effective. 16 Section 219. For the purposes of this act, each of the 17 optional forms of government provided by this act and each of 18 said optional forms as modified by any available provisions 19 concerning size of council, election of municipal officials, the 20 basis for electing councilmen, is hereby declared to be a 21 complete and separate form of government provided by the 22 Legislature for submission to the voters of the municipality. 23 B. Amendment of Existing Charter or Optional Form 24 Section 221. The procedure for amending a home rule charter 25 or optional plan of government shall be the same as for the 26 adoption of a home rule charter or optional plan of government, 27 except that an optional plan of government may be amended 28 through the initiative procedure as hereinafter provided for in 29 this act. 30 C. Amendment of Optional Plan by Initiative 19710S0752B1694 - 15 -
1 Petition or Ordinance and Referendum 2 Section 231. A referendum on the question of amendment of an 3 optional plan of government may be initiated by electors of the 4 municipality, and a referendum on the question of amendment of 5 an optional plan of government may be initiated by an ordinance 6 of the governing body. A proposal for amendment of an optional 7 plan shall be limited to the additional options provided for in 8 section 213 of this act. 9 Section 232. A petition containing a proposal for referendum 10 on the question of amending an optional plan of government 11 signed by electors comprising five per cent of the number of 12 electors voting for the Office of Governor in the last 13 gubernatorial general election in the municipality, or an 14 ordinance of the municipal governing body proposing amendment of 15 an optional plan, may be filed with the election officials at 16 least ninety days prior to the next primary, municipal or 17 general election. The name and address of the person filing the 18 petition shall be clearly stated on the petition. 19 The election officials shall review the initiative petition 20 as the number and qualifications of signers. If the petition 21 appears to be defective, the election officials shall 22 immediately notify the persons filing the petition of the 23 defect. When the election officials find that the petition as 24 submitted is in proper order, they shall send copies of the 25 initiative petition without signatures thereon to the governing 26 body of the municipality and to the Secretary of Community 27 Affairs. The initiative petition as submitted to the election 28 officials, along with a list of signatories, shall be open to 29 inspection in the office of the election officials. 30 Section 233. A referendum on the question of the amendment 19710S0752B1694 - 16 -
1 of an optional plan of government shall be held when the 2 election officials find that the initiative petition or 3 ordinance of the governing body is in proper order, and the 4 referendum shall be governed by the provisions of the 5 Pennsylvania Election Code. The election officials shall cause 6 the question to be submitted to the electors of the municipality 7 at the next primary, general or municipal election occurring not 8 less than sixty days following the filing of the initiative 9 petition or ordinance with the election board. At such election, 10 the question shall be submitted to the voters in the same manner 11 as other questions are submitted under the provisions of the 12 Pennsylvania Election Code. The election board shall frame the 13 question to be placed upon the ballot. 14 D. Conduct of Election 15 Section 241. All elections provided for in this act shall be 16 conducted by the election officials for such municipality in 17 accordance with the Pennsylvania Election Code. The election 18 officials shall count the votes cast and make return thereof to 19 the county board of elections. The result of any such election 20 shall be computed by the county board of elections in the same 21 manner as is provided by law for the computation of similar 22 returns. Certificates of the result of any such election shall 23 be filed by the county board of elections with the municipal 24 council or board of the municipality and with the Secretary of 25 the Commonwealth, and with the Secretary of Community Affairs. 26 Section 242. At least thirty days' notice of each election 27 herein provided for shall be given by the clerk or secretary of 28 the municipality. A copy of such notice shall be posted at each 29 polling place of the municipality on the day of the election, 30 and shall be published in at least one newspaper of general 19710S0752B1694 - 17 -
1 circulation in the municipality once a week for three 2 consecutive weeks during the period of thirty days prior to the 3 election. 4 ARTICLE III 5 GENERAL POWERS AND LIMITATIONS OF A 6 HOME RULE CHARTER MUNICIPALITY 7 Section 301. A municipality which has adopted a home rule 8 charter may exercise any powers and perform any function not 9 denied by the Constitution of Pennsylvania, by its home rule 10 charter or by the General Assembly at any time. All grants of 11 municipal power to municipalities governed by a home rule 12 charter under this act, whether in the form of specific 13 enumeration or general terms, shall be liberally construed in 14 favor of the municipality. 15 Section 302. (a) The home rule charter adopted in accordance 16 with the provisions of this act shall not give any power or 17 authority to the municipality contrary to, or in limitation or 18 enlargement of powers granted by acts of the General Assembly 19 which are applicable to a class or classes of municipalities on 20 the following subjects: 21 (1) The filing and collection of municipal tax claims or 22 liens and the sale of real or personal property in satisfaction 23 thereof. 24 (2) The procedures in the exercise of the powers of eminent 25 domain, and the assessment of damages and benefits for property 26 taken, injured or destroyed. 27 (3) Boundary changes of municipalities. 28 (4) Regulation of public schools. 29 (5) The registration of electors and the conduct of 30 elections. 19710S0752B1694 - 18 -
1 (6) The fixing of subjects of taxation. 2 (7) The fixing of the rates of nonproperty or personal taxes 3 levied upon nonresidents. 4 (8) The assessment of real or personal property and persons 5 for taxation purposes. 6 (9) Defining or providing for the punishment of any felony 7 or misdemeanor. 8 (b) No municipality shall (i) engage in any proprietary or 9 private business except as authorized by the General Assembly, 10 (ii) exercise powers contrary to, or in limitation or 11 enlargement of powers granted by acts of the General Assembly 12 which are applicable in every part of the Commonwealth, (iii) be 13 given the power to diminish the rights or privileges of any 14 former municipal employe entitled to benefits or any present 15 municipal employe in his pension or retirement system, (iv) 16 enact or promulgate any ordinance or regulation with respect to 17 definitions, sanitation, safety, health, standards of identity 18 or labeling pertaining to the manufacture, processing, storage, 19 distribution and sale of any foods, goods or services subject to 20 any Commonwealth laws or regulations unless such municipal 21 ordinance or regulation is uniform in all respects with such 22 Commonwealth laws and regulations. Nothing herein contained 23 shall be construed to in any way affect the power of any 24 municipality to enact and enforce ordinances relating to 25 building codes or any other safety, sanitation or health 26 regulation pertaining thereto, nor (v) enact any provision 27 inconsistent with any statute heretofore enacted by the General 28 Assembly affecting the rights, benefits or working conditions of 29 any employe of a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. 30 (c) Acts of the General Assembly in effect on the effective 19710S0752B1694 - 19 -
1 date of this act that are uniform and applicable throughout the 2 Commonwealth shall remain in effect and shall not be changed or 3 modified by this act. Acts of the General Assembly enacted after 4 the effective date of this act that are uniform and applicable 5 throughout the Commonwealth shall supersede any municipal 6 ordinance or resolution on the same subject. 7 (d) No municipality which adopts a home rule charter shall 8 at any time thereunder determine duties, responsibilities or 9 requirements placed upon businesses, occupations and employers, 10 including the duty to withhold, remit or report taxes or 11 penalties levied or imposed upon them or upon persons in their 12 employment, except as expressly provided by acts of the General 13 Assembly, which are applicable in every part of the Commonwealth 14 or which are applicable to all municipalities or to a class or 15 classes of municipalities. 16 (e) No municipality shall enact any ordinance or take any 17 other action dealing with the regulation of the transfer, 18 ownership, transportation or possession of firearms. 19 (f) Nothing contained herein shall limit or take away any 20 right of a municipality which adopts a home rule charter from 21 levying any tax which it had the power to levy had it not 22 adopted a home rule charter. 23 Section 303. No county which has adopted a home rule charter 24 shall at any time thereafter exercise within any municipality in 25 the county, a power or function being exercised by that 26 municipality on the date of the adoption of the county home rule 27 charter, except under all of the following conditions: 28 (1) The exercise of such power or function by the county 29 shall be authorized by ordinance of the governing body of the 30 county, which ordinance in addition to such other filings as may 19710S0752B1694 - 20 -
1 be required by law, shall, within thirty days of its enactment, 2 be filed with the clerk or secretary of each local municipality 3 within the county. 4 (2) The transfer of a power or function to the county from 5 any local municipality within the county, as authorized by such 6 ordinance, shall not become effective for at least fifteen 7 months from the date of adoption of such ordinance. 8 (3) Within one hundred twenty days from the adoption of such 9 ordinance, the governing body of any local municipality, 10 exercising on the date of the adoption of the county home rule 11 charter any power or function authorized by ordinance of the 12 county to be exercised by the county, may elect by ordinance to 13 be excluded from the county exercise of such power or function. 14 Within sixty days after the date of adoption by the governing 15 body of a local municipality of an ordinance excluding such 16 municipality from the exercise by the county of a power or 17 function, or in the absence of any action of the governing body, 18 the qualified voters of such municipality may initiate a 19 petition requiring that the question of inclusion or exclusion 20 from the exercise of such power or function by the county be 21 submitted to a referendum of the electorate at the election held 22 on the date of the next ensuing primary, municipal or general 23 election not less than sixty days after the filing of the 24 initiative petition with the county board of elections. The 25 initiative and referendum procedures set forth in Articles III 26 and IV shall be followed, except where the same may be 27 inconsistent with any of the provisions of this section. 28 In the event the county determines there is insufficient 29 interest or that it is not feasible to establish the proposed 30 municipal function or power as provided for in the ordinance 19710S0752B1694 - 21 -
1 passed by the county, the county may repeal the county ordinance 2 prior to the effective date of the ordinance. 3 (4) The governing body of any local municipality may by 4 ordinance, subsequent to the time limit for action as set forth 5 in clause (3) of this section, request the county to be included 6 in a municipal power or function being exercised by the county: 7 Provided, however, That the county may specify the terms and 8 conditions for acceptance or denial of the power or function 9 requested by the local municipality to be exercised by the 10 county, which shall be subject to court review if the local 11 municipality determines that the terms and conditions as set 12 forth by the county are unreasonable. 13 (5) No assessment, tax, fee or levy in the nature thereof 14 made by the governing body of a county in support of the 15 exercise of a power or function as authorized by ordinance of 16 the county, shall be applicable in any municipality within the 17 county which is providing the same municipal power or function. 18 (6) If the electors of a municipality by referendum vote to 19 exclude the municipality from the exercise of a power or 20 function by the county, a petition may not be initiated nor may 21 a referendum be held on the same question more often than every 22 five years thereafter. 23 (7) A local municipality may, by action of the governing 24 body, or by initiative and referendum, withdraw from a power or 25 function which it was exercising at the date of the adoption of 26 the county home rule charter which it transferred to a county, 27 provided it again assumes and exercises the power or function 28 but may not vote on the question of withdrawing sooner than four 29 years from the time the county assumed the power or function of 30 the local municipality. 19710S0752B1694 - 22 -
1 Section 304. Municipalities adopting a home rule charter 2 shall have the power to sue and be sued, to have a corporate 3 seal, to contract and be contracted with, to buy, sell, lease, 4 hold and dispose of real and personal property, to appropriate 5 and expend moneys, and to adopt, amend and repeal such 6 ordinances and resolutions as may be required for the good 7 government thereof. 8 Section 305. The municipal clerk or secretary of the 9 municipality shall forthwith cause the new charter as approved 10 by the qualified electors to be recorded in the ordinance books 11 of the municipality. He shall also file a certified copy thereof 12 in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, with the 13 Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, and with the 14 county board of elections. 15 Section 306. All elective officials of the municipality in 16 office at the time of the adoption of a home rule charter shall 17 continue in office until their terms expire. 18 Section 307. The procedure for repeal of a home rule charter 19 shall be the same as for adoption of a home rule charter. 20 Whenever the electors of any municipality, by a majority vote of 21 those voting on the question, vote in favor of repeal of a home 22 rule charter and the establishment of a particular form of 23 government, such municipality shall be governed under the form 24 of government selected by the electors, from the first Monday of 25 January following the municipal election at which the elective 26 officials of the form of government selected by the electors 27 shall have been elected. The government study commission shall 28 provide in its report for the new form of government to be 29 established. 30 The elective officials of the municipality under a new form 19710S0752B1694 - 23 -
1 of government selected by the electors shall be elected at the 2 first municipal election held after the referendum on the repeal 3 of a home rule charter or at such later date as may be specified 4 by the commission in its report. 5 ARTICLE IV 6 GENERAL PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS FOR 7 OPTIONAL PLAN MUNICIPALITIES 8 Section 401. Upon the adoption by the qualified voters of 9 any municipality of any of the optional plans of government as 10 set forth in this act, the municipality shall thereafter be 11 governed by the plan adopted and by the provisions of general 12 law applicable to that class or classes of municipality except 13 as otherwise provided herein. Unless and until the municipality 14 should adopt another form of government as provided by law, the 15 plan adopted and the provisions of general law applicable to 16 that class or classes of municipality shall become law in the 17 municipality at the time fixed by this act. All acts and parts 18 of acts, local, special, or general, affecting the organization, 19 government and powers of such municipality which are not 20 inconsistent or in conflict herein, shall remain in full force 21 until modified or repealed as provided by law. 22 Section 402. The municipal clerk or secretary of the 23 municipality shall forthwith cause the new plan of government as 24 approved by the qualified electors to be recorded in the 25 ordinance book of the municipality. He shall also file a 26 certified copy thereof in the office of the Secretary of the 27 Commonwealth, with the Secretary of the Department of Community 28 Affairs, and with the county board of elections. 29 Section 403. The general grant of municipal power contained 30 in this article is intended to confer the greatest power of self 19710S0752B1694 - 24 -
1 government consistent with the Constitution of this Commonwealth 2 and with the provisions of and the limitations prescribed by 3 this act. Any specific enumeration of municipal powers 4 contained in this act or in any other laws will not be construed 5 in any way to limit the general description of power contained 6 in this article, and any such specifically enumerated municipal 7 powers shall be construed as in addition and supplementary to 8 the powers conferred in general terms by this article. All 9 grants of municipal power to municipalities governed by an 10 optional plan under this act, whether in the form of specific 11 enumeration or general terms, shall be liberally construed in 12 favor of the municipality. 13 Section 404. The optional plan of any municipality adopted 14 in accordance with this act shall not give any power or 15 authority to diminish any rights or privileges of any present 16 municipal employe in his pension or retirement system. No 17 municipality shall exercise any powers or authority beyond the 18 municipal limits except such as are conferred by an act of the 19 General Assembly, and no municipality shall engage in any 20 proprietary or private business except as authorized by the 21 General Assembly. 22 ARTICLE V 23 OPTIONAL PLAN: EXECUTIVE (MAYOR) - COUNCIL PLAN A 24 A. Form of Government: Elected Officials 25 Section 501. The form of government provided in this article 26 shall be known as the "Mayor-Council Plan A" and shall, together 27 with the laws applicable to that class of municipality and 28 Articles IV and XII of this act, govern any municipality the 29 voters of which have adopted it pursuant to this act. 30 Section 502. Each municipality hereunder shall be governed 19710S0752B1694 - 25 -
1 by an elected council, an elected executive who may be called 2 mayor, as determined by the government study commission, an 3 elected district attorney in the case of counties and, when 4 recommended by the government study commission and adopted by 5 the voters, an elected treasurer, an elected controller, and by 6 such other officers and employes as may be duly appointed 7 pursuant to this article, general law or ordinance. 8 Section 503. The executive (mayor), the treasurer, if 9 elected, the district attorney in the case of counties and the 10 controller, if elected, shall be elected by the voters of the 11 municipality at a regular municipal election, and shall serve 12 for a term of four years beginning on the first Monday of 13 January next following his election. 14 Section 504. The council shall consist of five members, 15 unless pursuant to the authority granted under section 213 of 16 this act, the municipality shall be governed by a council of 17 three, seven or nine members. Members of the council shall be 18 elected at-large by the voters of the municipality, unless, 19 pursuant to the authority granted under section 213 of this act, 20 members shall be elected on a district basis in which each 21 district is as equal in population as is feasible, or on a 22 combination at-large and district basis as determined by the 23 charter study commission, or as specified in an initiative 24 petition or ordinance of the governing body under the provisions 25 of section 231 through section 233 of this act, at a regular 26 municipal election and shall serve for a term of four years, 27 except as hereinafter provided for those first elected beginning 28 on the first Monday of January next following their elections. 29 Section 505. At the first municipal election following the 30 adoption by a municipality of this plan, councilmen shall be 19710S0752B1694 - 26 -
1 elected and shall serve for the terms as provided in section 2 1262 of this act. 3 B. Council 4 Section 511. The legislative power of the municipality as 5 provided by laws applicable to that class of municipality shall 6 be exercised by the municipal council, except as may otherwise 7 be provided for by the provisions of this act. 8 Section 512. On the first Monday of January following the 9 regular municipal election, the members of council shall 10 assemble at the usual place of meeting and organize and elect a 11 president from among its members, who shall preside at its 12 meetings and perform such other duties as council may prescribe, 13 and a vice president, who shall preside in the absence of the 14 president. If the first Monday is a legal holiday, the meeting 15 shall be held on the first day following. 16 Section 513. The council, in addition to such other powers 17 and duties as may be conferred upon it by general law, may 18 require any municipal officer, in its discretion, to prepare and 19 submit sworn statements regarding his official duties in the 20 performance thereof, and may otherwise investigate the conduct 21 of any department, office or agency of the municipal government. 22 Section 514. A municipal clerk or secretary shall be 23 appointed in the manner set forth in the Administrative Code as 24 provided in section 1246 of this act. The municipal clerk or 25 secretary shall serve as clerk of the council, keep its minutes 26 and records of its proceedings, maintain and compile its 27 ordinances and resolutions as this act requires, and perform 28 such functions as may be required by law or by local ordinance. 29 The municipal clerk shall, prior to his appointment, have been 30 qualified by training or experience to perform the duties of the 19710S0752B1694 - 27 -
1 office. 2 C. Executive (Mayor) and Administration 3 Section 521. The executive power of the municipality shall 4 be exercised by the executive (mayor). 5 Section 522. The executive (mayor) shall enforce the plan 6 and ordinances of the municipality and all general laws 7 applicable thereto. He shall, annually, report to the council 8 and the public on the work of the previous year and on the 9 condition and requirements of the municipal government and 10 shall, from time to time, make such recommendations for action 11 by the council as he may deem in the public interest. He shall 12 supervise all of the departments of the municipal government, 13 and shall require each department to make an annual and such 14 other reports of its work as he may deem desirable. 15 Section 523. (a) Ordinances adopted by the council shall be 16 submitted to the executive (mayor) and he shall, within ten days 17 after receiving any ordinance, either approve the ordinance by 18 affixing his signature thereto, or return it to the council by 19 delivering it to the municipal clerk together with a statement 20 setting forth his objections thereto or to any item or part 21 thereof. No ordinance or any item or part thereof shall take 22 effect without the executive's (mayor's) approval, unless the 23 executive (mayor) fails to return an ordinance to the council 24 within ten days after it has been presented to him, or unless 25 council upon reconsideration thereof on or after the third day 26 following its return by the executive (mayor) shall by a vote of 27 a majority plus one of the members resolve to override the 28 executive's (mayor's) veto. 29 (b) The executive (mayor) may attend meetings of council and 30 may take part in discussions of council but shall have no vote 19710S0752B1694 - 28 -
1 except in the case of a tie on the question of filling a vacancy 2 in the council, in which case he may cast the deciding vote. 3 Section 524. (a) The executive (mayor) shall designate any 4 department head, to act as executive (mayor) whenever the 5 executive (mayor) shall be prevented, by absence from the 6 municipality, disability, or other cause, from attending to the 7 duties of his office. During such time the person so designated 8 by the executive (mayor) shall possess all the rights, powers, 9 and duties of the executive (mayor). Whenever the executive 10 (mayor) shall have been unable to attend to the duties of his 11 office for a period of sixty consecutive days for any of the 12 above stated reasons, a member of council shall be appointed by 13 the council as acting executive (mayor), who shall succeed to 14 all the rights, powers and duties of the executive (mayor) or 15 the then acting executive (mayor), until he shall return or his 16 disability shall cease. 17 (b) The municipality may have a department of administration 18 and shall have such other departments as council may establish 19 by ordinance. All of the administrative functions, powers and 20 duties of the municipality, other than those vested in the 21 office of the clerk, treasurer, if elected, and controller, 22 shall be allocated and assigned among and within such 23 departments. 24 (c) Each department shall be headed by a director who shall 25 be appointed by the executive (mayor) with the advice and 26 consent of the council. Each municipality shall also have a 27 solicitor who shall be appointed by the executive (mayor) with 28 the advice and consent of the council. Each department head and 29 the solicitor shall serve during the term of office of the 30 executive (mayor) appointing him, and until the appointment and 19710S0752B1694 - 29 -
1 qualification of his successor. No member of municipal council 2 shall head a department. 3 (d) The executive (mayor) may, in his discretion, remove any 4 department head after notice and an opportunity to be heard. 5 Prior to removing a department head, the executive (mayor) shall 6 first file written notice of his intention with the council, and 7 such removal shall become effective on the twentieth day after 8 the filing of such notice. 9 (e) Department heads shall appoint subordinate officers and 10 employes within their departments under procedures established 11 in section 1222 of this act. 12 Section 525. Where a department of administration is 13 established, it shall be headed by a director. He shall be 14 chosen solely on the basis of his executive and administrative 15 qualifications with special reference to his actual experience 16 in, or his knowledge of, accepted practice in respect to the 17 duties of his office as hereinafter set forth. At the time of 18 his appointment, he need not be a resident of the municipality 19 or State. He shall have, exercise and discharge the functions, 20 powers and duties of the department. The department, under the 21 direction and supervision of the executive (mayor), shall: 22 (1) Assist in the preparation of the budget; 23 (2) Administer a centralized purchasing system; 24 (3) Establish and administer a centralized personnel system; 25 (4) Establish and maintain a centralized accounting system 26 which shall be so designed as to accurately reflect the assets, 27 liabilities, receipts, and expenditures of the municipality; 28 (5) Perform such other duties as council may prescribe 29 through an administrative code or as the executive (mayor) shall 30 direct. 19710S0752B1694 - 30 -
1 D. Budget 2 Section 531. The municipal budget shall be prepared by the 3 executive (mayor) with the assistance of the director of the 4 department of administration, or other officer designated by the 5 executive (mayor). 6 Section 532. The budget shall be in such form as is required 7 by council, and shall have appended thereto a detailed analysis 8 of the various items of expenditure and revenue. The budget as 9 submitted and adopted must be balanced. Council may reduce any 10 item or items in the executive's (mayor's) budget by a vote of a 11 majority of the council, but an increase in any item or items 12 therein shall become effective only upon an affirmative vote of 13 a majority plus one of the members of council. 14 Council shall, upon the introduction of the proposed budget, 15 fix a date for adoption thereof, which shall except as otherwise 16 provided be not later than the thirty-first day of December 17 immediately following. 18 Section 533. During the month of January next following any 19 municipal election, the executive (mayor) may submit an amended 20 budget to council and council shall consider it in the same 21 manner as provided in section 532, but final consideration of 22 the amended budget shall be completed by February 15 of the same 23 year. 24 Section 534. Council shall have the power to amend the 25 budget during the month of January next following any municipal 26 election. Final adoption of the amended budget shall be 27 completed by February 15 of the same year. 28 ARTICLE VI 29 OPTIONAL PLAN: EXECUTIVE (MAYOR) - COUNCIL PLAN B 30 Section 601. The form of government provided in this article 19710S0752B1694 - 31 -
1 shall be known as the "Executive (Mayor) - Council Plan B" and 2 shall, together with Articles IV, V, and XII, with the exception 3 of subsection 524 (b), govern any municipality, the voters of 4 which have adopted it pursuant to this act. 5 Section 602. The municipality shall have a department of 6 administration and shall have such other departments as council 7 may establish by ordinance. All of the administrative functions, 8 powers and duties of the municipality, other than those vested 9 in the office of the clerk, treasurer, if elected, and 10 controller, shall be allocated and assigned among and within 11 such departments except that the functions specified in section 12 525 of this act shall be assigned to the department of 13 administration. 14 Section 603. It is the intent and purpose of Executive 15 (Mayor) - Council Plan B to mandate the establishment of a 16 department of administration. 17 ARTICLE VII 18 OPTIONAL PLAN: EXECUTIVE (MAYOR) - COUNCIL PLAN C 19 Section 701. The form of government provided in this article 20 shall be known as the "Executive (Mayor) - Council Plan C" and 21 shall, together with Articles IV, V and XII with the exception 22 of section 522 of this act, govern any municipality, the voters 23 of which have adopted it pursuant to this act. 24 Section 702. The executive (mayor) shall enforce the plan 25 and ordinances of the municipality and all general laws 26 applicable thereto. He shall, annually, report to the council 27 and the public on the work of the previous year and on the 28 condition and requirements of the municipal government and 29 shall, from time to time, make such recommendations for action 30 by the council as he may deem in the public interest. 19710S0752B1694 - 32 -
1 Section 703. The executive (mayor) shall appoint, with the 2 advice and consent of the council, a managing director who shall 3 exercise supervision over all activities of the departments of 4 government and who shall be the contact officer between the 5 mayor and such departments. The managing director shall make 6 periodic reports with such recommendations as he deems 7 appropriate to the executive (mayor) concerning the affairs of 8 municipal government and particularly of those departments under 9 his jurisdiction. 10 The executive (mayor) may, in his discretion, remove a 11 managing director after notice and an opportunity to be heard. 12 Prior to removing a managing director, the executive (mayor) 13 shall first file written notice of his intention with the 14 council, and such removal shall become effective on the 15 twentieth day after the filing of such notice. 16 ARTICLE VIII 17 OPTIONAL PLAN: COUNCIL-MANAGER PLAN 18 A. Form of Government: Elected Officials 19 Section 801. The form of government provided in this article 20 shall be known as the "Council-Manager Plan" and shall, together 21 with Articles IV and XII, govern any municipality, the voters of 22 which have adopted this plan pursuant to this act. 23 Section 802. Each municipality under this article shall be 24 governed by an elected council one member of which shall be an 25 elected mayor chosen as provided in sections 213 and 811, an 26 elected district attorney in the case of counties, an appointed 27 municipal manager, and, when recommended by the charter 28 commission and adopted by the voters an elected treasurer, an 29 elected controller and by such other officers and employes as 30 may be duly appointed pursuant to this article, general law or 19710S0752B1694 - 33 -
1 ordinance. 2 Section 803. The district attorney in the case of counties 3 and the treasurer and controller, if provided for and if 4 elected, shall be elected by the voters of the municipality at a 5 regular municipal election, and shall serve for a term of four 6 years beginning the first Monday of January next following his 7 election. 8 Section 804. The municipal council shall consist of five 9 members unless, pursuant to the authority granted under section 10 213 of this act, the municipality shall be governed by a council 11 of three, seven or nine members. Members of the municipal 12 council shall be elected, at large, by the voters of the 13 municipality, unless, pursuant to the authority granted under 14 section 213 of this act, members shall be elected on a district 15 basis in which each district is as equal in population as is 16 feasible, or on a combination at large and district basis as 17 determined by the charter study commission or as specified in an 18 initiative petition or ordinance of the governing body under the 19 provisions of section 231 through section 233 of this act, at a 20 regular municipal election, and shall serve for a term of four 21 years, except as hereinafter provided for those first elected, 22 beginning on the first Monday of January next following their 23 election. 24 Section 805. At the first municipal election following the 25 adoption by a municipality of this charter plan, councilmen 26 shall be elected and shall serve for the terms as provided in 27 section 1262 of this act. 28 B. Council 29 Section 811. (a) On the first Monday of January following 30 the regular municipal election, the members of the municipal 19710S0752B1694 - 34 -
1 council shall assemble at the usual place of meeting and 2 organize and choose one of their number as mayor unless 3 otherwise provided. The mayor shall be chosen by ballot by 4 majority vote of all members of the municipal council. If the 5 members shall be unable, within five ballots to be taken within 6 two days of said organization meeting, to elect a mayor, then 7 the member who in the election for members of the municipal 8 council received the greatest number of votes shall be the 9 mayor. Should such person decline to accept the office, then the 10 person receiving the next highest vote shall be the mayor, and 11 so on, until the office is filled. The mayor shall preside at 12 all meetings of the municipal council and shall have a voice and 13 vote in its proceedings. 14 (b) On the recommendation of the government study commission 15 as provided in section 213, or as specified in an initiative 16 petition or ordinance of the governing body as authorized by 17 section 231 through section 233 of this act, the mayor shall be 18 elected directly by the voters of the municipality at the 19 regular municipal election in lieu of being chosen as provided 20 in subsection (a) of this section. 21 Section 812. A municipal clerk or secretary shall be 22 appointed in the manner set forth in the Administrative Code as 23 provided in section 1246 of this act. The municipal clerk or 24 secretary shall serve as clerk of the council, keep its minutes 25 and records of its proceedings, maintain and compile its 26 ordinances and resolutions as this act requires, and perform 27 such functions as may be required by law or by local ordinance. 28 The municipal clerk shall, prior to his appointment, have been 29 qualified by training or experience to perform the duties of the 30 office. 19710S0752B1694 - 35 -
1 Section 813. (a) All powers as provided by laws applicable 2 to that class of municipality shall be vested in the municipal 3 council, except as otherwise provided by this article, and the 4 council shall provide for the exercise thereof and for the 5 performance of all duties and obligations imposed on the 6 municipality by law. 7 (b) The council shall by ordinance adopt an administrative 8 code defining the responsibilities of the municipal departments 9 and agencies as it deems necessary and proper for the efficient 10 conduct of municipal affairs. 11 (c) The municipal council shall appoint a municipal manager. 12 The office of municipal manager and municipal clerk or secretary 13 may be held by the same person. 14 (d) The council may make investigations into the affairs of 15 the municipality and the conduct of any municipal department, 16 office or agency. 17 (e) The municipal council shall continue or create, and 18 determine and define, the powers and duties of such executive 19 and administrative departments, boards, and offices, in addition 20 to those provided for herein, as it may deem necessary for the 21 proper and efficient conduct of the affairs of the municipality 22 including the office of deputy manager. Any department, board or 23 office so continued or created may, at any time, be abolished by 24 the municipal council. No member of municipal council shall head 25 an administrative department. 26 (f) It is the intention of this article that the municipal 27 council shall act in all matters as a body, and it is contrary 28 to the spirit of this article for any of its members to seek 29 individually to influence the official acts of the municipal 30 manager, or any other officer, or for the council or any of its 19710S0752B1694 - 36 -
1 members to direct or request the appointment of any person to, 2 or his removal from office, or to interfere in any way with the 3 performance by such officers of their duties. The council and 4 its members shall deal with the administrative service solely 5 through the municipal manager and shall not give orders to any 6 subordinates of the municipal manager, either publicly or 7 privately. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the municipal 8 council from appointing committees or commissions of its own 9 members or of citizens to conduct investigations into the 10 conduct of any officer or department, or any matter relating to 11 the welfare of the municipality, and delegating to such 12 committees or commissions such powers of inquiry as the 13 municipal council may deem necessary. 14 C. Municipal Manager 15 Section 821. The municipal manager shall be chosen by the 16 council on the basis of his executive and administrative 17 qualifications. At the time of his appointment, he need not be a 18 resident of the municipality or State. The municipal manager 19 shall not hold any elective governmental office. 20 Section 822. The municipal manager shall be appointed for an 21 indefinite term, and may be removed by a majority vote of the 22 council. At least thirty days before such removal shall become 23 effective, the council shall notify the municipal manager of its 24 decision to remove him from office, by a majority vote of its 25 members, stating the reasons for his removal. The municipal 26 manager may reply in writing and may request a public hearing, 27 which shall be held not earlier than twenty days nor later than 28 thirty days after the filing of such request. After such public 29 hearing, if one be requested, and after full consideration, the 30 council by majority vote of its members may adopt a final 19710S0752B1694 - 37 -
1 resolution of removal. By the preliminary resolution, the 2 council may suspend the municipal manager from duty, but may, in 3 any case, cause to be paid him forthwith any unpaid balance of 4 his salary and thereafter his salary for the next three calendar 5 months. 6 Section 823. The municipal manager may designate a qualified 7 administrative officer of the municipality to perform his duties 8 during his temporary absence or disability. In the event of his 9 failure to make such designation, or if the absence or 10 disability continues more than thirty days, the council may 11 appoint an officer of the municipality to perform the duties of 12 the manager during such absence or disability until he shall 13 return or his disability shall cease. 14 Section 824. The municipal manager shall: 15 (1) Be the chief executive and administrative official of 16 the municipality. 17 (2) Execute all laws and ordinances of the municipality. 18 (3) Appoint and have power to remove department heads, a 19 deputy manager, if one be authorized by council, and appoint 20 subordinate officers and employes under procedures established 21 in section 1222 of this act. 22 (4) Negotiate contracts for the municipality, subject to the 23 approval of the municipal council, make recommendations 24 concerning the nature and location of municipal improvements, 25 and execute municipal improvements as determined by the 26 municipal council. 27 (5) Assure that all terms and conditions imposed in favor of 28 the municipality or its inhabitants in any statute, public 29 utility franchise or other contract are faithfully kept and 30 performed, and upon knowledge of any violation, call the same to 19710S0752B1694 - 38 -
1 the attention of the municipal council. 2 (6) Prepare agenda for and attend all meetings of the 3 municipal council with the right to take part in the 4 discussions, but without the right to vote. 5 (7) Make such recommendations to the council concerning 6 policy formulation as he deems desirable and keep the council 7 and the public informed as to the conduct of municipal affairs. 8 (8) Prepare and submit the annual budget to the council 9 together with such explanatory comment as he may deem desirable, 10 and administer the council approved budget. 11 (9) Perform such other duties as may be required of the 12 municipal manager by ordinance or resolution of the municipal 13 council. 14 (10) Be responsible to the council for carrying out all 15 policies established by it and for the proper administration of 16 all affairs of the municipality within the jurisdiction of the 17 council. 18 D. Budget 19 Section 825. The municipal manager shall submit to council 20 his recommended budget, together with such explanatory comment 21 or statement as he may deem desirable. The budget shall be in 22 such form as is required by council for municipal budgets, and 23 shall in addition have appended thereto detailed analysis of the 24 various items of expenditure and revenue. The budget as 25 submitted and adopted must be balanced. Council shall upon 26 introduction of the proposed budget fix a date for adoption 27 thereof which shall be not later than the thirty-first day of 28 December immediately following. 29 Section 826. During the month of January next following any 30 municipal election, council may request the manager to submit an 19710S0752B1694 - 39 -
1 amended budget to council which shall consider it in the same 2 manner as provided in section 825, except that final adoption of 3 the amended budget shall not be later than February 15 of the 4 same year. 5 ARTICLE IX 6 OPTIONAL PLAN: SMALL MUNICIPALITY PLAN 7 A. Form of Government: 8 Elected Officials 9 Section 901. The form of government provided in this article 10 shall be known as the "Small Municipality Plan." It may be 11 adopted by any municipality having a population of less than 12 seven thousand five hundred inhabitants by the last Federal 13 census. The plan together with Articles IV and XII of this act 14 shall govern any municipality the voters of which have adopted 15 it pursuant to this act. 16 Section 902. Each municipality shall be governed by an 17 elected executive (mayor) and councilmen, an elected district 18 attorney in the case of counties and such other officers as 19 shall be appointed pursuant to this article, general law or 20 ordinance. 21 B. Council 22 Section 911. The council shall consist of the executive 23 (mayor), who shall be elected at large, and two councilmen 24 unless pursuant to the authority granted under section 213 of 25 this act the municipality shall be governed by an executive 26 (mayor) and four councilmen, an executive (mayor) and six 27 councilmen, or an executive (mayor) and eight councilmen. 28 Members of the council shall be elected at large, unless, 29 pursuant to the authority granted under section 213 of this act, 30 members shall be elected on a district basis in which each 19710S0752B1694 - 40 -
1 district is as equal in population as is feasible, or on a 2 combination at large and district basis as determined by the 3 charter study commission or as specified in an initiative 4 petition or ordinance of the governing body under the provisions 5 of section 231 through section 233 of this act, at a regular 6 municipal election by the voters of the municipality and shall 7 serve a term of four years beginning on the first Monday in 8 January next following their election, except as hereinafter 9 provided for those first elected. 10 Section 912. On the first Monday of January following the 11 regular municipal election, the members of the council shall 12 assemble at the usual place of meeting and organize. The 13 executive (mayor) shall preside at all meetings of the council 14 and shall have a voice and vote on its proceedings. The council 15 shall select from among its members a president of the council 16 who shall serve in place of the executive (mayor) in the event 17 of his absence or disability. 18 Section 913. The legislative power of the municipality shall 19 be exercised by the council, except as may be otherwise provided 20 by general law. A majority of the whole number of the council 21 shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a 22 smaller number may meet and adjourn from time to time. 23 Section 914. (a) A municipal clerk or secretary shall be 24 appointed in the manner set forth in the Administrative Code, as 25 provided in section 1246 of this act. The municipal clerk or 26 secretary shall serve as clerk of the council, keep its minutes 27 and records of its proceedings, maintain and compile its 28 ordinances and resolutions as this act requires, and perform 29 such functions as may be required by law. The clerk shall, prior 30 to his appointment, have been qualified by training or 19710S0752B1694 - 41 -
1 experience to perform the duties of the office. 2 (b) The council may consistent with acts of the General 3 Assembly applicable to that class or classes of municipality 4 provide for the manner of appointment of a solicitor, any 5 planning board, zoning board of adjustment, zoning hearing board 6 or personnel board in the municipality and may create 7 commissions and other bodies with advisory powers. 8 C. Executive (Mayor) and Administration 9 Section 921. The executive power of the municipality shall 10 be exercised by the executive (mayor). It shall be his duty to 11 see that all laws and ordinances in force and effect within the 12 municipality are observed. He shall address the council and 13 report to the residents annually, and at such other times as he 14 may deem desirable, on the condition of the municipality and 15 upon its problems of government. The executive (mayor) shall 16 also appoint a finance committee of the council, which shall 17 consist of one or more councilmen, and may appoint and designate 18 other committees of council of similar composition. 19 Section 922. The executive (mayor) shall appoint subordinate 20 officers and employes with the advice and consent of council 21 under procedures established in section 1222 of this act, except 22 that in municipalities commonly known as counties, the office of 23 prothonotary and clerk of courts, register of wills and clerk of 24 orphans court shall be filled by appointment by the president 25 judge of the appropriate court with advice and consent of a 26 majority of the council. 27 D. Budget 28 Section 941. The municipal budget shall be prepared by the 29 executive (mayor) and shall be submitted to council in a form as 30 is required by council. The budget as submitted and adopted must 19710S0752B1694 - 42 -
1 be balanced. Council shall upon introduction of the proposed 2 budget, fix a date for adoption thereof which shall be not later 3 than the thirty-first day of December immediately following. 4 Section 942. During the month of January next following any 5 municipal election, the executive (mayor), upon his own 6 initiative or at the request of council, may submit an amended 7 budget to council, which shall consider it in the same manner as 8 provided in section 941, except final adoption of the amended 9 budget shall not be later than February 15 of the same year. 10 ARTICLE X 11 OPTIONAL PLAN: OPTIONAL COUNTY PLAN 12 A. Form of Government: Elected Officials 13 Section 1001. The form of government provided in this 14 article shall be known as the "Optional County Plan" and shall, 15 together with Articles IV and XII govern any county, the voters 16 of which have adopted this plan pursuant to this act. This 17 option shall be available only to those municipalities commonly 18 known as "counties." 19 Section 1002. (a) The county officers are: 20 (1) County Commissioners, 21 (2) Controller or Auditors, 22 (3) District Attorneys, 23 (4) Public Defenders, 24 (5) Treasurers, 25 (6) Sheriffs, 26 (7) Registers of Wills, 27 (8) Recorders of Deeds, 28 (9) Prothonotaries, 29 (10) Clerks of the Courts. 30 (b) County officers, except for public defenders who shall 19710S0752B1694 - 43 -
1 be appointed as provided by law, shall be elected at the 2 municipal elections and shall hold their offices for the term of 3 four years, beginning on the first Monday of January next after 4 their election, and until their successors shall be duly 5 qualified; all vacancies shall be filled in such manner as may 6 be provided by law. 7 (c) County officers shall be paid only by salary as provided 8 by law for services performed for the county or any other 9 governmental unit. Fees incidental to the conduct of any county 10 office shall be payable directly to the county or the 11 Commonwealth, or as otherwise provided by law. 12 (d) Three county commissioners shall be elected in each 13 county. In the election of these officers each qualified elector 14 shall vote for not more than two persons, and the three persons 15 receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected. 16 (e) The coroner or medical examiner shall be a statutory 17 office elected at the municipal election and shall hold the 18 office for the term of four years beginning on the first Monday 19 of January next after election, and until their successors shall 20 be duly qualified; shall be paid only by salary as provided by 21 law; all vacancies shall be filled in such manner as may be 22 provided by law. 23 (f) Jury commissioners shall be statutory officers and shall 24 be elected at the municipal election and shall hold their office 25 for the term of four years beginning on the first Monday of 26 January next after election and until their successors shall be 27 duly qualified; the salary board shall fix their salary; 28 vacancies shall be filled by the president judge of the court of 29 common pleas. 30 Section 1003. All county officers may exercise those powers 19710S0752B1694 - 44 -
1 granted by general law to county offices of the class of county 2 to which it belongs. 3 ARTICLE XI 4 ADDITIONAL COUNTY OPTION; ELECTED SHERIFF 5 Section 1101. A government study commission created and 6 constituted as provided in Article II of this act for the 7 municipality commonly known as counties, or an initiative 8 petition or ordinance of the governing body as authorized by 9 section 231 through section 233 of this act, may recommend and 10 cause to be placed on the ballot as a part of the question 11 submitted to the voters for approval, additional options as part 12 of the optional plans as set forth in Article V, Executive 13 (Mayor) - Council Plan A; Article VI Executive (Mayor) - Council 14 Plan B; Article VII Executive (Mayor) - Council Plan C; Article 15 VIII Council-Manager Plan; or Article IX, Small Municipalities 16 Plan, providing for the election of the county sheriff. 17 Section 1102. If the optional plan, including an additional 18 option or options as provided in section 1101, is approved by 19 the voters, the county shall be governed by the provisions of 20 the article providing the basic optional plan and by the 21 provisions of Articles IV and XII of this act, except that the 22 elected sheriff shall be subject to the provisions pertaining to 23 that office as provided in Article X of this act. 24 ARTICLE XII 25 GENERAL PROVISIONS COMMON TO OPTIONAL PLANS 26 A. Officers and Employes 27 Section 1201. In any case where a municipal officer or 28 official elected or appointed knows or by the exercise of 29 reasonable diligence could know that he is interested to any 30 appreciable degree, either directly or indirectly, in any 19710S0752B1694 - 45 -
1 contract for the sale or furnishing of any personal property for 2 the use of the municipality, or for any services to be rendered 3 for such municipality involving the expenditure by the 4 municipality of more than three hundred dollars ($300) in any 5 year, he shall notify council thereof, and any such contract 6 shall not be passed and approved by council except by an 7 affirmative vote of at least three-fourths of the members 8 thereof. In case the interested officer is a member of council, 9 he shall refrain from voting upon said contract. The provisions 10 of this section shall not apply to cases where such officer or 11 official is an employe of the person, firm or corporation to 12 which money is to be paid in a capacity with no possible 13 influence on the transaction and in which he cannot possibly be 14 benefited thereby, either financially or in any other material 15 manner. Any officer or officials who shall knowingly violate the 16 provisions of this section shall be liable to the municipality 17 upon his bond, if any, or personally, to the extent of the 18 damage shown to be sustained thereby by the municipality, to 19 ouster from office, and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and 20 upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not 21 exceeding five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisonment not 22 exceeding one year, or both. 23 Section 1202. No officer or employe shall accept or receive, 24 directly or indirectly, from any person operating within the 25 territorial limits of a municipality any interurban railway, bus 26 line, street railway, gas works, waterworks, electric light or 27 power plant, heating plant, telegraph line, telephone exchange 28 or other business using or operating under a public franchise, 29 any frank, free pass, free ticket or free service, or accept or 30 receive, directly or indirectly, from any person, any other 19710S0752B1694 - 46 -
1 service upon terms more favorable than is granted to the public 2 generally, except that such prohibition of free transportation 3 shall not apply to policemen or firemen in uniform. Nor shall 4 any free service to the municipal officials heretofore provided 5 by any franchise or ordinance be affected by this section. 6 Section 1203. No candidate for office, appointment or 7 employment and no officer, appointee or employe in any 8 municipality shall, directly or indirectly, give or promise any 9 person any office, position, employment, benefit or anything of 10 value for the purpose of influencing or obtaining the political 11 support, aid or vote of any person, under the penalty of being 12 disqualified to hold the office or employment to which he may be 13 or may have been elected or appointed. 14 Section 1204. If any person hereafter elected or appointed 15 to any office or position in a municipality governed under this 16 act shall, after lawful notice or process, wilfully refuse or 17 fail to appear before any court, any legislative committee, or 18 the Governor, or having appeared shall refuse to testify or to 19 answer any question regarding the property, government or 20 affairs of the municipality, or regarding his nomination, 21 election, appointment or official conduct on the ground that his 22 answer would tend to incriminate him, or shall refuse to waive 23 immunity from prosecution on account of any such matter in 24 relation to which he may be asked to testify, may be removed 25 from office by the council of the municipality in its 26 discretion. 27 B. Treasurer 28 Section 1211. (a) Under any of the optional plans as set 29 forth in this act, except for the plan set forth in Article X - 30 Optional County Plan, the office of municipal treasurer may be 19710S0752B1694 - 47 -
1 omitted, or may be filled by appointment as recommended by the 2 charter commission and adopted by the voters. If the office of 3 municipal treasurer is to be filled by appointment, the 4 appointment shall be made in accordance with the appointment 5 procedures for other department heads. 6 (b) The municipal treasurer, if elected, shall perform such 7 functions and duties and have such powers relating to the 8 collection, receiving, safekeeping and payment over of public 9 moneys including municipal, county, institution district and 10 school district taxes as provided by general law and shall have 11 such other functions, powers and duties as may be assigned to 12 him by the executive of the municipality. 13 C. Appointment Power and Personnel 14 Section 1221. The appointment power of the chief executive 15 of the municipality under any of the plans authorized by this 16 act shall include the appointment of members of boards and 17 commissions authorized by this act, by general law now or 18 hereafter enacted, or by action of municipal council. All such 19 appointments shall be with the advice and consent of a majority 20 of municipal council. 21 Section 1222. Appointments and promotions of subordinate 22 officers and employes within departments shall be made by the 23 department head on the basis of a personnel system which shall 24 include written procedures for appointment and promotion based 25 on merit and fitness as demonstrated by examination or other 26 evidence of position competence. The personnel system shall be 27 governed by personnel rules which shall be prepared by the 28 executive (mayor) or manager and submitted to the municipal 29 council which shall adopt them with or without amendments unless 30 otherwise provided for or arrived at by collective bargaining. 19710S0752B1694 - 48 -
1 The personnel rules may provide for: 2 (1) The classification of all municipal positions, based on 3 the duties, authority and responsibility of each position, with 4 adequate provision for reclassification of any position whenever 5 warranted by change of circumstances. 6 (2) A pay plan for all municipal positions. 7 (3) Methods for determining the merit and fitness of 8 candidates for appointment or promotion. 9 (4) The policies and procedures regulating reduction in 10 force and disciplinary action, including suspension and removal 11 of employes. 12 (5) The hours of work, and provisions for sick and vacation 13 leave and holidays, and provisions for overtime compensation. 14 (6) Grievance procedures, including procedures for the 15 hearing of grievances. 16 (7) Other practices and procedures necessary to the 17 administration of the municipal personnel system. 18 D. Filling Vacancies in Elected Office 19 Section 1231. This section shall apply to the filling of 20 vacancies in elected office in all optional plans and options 21 except those set forth in Article X - Optional County Plan, and 22 Article XI - Additional County Options. 23 Section 1232. (a) If a vacancy exists in the municipal 24 council, the municipal council shall, by a majority of its 25 remaining members, fill such vacancy, within thirty days 26 thereafter, by electing a qualified person to serve until that 27 first Monday of January when his successor who shall have been 28 elected by the qualified electors at the next municipal 29 election, occurring at least fifty days after such vacancy 30 exists, is duly sworn into office for the remainder of the term 19710S0752B1694 - 49 -
1 of the person originally elected to said office. 2 In case vacancies should exist whereby the offices of a 3 majority or more members of the municipal council become vacant, 4 the remaining members shall fill such vacancies, one at a time, 5 giving each new appointee such reasonable notice of his 6 appointment as will enable him to meet and act with the then 7 qualified member or members of the municipal council in making 8 further appointments until a bare majority of members of 9 municipal council members have been qualified, whereupon the 10 said members shall fill the remaining vacancies at a meeting 11 attended by the said majority members of municipal council, such 12 appointees to receive a majority of the votes of the members 13 present at any such meeting. The person or persons selected to 14 fill such vacancy or vacancies shall hold their offices as 15 herein provided. 16 If, by reason of a tie vote, or otherwise, such vacancy shall 17 not have been filled by the remaining members of municipal 18 council within the time as limited herein, the court of common 19 pleas, upon the petition of ten or more qualified electors, 20 shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of a qualified 21 person, for the portion of the unexpired term as above provided. 22 (b) If a vacancy occurs in the office of executive (mayor), 23 municipal treasurer, if elected, municipal controller, if 24 elected, county district attorney, if elected, or county 25 sheriff, if elected, the municipal council shall fill such 26 vacancy, within thirty days thereafter, by choosing an executive 27 (mayor), a municipal treasurer, a municipal controller, a county 28 district attorney or a county sheriff, as the case may be, to 29 serve until his successor is elected by the qualified electors 30 at the next municipal election, occurring at least fifty days 19710S0752B1694 - 50 -
1 after such vacancy occurs, and is duly sworn into office. The 2 person so elected shall serve from the first Monday of January 3 next succeeding his election for the remainder of the term of 4 the person originally elected to such office. 5 If, by reason of a tie vote or otherwise, a vacancy in the 6 office of executive (mayor), treasurer, controller, county 7 district attorney, or county sheriff shall not have been filled 8 by council within the time as limited herein, the court of 9 common pleas, upon petition of ten or more qualified electors, 10 shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of a qualified person 11 for the portion of the unexpired term as herein provided. 12 E. Legislation by Council 13 Section 1241. The council shall, by ordinance or resolution, 14 designate the time of holding regular meetings which shall be at 15 least monthly. The executive (mayor) or the president of 16 council, as the case may be, may and, upon written request of a 17 majority of the members of the council, shall call a special 18 meeting of the council. In the call, he shall designate the 19 purpose of the special meeting and no other business shall be 20 considered. All meetings of the council shall be open to the 21 public. The municipal clerk or secretary shall keep a journal 22 of its proceedings and record the minutes of every meeting. 23 Section 1242. (a) Council shall determine its own rules of 24 procedure, not inconsistent with ordinance or statute. A 25 majority of the whole number of members of the council shall 26 constitute a quorum, and no ordinance shall be adopted by the 27 council without the affirmative vote of a majority of all the 28 members of the council. 29 (b) Each ordinance or resolution shall be presented and 30 considered as determined by council rules of procedure. The 19710S0752B1694 - 51 -
1 vote upon every motion, resolution or ordinance shall be taken 2 by roll call and the yeas and nays shall be entered on the 3 minutes. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the 4 officer presiding at such meeting and by the municipal clerk or 5 secretary. 6 (c) Council shall adopt by ordinance an administrative code 7 which shall provide for the establishment and filling of 8 additional administrative offices which it shall deem necessary, 9 and shall provide for administrative procedures not otherwise 10 provided for in this act or by general law. 11 (d) The compensation of the controller and treasurer shall 12 be fixed by the council. 13 Section 1243. (a) Except as may otherwise be provided in 14 this act all ordinances shall be adopted and published as 15 provided by law: Provided, however, That any ordinance may 16 incorporate by reference any standard technical regulation or 17 code, official or unofficial, which need not be so published 18 whenever ten copies of said regulations or code have been placed 19 on file in the office of the municipal clerk or secretary and in 20 the office of the body or department charged with the 21 enforcement of said ordinance. 22 (b) No ordinance other than the local budget ordinance shall 23 take effect less than ten days after its final passage by 24 council and approval by the executive (mayor) where such 25 approval is required, unless the council shall adopt a 26 resolution declaring an emergency and at least a majority plus 27 one of all the members of the council vote in favor of such 28 resolution. 29 Section 1244. The municipal clerk or secretary shall record 30 all ordinances and resolutions adopted by council and at the 19710S0752B1694 - 52 -
1 close of each year, with the advice and assistance of the 2 municipal solicitor, shall bind, compile or codify all the 3 ordinances and resolutions, or true copies thereof, of the 4 municipality which then remain in force and effect. He shall 5 also properly index the record books, compilation or 6 codification of ordinances and resolutions. 7 Section 1245. No rule or regulation made by any department, 8 officer, agency or authority of the municipality, except such as 9 relates to the organization or internal management of the 10 municipal government or a part thereof, shall take effect until 11 it is filed either with the municipal clerk or secretary or in 12 such other manner as may be provided by ordinance. The council 13 shall provide for the prompt publication of such rules and 14 regulations. 15 Section 1246. The council shall cause to be prepared and 16 pass as an ordinance an administrative code which shall provide 17 for the manner of appointment of a solicitor, clerk or 18 secretary, and may create commissions and other bodies with 19 advisory powers, and may provide additional provisions relating 20 to the internal structure of the municipality as long as the 21 provisions of the administrative code are not in conflict with 22 any of the provisions of this law applicable to the 23 municipality. 24 F. Audit and Control 25 Section 1251. The council shall provide by separate 26 ordinance or in the administrative code for the exercise of a 27 control function in the management of the finances of the 28 municipality by the municipal controller or, in the case of the 29 optional plan set forth in Article X, the Optional County Plan, 30 by the controller or auditors. 19710S0752B1694 - 53 -
1 Section 1252. The council may provide for annual post audits 2 of all accounts by an independent auditor who shall be a 3 certified public accountant, registered in Pennsylvania, or a 4 firm of certified public accountants so registered. 5 G. Transition to Optional Charter Plan 6 Section 1261. Whenever the electors of a municipality adopt 7 any of the optional plans provided by this act at any election 8 for that purpose, such municipality shall be governed under the 9 provisions of such plan, the provisions of general law 10 applicable to that class of municipality and this act from the 11 first Monday in January following the next succeeding municipal 12 election, except as provided in section 213 (c) of this act. 13 Section 1262. (a) Any elected municipal official in office 14 at the time of the adoption of any optional plan provided by 15 this act shall continue in office only until the new plan of 16 government goes into effect as provided in section 1261, except 17 as otherwise provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this 18 section. 19 (b) At the municipal election next succeeding the adoption 20 of one of the optional plans provided for in this act, if four 21 or less councilmen are elected, they shall serve for terms of 22 four years. If five are elected, the four successful candidates 23 receiving the highest percentage of the votes cast for the 24 office to which they are elected shall serve for terms of four 25 years, and the candidate receiving the next highest percentage 26 of votes shall serve for a term of two years. If six or more 27 councilmen are elected, the five candidates receiving the 28 highest percentage of the votes cast for the office to which 29 they are elected shall serve for terms of four years, and the 30 remaining successful candidates receiving the next highest 19710S0752B1694 - 54 -
1 percentage of votes shall serve for terms of two years. 2 Thereafter, all councilmen shall be elected for terms of four 3 years. 4 (c) If an elected municipal treasurer or elected municipal 5 controller or elected county district attorney or elected county 6 sheriff is in office at the time of the adoption of an optional 7 plan under the provisions of this act, a treasurer or controller 8 or district attorney or sheriff, as the case may be, shall not 9 be elected or appointed to take office until after the 10 resignation, death, removal or expiration of the term of said 11 treasurer, controller, district attorney or sheriff. 12 At the expiration of the term of said treasurer, controller, 13 district attorney or sheriff in office at the time of the 14 adoption of an optional plan under the provisions of this act, a 15 treasurer, controller, district attorney or sheriff, as the case 16 may be, shall be elected or appointed for the full term for said 17 office as provided by the optional plan adopted. 18 (d) Any member of a municipal governing body in office at 19 the time of the adoption of an optional plan shall remain in 20 office, continuing as an at-large or district councilman, as the 21 case may be, until the expiration of his term in office, and 22 shall receive the compensation provided by law at that time: 23 Provided, That if that councilman was elected on an at-large 24 basis, the newly adopted optional plan provides for a total 25 number of at-large councilmen equal to or exceeding the total 26 number of at-large councilmen under the existing form of 27 government; or, if that councilman was elected on a district 28 basis, the district from which that councilman was elected 29 remains unchanged and continues to encompass the exact same 30 geographical area under the newly adopted optional plan as under 19710S0752B1694 - 55 -
1 the existing form of government, and the number of councilmen to 2 be elected from that district under the newly adopted optional 3 plan is equal to or exceeds the number elected from that 4 district under the existing form of government. Any such 5 councilman may, by writing filed with the municipal treasurer, 6 direct that any portion of his annual compensation for serving 7 in office be returned to the municipal treasury. For the 8 purpose of this section, an executive or mayor who is also a 9 member of the council under an existing plan shall be considered 10 as a member of the council, and after the new plan goes into 11 effect, his duties shall be only those of a member of council as 12 prescribed by the new plan. 13 (e) At the municipal election next succeeding the adoption 14 of one of the optional plans provided for in this act, the 15 number of councilmen prescribed by the terms in the plan less 16 the number of councilmen then in office whose terms do not 17 expire on the first Monday of January next following, as may be 18 determined by the foregoing subsection (d), shall be elected. 19 (f) If any vacancies in council occurring by reason of 20 resignation, death or removal shall exist ninety days or more 21 before such election, they shall be filled for the remainder of 22 the term of the person originally elected to that office. 23 Section 1263. (a) The annual compensation of the executive 24 (mayor) and councilmen elected to their offices in the year 25 prior to the transition year under any of the optional plans, 26 except the Optional County Plan set forth in Article X, adopted 27 pursuant to this act, shall be established by the commission as 28 part of its recommendations or by the initiative petition or 29 ordinance of the governing body authorized by section 231 30 through section 233 of this act. 19710S0752B1694 - 56 -
1 (b) The compensation of the executive (mayor), councilmen, 2 controller, and treasurer elected to their offices subsequent to 3 the transition year to any of the optional plans set forth in 4 this act, except for the plan set forth in Article X, the 5 Optional County Plan, shall be fixed by ordinance of council 6 finally passed or adopted at least two days prior to the last 7 day fixed by law for candidates to withdraw their names from 8 nominating petitions previous to the day of the municipal 9 election. After such compensation is once fixed by ordinance, 10 only an increase or decrease thereof need be fixed by such 11 ordinance. 12 Section 1264. On the effective date of an optional plan 13 adopted pursuant to this act, all ordinances and resolutions of 14 the municipality to the extent that they are not inconsistent 15 with the provisions of this act shall remain in full force and 16 effect until modified or repealed as provided by law. 17 Section 1265. (a) On the effective date of an optional plan 18 adopted pursuant to this act, all appointive offices then 19 existing in such municipality shall be abolished and the terms 20 of all appointed officers shall immediately cease and terminate: 21 Provided, That nothing in this section shall be construed to 22 abolish the office or terminate the terms of office of any 23 alderman or constable or of any official or employe now 24 protected by any tenure of office or civil service law, or of 25 any policeman or fireman, whether or not protected by a tenure 26 of office law. 27 (b) Provisions for officers and for the organization and 28 administration of the municipal government under the optional 29 plan may be made by resolution pending the adoption of 30 ordinances, but any such resolution shall expire not later than 19710S0752B1694 - 57 -
1 sixty days after the effective date of the optional plan. 2 Section 1266. All actions and proceedings of a legislative, 3 executive or judicial character, which are pending upon the 4 effective date of an optional plan adopted pursuant to this act, 5 may continue and the appropriate officer or employe under such 6 optional plan shall be substituted for the officer or employe 7 theretofore exercising or discharging the function, power or 8 duty involved in such action or proceeding. 9 H. Repeal of an Optional Plan 10 Section 1271. The procedure for repeal of an optional plan 11 shall be the same as for adoption of an optional plan as 12 provided in Article II of this act, excluding the procedure 13 provided in section 231 through section 233 of this act. 14 Whenever the electors of any municipality, by a majority vote of 15 those voting on the question, vote in favor of repeal of an 16 optional plan and the establishment of a particular form of 17 government, such municipality shall be governed under the form 18 of government selected by the electors, from the first Monday of 19 January following the municipal election at which the elective 20 officials of the form of government selected by the electors 21 shall have been elected. The government study commission shall 22 provide in its report for the new form of government to be 23 established. 24 It is not the intent of this section to prohibit or limit in 25 any way utilizing the procedure provided in section 231 through 26 section 233 of this act to amend an optional plan. 27 ARTICLE XIII 28 GENERAL 29 Section 1301. This act shall not apply to any city of the 30 first class or to any county of the first class. 19710S0752B1694 - 58 -
1 Section 1302. No local municipality within a county shall 2 supersede or exercise any power, function or service presently 3 exercised by said county. 4 Section 1303. Each municipality which does not adopt a home 5 rule charter or an optional plan of government under the 6 provisions of this act, shall retain its existing form of 7 government as provided in the code under which it operates, or 8 under general law, or under the Constitution of Pennsylvania. 9 Section 1304. In case the electors of any municipality 10 disapprove a proposal to adopt a home rule charter or an 11 optional plan of government the municipality shall retain its 12 existing form of government. 13 Section 1305. A municipality assuming a function previously 14 performed by another municipality under the terms of this act 15 shall also assume all the indebtedness and obligations of the 16 municipality relating to the function. If property, 17 indebtedness, or obligations of another municipality not within 18 the boundaries of the municipality assuming the function is 19 involved, the governing bodies of the party municipalities shall 20 make an adjustment and apportionment of all public property 21 involved. 22 The adjustment and apportionment as made shall be reduced to 23 writing, and shall be filed with the court of common pleas of 24 the county, and a copy shall also be filed with the Department 25 of Community Affairs. 26 In case the municipalities cannot make an amicable adjustment 27 and apportionment of the property, obligations and indebtedness 28 within six months after the function is assumed any of the 29 municipalities may present a petition to the court of common 30 pleas. The court shall then appoint three disinterested 19710S0752B1694 - 59 -
1 commissioners, all residents and taxpayers of the county, but 2 none residing in or owners of real estate in the municipalities, 3 who, after hearing, notice of which shall be given to the 4 municipalities as the court shall direct, shall make report to 5 the court making an adjustment and apportionment of all the 6 property as well as the obligations or indebtedness. The report 7 shall state the amount that shall be due and payable from each 8 municipality, the forms of payment and the amount of obligations 9 and indebtedness that shall be assumed by each. 10 The commissioners shall give the municipalities at least five 11 days' written notice of the filing of their report. Unless 12 exceptions are filed to such report within thirty days after the 13 date of the filing, the report shall be confirmed by the court 14 absolutely. Any sum awarded by the report shall be a legal and 15 valid claim in its favor against the municipality charged. Any 16 property real or personal given to a municipality shall become 17 its property. Any claim or indebtedness charged against the 18 municipality may be collected from it. 19 If exceptions are filed to the report of the commissioners, 20 the court shall dispose of the same, taking testimony therein if 21 it deems the same advisable. The court shall enter its decree 22 confirming the award of the commissioners, or modifying the same 23 as to it appears just and proper. 24 The commissioners shall be allowed such compensation and 25 expenses for their services as the court shall fix. The costs of 26 the proceedings, including the compensation and expenses of the 27 commissioners, shall be apportioned by the court between the 28 municipalities as it deems proper. 29 In case a municipality or part of a municipality is located 30 in two or more counties, the court of common pleas of the county 19710S0752B1694 - 60 -
1 where the larger part of the municipality assuming the function 2 is located shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the 3 proceedings. 4 Section 1306. Any city which began proceedings before the 5 effective date of this act under the act of July 15, 1957 6 (P.L.901), known as the "Optional Third Class City Charter Law," 7 may adopt an optional plan thereunder and function under the 8 provisions of that act. 9 Section 1307. All acts and parts of acts are repealed in so 10 far as they are inconsistent herewith. 11 Section 1308. If any provision of this act, or the 12 application of such provision to any person or circumstances, 13 shall be held invalid, the remainder of the act and the 14 application of such provision to persons or circumstances other 15 than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected 16 thereby. 17 Section 1309. This act shall take effect immediately. E20L46RC/19710S0752B1694 - 61 -