History & Overview
The City of Reading Charter Board was created
by the first amendment to the Home Rule Charter. Amendment
I, approved overwhelmingly by voters during the November
2002 election, reinforced the Charter as the governing
law of Reading, and created a five member Board to serve
city residents in the following ways:
1. Charter Enforcement:
The Charter Board hears and decides all cases alleging
violations of the Charter or Administrative Code. The
only cases excluded from the jurisdiction of the Board
are those complaints which pertain to, or are governed
by the Ethics Code or the Personnel Code (reference Charter
Section 1201). Upon receipt of complaints, the Board is
authorized to determine jurisdiction, conduct investigations,
refer cases for prosecution, issue binding opinions, and
impose penalties and administrative fines. If necessary,
the Board may also institute appropriate civil or equitable
action to enforce its Final Order.
In practical execution, the Board strives to prohibit
commingling of its adjudicatory and prosecutorial functions.
Complaints are received and reviewed by a contracted Investigative
Officer, who determines jurisdiction, conducts all investigations,
and issues a written report of findings. Board members
review the findings report, preside over evidentiary hearings,
and decide, by majority vote, whether a violation of the
Charter or Administrative Code has occurred. Their determination,
called the Final Order, includes the findings of fact
and conclusions of law which support the determination,
and outlines the relevant factors considered in imposition
of penalties and/or fines. The entire process, from receipt
of complaint to Final Order, should be complete within
eight months.
Finally, any person aggrieved by an adjudication of the
Charter Board has a right to appeal to the Berks County
Court of Common Pleas. Any person who prevails in adjudication
against the City (including its officers or agents) to
enforce the Charter or Administrative Code is entitled
to recover all reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred
by the action.
2. Advisory Powers:
The Board may render advisory opinions concerning matters
of home rule or enforcement of the City Charter at the
written request of any public official or city employee.
The Board may also render advisory opinions on its own
motion, if it deems such action to be in the public interest.
Advisory opinions are issued no later than 30 days following
the receipt of the written request.
3. Charter Education:
The Board directs and administers a required orientation
regarding Home Rule Law, the City Charter, the City Administrative
Code, and the Ethics Code for all newly elected City officials.
The Board typically conducts this orientation with assistance
from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic
Development, the State and County Bar Associations, and
the Ethics Board.
Additionally, the Board seeks to proactively educate
and keep before the public and members of City government
their rights, duties, and obligations under the City Charter
and Administrative Code. To this end, the Board has undertaken
a variety of educational approaches, such as sponsoring
a bi-monthly television program on local cable, encouraging
public participation in its required orientation course,
speaking on Charter related matters within the community,
and formatting written educational materials.
Current Charter Board members include:
Susan Gibson - Chair
John Slifko - Vice Chair
Elizabeth Stanley
Gerald Richter
Barry Lloyd
