| Frequently
Asked Questions for the City Council and City Clerk of Reading
Who are the City Council members?
How can I contact/communicate with
my council person?
What are the districts?
Who is the City Clerk and what is
her function?
What are the various council meetings?
Where and when are they held?
How can I obtain a copy of an Ordinance or the Frequently
Used Ordinance Book?
Can I address Council at their meetings?
Where can I find information about the City's Boards,
Authorities and Commissions?
How can I apply to be on the City's Boards, Authorities
and Commissions?
What is the Code of Ethics? How can I obtain a copy
of the Code of Ethics?
How can I make a complaint to the
Board of Ethics?
What is the Home Rule Charter? How can I obtain
a copy of the Charter?
What is the Charter Board? How can
I make a complaint to the Charter Board?
What is the difference between Commission
Government and Home Rule Government?
What records are stored in the City Clerk’s
Office?
What records are considered “public”
by Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Act?
What is Citizen Initiative and Referendum?
Can the Council Office help me with
a complaint about City Services?
Who are the City Council members?
The 2006-2008 Council is composed of the following:
• President of Council Vaughn D. Spencer
• City Council District 1 Stephen P. Fuhs
• City Council District 2 Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz
• City Council District 3 Dennis M. Sterner
• City Council District 4 Stratton P. Marmarou
• City Council District 5 Maria R. Baez
• City Council District 6 Jeffrey S. Waltman
How can I contact/communicate
with my council person?
You can contact any member of Council through the Council
Office via:
• Phone 610 655 6204• E-mail council@readingpa.org
• Post Office Mail 815 Washington Street, Reading
PA 19601
• Voicing concern to the Council staff office, located
on the second floor in City Hall
You can also speak with City Council by calling in to the
In Your District program, airing at 8 p.m. every week on
the BCTV MAC Channel 99.
What are the districts?
Under the Home Rule Charter, the City of Reading
is divided into six districts, with each district electing
one Council member. District-elected Council members are
to represent the voice of their constituents and are to
act as a body to make decisions in the best interest of
the entire City. Boundaries mapping out the six districts
of the City can be found on the City website (readingpa.gov)
under the “City Council Districts” tab. The
President of Council is elected at-large. The President
of Council is the presiding officer of Council and has the
same voting powers as the other six Council members. The
President interacts with the Mayor and other governmental
entities and represents the voice of Council.
Who is the City Clerk
and what is her function?
Linda A. Kelleher is the City Clerk for the City of Reading
and has been serving City Council since she was first appointed
in January 1996. The City Clerk acts as the Secretary to
the Council, or Secretary to the Board of Directors. The
City Clerk is the Director of the Legislative Branch, responsible
for managing the operations of City Council by providing
leadership and administrative support, implementing Council
policies and providing quality services to the people of
Reading.The City Clerk maintains accurate legislative records
and performs other services to the body of Council such
as public relations, drafting and reviewing ordinances,
legal research and acting as a liaison with the City Administration
and other entities. The City Clerk assists Council in areas
such as setting agendas, developing a Council Action Plan
and coordinating appointments for the City's Boards, Authorities
and Commissions.
What are the various
council meetings? Where and when are they
held?
Council meetings are held on Monday evenings. The meeting
schedule is listed at the bottom of each regular meeting
agenda.
• First Monday 5 p.m. – Finance and Administrative
Oversight Committee – Council Office
• Second Monday 5 p.m. – Committee of the Whole
– Council Office
• Second Monday 7 p.m. – Regular Council Meeting
– Council Chambers
• Third Monday 5 p.m. - Public Safety & Public
Works Committee – Council Office
• Third Monday 7 p.m. – Work Session –
Penn Room
• Fourth Monday 5 p.m. Committee of the Whole –
Council Office
• Fourth Monday 7 p.m. Regular Council Meeting
Additional meetings are added and advertised as needed through
newsprint or City website announcement (readingpa.gov).
How can I obtain a copy
of an Ordinance or the Frequently Used Ordinance Book?
Our City laws are located under the “Codified Ordinance”
tab on our web site. Click on “City Documents”
to see the listings. If you cannot print the law you are
interested in, please call the Council Office at 610 655
6204 to request a copy. The Frequently Used Ordinance Book
is published by Council Staff and contains a variety of
quality of life laws. This book is updated by Council Staff
on a regular basis. If you would like the latest draft,
please call the Council Office at 610 655 6204.
Can I address Council
at their meetings?
You can address the body of Council at their Regular Business
Meetings held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month and
at Public Hearings held to address specific topics. Council
does not allow public comment at Committee Meetings, Committee
of the Whole Sessions or Work Sessions.
To address Council, please contact the City Clerk before
4 p.m. the day of the meeting by calling 610 655 6204 or
by e-mail, council@readingpa.org.
You can also register to speak with the City Clerk before
the meeting is called to order. Citizens speaking about
legislation on the agenda may speak for five minutes at
the beginning of the regular meeting. Citizens wishing to
speak about non-agenda matters may speak for three minutes
at the end of the regular meeting. When the City Clerk signals
that your time is complete, we ask that you quickly conclude
your remarks and be seated.
Where can I find information
about the City's Boards, Authorities and Commissions?
For information on the City’s Boards, Authorities
and Commissions click on the “Boards Authorities and
Commissions” tab on the index or by contacting the
Council Office at 610 655 6204 or via e-mail, council@readingpa.org.
How can I apply to be
on the City's Boards, Authorities and Commissions?
If you would like to serve on one of the City’s Boards,
Authorities and Commissions click on the “Boards Authorities
and Commissions” tab in the index, print an application,
fill it out and mail it to the Council Office – 815
Washington Street, Reading PA 19601. If you cannot print
a copy, call the Council Office at 610 655 6204 to request
one and the Council staff will be happy to assist you.
What is the Code of Ethics? How
can I obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics?
The proper operation of democratic government requires that
public officials and employees be independent, impartial
and responsible to the people; that government decisions
and policy be made in the proper channels of governmental
structure; that public office is not to be used for personal
gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity
of its government.
In recognition of these goals, there is an established Code
of Ethics to be administered by the Board of Ethics. The
purpose of this Code is to establish ethical standards of
conduct for all officials and employees of the City of Reading,
its agencies and authorities, whether elected or appointed,
paid or unpaid, by providing guidelines to clarify actions
or inactions which are incompatible with the best interests
of the City and by directing disclosure of private, financial
or other interests in matters affecting the City.
The provisions and purpose of this Code and such rules,
regulations, opinions and disciplinary decisions as may
be promulgated by the Board Pursuant hereto, and under provisions
of Article XII of the Charter, are hereby declared to be
in the best interest of the City.
The Code of Ethics is located in the "City Documents"
section, found on the index of the City website. If you
would like a bound copy, please contact the Council Office
by calling 610 655 6204 or via e-mail, council@readingpa.org.
How can I make a complaint to
the Board of Ethics?
Any person may file a complaint about alleged ethics violations
of the Reading Code of Ethics or the City Charter. A complaint
form may be requested through the Board of Ethics liaison,
Michelle Katzenmoyer, by calling 610 655 6205 or upon request
from the Council staff office. In addition, the Board may
initiate proceedings by its own action.
A person signing a complaint shall:
• Reasonably believe in the existence of facts upon
which the claim is based.
• Reasonably believe that the complaint may be valid
under the ethics provisions of the Code of Ethics and the
City Charter.No official or employee may be penalized for
a good faith filing of a complaint with the Ethics Board,
or providing information or testifying in any Board proceeding.
An employee may not be discharged, suffer change in his/her
official rank, grade or compensation, be denied a promotion
or be threatened as a result of any of the above.
All Board proceedings and records relating to an investigation
are confidential until a final determination is made by
the Board, except as may be required by due process. The
final order is a public record. All other file material
must remain confidential. The Board, however, may release
the identity of a complainant if it has determined that
there has been a wrongful use of the Code of Ethics.
What is the Home Rule
Charter? How can I obtain a copy of the Charter?
The Home Rule Charter acts as the “Constitution”
for the City of Reading. It sets the operational rules for
our government. The City Administrative Code, found in the
Codified Ordinances, is used to further define Charter provisions.
Copies of the Home Rule Charter may be acquired through
publication provision of the City Council staff office.
(or
by clicking on this link - http://www.readingpa.gov/documents/charter.pdf)
What is the Charter Board? How
can I make a complaint to the Charter Board?
The Charter Board, created under the 1st Amendment to the
Home Rule Charter, hears and decides all complaints alleging
violations of the Charter and Administrative Code. This
Board is also responsible for providing orientation for
all elected officials.
Charter complaint forms can be obtained on the City’s
web site, by phone or e-mailing the Council Office at 610
655 6204 or council@readingpa.org.
What is the difference between
Commission Government and Home Rule Government?
The State provides for three forms of government in Pennsylvania:
• Commission – established under the Third Class
City Code
• Optional Third Class Charter Law – established
under the Third Class City Code in 1957
• Home Rule Charter Optional – established by
the State General Assembly in 1972, apart from the Third
Class City Code
The Commission Form of government is made up by a Mayor
and City Councilors all elected at-large. The Mayor presides
over Council meetings but has no additional power. Al these
elected officls perform executive duties and direct the
city departments. Under the Commission form there is no
single or administrative officer to oversee the operations
of the City.
Home Rule Charter Optional provided for 2 structures:
• Strong Mayor / Part-time Council
• Council / Manager
Reading voters approved the Home Rule Charter Optional form
of government with a Strong Mayor / Part-time Council in
the November 1993 General Election. The executive, administrative
and law enforcement powers of the City are vested in the
Mayor. The Mayor shall control and be accountable for the
executive branch of City government.
City Council is the legislative body having all powers of
the City not otherwise provided for in this Charter, exercised
in a manner to be determined by Council. Council shall provide
for the exercise and performance of any such other powers
and duties in a manner consistent with the terms of this
Charter. All powers of the City shall be exercised as provided
by this Charter, or if the Charter makes no provision, as
provided by ordinances or resolutions of the City Council.
The Charter defines the City’s Departments and sets
out requirements for professional department directors,
who report to the City’s Managing Director, appointed
by the Mayor and approved by Council.
What records are stored in the
City Clerk’s Office?
The City Clerk's Office houses a variety of current and
old city records.
The City of Reading Codified Ordinances has many features
in addition to the current city laws. This book provides
references to applicable state and federal legislation.
The Codified Ordinance Book also includes a key that provides
the disposition of all city streets, improvements, vacations,
etc. The key can also provide the researcher with the history
and disposition of city ordinances. The Codified Ordinances
have been available on-line since 1999, with updates done
annually. The Codified Ordinances can also be found in the
Main Branch of the Reading Public Library and the Berks
County Law Library.
The office also holds the Journals of Council that include
the ordinances and resolutions adopted dating back to 1854.
Other old records include departmental reports, solicitor's
opinions, Board of Health records, tax assessment records,
Water Bureau reports, etc. Unfortunately, record retention
and archiving diminished between the 1960's and 1995. In
1996 staff in the City Council/City Clerk's Office restored
the practice of records retention and archiving, and the
staff is currently working to digitize current and old city
records so they are more accessible to the public.
What records are considered “public”
by Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Act?
These are public records that must be disclosed under Pennsylvania's
Right to Know Act:
• Accounts, vouchers or contracts dealing with the
receipt or disbursement of funds or the acquisition, use
or disposal of services or supplies, materials, equipment
or other property (includes canceled checks and cell phone
bills paid by the county)
• Minutes, orders or decisions by an agency fixing
the personal or property rights, privileges, immunities,
duties or obligations of any person or group of persons
• Reports, communications or other papers pertaining
to safety and health in industrial plants
• Records of a conviction for a criminal act In addition,
Pennsylvania courts have ruled that the following records
are subject to inspection and copying under the Right to
Know Act:
• Code of Ethics and manuals fixing duties and obligations
regarding the treatment of state inmates
• Penn DOT contract to perform emissions inspection
• Department of Welfare: Nursing home settlement and
appeal activity reports • Real estate appraisals performed
in connection with a city's effort to acquire property (held
to fix personal or property rights of the owners of the
property affected)
• A report prepared by a hospital accreditation commission
for welfare department
• A township's and municipality's canceled checks
• Arrest warrant affidavits, unless court order says
otherwise
• Examination papers and scores of applicants for
civil service jobs
• Records of retired state employees
• Attendance record cards of professional employees
of school districts
• The building record portion of property records
(containing construction specifications) maintained by county
boards for the assessment and revision of taxes
• Accident reports and certain studies conducted by
the Commonwealth concerning the accidents
• Completed reports prepared by the Department of
Labor and Industry on safety and health in industrial plants
• The review and refund docket of the Board of Finance
and Revenue
• The list of names and addresses of kindergarten
children in a school district
• Police payroll records
• Lists of people taking CPA exams
• Addresses to which a school district forwarded the
scholastic records of former pupils
• Lists of delinquent taxpayers
• Subscriber lists for magazines published by the
Commonwealth
• Crime, death and accident reports filed with the
police department
• Names and addresses of public high school graduating
classes
• Evaluations of state psychiatric institutions compiled
by a commission which prescribes standards for hospitals
participating in certain federally funded programs
• Statistical data from the Pennsylvania Department
of Education on the racial and ethnic composition, by school
district, of programs for exceptional children
• Settlement agreement in police brutality lawsuit
• A list of unclaimed checks held by the state Treasury
Department
• Escheat records of abandoned and unclaimed property
held by the Department of Revenue
• Hearing transcripts of testimony and evidence from
an electric utility base rate case before the PUC
Although individual agencies still may agree to release
the following information, Pennsylvania courts have ruled
that these records are NOT subject to inspection or copying
under the Right to Know Act:
• A Pennsylvania Insurance Department investigative
file on a licensee
• Psychological, staffing and job evaluations made
to complete a state prisoner's suit against Department of
Corrections officials in regards to parole consideration
• Criminal pre-sentence reports and related psychiatric
and psychological reports
• Notice of compensation records from Bureau of Workers
Compensation
• Correspondence and memoranda by Department of General
Services concerning request for proposals to lease office
space to government agency
• Information relating to assignment of assistant
district attorneys to specific cases
• The contents of a contractual settlement between
a school board and a teacher
• Field investigation notes taken by city planning
department staff to report to a city council member
• Departmental budget reports required by the budget
secretary (held to be a statement of facts and events, not
an "account" consisting of debits and credits)
• Names, addresses and amounts received by welfare
recipients
• Contents of a teacher's personnel file maintained
by the school district
• Financial disclosure statements voluntarily submitted
in response to executive orders requesting such statements
from members of the governor’s cabinet and members
of certain agencies
• Financial information regarding the operation of
state-related universities
• Physical fitness reports and promotional evaluation
reports of police departments
• The name of a person who accused a police officer
of receiving stolen property as well as the police department's
files on the investigation of the complaint
• "Raw data" compiled by the Pennsylvania
Department of Health for a study on the connection between
the Three Mile Island accident and birth defects
• Information from tax returns filed with a municipality
and results of tax audits
• Plans for special education programs submitted to,
but not acted on, by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Request for the statements and notes of testimony
of alleged co-defendants, as well as requests for all relevant
newspaper clippings and articles dealing with a criminal
case
• Job applications that were not reviewed
• Police investigative reports
• Audio tape recordings of 911 telephone calls
• Urinalysis reports from halfway houses
• Legal opinions from solicitors and attorneys that
are not essential components of agency decisions •
Inmates' medical and mental health records
What is Citizen Initiative and
Referendum?
Citizen Initiative and Referendum are two ways that citizens
not holding political office may present legislation for
the City. The two opportunities are as follows:
Initiative: The qualified voters of the City shall have
the power to propose ordinances to the Council. If the Council
fails to adopt such an ordinance, the initiative process
would place the proposed ordinance before the voters as
a referendum at an election, providing the City voters with
the opportunity to adopt or reject the ordinance at a City
election.
Referendum: The qualified voters of the City shall have
the power to require reconsideration by the Council of any
adopted ordinance. If the Council fails to repeal an ordinance
so reconsidered, the Referendum process may be commenced
giving the qualified voters of the City the opportunity
to approve or reject said ordinance at a City election.
For more detail, please contact the Council Office by calling
610 655 6204 or e-mail to council@readingpa.org.
Can the Council Office
help me with a complaint about City Services?
The Council Office can take a concern or complaint about
City Services, and work with the appropriate City department(s)
to efficiently rectify the problem. In addition, Council
members note problematic trends in order to improve upon
or implement any additional services that benefit the City.
If you have a concern that the City Clerk or City Council
can assist with, contact the Council staff office at 610
655 6204, via e-mail council@readingpa.org
or by writing to 815 Washington Street Reading, PA 19601.
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