Commissions

The various Commissions established by City Council serve in an advisory capacity to the Council on a range of matters. Members are appointed or reappointed by the City Council, usually in January, for specific terms of office. Below are overviews of the requirements for the various Commissions currently serving the City of Coatesville.

Civil Service Commission

Three person commission appointed by City Council majority vote to four year terms. All members must reside within the city limits of the City of Coatesville. The commission serves as the civil service board for the paid employees of the Coatesville Police Department and the Coatesville Fire Department subject to civil service. The commission primarily determines the rules and regulations providing for the examinations for positions subject to civil service in the Police and Fire Departments and for appointments and promotions therein. [Chapter 115-20 in code]

Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund Commission

This seven person commission is comprised of members who serve as the result of their position within the government, administration, or Fire Department of the City of Coatesville. There is one seat on the commission with a two year term that is held by a resident of the City of Coatesville and made by majority vote of City Council. The Commission is responsible for: keeping full and accurate accounts of all its transactions; making rules for the transaction of its business and application of its funds; appoint a qualified and reputable banking or investment institution to serve as custodian of the Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund investment account (said custodian will invest and reinvest the funds and accruals into “legal investments for trust funds” ass directed by the Commission); and all other matters necessary for the conduct of business, subject to the special provisions and regulations of the City Charter. The Commission meets at least quarterly. The Commission must make an annual report to the City Council on the first Monday of January of all receipts and disbursements of the fund and such other matters as should be properly embodied in such report. [Chapter 38-20 in city code]

Historical Commission

Seven person commission appointed by City Council majority vote to three year terms. This board has a mixed residency requirement; however, all member must be US citizens,live in Pennsylvania, and four must reside within the city limits of the City of Coatesville. The remaining three seats are to be held by persons residing with the great Coatesville area. In general, the function of the Commission is to further the interest of the people in all matters relating to the history of the City of Coatesville and its environs. To that end, it may acquire and maintain appropriate exhibits, issue bulletins and other publications, cooperate in or sponsor commemorative, educational or research programs and serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all such matters. The Commission shall have the power of review and recommendation in any case involving the demolition of a landmark structure or alteration that would be in such manner as to change its essential character. The Commission shall have the opportunity to study and review all plans and proposals involving the reconstruction, alteration, restoration, demolition and razing of properly designated landmarks as herein provided. Meetings are to be held monthly, or as required by the matters before the commission. The Commission shall keep a record of its proceedings and shall make annual report of its transactions and activities to the City Council. All meetings, records and accounts of the Commission shall be public. [Chapter 224-38 in city code]

Note: Mark Thornton, member of the Historical Commission, maintains a page on facebook as an extension of this commission.

Non-Uniform Pension Commission

Six person commission comprised of members who serve as the result of their position within the government or administration of the City of Coatesville. There is one seat on the commission with a two year term that is held by a resident of the City of Coatesville and made by majority vote of City Council. The commission is responsible for the Non-uniform pension fund in a manner similar to the Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund Commission. [Chapter 38-18 in city code]

Parks & Recreation Commission

Seven person board appointed by City Council majority vote to four year terms. All members must reside within the city limits of the City of Coatesville. The Commission works in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Coordinator (appointed by the City Manager), the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the City Manager (or his/her designee) and the City Council with the intent of accomplishing the following:

• define the objectives of public recreation services and make plans harmonizing with them
• maintain the highest quality and standard of recreation service
• interpret the importance and need of recreation services to the general public
• keep public officials informed of the status and progress of recreation services
• work collaboratively with public officials to select the recreation and park executive and define his or her duties and responsibilities
• establish a sound fiscal plan to achieve recreational goals
• provide for an adequate system of recreation areas and facilities
• give stability and continuity to general operations
• evaluate the services of recreation system in relation to its objectives

Funds appropriated by City Council and budgeted to the Parks and Recreation program shall be disbursed by the Council, the City Manager or his designated administrative staff upon vouchers issued by the Parks and Recreation Commission and within the budget appropriations made. The commission must hold regular meetings, including two work sessions and at least one public meeting each quarter. All public meetings shall be held in accordance with the Sunshine Act. Parks and Recreation Coordinator shall make full and complete monthly reports to the City Council or at such other times as may be designated or requested by City Council. The Parks and Recreation Coordinator submits – with the annual budget request – a comprehensive report covering the forthcoming year which outlines its proposed recreation programs for that year and its plans with respect to the creation, use or modification of the recreational areas and facilities operated by it. The Parks and Recreation Commission obtains the prior approval of the City Council for any major modifications or additions to said programs and plans within that year. [Chapter 33 in city code]

Planning Commission

Five person commission appointed by City Council majority vote to four year terms. Two members may be officers or employees of the City. All members must reside within the city limits of the City of Coatesville. The commission is responsible for reviewing subdivision and land development plans and giving recommendations to the City Council regarding same. It also assists in various planning responsibilities including the development of redevelopment proposals under the Urban Redevelopment Law. [Chapter 41 in city code]

The Planning Commission does have established regular meetings; each Wednesday of the same week of a City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room off the main lobby of City Hall.

Information and Minutes

Police Pension Commission

Severn person commission comprised of members who serve as the result of their position within the government or administration of the City of Coatesville. There is one seat on the commission with a two year term that is held by a resident of the City of Coatesville and made by majority vote of City Council. The commission is responsible for the Police pension fund in a manner similar to the Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund and Non-uniform Pension commissions. [Chapter 38-3 in city code]

Reserve Trust Fund Commission

Five person commission comprised of members who serve as the result of their position within the government or administration of the City of Coatesville. There are two seats on the commission with two year terms to be held by residents of the City of Coatesville and made by majority vote of City Council. The commission as responsibilities similar to the pension commissions, but for the Reserve Trust. [Chapter 49 in city code]

Technology Commission

Seven person commission serving 3 year terms structured as follows; Two members of City Council, one member of the professional staff of the City of Coatesville as appointed by the City Manager, and four residents of the City of Coatesville made my majority vote of City Council. The Technology Commission shall assist the city in identifying technological developments which are a benefit to the city and the citizens of the City of Coatesville and to review information, conduct investigations and make recommendations and reports relative to this purpose. However, any report or recommendation provided by the Technology Commission shall not be binding upon the City Council but shall be advisory only. The commission will hold regular meetings, including two work sessions and at least one public meeting each quarter. All public meetings shall be held in accordance with the Sunshine Act. [Chapter 58-1 in city code]