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Redding charter review commission elects chair, names co-vice chairs and sets initial meeting schedule
Summary
At its first public meeting the Redding Home Rule Charter Review Commission elected Pastor Evelyn Morrison as chair, named Tanya Melendez and Sheila Perez co-vice chairs after a tie, and agreed to meet weekly for the next month to begin a review of the city charter and plan public hearings.
The Redding Home Rule Charter Review Commission elected Pastor Evelyn Morrison as chair and named Tanya Melendez and Sheila Perez co-vice chairs at its first public meeting, and agreed to meet weekly for the next four weeks to begin an initial review of the city charter.
Ed Stock, a local lawyer who said he had been selected by the mayor to serve as the commission’s solicitor, opened the meeting and ran the organization and nomination process. “Earlier today ... the mayor selected me to serve as your solicitor,” Stock said.
The commission took its first formal action by electing officers. Nominations produced multiple candidates for chair; a roll-call vote produced 4 votes for Pastor Evelyn Morrison, 3 for Tanya Melendez, 2 for Adela Rodriguez and 1 for David (Dave) Myers, and Stock declared Morrison elected. For vice chair the roll produced a tie between Tanya Melendez and Sheila Perez; members agreed to serve as co-vice chairs after discussing the tie.
Commission members agreed the next step is a focused review of the Home Rule Charter. Stock outlined the commission’s directive in the charter: the group has six months from appointment to review the charter, produce a report for the mayor, city council and public, and recommend any proposed amendments. The commission voted to dedicate its next meeting to a review of the current charter and to meet once a week on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. for the next four weeks, then reassess the schedule.
Members discussed the need to schedule public hearings later in the process so voters can review any proposed referendums. Stock reminded the group that the Pennsylvania Open Meetings Law (the Sunshine Act) restricts official action to items listed on the agenda and that city council must appropriate funds for the commission’s reasonable expenses.
No ordinance or charter amendment was proposed or adopted at the meeting; the actions taken were organizational. The commission’s next meeting will be a charter review session and the chair is scheduled to run subsequent meetings; Stock said he will provide legal guidance as needed.
