Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association

The Board of Governors of Rydal-Meadowbrook Civic Association supports involvement of Abington residents in decision-making by Commissioners. Speaking at the beginning of a business meeting will encourage participation. RMCA also believes that all Abington residents should continue to have the opportunity to speak after Commissioners discuss a matter, and before a vote. When a resident or business owner has a matter that impacts their lives, it is critical that they speak with respect and share information that the Commissioners may not have previously considered.

From Commissioner Steven Kline
On Thursday, May 10th the Board of Commissioners will consider a change to the public comment portion of the monthly Board of Commissioner's Business meetings held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Every month the Board of Commissioners hold two different types of meetings, Committee meetings and the Business meeting. Current meeting procedures Committee meetings (Public Works, Code Enforcement/Land Development, Public Safety, Public Affairs and Finance) are the meetings were the board considers all agenda items prior to the Business meeting. It is the intention of the Committee meetings that the analysis and examination of a specific agenda is to occur. The public is afforded the ability to comment on each agenda item after it has been presented and the Commissioners have asked their questions or made their comments. The public is given three minutes after each agenda item. Business meeting is held on the 2nd Thursday of the month which is a week after most of the Committee meetings (Finance is held a couple weeks before the Business meeting). Currently at the Business meeting the rules for public comment is the same as the Committee meetings where the public is afforded the ability to comment after each agenda item (three minutes). The public is also given an opportunity to comment on any issues at the end of the Business meeting for three minutes. Proposed meeting changes The proposed change for the Business meeting only would be to take public comment on agenda items before the Board considers them. Each speaker would be given three minutes to comment on a specific agenda item(s) and/or another issue(s). The Board would then conduct it's Business meeting without public comment (except if there is a public hearing or a change to motion on an agenda item). At the end of the Business meeting the public would be given another opportunity to address the Board for another three minutes. This change is being consider on a trial basis. Other townships use this meeting organization and it is our solicitor's opinion that it is in compliance with the Sunshine Act, which is the state law that governs the manner in which governmental bodies can operate. I am looking for feedback from my constituents. Please email me at kline4ward1@comcast.net or call me at (215) 758-2702 to share your opinion.