§ 11005. Meetings of council, notice and participation by telecommunication device.
(a) Meetings.--
(1) Council shall hold stated meetings at least once each month, and at other times as may be fixed by ordinance, and continue them as long as the transaction of the public business demands.
(2) Special meetings must be held in accordance with the following:
(i) The mayor, as president of council, may call special meetings of council.
(ii) A special meeting of council shall be called by the mayor upon the request of:
(A) two council members in the case of a five-member council; or
(B) three council members in the case of a seven-member council.
(iii) In addition to any notice required by 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings), 24-hour notice of a special meeting shall be given to each member.
(iv) A special meeting can be a special purpose meeting or a general purpose meeting, as advertised.
(v) Notice of a special meeting shall state the nature of the business to be conducted at the meeting.
(b) Telecommunication.--Council may provide for the participation of council members in meetings of council by means of telecommunication devices, including telephones or computer terminals which permit audio communication, between locations if:
(1) A quorum under section 11004 (relating to oath of council members, quorum and rules) is established at the convening or reconvening of the meeting. If, after the convening or reconvening of the meeting, a member has been disqualified from voting as a matter of law but is still physically present, council members participating by telecommunication device in accordance with this section shall be counted to maintain a quorum.
(2) The telecommunication device used permits the member or members of council not physically present at the meeting to:
(i) speak to and hear the comments and votes, if any, of the members of council who are physically present as well as other members of council who may not be physically present and who are also using a telecommunication device to participate in the meeting; and
(ii) speak to and hear the comments of the public who are physically present at the meeting.
(3) The telecommunication device used permits members of council and the members of the public who are physically present at the meeting to speak to and hear the comments and votes, if any, of the member or members of council who are not physically present at the meeting.
(4) Council may only authorize participation by telecommunication device for any of the following reasons for physical absence:
(i) Illness or disability of the member of council.
(ii) Care for the ill or newborn in the member's immediate family.
(iii) Emergency.
(iv) Family or business travel.
(5) Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit the protection and prohibition contained in any law or regulation relating to the rights of the disabled.
(c) Public access.--All meetings of council, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public.
(d) Previous councils.--Council shall be a continuous body and it shall be lawful for a council to complete unfinished business or legislation begun by the preceding council.
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