Brenton Davis retains rapid on removing of Redevelopment Authority Board associates
Erie County Govt Brenton Davis was hoping to swap 3 board members of the Erie County Redevelopment Authority, a body empowered by point out regulation to be independent and removed from political impact.
Nevertheless, as of Monday evening, Davis may perhaps be backing down — for now.
In a assertion, Davis requested County Council Chairman Brian Shank just take no action on a resolution Tuesday contacting for the elimination of authority board Chairwoman Kate Philips, Secretary William DeLuca and Treasurer Laith Wardi.
Davis said the selection arrived right after the board associates sent him a letter questioning the legality of their removal. Davis claimed more steps by his administration are “pending authorized research.”
Board users respond:Members answer just after Davis asks for Redevelopment Authority board resignations
County Council will still see the resolution on Tuesday’s agenda but will have the selection to remove or desk it, reported County Clerk Julie Slomski.
Council users will also see the names of a few substitute nominees — a person of whom, a Davis campaign donor — on the agenda. Council can take away these appointments as nicely.
In an try to justify his steps, Davis, in his assertion, claimed inquiring for resignations has been a popular practice considering that former County Govt Judy Lynch. He also voiced considerations about the Redevelopment Authority “extending its enhancement actions into financially risky areas.”
“The Erie County landscape is littered with overreaching failures by authorities which includes the loss of Awareness Park house, the previous Lord web site on 12th and Greengarden Boulevard, the proposed juice plant in the previous Koehler Brewery, the Mercantile Making at 14th and Condition and the decline of $3 million in unsecured county cash,” Davis stated.
While Davis has sought to develop an authority that is far more compliant with his economic development priorities, and has cited a area of the Residence Rule Constitution that provides him the electricity to take away users of authorities with the consent of County Council, his actions might not stand up in court.
Is it legal?
“The county govt can do no matter what he wants — however, it will be unlawful,” claimed County Council Solicitor Tom Talarico.
Talarico explained the Redevelopment Authority is empowered by a state statute recognized as the Pennsylvania City Redevelopment Law of 1945, and that two point out Supreme Courtroom scenarios deciphering that statute established a political chief could not clear away users of a redevelopment authority prematurely without having bring about.
When Davis — in a assertion Friday — cited Article 3, Segment 5, of the Home Rule Charter, which states he can appoint and get rid of members of county authorities with the consent of County Council, Talarico claimed the point out statute supersedes it.
“There are some instances in which the House Rule Constitution would prevail around a point out statute,” Talarico explained. “But in this occasion, it would be my feeling that the City Redevelopment Law applies throughout the commonwealth these that everybody has to follow it. Plainly, the state law prevails and it has to be followed.”
A equivalent celebration transpired in 2006, when then-Erie County Executive Mark DiVecchio tried to fire three of the authority’s board members and change its govt director, Rick Novotny.
The a few users — Michael Martin, Susan Breon and Jeffrey Spaulding — filed a lawsuit from the county, arguing they could not be fired since their terms had not expired, they had performed very little incorrect or illegal and they occupied an impartial entire body. DiVecchio later on backed down.
County Assistant Solicitor John Brautigam, who is delivering Davis with lawful suggestions on the matter, declined to remark to the Erie Moments-Information on Monday, citing lawyer-shopper privilege.
County Director of Administration Doug Smith said he had no lawful concerns about the moves, saying “all which is being done here is (Davis) asked for their resignation — and there’s definitely nothing unlawful about that.”
Prepared for a vote?
In addition to the resolution to clear away board customers Philips, DeLuca and Wardi, County Council will also see three individual appointments to substitute them:
- Charles “Boo” Hagerty, chief enhancement officer of the Hamot Wellness Foundation
- Timothy McCormick, president of McCormick Structural Programs in Erie
- David Knapp, owner and common manager of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Corry
Knapp gave a lot more than $5,000 in marketing campaign contributions to Davis, according to Erie County election economic studies.
Though the assembly agenda was posted Friday, Talarico voiced issue the new resolution and appointments hardly ever passed via a council finance or personnel meeting, where by a consensus of customers increase merchandise to the agenda.
Slomski told the Erie Periods-News that Shank asked for the things be included to the agenda. Talarico reported individual users of council are not able to unilaterally insert or subtract from the agenda without having the concurrence of council at a general public meeting.
Relating to the appointments, Talarico reported the county executive must supply composed recognize to County Council at minimum just one month in progress of any emptiness, elimination or expiration of a member’s term.
“Prior to the approval of any appointment, County Council shall have the identify and skills of the possible appointee, together with the chance to job interview and question the proposed appointee prior to confirmation at a duly scheduled community meeting,” he added.
Shank could not be attained for comment Monday.
County Council will fulfill Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Erie County Courthouse.
A.J. Rao can be reached at [email protected]. Observe him on Twitter @ETNRao