RULES OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE MUNICIPAL EXPERT RATING COMMITTEE FOR ABLISHMENTS IN THE TERRITORY OF SOFIA CITY MUNICIPALITY
SECTION I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 These Rules shall govern the organization of work, size, composition, the rights and responsibilities and the activities of the Municipal Expert Rating Committee for tourist establishments in the territory of Sofia City Municipality (MERC).
Article 2 MERC operates in accordance with the legislation in Bulgaria, the decisions of the Sofia City Municipal Council and the provisions of these Rules.
Article 3 MERC is a collective, permanent, consultative body.
Article 4 The activities of MERC include:
1. Preparation of written proposals to the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality to give orders for: initiation of rating procedure, issuance of provisional certificate for opened rating procedure; proposals for determining the category or refusal to categorize.
2. Offers the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality to define the category of:
a/ Collective accommodation establishments – one star rating and their adjoining mass-catering and entertainment establishments;
b/ Family hotels, pensions, houses, individual rooms and their adjoining mass-catering and entertainment establishments – one star, two stars and three stars rating;
c/ Supplementary tourist accommodation – one star, two stars rating, and their adjoining mass-catering and entertainment establishments;
d/ Individual mass-catering and entertainment establishments – one star, two stars rating.
3. Considers the applications for rating, submitted at Tourist Service Municipal Enterprise within the terms set in the Ordinance for Rating (the Ordinance).
4. Proposes to the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality to initiate a rating procedure of the tourist establishments.
5. Proposes to the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality to issue a provisional certificate for opened rating procedure.
6. Within seven days from the issuing of the order for opened rating procedure, sends to the applicant a provisional certificate for the opened procedure.
7. In the event of irregularities in the documents and in case of a reasoned written request by the applicant, decides on a term extension, according to Art. 10, Para. 3 of the Ordinance.
8. Decides on the establishment of expert working groups for on-site inspection of the tourist establishments in the territory of Sofia City Municipality. Each expert working group consists of at least three people – employees of Tourist Service Municipality Enterprise and/or experts from the tourism industry, designated in accordance with Art. 11, Para. 6 of the Ordinance.
9. Within 14 days after the issuance of the order for the category of the establishment, prepares a category symbol, accompanied by a certificate for the category and the plate model, depending on the type and category of establishment.
10. Discusses plans and reports on registration, reporting and controlling the rated tourist establishments.
11. Makes decisions on the basis of Art. 11(a) of the Ordinance when an on-site recheck is needed, if possible within the term of the provisional certificate for opened procedure.
SECTION II
COMPOSITION AND GUIDANCE
Article 5
(1) The number of members and the composition of MERC is determined by the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality.
(2) MERC consists of an equal number of representatives of tourist associations, registered in Sofia City Municipality, and of municipal administration staff having qualifications in tourism industry.
(3) Personal changes in the composition of MERC are be made by the Mayor.
(4) Upon termination of employment or service of an employee of Sofia City Municipality, who is a member of MERC, the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality shall designate within one month a new representative of Sofia City Municipality.
(5) The participation of the members in the work of MERC is in person.
(6) Each member of MERC completes a statement for voluntary participation in its work.
Article 6 MERC is composed of a Chairman, Secretary and members
Article 7 The Chairman of MERC:
1. Convene, organizes and conducts MERC meetings OEKK, determines and is responsible for compliance with the agenda. In the absence of the Chairman, his functions are performed by the Secretary.
2. Manages the daily work of MERC and is responsible for compliance with the Rules.
3. Organizes and supervises the implementation of the decisions of MERC.
4. Represents MERC at the Advisory Council on Tourism at Sofia City Municipality.
Article 8 The Secretary of MERC:
1. Organize the activities of MERC in case of incapacity of the Chairman to perform his duties.
2. Informs the members about meetings, submits materials on issues discussed and coordinates the activities of MERC.
3. Keeps down minutes of the meetings of MEC, which reflect the present members, the agenda items, the discussions, proposals and decisions.
4. Decides on other issues of an operational nature and performs other duties as assigned by the Chairman of MERC.
5. Stores the archives of MERC.
SECTION III
RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
Article 9 The members of MERC have equal rights and obligations, regardless of the internal distribution of their functions.
Article 10 The members of MERC are entitled to:
1. Attend the meetings of MERC in person.
2. Propose to the Chairman and Secretary to include specific issues on the agenda for consideration by MERC and to propose a draft decision.
3. To receive a monthly honorarium as defined in the order for the establishment of MERC. The remuneration funds are provided in the budget of the Tourist Service Municipal Enterprise.
Article 11 MERC members are obliged to:
1. Participate regularly in the meetings of MERC.
2. Not to disclose information and facts that have become known to them in performing their duties and not to use them for their own or for other’s benefit to the detriment of Sofia City Municipality. This commitment is valid within 1 (one) year after termination of the MERC membership of that person.
3. Not to undertake actions that could undermine the good name of Sofia City Municipality.
4. Sign the minutes.
Article 12 The members of MERC are liable for culpable damage caused to Sofia City Municipality.
SECTION IV
MEETINGS, QUORUM AND MAJORITY IN DECISION MAKING
Article 13
(1) MERC holds regular and extraordinary meetings.
(2) Regular meetings are held weekly (every Wednesday) at 14.00 o’clock in the office of Tourist Service Municipal Enterprise or at least twice a month. All members are invited by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail. The notice shall contain information about the date, venue, and agenda of the meeting and the reporters on it.
(3) Extraordinary meetings are convened by the Chairman on his own initiative or at the request of at least one third of the members of MERC made in writing to the Chairman when urgent matters within his competence have come to the fore for solution.
(4) Proposal for consideration of certain issues on the agenda of a regular or extraordinary meeting may be made by members of MERC in writing. They are addressed to the Chairman and may be made before or during the meeting.
(5) The meetings of MERC are considered valid if at least half plus one of total of the members are present.
Article 14 At the discretion of the members of MERC, the meetings may be attended by staff or experts from Sofia City Municipality, who are competent in the subject.
Article 15 The decisions of MERC are taken by open ballot by a majority of more than two thirds of those present at the meeting of MERC.
Article 16
(1) At each session of MERC minutes are kept down which reflect the present members, the agenda, discussions, suggestions and decisions made.
(2) The minutes are signed by the person who chairs the meeting, by the Secretary, and by all members of MERC.
(3) Copies of the minutes are issued by the Secretary of MERC.
Article 17 The decisions, opinions and suggestions of MERC are submitted to the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality.
FINAL PROVISIONS
§ 1. This Rules are approved by the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality, under Article 10, Para. 3, item 3 of the Law on Tourism.
§ 2. Amendments to the Rules are made by the Mayor of Sofia City Municipality.
