[Adopted 11-8-1993 by Ord. No. 573]
A. 
In the face of population growth, urbanization and technological change, with their accompanying demands on natural resources, the City finds that the preservation and the improvement of the quality of the natural environment within the City is of increasing and vital importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being of its present and future inhabitants.
B. 
The City finds that the biological integrity of the natural environment upon which residents are dependent for survival and the natural beauty of the City's surroundings which condition the quality of life experience cannot be protected without the full cooperation and participation of the inhabitants of the City working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations.
C. 
The City finds that the establishment of an Environmental Advisory Board will assist The Mayor and Common Council in its efforts to maintain, preserve and improve the quality of the natural environment so that the public health, safety and welfare are enhanced.
D. 
Article XI-E of the Maryland Constitution, Article 23A of the Annotated Code of Maryland and the City's Charter authorize the City to enact ordinances for the protection and promotion of the public health, safety, morals and welfare.
The Environmental Advisory Board for the City of Westminster, Maryland, is hereby created and hereinafter referred to in this article as the "Environmental Advisory Board."
A. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Advisory Board to study, investigate, counsel, develop, advise and recommend to the Mayor and Common Council with respect to the state of the environment within the City and effectiveness of City programs with respect to environmental quality management.
B. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Advisory Board to review and report to the Mayor and Common Council regarding the City's water, wastewater and sewer systems, its solid waste programs, including recyclables, its stormwater management policies and any other information necessary for it to review, recommend and advise regarding the conservation and improvement of the City's natural resources.
C. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Advisory Board to recommend to the Mayor and Common Council a plan for the development of a broad policy designated to guide the City's environmental future and to protect its environmental heritage. The matters covered in said plan may include but not be limited to the following environmental matters: air pollution, water quality, groundwater protection, disposal of solid and hazardous waste, loss of biological resources, conservation of the urban forest, open space preservation, soil erosion, drainage and flooding and the need for coordinated environmental management.
D. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Advisory Board to advise the Mayor and Common Council of actions which could be undertaken by the City to improve the quality of its environment and also advise as to any circumstances which may threaten that environment.
E. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Environmental Advisory Board to report to the Mayor and Common Council on or before the 31st day of December of each and every year. Said report may set forth the duties, tasks and responsibilities performed by the Environmental Advisory Board during the previous year and provide such recommendations and suggestions as the Environmental Advisory Board deems appropriate or necessary. The Environmental Advisory Board may provide such additional reports and recommendations as it deems necessary or appropriate to the Mayor and Common Council.
F. 
The Environmental Advisory Board shall cooperate with local and state officials, as well as other public and private institutions, agencies and organizations, to achieve the goals set forth in § 7-18.
G. 
The Environmental Advisory Board shall perform any additional duties and responsibilities which may be assigned to it by resolution of the Mayor and Common Council.
The Environmental Advisory Board shall consist of seven voting members and one nonvoting City staff member.
A. 
The voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Common Council, and six voting members shall be residents of the City.
[Amended 8-8-1994 by Ord. No. 592]
B. 
The voting members shall be qualified by special interest, knowledge and training in such fields as arborists, architects, biologists, botanists, business management, chemists, ecologists, engineers, environmental scientists, planners and other citizens who are interested in the improvement and preservation of the environment.
C. 
The nonvoting staff member shall be the Director of Planning or the Director's designee.
[Amended 12-6-2007 by Ord. No. 773]
A. 
The term of the seven persons appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Common Council shall be for four years; except that the terms of two members initially appointed shall be for only one year, the terms of two other members shall initially be appointed for two years, and the terms of two other members initially appointed shall be for three years.
B. 
In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed and approved for the unexpired portion of the term.
C. 
Members may be removed by the Mayor and Common Council for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Board shall serve without compensation for their services.
A. 
The officers of the Environmental Advisory Board shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary. These officers shall be initially appointed by the Mayor with the approval by the Common Council and thereafter shall be elected by the members of the Board. They will hold their such offices at the pleasure of the Mayor and Common Council.
B. 
The Environmental Advisory Board shall adopt its own rules of procedure and bylaws, and its Secretary shall keep a journal of its proceedings, including all official actions, minutes and reports.
C. 
A quorum at any meeting shall be four voting members.
D. 
A favorable vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a meeting shall be required for the adoption of any action.
[Amended 12-6-2007 by Ord. No. 773]
The Director of Planning or the Director's designees shall obtain for the Board all services and supplies as the Environmental Advisory Board shall direct within the limits of its appropriated funds and such other services and funds as shall be authorized by the Mayor and Common Council.
A. 
The regular meeting of the Environmental Advisory Board shall be held on a regular date at a specified time as determined by the Environmental Advisory Board to occur not less than once each quarter.
B. 
Special meetings shall be called by the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Board when either deems it necessary.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. IV, Westminster Fiber Commission, adopted 7-12-2021 by Ord. No. 936, which immediately followed, was repealed 10-24-2022 by Ord. No. 944.