[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Jenkintown 6-25-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-1.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance was adopted as Chapter 42 of
the Code but renumbered to maintain the alphabetical organization
of the Code.
As enabled by Act 148 of 1973 of the Pennsylvania General Assembly,[1] there is hereby created an environmental advisory committee
for Jenkintown Borough, to be known as the Environmental Action Committee
("EAC"), which shall continue to function until this chapter is revoked.
[1]
Editor's Note: Act 148 of 1973 was repealed by Act 177 of
1996; see now 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2322 to 2329 for provisions
pertaining to environmental advisory councils.
The purpose of the EAC is as follows:
A.
To advise the Jenkintown Borough Council, commissions, boards, committees
and other Jenkintown Borough agencies on, and promote education about,
issues relating to the management, promotion, use, protection and
conservation of Jenkintown's natural resources, including air,
land and water resources, and residents' enjoyment thereof.
B.
Work with Jenkintown Borough agencies and other partners to maintain
and develop the natural resources in Jenkintown Borough in a way that
will continue to attract and retain residents, visitors and businesses.
C.
Identify environmental problems and recommend plans and programs
to the Borough Council for the promotion and conservation of natural
resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of
the environment within the Borough.
D.
Promote a community environmental program.
A.
The Jenkintown Borough Council shall appoint at least three but not
more than seven full members of the EAC and alternates/ex officio
members as determined by the Borough Council. The Borough Council
shall appoint a liaison to the EAC. All EAC members shall be residents
of Jenkintown. Whenever possible, membership on the EAC shall include
one person who is also a member on the Borough Planning Commission
and at least one member with expertise in environmental education,
planning or science.
B.
The Borough Council shall appoint all full members of the EAC for
staggered three-year terms. The initial terms will be as follows:
one-third of the positions will be for one-year terms, one-third of
the positions will be for two-year terms, and the remainder will be
for three-year terms. All successive members' terms will be for
three years.
C.
Members of the EAC shall elect a Chairperson, Vice Chair, and Recording
Secretary each year on the anniversary month of the effective date
of this chapter.
D.
The Borough may establish an associate members' program in the EAC.
Associate members shall not have voting rights in the EAC but otherwise
may participate in all other EAC activities and serve on standing
and special committees.
The EAC shall have the following duties and powers:
A.
To identify environmental issues and recommend plans and programs
to the Borough Council and other appropriate bodies and other agencies:
1) to encourage sustainable development and use of resources which
meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their needs; and 2) to promote conservation
of natural resources, protection and improvement of the quality of
the environment in the Borough and Borough residents' enjoyment
of it.
B.
To promote community environmental sustainability programs and public
education.
C.
To work with other municipal EACs to address issues affecting the
sustainable development of multiple townships, such as wetlands, floodplains
and watershed issues, forests and aquifer recharge areas.
D.
To keep an index of all open space, publicly and privately owned,
including but not limited to flood-prone areas, wetlands and other
unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining information on
the use of such areas that will promote sustainable development in
Springfield Township.
E.
To undertake such environmental or sustainability-related tasks as
requested by the Borough Council.
F.
To provide, at the request of the Borough Council or any of the Borough
committees, input on programs or projects under review by the Council
or committees that are related to the environment. Notwithstanding
the input, the process shall not obviate the need to comply with review
deadlines, including but not limited to those under the Pennsylvania
Municipalities Planning Code.
The EAC shall endeavor to take advantage of such programs of
assistance to EACs, including educational services, exchange of information,
assignment of technical personnel for natural resources planning assistance
and coordination of state and local conservation activities, as may
be established by the State Conservation Commission or the Department
of Environmental Protection, and any program of assistance to EACs
in planning for the management, use and development of open space
and recreation areas, and any other program of assistance that may
be advantageous to the sustainable development and maintenance of
Jenkintown Borough's environment.
The EAC will submit a budget annually to the Borough Council
for approval, to be used for educational materials, training, projects
and programs, or other administrative, clerical, printing and legal
service costs, or dues for affiliation with environmental, educational
and/or planning organizations. Members of the EAC shall receive no
compensation, but shall be reimbursed for the expenses actually and
necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties. The
EAC may not contract for materials or services.
The EAC may explore sources of funding for specific projects,
including but not limited to gifts, grants and defined fund-raising
activities. The EAC shall consult with the Borough Council regarding
the legal implications associated with receiving funding from sources
other than the Borough.
The EAC shall keep records of its meetings and activities. The
minutes will be read and approved or amended and approved at the next
EAC meeting or via e-mail. The EAC will submit approved EAC meeting
minutes to the Borough Council as soon as possible after approval,
but not more than 30 days after approval. The EAC shall make an annual
report to the Borough Council by October of each year. Copies of minutes
and annual reports will be maintained in the offices of the Borough.
Such powers and duties as are now or may hereafter be provided
by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or by ordinances
of the Borough of Jenkintown relating to the creation of the EAC and
the carrying out of its powers and duties are hereby vested in the
EAC, to be exercised by it, subject to any and all restrictions contained
in such powers and ordinances.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed as abolishing or
limiting any existing Borough agency, board, commission, authority
or committee, even though such contained shall be construed as abolishing
or limiting any existing Borough agency, board, commission, authority
or committee that may have a responsibility related to the responsibilities
delegated to the EAC hereunder.
