[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Monroe 12-23-2003 by Ord. No. O-55-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is established an Open Space Advisory Committee whose purpose it is to review and recommend parcels of land to be included in open space plan for acquisition and preservation of lands within the Township of Monroe.
A. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee will consist of nine members, who will be residents of the Township.
[Amended 4-27-2020 by Ord. No. O:08-2020]
B. 
The membership of the Open Space Advisory Committee shall include:
(1) 
Regular members and alternate members:
[Amended 6-14-2006 by Ord. No. O-22-2006]
(a) 
One member from the Monroe Township Environmental Commission would be selected by the members of the Monroe Township Environmental Commission;
(b) 
One member from the Monroe Township Parks and Recreation Commission; this member would be selected by the members of the Monroe Township Parks and Recreation Commission;
(c) 
The Mayor will select two members;
(d) 
The Council will select five members; and
[Amended 4-27-2020 by Ord. No. O:08-2020[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Subsection B(1)(e), requiring one member to be from a nonprofit land trust organization, and redesignated former Subsection B(1)(f) as Subsection B(1)(e).
(e) 
There shall be two alternate members in addition to the regular members. One shall be selected by the Mayor and the second shall be selected by Council. Both alternate members shall serve a term of three years.
(2) 
Advisors to Open Space Advisory Committee.
(a) 
Chief of Police.
(b) 
Recreation Director.
(c) 
Public Works Director.
(d) 
Township Administrator.
(e) 
Director of Real Estate.
C. 
Conditions of appointment.
(1) 
The terms of each member shall be three years. Terms of the members shall be staggered such that three members’ terms would expire each year.
(2) 
Appointments by the Mayor shall be staggered such that appointed members' terms shall not expire in the same year. For the first year, the Mayor shall appoint one member for three years and one member for a partial term of two years. All terms to be renewed thereafter shall be for the full three-year appointment.
(3) 
The Mayor may appoint himself as one of the member appointments and shall conform to the conditions of the terms of appointment.
(4) 
Appointments by Council members shall be staggered such that for the first year, one member shall be appointed to a full three-year term, one member shall be appointed to a partial term of two years and two members shall be appointed to a partial term of one year.
(5) 
Appointment by the Monroe Township Environmental Commission shall be for the first year, one member shall be appointed for a partial term of two years. All terms to be renewed thereafter shall be for a full three-year term.
(6) 
Appointment by the Monroe Township Parks and Recreation Commission shall be for the first year, one member shall be appointed for a partial term of one year. All terms to be renewed thereafter shall be for the full three-year appointment.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(7), regarding the land trust member's term, was repealed 4-27-2020 by Ord. No. O:08-2020.
D. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee would annually elect new officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary) from its appointed members (associated members cannot hold office positions) at its annual reorganization meeting held at the first meeting of each year.
A. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall prepare and submit to the Township Council an open space plan for the Township of Monroe consisting of identification of undeveloped, private land parcels.
B. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall annually recommend a particular parcel or parcels for acquisition by the Township.
C. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall update the plan on an annual basis.
D. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee may utilize the services of the Township Engineer and Solicitor and may employ and/or contract for professional services by appraisers and staff as it may deem necessary, subject to budget appropriations and Council approval by resolution.
E. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall hold public meetings, which public meetings shall be held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, and the Committee shall give appropriate notice of said meetings.
F. 
The Open Space Advisory Committee shall include, but is not limited to, the following criteria when selecting parcels for preservation:
(1) 
Lands that connect existing public land.
(2) 
Lands that include environmentally sensitive areas, streams, wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes and aquifer recharge areas.
(3) 
Lands that provide recreational use.
(4) 
Lands that preserve scenic vistas.
(5) 
Any and all land that is eligible for acquisition through the Open Space/Recreation Trust Account.
[Amended 8-26-2008 by Ord. No. O:24-2008]
G. 
The Township Finance Department shall provide to the Committee a quarterly report on the fund balance within the Open Space/Recreation Trust Account.[1]
[Amended 8-26-2008 by Ord. No. O:24-2008]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 62-4, Availability of funds for acquisition of land, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 8-26-2008 by Ord. No. O:24-2008.