Borough of Jim Thorpe, PA Article I Lehigh Canal Park

[Adopted 5-14-1998 by Ord. No. 98-6]

§ 42-1 Conditions of agreement.

The Borough of Jim Thorpe is authorized to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement of cooperation (the "Agreement") by and among the Boroughs of Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Parryville and Weissport, and the Townships of East Penn, Franklin and Mahoning, as authorized by the Act,[1] to create the Lehigh Canal Recreation Commission to jointly manage and maintain the Lehigh Canal Park. This Agreement is conditioned on all municipalities participating in their proportionate share in the costs of managing and maintaining the Lehigh Canal Park.

[1] Editor's Note: See the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301 et seq.

§ 42-2 Purpose; objectives; powers; scope.

The purposes of the Agreement are:

A. To provide a seamless experience for Lehigh Canal Park users, ensuring consistent maintenance for all stretches of the park;

B. To maximize the efficient use of finances and resources from each park community;

C. To establish a means for cooperative joint management of the intermunicipal park;

D. To establish the Commission in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement of Cooperation. The Commission shall be responsible for organizing, supervising, administering, managing, maintaining and operating the park and its facilities for the residents of the respective municipalities and shall direct the administration of the park management pursuant to the Intergovernmental Agreement of Cooperation and all amendments thereto;

E. To deed the park property to each municipality respectively, and authorize the Commission to jointly manage the park property;

F. To provide jointly an annual contribution of a minimum of $2,000 to cover annual expenses;

G. To set forth rules and regulations for the park;

H. To establish cooperative law enforcement in the park;

I. To allow for the addition of new municipal participants as the park is developed.

§ 42-3 Financing.

A. The Borough of Jim Thorpe agrees to contribute to the Commission in accordance with its budget, as adjusted from time to time, the amounts of cash as are necessary to fund its portion of the Commission's operations, with each municipality's contribution being a prorated share of the entire amount budgeted for the year. The amount of each municipality's contribution is determined by the number of residents in each municipality and is set at $0.10 per capita. Those municipalities unable to provide "in-kind" services to the park are assessed $0.20 per capita.

B. The municipalities shall make payments of their annual contribution to the Commission by the 15th day of the month of January of each year.

§ 42-4 Organizational structure.

The park shall be managed and maintained by the Lehigh Canal Recreation Commission. Each municipality shall have one vote, as delineated in the Agreement. The Commission shall direct the administration of the park management and maintenance programs and related activities pursuant to this Agreement and all amendments thereto.

§ 42-5 Insurance.

The Commission shall be empowered to enter into contracts for policies of group insurance and employee benefits.