The 12 municipalities that are members of the Lancaster Intermunicipal Committee (hereinafter "LIMC") (East Hempfield Township, East Lampeter Township, East Petersburg Borough, Lancaster City, Lancaster Township, Manheim Township, Manor Township, Millersville Borough, Mountville Borough, Pequea Township, West Hempfield Township, and West Lampeter Township, collectively the "LIMC municipalities") have expressed interest in the development of a regional comprehensive plan, and the Lancaster County Planning Commission has encouraged such regional cooperation. Article
XI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) authorizes municipalities to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation planning agreement, as provided by and utilizing the procedures set forth in the Intergovernmental Cooperation Law, codified at 53 Pa. C.S.A. § 2301 et seq., including the enactment of an ordinance as prescribed by § 2305, incorporating the contents prescribed by § 2307 thereof.
The LIMC has developed the LIMC Area Intergovernmental
Cooperation Planning Agreement which is attached hereto as Exhibit
A (the "agreement"). The LIMC has submitted the agreement to each LIMC municipality
for its review and approval.
The term of the agreement is indefinite, but
is subject to the right of any participating municipality to terminate
its participation in this agreement at any time subject to the provisions
thereof.
The purpose and objectives of the agreement are to implement the provisions of Article
XI of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code with respect to intergovernmental cooperation planning agreements.
It is contemplated that Lancaster County, with
input from the LIMC municipalities, will engage a consultant or team
of consultants to research, develop, and prepare the LIMC Area Comprehensive
Plan. As provided in the agreement, the work to be completed under
the agreement by such consultant or team of consultants shall be fully
funded by Lancaster County, by and through the Lancaster County Planning
Commission, at its sole expense.
The agreement provides for the formation of
a steering committee, with representation from all LIMC municipalities
and the Lancaster County Planning Commission (Steering Committee).
Each LIMC municipality and the Lancaster County Planning Commission
may appoint two individuals and two alternates to serve on the Steering
Committee. The LIMC municipalities must make their appointments by
official action of the governing bodies; the Lancaster County Planning
Commission must make its appointments at a public meeting of the Commission.
It is not anticipated that any real or personal
property will be acquired by the Steering Committee pursuant to the
agreement.
Although it is not anticipated that the Steering
Committee will hire employees, the Steering Committee shall be empowered
under the agreement, but not required, to enter into contracts for
policies for group insurance and employee benefits, including social
security, for its employees, as applicable.
The agreement, a copy of which is appended hereto
as Exhibit A, is hereby approved by the Board of Supervisors, and they
shall, on behalf of Lancaster Township, execute the agreement.
The Township's obligations to enter into the
agreement and its obligations under the agreement are expressly conditioned
upon all other LIMC municipalities, as referenced in said agreement,
enacting and authorizing the entry into the agreement on the same
terms and conditions as are applicable to Lancaster Township.