[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Editor's Note: Act 148 of 1973 was repealed by Act 177 of 1996; see now 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2322 to 2329 for provisions pertaining to environmental advisory councils.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.