The Environmental Advisory Council is hereby created and established
in accordance with the provisions of 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2321
through 2329 relating to Environmental Advisory Councils as set forth
herein.
[Amended 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 675]
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of seven
residents of Lower Providence Township. Council members shall be appointed
according to the following procedures:
A. All Council members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors
of Lower Providence Township.
B. Council members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday
in January following the last year of their term of office.
C. Council members shall serve a term of three years, except that appointments
shall be staggered so that no more than three members' terms expire
each year.
D. Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the local
planning commission.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council shall receive
no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for the
expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in performance
of their duties, provided that such expenses have been preapproved
by the Board of Supervisors. The Council may not contract separately
for professional or vendor services but shall have access to Township
professional services.
The Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory to and
shall coordinate its activities with the Board of Supervisors.
[Amended 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 675]
The Environmental Advisory Council will have a Chairperson who
shall be elected by Council membership annually during the first meeting
of each calendar year. All other officers shall likewise be elected
by Council membership.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following
powers:
A. Identify environmental issues and recommend plans and programs to
the Board of Supervisors for the promotion and conservation of the
natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality
of the environment within Lower Providence Township.
B. Promote community programs that build environmental literacy among
Township residents, community organizations and businesses.
C. Upon request of the Board of Supervisors, to keep an index of all
open space areas, publicly or privately owned, including flood-prone
areas, swamps and other unique natural areas, for the purpose of obtaining
information on the proper use of those areas.
D. Upon request of the Board of Supervisors, to make recommendations
regarding the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift,
purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise, or lease, in matters pertaining
to the protection, conservation, management, promotion and use of
the natural resources of the Township.
E. To undertake such environmental tasks as requested by the Board of
Supervisors of Lower Providence Township.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its
meetings and activities and shall make an annual report which shall
be printed and made available to the public. Minutes of each meeting
shall be forwarded to the governing body.
The Lower Providence Township Board of Supervisors may, from
time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental
Advisory Council.