[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 1]
An Environmental Advisory Council is hereby established for East Vincent Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 2]
The purpose of the Environmental Advisory Council shall be to advise local governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Park and Recreation Board and the Agricultural Security Area Advisory Committee on matters dealing with the protection, conservation, management, promotion, acquisition and use of natural resources, including air, land, water and open space resources located within or affecting East Vincent Township.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 3]
1. 
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of five residents of East Vincent Township who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
[Amended by Ord. No. 243, 5/4/2022]
2. 
The Board of Supervisors shall fill all vacancies.
3. 
Whenever possible, one member shall also be a member of the East Vincent Planning Commission.
4. 
Members shall be from as many different regions of the Township as possible.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 4]
1. 
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council (henceforth "Council") shall serve for a term of three years except that the initial appointments shall be so staggered that approximately one-third of the membership shall expire each year, and the terms of their successors shall be three years each.
2. 
[1]Members may resign at any time with written notice to the Board of Supervisors.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection 2, regarding terms, was repealed by Ord. No. 243, 5/4/2022. This ordinance also renumbered former Subsections 3 through 5 as Subsections 2 through 4, respectively.
3. 
Members may be removed by the Board of Supervisors, with or without the recommendation of a majority of the other Council members, for malfeasance or neglect in the performance of their duties. Failure to attend either three consecutive regularly scheduled meetings or four regularly scheduled meetings during a twelve-month period shall constitute neglect.
4. 
The Board of Supervisors shall appoint successors to members who resign or are removed to serve for the remaining term of the member or members.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 5]
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services, but they may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, provided that the expenses have the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 6]
1. 
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following specific powers:
A. 
To identify environmental problems 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 East Vincent Township.
B. 
Subject to the Park and Recreation Board's duties regarding parks and open space, to make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas within East Vincent Township.
C. 
To promote a community environmental program.
D. 
To keep an index of all open space and environmentally sensitive areas, publicly or privately owned, including but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps and other unique natural areas for the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
E. 
To advise the Board of Supervisors and other Township agencies as to the acquisition of property, both real and personal and rights thereto, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease in matters consistent with the purpose of the Council.
F. 
If so requested by the Board of Supervisors, to consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Advisory Councils (or their equivalents in Pennsylvania) in neighboring municipalities and any other appropriate County, State and Federal agencies and non-governmental organizations on environmental issues affecting East Vincent Township and its neighbors.
G. 
To perform any other duties assigned to it by the Board of Supervisors but not to exercise any powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a State agency.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 7]
1. 
The chairman of the Council shall be designated by the Board of Supervisors as such and shall continue to serve as chairman throughout his or her term unless the Board of Supervisors shall, at any annual reorganizational meeting, designate a different chairman. The Council may select its own vice-chairman and secretary.
2. 
The Council shall meet at least monthly and at other times as directed by the Board of Supervisors. Said meetings shall be advertised and open to the public.
3. 
The Council shall keep written records of its meetings and activities and shall make an annual report to the Board of Supervisors which shall be printed in the annual municipal report or, if none, be made known and available to the public.
[Ord. 168, 3/19/2003, § 8]
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Council in accordance with an annual budget. Appropriations may be expended for such administrative, clerical, printing and legal services as may from time to time be required and approved by the Board of Supervisors and shall be within the limits of the annual budget. The whole or any part of any funds so appropriated in any year may with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, be placed in a conservation fund and allowed to accumulate from year to year or be expended in any year.