The Upper Providence Township Board of Supervisors hereby establishes
an Environmental Advisory Council in accordance with the provisions
of 53 Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2321 through 2329, relating to environmental
advisory councils, except, however, that the powers of the Council
are limited to those set forth in this chapter.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of five
residents of Upper 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 Upper 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 initial appointments shall be staggered
so that two members serve three-year terms, two members serve two-year
terms, and one member serves a one-year term.
D. The five members of the Council
shall include a member of the Parks and Recreation Board, a member
of the Upper Providence Township Municipal Authority, and a member
of the Township Planning Commission.
E. The Council shall include a Chairperson
appointed by the Board of Supervisors. A Vice Chairperson and Secretary
shall be elected by the members of the Council.
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 shall have the power to:
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 Upper Providence
Township.
B. With the prior approval of the
Board of Supervisors, promote community programs that build environmental
literacy among Township residents, community organizations and businesses.
C. Upon request of the Board of Supervisors,
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,
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. Undertake such environmental tasks
as requested by the Board of Supervisors of Upper Providence Township.
F. The Council has no powers, express
or implied, that are other than as set forth here. Any action that
is other than a direct recommendation to the Board of Supervisors,
including but not limited to community outreach programs, requires
the express approval of the Board of Supervisors. Expenditures other
than for routine supplies and materials must be approved by the Board
of Supervisors.
G. Members of the Council shall not
state or imply at any time that they are speaking for or on behalf
of the Board of Supervisors, unless the Supervisors have expressly
authorized or requested such.
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 Board of Supervisors.
The Upper Providence Township Board of Supervisors may, from
time to time, appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental
Advisory Council.