[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
The City of Erie Environmental Advisory Council (hereinafter "EAC") heretofore created to assist City Council and the Mayor in researching and addressing environmental issues affecting the City of Erie.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
The EAC shall be composed of seven residents of the City of Erie. Members shall be appointed in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) 
Four members shall be appointed by City Council.
(b) 
Three members shall be appointed by the Mayor.
(c) 
EAC members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their respective terms.
(d) 
Duly appointed EAC members shall serve a term of three years, except that initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire each year.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
The initial members of the EAC shall prepare proposed bylaws to govern the function and duties of the EAC. The proposed bylaws shall be submitted to City Council for review and approval.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
A Chairperson shall be designated by the EAC members in accordance with their bylaws.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
The EAC is a strictly advisory committee and shall have no legal powers. Each year, City Council and the Mayor will identify specific environmental issues for which it needs the assistance of the EAC. The EAC shall research the identified environmental issues and make recommendations on how best to address those issues. Specifically, the EAC shall recommend plans and programs for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment in the City of Erie. In addition, the EAC shall make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas in the City of Erie; promote a community environmental program; keep an index of all open 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; and advise in the acquisition of both real and personal property by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
Meetings of the EAC shall be held at least quarterly and shall be open to the public. The EAC shall make an annual report of their activities, which shall be made available to the public.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
EAC members shall receive no compensation for their services. EAC appointees shall, prior to commencement of service, disclose all potential conflicts of interest with service on the EAC. EAC members with conflicts shall not participate or vote on any matter affected by the conflict. Members found to not properly disclose conflicts of interest or those found to seek personal gain from service shall be ineligible to serve on the EAC.
[Ord. No. 1-2023, passed 1-4-2023]
The EAC shall continue in existence until this article is amended or vacated.