An Environmental Advisory Council is hereby created, consisting of five members appointed by the Borough Council, one of whom may be a member of the Borough Council, of the Borough Planning Commission, and of either the Parks and Recreation Board or the Shade Tree Commission, and all of whom shall be residents of New Hope Borough.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of New Hope 5-16-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-01. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The term of office of each Environmental Advisory Council member shall be three years or until appointment of his/her successor, except that the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:
B.
Borough Council shall designate the Chairperson of the Environmental Advisory Council.
C.
Members may resign at any time upon providing written notice to Borough Council.
D.
A vacancy on the Environmental Advisory Council occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, when authorized in advance by the Borough Council.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the following powers:
A.
To identify existing, or reasonably anticipated, environmental problems and/or concerns and recommend plans and programs to the Borough Council or the Borough Manager, including, and as set forth in the preamble above,[1] for the promotion and conservation of natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within the territorial limits of the Borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: A complete copy of Ordinance No. 2024-01 (which enacted this chapter), including the preamble, is on file in the Borough offices.
B.
To make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas of the Borough.
C.
To develop, recommend, and, when authorized, create and promote a community environmental program designed to enhance public awareness of environmental issues affecting the Borough and surrounding communities, the alternatives available to address such issues and the impact each alternative may have upon the environment and the development of the region.
D.
To advise the appropriate local governmental agencies, including but not limited to the Borough's Planning Commission, the Park and Recreation Board, the Mayor, and Borough Council, in the acquisition of property, both real and personal, by gift, purchase, grant, bequest, easement, devise or lease in matters dealing with the purposes of this chapter.
E.
To advise Borough Council on issues of emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy and water conservation.
F.
To work cooperatively with public, private, commercial, and industrial entities in the area to develop a better understanding of the potential environmental impacts of public and private sector actions and to coordinate activities to minimize any negative impacts arising therefrom.
G.
To consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Environmental Advisory Councils in neighboring jurisdictions, including in New Jersey.
H.
To perform any other activities assigned to it by Borough Council.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall not exercise its powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a federal or state agency.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall keep records of its meetings and activities, and, in addition to providing guidance and proposing actions, shall make an annual report on or before the first day of December of each year and submit said report to the Borough Council. The latter shall make this report available to the public.
The Borough Council may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Environmental Advisory Council for such administrative, clerical, training, seminars, printing, and consulting services as may be required in the exercise of the aforesaid powers.