[Adopted 8-21-1996 by Ord. No. 191]
[Amended 1-7-2008 by Ord.
No. 281]
An Environmental Advisory Council is hereby reestablished for
Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The purposes 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 Upper Makefield
Township.
A.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall be composed of between five
and seven residents of Upper Makefield Township who shall be appointed
by the Board of Supervisors.
B.
The Board of Supervisors shall fill all vacancies.
C.
Members of the Environmental Advisory Council shall be from as many
different regions of the Township as possible.
[Amended 1-7-2008 by Ord.
No. 281]
A.
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 1/3 of the membership shall
expire each year, and the terms of their successors shall be three
years each.
B.
If the initial Council consists of five members, then the terms of
one member shall expire on December 31, 1996, two members on December
31, 1997, and two on December 31, 1998. If the initial Council consists
of six members, then the terms of two members shall expire on December
31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. If the initial Council consists
of seven members, then the terms of two shall expire on December 31,
1996, two on December 31, 1997 and three on December 31, 1998.
C.
Members may resign at any time with written notice to the Board of
Supervisors.
D.
Members may be removed by the Board of Supervisors, with or without
the recommendation of a majority of the other 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.
E.
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.
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.
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 Upper Makefield Township.
B.
To make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas
within Upper Makefield.
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 or 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.
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 New Jersey) in neighboring municipalities and
any other appropriate county, state and federal agencies and nongovernmental
organizations on environmental issues affecting Upper Makefield 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.
A.
The Chairman of the Council shall be appointed annually by the Board
of Supervisors. The Council may select its own Vice Chair and Secretary.
B.
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.
C.
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.
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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 1109, Sunset provision,
was repealed 1-7-2008 by Ord. No. 281.
