[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 1]
An Environmental Advisory Council (herein after
referred to as the "Council") is hereby established for Lower Macungie
Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 2]
The purposes of the Council shall be to advise
local governmental agencies including, but not limited to: the Board
of Commissioners, the Planning Commission, and the Parks and Recreation
Board, 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
Lower Macungie Township.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 3]
1.
The Council shall be composed of between five and
seven residents of Lower Macungie Township who shall be appointed
by the Board of Commissioners.
2.
The Board of Commissioners shall fill all vacancies.
3.
Whenever possible, one member of the Council shall
also be a member of the Lower Macungie Township Planning Commission.
4.
Whenever possible, the Lower Macungie Parks and Recreation
Board and the Board of Commissioners shall each appoint a liaison
to the Council who shall attend the meetings of the Council but shall
not be considered a voting member of the Council.
5.
Members shall be from as many different regions of
the Township as possible.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 4]
1.
Members of the 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.
If the initial Council consists of five members, then
the terms of one member shall expire on December 31, 2009, two members
on December 31, 2010, and two members on December 31, 2011. If the
initial Council consists of six members, then the terms of two members
shall expire on December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, respectively. If the
initial Council consists of seven members, then the terms of two shall
expire on December 31, 2009, two on December 31, 2010 and three on
December 31, 2011.
3.
Members' terms of office shall expire on the first
Monday in January following the last year of their term in office.
4.
Members may resign at any time upon providing written
notice to the Board of Commissioners.
5.
Members may be removed by the Board of Commissioners,
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.
6.
The Board of Commissioners shall appoint successors
to members who resign or are removed to serve for the remaining term
of the former member or members.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 5]
Members of 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
Commissioners.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 6]
1.
The Environmental Advisory Council shall have the
following specific powers:
A.
To identify environmental problems and issues.
B.
To recommend plans and programs to the Board of Commissioners
for the promotion and conservation of the natural resources and the
protection and improvement of the quality of the environment within
Lower Macungie Township.
C.
To make recommendations as to the selection, acquisition,
and use of open space within Lower Macungie Township, when directed
to do so by the Board of Commissioners.
D.
To promote a community environmental program.
E.
To keep an index of all open space and environmentally
sensitive areas, publicly or privately owned including, but not limited
to, flood-prone areas, wetlands, and other unique natural areas for
the purpose of obtaining information on the proper use of such areas.
F.
To advise the Board of Commissioners 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.
G.
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 other appropriate county, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental
organizations on environmental issues affecting Lower Macungie Township
and its neighbors.
H.
To advise the Board of Commissioners upon issues of
energy conservation.
I.
Assist in the creation and maintenance of an environmental
map of the Township and the surrounding areas.
J.
To review all subdivision and land development plans
filed with the Township and provide comments and recommendations regarding
such plans to the Board of Commissioners.
K.
To perform any other duties assigned to it by the
Board of Commissioners but not to exercise any powers or perform any
duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon a state agency.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 7]
1.
The Chair of the Council shall be appointed annually
by the Board of Commissioners. The Council may select its own Vice
Chair and Secretary.
2.
The Council shall meet at least monthly and at other
times as directed by the Board of Commissioners. 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 Commissioners
which shall be printed in the annual municipal report or, if none,
be made known and available to the public.
[Ord. 2009-3, 4/2/2009, § 8]
The Board of Commissioners may appropriate funds
for the expenses incurred by the Council in accordance with the Township
annual budget. Appropriations may be expended for such administrative,
clerical, printing, training, and professional services as may from
time to time be required and approved by the Board of Commissioners
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 Commissioners, be placed in a conservation fund and
allowed to accumulate from year to year or be expended in any year.
