[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Hellam 7-20-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-05. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Agricultural Advisory Committee to be known as the "Hellam Township Advisory Committee" (hereinafter referred to in this chapter as "Committee") is hereby created and established for the Township of Hellam.
The Committee shall consist of an odd number of not less than three or more than five residents of Hellam Township, appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Hellam Township. Membership to the Committee shall consist of a majority on the Committee with farming backgrounds; no more than one nonfarmer resident can serve on a three-member Committee and two nonfarmer residents can serve on a five-member Committee. All members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors and may be removed and replaced by the Board of Supervisors at any time.
Members of the Committee shall serve a term of three years except that the initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire on December 31 of each year. Members may resign at any time by providing written notice to the Board of Supervisors.
A. 
The purpose of the Committee shall be as follows:
(1) 
Identify obstacles facing farmers in the Township Code and proposed ordinances and provide recommended solutions to the Board of Supervisors for the future of agriculture in Hellam Township to remain bright and prosperous.
(2) 
To develop agricultural awareness programs for Township and area residents.
(3) 
To promote agritourism and agricultural businesses within Hellam Township and with regionally neighboring municipalities.
(4) 
To work with Eastern York County School District and local nongovernmental agencies (i.e., FFA, 4H, Grange, etc.) in enhancing agricultural educational outreach programs to the community.
(5) 
To identify prime agricultural soils in Hellam Township for preservation efforts.
(6) 
To maintain an index of all open space and preserved areas in the Township, including a catalog of available transferable development rights.
(7) 
To consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Environmental Protection Agency and other local, state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations on agricultural issues affecting Hellam Township.
(8) 
To perform any other duties assigned to it by the Board of Supervisors.
B. 
In performing the above functions, the Committee shall not exercise any powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred upon any other agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Hellam Township.
The Committee shall annually elect a Chairperson and Secretary and create and fill such other offices as they may determine to be necessary.
The Committee shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon the call of the Chairperson or as directed by the Board of Supervisors. All meetings shall be publically advertised and open for public comment.
A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. An affirmative vote of the majority of the quorum present is necessary to conduct business.
The Committee shall keep written minutes of its meetings and records of its activities and shall report the same to the Board of Supervisors.
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Committee in accordance with the annual budget. Appropriations may be expanded for such administrative, clerical, printing, engineering, planning and legal services as may from time to time be required and approved by the Board of Supervisors.