[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Lower Gwynedd 11-28-2017 by Ord. No. 517. Amendments noted where applicable.]
STATUTORY REFERENCES
Environmental Advisory Council — See
53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2322.
GENERAL REFERENCES
Employees generally — See Ch. 290.
The Lower Gwynedd Township Environmental Advisory Council (hereinafter
"Council") is hereby created, having the powers and operating procedures
set forth in this chapter. The Council shall continue in existence
until such time as this chapter is amended or revoked.
(a)
The
Environmental Advisory Council is to be advisory only and shall coordinate
its activities with the Township Manager, the Board of Supervisors
and Planning Commission and such other Township staff and officials
as shall be deemed advisable by the Board of Supervisors.
[Added 1-26-2021 by Ord. No. 525]
(a)
The Council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Township Board
of Supervisors and shall have such responsibilities as may be assigned
by this chapter or as may be assigned from time to time by the Board
of Supervisors.
(b)
The Council may identify environmental problems and recommend plans
and programs to the Township for the promotion and conservation of
natural resources and for the protection and improvement of the quality
of the environment within the Township.
(c)
The Council may, from time to time, make recommendations as to the
possible use of open land areas of the Township.
(d)
The Council shall promote a community environmental program, with
particular emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and nonrecycled waste.
(e)
The Council shall be tasked to keep an index of all open space 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)
The Council may, upon request, give advice to the Board of Supervisors
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 the
Township.
(a)
The Council shall be composed of at least five, but no more than
seven, residents of the Township who shall be appointed by the Board
of Supervisors. Any vacancies in the membership of the Council shall
be filled by the Board of Supervisors.
(b)
Duly appointed Council members shall serve for a term of three years,
except that the initial appointments to the Council shall be so staggered
that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the membership shall expire
each year, the terms of their successors to be three years each. Council
members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January
following the last year of their term of office.
(c)
The Board of Supervisors shall designate the chairman of the Council.
The Council may elect such other officers having specific responsibilities
as determined necessary to effectively carry out the authority granted
under this chapter.
[Amended 1-26-2021 by Ord. No. 525]
(d)
Members may be removed by the Board of Supervisors in its discretion,
with or without the recommendation of a majority of the other Council
members, for malfeasance or other neglect in the performance of their
duties.
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their
services, but may be reimbursed for the expenses actually and necessarily
incurred by them in the performance of their duties. Expense reimbursements
shall require the prior approval of the Township Manager.
The Council shall keep regular minutes of their meetings and
may, upon request, submit an annual report of its activities to the
Township.
