[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Hellam 9-15-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-8. Amendments noted where applicable.]
An environmental advisory council, to be known as the "Hellam Township Environmental Advisory Council," (hereinafter referred to in this chapter as "Council") is hereby created and established for the Township of Hellam.
The Council shall consist of an odd number of not less that three nor more than seven residents of Hellam Township, appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Hellam Township. 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
A. 
Members of the Council shall serve a term of three years, except that the initial appointments shall be so staggered that the terms of approximately one-third of the membership shall expire on December 31st of each year. Members may resign at any time by providing written notice of the Board of Supervisors.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties, provided that the expenses have had prior approval of the Board of Supervisors.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C. 
The Board of Supervisors may also appoint at least one but not more than three alternate members of the Council. The term of an alternate member shall be three years. All alternate members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors and may resign, or be removed and replaced by the Board of Supervisors at any time.
[Added 4-3-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-4]
D. 
Alternate members shall be entitled to attend and participate in all proceedings and discussions of the Council. The Chairperson of the Council may designate alternate members as voting members to replace any absent or disqualified member, and shall do so if necessary to obtain or maintain a quorum of the Council, provided that the number of voting members of the Council at all proceedings shall be an odd number. If more than one alternate member is appointed to the Council, designation of voting alternates shall be on a meeting-by-meeting basis in rotation according to declining seniority among all alternates present at that meeting.
[Added 4-3-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-4]
E. 
In the event that an alternate member has been designated as a voting member, the alternate shall retain all voting rights during the meeting or proceeding, even if a regular member shall arrive late or otherwise. In such situation, the regular member arriving late shall not have voting powers at the meeting, but may participate in all further proceedings and discussions of the Council.
[Added 4-3-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-4]
The purpose of the Council shall be as follows:
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 with Hellam Township, consistent with the Township Comprehensive Plan.
B. 
If requested by the Board of Supervisors, to make recommendations as to the possible use of open land areas within Hellam Township.
C. 
To develop community environmental education awareness programs for Township residents.
D. 
To work with schools and environmental groups such as the Eastern York County School District and the Pennsylvania Environmental Advisory Council in enhancing community environmental education programs.
E. 
To maintain an index of all open space and environmentally sensitive areas, publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to flood-prone areas, swamps, wetlands, and other unique natural areas and features.
F. 
To consult with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Advisory Councils in other municipalities and any other appropriate county, state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations on environmental issues affecting Hellam Township.
G. 
To perform any other duties assigned to it by the Board of Supervisors.
H. 
In performing the above functions, the Council shall not exercise and powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred upon any other agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or Hellam Township.
The Board of Supervisors shall annually appoint a Chairperson. The members of the Council shall annually elect a Secretary and create and fill such other offices as they may determine to be necessary.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
The Council shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon the call of the Chairperson or as directed by the Board of Supervisors.
A majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum. An affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present is necessary to conduct any business.
The Council 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 Council in accordance with an annual budget. Appropriations may be expended 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.