Board of Commissioners
12-27-16 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 27, 2016
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | TOWNSHIP STAFF |
H. Edward Black, President | Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager |
Peddrick M. Young Sr., Vice President | David Holl, Director of Public Safety |
Richard F. Schin | Richard Grove, Director of Finance |
Jack R. Simpson, Jr. | Daniel Flint, Community Development |
Carolyn Holtzman | Steven P. Miner, Solicitor |
Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary | |
President Black called the December 27, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm. He followed with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.
MEETING MINUTES
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2016 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
Mr. Tim Diehl and Mr. Joel Mitchell asked to speak on the PA American Water waiver request.
CONSENT AGENDA
President Black advised that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance could request any item on the Consent Agenda be removed for further discussion and asked if there was such request. There was no response.
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items:
- Department Reports for the month of November for Community Development, Township Engineer, Public Works, Public Safety, and Assistant Manager.
- Resolution 2016-R-39, establishing a Treasurer’s Bond for Fiscal 2017.
- Resolution 2016-R-40, establishing fees and charges authorized by various ordinances and statutes for administration of Township business in accordance with these ordinances and statutes.
- Resolution 2016-R-41, appointing Wendy M. Hayden to the position of Administrative Assistant/Event Planner, Public Works Department, effective January 1, 2017, at a starting rate of pay of $14.93 per hour.
Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Register
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of December 23, 2016 in the amount of $269,459.29. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2016-R-37 – Debt Policy for Township
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-R-37 establishing a Debt Policy for Lower Allen Township. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2016-R-38 – Investment Policy for Township
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-R-38 establishing an Investment Policy for Governmental Funds for Lower Allen Township. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Ordinance 2016-05-2017 Budget
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to enact Ordinance 2016-05, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the municipal government, hereinafter set forth, during the fiscal year 2017.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
President Black – Aye
Vice President Young -Aye
Commissioner Simpson – Aye
Ordinance 2016-05 was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Ordinance 2016-06-2017 Tax Rates
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to enact Ordinance 2015-06, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township fixing the tax rates for the year 2017. Mr. Young notes that the General Fund rate is 1.6 mills, Debt Service is .41 mills, Fire Services is .44 mills, and Street Light assessments are $.11 per front foot for unseated property and $.44 per front foot for seated property. He also noted there are no tax increases in the 2017 Budget.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Simpson – Aye
Vice President Young -Aye
President Black – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Ordinance 2016-06 was approved by a 5-0 vote.
Ordinance 2016-07– Compensation for Township Manager
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to enact Ordinance 2015-07, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen amending the Codified Ordinances of Lower Allen Township, 1997, as amended, at Section 32-7, Compensation of the Township Manager.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Simpson – Aye
Vice President Young -Aye
President Black – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Ordinance 2016-07 was approved by a 5-0 vote.
APPOINTMENTS & REAPPOINTMENTS
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to hold over Gordon E. Wilson as a member of the Lower Allen Township Authority until the regular public meeting scheduled for January 9, 2017. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to appoint Commissioner Richard F. Schin to the Lower Allen Township Authority to complete the unexpired term of Robert J. Moore until December 31, 2020. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0-1. Commissioner Schin abstained.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PA American Water Waiver and Modification Request
Mr. Flint stated that PA American Water (PAWC) is proposing to build a new office building adjacent to their existing facility at 852 Wesley Drive. They are requesting modifications and waivers before they submit a formal plan. He stated that they are requesting a waiver on curbing. He explained the ordinance and the recent change with PennDOT, who has been more stringent in their discouragement of curb on state highways. He spoke about how it affects the drainage system and best management practices with stormwater. He spoke about the waiver with sidewalks being requested. He spoke about the Wesley Drive Corridor and the PAWC sidewalk being proposed. He showed the Board the location of the site and the sidewalks paths. He stated that the Planning Commission voted in favor of these requests.
Mr. Joel Mitchell, PAWC, stated that they purchased property in June adjacent to their existing facility. He stated that they are moving the corporate office from Hershey to this location. Mr. Tim Diehl, Engineer, showed the Board the sketch plan which would be combining two parcels into one. He spoke about the garage, parking, and storage. He spoke about the request for waiver for curbing on Wesley Drive and installing a bituminous path parallel to the road. He spoke about the three drainage points for property including connecting to an existing 18-inch piping system. President Black asked if the Township would be responsible for the 18-inch pipe. Mr. Flint stated that he doesn’t think so since it is already existing. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the waiver and modification request regarding curb and sidewalk associated with Pa. American Water Capital Campus Expansion at 852 Wesley Drive. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
MANAGER
Community Lifeteam 2017-2018 ALS Agreement
Mr. Vernau spoke about the history of the agreement between the Township and Community Lifeteam. He stated that the contract is up for renewal. The contract would be for two years. He stated that there were successive 4 and 3 percent increases in the hourly rate. He stated that they can no longer roll supply costs into the labor rate so we will be billed for supplies separately with a 5% administrative fee. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Community Lifeteam 2017-2018 ALS agreement as presented and written. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Employee Recognitions
Mr. Vernau provided the Board a list of employees that will be honored for their years of service at the next meeting.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Vice President Young spoke about the recent 18-wheeler truck that came down Beaver Road. He spoke about how neighbors had to move cars for the truck to get through. He asked if a No Trucks sign could be installed. Discussion ensued. Mr. Flint will look into putting a sign up restricting the number of axles.
Solicitor Miner spoke about an item that will be included in the next packet. He thanked the Board for a great year.
Director Holl stated that Mr. Tim Cox has met the criteria for police officer. He starts in March 2017. He stated that the new ambulance has arrived and passed the licensure this week and it should be in service shortly.
President Black spoke about Mr. Jack Garner from PML who passed away this week. He spoke about his service and work.
ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:01 pm.