Board of Commissioners
5-8-17 Minutes
MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING MAY 8, 2017
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | TOWNSHIP STAFF |
| H. Edward Black, President | Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager |
| Richard F. Schin | Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager |
| Carolyn Holtzman | David Holl, Director of Public Safety |
| Jack Simpson | John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator |
| Richard Grove, Finance Manager | |
| Steven P. Miner, Solicitor | |
| Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary |
President Black called the May 8, 2017 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm. He followed with a prayer and the Pledge of the Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review. Vice President Young was absent with excuse.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the April 24, 2017 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
BUILDING SAFETY MONTH PRESENTATION
Mr. Eby thanked the Board for passing the resolution for Building Safety Month. He spoke about the job of the code enforcement officers and inspectors. He spoke about them partnering with builders/developers and Public Safety to work together for safer buildings. He thanked the Board for their commitment to training and further education, including certifications. He spoke about the following members of his staff:
- Richard Lehigh – works primarily on the residential side and assists on the Commercial side
- David Yount – works on the commercial side and is a master code professional.
- Bill Yeagley – works as the Township’s fire code administrator.
- Corisa Kidman – works with enforcing the codes.
Mr. Bill Yeagley spoke about his department being the “silent defenders”. He stated that last year they completed 860 permits, up from 679 in 2015. He spoke about the Community outreach they do including National Night Out, assisting with a biochar burn, preplanning for potential building fires, cross-training public safety officers to be Certified Fire Inspectors, and code training for firefighters. He showed the Board a picture of some of the bad wiring they have seen during their inspections, a deck collapse and a structure fire.
Mr. David Yount showed the Board an example of plans received at the Township, which can be up to 75-80 pages. He stated that he reviews each page and stamps them, ensuring it is up to code. He spoke about the reviews done on plans. He stated that Lower Allen is the only Township in Cumberland County where all the reviews of plans are done in-house. He spoke about going on-site to inspect up to an hour a day per site to ensure the foundation for the building, including wiring, plumbing, cement and other items are correct. He spoke about working together as a team within the department. He and Mr. Yeagley spoke about existing buildings and use changes and how it can impact a building and safety. Discussion ensued. President Black thanked them for a great presentation and for the quality they bring to the job. He is sure lives are saved because of their work. The other Commissioners joined in thanking these gentlemen as well.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
There was no response.
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:
a. Awarding the Rear Parking Lot Visual Barrier project to Millcreek Fence & Decks, LLC of Bird In Hand, PA, for the amount $21,785.00.
b. Adopt Resolution 2017-R-13, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County Pennsylvania, approving the destruction of certain Township records in accordance with the Pennsylvania Records Retention Schedule.
c. Tax Collector’s April 2017 monthly report.
Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Check Register of April 28, 2017 in the amount of $692,535.49. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve Manual Check Register of April in the amount of $23,343.24 and Voided Check Register of April in the amount of $ 289.87. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Ordinance 2017-05, Amusement Devices
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to enact Ordinance 2017-05, an Ordinance of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, amending the Code of the Township of Lower Allen, 1997 by amending Chapter 63, Amusement Devices, by amending the license application procedure, placing a cap on the license fee, and modifying the restrictions for minors and prizes.
Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
President Black – Aye
Commissioner Simpson – Aye
Ordinance 2017-05 was approved by a 4-0 vote.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Resolution 2017-R-14 – National Police Week
Director Holl stated that there are approximately 900,000 sworn officers in the United States. He stated that in the past ten years, 1,512 were killed in the line of duty, with 46 already in 2017. He spoke about the resolution to proclaim National Police Week for the week beginning May 15th.
Commissioner SIMPSON made a motion to adopt Resolution 2017-R-14, proclaiming the week of May 15th, 2017 as 2017 National Police Week. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Zoning Hearing Board Report
Mr. Eby discussed Docket #2017-02, which was the application for a variance for a setback for an outdoor advertising sign at 4840 Gettysburg Road. The Solicitor did attend and the Zoning Hearing Board denied their request. There are no new dockets for May.
Drainage Plan No. DP 2017-01, 3432 Lisburn Road
Mr. Eby showed the Board the location of the new home site for the drainage plan on Lisburn Road. He stated that a drainage plan will need to be approved and recorded. This plan will come to the Board for approval at a later date.
Drainage Plan No. DP 2017-02, 1 Hartzdale Drive
Mr. Eby showed the Board the location of the new home site for the drainage plan on Hartzdale Drive. He stated that a drainage plan will need to be approved and recorded. This plan will come to the Board for approval at a later date. The Board was concerned about the location of the proposed house. Discussion ensued.
Amended Installation and Maintenance agreement for a Small Flow Treatment Facility
Mr. Eby discussed the Amended Installation and Maintenance agreement for a Small Flow Treatment Facility for 1852 Sheepford Road. He provided the background and history of working with the owner on this issue. He spoke about the actions taken recently, including suspending the discharge license. He stated that holding tanks as a temporary solution has allowed the tenants to return to the property. He stated that he is working with the owner to get the quarterly inspections completed which will continue through the first quarter of 2018 per the amended agreement. His goal is to get the system back and running according to code and then allow the temporary tanks to be removed. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to authorize the Township to sign the Amended Installation and Maintenance agreement for a Small Flow Treatment Facility for 1852 Sheepford Road. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
FINANCE
Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Update
Mr. Grove provided the Board a memo on the OPEB which are given to full-time police officers in the form of retirement healthcare. An actuarial valuation is performed every three years and he provided the results of the recent valuation to the Board. There is a large increase in the liability, which is due to an increase in active members. There were 16 officers in 2014 and 20 in 2017. There was also a higher-than-expected increase is the retiree healthcare premiums. He stated that the shortfall for 2017 is about $361,000. Mr. Grove stated that it doesn’t have to be fully funded each year, however, the cost grows. He stated that currently there is a 9% return on investments, which is compounded for the fund. Mr. Vernau spoke about this being a bargaining item and the trend years ago was to provide it. The trend now is to take it away because of the high costs. He stated that the healthcare premium rebates received by the Township have been going toward this liability. Discussion ensued. Mr. Grove stated that he brought this to the Board to plant a seed, as this may be part of the discussions for the 2018 budget process. He stated that in the long run, the lowest cost solution is to put the money in each year.
MANAGER
Resolution 2017-R-12, Supporting Rehabilitation of the Slate Hill Road
Mr. Vernau spoke about the resolution by Fairview Township in supporting the rehabilitation of the Slate Hill Road Bridge. The Commissioners had directed staff to draft a similar resolution, which was included in the packets. Discussion ensued.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve Resolution 2017-R-12, supporting rehabilitation of the Slate Hill Road Bridge and overweight vehicle restriction measures. Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Leave Accrual and Holiday Pay for Public Safety Officers
Mr. Vernau spoke about the change for EMTs to an 8-hour day versus 7.5 hours. He spoke about changing the Personnel Manual and realizing the PSOs are working 12 to 8 hour days and submitting leave for 7.5 hours, per the manual. He asked the Board for permission to change the personnel manual to recognize 8-hour leave days versus 7.5 hours for PSOs in addition to EMTs.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to amend the personnel manual leave accrual and holiday pay for the Public Safety Officers to 8 hours from 7.5 hours. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Senate Bill No. 269
Mr. Vernau discussed Senate Bill No. 269, which would move the UCC Building Code Officials training from the DCED to the Department of Labor and Industry. He spoke about the issues with this and asked the Board’s input on sending a letter opposing this part of the Bill. The Board agreed and Mr. Vernau will include a copy of the letter in the next packet.
Goodwill Industries
Mr. Vernau was approached by Goodwill Industries about placing a donation box outside the Township Municipal Services Center. He spoke of his concerns with a donation box regarding dumping and the request for additional boxes from other charities to be placed on the property. The Board agreed with these concerns and were not in favor of the box being placed at the MSC. Mr. Vernau spoke about their conversation and how maybe next year the Township could consider hiring some of their workers for the summer maintenance, grass cutting, and building maintenance.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Vernau discussed the Pension Committee meeting held last week. He stated that they decided to keep the investment mix at 60/40 and reevaluate it in six months.
Commissioner Simpson spoke to a representative from Northern York, and they were speaking about a grant for automatic license plate readers/checks. Director Holl stated that these are a result of the change in PA car registration and some municipalities have received them. He spoke about some of the issues with them currently and stated that they would wait until grants are available to obtain one.
Commissioner Schin asked if there are notes from the Development Authority meetings. Mrs. Trone stated that yes and they are posted on the web and Facebook and she includes information in her monthly report. He asked about blue and green ink being marked on the road in Windsor Park. Mr. Eby stated that that would appear to be a PA One Call marking, as blue is for water had green is for sewer. Commissioner Schin asked about a resident’s concern about a barking dog while they try to entertain in their back yard. Director Holl stated that if it is for an extended time, they should call in and an officer can approach the home and if they hear it can take care of it.
Director Holl stated that the Township has received approximately $97,000 for the snow storm Jonas this past week. He spoke about the use of force simulator being installed and how Officer Thomas and Scot Emerson are working to get it installed. He stated that once it is installed and previewed by the Board he would like to invite the press to come in and see the product.
Mrs. Trone spoke about Visioning Week last week with about 60 participants. They have received about 650 surveys, and the results should be ready for the next Comprehensive Plan meeting on May 31st. She stated that this would be her last meeting for a while as she will be out on maternity leave soon.
President Black congratulated former Public Safety Director Frank Williamson on his appointment as Lower Swatara Township Manager.
ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:50 p.m. for the following personnel discussion:
a. Police Association collective bargaining demand letter.