MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                                   LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                     MARCH 26, 2018

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
H. Edward Black, President	Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Jack R. Simpson Jr., Vice President	Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Richard F. Schin	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Carolyn Holtzman	Daniel Flint, Community Development
Dean W. Vilone	John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Richard Grove, Finance Director
	Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
	Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

President Black called the March 26, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:02 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.

MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 12, 2018 meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

RESOLUTION 2018-R-11 RECOGNIZING KENNETH ROCUSKIE -35 YEARS OF SERVICE.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-R-11 recognizing Kenneth Rocuskie for 35 years of service. Vice President SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS – Length of Service
President Black read a commendation letter for Carole O’Keefe recognizing her five years of service as a CSO/Crossing Guard.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
Mr. Jin Kim asked to speak on item 11b.

CONSENT AGENDA
President Black asked that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion request so now. There was no response.

Vice President SIMPSON made a motion to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
          1. Awarding a contract to Kinsley Construction, Inc. for the 2018 Street Pavement Recycling and Resurfacing Project at the unit prices bid, for a total estimated amount of $569,984.00.
          2. Department Reports for the month of February for Assistant Manager, Community Development, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety.

Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Check Register of March 16, 2018 in the amount of $334,864.71. Commissioner VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ORDINANCE 2018-01, Land Acquisition for Flood Plain Management.
Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2018-01, authorizing the acquisition of land owned by Joseph B. Catrambone, Jr. for Flood Plain Management.

Roll Call Vote: Commissioner Holtzman – Aye
Commissioner Schin – Aye
President Black – Aye
Vice President Simpson – Aye
Commissioner Villone – Aye

Ordinance 2018-01 was approved by a 5-0 vote.

Retirement Plans—Defined Contribution vs Defined Benefit.
President Black asked that this item be moved to the end of the agenda for discussion.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.

PUBLIC SAFETY
2018 Installment Invoice for Alpine Fire Reporting and Response Software
Director Holl discussed his memo outlining the costs of the software over the next three years. He spoke about the benefits of the Alpine Fire Reporting and Response software for the Fire Companies. He discussed the invoice for 2018 and how most of it would be covered by the Fire Companies’ grants this year.

Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to approve the 2018 installation invoice for the Alpine Fire Reporting and Response Software. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Purchase a Ford Fusion Hybrid to replace LA-74
Mrs. Trone discussed her memo to replace the 2003 Ford Ranger with a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. She stated that this is a budgeted item of $24,000 and the new vehicle cost is $23,338.08.

Holding Tank for Harrisburg Korean Presbyterian Church, 1127 Slate Hill Road
Mr. Eby discussed his memo requesting the Board of Commissioners to determine that the use of a 1,000-gallon holding tank by the Harrisburg Korean Presbyterian Church, 1127 Slate Hill Road, is necessary to abate a nuisance. He stated that there isn’t a suitable area on the property to evaluate soil for possible replacement absorption area. Mr. Jin Kim, representing the church, stated that they looked at connecting to the public sewer and the cost in 2005 was $350,000. This is an expense his church can’t afford. Commissioner Villone asked if there were any negatives for doing this for the Township and Mr. Eby said no. Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to authorize the use of a holding tank by the Harrisburg Korean Presbyterian Church at 1127 Slate Hill Road to abate a nuisance and allow a permit to be issued. Vice President SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
Arcona Master Plan
Mr. Flint stated that a request was received for a reduction in improvement security for the SLD dockets listed below. He will have an inspection performed on each one and they should be ready for action at the next meeting. Below are the dockets:
           SLD Docket No. 2015-08, Arcona Highpoint Phase 1.5
           SLD Docket No. 2016-04, Arcona Highpoint Phase 1.3
           SLD Docket No. 2017-02, Arcona, Phases 2.1 and 2.2

MANAGER
Memorials in Township parks policy.
Mr. Vernau discussed his draft memo about setting a policy for memorials in the Township parks. He spoke about the requests received in the past for memorials. Vice President Simpson discussed the fence posts which could be seen as a memorial. Mr. Vernau will add language to exclude Township fundraising projects. President Black spoke about ensuring we do not burden maintenance staff with maintenance on the memorials. Discussion ensued. Mr. Vernau will make the changes discussed and email an updated draft to the Board.

Comcast Franchise Fee Agreement renegotiation
Mr. Vernau discussed the Cohen Law Group letter about engaging in Franchise Fee Agreement negotiations with Comcast. Our current Agreement expires in 2020. He spoke about the prior audits and working with the COG members to reduce the fees which are based on the number of municipalities participating. Commissioner Villone discussed the numbers for the fee and revenues for 2016 – 2018 budget. Mr. Grove stated that they expect to receive more than the budgeted amount this year. Mr. Vernau spoke about how the revenues change with adding services and people moving away from cable. Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to enter into an agreement with the Cohen Law Group for the Comcast Franchise Fee Agreement renegotiation and for the Manager to sign the engagement letter. Vice President SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Ordinance – Authorize Fire Companies to Bill for Materials and Equipment.
Mr. Vernau provided the Board a draft copy of an ordinance which would authorize the fire companies to bill for materials and equipment used during a call. He stated that these bills typically would go to the insurance company. Fire Chief Murdoch stated that Lower Allen Fire has been billing for calls for years. Recently, the insurance companies have refused to because they say that the fire company doesn’t have the authority to bill. This ordinance would provide the authority to bill. He stated that most accidents they are called out to are for nonresidents. They bill insurance companies and then the accident victims. If they are a Township resident, they accept what the insurance pays and don’t send it to collections. He stated that they do collect thousands of dollars a year on this billing.

Commissioner Villone isn’t comfortable with having residents pay the fire tax and then get billed for using the services. His belief is if there is a cost for services used for the residents than handle it through the budget process versus billing residents. Solicitor Miner stated that the ordinance would set the fees, but everyone needs to be treated the same in the ordinance. The fire company can have a policy to not send residents to collection. Discussion ensued. The Board asked for an updated draft of the ordinance be provided prior to voting.

Retirement Plans—Defined Contribution vs Defined Benefit.
President Black stated that he would like the Board to discuss the issue of Defined Contribution versus Defined Benefit plans. Vice President Simpson would like to explore the defined contribution with neutral parties. Commissioner Schin agreed and suggested Mr. Paese and provided a copy of his findings via email to the Board. He spoke about the Authority and who they use for their program. Mr. Vernau stated that he and Mr. Grove could do a basic presentation to educate the Board on both before bringing in the experts. Mr. Grove suggested bringing in an actuary who doesn’t sell the products who could bring a neutral opinion. Discussion ensued. The Board agreed to have presentations during a regular meeting of staff, Mr. Paese, and the actuary. Mr. Vernau stated that they would need about a month to prepare something and present at a public meeting.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Vice President Simpson was at a conference this weekend. He spoke about the two fires on Columbus Ave this weekend and asked if there were electrical issues that needed to be addressed. Chief Murdoch spoke about he fires and stated that they were unrelated, and no firefighters were injured. One was caused by unattended cooking and the other an electrical outlet.

Commissioner Villone spoke about the CALEA conference he attended this weekend with Director Holl and the police officers. He spoke about the pride, integrity and excitement there is with the program and our Police Department. He spoke about the patterns he saw as Police Departments sought reaccreditation. He stated that it was a great experience and understands why we participate. Director Holl was pleased and proud of the reaccreditation and the report they received which he will share with the Board. He stated that Captain Crone deserves a lot of praise for his hard work on the accreditation. Vice President Simpson asked why more PA departments don’t participate and spoke about the costs of the program. Director Holl stated that the reason more don’t participate is because they don’t want to commit. Director Holl spoke of the benefits and how it is the standard used in lawsuits. He mentioned how one wrongful death case could cost millions of dollars. He stated that the program provides standards but more importantly it provides accountability. Extensive discussion ensued. Commissioner Villone added that the majority of the hard work is completed with the system and now its maintaining it. Director Holl stated that this accreditation provides a better sense of trust in the community with the officers and has been a good recruiting tool for new officers.

Mrs. Trone stated that she will be reapplying for a grant for the Fun Fort replacement. She will be presenting a resolution at the next meeting to the Board meeting to facilitate the process.

ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:28 pm.