@LowerAllenCops
LA EMS Facebook
@LowerAllenDPS
Lower Allen Township Facebook

News Post

Home»Board of Commissioners Minutes»Board of Commissioners
9-10-18 Minutes

Board of Commissioners
9-10-18 Minutes

 MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                         LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                         SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Edward Black, President                                             Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager

Richard F. Schin                                                                   Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager

Carolyn Holtzman                                                                  David Holl, Public Safety Director

Dean W. Villone                                                                    Leon Crone, Police Captain

                                                                                               Dan Flint, Public Works Director

                                                                                               John Eby, Building & Zoning Coordinator

                                                                                               Richard Grove, Finance Director

                                                                                               Steven P. Miner, Solicitor

                                                                                               Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary

 

President Black called the September 10, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.  Vice President Jack Simpson was absent with excuse.

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 27, 2018 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.  

 PRESENTATION: 

Public Safety Director Dave Holl introduced the police department staffing study entitled “Staffing Proposal, 2019 and Beyond” which was completed by Police Captain Leon Crone.  Mr. Holl spoke about the goals of maintaining acceptable response times for calls, providing high quality training of staff, and providing staff with the equipment needed to do their jobs.  Captain Crone then presented the study highlighting the history of the Lower Allen Township Police Department as it looked in 1995 compared to now.  One of the biggest changes is the number of dispatched calls in 1995 which was 5300, as compared to 2016 which was 17,194 dispatched calls.  This is a 168% increase.  He stated that improvements in technology have helped staff keep up with the increased demand, but we have reached maximum potential that technology can provide for the officers and staff.  Both residential and commercial populations continue to increase in the Township.  Captain Crone explained the terms Obligated and Unobligated time in the officers’ schedules.  Obligated time refers to the times that officers are out on calls, transporting prisoners, or in hearings.  Unobligated time allows for officers to do follow-up and further investigate current cases or to patrol neighborhoods. The ideal ratio of time put forth by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is 1/3 obligated time and 2/3 unobligated time. The Captain demonstrated how these time ratios play out based on the number of officers on duty for a given shift.  Currently there are 16 patrol officers.  Full staff is 4 officers per shift or 8 per day.  To maintain the status quo by 2021, 5 officers per shift will be required.  This means 4 new officers need to be hired by 2021.  Per Mr. Vernau, the average cost for each new officer is around $120,000.  President Black asked if there would be additional police vehicles and equipment needed for the new officers.  Captain Crone stated that the number of vehicles currently in existence should be adequate until there is a need to add 2 more officers in 2026. Commissioner Villone asked if criminals can identify municipalities which are short on officers.  Mr. Holl stated that most criminals are opportunists but if officers are not out on calls, it does give them time to watch for crime in certain areas which are more prone. The Board would like some financial information from Mr. Grove and they thanked Captain Crone for his presentation. 

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  There was no response.

 PRESIDENT BLACK

  1. Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the Check Register of August 31, 2018 in the amount of $136,804.96, and the Manual Check Register of August 2018 in the amount of $121,338.00. Commissioner VILLONE seconded it.  Motion carried 4-0. 
  2. Resolution 2018-0-R-33: Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to approve the authorization of the Director of Community and Economic Development to execute documents for the Lower Allen Township Economic Development Authority on behalf of Lower Allen Township.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded it and the motion carried 4-0.
  3. Ordinance 2018-08: Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to enact an ordinance which would amend the code of the Township of Lower Allen, Chapter 220, Zoning, by increasing the maximum permitted building height in the C-2 general commercial and C-4 regional commercial zoning districts.  As well, this ordinance will establish a maximum building height in the I-2 mineral recovery district.

 Roll Call Vote:            Commissioner Holtzman:  Aye

                                                    Commissioner Schin:  Aye

                                                    President Black:  Aye

                                                    Commissioner Villone:  Aye

Motion passed 4-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

Mr. Rick Barron, 103 Ewe Road, came to express his frustration with a neighbor who does not take care of his property at 107 Ewe Road.  The property’s grass is allowed to become very high before it is mowed and there is no maintenance performed on the shrubbery and trees around the house.  John Eby confirmed that Lower Allen Township’s Zoning Department has visited this property in the past and they can issue fines due to overgrown grass.  However, there are no ordinances in regard to trimming trees and shrubs unless they hang over the sidewalk or the road.  This neighborhood also does not have a homeowner’s association. Per Steve Miner, an HOA can be started if the majority of property owners participate, but it is easier to do this at the time the neighborhood is built.  It would require an attorney to create the HOA.  Tom Vernau stated that the Township will draft and send a letter asking the homeowner to clean up the property, but it cannot be enforced.

 ENGINEER

  1. SLD #2014-01: Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve an extension for Improvement Security for Highpoint 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4.  The new amount of $415, 343.95 includes a 10% increase from last year and has a new expiration date of September 10, 2019.  Commissioner VILLONE seconded it and the motion carried 4-0.
  2. Resolution 2018-R-34: This resolution would allow the Township Manager to sign the 2018-2023 Agility Agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  Under this agreement, the Township Public Works Department can trade services with PennDOT such as line painting, street sweeping, and snow plowing.  It will replace the current 5-year agreement which is set to expire.  PennDOT needs the resolution to have an assigned cost and to be signed by the manager.  Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the resolution and Commissioner VILLONE seconded it.  Motion carried 4-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Dave Holl explained that the Emergency Operations Plan is renewed every two years and allows the Township to be eligible for disaster funds and certain grants.  The plan is very lengthy, and Mr. Holl would like to create a summary that would be more easily read in the future.  Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2018-R-35 updating the updated Emergency Operations Plan of Lower Allen Township.  Commissioner VILLONE seconded the motion which carried 4-0.

FINANCE

Resolution 2018-R-36:  This resolution, as explained by Finance Director Rick Grove, is due by the end of September and would adopt the minimum municipal obligations payable to the Lower Allen Township Police Pension Plan and the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan in the fiscal year 2019. It also appropriates specific sums known as the Pension Budget for Fiscal Year 2019.  The contribution for the Police Plan is $222,425 and for the non-uniform plan is $251,075.   Commissioner Villone left the meeting from 8:38 pm until 8:40pm.  Vote was held until he returned.  Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the resolution and Commissioner VILLONE seconded it.  Motion carried 4-0.

MANAGER

  1. Discussion and possible action on Revised Ordinance 2018-05, Litter, was tabled at the request of Commissioner Schin due to the absence of Vice President Simpson. Commissioner Schin would like to have a full Board when they act on this ordinance.  Motion to table was made by Commissioner SCHIN and seconded by Commissioner HOLTZMAN.  Motion carried 4-0.
  2. Wage Study: The results of the wage study, which we conduct every 3 years, was presented in a handout. Township positions for office staff and public works are quantified as pay at or above average, below average, and below minimum market rate.  Vernau presented this for the Board to be made aware of it before a new set of salary scales is presented.  In the future, adjustment of wages will be based on this.
  3. Employee recognitions will be on the agenda of the next BOC meeting for presentation.
  4. Non-Uniformed employee tuition reimbursement: Vernau presented a chart comparing tuition reimbursement for police vs. non-uniformed employees, which is about half of the amount of uniformed employees.  Mr. Vernau stated that an employee requested that the non-uniformed amounts be increased to be equal to police.  Mr. Vernau would like to see this done, as he feels the current reimbursements are very outdated and that it benefits the Township to encourage employees to further their education.  Commissioner Villone inquired about the difference in required GPA and it was agreed this should be equal as well. Commissioner Holtzman asked if employees who use this benefit are committed to continue working for the Township for a certain time and Mr. Vernau responded that amount is two years.  Mr. Vernau will write an amending resolution for the next meeting agenda.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Township Manager Vernau reported that a Public Works employee hired last December left the Township for a job in a neighboring municipality due to increased wages and less out of pocket medical expenses. He stated that we are currently interviewing to fill the position and have two candidates.  Mr. Vernau asked the Board if they would prefer that he wait until after October 1st to hire due to the change of non-uniformed pension plans. It was agreed that the position could be approved at the next BOC meeting with a start date of October 1, 2018. 

Mr. Vernau spoke about receiving information from the Liquor Control Board that a restaurant in the Township, Vito’s Italian Ristorante, has applied for a restricted winery license which would allow them to sell wine with dinner.  This is a new license, not a transfer.

Commissioner Villone spoke about attending the Lisburn Fire Company meeting.  They mentioned that they are counting on receiving $5,000 from Lower Allen Township for their Fire Fund budget.  Mr. Grove stated that this is an anticipated expense.

Public Safety Director Holl said that the Yellow Breeches Creek is currently at 7.37 feet and is going down slowly. It had increased overnight to 7 feet which causes minor flooding.  He stated that the PSOs are monitoring it and Public Works will place barricades up if necessary.  Next, we will be watching to see what Hurricane Florence does.

ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:00 pm.