MINUTES

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                         LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                          NOVEMBER 13, 2018

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

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

Jack R. Simpson Jr.                                                               Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager

Richard F. Schin                                                                    David Holl, Public Safety Director

Carolyn Holtzman                                                                  Dan Flint, Public Works Director      

Dean W. Villone                                                                    Richard Grove, Finance Director

                                                                                               Leon Crone, Police Captain

                                                                                               John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator  

                                                                                               Steven P. Miner, Solicitor

                                                                                               Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary                                                                                    

 

President Black called the November 13, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:01 pm, followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review. 

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner HOLTZMAN moved to approve the minutes from the October 15, 2018 Budget Meeting. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner HOLTZMAN moved to approve the minutes from the October 22, 2018 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

There was no response.

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. The following items were on the Consent Agenda:

1. Adopt Resolution 2018-R-42, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, opposing the legislation for statewide collection and distribution of the Local Earned Income Tax (EIT).
2. Tax Collector’s October 2018 monthly report.

Vice President SIMPSON moved to accept the Consent Agenda and Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK

Check Registers

Commissioner VILLONE moved to approve the Check Register of October 30, 2018 in the amount of $304,054.04. Commissioner SCHIN seconded it.  Motion carried 5-0.

Vice President SIMPSON moved to approve the Manual Check Register from September 2018 in the amount of $350.00. Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the Check Register of November 9, 2018 in the amount of $170,179.03. Commissioner VILLONE seconded it.  Motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

There was none.

TOWNSHIP  ENGINEER

Payment of Invoice No. 1 to Kinsley Construction:

Mr. Flint requested approval for payment of invoice #1 for the 2018 street pavement project which was completed by Kinsley Construction. This is the first and last invoice for the project. The amount budgeted for this project was $680,000.00 and the final cost is $598,372.22. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the motion and Commissioner VILLONE seconded it. Motion carried 5-0.

Agreement Between Lower Allen Township and Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority:

Mr. Flint introduced an agreement that has been created to clarify the relationship between the Township and the recently created Stormwater Authority. It states that the Township will continue to have ownership of the stormwater system. The Stormwater Authority was created to establish and collect the stormwater fee and then to transfer funds to the Township. Mr. Flint stressed that the Stormwater Authority is a financing authority not an operating authority and it is a new concept that will have a learning curve. This agreement was adopted by the Stormwater Authority at its last meeting. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the Agreement and Vice President SIMPSON seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule:

Mr. Eby spoke about the 2017 building code audit which had reduced our scores due to the use of out of date building codes (2009) by the Commonwealth. Our commercial score went from a two to a nine and residential from a three to a nine, with low scores being better. Since the switch to the 2015 building code in October, the Codes Department was reviewed again and now has its original scores of two and three restored for commercial and residential buildings. These scores are considered above average.

Zoning Hearing Board Report:

Mr. Eby stated that there are no new dockets for hearing this month so the Zoning Hearing Board meeting was cancelled. Two dockets with variances presented last month, 1180 Lowther Road and 1181 Kingsley Road, were approved.

MANAGER

Dillsburg Soccer Tournament Parking:

Mr. Vernau led a discussion about parking issues at LACP for the Dillsburg Soccer Tournament. Due to the tournament size increasing, there is a shortage of parking spaces. The organizers of the tournament had requested to do their own parking instead of using CSOs from the Township, but no one has been taking charge of it and vehicles are parked all over. We do not want to completely close the park, but rather have the tournament rent out all of the buildings and pavilions so they have the parking that comes with it. They are currently paying $2,050.00 for the fields, one pavilion, and the concession stand per day. This amount would be increased by $1,200 to $1,500 to include rental of the barn, the Fernlawn pavilion, and the tot lot pavilion. These three items would be $1,200 and then an additional $300 for trash clean up and setting up/taking down parking signs. On top of this, they will be asked to pay for CSOs to handle the parking and direct traffic. We are currently paying a Township employee for 2 days to take care of trash and parking signs which is not reimbursed. This would be a final cost ranging from $3,200 to $3,600 per day. The Board is in favor of the proposal and Mr. Vernau will get in contact with the organizers of the Dillsburg Soccer Tournament.

2019 Proposed Budget:

Mr. Vernau spoke about the previous week’s final budget meeting. He stated that the Board of Commissioners can put the Budget on the table this week if they are satisfied with it. It must be presented for public view for twenty days before it can be approved. If desired, it can be deferred to the next meeting instead.

Vice President Simpson stated that he is in favor of controlling expenses in order to avoid raising taxes in 2021. He spoke about the Lower Allen Township police officer who we are sharing with the County when the County has chosen to remove their funding of the Crimewatch Program. He also feels that we should be receiving reimbursement from other municipalities for the use of our Evidence Technician’s services. Simpson also spoke about research he has done on the police certification by CALEA. He does not feel that the $3,800 in dues is worthwhile and that it leads to paperwork and overtime for the officers.

Commissioner Schin stated that last year’s tax increase did not include hiring new police officers. He questioned if a lack of communication was to blame for not following the advice of the Manager and Finance Director. He spoke about an agreement that the Township has with Steelton/Highspire for our building inspectors to help them with inspections in return for payment. He feels this should apply as well to the Evidence Technician. Schin also spoke about the Succession Plan which is designed for people to be hired to job shadow and learn positions. He is concerned that there will not be money available to do this.

Commissioner Villone spoke about the Strategic Planning Meeting in April where Director Holl had told the Board that new requirements were coming for the Township regarding police. He mentioned the police proposal which states that we are below the number of officers needed. He stated that in the last Budget meeting, the objection to hiring a police officer at the beginning of 2019 was resolved by agreement to hire that officer in July. Villone pointed out that this was a compromise and just delays the costs for half a year.

Commissioner Holtzman agrees that we need to cut $50,000 but she feels that the priority is keeping the Township safe. She is in favor of cutting the budget somewhere else but hiring the necessary officers.

President Black stated that he has followed CALEA for a long time and thinks that it is a great program. It makes Lower Allen Township Police a better department and the yearly cost is not significant. He would prefer to err on the side of safety and follow the proposal presented by the police department. He is in favor of charging for the Evidence Technician’s services if he is called out of the Township.

Captain Crone clarified that the Evidence Technician has gone out to other townships three times this year and we also receive help in return from these other agencies. The help he provides is in processing crime scenes. Detective McNair is currently fulltime with the Drug Task Force, doing 60% work for the County and 40% work for Lower Allen Township. The connections he makes with other agencies in the County help to solve cases and make arrests for Lower Allen Township. He stated that CALEA is an outstanding management tool which results in greater accountability and helps administration manage the department. Continued use of CALEA is necessary as best practices evolve to keep up with changes in crime and technology. CALEA helps the department to stay up to date with changes. The records have to be kept whether or not anyone audits them. Public Safety Director Holl stated that having CALEA accreditation also offers legal protection.

Township Manager Vernau stated that our law enforcement liability insurance premiums are based on our standards and having CALEA certification helps to keep this cost lower. He is not suggesting that we not add officers. He recommends stretching out the time until taxes have to be increased by hiring an officer mid-year for the next four years. Vernau spoke about the need to compromise. The Township is growing and may not be able to keep its A+ rating if police officers are not added. He stated that the police operating budget is 37% of the budget so cutting money in other, smaller departments does little to control expenditures.

Commissioner VILLONE made a motion to put the 2019 Budget on the Table and Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded it. Motion carried 3-2, with Vice-President SIMPSON and Commissioner SCHIN opposing.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Assistant Township Manager Trone gave the Board an update on the BonTon project. The Commonwealth Financing Authority postponed their meeting until possibly January 29, 2019. This means we will have to go forward with closing on the building before we receive the decision about financing from them.

Public Safety Director Holl spoke about the fire equipment and ambulances being kept outside of the apparatus bay next week. This is due to preparation and coating of the floors. They hope to move back in next week. Steve Lyle from the Emergency Health Services Federation will be at the next meeting to present an EMS lifesaving award. EMS and firefighters saved a resident who was in cardiac arrest.

Solicitor Miner conferred a message from Julie Echterling, Financial Secretary of the Lisburn Fire Company, regarding the $165,000 loan for the pumper tanker truck. She wants the Board to be aware that Solicitor Miner is helping with this. They will be closing on the apparatus on November 30^th.

Commissioner Schin spoke about Rebecca Davis, MS4 Coordinator, doing a great job with the Stormwater Authority on behalf of the Township.

Commissioner Villone shared about going to an open house for Nobody’s Cats in Lower Allen Township. They run a great program with 35 – 50 surgeries per day in an effort to control feral cat colonies. They are mostly a volunteer organization. They provide traps and training for citizens. The do everything with no state, municipal, or federal funding from the $35 charge for having a cat spayed or neutered and donations. They are then released back to where they were found.

Township Manager Vernau stated that we have been working with Nobody’s Cats for 4 years. We also get 5 vouchers per year from the Humane Society.  He said it is illegal to feed stray and feral cats unless you register the colony with Nobody’s Cats and agree to serve as a caretaker.

Five new trees have been planted along the fence at the Cedar Spring Park. This was done by a Boy Scout as part of an Eagle Project.

He reminded the Board of the upcoming memorial plaque dedication for Ken Rocuskie at the Public Works building on December 27^th at 8:30 am.

As for the budget, it will need to be advertised and then after twenty days it will be on the agenda as an ordinance.

Finance Director Grove reported that we received a $15,740.61 refund from Keystone Municipal Insurance Trust, our Worker’s Compensation insurer.  Mr. Vernau stated that we will be paying slightly less for our workers compensation next year due to a rate decrease.

President Black stated that he feels we are making progress with the budget.

ADJOURNMENT

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:34 pm.