MINUTES

 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY                              LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                              NOVEMBER 19, 2018

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE: 

AUTHORITY MEMBERS                                        TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

Max Stoner, Chairman                                                 Erin Trone, Township Assistant Manager

John Eby, Secretary                                                      Mary Ellen Banks, Recording Secretary

Salvatore F. Marone, Treasurer                                     Steven Miner, Solicitor

Edward Black

PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE

Tom Ritchey, Third Mountain Partners, LLC

Max Stoner, Chairman called the meeting of the Lower Allen Township Development Authority to order at 6:02pm and announced Proof of Publication was available for review.

Peddrick Young was absent with excuse.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 15, 2018

Mr. EBY made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2018 meeting. Mr. BLACK seconded the motion. Motion carried, 3-0.

PUBLIC COMMENT: There was none.

DISCUSSION: FINANCING PROCESS

• Trone explained the process concerning the financing for the Bon Ton property. She inquired of the board if it would be possible to hold a special meeting on December 10^th at 6:00pm which will be the Monday before when this Board normally would meet. In addition, this is also the same night as the Board of Commissioners meeting at 7:00pm; therefore this Board would meet right before the BOC. The reason for this change is this Board must accept the financing, but because it is going to be backed by the Township, they also have to take action on it; therefore staff wanted it to be the same night so it is a smooth transition. Mr. BLACK made a motion to reschedule the next meeting date of the Lower Allen Township Development Authority from December 17, 2018 to December 10, 2018 at 6:00pm. Mr. EBY seconded this motion. Motion carried, 3-0.
• Trone explained the following:

The banking RFP was released on November 6^th and will be closing on November, 28, 2018. The RFP has been getting some interest. This should be clear-cut; however, if not Mrs. Trone is asking the board if she should organize a selection committee which would consist of herself, a representative from Concord, Rick Grove and also a representative from this board. Mr. BLACK made a motion to propose Mr. Marone as the Lower Allen Township Development Authority representative to the selection committee. In addition, I propose we designate Mr. Eby as an alternate if Mr. Marone is unavailable. Mr. EBY seconded the motion.

Motion carried, 3-0.

RESCHEDULED DECEMBER 10, 2018 AT 6PM

Mrs. Trone explained further the process for the rescheduled meeting:

• This Board will approve a resolution to accept the financing proposal
• Following this Board’s meeting, the Board of Commissioners will meet at 7pm. They will then:
  • Authorize an ordinance guaranteeing the Development Authority’s loan
  • Authorize a resolution concerning the debt limit
  • This all needs to be done in preparation for settlement on January 18, 2019.

Mr. Marone entered the meeting at this point.

DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION: LEGAL COUNSEL FOR RENEGOTIATING LEASES PROPOSAL

• Trone informed the Board she solicited a proposal for a land and lease attorney and she gave the members a copy of the proposal received from McNees Wallace and Nurick for the reason of redoing the leases that exist with the present tenants on this property and the restrictions. Discussion ensued.
• EBY made a motion to authorize Mrs. Trone to executive a professional service contract with McNees Wallace and Nurick, LLC per letter dated November 16, 2018 to not exceed $25,000. Mr. BLACK seconded the motion. Motion carried, 4-0.
• Trone provided the Board a revised proposal for the property based on what Mr. Campbell and Mr. Ritchey think would be most profitable at this time. This drawing moves the hotel front on Gettysburg Road since it is going to be a 5-star hotel and puts the three (3) retail pads up front by Route 15. In addition, in this version Borders would be demolished. She explained again this is only a concept and may change again. Further discussion ensued with Mr. Ritchey and the Board concerning the plan, parcels, etc.

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION: AUTHORIZING LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO BECOME ADMINISTRATOR OF 5226 ROYAL DRIVE

Mr. Miner explained to the Board about having conversations with Mr. Eby and Mrs. Trone concerning this blighted property and the problems that have arisen from that. The daughter has taken on the estate administration and has not done anything. After talking to counsel for the estate, Solicitor Miner filed a petition on behalf of the Township to have the administrator removed. He also approached Cumberland County Redevelopment Authority who has not reacted to his request. Mr. Miner inquired of the Board if they are interested in becoming administrator of this property. The next hearing is December 3, 2018 and a decision is likely; the tax return is already late. The Board’s preference is that one of the other siblings would step up. Mr. Miner’s hope is that the Judge will give the administrator a time limit to complete the settlement of the estate. Discussion ensued. The Board took no action to become the administrator of this property at this time.

NEXT MEETING OF THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The next meeting of the Development Authority is scheduled for Monday, December 10, 2018 at 6:00pm.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. EBY made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. MARONE seconded the motion. Motion carried, 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 6:57pm.