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Home»Board of Commissioners Minutes»Board of Commissioners
5-28-19 Minutes

Board of Commissioners
5-28-19 Minutes

MINUTES

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                      MAY 28, 2019

 

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                      TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL

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

Dean W. Villone, Vice President                                          Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager

Richard F. Schin                                                                    David Holl, Public Safety Director

Peddrick M. Young, Sr.                                                         Daniel Flint, Public Works Director

                                                                                               Richard Grove, Finance Director 

                                                                                               John Eby, Building & Zoning Coordinator

                                                                                               Steven P. Miner, Solicitor

                                                                                              Tina Thomas, Recording Secretary                                                                          

 

President Black called the May 28, 2019 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. He also noted that a public hearing was held prior to the start of this meeting regarding the Verizon Cable Franchise Renewal. Commissioner Holtzman was absent with excuse.

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the May 13, 2019 Regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Resolution 2019-R-19

Vice President VILLONE moved to adopt Resolution 2019-R-19, appointing Peddrick M. Young, Sr. to fill the unexpired term of office left vacant by the resignation of Jack R. Simpson, until midnight on December 31, 2019. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 3-0.

Swearing in of Commissioner Peddrick M. Young, Sr.

District Justice Charles Clement administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Peddrick M. Young, Sr. Mr. Young’s nameplate was hung up and he took his seat on the dais.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Board of Commissioners recessed to an Executive Session at 7:08 pm for an update on the Triple Crown Corporation lawsuit. The meeting was reconvened at 7:37 pm.

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. 2019 First Quarter Operating Statement.
  2. Department Reports for the month of April for Community Development, Facility Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance, Township Engineer, Public Works, and Public Safety (March and April).
  3. Tax Collectors April 2019 Monthly Report.

Commissioner YOUNG moved to approve the Consent Agenda and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK

Check Register

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the Check Register of May 24, 2019 in the amount of $252,136.70. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

Resolution 2019-R-20:  Vice President VILLONE moved to appoint Bryce P. Thompson to the position of Maintenance Specialist for the Public Works Department, effective May 29, 2019. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

Resolution 2019-R-21:  Commissioner YOUNG moved to appoint Jordan R. Sipe to the position of Mechanic for the Fleet Maintenance Department, effective June 10, 2019. Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:

There was no response.

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

Lisburn – Rossmoyne Roundabout Project

Mr. Flint spoke about a bid received at the previous Board of Commissioners meeting from Pennsy Supply, Inc. for $1,352,676.58. This was the lowest bid received. State funding from PennDOT provides $1.5 million for the project. The total may be slightly over $1.5 million with the cost of relocation of a utility pole and construction inspection. Anything above the funded amount will be paid for by Charter Homes. Commissioner SCHIN moved to award the contract to Pennsy Supply, Inc., and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Public Works Building Addition

Mr. Flint led a discussion regarding awarding contracts for the construction of the Public Works Building addition. He stated that due to municipal law, each trade must have a separate contract. Bids were received at the April 22nd Board of Commissioners meeting and were reviewed by Buchart Horn Architects. The low bids are as follows:

General Construction Penn State Construction $562,425.00
Mechanical Construction Shannon A. Smith, Inc. $131,000.00
Plumbing / Fire Suppression Construction SSM Industries, Inc. $132,000.00
TOTAL   $825,425.00

 

It is planned for the electrical work and additional necessary site work to be done in-house by Lower Allen Township personnel. Additional costs for materials and site work plus the $23,600 for Buchart Horn Architects would bring the total cost to $885,760. However, the electrical costs and the architectural fees will not be included in the 2019 budget. Vice President Villone stated that he has visited the current Public Works building and it is very crowded inside. He is in favor of the expansion. He asked what the implications would be if the contracts were not approved at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Flint stated that it would delay ordering the materials which would delay the entire building project. Vice President Villone asked if it is a possibility that other Public Works projects could come in under budget. Mr. Grove answered that the Public Works Department does well staying under budget and the additional cost for the building may be saved in other areas.

Vice President VILLONE moved to approve the three contracts for construction of the Public Works Building. Commissioner YOUNG seconded the motion and the motion carried 4-0.

Time Extension for SLD Docket No. 2018-09 Jenny’s Salon Building Addition

Mr. Flint spoke about a request from Jenny’s Salon, 4500 Gettysburg Road, to extend the time of their land development plan until July 31, 2019. The extension was requested due to unforeseen complications that came up with the zoning for the building addition. Commissioner YOUNG moved to grant the time extension and Commissioner SCHIN welcomed Jenny to the neighborhood and seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Letter of Credit Extension for SLD #2005-24

Mr. Flint presented a request for a Letter of Credit Extension for Liberty Point. It will contain the standard ten percent increase and be ready for a vote at the next Board of Commissioners meeting.

Codes Compliance Coordinator Position

Mrs. Erin Trone spoke about the proposed job description for the new position of Codes Compliance Coordinator. The position will fall under Public Safety, as it will cover codes enforcement, overseeing the Public Safety Officers (PSOs), fire safety and prevention, and property maintenance inspections. Mr. Holl stated that the Fire Captain is in charge of the PSOs and the Codes Compliance Coordinator would work under the direction of and as a back up to the Fire Captain. He spoke about the role that Mr. Bill Yeagley has been playing in this area. Commissioner Schin mentioned that he is surprised this position would report to the Fire Captain when it seems like the greater emphasis is code enforcement. He thinks the position is a good idea. Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the Codes Compliance Coordinator job description and Vice President VILLONE seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

PRESENTATION: International Property Maintenance Code Program Update 

Mr. Bill Yeagley presented a PowerPoint of the first two months of the IPMC program. Goals of the program were to provide a faster response to complaints by having additional personnel covering them, have more certified IPMC inspectors, and to educate the public. This is being done due to the presence of some blighted properties in the Township. Mr. Yeagley stated that while there are some pockets of resistance, the Township has the ability to address them.

He stated that action time for response to complaints is now less than three hours. Nine team members are trained and performing inspections, two members are certified and three are ready to take the exam. The public is seeing immediate results by the door hangers being visible after Township personnel visit. The public can call in or e-mail complaints. There were 22 complaints made in April mostly dealing with grass and exterior structure. So far, May already has had 54 complaints made with the majority of complaints involving grass. Some contact was made in person or by door hanger; the rest involved formal Notice of Violation letters. If there is no response to the door hanger, a notice of violation results. There are now violations included from the MS4 program such as blowing grass into the streets. The PSOs have flyers to hand out to residents. The flyers explain why blowing grass into the street is not permitted and why tree trimming is required.

Mr. Yeagley stated that the complaints are logged onto a spreadsheet with the violation address, who made the complaint, and how the owner was notified of the violation. The PSOs go back to check up on the progress. Mr. Yeagley is happy with how the process is going. Vice President Villone asked what information is included on the door hangers. Mr. Yeagley stated that the door hanger is a courtesy notice that lists the problem that needs to be corrected and gives the resident 3 to 5 days to contact the Township. Mr. Miner stated that he thinks the Township will have much better results since they are not fining residents right away.

Mr. Yeagley hopes to have all IPMC inspectors certified by October of 2019. He hopes to implement the “quick ticket” before the end of the year and possibly a “repeat offender fee” ordinance. The IPMC will be integrated into the new AlpineRedNMX software program and education of the public will be ongoing.

Waiver of Fees for Bon Ton Demolition

Mrs. Trone spoke about the plans of the Development Authority for demolition of the Bon Ton and Borders buildings in June. She stated that requesting a waiver of the fees for demolition is not unusual for a municipality. Otherwise the contractor would charge the permit fees that they were charged back to the Development Authority. Commissioner SCHIN moved to waive the fees and Vice President VILLONE seconded it. Motion carried 4-0.

TOWNSHIP MANAGER

Draft Ordinance 2019-02

Mr. Tom Vernau presented a draft of the amendments to the ordinance that prohibits on-street parking for Recreational Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles. His proposal would amend Chapters 187, Streets and Sidewalks at Article VIII, Temporary Right-Of-Way Obstructions, and Chapter 209, Articles III, Parking Regulations, and IIIB, Parking Regulations for Recreational Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles. The language was clarified specific to Recreational Vehicles, stating they can remain parked on the street no greater than 72 hours for the purpose of loading, unloading, or cleaning. Mr. Vernau would like permission to advertise the ordinance. Mr. Miner stated that since the changes made were stylistic in nature, a public hearing is not necessary prior to advertisement. Commissioner SCHIN moved to advertise Ordinance 2019-02 and Vice President VILLONE seconded it. Motion carried 4-0.

Employee Recognition and Performance Awards

Mr. Vernau spoke about upcoming employee recognition and performance awards. The employee recognition awards are for length of service and the performance awards are for personnel who have gone above and beyond in their job duties. These nominations are made by Department Heads.

Committee Vacancies

President Black stated there were some committee vacancies created by the resignation of Mr. Simpson. President Black appointed Commissioner Young as Board liaison to the Pensions Committee. Although Mr. Simpson was the primary representative on the Cumberland County Tax Collection Committee, Vice President Villone stated that he has attended all of the meetings and President Black made him the official primary representative. Mr. Vernau is the alternate. President Black will be the Alternate Delegate to the Capital Region Council of Governments.  Commissioner Schin is the primary Delegate.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Mrs. Trone stated that the Development Authority will be holding a special meeting on Thursday May 30th for the opening of bids for the lighting separation contract. The parking lot lights are currently coming from the Bon Ton building and demolition cannot be completed until all electricity is gone. She also stated that the Pedestrian/Bike Committee will be meeting Wednesday night, May 29th.

Director Holl spoke about the upcoming Ad Hoc Committee meeting on Tuesday June 4th. It will be held at the Fire Station on Rupp Avenue. He is planning to send out an announcement to the public over the LA Alerts system. He mentioned that last week was EMS Week and he attended the Emergency Health Services Federation breakfast with EMS Captain Deaven. Mr. Holl also announced that he has a Pinnacle physician who is interested in being the Medical Director for Lower Allen’s ALS program. He just needs to sign the agreement.

Commissioner Schin reported that there is a school bus parking in his neighborhood again on Cedarhurst Road.

Commissioner Young was welcomed aboard by all of the Board of Commissioners.

Mr. Vernau stated that he will miss the June 10th BOC meeting due to being on vacation. Mrs. Trone will cover for him. He reminded the Commissioners that the June 24th Regular meeting will take place as scheduled,  even though it is the day after the end of the PSATC Conference in Gettysburg.

Mr. Grove welcomed Commissioner Young back.

 ADJOURNMENT

 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:52 pm.