MINUTES

STORMWATER AUTHORITY	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	MAY 6, 2021
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Timothy Johnson, Chairman	Rebecca Davis, Stormwater Program Manager
Lloyd Bucher, Vice Chairman	Steven P Miner, LATSA Solicitor
Richard Schin, Treasurer	Michelle Kilgore, Recording Secretary
Alison J Shuler, Secretary	Richard Grove, Finance Director
Robert Edwards, Assistant Treasurer

 

Chairman Johnson called the May 6, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority to order at 7:49 pm.  He announced that proof of publication was available for review. 

 

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Secretary Shuler moved to approve the minutes from the April 1, 2021 Regular Meeting.  Vice Chairman Bucher seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.  Mr. Edwards abstained from the vote due to having been absent for the previous meeting.

 

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

None.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Mr. Miner advised his office satisfied three liens paid in full as a result of sheriff sales.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

LATSA Financial Reports:

Mr. Schin stated the April 24, 2021 cash balance of the Fund was $2,020,708.32.  This balance does not include interest due to it not being posted at the time of the report.

Mr. Schin made a motion to offer this as the Treasurer’s Report.  Mrs. Shuler seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

Request for transfer of LATSA funds to General Fund:

Mr. Schin stated that the disbursement requisition is in the amount of $78,441.00 which should be payable to LAT.

Mr. Schin motioned to approve the request for transfer.  Mr. Bucher seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

STORMWATER PROGRAM MANAGER REPORT:

Credit and Appeals Summary:

Ms. Davis stated there were no new credits or appeals to report since the last meeting.

 

2020 Audit Report

Ms. Davis presented the 2020 audit report explaining that LATSA was given a clean audit opinion.  She invited Mr. Grove to answer any specific questions from the Board regarding the report.  Mrs. Shuler inquired as to the contention from non-paying State agencies, specifically the report’s allowance for un-collectables.  She expressed concern about how this is reflected in the accounting records.  Mr. Grove stated that it is common that the those with the largest invoices do not pay.  He added that a large allowance for doubtful accounts is taken into consideration and placed on the balance sheet, in addition to a separate line item for accounts/amounts they expect to receive payment on.  Chairman Johnson asked if this method is standard practice.  Mr. Grove indicated that other municipalities across the state use the same process because they are also running into issues collecting from the State.  Ms. Davis echoed Mr. Grove, adding that meetings are being held with Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) to discuss how to attack this issue moving forward, and that the plan is to join forces with other municipalities across the State to work towards a resolution, since LAT is not permitted to place a lien on a State agency.  Mr. Miner added that COVID has slowed down any litigation that would address the problem.

 

PADEP Grant Program

Ms. Davis explained that she recently learned of a grant program sponsored by the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) called Growing Greener Plus, for which the grant applications are due June 25^th.  She advised that last year LAT was awarded a grant for the Beacon Hill Basin through the same program.  This year’s program is especially attractive because the PADEP is not placing a cap on the requested funding.  LATSA has two large Pollution Reduction Plan (PRP) projects in mind:  The United Methodist Home for Children estimated to cost $559,000, and the Bethany Village basin project, projected to cost $355,000.  The total for the two combined is $914,000.  The grant program requests a 15% match.  Because the PADEP looks favorably on the townships committing to a higher match, Ms. Davis requested that the Board commit to a 30% match ($275,000) to increase the possibility of receiving the grant award.  She added that this is money that LATSA would be spending regardless of the match percentage, therefore it would be logical to increase the match percentage to help gain the attention of the PADEP.

Ms. Davis asked for a motion to approve the commitment match of 30%.  Mr. Edwards motioned to approve the match, and Mrs. Shuler seconded.  The motion carried 5-0.

Ms. Davis advised she will be advising the BOC of the approved commitment in their May 24^th meeting.

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE AUTHORITY:  

None

 

ADJOURN:

The Regular Meeting of the Stormwater Authority adjourned at 8:29PM.