Board of Commissioners
11-8-2021 Meeting Minutes
MINUTES
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP |
| REGULAR MEETING | NOVEMBER 8, 2021 |
| The following were in ATTENDANCE: | |
| BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS | TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL |
| Dean W. Villone, President | Thomas G. Vernau, Jr., Township Manager |
| H. Edward Black, Vice President | Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager |
| Richard F. Schin | Steven Miner, Township Solicitor |
| Thomas H. Kutz | David Holl, Public Safety Director |
| Leon Crone, Police Captain | |
| John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator | |
| Rebecca Davis, Stormwater Program Manager | |
| Tony Deaven, EMS Captain | |
| Michelle Kilgore, Recording Secretary | |
President Villone called the November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:01 PM. He announced that Proof of Publication for this meeting was available for review. This was followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. President Villone noted that Commissioner Holtzman was absent, with excuse.
MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2021 Budget Meeting. Vice President BLACK seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the October 11, 2021 Regular Meeting. Vice President BLACK seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the October 18, 2021 Budget Meeting. Vice President BLACK seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Any item on the agenda.
President Villone advised the audience that if there were any item on that evening’s agenda that they wish to comment on, to please indicate as such. There was none.
NEW EMPLOYEE – Dan Bartosic
Mr. Vernau introduced newly hired Public Works employee Dan Bartosic.
RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners recessed to Executive session at 6:07PM.
RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Commissioner SCHIN motioned to have a solicitor intervene in the High Hotels Hampden Inn tax appeal proceedings. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner SCHIN motioned to have a solicitor intervene in the High Hotels Towne Place Marriott tax appeal. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
PRESIDENT VILLONE:
Check Register
President Villone requested a motion to approve the Check Register of November 5, 2021 in the amount of $383,863.87. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Ordinance 2021-06
President Villone requested a motion to advertise Ordinance 2021-06, 2022 General Fund and Other Funds Budgets, and to place them on public view for no less than 20 days prior to enactment. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Ordinance 2021-07
President Villone requested a motion to advertise Ordinance 2021-07, Manager’s 2022 Salary Ordinance. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Appointment of Michael Baker International as Township Engineer
President Villone requested a motion to appoint Michael Baker International as Township Engineer for the purposes of Land Development Plan review and engineering consultation and design. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Public Works Director Job Description
President Villone requested a motion to adopt Public Works Director Job Description. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2021-R-37
President Villone requested a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-R-37, appointing Rebecca L. Davis as the Township’s Public Works Director effective October 27, 2021. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Removal of Russell Olson from Probationary Status
President Villone requested a motion to remove Russell Olson, a Maintenance Specialist in the Public Works Department from probationary status effective 11/10/2021. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Resignation of Margarita Warner
President Villone requested a motion to accept the resignation of Margarita Warner. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:
President Villone noted that if anyone wished to speak at that time, there would be 15 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium. There was none.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR:
Final Payment AllStar Ecology
Ms. Davis sought a motion to approve the final payment to AllStar Ecology in the amount of $30,763.08, explaining that the final planting at the Moreland Basin is now complete. Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Rettew Proposal
Ms. Davis sought a motion to approve a proposal from Rettew for professional services for survey and design of four (4) detention basin retrofit projects in the amount of $95,860. Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded.
Vice President Black asked Ms. Davis if she requested multiple proposals. Ms. Davis responded that the two additional firms (Pennoni, and Alpha) that she requested proposals from did not have the needed staffing to provide quotes in the timeframe that LAT requested. She added that the Stormwater Authority Board approved the expenditure in their recent meeting due to the time sensitivity of the project.
President Villone called for a vote. The motion carried 4-0.
FINANCE
Fund Balance and Financial Plan Presentation
Mr. Grove offered a high-level presentation of the history of LAT’s fund balances and assigned ratings according to Moody’s Investor Service. He explained how LAT has continually improved its score between 2005 and today, which is almost at 30% of fund balance (Moody’s “Very Strong” Aaa rating). Mr. Grove noted how this high level of responsibility will position LAT well in case of a future recession.
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
At-Grade Crossing at Norfolk Southern Rail Line
Ms. Trone sought a motion to authorize Manager, Thomas G. Vernau, Jr. to sign PennDOT form M-950AA to allow Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. to act as the Township’s Agent to apply for a Highway Occupancy Permit for the installation of an at-grade crossing of the Norfolk Southern Rail line along Rossmoyne Rd. (SR 2021).
Commissioner Schin noted on the letter from TPD that Michael Baker International prepared the HOP plans. Considering the recent appointment of Michael Baker as Township Engineer, he asked if this would create future conflict. Ms. Trone explained that LAT now has its own traffic consulting engineer (McMahon Associates).
Vice President Black asked if Norfolk Southern has approved this concept. Ms. Trone stated a pre-construction meeting is forthcoming with Norfolk Southern.
Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
Review and Enactment of Ordinance 2021-05, amendments to Section 220-206 and 220-207, Wireless Communication Facilities, of the Codified Ordinances of Lower Allen Township
Mr. Eby summarized the BOC meeting from October 25th, indicating five recommendations from the Planning Commission report that Staff was to work into the proposed ordinance and facility design manual. He presented the revised ordinance and manual to the Board. Mr. Eby asked that, provided the Board is comfortable with the proposed revisions, that a second hearing date could be scheduled for December 13, 2021.
Mr. Eby sought a motion to gain permission to trigger the municipal planning code process for the review and enactment of Ordinance 2021-05, amendments to Section 220-206 and 220-207, Wireless Communication Facilities, of the Codified Ordinances of Lower Allen Township.
Vice President Black indicated he would vote to move forward with the process but expressed concern over the power that wireless vendors have regarding erection of towers and small cell facilities.
Commissioner SCHIN made the motion. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 4-0. The Board agreed to hold the public hearing on December 13, 2021 at 6PM.
MANAGER
Resolution Number Amendment
Mr. Vernau sought a motion to amend the Resolution number for the hiring of Daniel G. Bartosic to Resolution 2021-R-36.
Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Commissioner SCHIN seconded. The motion carried 4-0.
COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS
As the liaison to the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association, Mr. Eby announced their annual gathering (a brief business meeting followed by a program) will occur on November 18, 2021 from 6:30-8PM at the LACP Barn. Sandwiches, appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. Bob Murphy is speaking on microplastics in the aquatic environment.
Vice President Black noted Commissioner Holtzman’s recovery from her surgery.
Captain Crone noted the Township’s CALEA assessment will take place November 29th and 30th and through December 1st. The 29th will be the public call-in session from 2-4pm, and at 6pm will be a public comment session at the Township building. Assessors will be accessed via Zoom.
ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 7:39PM.