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Home»Board of Commissioners Minutes»Board of Commissioners
11-22-2021 Meeting Minutes

Board of Commissioners
11-22-2021 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
   
REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 22, 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 P. 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 22, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:02 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 25th, 2021 Budget Meeting.  Commissioner KUTZ seconded the motion.  The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the minutes from the November 8, 2021 Regular Meeting.  Commissioner KUTZ 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.

 

RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION:

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners recessed to Executive Session at 7:05 PM.

 

RECONVENE PUBLIC MEETING:

President Villone reconvened the Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners at 7:21 PM.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to appoint Josie Dougherty of 102 Limestone Drive to the Lower Allen Township Recreation and Parks Board to serve the unexpired term of Allison Hanna until December 31st, 2022.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

CONSENT AGENDA:

President Villone stated that any Commissioner, staff member, or anyone in attendance who would like to have an item on the Consent Agenda removed for further discussion, could do so at that time.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a.  Department Reports for the month of October for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Facility Maintenance, Public Works, and Public Safety.

b.  Tax Collectors Monthly October Report.

c.  Check Register of November 19, 2021 in the amount of $159,356.86.

d.  2022 Public Meeting Dates.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

PRESIDENT VILLONE:

Job Description for Assistant Public Works Director

President Villone requested a motion to approve the job description for the Assistant Public Works Director.  Commissioner KUTZ made the motion.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

Resolution 2021-R-38

President Villone requested a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-R-38, appointing Glenn MaGatz as Assistant Public Works Director effective November 23rd, 2021.  Commissioner SCHIN made the motion.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

Justin R. Lenker, PSO, Move to Full Time Status

President Villone requested a motion to move Justin R. Lenker, a PSO in the Public Safety Department, from probationary status to regular full-time status effective November 24, 2021.  Commissioner SCHIN made the motion.  Commissioner KUTZ 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 no response.

 

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

SLD-2021-11 Revised Locust Street Minor Revision of a Recorded Plan

Ms. Trone stated that the minor revision is regarding 145 South Locust Street, and that the plan was previously approved by the Board and recorded, but there are changes requested.

Jeff Shyk from K&W Engineers summarized the request.  The changes, if approved, will allow for easements to be placed back in the plan, allowing for driveway access for property owners on Stevenson Road.

Commissioner Schin asked how many townhomes are in the plan.  Mr. Shyk replied 18 townhomes in addition to 8 single family homes.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to waive the requirements contained in Section 192-39(F), review by Planning Commission, as it relates to SLD-2021-11 Revised Locust Street Minor Revision of a Recorded Plan.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve SLD Docket No. 2021-11 Revised Final Land Development Plan of 145 Locust Street, contingent upon Cumberland County Planning Department’s approval, and HOP approval from PennDOT.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

Gettysburg Road Corridor Master Plan

President Villone noted that prior to that evening’s Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners, a public hearing took place outlining the proposed Gettysburg Road Corridor Master Plan.  He asked for any final comments from the Board members prior to requesting a motion.

Commissioner Schin expressed concern with the illustrations from the plan presentation, noting that they give appearance of a community with tall buildings, an urban concept that he would not support.  Ms. Trone assured Commissioner Schin that much of the illustration focuses on the industrial and commercial district where current zoning allows for 7 stories (75 feet, per Mr. Eby), and that the hotel going in at Lower Allen Commons is 5 stories.  She added that the plan allows for limiting the density in districts where it would be deemed appropriate, and a scaling down the density where it would not be deemed appropriate.  To Commissioner Schin, Vice President Black noted that the Gettysburg Road Plan provides a graphic to encourage creativity by future developers, but that through collaboration between staff and the Zoning Board, the Township should provide clear direction for future developers on their proposals to build, outlining new or revised zoning and land development ordinances.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to adopt the Gettysburg Road Master Plan.  Vice President BLACK seconded.  Commissioner Schin noted that he will vote yes, but with trepidation based on his previous comments.  President Villone assured the Board that as pieces of the plan roll out, they will be carefully reviewed.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

Resolution 2021-R-39 – Amendment to the Lower Allen Township 2018 Comprehensive Plan to Include the Gettysburg Road Corridor Study

Commissioner KUTZ moved to adopt the Resolution.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded.  The motion carried 4-0.

 

MANAGER

PMHIC Health Insurance Rebate

Mr. Vernau stated that for the second year in a row, the Township received a large rebate on its health insurance, totaling $219,201.68.  He said that the large amount of the rebate is based on the low number of claims.  For 2021, the Board gave some of the funds back to the Township employees through waived co-payments.  Mr. Vernau suggested the Board consider an extension of this benefit into 2022.  President Villone asked Mr. Grove if the money will roll into the fund balance.  Mr. Grove replied yes- that it would be an unbudgeted amount of money coming in.  Mr. Vernau noted a large unfunded liability with the police post-employment health benefit trust, and he would want to use the bulk of this rebate to fund that liability.  Commissioner Schin expressed interest in extending the employee waiver of the co-payments, and asked Mr. Vernau how much it would cost to extend the benefit into 2022.  Mr. Vernau figured that six months into 2022 would cost $26,777.00. 

Commissioner SCHIN moved to waive co-payments for Lower Allen Township employees for the first 6 months of 2022 for a total cost of $26,777.00.  Vice President BLACK seconded.

Mr. Miner indicated that the motion does not meet the rules of Act 65 because the agenda item verbiage does not suggest a possible Township expenditure.  He suggested adding this topic for discussion and possible action on the agenda for the next BOC meeting.  Both Commissioner Schin and Vice President Black withdrew their motions.  Mr. Vernau agreed to add the topic to the next meeting agenda.

 

2022 Board & Commission Appointments

Mr. Vernau referred the Board members to a document outlining LAT board and commission appointments.  He advised that if there are no objections to the information, it will be shown on a future agenda for appointment or reappointment at the reorganization meeting.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

Mr. Eby offered a reminder that December 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM will be the second hearing on the Wireless Communications Facilities Ordinance Amendment.  Mr. Eby also thanked the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association for use of their facilities for their recent events.  He noted there are openings on their Board of Directors and openings for volunteers, and a 2022 calendar of events is forthcoming.

Ms. Kilgore indicated that evening was her final BOC meeting as Recording Secretary but may act as a back-up for future board meetings.

Commissioner Kutz spoke on PennDOT’s decision to remove the school zone signs by the Rossmoyne Elementary School on Rossmoyne Road.  He noted the recent loss of life at that crosswalk.  He expressed appreciation for the Township’s ongoing efforts to be diligent in finding alternative ways to keep the road safe for the school children.

Commissioner Kutz also stated that he was approached by staff at Cedar Cliff requesting a school resource officer.  School officials have noted increased violent incidences at the school this year and are asking for community support.  Commissioner Kutz asked that the Township advocate for a resource officer, partnering with the West Shore School Board who may seek state funding for the effort.

Captain Crone noted the CALEA assessment and provided the public contact information and public hearing information.

President Villone stated he attended the Yellow Breeches Watershed Annual Meeting and said it was well done and well attended.

 

ADJOURNMENT

The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 7:58PM.  The Board moved to Executive Session to discuss 2022 non-uniformed pay rates.