MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
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
Thomas H. Kutz Joshua Nagy – via teleconference Jennifer Caron	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor Richard Grove, Finance Director David Holl, Public Safety Director Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director Leon G. Crone, Police Captain John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the September 26, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:07 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 Nagy was participating by teleconference.

PRESENTATION:  Employee Recognition

Commissioner Villone presented a commendation letter to Mr. Gary Gabriel, an employee with the Public Works Department, recognizing five thousand hours of service during his employment since 2004.

PRESENTATION:  Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels

Mr. Dave Shiner, Director of Mechanicsburg Area Meals on Wheels, presented a summary of the organization’s history, mission, and activity within the local region, serving meal packs to residents within the local region. He noted that the funds they receive are used to service residents locally. They operate with two hundred volunteers and one paid staff person, out of a kitchen located at the Church of God in Mechanicsburg. Their annual budget of $450,000 relies heavily on donations. He noted that all operating costs had increased, and the kitchen needs repairs. Mr. Shriner requested consideration be given to providing financial support in 2023.

Commissioner Kutz voiced his gratitude for the presentation and expressed support for a contribution in the budget from the Township.

President Villone asked for information regarding neighboring municipality support. Mr. Shriner noted they received support from Mechanicsburg Borough, Upper Allen Township, Hampden Township, Boiling Springs, and others.

Vice President Black asked whether the national organization operated within the same territory. In reply, Mr. Shriner stated they did not and that the closest one was on the East Shore.
Commissioner Nagy thanked Mr. Shriner and the organization for their service to the community.

President Villone stated that staff would be asked to put together options for support as they prepare for upcoming budget considerations.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

President Villone requested a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the August 22, 2022 Regular meeting.  Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

President Villone requested a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the September 12, 2022 Regular meeting.  Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATON:  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 were none.

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. Hearing none, he requested a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a.  Department Reports for the month of August for Community Development, Fleet Maintenance, Facility Maintenance (July and August), Public Works, and Public Safety.

b.  Tax collectors July Monthly Report

c.  Tax collectors August Monthly Report.

d.  Check Register of September 23, 2022 in the amount of $378,582.04.

e.  Move Richard A. Dillon, Maintenance Operations Supervisor from Probationary status to regular full-time status effective September 15 2022.

Commissioner KUTZ made a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. The motion was seconded by Vice President BLACK. The motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP:

President Villone noted that if anyone wished to speak at that time, there would be 10 minutes allotted per person to speak at the podium. There were none.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Indemnity Agreement for Highway Occupancy Permit

Assistant Manager Trone presented the item for discussion and possible action to approve an Indemnity Agreement for Highway Occupancy Permit for Subsurface Stormwater Facilities for Arcona Phase 8.2. She reminded Board members of the prior discussion in July 2022, when the Board provided approval contingent on execution of an indemnity agreement, which has been completed.
Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the agreement. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY

School Resource Officer Agreement with West Shore School District

Director Holl presented for discussion and possible action the final agreement with the West Shore School District (WSSD) for a School Resource Officer beginning in the fall of 2023. He provided some background and history on the discussions with the school district and the process by which the Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) was finalized. An officer will be assigned to Cedar Cliff High School and another certified officer must be hired and sent for training. He explained some of the responsibilities that will be taken on by the SRO, to include service as a counselor and mentor for students, in addition to law enforcement responsibilities. The WSSD Board of Directors approved the agreement on 9/15/22 and awaits approval by the Board of Commissioners.

Vice President Black expressed praise for the details of the agreement.

Discussion ensued regarding the funding model for the agreement, clarifying that the school district incurs most of the cost for the school year. The school district reimburses 75% of the time for the SRO and the township covers for the time when school is not in session. Director Holl also explained that without the program, the township sends officers to the school and that is not an expense that is reimbursed.

Commissioner Caron asked Solicitor Miner if he was satisfied with the MOU, to which he replied that he was.

Commissioner KUTZ thanked Director Holl for his hard work in developing the MOU and made a motion to approve the MOU between the Township and WSSD. Vice President BLACK seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner Kutz excused himself from the meeting at 6:37 PM.

MANAGER

Act 74 changes to the fireworks statute

Manager Vernau presented the item for discussion, noting the prior discussion regarding the issue in August. Solicitor Miner provided a letter which described the impact of the law and how the township might consider benefitting from the changes, which provide the ability to restrict the use of fireworks to certain dates and times and to issue permits. Public Safety staff advised on the issues related to enforcement of the law. Currently state law restricts use to more than one hundred fifty feet from an occupied structure. There are enforcement challenges. Permitting is also not favored due to the administrative burden on staff to issue permits. There is no ordinance specifically addressing fireworks, however they are addressed in the noise ordinance. The current restriction is from 11pm-7am. Board members were encouraged to discuss and consider potential changes.

Director Holl agreed that enforcement and follow up was difficult. He noted that restriction through changing the hours in the noise ordinance could be helpful.

President Villone shared his strong feelings to address the issue though changing the hours and noted that the law does allow restrictions within certain dates. He suggested revisiting the issue at an upcoming meeting to consider some options that would be prepared by staff.

Commissioner Nagy expressed comfort with having some options that provides some enforcement capability without putting undue burden onto public safety. He asked for recommendation on guidelines that have the best effect.

Permission to order 2023 trucks

Fleet Manager provided a memo requesting permission to order two trucks and a utility vehicle that are budgeted in 2023 even though the budget has not yet been adopted.  The reasons are to avoid a 2023 price increase and to assure availability. Similar permission was given at a previous meeting.  The vendor has agreed to allow the Township to cancel the order if the trucks are not approved in the budget.

Commissioner CARON moved to approve placing the order.  Commissioner NAGY seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-0.

COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS

Director Davis reported on the upcoming Recreation and Parks meeting, which would include the presentation for a conceptual plan at the Beacon Hill Radar Site. The public meeting would be held at 6 PM on September 28, 2022.

Director Holl reported on the county consortium testing, noting there were 279 applicants and seventy participants. Those who attended scored well and lists of candidates are being developed, with some interviews scheduled.

Commissioner Nagy thanked the group for the opportunity to participate by telephone.

Commissioner Caron noted her attendance at the Yappy Hour event at Lower Allen Community Park and expressed praise to the staff. She said it was a great event for the township and for the community.

Commissioner Villone also expressed satisfaction with the Yappy Hour event and thanks to the staff for the hard work for the township and the friendly culture of customer service.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

President Villone announced that the Commissioners would recess to executive session to discuss three items (adding a third item not previously on the agenda):

a.  2023 Board & Commissioner appointments

b.  2023 Solicitor’s fees

c.  Discussion of COLA for the upcoming budget year

The Commissioners recessed to Executive Session at 7:03 PM.

RECONVENE

Following the Executive Session, the meeting was reconvened at 7:54 PM.

Commissioner CARON moved to increase the Solicitor’s fees to $225 per hour and to $450 retainer per meeting for 2023. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

President Villone mentioned that the previous action approving the purchase of the two trucks did not specify the purchase of the utility vehicle mentioned in Mr. Reynold’s memo and asked if a motion should be made to approve that purchase as well.  The Manager and Solicitor concurred.

Commissioner CARON moved to approve the ordering of a 2023 utility vehicle.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner NAGY.  The motion passed 4-0.

ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 PM.