MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	October 10, 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
Jennifer Caron	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
Thomas Kutz	Richard Grove, Township Finance Director
Joshua Nagy	Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director
	David Holl, Public Safety Director
	Leon G. Crone, Police Captain
	John M. Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

 

President Villone called the October 10, 2022 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.

MEETING MINUTES:
President Villone requested a motion to approve the minutes of the September 26, 2022 Regular Meeting. Mr. Miner noted a correction that he was in attendance for that meeting and not the assistant solicitor.

Vice President BLACK moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

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 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 request so now.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a. Check Register of October 7, 2022 in the amount of $277,242.59.

b. Manual Check Register of September 22, 2022 for Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott in the amount of $5,265.00.

Commissioner CARON requested to remove Item 5b for separate consideration.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve item 5(a), Check Register of October 7, 2022 in the amount of $277,242.59. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve item 5(b), Manual Check Register of September 22, 2022 for Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott in the amount of $5,265.00. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion carried 4-0 with one abstention by Commissioner CARON.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:
RESOLUTION 2022-R-30
President Villone requested a motion to adopt RESOLUTION 2022-R-30, Hiring Thomas E. Fritz as a Maintenance Specialist in the Public Works Department effective October 17, 2022.

Commissioner KUTZ made the motion. Commissioner CARON seconded. 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.

Ms. Kathy Wright, 1502 Chatham Road, expressed interest in having lines painted on the tennis courts in Highland Park for the purpose of playing pickleball, or a conversion of the tennis courts to pickle ball courts.

President Villone noted the popularity of pickleball and the recent conversions at both Wass and Lower Allen Community Parks.

Director Davis reported that the Recreation and Parks Board did have such a conversion included in their list of recommendations for consideration. Township Manager Vernau shared the concern regarding the lack of parking and the potential to draw significant traffic to the neighborhood park. There was a brief discussion about potential solutions to making additional parking available.

President Villone thanked Ms. Wright for the community feedback and noted the request would be taken under advisement for further research and consideration.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR:
Release of $368,000 of financial security for the completion of Arcona Road realignment

Ms. Davis introduced the item for discussion and possible action to consider release of $368,000 of financial security for the completion of Arcona Road realignment. She noted the bond was issued in 2014 when the road was realigned prior to the installation of the roundabouts. The project has been completed and inspected.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to authorize the release of $368,000 of financial security for the completion of Arcona Road realignment. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
LD-2022-08 2450 Gettysburg Road Warehouse Minor Revisions
Ms. Trone presented for discussion and possible action the proposed minor revision to the land development plan for a warehouse located at 2450 Gettysburg Road. The revisions are for the purpose of right-sizing the parking lot, resulting in less impervious pavement and wider stormwater basins. The plans were reviewed by staff and found to be satisfactory. The applicant is requesting a waiver from Section 192-25. D, Review, and action by the Planning Commission.

Commissioner Caron asked if additional modifications would be necessary if there were to be a future change in user. Ms. Trone replied in the affirmative.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve the waiver from Section 192-25. D. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner KUTZ moved to approve LD-2022-08, 2450 Gettysburg Road Warehouse Minor Revisions. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

MANAGER
Final invoice from Salzmann Hughes for Bridge Tolling Representation
Mr. Vernau introduced for discussion and possible action the final invoice from Salzmann Hughes for the I-83 Bridge Tolling representation. The law firm represented several West Shore municipalities. The Board had approved a one-time $10,000 contribution that had gone towards the retainer for the firm. There is now a final bill to Lower Allen Township for $1,780.31.

Mr. Miner noted that the litigation is completed and had a positive result. He noted that paying the remaining amount was a matter of good will towards the neighboring municipalities but is not mandatory.

President Villone and Commissioner Kutz both expressed their support for payment of the invoice. Due to the positive outcome of the lawsuit, Township residents would not be forced into paying bridge tolls.

Commissioner CARON moved to approve payment of the final invoice in the amount of $1,780.31. Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Security Card Access Readers

Mr. Vernau introduced for discussion and possible action the replacement of the security card access system and readers for the Township Municipal Services Center. He explained that the panels and readers are as old as the building. Of the twenty-one existing panels, nine are no longer working. The system panels are unable to be replaced with the original brand, which is out of production. Two quotes were provided by 3T Security, one with readers and one without readers. Staff recommends replacing both panels and readers at a cost of $51,000. He noted that access is important, especially to public safety personnel.

Director Grove emphasized that it was a necessary expenditure and noted there was ample fund balance to cover the cost. He added he was confident that the budget could absorb the expenditure without any adverse effects.

Commissioner NAGY moved to approve the replacement of all panels and cards at a cost of about $51,000. Commissioner KUTZ seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

Consumer fireworks recommendations and draft noise ordinance amendment
Mr. Vernau reminded Board members of their previous discussions regarding the new fireworks law, Act 74 and how the Township might consider making changes to their noise ordinance to establish further time restrictions as to when fireworks were permitted for use. A new ordinance is not necessary, but the existing ordinance could be amended to change the hours of when they can be set off. The law also addresses certain days of the year. Under state law fireworks are still prohibited from being set off within 150 feet of an occupied structure. A draft ordinance was provided to Board members for review and consideration for future adoption. Mr. Miner said the proposed ordinance considers feedback from public safety. Adopting the ordinance would require a legal advertisement.

Commissioner Kutz expressed a desire to consider changes regarding the fireworks within a broader context of the noise ordinance, and the opportunity to discuss further with staff. Mr. Vernau agreed to provide Board members copies of the existing noise ordinance for a holistic review. The item would be placed on the next regular meeting agenda.

OTHER BUSINESS

Hiring additional position for MS4 and recycling coordination.
Director Davis presented the item for discussion, providing justification for the creation of the new position. She explained that her current responsibilities do not permit time for the necessary community outreach that is necessary and required by our MS4 permit. A person in this role would fulfill the MS4 responsibilities for outreach and training, as well applying for grants and planning educational opportunities. This position would also serve as the recycling coordinator for the Township. Ms. Davis noted the importance of having someone designated as the recycling coordinator to fulfill those functions, along with analysis of the solid waste ordinances and compliance with federal and state requirements. The funding for the position would be half from the Sanitation Fund and half from MS4 fees.

Commissioner Villone asked for details regarding the salary and benefits. Mr. Vernau said the position would be full-time and starting pay was $24 per hours plus benefits. Director Grove explained that the entire salary and benefits would appear in the Stormwater budget, and half would be reimbursed through a transfer of funds from the Sanitation Fund into the General Fund. He also provided assurances that there is ample capacity with the current fees to pay for the position. For further discussion regarding a specific individual to fill the role, Mr. Miner recommended that discussion be continued in Executive Session as a personnel item.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
President Villone announced that the Board would adjourn to Executive Session following reports to discuss pay increases and the personnel issue related to the new position for MS4 and recycling coordination.

Director Davis reported that the Department of Environmental Protection had announced the extension of the MS4 permits for an additional two years, and that the next round of guidance and project requirements was not yet prepared. The Pollution Reduction Plan was not extended.

Commissioner Caron reported on attendance at the PA Municipal League Leadership Summit in Pittsburgh, noting the significant value derived from participation.

Vice President Black echoed the remarks regarding the conference in Pittsburgh, noting collaboration with full-time fire chiefs, mayors, and members of the PA State Association of Township Commissioners.

Commissioner Nagy extended thanks to the staff for their assistance with event coordination and operations for the recently held Yappy Hour at LACP. He also thanked Captain Crone, Director Holl and Commissioner Kutz for their efforts in attaining a School Resource Officer for the West Shore School District.  He also expressed gratitude for the staff in making the meeting packet materials available a day earlier.

Commissioner Kutz shared his participation in a recent fire service roundtable conference with Vice President Black, Director Holl, Captain Wirth, Commissioner Silcox of Hampden Township, along with legislators and public safety professionals, where they discussed staffing, retention, training, apparatus, future collaboration, and more ways to support first responders.

President Villone noted his attendance at Lisburn Community Fire Company’s upcoming swearing-in ceremony for two new fire police. He also noted his attendance at the PA State Association of Township Commissioners Leadership Summit for the League of Cities. A lot of valuable information was shared. He emphasized the very good leadership reputation that Lower Allen Township has, especially regarding Public Safety and the Development Authority.

EXECUTIVE SESSION and ADJOURNMENT
President Villone announced the meeting was adjourned to Executive Session at 7:09 PM.