MINUTES

STORMWATER AUTHORITY	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	APRIL 6, 2023
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD MEMBERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Timothy Johnson, Chairman	Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director
Lloyd Bucher, Vice Chairman	Steven P. Miner, LATSA Solicitor
Richard Schin, Treasurer	Glenn MaGatz, Assistant Public Works Director
Alison Shuler, Secretary

Chairman Johnson called the April 6, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Lower Allen Township Stormwater Authority to order at 7:38 pm. He announced the meeting had been duly advertised for publication. It was noted that Assistant Treasurer Robert Edwards was absent from the meeting with excuse.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Ms. SHULER moved to approve the minutes from the February 2, 2023, Regular Meeting. Mr. SCHIN seconded the motion. Mr. Bucher requested that the minutes be amended to show that he was absent with excuse. The motion carried 4-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
George Ntzanis, Thomas Ntzanis, and Angela Loxas were in attendance on behalf of the Lower Allen Shopping Center located at 2202 Gettysburg Road. George Ntzanis stated that he was there to discuss the flooding concerns on the property that originates behind the main building on the property. The pipes fill and flood out the parking lot during short heavy rain events. Angela Loxas mentioned that a lot of the water comes from Camp Hill Borough and it contributes to their stormwater problems on the property. Ms. Loxas shared a video of a storm event on the property to show the stormwater and how it’s flooding their parking lot. Chairman Johnson commented that the smaller pipes on their property appear to be at their capacity. He also discussed what the Township’s stormwater fee is collected for, public infrastructure projects and mandated projects required by our MS4 permit with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Miner asked if they were requesting to use public funds to fix private infrastructure, which George Ntzanis responded yes. Mr. Miner stated that is not permissible without an easement being granted to the Township as well as providing an engineering study for a determination of what needs to be done to fix the issue as well as a funding mechanism for the improvements. Mr. Miner stated the first step would be to perform an engineering study to determine what needs to be done to alleviate the flooding problems. Chairman Johnson suggested that grant opportunities may be available to apply to for funding the project. He also noted that public funding cannot be used to fund an engineering study. The property owners will be reaching out to an engineer to discuss potential solutions.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr. Miner discussed Senate Bill 231 and the West Chester Borough Case being appealed at the supreme court level. Cases are taken on a discretionary basis by the supreme court, but this case did not fall into those criteria and the supreme court must hear the case. Mr. Miner checked the docket and has not seen action since the appeal.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Mr. Schin noted that the cash balance as of March 31, 2023 was $3,238,802.00.  He summarized the financial reports for the board. He stated the uncollectable accounts and gave a summary of their balances. Mr. SCHIN made a motion to accept the financial reports for March. Ms. SHULER seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Below is a summary report of Stormwater billing accounts deemed “Uncollectable” with total balances through 3/31/2023. These balances include past due principal amounts plus penalties through the current billing period (2023-Q1).

Delinquent accounts

Property Owner	Accts	Balance
Commonwealth of PA	8	$9,133
PennDOT	4	$911,121
PA Turnpike	1	$116,350
PA Industrial School (SCI/Prison)	1	$342,697

Mr. Schin discussed the year-end transfer for 2022 required from the Authority to the General Fund of the Township in the amount of $394,844.00. Mr. SCHIN made a motion to approve the transfer, seconded by Ms. SHULER. Motion carried 4-0.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORT:

Credit and Appeals Monthly Report
Director Davis reported there were no credits and no appeals since the last meeting.

2023 Paving and Stormwater Infrastructure Project
Director Davis discussed the 2023 Paving and Stormwater Infrastructure Project. Ms. Davis discussed the areas where the work will be conducted. The budgeted numbers for pipe and inlet replacement in the lower end of Highland Park as well Allendale have increased significantly. Ms. Davis discussed purchasing the stormwater infrastructure from CAPCOG to obtain better pricing for the project. The labor for the installation would be publicly bid, and the materials would be purchased by the Township and stored for the scheduled work. Ms. Davis indicated that the pipe must be replaced due to its condition which is completely compromised. Ms. Davis requested permission from the Authority to approve additional expenditure over the budgeted amount due to the cost increasing for the piping and inlets. The total estimated cost is approximately $502,813 for materials for both locations. Ms. Shuler questioned the historical flooding issues on Norman Road. Ms. Davis mentioned that this area has historical flooding due to groundwater issues. Stormwater piping will not remedy groundwater issue. The piping and inlets proposed will be capable of handling the existing stormwater runoff generated for the area. The inlet sizes are larger and will help with the runoff and will meet construction standards.

Mr. SCHIN motioned to approve an increase in expenditures above the budgeted amount for the purchase of stormwater piping and inlets for the 2023 Stormwater Infrastructure Project in the amount of $502,813 through the CAPCOG contract. The motion was seconded by Ms. SHULER. The motion carried 4-0.

Stormwater Collection Update
Ms. Davis updated the Authority on delinquent stormwater accounts and collections efforts prior to turning them over to collections. Barbara Arnold, Environmental Coordinator, assisted with the process and mailed unpaid bill notifications to residents. Slightly under $21,000 was collected in the last month from the delinquent accounts.

PA American Water Company Grant Application
Ms. Davis updated the Authority regarding a grant application made through PA American Water for the Cedar Spring Run Park and the Yellow Breeches Park. Barbara Arnold prepared the application for pollinator gardens, walking trails and a pavilion at the Cedar Spring Run Park as well as pollinator gardens and walking trails at the Yellow Breeches Park. Ms. Davis stated that the grant awardees are typically announced in the beginning of May of each year.

Letter of Support for the Beacon Hill Radar Site Project
Ms. Davis updated the Authority on the grant application through DCNR for the Beacon Hill Radar Site Rehabilitation Project. Ms. Davis requested a letter of support from the Authority to utilize stormwater funds to maintain the proposed stormwater best management practices that are proposed to be installed at the site. Mr. BUCHER made a motion to provide a letter of support from the Authority for the Beacon Hill Radar Site Rehabilitation Project application through DCNR. The motion was seconded by Ms. SHULER. The motion carried 4-0.

LAT/LATSA 2023 Agreement
Ms. Davis explained the yearly agreement that the Township and Stormwater Authority enter into to distinguish roles for the Authority and Township. The agreement dictates that the Authority provides the funding for stormwater projects and that the Township and Authority provide joint bidding for stormwater projects. Ms. SHULER made a motion to approve the yearly agreement with the Township, seconded by Mr. BUCHER. The motion carried 4-0.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
None

ADJOURNMENT
With no other business pertinent to the Authority, the Regular Meeting of the Stormwater Authority adjourned at 9:05 pm.