MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING	August 14, 2023
The following were in ATTENDANCE:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
Dean W. Villone, President	Thomas G. Vernau, Township Manager
H. Edward Black, Vice President	Erin G. Trone, Director of Community & Economic Development
Joshua Nagy	Rebecca Davis, Public Works Director
Jennifer Caron	David Holl, Public Safety Director
Charles Brown	Steven P. Miner, Township Solicitor
	Nate Sterling, Administrative Secretary
	Renee’ Greenawalt, Recording Secretary

President Villone called the August 14, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 6:00 PM. He announced that Proof of Publication for the 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 July 10, 2023 Regular Meeting. He noted the revision included in the packet.

Commissioner BROWN made a motion to approve the minutes with correction. Commissioner NAGY seconded. The motion was carried 4-0 with 1 abstention from Commissioner Caron, who had been absent from the meeting.

President Villone requested a motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2023 Regular Meeting. Commissioner NAGY made the motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner CARON seconded. The motion carried 4-0 with 1 abstention from Vice President Black who had been absent from the meeting.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  Any item on the agenda.
President Villone advised the audience that if there were any items 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, they could do so at that time. There were none.

Items on the Consent Agenda:

a. Check Register of July 31, 2023, in the amount of $368,006.40.
b. Check Register of August 11, 2023, in the amount of $280,504.11.
c. Payment to Keystone Petroleum Inc. in the amount of $56,345.00 for replacement of the fuel pumps at the Public Works Facility.
d. Resolution 2023-R-35, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, approving the disposition by sale or trade-in of Township personal property over $2,000 in market value.

Commissioner CARON moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda. Commissioner BROWN seconded. The motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT VILLONE:
Manual Check Register
President Villone requested a motion to approve the manual Check Register of July 31, 2023, in the total amount of $2,387.34 (including a payment of $1,575.00 to Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott for legal services).

Commissioner NAGY made the motion, and Vice President BLACK seconded. The motion was carried 4-0 with one abstention by Commissioner Caron due to being employed by Eckert Seamans.

Regular Full-time status
President Villone requested a motion to move EMT Paramedic Benjamin Schearer from probationary to regular full-time status, effective August 13, 2023.

Vice President BLACK made the motion, seconded by Commissioner NAGY. The motion passed 5-0.

Ordinance 2023-03
President Villone requested a motion to enact Ordinance 2023-03, amending the Lower Allen Township Non-Uniformed Defined Benefit Pension Plan by amending the definition of Average Compensation. He reminded Commissioners of the prior discussions regarding this issue and noted the advertising requirements were met.

Commissioner BROWN made the motion to enact Ordinance 2023-03.

The Secretary called the roll:

Commissioner Caron – Aye
Vice-President Black – Aye
President Villone – Aye
Commissioner Brown – Aye
Commissioner Nagy – Aye

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.

MANAGER
Investment Manager and Custodian for Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Mr. Vernau provided an update on the replacement of Huntington Bank as investment manager and custodian for the Defined Benefit Pension Plans. He discussed the process of the search for new pension professionals since Huntington Bank was sold to OneDigital. Under Act 44, the Township is required to issue RFPs for pension services. Following that process, the Township has selected companies with appropriate asset mixes and menus of services. There is no agreement in place yet. Staff are engaged in ongoing discussions and a legal review is underway. An agreement is expected in September.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Director Trone announced a reminder of the floodplain hearing scheduled for 5 PM on Monday, August 28, 2023. The Ordinance would be on the agenda for the Board that evening.

Director Holl thanked everyone for their support of National Night Out and the efforts of those involved with the Lisburn Festival.

Commissioner Nagy announced the birth of his son, Carson Grant Nagy, born on July 26, 2023. He also expressed his thanks to everyone involved with National Night Out and the Lisburn Festival.

All Commissioners and staff congratulated Commissioner Nagy on the birth of his son.

Mr. Miner reported on recent activity on municipal accounts, noting that six trash and three stormwater liens had been satisfied.

Commissioner Caron complimented the success of the Lisburn Festival and expressed her enthusiasm for participating.

Commissioner Brown praised the success of the National Night Out, noting specific activities such as the forensics van and Life Lion. He also complimented the Lisburn Festival and thanked volunteers.

Vice President Black echoed the same sentiments regarding recent events. He also noted the West Shore Recreation Commission would be raising the Township contribution by ten cents for an annual fee increase of $1400. A WSREC representative will present before the Board later in the year.

Captain Crone thanked those who volunteered time for National Night Out.

President Villone specifically recognized Diana Knisely for her efforts in coordinating the National Night Out event. He said it was great to see everyone come together and pitch in, working as a team towards the effort. He also thanked the volunteers for the Lisburn Festival and observed both events were well attended. Finally, he announced that the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association would hold their annual membership event at Liberty Forge on August 18, 2023 at 5 PM.

President Villone announced an Executive Session would be held for a briefing on the Ogundere lawsuit filed in 2020. He noted there would be no business taken and the meeting would be adjourned.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 PM.