MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                             MAY 11, 2015

The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                   TOWNSHIP PERSONNEL
H. Edward Black, President                                       Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Peddrick M. Young, Sr, Vice President                      Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager
John T. Titzel                                                            Frank Williamson, Chief of Police
Richard F. Schin                                                       Daniel Flint, Community Development
Lloyd W. Bucher                                                        Richard Grove, Finance Director
                                                                                 John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
                                                                                 Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
                                                                                 Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

 
President Black called the May 11, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced Proof of Publication was available for review.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner TITZEL moved to approve the minutes for the April 27, 2015 regular meeting. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
President Black inquired if anyone in the audience wished to address any item appearing on the agenda. There was no response.

CONSENT AGENDA
President Black advised that any Commissioner, Staff member, or anyone in attendance could request any item on the Consent Agenda be removed for further discussion and asked if there was such request. President Black asked that item h and i be removed for further discussion.

Commission SCHIN moved to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as submitted, those items being the following:

a. Moving Helen Grundon from probationary to regular full-time employment status in the position of Administrative Secretary.
b. Moving Robert Nailor from probationary to regular full-time employment status in the position of Public Works Coordinator.
c. Purchase of 2015 Ford F-550.
d. Resolution 2015-R-12 adopting the Cumberland County 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan.
e. Tax Collector’s Monthly Report for April, 2015.
f. Waiver of the requirement contained in Section 192-24.C to submit a Preliminary Plan for SLD Docket No. 2015-04, Land Development Plan for 4530 Lena Drive.

g. Waiver of the requirement in Section 192-36.B, Item C.4, to show existing features within 150 feet of the proposed project for SLD Docket No. 2015-04, Final Land Development Plan for 4530 Lena Drive.

Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

President Black asked if structural soil for planting street trees was in the ordinance. Mr. Flint said yes and discussed the waiver request.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as submitted, those items being the following:

h. Waiver of the requirement in Section 192-63.D(1)(d) to provide structural soil for planting street trees for SLD Docket No. 2015-04, Final Land Development Plan for 4530 Lena Drive.
i. SLD Docket No. 2015-04, Final Land Development Plan for 4530 Lena Drive, contingent upon the following:
a. Providing an executed Developers Agreement and Improvement Security.
b. Payment of the fee in lieu of sidewalk in the amount of $3,290.
c. Lower Allen Township Authority approval.
d. Cumberland County Conservation District approval of the Erosion and Sediment Pollution Control Plan.
e. Providing an executed Stormwater Facilities and BMP Maintenance and Monitoring Agreement.

Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of May 1, 2015 in the amount of $563,503.25, April manual checks in the amount of $6,600.00 and April voided check register in the amount of $901.25. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2015-R-13 recognizing Corporal Mark Williams for 32 years of service to Lower Allen Township.
Commissioner TITZEL made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-R-13 recognizing Corporal Mark Williams for 32 years of service to Lower Allen Township. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
There was no response.

FINANCE
Pension Plan Actuarial Valuation Reports
Mr. Grove discussed the background of the recession its impact on the pension plans. He spoke about the proactive positive actions taken by the Board. He discussed the valuation done for 2015 and stated the Township pensions are at a no distress status for the state which is a positive outcome. Discussion ensued. The Board thanked Staff for the work and positive outcomes.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Zoning Hearing Board Report
Mr. Eby stated Docket #2015-01, former Stephenson’s Flower property, was withdrawn by the applicant as they revise and resubmit a plan. He spoke about Docket #2015-02 that involves an appeal of the Zoning Officer’s order to allow continued commercial use of a property in the MUN district. He asked the Board for the Solicitor to attend the meeting. Discussion ensued.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize the Solicitor to attend the May 21, 2015 Zoning Hearing Board on behalf of the Township. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-01.
Mr. Eby discussed the proposed changes from Charter Homes outlined in the Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-01. He stated the changes involve address signs and conditional setback issues with detached garages. He discussed some potential issues that could arise with enforcement and stated this amendment would addresses the issues. Discussion ensued.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize staff to distribute the application to the County and Township Planning Agencies, with a public hearing date of July 13, 2015 at 6:00pm, and authorizing staff to publish legal notice of the public hearing for the Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2015-01 – the application of Charter Homes & Neighborhoods for proposed text amendments to the Code of: Lower Allen Township, Chapter 220, Zoning, Article XVI, Traditional Neighborhood Development. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

SLD Docket No. 2015-03, Minor Subdivision Plan for 2720 Lisburn Road.
Mr. Flint discussed the SLD Docket No. 2015-03, Minor Subdivision Plan for 2720 Lisburn Road. He stated the division would be of an existing 13.47 acre lot into two lots: 5.56 and 7.91 acres. He showed the Board the location of the plan. Since there is no construction being proposed, they are requesting waivers of curbs and sidewalks. Discussion ensued. This will be ready for action at the next meeting.

Bryan Harshbarger’s probationary period.
Mr. Flint stated that Bryan Harshbarger has successfully completed his probationary period and action can be taken at the next meeting.

Ryan Turnpin’s probationary period.
Mr. Flint stated that Ryan Turnpin has successfully completed his probationary period. He stated Mr. Turnpin needs to take his CDL test which has been delayed due to PennDOT’s schedule. As soon as he has obtained his CDL action can be taken, which could be at the next meeting.

Request for Release of Improvement Security for SLD Docket No. 2014-06.
Mr. Flint discussed the request for release of improvement security for SLD Docket No. 2014-06,
Bridge Street Parking LP, 5016 Simpson Ferry Road. He discussed the completed construction and stated this should be ready for action at the next meeting.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Resolution to sell a structure estimated to be worth over $1,000.
Mrs. Trone discussed the proposed auctioning of the metal from the bus garage that needs be removed as a condition of the grant for the Cedar Run Park. She stated the resolution will be on the consent agenda for next meeting.

 
MANAGER
Appointment of a Township Secretary
Mr. Vernau discussed the official Township Secretary vacancy and asked the Board if they would like to appoint Mrs. Grundon as the Township Secretary. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Board was to appoint her now versus later. Mr. Vernau will put this action on the next agenda.

Cohen Law Group proposal
Mr. Vernau provided an update about the Cohen Law Group proposal. He stated eight municipalities have signed on for the review of wireless facilities management. He stated the desired result of the review is to ensure the Township ordinances keep mini cell tower out of residential areas and establish right of way fees for the Township. Discussion ensued. Mr. Vernau will continue to provide updates to the Board and the final cost of the proposal.

Lower Allen/Fairview Communication Study
Chief Williamson discussed his report outlining the three options for the potential regionalization of communications with Cumberland County and York dispatches. He provided three options and explained each option. He stated the figures provided were educated guesses. He stated option two was the most viable option and discussed how the costs were broken out. He discussed how calls would work between the counties and locations of the incident reports. He stated his report is for police calls only and that EMT and Fire calls would remain through Cumberland County. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Vernau stated the figures provided were ballpark figures and provide estimates of the potential costs of the regionalization. He suggested deferring regionalization until 2018, after the current police contracts expire in 2017. Vice President Young stated he has spoken to many of the Township police officers and none of them is in favor of the regionalization. He stated the officers are concerned about the Board and communication. Mr. Vernau stated legal issues, pension funds, postemployment healthcare costs need to be discussed and agreed on by the Board for moving forward. Extensive discussion ensued. Solicitor Miner stated discussions on personnel, contract and pensions should take place in executive session. Policy costs and discussions should take place in public. The Board asked personnel issues dealing with the merger be put on the agenda for executive session for the next meeting.

Mr. Vernau asked the Board if the June 22, 2015 meeting should be canceled as the majority of the Board will be at training. Discussion ensued. The consensus of the Board was to cancel the meeting.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mr. Vernau stated he would release the Communication Study and Recommendation report to West Fairview this week.

Chief Williamson stated this week is National Officer’s week. He stated 20,267 officers have died in the line of duty since 1791. He stated that 44 officers have died in the line of duty so for this year.

President Black stated he sent an email to the Superintendent and the President of the Board for West Shore School District asking for a meeting for them to coordinate with the Township before they decide to not to defend the reduction in assessments. He hasn’t heard back and will follow-up this week.

ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 8:28 pm.