MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                         AUGUST 10, 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, Director of Public Safety
Richard F. Schin                                                              Daniel Flint, Community Development
Lloyd W. Bucher                                                              Richard Grove, Finance Director
                                                                                        Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
                                                                                        Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

 
President Black called the August 10, 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 SCHIN moved to approve the minutes for the July 27, 2015 regular meeting. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESENTATION: WEST SHORE RECREATION COMMISSION:
Stacy Gromlich, West Shore Recreation Commission, stated she was here with good news. The 2016 Budget for the Commission included no increases for municipalities. She discussed the approved bylaws and thanked the Board for their input and help. Discussion ensued.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to reconfirm the approval of the changes in the bylaws for the agreement with West Shore Recreation Commission. Commissioner TITZEL 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. There was no response.

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

a. Renewal of Improvement Security for SLD Docket No. 2000-11, Heights of Beacon Hill, Phase 2, establishing a new amount of $7,642.60 and a new expiration date of August 10, 2016
b. Engineer Reports for the months of April, May and June.
c. Tax Collector’s Monthly Report for July, 2015.
d. Final payment to Hempt Bros., Inc. in the amount of $6,200.00 for construction of the new Leaf Composting Facility.
e. Moving Ryan Turpin from probationary to regular full-time employment status in the Public Works Department.
f. Increase hourly rate of pay for Ryan Turpin and Scott Harbold from $13.60 (Novice, Non-CDL) to $15.00 (Novice, CDL), as both have obtained their Commercial Driver’s License.

Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Commissioner Bucher asked about the Tax Collector’s report. On line 2b of the report it states the amount is carried over from lines 17, however, line 17 is blank. Motion carried 5-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of August 7, 2015 in the amount of $331,103.12. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
Janice Lynx, 2036 Sheepford Road, read a statement about Yellow Beeches Park. She spoke about the change to the park and the parties being held there especially over the weekends. She stated some parties can be well over 50 people, with loud music, gas grills, drinking, littering and polluting the area. She stated her property is on the other side of the bridge and they have been forced to post private property signs. She is concerned these large parties of drinking and small children could result in a tragedy someday. Since she went to the Recreation & Parks Board on July 22nd and discussed their concerns, and since things have taken a turn. She said on August 2nd 33 cars were parked on Sheepford Road and there was a large party there of nearly 100 so she called the police. Officer Curtis came out and while he was there shots were fired. She spoke about the parties and how cars come and go.

Mr. Vernau stated they are trying a few things including adding more trash cans, limiting parking with ticketing and of towing cars, putting signs in Spanish, and increasing patrols. He stated an ordinance is needed to implement a no parking zone. They have moved the picnic tables to the open field area. He stated they are not trying to stop the residents from using the area, but to stop the open fires, littering, and drinking. Chief Williamson has increased the patrols on the weekends in the area. They did make an arrest on the shots fired from kids with a gun firing blanks. There was also a drug arrest. Discussion ensued.

David Warlick, resident, thinks the rope swing in the area has attracted more people to it and maybe it should be eliminated.

Lisa Jackson, 2000 Sheepford Road, asked about instead of no parking signs, have loading zone with a time limit. She stated they can load or unload their boat within 15 minutes. She is concerned about the kids in the water with the boats in the area.

Geir Magnuson, 4052 Lisburn Road, thinks the leader of the parties and/or group should be contacted and ask them to help in the situation. The Board asked how to find out who is having the parties since there isn’t a permit required for them. Discussion ensued. Mr. Magnuson volunteered to find out a name and let the Township know.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Release of Security Improvement for SLD Docket No. 2012-01
Mr. Flint discussed the request for release of Security Improvement for SLD Docket No. 2012-01, Final Land Development Plan for Supply Chain Facility, 2700 Yetter Court. He stated, pending inspection, this could ready for action at the next meeting.

Executing Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Project Agreements
Mr. Flint discussion the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Project Agreements with the Cumberland County Conservation District for the following projects: Thompson Lane – East, Thompson Lane – West and Creekwood Drive – Creekwood Park Access.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to execute the Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Maintenance Project Agreements with the Cumberland County Conservation District for the following projects: Thompson Lane – East, Thompson Lane – West and Creekwood Drive – Creekwood Park Access. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

FINANCE
2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.
Mr. Grove stated 2014 was another good year for the Township. He discussed the awards received by the Township for financial reporting and the AA+ rating the Township maintains. He spoke about the report he provided the Board and discussed the 2014 year end results. He discussed the challenges as changes to the economy occur, other post-employment benefits, and capital leases. He discussed some possible suggestions to help with the benefits and leases. Discussion ensued. The Board thanked Mr. Grove and staff for their achievements. Mr. Grove stated the results are based decisions made by the Board.

ASSISTANT MANAGER
Place the Township’s two 2013 Ford Interceptors up for Auction Sale.
Mrs. Trone discussed the two Inceptors ready for auction and the requirements for a resolution for this process. Discussion ensued. This will be on the consent agenda as a resolution next meeting.

Updated Job Descriptions
Mrs. Trone stated the Board received a packet of job descriptions. She stated the memo outlines the job descriptions with major changes to them. She stated the Board will be asked to approve the revised job descriptions at the next meeting.

MANAGER
Public Safety Director Search Proposals
Mr. Vernau stated the Board has received two proposals for the Public Safety Director search. Chief William J. Kelly was present to discuss his proposal. The Board asked several questions of Chief Kelly. Chief Kelly stated the committee to help in the interviewing process would be directed by the Board’s preferences. He spoke about his association with the Chief of Police Association and how that would not influence his decision. He stated the Board would set up the guidelines and he would follow them to find the best candidate for the civilian position. He stated he would assist the Board in setting up the background checks and testing for the Board as it is not part of his proposal. The Board stated they would like a national wide search with the emphasis on quality versus deadlines.

President Black stated he hopes our current Public Safety Director of Safety applies and if he is the most qualified, he would get the job. Chief Kelly stated there would need to be several meetings with the Board to outline the guidelines for the position. Discussion ensued.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to enter into an agreement with Chief Kelly and the Chief of Police Association for the search for the Public Safety Director for the Township. Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Ordinance 2015-04, Wireless Communication Facilities update.
Mr. Vernau discussed the changes in proposed Ordinance 2015-14, based on the Cohen Group’s review of the Township’s ordinances.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize the Solicitor to advertise Ordinance 2015-14 for a public meeting to be held on October 12, 2015 at 6:00 pm and for staff to send the required information to the planning agencies. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Verizon cell tower lease bids
Mr. Vernau discussed the current lease for the cell tower with Verizon, which pays $600 a month. He stated three bids were received, and based on the answer to three questions, the Board can chose the best solution. The decision of which bid to accept is based on the future of subleases with the potential revenues or taking the highest bid with no additional future revenues. Mr. Vernau stated there is no way to know if there will be subleases in the future or how many. Lengthy discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to accept American Tower’s bid of $2,835 per month for 5 years with no sublease revenues for the Township. There was no second. Commissioner SCHIN withdrew his motion.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to accept AP Wireless’ bid of $9,200 down payment with semiannual payments of $9,200 for five years with an 80% sublease revenue for the Township. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1, with Commissioner Schin in opposition.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mrs. Trone spoke about the Beetle Bop being torn down and the new building being constructed.

Mr. Flint provided an update on the Arcona traffic and realignment of Arcona Road. He stated PennDOT is about to issue the permit to start construction. He stated the street reconstruction started last week.

ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:28 pm.