MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                                                    LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                                                OCTOBER 26, 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
Lloyd W. Bucher                                                              Daniel Flint, Community Development
                                                                                        Richard Grove, Director of Finance
                                                                                       John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
                                                                                       Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
                                                                                       Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

 
President Black called the October 26, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:13 pm followed by a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. He announced Proof of Publication was available for review. Commissioner Schin was absent with excuse.

APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner BUCHER moved to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2015 regular meeting. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION President Black asked if there would be audience participation in any item on the agenda. Mr. Roger Meilton, 1425 Brandton Rd, indicated that he had some general comments regarding the Arcona Development to make under item 7.

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 following Consent Agenda items:

a. Department Reports for the month of September for Economic Development, Township Engineer, Fleet Maintenance, Public Safety,       and Public Works.
b. Tax Collector’s Monthly Report for September, 2015.
c. Authorizing the Township Manager to sign the 5-year maintenance agreement with CODY Systems for the Police Records                      Management System.

Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

PRESIDENT BLACK
Approval of Check Registers
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the Check Register of October 16, 2015, in the amount of $732,431.34, voided check of September 2015 in the amount of $941.72 and manual check of September 2015 in the amount of $740.00. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Application by Weis Markets, Inc. to Transfer Pennsylvania Liquor License
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the adjudication prepared by the Solicitor pursuant to the public hearing held on October 12, 2015, in the matter of the application by Weis Markets, Inc. to transfer Pennsylvania Liquor License R-18159 into Lower Allen Township pursuant to act 141 of 2000. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Resolution 2015-R-26 Transfer of Restaurant Liquor License
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve Resolution 2015-R-26, a Resolution of the ownership of Lower Allen, County of Cumberland, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, approving the transfer of restaurant liquor license no. R-18159 into Lower Allen Township. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Invoice No. 2 for Street Paving
Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve payment of Invoice No. 2 to Hempt Bros., Inc. in the amount of $562,990.62 for the 2015 Street Pavement Project. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Application by Verizon Wireless for Cell Tower
Commissioner TITZEL made a motion to approve the adjudication prepared by the Solicitor pursuant to the public hearing held on October 26, 2015, in the matter of the application by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for Conditional Use Application 2015-01, application to construct a wireless service facility, to include construction of a new tower. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP
Matt Andrechik, 11 Hartzdale Drive, spoke about the No Parking signs on Hartzdale drive. He stated the change in signs, since he bought his house, doesn’t allow him to park in front of his house. Mr. Flint will follow-up and check to see if the no parking is in an ordinance.

Ray Snyder, Creek Road, spoke about the excessive speed of the cars and trucks on his road. He spoke about an incident with his wife raking leaves and a car crossing the lines where he called the police. He asked if traffic and speed could be observed. Chief Williamson stated he would check into the speeding on this road.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Memo of Understanding – Charter Homes
Mr. Roger Meilton, 1425 Brandton Road, spoke about his concerns for the Arcona Development. He is concerned with the density of the entire project, especially with the most recent plan of all townhouses with no single family homes. He was concerned about the maneuvering of the fire trucks on some of the streets, as well as snow plowing. He spoke about his safety concerns with the realignment of Arcona Road. He stated as businesses open, there will be more traffic and he is concerned. He spoke about concern with their plan to have the recreation/parks owned by the homeowners and not open to public. He is concerned about the waiver for sidewalks granted on September 14th and believes it should be revisited.

President Black stated he has confidence in the Staff that plans approved will ensure the proper maneuvering of fire trucks and snow plows. Mr. Flint agreed.

Eric Mountz, Traffic Planning Design, stated the first step is the realignment to a 90 degree angle of Arcona Road. The next phase will be the building of the roundabout at Arcona and Lisburn Road.

Mr. Anthony Faranda-Diedrich, Charter Homes, stated he understands Mr. Meilton’s concerns and is willing to meet with him and explain the plans. He spoke about the trail system and sidewalks proposed for Lisburn Road.

Commissioner Bucher stated he doesn’t know why a new MOU is needed. He stated we have procedures in place for plans and doesn’t understand why these are needed. Charlie Courtney, McNees Wallace, stated an MOU creates expectations with each phase. He stated the MOU allows the Township and developer to understand the expected improvements. He stated a lot of transportation planning has been done and is reflected in the new MOU.

Commissioner Bucher asked about the realignment of Arcona Road. Mr. Courtney stated they received the HOP and have to work to get some utilities moved first. Commissioner Bucher stated that they knew about the telephone pole a year ago and this could have been done before the HOP. Mr. Vernau asked whether the Arcona Road realignment will be done this Fall or wait until Spring. Mr. Faranda-Diedrich stated the materials were ordered and they received an extension through November to try and get it done this Fall. He stated a Verizon utility need to be moved first. Discussion ensued.

President Black stated he understands the frustration because of so many revisions. He stated there needs to be a comprehensive master plan which will serve as the road map for the development. Mr. Courtney stated they are working with Staff on the revised master plan. They are also working on a comprehensive recreation plan.

Mr. Courtney showed the Board the proposed road improvements for Arcona. He stated the following are the proposed improvements:
     1. Alignment of Arcona Road
     2. Strong Road
          • This will be a connector road and be in Phase II.
          • It will be offered for dedication for the Township with posted security.
     3. Strong/Rossmoyne Road
          • A stop sign will be installed.
          • A right hand lane turn from Rossmoyne onto Strong Road will be constructed.
     4. Rossmoyne/Lisburn Roundabout
          • Public funding is available for the construction ($750,000). The Township will be the sponsor and Charter will pay the pre-                             construction costs (up to $350,000).
          • Mr. Courtney stated that if the pre-construction costs are over the $350,000, Charter may opt out of the PennDOT funding and do it                 privately.
          • Mr. Courtney stated that Charter would pay any construction costs exceeding $750,000.
          • President Black didn’t understand why they would opt out. Mr. Courtney stated public funding has different requirements which                   could make the project more expensive to Charter.

Mr. Courtney stated that once Arcona Phase II had 90% of the dwellings occupied, Charter will do a traffic study for the Strong/Rossmoyne intersection. The roundabout will not be necessary unless the intersection is performing at a level “D” or worse. If the roundabout isn’t necessary, a yearly evaluation will be performed to determine if it is warranted.

Commissioner Bucher stated the word “intends to submit” in paragraph K2 and K3 should be “will submit”.

Mr. Courtney spoke about paragraph 10, which asked the Township to seek monies for the road improvements provide by Charter from any future projects being built in the area. Commissioner Bucher stated the Township has never asked any developer before for monies. Extensive discussion ensued. Mr. Courtney stated they could take it out that paragraph if the Board wanted it out.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to remove paragraph 10 from the MOU with Charter Homes. Commissioner TITZEL seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to request Charter Homes to make the changes requested by the Board to the MOU and then approve it for signatures once the changes are made. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0. Mr. Vernau stated they would see the final product before it was signed.

Lot Line Adjustment
Mr. Flint showed the Board the location of the lot line adjustment request. He stated that a fence was constructed across property lines, and the neighbors agreed to move the property lines rather than the fence.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to approve SLD Docket No. 2015-14: Minor Subdivision Plan, Lot Line Adjustment for Tax Parcels 13-26-0247-092 and -093, between two existing parcels at 5019 and 5023 Ravenwood Road. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

FINANCE
Establishment of OPEB Integral Part Trust and Funding Policy
Mr. Grove discussed the establishment of OPEB Integral Part Trust, Funding Policy for OPEB Trust and Investment Policy Statement for OPEB Trust. He stated that three resolutions and one motion will be required at a future meeting. One resolution establishes the trust and the related summary plan description. The second resolution establishes a funding policy. The last resolution establishes an Investment Policy Statement. The motion required would establish Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC as the investment manager. Discussion ensued. This will be on the consent agenda at the next meeting.

Volunteer Fire Service Award Program Investment Policy Statement
Mr. Grove stated that a resolution is required to adopt an investment policy statement (IPS) for the Volunteer Fire Service Award. He stated an IPS establishes guidelines for the investment advisor outlining parameters within which the portfolio must be maintained. He stated this would be on the consent agenda for the next meeting.

Act 44 Procurement Policy
Mr. Grove stated that a resolution is necessary to establish Act 44 Procurement Procedures. Act 44 requires each municipality to officially adopt procurement procedures for municipal pension plan consultant services. Discussion ensued. This will be on the consent agenda for next meeting.

ASSISTANT MANAGER
Telephone System for Township
Mrs. Trone stated the 2015 budget includes $105,000 for a new telephone system for the Township. She discussed the old system and the difficulty in locating replacement phones and parts for the system. She spoke about the Committee that met and decided on the best system to meet the Township’s needs. She stated the Digium Solutions Phone system at the cost of $81,977.72 was the best solution. Discussion ensued.

Commissioner BUCHER made a motion to authorize Staff to purchase the new telephone system for no more than $82,000. Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Township Phone and Internet Service
Mrs. Trone discussed the issues the Township has had with their current phone provider, Earthlink. Mr. Vernau stated some of the issues included being without telephone service for 24 hours several times this year. Ms. Trone stated that they received quotes from Verizon and Comcast. She stated the best offer was for Comcast, which included bundling the phone and internet services. She stated it would provide over a $2,000 savings per year to the Township. Discussion ensued.

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize Staff to change the telephone services for the Township from Earthlink to Comcast. Commissioner BUCHER seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

MANAGER
2016 employee compensation parameters
Mr. Vernau provided the Board with a list of employees and proposed raises for 2016. He spoke about the change this year with performance evaluations and discussed the scoring system. He provided two scenarios. Scenario one has a 2.184% overall increase to payroll. The second scenario has a 2.684% overall increase to the payroll which is close to Mr. Grove’s forecasted 2.7%. He stated the part-time staff is broken up into three groups. The first group works less than 100 hours a year and doesn’t receive a raise. The second group is 110-499 hours and they would receive a 1.5% increase. The third group is those who work over 500 hours a year and they would get evaluations and process the same as full-time employees. He stated there is a $9,000 difference between scenarios one and two to the bottom line. He asked the Board for direction. Discussion ensued. The Board agreed to keep the budget the same and obtain Commissioner Schin’s input during the next budget meeting.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS
Mrs. Trone spoke about the bus garage being torn down.

Chief Williamson spoke about the Public Safety and Fire Company being out for trick or treating this week.

Vice President Young thanked the Staff for their work on the recycling day this past weekend.

Mrs. Echterling thanked Public Safety for the outstanding job PSO officer Tom Cook and Detective McNair did in their presentation at CLA last week.

Mr. Eby stated there is a meeting tomorrow and later this week on the Wesley Mews sprinkler issue. He is working with Triangle but Fritz isn’t communicating with him.

President Black congratulated the Staff for helping to keep the Township safe. He spoke about the Keystone Municipal Insurance Trust audit that ranked our Township number one with a score of 97.8%.

ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned at 9:45 pm.