MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                                       LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING                                                       JANUARY 25, 2016

 The following were in ATTENDANCE:

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP STAFF
H. Edward Black, President	Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Peddrick M. Young, Sr, Vice President	Erin Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Richard F. Schin	Frank Williamson, Director of Public Safety
Carolyn E. Holtzman	Daniel Flint, Community Development
Jack R. Simpson Jr.	Richard Grove, Director of Finance
	Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
	Christopher Yohn, EMS
	Julie Echterling, Recording Secretary

President Black called the January 25, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:00 pm with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.

MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 11, 2016 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  ANY ITEM 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.

Commissioner SCHIN moved to approve the following Consent Agenda items:

1. Department Reports for the month of November for Community Development, Township Engineer, Public Works, Fleet Maintenance, Public Safety, and Assistant Managers.
2. Tax Collector’s Monthly Reports for December, 2015, year end of 2015, and January 2016.

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

PRESIDENT BLACK

Approval of Check Register

Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve Check Register of January 22, 2016, in the amount of $122,835.17.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Amended Resolution 2015-R-26, Transfer of Restaurant Liquor License, to include the address of the current licensee.  Vice President YOUNG seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

There was no response.

PUBLIC SAFETY

County Portable Radio Replacements

Mr. Williamson spoke the notice he received concerning the county portable radios becoming obsolete in 2017 and the need for replacements.  He discussed how the radios work and why the county made the decision to go with new radios.  He stated based on the current number of radios issued there would be a potential cost of $187,345.80 needing to be budgeted for 2017.  He will be working on reducing the cost of the radios. Discussion ensued.

Police – Capital Expenditures – Light Bar Replacements and Replacement Vehicles

Mr. Williamson discussed the budgeted item for three new LED light bars for the police department.  He stated they would be installed on three police cars and the old ones would be donated to Lisburn Fire Company.  The purchase will be $8,400 in total and will be purchased with COSTAR pricing.  This will be on the consent agenda for the next meeting.

Mr. Williamson discussed the two budgeted police cars due for replacement in 2016.  Through COSTARS he obtained three estimates ranging from $59,542 to $71,832.  He spoke to the Board about installing ballistic panels for both the driver’s and passenger’s front doors.  He stated the panel costs would be $2,957 and are removable.  Discussion ensued.  Vice President YOUNG made a motion to approve the purchase of two Ford Police SUVs, with ballistic panels, from Hoffman Ford not to exceed $59,542.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

EMS Capital Expenditures – 800 Radio, Firecom and Patient Stretcher for New Ambulance

Mr. Williamson spoke about the need to purchase an Open Sky radio for the new ambulance.  He stated the radio would cost $9,164.70 and would be installed while the ambulance is being built.  Discussion ensued.  This will be on the consent agenda for the next meeting.

Mr. Williamson spoke about the Firecom System which is an integrated headset used in the ambulance to reduce noise from the sirens.  He spoke about how the headset worked and stated the cost $5,114 for installation.  Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize purchasing and installation of the wireless Firecom System in the new ambulance not to exceed $5,114.   Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Williamson spoke about the new stretchers installed last year in the ambulances.  He stated this type of stretcher would need to be installed in the new ambulance.  He stated the cost would be $33,858.63 which includes a $1,000 discount.  Vice President YOUNG made a motion to authorize purchasing and installation of the Ferno IN/X Patient Transport System and loading system for the new ambulance not to exceed $33,858.63.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 Civil Service Commission – Reorganization and 2015 Yearend Report

Mr. Williamson discussed the reorganization meeting of the Civil Service Commission.  He stated Mr. Charles Greiner would be the chairman and Mr. David Harman would the Vice Chairman for 2016.  He provided the Civil Service Commission 2015 Yearend Report to the Board for their consideration.  Commissioner Schin thanked the Commission for their service this past year.  Vice President YOUNG made a motion to accept the Civil Service Commission 2015 Yearend Report.  Commissioner SCHIN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Civil Service Commission – Word Changes to Rules & Regulations

Mr. Williamson discussed the proposed changes to the Rules and Regulations for the Civil Service Commission.  He provided the Board a red-lettered copy of those changes for their approval.  He stated if the Board is in agreement he would draft the resolution to approve those changes.  President Black spoke about a request from the officers to discuss the changes prior to approval.  He asked if the action could be tabled until he had chance to meet with the officers.  Vice President YOUNG made a motion to table action on the requested word changes to the Civil Service Commission rules and regulations until February 22, 2016.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 COMMUNITY DEVELPOMENT

SLD Docket No. 2015-13, Land Development Plan for Stone Gate Village

Mr. Flint discussed SLD Docket No. 2015-13, Land Development Plan for Stone Gate Village.  He stated they are proposed construction of 88 single-family attached (townhouse) units, a clubhouse, pool and tot lot, on 7.821 acres at the northeast corner of St. Johns Road and Lisburn Road.  He showed the Board the location of the plan on the map.  He stated PennDOT’s approval is needed and a few details need to be worked out.

He discussed the four requested waivers.  He stated they agreed to curbing and a macadam sidewalk on Lisburn Road, which was approved by the Planning Commission.  They are asking for a waiver from sidewalks and curbing on St. John’s Road.  He discussed the curbing they proposed for St. John’s Road entrance to their development.  He stated the Planning Commission denied their waivers request for curbing and sidewalk on St. John’s Road.  Mr. Bob Fisher, R J Fisher, stated there was misunderstanding of the ordinance and the fee in lieu of wasn’t requested at the time of the review by the Planning Commission.  He stated these townhouses wouldn’t be public housing and would consist of three bedroom and 2.5 bathroom units.  He stated the end units with garages would be two bedroom two bathroom units.  President Black asked the Board if they would like to approve the requested waiver or send it back to the Planning Commission.  Commissioner Schin thought it should go back to the Planning Commission.  Discussion ensued. Mr. Mark DeSanto, Triple Crown, stated he would like to see the project continue and believes Mr. Flint and Staff are supportive of their waiver with the fee in lieu of attached to it.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to refer the plan back to the Planning Commission.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-1.

 Purchase of a John Deere Hydro Rake

Vice President YOUNG made a motion authorizing the purchase of a John Deere Hydro Rake (infield machine) through COSTARS, at a cost of $15,384.00.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 Bidding of the 2016 Street Resurfacing Maintenance Project

Mr. Flint discussed and bidding of the 2016 Street Resurfacing Maintenance Project.  Streets in the project include Louise Drive, Ritter Road, Brandton Road and Indian Lane.  He spoke about coordinating this project with Upper Allen as they resurface part of the Rossmoyne Park.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion authorizing the advertising and bidding of the 2016 Street Resurfacing Maintenance Project; streets in the project include Louise Drive, Ritter Road, Brandton Road and Indian Lane.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

 FEMA Flood Risk Study

Mr. Flint discussed the letter received from FEMA about updating their flood maps.  He stated the floodplain study is scheduled to be released in spring of 2017.  He stated the study will provide technical floodplain information for the Township.  Discussion ensued.

MANAGER

Resignation of Patricia Hall from the Planning Commission

Mr. Vernau stated he received word that Mrs. Hall will be moving out of the Township and will be resigning from the Planning Commission.  He stated next meeting there should be action on accepting her resignation and appointing her replacement.

Renewal of PLCB Exemption for noise enforcement

Mr. Vernau discussed the current exemption for noise enforcement with the PLCB.  He stated if the Board would like to continue it will need to be renewed this year.  Mr. Williamson stated it has worked well and haven’t received complaints about the noise.  Mr. Vernau discussed the resolution and petition needed to be completed for the continuing enforcement by the Township.  Discussion ensued.  The Board agreed to move forward on the renewal.

 COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Mr. Williamson thanked the Fire companies for the great team effort they had from this during this past weekend with the Blizzard.

Solicitor Miner stated a partner of his firm, who lives in the Township, wanted to thank the Township for the great job they did with plowing.

The Board spoke about the excellent job staff did with handling the plowing and snow storm this weekend.  Commissioner Schin asked if a resolution could be passed including everyone who worked during the 2016 Blizzard.

Mr. Vernau stated Public Works will be working 12 hours shifts to deal with the snow removal starting tomorrow.  He spoke about Penn Waste trash collection schedule for the week.

 AJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned to Executive Session at 8:45pm to discuss the following item:

1. Planning Commission Appointment