MINUTES

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS                          LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

 REGULAR MEETING                                           APRIL 25, 2016                                    

 The following were in ATTENDANCE:

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS	TOWNSHIP STAFF
H. Edward Black, President	Thomas G. Vernau Jr., Township Manager
Carolyn E. Holtzman	Erin G. Trone, Assistant Township Manager
Richard F. Schin	David Holl, Director of Public Safety
Jack R. Simpson Jr.	Daniel Flint, Community Development
	Richard Grove, Director of Finance
	John Eby, Building and Zoning Coordinator
	Steven P. Miner, Solicitor
	Mary Ellen Banks, Recording Secretary

President Black called the April 25, 2016 Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners to order at 7:15 pm with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  President Black apologized for the late start as the Development Authority had a meeting that ran late.  He announced that Proof of Publication was available for review.  Vice President Young was absent with excuse.

MEETING MINUTES

Solicitor Miner asked for a correction of “temporary and permanent easements will be necessary” under Community Development on page 2 next to last paragraph.  President Black asked for a change on page 4 under Ordinance 2016-02 the wording be changed to “dawn to dusk”.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve the amended minutes from the April 11, 2016 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION:  ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

There were no comments.

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 March for Township Engineer, Public Works, Fleet Maintenance, Public Safety, and Assistant Manager.
2. Tax Collector’s Monthly Reports for March 2016.
3. Adopt Resolution 2016-R-17, authorizing signature of PennDOT reimbursement agreements by the Township Manager.

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

PRESIDENT BLACK

Approval of Check Register

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to approve Check Register of April 15, 2016, in the amount of $842,578.91.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Commissioner Holtzman asked about CPR cards, PSATC fees, Holy Spirit EMS Reciprocity Agreement.  Mr. Vernau answered her questions.  Motion carried 4-0.

Resolution 2016-R-13– Amending the Township’s Civil Service Regulations

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-R-13, a resolution of the Board of Commissioners of Lower Allen  Township,  Cumberland  County  Pennsylvania  amending the  Township’s  Civil Service regulations at Section 3.6, General  – All Applicants, at Section 3.7,  General  Qualifications  –  Applicants  Corporal, Sergeant,  Lieutenant  and Captain, at Section 4.2 – General Examination Requirements For Promotions, and at Section 4.4.1, Written Examinations (Corporal, Sergeant, or Lieutenant) and at Section 5.1, Eligibility List and Manner of Filling Appointments.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.   Commissioner Schin thanked the Civil Service Commission and staff for their work in these changes.

Resolution 2016-R-15 – Appointing a Complaint Coordinator

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-R-15, appointing Corisa L. Kidman to the position of Complaint Coordinator, effective May 3, 2016, at a starting rate of pay of Sixteen Dollars and five cents per hour ($16.05). Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

Resolution 2016-R-16, Designate an Agent for the Township in the FEMA-PEMA application

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to adopt Resolution 2016-R-16, appointing Public Safety Director Dave Holl as the designated Applicant Agent to represent the Township in the FEMA-PEMA application process for reimbursement from the January 22-23 snow storm.  Commissioner HOLTZMAN seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

ANY BUSINESS PERTINENT TO THE TOWNSHIP

Mr. Terry Lenker thanked the Township for great job they did with the snow removal this year.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SLD Docket No. 2016-02 Plan for 137 and 145 Locust Street

Mr. Flint spoke about the lot adjustment plan for 137 and 145 Locust Street.  He showed the Board the location on the map.  They are requesting a change in the right-of-way which is in keeping with the community.  The Planning Commission agreed with the right-of-way and curbing requests.  He stated that they discussed the sidewalk and denied their request for fee-in-lieu of for sidewalks.  They recommended that when the property at 145 is developed, the sidewalk would be installed.  Discussion ensued.  Mr. Flint stated that this will appear on a future meeting agenda.

Hampden Township Proposed Official Map

Mr. Flint received a letter and map from Hampton Township.  He showed the Board on the map the location of one of the improvements affecting the Township with the extension of Sporting Hill Road.  He stated that they would need to cross the railroad to Simpson Ferry Road.  He stated that this was discussed at the Planning Commission and no formal action was taken.  He recommended sending a letter similar to the one sent last year.  President Black spoke about concerns with stormwater discharge and where it would be connected into Lower Allen.  Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to send a letter similar to the one from April 2015 outlining concerns about stormwater management and connection of Sporting Hill Road.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

Drainage Plan DP 2016-02 – 4925 Ritter Road.

Mr. Flint spoke about the land development plan for this parcel in the Rossmoyne Business Center.  He showed the Board the location of the site.  The land development plan, although submitted several years ago, is still valid.  There are updated requirements for stormwater, so the developer opted to do a drainage plan rather than a new SLD plan.  This should be ready for action at the next meeting.

MANAGER:

Potential Purchase of 155 Creekwood Drive Land Abutting Creekwood Park.

Mr. Vernau stated that there is a piece of private property next to Creekwood Park that the owner has asked the Township if they are interested in purchasing.  This land would be added to the park.  The owner has asked the Township to make an offer.  He stated that it is in the floodplain so it could be used for parking or boat entrance.  Mr. Flint showed the Board the location of the land.  Mr. Vernau asked the Board if they are interested in the land.  President Black thinks it is a great opportunity.  Mr. Vernau stated that he would speak with the Recreation and Parks Board on Wednesday.  Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to authorize Staff to send a letter of interest for the property at 155 Creekwood Drive and authorize an appraisal of the property.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.   Motion carried 4-0.

Pension Committee Meeting Report

Mr. Vernau spoke about the meeting held last week.  He spoke about the funding and the interest assumption for the Pension Plans.  He stated that they are looking for ways to increase the yield of the plan investments.  He stated that they considered a change in the asset mix.  The idea was to move to 70% stock/30% other, and the Committee thought was it best to wait till after the Presidential Election before making this change.  Another idea was to move to index funds which mirror the stock market itself but aren’t managed and have performed well.  He believes this will reduce the fees the Township pays each year with RJ Hall.  The Pension Committee recommended moving to index funds.  Discussion ensued.

Commissioner SCHIN made a motion to move a portion of the Pension Fund investments to Index Funds based on the Pension Committee recommendation.  Commissioner SIMPSON seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

COMMISSIONERS REPORTS

Mr. Flint stated that President Black and Vice President Young are attending the Flashing Green Arrow press conference on Friday from 11-12.  Commissioner Simpson stated that he would also attend the event.  The flashing light won’t be turned on until next week.  He has a meeting scheduled with PennDOT next week on the turnback of Arcona Road.  He is waiting to hear back on a proposal for the stormwater at the Cliffs.

Mr. Eby stated that he is the Sewer Enforcement Officer.  He stated that the Alternate for the Township can no longer do it.  He stated that he would send the Board a memo about a replacement.

Mr. Vernau stated that he and Mr. Black attended a grand opening of The Studio by Absolute Pilates at Arcona on Saturday.

Director Holl spoke about the corrected March 2016 statistics he provided in his report.  He stated that he and Mr. Grove attended a County kickoff meeting for applying for funds for the snow storm in January.  He stated that they will verify numbers for reimbursement.  The kickoff of the meeting for this is in May.

Mrs. Trone stated that there was a special meeting of the Development Authority held tonight to discuss an offer made on the old Township Building.

President Black asked if there was a way to indicate what the abbreviations mean on the Public Safety incident frequency report statistics on their monthly reports.  He stated that the Township received a letter from the Attorney General’s office commending our officers for their work on recent investigations under the child predator section.  The letter thanked Officers Curtis, Shiley, Justh, Foltz, Detective Sentman, and PSO Cook.  He stated that the Township received another letter from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in appreciation of Officer Coffey for his assistance in March for the handling of an unusual situation.

Mr. Vernau showed the Board the Governor’s Award for Excellence the Township received for the Gettysburg Road TDD project with Upper Allen Township.  He stated that they received congratulatory letters from Representative Delozier and Senator Vance.

AJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Commissioners adjourned to executive session at 8:33 pm to discuss a legal item.