MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

NOVEMBER 28, 2016

 

            At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the executive session.  In attendance were Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco.  Supervisor Robert J. Birch was absent.  Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence Gregan and Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire. 

At 8:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the action meeting.  In attendance were Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco.  Supervisor Robert J. Birch was absent.  Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Police Chief J. Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Information Technology Director Rich Grier and Public Information Coordinator Kelsey McMeans.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.

            Township Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed four matters.  The Board discussed two matters of personnel, including the Fire Union Arbitration and Police Union Negotiations. The Board also discussed two matters of potential litigation, one regarding the Cutler subdivision and the other involving a zoning hearing board application for Lizell’s Office Furniture at 742 Bethlehem Pike.  Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.

            Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

Director of Finance Ami Tarburton introduced David Bernhauser, a representative from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).  Mr. Bernhauser presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award to the Township.  In 2016, for fiscal year 2015, the Township prepared its annual financial report in Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) format and applied to the GFOA for consideration in the CAFR program.  In November 2016, the Township received a letter from the GFOA congratulating it on the CAFR and awarding the Township the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.  This is the sixth consecutive year that the Township has received this award.  Supervisor Michael J. Fox stated that this Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting is a program that the Board has regarded highly.  Supervisor Fox stated that the Township residents understand the importance that the Board places on financial reporting, so the Board is really glad to see this acknowledgment once again.

Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that the Minimum Municipal Obligation calculation has determined that for 2017, a combination of State Aid, Township contributions and Police Officer contributions will be required to meet the funding obligations of the Plan and keep the pension fund actuarially sound.  Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, requires Police Officer contributions to the Police Pension Plan in the amount of 5% of Base Salary, Longevity and Holiday pay for the year 2017 and direct that notice of contribution be provided to the representatives of the Police Collective Bargaining Unit.

Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that Todd Kulp, who worked for the Department of Fire Services on a part-time basis since September 20, 2007 has submitted his resignation effective November 11, 2016.  Mr. Lesniak stated that the Township appreciated Mr. Kulp’s service and wished him well in his future endeavors.  Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, recognized the resignation of Todd Kulp from his position as Firefighter Part-Time with Montgomery Township effective November 11, 2016.

Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer reported that in October 2015, AGT Fitness Management was hired to provide professional supervision for the fitness center and instructors for group exercise classes.  Based on the usage patterns and participation rates that were experienced during the first year of operation, Township center staff and AGT Fitness Management, Inc. have negotiated several revisions to the original agreement to improve the members experience at the Center and control costs.  There were three specific changes made:  the times to staff the fitness center were reduced, monthly compensation for the new proposed staffing was reduced and weekly exercise class instruction rates were reduced.  Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the authorization to execute Addendum C to the Agreement with AGT Fitness Management, Inc. to provide professional staffing of the Fitness Center and Group Exercise Instructors at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center.

 Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township Engineer and Township Landscape Architect, along with Township staff, have reviewed and are recommending the release of the surety bond and end of the maintenance period for Phase 1 of the Chick-Fil-A project.  The current amount of the Maintenance Bond held for Phase 1 is $122,850.97 and Phase 2 (vacant pad site) of this project still has $87,321.67 left in the original Performance bond.  Resolution #4 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized the release of the Maintenance Bond and the end of the maintenance period for Phase 1 of the Chick-Fil-A project, LDS#669, located at 794 Bethlehem Pike. 

Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #1 for LDS#677 – Narayan Guest House in the amount of $69,536.00. 

Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #1, LDS#682 – BJ’s Fueling Station-Five Points Plaza in the amount of $481,076.10.

Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #2, LDS#684 – Mark’s Jewelers – 975 Bethlehem Pike in the amount of $34,222.01.

Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #1, M-15-73 – Starbuck’s – 776 Bethlehem Pike in the amount of $23,515.35.

Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of permit fee for a special event for the Greater Philadelphia Falun Dafa Association Shen Yun Performances.

Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Township’s traffic signal system at the intersection of Cowpath Road and the Five Points Shopping Center is proposed to be upgraded by Penn DOT as part of the S.R. 0202 Section 71A Five Points Intersection Improvement Project.  Penn DOT’s upgrades to this signal system will involve the installation of an overhead lane use control mast arm on the westbound approach to the intersection.  Penn DOT has requested that the Township obtain an easement from an adjacent property owner in order to locate a pole on their property which is outside of the right-of-way.  The property owners have agreed to provide an easement to the Township at no cost.  Penn DOT will be responsible for the construction costs of the new equipment. Staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve the easement agreement as presented.  Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the Easement Agreement for a pole location for the Cowpath Road and Five Points Shopping Center Traffic Signal Upgrade.

            A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.

            Under other business, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera requested that the record show that the Board of Supervisors accepted a letter from Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco requesting inclusion in the Group Life, Dental, Health, Hospitalization, Medical and Accident Insurance Plans provided by the Township.  There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:20p.m.