MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

April 24, 2017

 

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

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

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

            Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an Executive Session prior to this meeting to discuss one matter of personnel and one labor matter. The personnel matter was the interview of police officer candidates and the labor matter was a status of police contract negotiations. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.

            Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Richard Miniscalco seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Board Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera introduced the Odyssey of the Mind Program Participants. The Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that challenges teams of five to seven students to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to solve short-term “spontaneous” problems and a long-term problem that ranges from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. Students learn to work together, to manage their own time, and ultimately to take responsibility for every part of their final solution. At the end of the Odyssey season, teams bring their solutions to competition at a regional level. The Odyssey Program is open to all grades and academic levels under the guidance of adult volunteer coaches. Students from the North Penn School District were recognized for their participation and accomplishments in the 2017 program and competition.   Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera welcomed the following students:

North Wales Elementary School- Division 1 (Coached by Elizabeth Montagna)

This mixed team from North Wales Elementary includes students from Bridle Path, General Nash, and Montgomery Elementary Schools. The following students participated:

  • Matthew Adelman - North Wales Elementary
  • Nicholas Goepel - North Wales Elementary
  • Juliana Lehrer - North Wales Elementary
  • Drea Nicholson - Bridle Path Elementary
  • Quinlan Mockus - General Nash Elementary
  • Padmini Ramaswamy - Montgomery Elementary

The team presented their solution to the “Catch Us If You Can” (Vehicle Problem).

North Wales Elementary School Team A- Division 1 (Coached by: Christine Hinke & Oahn Whalen Spontaneous Coach- Steven Rusche)

This team from North Wales Elementary includes the following students:

  • Ani Whalen
  • Isla Hinke
  • Joy Rusche
  • Millie Clark
  • Lauren Arney

The team presented their solution to the “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem).

North Wales Elementary School Team B- Division 1 (Coached by: Sara Steinbauer & Michael Schmidt-Lange)

This team from North Wales Elementary includes the following students:

  • Alex Goepel
  • Anna Hyson
  • Ohm Patel
  • Saachi Sainath
  • Daniel Schmidt-Lange
  • Sawyer Steinbauer

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem). The team placed 1st in their division and advanced to the State Competition.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the team competed in the Pennsylvania State Tournament held at Moon Area Middle/High School where they placed 7th in their division.  

Inglewood Elementary School - Division 1 (Coached by: Karen Nevard & Assistant Coach Gary Nevard)

This team includes the following students:

  • Ryan Nevard
  • Lily Cole
  • Danny Seltzer
  • Dete Gray
  • Evie Dalton
  • Chase Gregory

The team presented their solution to the “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem).

Gwyn-Nor Elementary School - Primary (Coached by: Elena Petrossian, Lujia Pan, Mina Wang & Sonali Gupta)

This team includes the following students:

  • Ashton Sangwoo Park
  • Derek Zhu
  • Joshua Li
  • Misha Gupta
  • Rafael Michael Petrossian
  • Vansh Bansal

The team presented their solution to the “Movin’ Out!” challenge (this is for children ages Kindergarten through 2nd grade). The team received an award for “Best Interplanetary Travel” in the primary problem.

Gwynedd Square Elementary School- Division 2 (Coached by: Chris Stawski & Mark Sciutto)

This team includes the following students:

  • Jack Bachman
  • Amogh Desai
  • Katie Keiser
  • Megan Neild
  • Alec Sciutto
  • Gabrielle Stawski

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem) and placed 11th in their division.

Penndale Middle School- Division 2 (Coached by: Diane Wright)

This team includes the following students:

  • Kyle Harr
  • Jane Peters
  • Lauren Eglin
  • Greg Sanborn
  • Ivy Scattergood
  • Avery Laurens
  • Ella Kreutzer

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem), placed 2nd in their division and advanced to the State Competition.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the team competed in the Pennsylvania State Tournament held at Moon Area Middle/High School where they placed 4th in their division.  

Upper Gwynedd Team- Division 2 (Coached by: Kathy Heath & Adrienne Loughery)

This team includes the following students:

  • Daniella Boyce- Gwynedd Square Elementary School
  • Salamah Klingsberg- Gwynedd Square Elementary School
  • Megan Loughery- Gwynedd Square Elementary School
  • Jaylyn Onyeanusi- Gwynedd Square Elementary School
  • Sarah Heath- Inglewood Elementary School
  • Robert Heath- Penndale Middle School
  • Gabriela Aragon- Pennfield Middle School

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “Ready, Set, Balsa, Build!” (Structure Problem), placed 2nd in their division and advanced to the State Competition.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the team competed in the Pennsylvania State Tournament held at Moon Area Middle/High School where they placed 10th in their division.  

Pennbrook Middle School- Division 3 (Coached by: Alexandra Chiu & Joanne Wiernusz)

This team includes the following students:

  • Vianne Chang-- Pennbrook Middle School
  • Sally Meyers-- Pennbrook Middle School
  • Elise Upright-- Pennbrook Middle School
  • Natalie Upright-- Pennbrook Middle School
  • Riley Baedke--Pennbrook Middle School
  • Nicole Chiu-- Pennbrook Middle School
  • Katie Harr-- North Penn High School

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “It’s Time. OMER” (Classics Problem). The team placed 2nd in their division.

On Saturday, April 1, 2017, the team competed in the Pennsylvania State Tournament held at Moon Area Middle/High School where they tied for 1st place in their division and will be advancing to the World Finals which will be held at Michigan State University on May 24-27.  

North Penn High School- Division 3 (Coached by: Michael Loughery & Brenda Dougherty)

This team includes the following students:

  • Lorna Loughery
  • David Shelly
  • Lexia Calabro
  • Julianna Dougherty
  • Sushrita Haripriya
  • Abby Boquist

On Saturday, March 4, the team participated in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Regional Odyssey of the Mind tournament at Pennsbury High School. At the tournament, the team presented their solution to “To be Continued: A Superhero Cliffhanger” (Performance Problem) and placed 3rd in their division.

            Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Richard Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, recognized the students from the North Penn School District for their outstanding accomplishments in the 2017 Odyssey of the Mind program.

            Police Chief Scott Bendig reported the Police Department has been reviewing the traffic ordinances in the Township Code to ensure the information is accurate and up to date. Township staff recently audited the listing of ordained “Right Turn Prohibited on Red Signal” intersections, comparing it to those intersections that have Right Turn Prohibited signs installed and those permitted by PennDOT. Chief Bendig requested that the Board consider the approval of proposed Ordinance#17-304, which will ensure that Right Turn Prohibited signs throughout the Township are consistent with Township Ordinances and PennDOT Traffic Signal Permits. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, adopted Ordinance #17-304- amending Section 222-11 of the Township Code Right Turn Prohibited on Red Signal.  

            Director of Finance Ami Tarburton presented the 1st Quarter 2017 Budget report. Ms. Tarburton’s presentation summarized the year-to-date operating results through March 31, 2017 and identified the significant activities in the fund balance, revenues and expenses. Ms. Tarburton reported that overall the Township finances are in excellent condition, with the 1st Quarter revenues and expenses tracking as expected in the 2017 Budget.

            Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that several projects and activities have occurred during the first quarter of 2017 that require amendments to the 2017 budget in order to accurately reflect these revenues and expenditures. The proposed amendments include: 1) additional legal fees required to support the Township’s participation in the Act 111 Arbitration between the Township and the Montgomery Township Professional Firefighters’ Association; 2) the budget for Operating Supplies expense required to maintain and repair Township street lights was inadvertently under-budgeted; and 3) a reduction in the appropriation for the 2017 In-Place Paving Project in the amount of $204,845 as a result of the bid award. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the 2017 1st Quarter Budget Amendments to the Fire Protection Fund, the Street Light Fund and the Liquid Fuels Fund.

            Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that new bid limits have been published for 2017 which increase the minimum dollar amount that requires townships to advertise and seek bids for purchases and contracts. The Board of Supervisors acknowledges the State required bidding limits in the ‘Montgomery Township Purchasing Policies and Procedures’ which governs Township staff on how to adhere to and process the requirements. This document requires an update to reflect the new limits which are:

Contracts below $10,700 – no advertising or competitive bidding required; and

Contracts between $10,700 and $19,700 – three informal (written, telephonic, electronic) price quotes are required, with award to the lowest bidder; and

Contracts over $19,700 – advertising twice and formal competitive bidding is required.

            Resolution #4 made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco and adopted unanimously, approved the changes to the ‘Montgomery Township Purchasing Policies and Procedures’ by increasing the required bid limits to adhere to the Department of Labor and Industry thresholds for 2017.

            Edward J. Furman, CPA, Partner of Maillie, LLP provided an overview of the 2016 Preliminary Audit Results for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman reported that Montgomery Township had a solid year for 2016, with an unqualified audit, strong balance sheets and an extremely strong financial report. The complete Comprehensive Audited Financial Report is still being finalized and will be published on the Township’s website when completed.

            Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported that surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015 in major Township park areas of Spring Valley Park, Windlestrae Park, Fellowship Park and the Knapp Road Natural area which identified nearly 750 ash trees on these sites that could potentially be affected by the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. This bug is an invasive forest insect from Asia responsible for the deaths of millions of ash trees throughout the eastern half of the U.S. and Canada. Other open space areas in the Township could also have a similar volume of potentially affected trees. The Township Public Works Department has been very active this year cutting down trees throughout the parks and open space areas that have died and pose a potential threat of falling and causing property damage and/or injury. To address this issue, staff is proposing a program to identify high risk trees on Township properties along property lines, trails, roads and sidewalks for removal. A proposal has been received from Curt Eshleman, Timberlink Consulting, LLC for professional services to assist the Township to identify and mark the high risk trees. When the trees are identified the Township will then hire a contractor through a competitive bidding process to assist the Public Works Department in removing these trees. Supervisor Michael J. Fox requested that the approval of the proposal include a cap or not to exceed price, along with the proposed hourly rate. The not to exceed price was suggested to be $7,500. After that number is reached, it was recommend that the proposal be reviewed to see how many areas in the Township remained to be checked. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the proposal from Curt Eshelman, Certified Forester, Timberlink Consulting LLC, dated April 5, 2017, to perform risk assessment of the ash tree resources located in various areas of the Township’s park and open space properties for damage as a result of the Emerald Ash Borer at the hourly rate of $75.00 per hour, not to exceed $7,500.00.

            Planning Director Bruce Shoupe presented a construction escrow release requested by Maple Brook Estates, LDS#664OHB, as recommended by the Township Engineer. The original amount of the escrow was $1,018,665.65, held as a Performance Bond. This is the fifth escrow release for this project. The current release is in the amount of $216,637.82, which would leave a balance of $151,149.17. Resolution #6, made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release in the amount of $216,637.82, as recommended by the Township Engineer for Maple Brook Estates, LDS#664OHB.

            A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Richard E. Miniscalco, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.

            There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.