Monday, July 28, 2008
Chairman Jeff McDonnell called to order the executive session at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox and Sarosky. Supervisor Prousi was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Frank Bartle and Edward Furman. Items of personnel were discussed.
Chairman McDonnell called to order the action meeting at 8:05 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Fox and Sarosky. Supervisor Prousi was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe, Rich Brady, Bill Brightcliffe, Larry Gregan, Pam Gural-Bear, Kevin Costello, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
Under public comment, Larry Caldwell of 264 Mallard Drive provided an update on the Disc Golf course. Mr. Caldwell stated that he has been working with volunteers and the Public Works Department and they have added some signs and new pathways to make the course easier to follow. Mr. Caldwell asked the Board to have the Township announce the opening of the course on its website and cable channel. Also under public comment, Dorothy Beideman of Neshaminy Falls, stated that a neighboring township had created a program which monitors seniors living alone. Ms. Beideman indicated that the seniors must call into a special phone number by a certain time. If no call is received, an attempt is made to reach the senior, including dispatching someone to check on them. Ms. Beideman stated that this program saved a senior's life and that Montgomery Township should consider implementing such a program as there are many seniors living alone in the Township.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and that personnel issues were discussed.
The next item on the agenda was the Police Department commendations. Chief Brady provided the circumstances for each of the commendations and Chairman McDonnell presented the letters of commendation. Resolution #1 unanimously commended Detective Edward Davies for his role in a burglary investigation in November 2007. Resolution #2 unanimously commended Officer Gerald Dougherty, Officer James Matlack, Dispatcher Margaret Steinbacher and Administrative Assistant Sonia Jackson for their outstanding coordination and cooperation in the apprehension of a bank robbery suspect on October 22, 2007. Resolution #3 unanimously commended Canine Officer Robert Hart, Officer William Peoples and Officer Andrew Benner for their cooperation, diligence and outstanding investigative skills which resulted in the successful arrest and prosecution of a subject involved in several vehicle thefts. Resolution #4 unanimously commended Officer William Peoples and Officer Adam Duessing for their quick response and aggressive patrol techniques that resulted in the apprehension of two burglary suspects on February 8, 2008. Resolution #5 unanimously commended Officer William Peoples for his diligence and expertise which enabled the Police Department of Montgomery Township to obtain re-accreditation by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Resolution #6 unanimously commended Officer Gerald Dougherty for responding to a medical emergency and providing assistance in the birth of a baby boy on July 19, 2008.
Larry Gregan introduced Edward Furman, CPA and partner of Maillie, Falconiero & Company. Mr. Furman presented the 2007 Audit information and indicated that the Township had received an "unqualified" opinion, has a strong balance sheet and the Township is in a strong financial position. Larry Gregan also indicated that the Township was fully compliant with GASB 34 as of the 2007 Audit. Mr. Gregan also indicated that the Township was planning to have the entire report posted on its website in the near future. Resolution #7 unanimously accepted the 2007 Audit report from Maillie, Falconiero & Company.
Bruce Shoupe introduced the consideration of plan for the Keystone Community Fellowship Church. The church is planning on expanding its parking lot. Mr. Shoupe indicated that all conditions have been met and that there were several minor waivers requested which did not present any problems. The resolution was reviewed and accepted by the applicant. Resolution #8 unanimously approved the plan for a parking lot expansion for Keystone Community Fellowship Church.
Bruce Shoupe introduced the next item which was a request by staff to create an ordinance which would assist in regulating the contractor registration requirements in the Township. The ordinance would provide a more formal licensing procedure and would need to be reviewed by committee, the Solicitor and then the Board for formal consideration. The Board concurred and told Mr. Shoupe to proceed.
The next item on the agenda was the discussion of televising board meetings. John Nagel indicated that the staff had researched two low cost methods of providing televised meetings. The least expensive method was a fixed camera in the back of the room which would record the same image at a distance along with the audio. Another option would be a camera along the side of the room with an operator who would move the camera and focus on those persons speaking during the meeting. The first option could be approximately $1,000 and the second option would cost approximately $475 per meeting. Rich Grier, Technology Manager, indicated that in addition to those numbers, some upgrades would be needed to the Township's sound system and possibly other components to allow for the broadcasting of the meeting. Supervisor Birch asked about pod casting the meetings. Mr. Grier stated that either method would allow for the meeting to be pod casted from the Township's website. Mr. Grier indicated that the video might be somewhat difficult to see, but the audio should be acceptable. The Board asked about other Townships and what methods they are using to televise their meetings. Mr. Grier indicated that he had provided several examples of meetings being televised by other Townships. Mr. Sarosky stated that he had reviewed the websites provided. Mr. Sarosky indicated that many of the websites that were being taped showed participants were less likely to make comments or were grandstanding for the camera. Mr. Sarosky said that the this was not a good way to spend taxpayer's money. Mr. Sarosky indicated that even if the nominal option was chosen, the Board will soon hear that other features or equipment must be added to improve the quality of the broadcast and he doesn't see the cost benefit. Mr. Birch disagreed and said that the chief complaint he has heard from residents is that the government needs to be more transparent. Mr. Birch indicated that the staff has not explored all the options available. Mr. Birch stated that televising meetings would be helpful to senior citizens and single mothers with children who might not be able to come into the building to attend meetings, but may way to keep informed about what is going on at the Township. Mr. Birch asked the staff to explore more options. Mr. McDonnell indicated that while he found it intriguing, he would not support the $12,000 to $15,000 option. Mr. McDonnell said he would support the fixed camera option. Mr. Birch asked the staff to get information from the North Penn School District and to find out what they do and how much it costs them to televise their meetings. Mr. McDonnell reminded the Board that they control the process and can decide to stop televising if there is a problem. Mr. Fox stated that the Township should be sure that it is not creating something that might cause a liability issue or starting a precedent that might cause a problem. Under public comment, Dorothy Beideman, a resident of Neshaminy Falls, said that she was on a committee for the North Penn School District and that the school children recorded those meetings. Mrs. Beideman suggested that the Township have the North Penn School District help with the Township meetings. Lynn Caldwell of 264 Mallard Drive said that she is totally in favor of televising the meetings as she thought it would encourage more residents to get involved. Barbara Vesay of 202 Livingston Court said that she thought the Board was considering a more interactive type of televising the meetings where residents could participate from home. Debbie Zitin of 110 Sunset Drive stated that the Township should be utilizing the experiences of surrounding municipalities that already televise their meetings. Ms. Zitin said that those municipalities have already worked through the problems. Sam Dugan of 143 Pinecrest Lane inquired if the meetings were televised would they be broadcast days after the meeting? When the Board informed Mr. Dugan that that was the intention, Mr. Dugan indicated that the information would already be old and he would rather see the Township spend the money on updating the website and add content telling residents what is going on around the Township and what is happening at the next meeting. Mr. Dugan felt that those measures would encourage residents to come to the meetings. After additional discussion, the Board directed Rich Grier and staff to continue researching the fixed camera option, contact other Townships and Boroughs and see what their experiences have been. Mr. Birch asked for a timeframe and the Board agreed that they would like to hear back from the staff on this issue within 60 days or at the second meeting in September.
Pam Gural-Bear provided an update on the newly created Senior Committee. Ms. Gural-Bear indicated that recruitment has been ongoing and the Township currently has eight interest applicants. Ms. Gural-Bear outlined the time frame created to move the process along. It was anticipated that the first meeting of the Senior Committee could be held at the end of September. This meeting would kick off the committee and allow them to create a mission and purpose. The deadline to apply to this committee has been extended.
Larry Gregan presented the 2nd quarter 2008 budget report. There were no questions.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of the meeting for July 14, 2008, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #9 approved the amended fee schedule for recreation programs. Resolution #10 approved the 2nd quarter 2008 budget amendments. Resolution #11 approved the award of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Grant for mobile data terminals for the Department of Fire Services. Resolution #12 approved the fingerprint system agreement for the Police Department. Resolution #13 approved the changes to the 401(a) and 457 plans. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.