MINUTES OF MEETING
MARCH 26, 2012
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Bruce Shoupe, Chief Richard Brady, Lt. Gerald Dougherty and Police Officer Candidate Jake Beebe. One personnel matter and four matters of litigation were discussed.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh called the regular action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Shannon Drosnock, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Walsh called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 12, 2012 Board meeting and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Frank R. Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that there was one personnel matter concerning a police officer candidate and four matters of litigation, including the Zoning Hearing Board application of David and Rosemary Ferrino, as well as zoning applications for 129 Richardson Road, 103 Aspen Place and 782 Bethlehem Pike. Mr. Bartle reported that all of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that two new volunteers would be appointed to Township Committees. Mary Alfarano has volunteered to serve on the Autumn Festival Committee and Joseph Kobulsky has volunteered to serve as a member of the Finance Committee. Lawrence Gregan reported that Meg Swiggard has volunteered to serve as an employee member of the Non-Uniform Pension Committee. Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh administered the oath of office to Ms. Alfarano and Mr. Kobulsky. Resolution #1 was adopted unanimously appointing Mary Alfarano as a member of the Autumn Festival Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2013; appointing Joseph Kobulsky as a member of the Finance Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2013; and appointing Meg Swiggard as a member of the Non-Uniform Pension Committee.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh commented on the Volunteer Brunch which was held on Sunday, March 25, 2012 to thank the Township volunteers for their efforts during the course of the year. Vice Chairman Walsh thanked Township employees, Stacy Crandell and Shirley Snyder, for putting on such a great event. Vice Chairman Walsh stated that the brunch was a small token of the Township's appreciation for its volunteers, who give their talents and time and at no cost to the Township. On behalf of the entire Board, Vice Chairman Walsh thanked the volunteers again for their service. Jay Glickman, a member of the Township Planning Commission, stated that on behalf of the volunteers who were at the brunch, he wanted to thank the Township and the Board of Supervisors and everyone on the staff who worked on the brunch, it was very much appreciated by the volunteers.
Solicitor Frank R. Bartle opened the public hearing at 8:10 p.m. for the purpose of discussing proposed Ordinances #11-251Z and #11-252Z, amending the Township Zoning Ordinance for the Billboard Overlay District Regulations and Map. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Stenographer, Tim Kurek. Solicitor Bartle announced the advertisement and presented the exhibits which became part of the evidence of record. Township Land Planning Consultant, E. Van Rieker, was sworn in and presented testimony regarding the proposed amendments. Mr. Rieker stated that the map amendment would expand the district to include the nonconforming billboard located north of Hartman Road on the northbound side of Bethlehem Pike. Mr. Rieker testified that the proposed amendments would permit digital billboard signs up to a maximum size of 672 sq. ft., regulate the illumination brightness including requirements for automatic dimming after sunset and require annual certification; limit copy to change a maximum of once every 30 seconds; prohibit images that are interactive or produce sound; prohibit signs that otherwise impair the vision of the driver, result in a nuisance to a driver, or interfere with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device or signal. Mr. Rieker stated that the recommendations were designed to safeguard the community standards, but allow for industry standards as well.
Under public comment, Matthew Bradley, 107 Cathedral Drive, stated that he is a resident of the Township and he is also the real estate manager for Clear Channel Outdoor. Mr. Bradley stated that the Township's proposed ordinance ignores state and local guidelines for digital billboards, which allow for copy changes to be no less than 10 seconds. Mr. Bradley stated that the brightness, duration and timing of change are all regulated by PennDOT and that PennDOT guidelines recommend 4 to 10 seconds between copy changes, with the average change being 8 seconds. Mr. Bradley stated that 30 seconds between changes is too long.
Jay Glickman, member of the Township Planning Commission, stated that this matter was presented to the Planning Commission and discussed extensively. Mr. Glickman reminded the Board that the concern is for the Township and its residents, not the billboard companies. Mr. Glickman stated that it does not matter that every other billboard changes every 8 seconds.
Also under public comment, Louis Kodumal, Esquire, representing Keystone Outdoor Advertising and Joseph Felici, Vice President of Keystone Outdoor Advertising, stated that he appreciates the opportunity to have digital billboards in the Township. Mr. Felici stated that the limitations in the ordinance are quite strict and while he does not agree with them, he does understand them. Mr. Felici also stated that he agreed with everything that Mr. Bradley stated as they both have digital billboards in the industry which are networked and use 8 second flips. Mr. Felici stated that he really did not understand the requirement of the 12 millimeter pixel image. Mr. Felici stated that the 12mm pixel size is unheard of in the industry for outside billboards as it is more like a television set and there is no reason for using a 12mm pixel image outside. Mr. Felici also stated that a 12mm digital billboard costs $485,000, but a 19 or 20mm billboard is $180,000. Mr. Felici said that it is a tremendous cost and he suggested it may have been suggested to discourage people from putting up digital billboards. Vice Chairman Walsh asked Mr. Rieker and Mr. Glickman if there were specific reasons for the 12mm pixel size. Mr. Rieker indicated that the staff recommendation was to use a conservative safe approach, but certainly not to rebuff the industry. Mr. Glickman stated that the Planning Commission did not consider the number of pixels, but if the Township Supervisors wanted the Commission to look into it further, they would do so. Vice Chairman Walsh stated that he would like to see more consideration in the ordinance with regard to the size of the pixels. He also inquired if it would be better to defer the ordinance or to approve the ordinance as it stands and then proceed with amending the language. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle advised that the Board might want to approve the ordinance now to make it official and then to proceed with investigating amendments as discussed this evening. The public hearing was closed at 9:05 p.m. Resolution #2 was adopted unanimously approving Ordinance #11-251Z and Ordinance #11-252Z, amending the BLI-Billboard Overlay District regulations and the limits of the BLI-Billboard Limited Industrial Overlay District.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe presented a proposed amendment to Ordinance #12-256 - Snow and Ice Removal Regulations. Mr. Shoupe reported that the amendments revise the Violations and Penalties provisions in the ordinance to conform with the Second Class Township Code. Resolution #3 was adopted unanimously approving Ordinance #12-256 - Snow and Ice Removal Regulations.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe reported on the proposed DEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module for the Firefox I, LP Subdivision, located at Bethlehem Pike and Line Street. Mr. Shoupe reported that a Sewage Facilities Planning Module previously approved for this project was proposed with pump stations to convey the project's wastewater flows to an existing interceptor with final discharge to the Hatfield Sewage Treatment Plant. Mr. Shoupe stated that since that time, a gravity connection was found to be feasible and the Planning Module needed to be revised. Resolution #4 was adopted unanimously approving the DEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module for the Firefox I, LP development.
Planning Director Bruce Shoupe announced that the bids for the Installation of Sugar Maples at Memorial Grove were opened and Land Tech Enterprises of Warrington, PA was found to be the lowest responsible bidder. The Shade Tree Commission and staff recommend the project be awarded to Land Tech Enterprises. Resolution #5 was adopted unanimously approving the bid award to Land Tech Enterprises in the amount of $14,912.
Public Information Coordinator Stacy Crandell announced that the Spring Leaf Curbside Pickup would be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Ms. Crandell reported that in order to participate in the collection, residents must place the collected leaf and yard waste materials in biodegradable paper bags at the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. that day for collection.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan announced that the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Multi-Purpose Recreation/Community Center Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study was prepared and ready to be issued. Mr. Gregan outlined a tentative schedule which begins with the issuance of the RFP on March 27, 2012 and concluded with a presentation to the Board at the meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Mr. Gregan reported that the scope of services included community input meetings, focus groups, public meetings, preparing facility program information and preparation of floor plans and up to three conceptual designs. Resolution #6 was adopted unanimously authorizing the release of the Request for Proposals for a Multi-Purpose Recreation/Community Center Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study.
Recreation Coordinator Sharon Tucker reported on the 2012 Kids University trips and fees. Ms. Tucker reported that the fees are determined by taking the admission to the venue and the transportation fee and adding 20 percent to cover the administrative costs. Ms. Tucker also reported that there are a limited number of spots available for the trips and that they will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as in years past. Resolution #7 adopted unanimously approved the amendment to the fee schedule to include the Summer 2012 Kids University trip fees.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that as part of the approved 2012 Capital Reserve Fund Budget, $50,000 was set aside for capital park improvement projects. The Park and Recreation Board recently prepared a list of recommended capital park improvement projects and unanimously voted to recommend them to the Board of Supervisors. The projects include shade structures, dugout covers, repairs of the surfacing and relining of hockey courts, replacing fencing, purchasing a storage box, installing electrical outlets and allocating funds for a potential Challenger Program. Mr. Costello reported that the total for the projects exceeded the $50,000 budgeted amount by $2,500. The Park and Recreation Board wanted to ask for the Board's approval of the projects and the additional $2,500. Resolution #8 adopted unanimously approved the expenditure of funds under the 2012 Capital Reserve Fund Budget for the capital projects recommended, and approved the supplemental appropriation of Park Reserve Funds in the amount of $2,500.
Technology Manager Richard Grier reported that the Township has been experiencing quality and reliability of service issues with its telephone service for quite some time. Currently, the Township has a contract with Verizon. Mr. Grier reported that the Township has attempted to resolve the issues with Verizon, but has had significant difficulty in doing so. After considerable research, staff has determined that Comcast Business was the only provider that could eliminate the issues of quality and reliability that have plagued the Township's current voice circuits. Mr. Grier reported that in addition to improving the quality and reliability, a new contract with Comcast Business would reduce the costs that the Township currently pays for telephone voice circuits. Resolution #9 adopted unanimously authorized the cancellation of the Verizon Phone service contract and authorized entering into a two year contract with Comcast Business for phone services at an annual cost of $9,636 plus tax and fees.
Technology Manager Richard Grier reported that the 2012 Budget included funds to upgrade the video presentation system in the Public Meeting room. These upgrades would consist of a new screen, projector and network interface. Mr. Grier reported that an option for a motorized drop down screen was offered in the quote for an additional $2,557. Resolution #10 adopted unanimously approved the purchase and installation of video upgrade equipment to the Public Meeting room as per the Clear Sound quotation in the amount of $12,554, and the additional amount of $2,557 for the motorized screen option.
Public Information Coordinator Stacy Crandell reported that the Township has been producing a Community Map since 2003. These maps and information guides have been produced by Hometown Press, a local company based in Perkasie, PA. Ms. Crandell reported that the staff has reviewed other options for updating the current map and is recommending a Community Guide which will include a map, but will also have additional information about the Township departments and other information important to our residents. Ms. Crandell stated that in years past, the Township did not mail out the Community Map, but with this new edition, the staff is recommending that the Community Guide be mailed to all residents and businesses in the Township. The Board was favorable to the Community Guide option and to mailing it out to all residents and businesses in the Township.
Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Vice Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion (#11) to transfer $10,000 from the Township's General Fund to the Montgomery Township 300th Anniversary Committee Fund. Supervisor McDonnell seconded the motion. The motion was adopted unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.