MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 24, 2014
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Michael Fox. Supervisors Robert Birch and Jeffrey McDonnell were absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Vicki Zidek, Lance Allen and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Supervisor Michael Fox, Board liaison to the Business Development Partnership, announced that Matthew Roegner, Manager of Outback Steakhouse in Montgomeryville, submitted his resignation from the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership effective March 14, 2014. Mr. Roegner has relocated to the Lancaster area. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Matthew Roegner from his position as a member of the Business Development Partnership and thanked him for his efforts and dedication in serving on the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade announced that Police Dispatcher I Nick Lindsay, has resigned from the Police Department to become a full time career firefighter for the City of Harrisburg. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized Nick Lindsay for his dedication and faithful service to the Montgomery Township Police Department and the residents of our community.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced that in honor of Montgomery Township's 300th Anniversary Celebration, the Township is organizing a 5k Run on May 17, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. The proceeds of this run will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project. The Township is appreciative of the many local businesses that have sponsored the run. The Board encouraged residents to sign up for the run and support a great cause.
Public Information Coordinator Kelsey McMeans announced that Montgomery Township would be celebrating Local Government Week from April 7th through the 11th. Local Government Week focuses attention on the need for strong, independent, and active local governments as well as recognizing the valuable contributions made by residents serving their communities in public offices. The week will bring area school children to the Township Building for a tour and demonstrations by the various Township departments. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized Local Government Week in Montgomery Township as April 7th through the 11th.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced the Spring Leaf and Yard Waste Curbside Collection to be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014. In order to participate, 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. In addition to the curbside collection, the Township will also be conducting the monthly leaf and yard waste drop off collection at William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Chairman Joseph Walsh also announced that Rep. Todd Stephens will be hosting a paper shredding and electronics recycling event on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at his office on Stump Road.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan announced that sealed bids for the construction of an approximately 39,000 square foot Community/Recreation Center were opened and read aloud on March 6, 2014. The bids are currently being reviewed by the design consultants for compliance with the Bid Specifications in order to provide a recommendation as to the “lowest responsible bidder” for each of the five prime contracts. Mr. Gregan further announced that the consideration for the award of the contracts is proposed to be made at the Board of Supervisors Public Meeting on April 14, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of the consideration of the bid awards of the five prime contracts to be announced at the April 14, 2014 Board of Supervisors meeting after 8:00 p.m.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe presented the DEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module for Giant to Go, LDS #666. Giant Food Stores proposes to construct a 4,900 square foot building, a five double-sided pump fuel island and associated improvements on Bethlehem Pike. Based on the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority's interpretation of 1 EDU being equal to 250 gallons, the proposed development will be requesting 5 EDU's. The module was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Township Planning Commission. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the application for the Giant to Go DEP Sewage Facilities Planning Module.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Conditional Use Application for Integral Development Associates for 976 Bethlehem Pike was originally scheduled to be held at the April 14, 2014 Board of Supervisors Meeting. The applicant has requested a rescheduling of the hearing and it has been recommended that the date be changed to April 28, 2014. Resolution # 6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, set Monday, April 28, 2014, after 8:00 p.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing to consider the Conditional Use application of Integral Development Associates, for the leasing of a specialty retail store, The Tile Shop, to be located at 976 Bethlehem Pike.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that in accordance with the provisions of Pennsylvania ACT 205, an actuarial valuation of the Township's defined benefit pension plan is required to be performed on a biennial basis and reported to the Public Employee Retirement Commission. In the preparation of the Township's January 1, 2013 Actuarial Valuation Report, the plan actuary, Tom Zimmerman, advised that the Township has the option to continue to value the plan assets on an “actuarial smoothing” basis or change to a “market value” basis. Given the strong performance of the assets of the plan in the market at the end of 2013 and through 2013, Ms. Drosnock indicated that staff is recommending changing the valuation method of the plan assets to a straight “market value” basis. Using this valuation method would actually reduce the increase of the Township's annual Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) to the plan for the years 2015 and 2016 from an approximately $165,000 per year increase to a $135,000 per year increase. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the change to the market value method to determine the actuarial value of assets for the plan as noted above.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the Township Park and Recreation office currently accepts registrations for programs by mail and walk-in traffic only with no option for online registration. Registrations via the internet became a possibility with the implementation of the new Park and Recreation Software, Capturepoint. Staff has researched options for accepting registrations with credit card payments and is requesting authorization to move forward with the first step towards implementing this customer convenience. Ms. Drosnock indicated that a relationship needs to be established with a merchant bank that will be responsible for handling the credit card payments during the online registration and payment processing. After staff analysis, it was determined that Elavon will provide the lowest overall cost to the Township. Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized staff to execute the New Merchant Application with Elavon, Inc. for the merchant services relationship that is required for the acceptance of credit card payments associated with the online registration of Park and Recreation programs.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.