MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JULY 14, 2014
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, 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 Robert Birch seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the June 23, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
State Representative Todd Stephens reported that local Korean leaders had approached State Representatives, including Rep. Stephens, Rep. Kate Harper and Rep. Tom Murt, regarding the creation of a Korean War Memorial. Rep. Stephens stated that one of the first steps in moving forward with the memorial was to find a location for it. As Montgomery Township has a substantial Korean population, Rep. Stephens thought that Memorial Grove Park in Montgomery Township would be an excellent location to host a Korean War Memorial. The project would be paid for through private donations and there would be no financial commitment from the Township other than the donation of the location/space needed to host the memorial. Supervisor Michael Fox suggested that the staff check with the Montgomery County Planning Commission with regards to any restrictions placed on that piece of property as it was acquired through Open Space grant funds. Overall the Board members were in favor of the project and thought it would be a great addition to the Memorial Grove Park. Resolution #1, made by Chairman Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized the location of the Korean War Memorial at the Township’s Memorial Grove Park and also authorized Township representation on the committee for the planning of the Memorial.
Representative Todd Stephens also reported that his office is able to obtain, free of charge, signage for our parks that say “Young Lungs at Play” and stating that the location is a tobacco free zone. The signs are made available from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project. The Park and Recreation Board had discussed limiting smoking at the Township parks at a previous meeting. The Township does not currently have an ordinance prohibiting smoking in the parks. It was recommended that staff take a look at the park ordinance and revisit this issue as it has come up before. Chairman Joseph Walsh thanked Rep. Stephens and said that the Township would be willing to take advantage of the free signage once we determine our needs.
Edward J. Furman, CPA, Partner of Maillie, LLP provided an overview of the 2013 Audit Results for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman announced that Montgomery Township had a solid year for 2013, with strong balance sheets and an extremely strong financial report. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and unanimously approved, accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Year Ended December 31, 2013, as prepared by Maillie, LLP and Finance Department staff.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the Pension Fund Advisory Committee consists of resident and employee members and that the Township Departments each have a representative position on the committee. The Finance Department currently has a vacancy and Lucy Gonzalez has expressed an interest in filling this vacancy. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, appointed Lucy Gonzalez to the fill Finance Department vacancy on the Pension Fund Advisory Committee with a term to expire January 1, 2015.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the Township currently has contracts with Constellation Energy Resources for the electric generation of the Township’s facilities and street lights. Those contracts are scheduled to expire in the 4th quarter of this year. In preparation for the expiration of the contracts, staff has researched various electric generation companies and brokers to secure new pricing for the Township’s electric accounts. Once again, Constellation Energy Resources, through the Pennsylvania Municipal League’s Municipal Utility Alliance Program, has proposed the best option for the Township. Mrs. Drosnock reported that staff is recommending that the Board enter into a three year agreement with Constellation Energy Resources. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township to execute a contract with Constellation Energy Resources for electric energy for a three year contract at a maximum rate of up to .086/kwh for the Township building accounts and a maximum rate of .055/kwh for the Township street light accounts.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that Pennsylvania Chapter 7A of Act 44 of 2009 established standards for municipal pension systems including procedures for selecting the ‘most qualified person to enter into a professional services contract’ to provide services to the municipal pension plans. During 2009 and 2010, the Township created and implemented internal procedures to meet the new requirements of Act 44. These procedures provided the basis for the policy being presented this evening which needs to be formally adopted by the Board to meet the requirements of Act 44. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, adopted the “Montgomery Township Procedures for Compliance with the Professional Services Contract Provisions of Act 44 of 2009” policy.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a portion of the sewage disposed by properties in Montgomery Township discharges to the Ambler Borough Wastewater Treatment Plant and as such, the Township/Township Sewer Authority is required to comply with the “Categorical Pre-Treatment Standards” established by the Borough of Ambler for any industrial sewage discharged to the Ambler Plant. The Township was advised by Ambler Borough that it has been required by the EPA to adopt more stringent standards and as such the Township/Township Sewer Authority is required to amend its Sewer Ordinance to adopt these updated limits on specific Toxic Pollutants being discharged to their Treatment Plant. In order to comply, the Township Solicitor prepared a proposed Ordinance, #14-280, Amending the Township Code, Chapter 187 – Article II, section 187-8(2) [General Sewer Use Requirement/Local Limits] to adopt the updated local discharge limits for sewage flows discharged for treatment at the Ambler Treatment Plant. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, adopted Ordinance #14-280, providing for amendments to Chapter 187 of the Township Code relating to General Sewer Use Requirement/Local Limits.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township’s planning for the new Community/Recreation Center included incorporating an accessible playground and spray-park into the project. In support of this proposal, the Township was awarded a Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant in the amount of $250,000 to be used towards construction costs of the playground and spray-park. The construction costs for the project are estimated to range from $600,000 to $650,000. The Township Engineer, Gilmore & Associates, has provided a Professional Services Scope of Work and Cost Proposal for the design of the playground and spray-park and preparation of technical specifications, preparation of bid documents, bid reviews and recommendation for the bid award. In addition, preconstruction services, reviews of submittals, contractor coordination, site meeting field reports and punch-list preparation will all be included under the proposal. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized Gilmore and Associates to provide professional services and the completion of design plans to facilitate public bidding and construction of the playground and spray-park area in accordance with the proposal dated June 18, 2014 at a fixed cost not to exceed $45,000.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the department is requesting approval to purchase equipment utilizing grant funds received from the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Office. Specifically, the department intends to purchase four (4) portable radios to be used on Montgomery County’s new radio system. The equipment is being purchased through the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Motorola Radio Contract. The cost to purchase the four radios will be $14,198.40. Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, granted approval to the Department of Fire Services to purchase four (4) portable radios at a cost of $14,198.40 from the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety Motorola Radio Contract.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that Municipal Police and the Pennsylvania State Police are statutorily authorized to protect the public primarily through the enforcement of the Crimes Code and Motor Vehicle Code through the use of a variety of law enforcement tools. One valuable tool utilized by the Pennsylvania State Police that is statutorily prohibited for use by municipal police is radar. At this time, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that prohibits municipal police from using radar. Currently, several pieces of state legislation are in various stages in the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives that would allow the use of radar by municipal police. Local municipalizes are being encouraged to adopt resolutions in support of legislation to permit the use of radar by their departments. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved a formal resolution in support of state legislation to authorize the use of radar by municipal police departments.
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 8:52 p.m.