MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MAY 11, 2015
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Chairman Michael Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Brian Forman, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored “National Public Works Week” since 1960, and this year it is being celebrated the week of May 17th through May 23rd, 2015. Across the nation, the APWA membership uses this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of the Public Works contributions to their daily lives such as planning, building, managing and operating the heart of our local communities and building a great quality of life. Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch, and adopted unanimously, recognized the week of May 17th through May 23rd as National Public Works Week.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig reported that in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls as Police Week. Police Week pays special recognition to these law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Chief Bendig also stated that this is a significant week in our community as Montgomery Township Police Officer David Hancock lost his life on December 11, 1976, while protecting the citizens of Montgomery Township. National Police Week 2015 will be recognized from Sunday, May 10th through Saturday, May 16th. The Montgomery Township Police Department will host a special celebration of National Police Week on Saturday, May 16th at the Montgomery Mall. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, and adopted unanimously, recognized the week of May 10th through May 16th, 2015 as National Police Week.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig announced that in honor of Police Week, the Police Department would like to recognize the following members of the Department for their outstanding performance in the line of duty during the second half of the 2014 calendar year as recommended by the Police Department’s Award Committee. Officer Thomas Ward was awarded a Letter of Official Commendation for his actions regarding a robbery in-progress at a TD Bank. Officer Robert Johnson was awarded an Official Commendation for Heroism for his actions surrounding a domestic shooting. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, recognized and commended Officer Thomas Ward and Officer Robert Johnson for their outstanding performances as Montgomery Township Police Officers in the line of duty.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that in 2015, the Department of Fire Services is scheduled to replace the sport utility vehicle used by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The Department of Fire Services is proposing to purchase a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe as approved in the 2015 Budget. The vehicle will replace the 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe. A quote has been received from the Whitmoyer Auto Group, an authorized vendor under the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program, for a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe at the cost of $34,500.00. This price is over 30% off the manufacturer’s total suggested retail price of $49,300.00. In addition, a quote was obtained from Marriott’s Emergency Equipment to outfit the vehicle with emergency lighting, a siren and console at the cost of $4,566.13. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of the 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe to the Whitmoyer Auto Group at a cost of $34,500.00, and awarded the contract for the purchase of emergency lighting, siren and console to Marriott’s Emergency Equipment at a cost of $4,566.13.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the Department of Fire Services has a 1989 Hahn Fire Engine which is ready to be sold at auction. The vehicle is scheduled for replacement this summer with the delivery of a new 2015 Rescue Pumper currently being assembled by Pierce Manufacturing. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, authorized the sale of the Township’s 1989 Hahn Fire Engine through Municibid.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak provided an update on the assembly of the replacement rescue pumper. The rescue pumper is currently being assembled by Pierce Manufacturing in Chicago, Illinois. Updates are continuously provided to the Fire Department as the truck is being assembled. Mr. Lesniak will be making a trip to review the progress in person and prepare to have the truck driven back to Montgomery Township once it is completed this summer.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application has been received requesting the waiver of land development for the construction of a 310 square foot walk-in cooler. The applicant, PJ Whelihan’s Restaurant Group, has purchased the former Macaroni Grill building located in the Airport Square Shopping Center and is proposing to renovate the building as a “Pour House Restaurant”. As part of the renovation, the applicant is requesting that the Board consider a waiver of the Township’s formal land development requirement to construct the walk-in cooler onto the rear of the existing building as part of the interior renovation of the building. The applicant will, under a future application, propose to construct a new 1,490 square foot addition onto the north side of the existing building. This addition will be constructed with removable windows, allowing patrons an outdoor seating experience during favorable weather times of the year. Township staff and consultants support the waiver requested. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, granted the waiver of the requirement of a formal land development for the proposed walk-in cooler addition for the Pour House Restaurant at Airport Square Shopping Center.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the waiver of a permit fee for special event for the Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church Parish Festival. Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion and Resolution #7 approved the waiver unanimously.
Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #5 for LDS #630 for the Firefox Development – Phase 1 in the amount of $238,396.85.
Technology Manager Rich Grier reported that at the April 27, 2015 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the Audio/Visual proposal for the Community and Recreation Center from Cenero LLC for $188,947.00. Included in the quote, and requested by the Steering Committee, was an 82” interactive touchscreen TV for the Community Room. Unfortunately, the quantity listed for the TV was omitted from the quote, leaving the item off of the final price. An additional $11,095.00 will be needed to cover the purchase price of the TV as well as the programming and installation. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the amended proposal, from Cenero, LLC per their proposal dated May 7, 2015 under the provisions of the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program for a total cost of $200,047.00.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan provided an update on the progress of the construction of the Community and Recreation Center with a slide show of photographs and detailed descriptions of the current status of the various locations throughout the building. The building is on target for a scheduled completion in mid-summer and plans are underway for a soft opening and a grand opening event.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Winter Drive project to remove two corroded and failing 72 inch corrugated metal (CMP) pipes located in the rear yard of the properties on Winter Drive and replace them with two new 60 inch high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes is underway. During excavation work to remove the pipes, a previously unknown 18 inch concrete pipe was discovered connected to one of the pipes being removed. This 18 inch pipe is an active drainage line and needs to be connected to the new HDPE pipes as noted by the Township Engineer in his report. Due to the need to keep the project moving to avoid delay claims and so as not to have the drainage way and neighboring properties exposed to potential water damage, the contractor was authorized to move forward with the Township Engineer’s recommended option to install a concrete structure to connect the 18 inch RCP to the new HDPE pipe. Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, ratified the approval of Change Order #1 to install a concrete structure to connect the 18 inch RCP to the new 60 inch HDPE pipe at a cost of $12,449.91.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the payment of bills for May 11, 2015. Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that when the site design work was prepared for the Community and Recreation Center project, the Township did not own the 1+ acre parcel of land that fronts on Stump Road. At that time access to the site from Stump Road was limited to a 20 foot wide easement which would permit a single lane 15 foot wide driveway. The original design plan proposed the use of this driveway for exit purposes only. Since the acquisition of this property, staff has been reviewing increasing the width of the driveway to 25 feet which would allow the driveway to be stripped for use as both an exit and entrance. The General Contractor, ER Stuebner, Inc., has proposed to expand the width of the driveway to Stump Road from 15 feet to 25 feet at a cost of $19,501.84. Resolution #11 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved General Construction Change Order #40 to widen the width of the driveway to Stump Road from 15 feet to 25 feet at a cost of $19,501.84.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.