MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DECEMBER 14, 2015
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the executive session to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Robert Birch and Joseph Walsh. Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire and Lawrence Gregan.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Robert Birch and Joseph Walsh. Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:30 p.m. to discuss two matters of personnel, one matter regarding labor relations for the Fire Union, two matters of condemnation and two matters of litigation. The litigation matters included Rogue v. Montgomery Township and Ryan v. Montgomery Township. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters were legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the November 23, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that the Annual Holiday Lights contest had recently concluded and the winners were ready to be announced. Eight families decorated their homes and participated in the contest this year. The winners were Most Colorful – 17 Spur Road, Most Traditional – 105 Mallard Drive, Most Variety – 134 Thames Drive and Grand Prize Winner Car Stopper – 104 Fairview Drive. The winners received gift certificates and lawn signs in recognition of their awards.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman proposed two Community Center membership promotions for the month of January. The first promotion waives the $25 registration fee to become a monthly member. The second promotion would waive the $5 “drop in fee” charged for certain group exercise classes. Both promotions would run from January 1 through January 31, 2016. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the January Community Center Membership Promotions as presented.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock presented the 2016 Sewer Authority Budget. The Budget is balanced and does not propose a rate increase again for 2016. The Board of Supervisors approval of the Authority Budget is required in accordance with Section 3 of the Operating Agreement between the Township and the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority. Resolution #2, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Montgomery Township Sewer Authority Budget for the fiscal year 2016.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the operating agreement between the Township and the Authority requires Board approval of all Tapping Fee Agreements entered into by the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority during 2015. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the following Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authorities Tapping Fee Agreements with Trump, 1 EDU, Eureka Basin, Aspen Mills, 1 EDU, Hatfield Basin and Todi Foundation, 8 EDU’s, Eureka Basin.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock presented the final 2016 Montgomery Township Budget. She reported that the Board had held four public workshop meetings on the budget and approved the Preliminary Budget on November 9, 2015. Ms. Drosnock presented the final budget information and stated that no revenues or expenses in the final budget are increased more than ten percent in the aggregate or more than twenty-five percent in any major category over the approved preliminary Budget. Resolution #4, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, adopted the 2016 Montgomery Township Budget as presented on November 9, 2015. Resolution #5, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Tax Levy Resolution with a total of 1.49 mills, and establishes the Homestead Exclusion amount for 2016 at $30,000. Resolution #6, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, established the street light assessments for 2016.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that each year the Board of Supervisors adopts a resolution denoting the categories of the fund balances as required by the government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 54 are to be reported on the annual audited financial statements. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, classified the Township’s fund balances in accordance with the Governmental Accounting Standard Board Statement No. 54 as described in attached Exhibit A.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that several projects and activities have occurred during the 4th Quarter of 2015 that require amendments to the 2015 budget in order to accurately reflect these revenues and expenditures. These include construction of the Community and Recreation Center fund commitments, including Technology Reserves, Contingency Reserves, Park Capital Plans, Environmental Funds and Replacement Tree funding. In addition, the Board approved the allocation of fiscal year 2014 surplus to various purposes including a $500,000 payment of principal on the 2012 G.O. Note. The Fire Fund budget originally reflected payment of the new Squad anticipated in 2014, however the payment for the vehicle occurred in 2015. Finally, the Capital Fund budget originally reflected a payment for the acquisition of 1216 Stump Road (Zehr) to occur in 2015. The payment occurred at the end of 2014 and so the proposed budget amendment reflects the reduction of that expenditure from the 2015 budget. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the 2015 4th Quarter Budget Amendments to the General Fund, Fire Fund and the Capital Reserve Fund.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that Montgomery Township has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the GFOA for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2014. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Township has achieved this award, which recognizes the Township efforts to present its residents with an outstanding Annual Financial Report. The Board expressed congratulations on achieving this award and thanked Ms. Drosnock and staff for their efforts in the preparation of the CAFR Report.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that a 100% Performance Bond was a requirement of the RFP for the ERP Software. BS&A Software was the successful vendor and in December of 2014 was awarded the contract for the ERP Software. BS&A provided a cash payment as the Performance Bond for the contract. The successful completion of the project has occurred and BS&A has requested the return of their cash payment which has been held in escrow by the Township. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the successful completion of the contract with BS&A Software and authorized the return of the cash payment Performance Bond in the amount of $237,090.00.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that on August 10, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved the awarding of the contract for the purchase and installation of a proximity card system to a Co-Stars vendor. That vendor is unable to provide the services as requested. The Police Department is now proposing that the purchase and installation of a proximity card reader system to manage the entry points into the secure wing of the police station, as well as other sensitive areas of the station, be awarded to The Protection Bureau, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program, to provide the requested equipment and installation at a cost of $21,477.00. Resolution #10 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase and installation of a proximity card reader system to The Protection Bureau at a cost of $21,477.00.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been updating the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) for Montgomery County, including Montgomery Township. Those maps were finalized on September 2, 2015 by an issuance of a letter of final determination. The Township has 180 days to update its Floodplain Ordinance adopting the new maps and to remain in good standing in the national flood insurance program. The deadline for adopting the ordinance and submitting it to FEMA is March 2, 2016. Resolution #11 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #15-292, amending Article IV (Floodplain Conservation District) of the Township Zoning Code for consideration at the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 22, 2016 and direct that the proposed ordinance be submitted to the Montgomery County and Montgomery Township Planning Commissions for review and comment.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that Fairway 202 Associates, LP, have submitted a request for a text amendment to the BP – Business Office and Professional District ordinance. A new use is proposed in this district for congregate-care/independent senior living. This would be a combination of a senior day-care facility and a residential use. A proposed ordinance has been prepared by the applicant which provides for alternate structural, dimensional and parking requirements specifically tailored to apply to this new proposed use. The proposed ordinance has been revised by the applicant to address prior Township comments and is now in a format for the Board to authorize its review and scheduling for consideration at a future Public Hearing. Resolution #12 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #15-293-Z to amend the BP Zoning District regulations in the Township Zoning Code to permit Congregate Care/Independent Senior Living Use and further direct that the Proposed Ordinance be submitted to the Montgomery County and Montgomery Township Planning Commissions, Township Consultants and staff for review and comment.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Stormwater Management Act requires each municipality within the area covered by the Act 167 stormwater management plan to adopt or amend and implement ordinances and regulations including zoning, subdivision and development, building code, and erosion and sedimentation ordinances that are necessary to regulate development within the Township in a manner consistent with the Stormwater Management Plan and provisions of the Stormwater Management Act. Approximately 10% of the Township is tributary to the Wissahickon Creek Watershed. Township staff, Township Solicitor and the Township Engineer have prepared a proposed Ordinance #15-291 to amend Chapter 206 of the Township Code entitled the Montgomery Township Stormwater Management Ordinance to implement the requirements of the Wissahickon Creek Watershed Act 167 plan. Resolution #13 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #15-291 – Amending Chapter 206 of the Township Code – Stormwater Management, to be considered at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting to be held on Monday, January 4, 2016.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that staff is proposing to apply for funding under the PennDOT Multi-Modal Grant Program to fund the construction of an approximately 3,800 foot long, 10 foot wide multi-use trail segment between the existing Route 202 Parkway Trail and the Township’s newly constructed Community and Recreation Center (CRC). The Township Traffic Engineer’s estimated cost for this trail connection is $922,050.00 including design and construction management. The Township will be requesting a grant amount of $645,435.00 with the local Township match of $276,615.00. Resolution #14 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the request to submit a grant application to PennDOT for the Multi-Modal Grant program for the Powerline Trail Connection Phase1.
Resolution #15 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #1 for LDS #676 for the Sprint Store at 770 Bethlehem Pike in the amount of $115,203.56.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Second Class Township Code requires municipalities to reorganize on the first Monday of the year. January 4, 2016 is the date for the Montgomery Township reorganization meeting. Resolution #16, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of the reorganization meeting of the Township for Monday, January 4, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. to be held at the Community and Recreation Center.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for December 14, 2015. Supervisor Joseph Walsh 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 8:42 p.m.