MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

MARCH 14, 2016

            At 7:30 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the executive session.  In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell.   Chairman Joseph P. Walsh was absent.  Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire. 

            Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.  In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell.  Chairman Joseph P. Walsh was absent.  Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Ami Tarburton, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.

            Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed three matters.  The first item was the litigation matter of Airport Square vs. Montgomery Township which is currently in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.  The other two items were one potential litigation matter and one personnel matter.  Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.

            Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 22, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Zoning Hearing Board member Kenneth Souder has submitted his letter of resignation as a member of the Zoning Hearing Board.  Mr. Souder served on the Zoning Hearing Board since January, 2010 and was an integral part of Zoning Hearing Board decisions.  Due to his occupation, Mr. Souder is unable to continue serving on the Board.  As a result of Mr. Souder’s resignation, his term will be filled by the current Zoning Hearing Board Alternate member, L. Vincent Roth III.  The position of Zoning Hearing Board Alternate member will be filled by Township resident Deborah Grasso who has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Zoning Hearing Board.  Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Kenneth Souder, appointed L. Vincent Roth III to serve as a member with an existing three year term to expire January 1, 2018, and appointed Deborah Grasso to serve as an alternate member with an existing three year term to expire January 1, 2017 on the Zoning Hearing Board.

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Montgomery Township is pleased to announce that Ami Tarburton is recommended for consideration for appointment as the Director of Finance and Treasurer for the Township effective March 7, 2016.  Ms. Tarburton comes to the Township from Franconia Township where she worked as the Finance Director since 2011 and she holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Accounting from the University of Pittsburgh and has 15 years of experience developing strong financial, accounting and supervisory skills that have prepared her well for her new responsibilities at Montgomery Township.  Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the appointment of Ami Tarburton to the position of Director of Finance and Treasurer effective March 7, 2016.

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Act 32 § 505 (b) requires that the governing bodies of school districts, townships, boroughs, and cities that impose an earned income tax, appoint one primary voting delegate and one or more alternate delegates to be their Tax Collection Committee (TCC) representatives.  In June 2011, the Board appointed then Finance Director Shannon Drosnock as the Alternate.  With the appointment of Ms. Tarburton as the new Finance Director, the Board needs to adopt a resolution to appoint Ms. Tarburton as the new Alternate Delegate to the TCC.  Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, appointed Township Finance Director Ami Tarburton to serve as the alternate delegate on behalf of the Township on the Montgomery County Earned Income Tax Collection Committee (TCC).

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Township wished to recognize and acknowledge the employment and resignation of Public Works Department Crew Tech I employee Jose Claudio Sanchez who worked for the department on a full-time basis since January 7, 2013.  Mr. Sanchez’s separation was effective March 14, 2016.  Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, recognized the resignation of Jose Claudio Sanchez from his position as Crew Tech I and wished him well in his future endeavors.

            Director of Fire Services Richard M. Lesniak reported that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township is requesting Board of Supervisors’ approval to submit applications for several grant opportunities.  The first application would be to the Motorola Solutions Foundation Public Safety Grant Program in the amount of $10,000 to be used to offset the cost of the National Fire Academy’s 6-day course entitled Command and Control of Incident Operations.  The second application is through the FM Global Fire Prevention Grant program in the amount of $51,190.00 to purchase mobile data computers to be installed in the fire apparatus and command vehicles.  The cost includes mounting hardware, vehicle charger, keyboard, warranty, software upgrade, and screen protector.  The third grant application is through the Montgomery County Act 147 Radiation Emergency Response Grant – Command & Control Equipment in the amount of $1,012.00 for the purchase of laminated Incident Command worksheets to be used to manage resources during an emergency.  Resolutions #5, #6 and #7 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the grant submissions for a command and control training program, mobile data computers and command and control equipment for fire safety.

            Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that in September of 2015, the Board of Supervisors authorized Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. to prepare bid documents and specifications for the Roof Restoration Project for the Administration/Police Department Complex.  The project was part of the 2016 Approved Capital Budget and the funding was set aside annually in the Capital Reserve Fund over the past several years.  The project will include restoring certain damaged areas of the roof, adjusting roof drains and flashings, sealing all seams and applying a urethane based fluid restoration system over the existing EPDM roof.  It has been determined that the proposed restoration project, at an estimated cost of $300,000.00 is a cost effective alternative to a complete re-roof which is estimated to cost $580,000.00  The bids are scheduled to be opened on March 31, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. and will be considered for award at the Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled for April 11, 2016.  Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the Roof Restoration Project at the Administration/Police Department Complex. 

            Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff received and opened bids on March 2, 2016 for the Spring Valley Tennis Court Repair Project.  The Township Engineer, Gilmore and Associates, Inc., reviewed the bids and made a recommendation to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Top-A-Court, with a bid of $75,915.00.  Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for the Spring Valley Tennis Court Repair Project to Top-A-Court, for a total projected cost of $75,915.00.

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that at the March 9^th Park and Recreation Board meeting, the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association (MTBSA) requested approval to place a banner sign in memory of DJ Farrar along the outfield fence of the Charlie Holl Baseball Field at Windlestrae Park.  DJ was a courageous participant in the recreational and travel baseball programs from T-Ball through the AAA program.  DJ’s life was cut short on January 15, 2003 after a 2-year struggle with brain cancer.  Annually, MTBSA holds a tournament in his memory.  This year’s Tournament will be held from Wednesday July 6^th through Sunday July 10, 2016.  The Park and Recreation Board voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the request of MTBSA to install the banner sign on the field.  Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request by MTBSA to install a banner sign in memory of DJ Farrar along the outfield fence of the Charlie Holl Baseball Field at Windlestrae Park.

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that staff has done a further review of the fee structure which was approved at the February 8, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting for the Kids University program and Summer Rec Basketball program.  Staff wanted to ensure that residents do not feel that they are at a disadvantage by not becoming members of the Community and Recreation Center, while members receive a benefit from joining the facility.  Staff is proposing to revise the fee structure for both programs so that non-members of the Community and Recreation Center pay the same rates as 2015.  This change will address the concerns raised by several residents regarding fee changes.  Resolution #11 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the revised 2016 Fee Schedule for Kids University and Summer Rec Basketball.

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that at the February 8, 2016 Board of Supervisors’ meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved the Park Board’s recommendation to waive the field use fees for both MTBSA and Mon U for the 2016 calendar year.  At the March 9, 2016 Park Board meeting, the Park Board unanimously recommended approving Lansdale Catholic High School Baseball’s request to waive the fee to use Windlestrae Field 1 for the 2016 season.  Lansdale Catholic High School Baseball has used that field in the past through arrangements with Montgomery Township Baseball Softball Association and the Recreation Department.  Resolution #12 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of scheduled fees of the Township’s outdoor facilities for Lansdale Catholic High School Baseball for the 2016 season.

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman announced two upcoming events at the Community and Recreation Center.  On Saturday, May 7, 2016, the public will have the opportunity to meet Spiderman.  The Meet and Greet with Spiderman will take place from 9am to 11am and will be free.  There will be light refreshments and everyone will have the opportunity to take a photo with the amazing Spiderman.  On Saturday, May 14, 2016, the Community and Recreation Center will host a Princess and Pirate Party.  Registrants will have the opportunity to visit, play, dance, and sing with their favorite Pirate and Princess.  The fee for this event is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that a request has been submitted by the Montgomery Greene Homeowners Association requesting Township approval of an amendment to the Amended Declaration of Covenants, Restrictions, Easements, Changes and Liens for Montgomery Greene Homeowners Association and Montgomery Greene Townhouses.  The Association is proposing an amendment to Article VII Section 2(b) to revise provisions governing exterior alteration of townhouses and lots, claiming that strict adherence to the details in the section are not possible or practicable.  Resolution #13 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the requested Amendment to Section 2 (b) of the Amended Declaration of Covenants, Restriction, Easement, Charges and Liens for Montgomery Greene Homeowners Association and Montgomery Greene Townhouses.

            Resolution #14 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #1 for #M-15-71 - for the North Wales Crossing Shopping Center Renovations in the amount of $81,912.25.

            Resolution #15 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania to waive the occupancy permit fee of $150.00, associated with the sale of Girl Scout cookies at a kiosk at Montgomery Mall from February 25, 2016 until March 20, 2016.

            Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that on February 20, 2016, Township resident Corey Luby contacted the Police Department wishing to make a donation of police equipment to the department.  This equipment, valued in excess of $5,000.00, would be utilized for various law enforcement functions by members of the department.  Resolution #16 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, recognized Mr. Luby for his generous donation of equipment to the Police Department.

            Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is ready to dispose of five used police vehicles by an auction process through the firm of J.J. Kane.  The Township has successfully auctioned used vehicles with this firm in the past.  Resolution #17 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized for sale at auction one 2009 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, three 2011 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, and one 2011 Force Expedition Sport Utility Vehicle. 

             A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.

            There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.