MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
APRIL 25, 2016
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph P. Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Joseph P. Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Ami Tarburton, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph P. Walsh 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 of litigation. The litigation matters included Commerce Limited Partnership vs. Montgomery Township, the Liberation House Zoning Hearing Board matter and Lamb vs. Montgomery Township. The Board also discussed one potential litigation matter and one labor matter of union negotiations. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Michael J. Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 11, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello introduced new employee Michele Hughes to Montgomery Township as a Part-Time Secretary in the Public Works Department. Michele began her appointment on April 18, 2016 and comes to the Township with a solid background in office administration and customer service and will be a great addition to the Public Works Department. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, welcomed new employee Michele Hughes to the Township.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the 2016 Autumn Festival will take place on October 1st from 12:00pm to 8:00pm at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. In order to reduce the cost of this event to residents, fundraising efforts are underway and include a solicitation letter to be sent to local businesses seeking various levels of sponsorship. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the 2016 Autumn Festival Letter and Brochure.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that due to the popularity of the 300th Anniversary fireworks display, the Autumn Festival Committee would like to keep the tradition going of having a fireworks display at the annual Autumn Festival Event. A contract in the amount of $12,500.00 has been received from Celebrations Fireworks. Once the contract is approved and signed, a 25% deposit is due in the amount of $3,125.00. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the contract and deposit for the fireworks display for the 2016 Autumn Festival.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Township has received notification of an award of funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program in the amount of $850,000.00 for the Powerline Trail Connection – Phase 1 Project. This project will connect the Route 202 Parkway Trail to the Township’s newly built Community and Recreation Center. The funding program will fund the entire construction of the trail including the bridge that would help connect the Joseph Ambler Inn and the Township Building. The Township’s match will cover all of the design costs for this project. The cost of the design was estimated at $145,467.00. Township consultant, Traffic Planning and Design, has provided a proposal for the scope of work for the several preliminary steps that are necessary to move Phase 1 of the Powerline Connector Trail through initial environmental scoping. This proposal should not exceed $7,500.00. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the professional scope of work from Traffic Planning & Design in the amount not to exceed $7,500.00 for the Powerline Trail Connection Phase 1 Project.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade reported that every six years the Township is required by IRS regulations to adopt a restated 401(a) Money Purchase Pension (MPP) Plan document for the pension plan offered to non-uniformed employees. The Township is also required to obtain an IRS determination letter for the plan upon readoption. Benefits Consultant Group (BCG), administrator for the MPP Plan, has advised the Township that the six-year deadline for restatement of the Plan Document is April 30, 2016. BCG has prepared an amended plan in compliance with IRS regulations and has provided an application for submission to the IRS. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the restated 401(a) Money Purchase Pension Plan and submission of the plan to the IRS for review and issuance of a determination letter.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that the Township uses the International City/County Management Association Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC) to hold the funds for and manage the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) account for the Police Pension Plan. ICMA-RC have advised the Township that action is required to adopt and recertify the plan agreement in order to ensure that our 401 plan with ICMA-RC continues to be operated in accordance with IRS regulations. The IRS has a six-year review schedule for recertification of those types of 401 plan documents. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the ICMA Retirement Corporation Governmental Money Purchase Plan & Trust Adoption Agreement.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton presented the 1st Quarter 2016 Budget report. Ms. Tarburton’s presentation summarized the year-to-date operating results through March 31, 2016 and identified the significant activities in the fund balance, revenues and expenses. Ms. Tarburton reported that overall the Township finances are in excellent condition, with the 1st Quarter revenues and expenses tracking better than expected in the 2016 Budget.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that in 2009 Montgomery Township initiated a program of naturalizing stormwater basins owned and maintained by the Township. The Shade Tree Commission has researched the benefits of naturalizing these basins and has identified additional basins to be entered into the Basin Naturalization Program. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the following basins to be entered into the Basin Naturalization Program: #34 – Line Street and Addison Lane, #25 – Upper State Road and Summer Ridge Road, #18 – Longleat Drive and Preston Drive (Westgate), #5 Bethlehem Pike at Victoria Court, #4 – Veronica Lane, and #27 – Heather Lea.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the request for a waiver of building permit fees for Montgomery Elementary School, subject to the posting of an escrow account in the amount of $5,000 to be used for payment of the plan reviews, building inspection services, and field construction services to be provided.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, 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 8:25 p.m.