MINUTES OF MEETING
May 10, 2010
At 7:30 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were Bob Brant, Mark Fortna, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe and Frank Bartle. Items of litigation, potential litigation and personnel were discussed.
At 8:08 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the action meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe, Larry Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady, Richard Grier and Shirley Snyder.
There was no public comment at this evenings meeting.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed a matter of personnel and potential litigation. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Chairman Joseph Walsh introduced John F. O'Connor, who is being considered for appointment on the Montgomery Township Public Safety Committee. Resolution #1 appointed Mr. O'Connor to serve on the Public Safety Committee with a term to expire January 2011. The vote was 4 - 0 with Mr. Walsh abstaining.
Chief Richard Brady stated that National Law Enforcement Week is traditionally recognized during the week of May 10th through May 14th. Due to scheduling conflicts in the Police Department, Montgomery Township will be hosting a daylong event on Saturday, June 12th at Montgomery Mall, and will feature canine demonstrations, crime prevention information, children's fingerprinting and representation by the Fire Department of Montgomery Township and Volunteer Medical Service Corps. Resolution #2 unanimously recognized National Law Enforcement Week.
John Nagel provided a summary of House Bill 2431 - Elimination of Townships, Cities and Boroughs. The bill was introduced in late April and would radically change the way Pennsylvanians are governed. This bill calls for constitutional amendments to establish counties as the basic level of government in Pennsylvania. PSATS has alerted us to this newly proposed bill and has stated that it is adamantly opposed to this bill. After some discussion, the Board directed staff to reach out to our state legislators and find out where they stand on this matter. Resolution #3 unanimously stated Montgomery Township's opposition to House Bill 2431, a bill seeking the elimination of Townships, Cities and Boroughs.
Rich Grier provided an update on the status of the televising of Board meetings. Mr. Grier has researched several options for providing closed captioning of these televised meetings. Technology upgrades are needed to provide this service at a cost of approximately $2,000. In addition, Mr. Grier has located a vendor, Automatic Sync Technologies, who will provide an automated captioning system at a cost of approximately $182.33 per media hour, with a three day turn-around time. Their services can also be purchased at a bulk rate of 24 prepaid hours. Supervisor Michael Fox recommended that the Board should consider a policy concerning public comment about the previously televised meetings. Chairman Joseph Walsh recommended that Frank Bartle draft a Content Neutral Policy to address this matter. After some additional discussion by the Board weighing outsourcing or in house transcribing of the meetings, Chairman Walsh made a motion to proceed with staff recommendations. Motion #1 unanimously approved the expenditure of $2,000 for the purchase of additional equipment and approved outsourcing the transcribing and closed captioning features to Automatic Sync Technologies at a media hour rate of $182.33 per hour.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for April 26, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #4 approved the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities Amended Articles of Agreement. Resolution #5 approved the use of equipment to perform the 2010 street resurfacing work up to an estimated total cost of $295,750. Resolution #6 approved the award of contract for the replacement purchase of two snow plows at a cost of $19,980. 2010 Kids University fees were approved by an amendment to the Fee Schedule by Resolution #7. Resolution #8 approved the extension of medical benefits to the family of Officer Andrew Dalton while he is serving on active duty with the United States Army in Iraq. Resolution #9 approved the Deed of Dedication for Bridle Path Manor. Resolution #10 approved the Traffic Signal Maintenance & Monitoring Agreement for County Line Road as prepared by PennDOT and reviewed by Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. Resolution #11 approved the Knapp Road Intergovernmental Agreement between Lansdale Borough and Montgomery Township. Resolution #12 authorized the Township Manager to send letters to Senators Specter and Casey, and Congresswoman Schwartz requesting their opposition to House Bill 413 and Senate Bill 3194, bills designed to provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions. Resolution #13 authorized the Township Solicitor to take appropriate measures to ensure that financial surety exists to guarantee the improvements to County Lane Estates and Country Lane developments as required in the Municipalities Planning Code.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.