MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

FEBRUARY 11, 2019

 

 

            At 6:30 p.m. Chairman Michael J. Fox called to order the Executive Session.  In attendance were Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg.  Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan and Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire.

            Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.  In attendance were Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg.  Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration & HR Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, and Director of Information Technology Richard Grier.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience.

            Sam Rhoads, from 5-Points Automobile and Towing Company, presented a brief overview of the company and asked that the Township consider placing their company on the rotation list for towing. 

            Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting at 6:30 p.m., in the room adjacent to this one, and discussed one matter of potential litigation which is the Cutler Development matter, and two matters of litigation which are the Zoning Hearing Board case for Service Truck Center and the Harriet Carter Business Tax Appeal.  Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.

            Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 28, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved.

Director of Public Works Kevin Costello recognized two Public Works Department employees who are receiving promotions. Todd Jasuta is being elevated from Assistant Road Foreman to the Facilities Foreman.  Steve Wiater is being elevated from a Crew Tech II to the Assistant Road Foreman.  Both Todd and Steve started their employment with the Township in March of 1999.  The Township is proud to have both of these employees advance their careers within Montgomery Township.  Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, recognized the promotions of Todd Jasuta to Facilities Foreman and Steve Wiater to Assistant Road Foreman as of February 1, 2019. 

            Director of Public Works Kevin Costello requested approval to advertise and solicit bids for Asphalt and Lawn Care Treatments for the Public Works Department.  Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorize the Township Manager to advertise for bids for Asphalt and Lawn Care treatments.  Bids are to be opened on February 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. and will be considered for award at the March 11, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting after 7:00 p.m. 

            Director of Public Works Kevin Costello requested approval to purchase a Ventrace Mower/Tractor and Everest 11’ snow plow equipment through the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program.  Both items were budgeted for in the 2019 Budget.  Resolution #3, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the contracts for the purchasing of the following equipment-

  • Award the contract to Lawn and Golf of Phoenixville, Pa for the purchase of a Ventrac Tractor Mower under the Pennsylvania Co-Stars Contract # 4400011381 for a net price of $46,516.14.

 

  • Award the contract to Triad Truck Equipment Inc., Pottstown, Pa for the purchase of an eleven foot plow under the Pennsylvania Co-Stars Contract # 025-060 for a net price of $14,155.00.

Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested approval to replace two police vehicles with the purchase of two 2019 Ford Police Interceptor Utility models and equipment as approved in 2019 Final Budget.  Resolution #4, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of two 2019 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from Fred Beans Ford Lincoln, an authorized vendor under Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program (Contract# 013-142) at a total cost of $59,970.  The resolution also approve the award of a contract for purchase and installation of equipment for these vehicles from Havis Inc., an authorized vendor under the Co- Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program (Contract # 012-161) at a total cost of $22,393.42.

            Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested approval to execute the extension agreements for the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement/Education Grant Project and Buckle-Up Enforcement Grant.  These grants are statewide initiatives dedicated to targeting aggressive driving locations and raising the seat belt usage level in Pennsylvania.  Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the execution of extension agreements for the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement/Education Grant Project and Buckle-Up Enforcement Grant. 

            Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reviewed the Finance Department’s unaudited 4th Quarter 2018 Budget Report which identified that the General Fund ended 2018 with an estimated $3.3M fund balance, which was a decrease of 26% from the 2017 ending balance of $4.5M.  Ms. Tarburton recommended maintaining a general fund balance of $3 million, or about 25% of total 2019 General Fund expenditures, which will provide the Township with a surplus balance of about $300,000, which is available to be used to fund upcoming capital projects as designated by the Board of Supervisors.  She recommended that $250,000 of the General Fund be transferred to Designated Capital Reserve Funds as follows:

  • $85,000 – to the Basin Maintenance Plan – to fund the future expenses of maintaining Township retention basins.
  • $165,000 – to the Operating Contingency Fund – to reserve funds for unexpected future operational needs.

In addition, Staff is recommending that the following Designated Capital Reserve Funds be reallocated for 2019:

  • $82,500 previously designated for the Route 202/Route 309 project re-designated to fund the Township’s share of the Line Street Culvert Replacement Project scheduled to be completed in 2019.
  • $80,000 previously designated for the County Line Road Improvements project, re-designated to pay for Township expenses related to the PennDOT Five Points Intersection project.

Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the transfer of the General Fund “fund balance” in the amount of $250,000 to the Capital Reserve Fund and the reallocation of the designated Capital Reserve Funds as detailed above.

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

            There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:30p.m.