MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FEBRUARY 25, 2019
At 6:30 p.m. Chairman Michael J. Fox called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford was absent. Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan and Township Solicitor Robert Iannozzi, Esquire.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford was absent. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Robert Iannozzi, 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 and there was none.
Solicitor Robert Iannozzi, 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 two matters of potential litigation which were the Cutler Development matter, and the G.K. Enterprises Zoning Appeal (Green Turtle) and one personnel matter. Mr. Iannozzi stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael J. Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that a vacancy exists on the Montgomery Township Public Safety Committee and Township resident Michael Moser has expressed an interest in being appointed to this committee. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, appointed Michael Moser to the Montgomery Township Public Safety Committee for a one-year term to expire on January 1, 2020.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a Preliminary/Final Land Development plan, LDS #700, was received from Fire and Police Federal Credit Union, 798 Bethlehem Pike, for a proposed new freestanding building with drive-thru service on the vacant pad site. Access to the property will utilize the existing entrance/exit along Bethlehem Pike and access to the Montgomery Mall ring road. Nate Fox, Esquire was present, representing the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union. He advised that his client was in agreement with the conditions in the approval resolution. Staff and consultants have reviewed this plan for compliance with Township Codes. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Preliminary/Final Land Development for the Fire and Police Federal Credit Union, LDS #700, at 798 Bethlehem Pike.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Joseph Ambler Inn at 1005 Horsham Road, LDS #693A, has requested a waiver of the Township’s formal land development application for the Phase 2 project at the property located at 1005 Horsham Road. The applicant proposes to construct 15 additional paved parking spaces and 50 gravel parking spaces with appurtenant utilities, storm water management system, landscaping, etc. to support the existing use. Rachel Butch from Showalter and Associates was present representing the property owner and confirmed that the conditions of the approval resolution were acceptable to the owner. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of a formal land development application for the Joseph Ambler Inn.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that Phase 5B of the Forestry Management Program for the removal of Ash Trees in the Knapp Road Natural Area, Cambridge Knoll Open Space Areas, Fellowship Park and Applewood Park, went out to bid as previously authorized by the Board of Supervisors. The work under this contract includes the furnishing of all labor, materials and equipment necessary and incidental for the felling of 510 +/- trees to within 12 inches or less of the ground level. Six bids were received and opened on February 13, 2019, ranging in price from $63,750 to $96,500. A favorable reference check was completed on the apparent responsible low bidder, Rambo Tree Care Inc. with their bid of $63,750. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the Phase 5B Forestry Management Project for the removal of Ash Trees to Rambo Tree Care Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $63,750.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township received and opened bids on February 14, 2019 at 10AM for the 2019 In-Place Paving Project. Six bids were received and ranged in price from $908,944.94 to $1,259,748.95. Township Staff recommends the award of the contract to James D. Morrissey Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder, for total projected cost of $908,944.94. Resolution #5, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the 2019 In-Place Road Paving Project to James D. Morrissey Inc. for a total projected cost of $908,944.94.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township received and opened bids for the 2019 Curb and Sidewalk Project on February 14, 2019 at 10:30AM. Eight bids were received. The allocation in the 2019 Final Budget for this project was $659,780, based on estimates from the Township’s Engineer. Township Staff recommends the award of the contract to Drumheller Construction Inc., as the lowest responsible bidder, at the projected cost of $439,944.75. Resolution#6, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the 2019 Curb and Sidewalk Project to Drumheller Construction Inc., for a total projected cost of $439,944.75.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township received and opened bids for the Fellowship Park Tennis Court Reconstruction Project on February 14, 2019 at 11AM. Township Staff recommends the award of contract to Top-A-Court, as the lowest responsible bidder, at the total projected cost of $158,560. Resolution#7, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the Fellowship Park Tennis Court Reconstruction Project to Top-A-Court as the lowest responsible bidder for a total projected cost of $158,560.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested approval to purchase Mobile Data Computers and Vehicle Mounts for each of the police vehicles to replace the current system, which has reached their end of life, and are experiencing failures. Resolution #8, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the purchase of the thirteen Mobile Data Computers, vehicle mounting systems and installation from Patrol PC, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program (Contract#012-073) at a total cost of $79,998.64, per their quote dated January 31, 2019.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested approval to purchase electronic citation printers and mounting brackets for ten patrol vehicles. This is an unbudgeted expenditures but the department did receive $36,994.43 from funds seized under the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Program in 2017. The Police Department would like to use a portion of these funds to purchase these printers, which would work in conjunction with the countywide records management system and new in-car computer systems to provide for greater officer efficiency. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the purchase of the e-Citation printers and mounting brackets from CDW (Contract# 003-032) and Havis Inc. (Contract# 012-161), both authorized vendors under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program, at a total cost of $4,461.56 per their sales quotes dated February 6, 2019.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that on February 20, 2019, the police department received notification from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency that the Township was approved to receive a grant in the amount of $40,199 to offset the cost of the body-camera purchase approved in 2018. Resolution#10, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the acceptance of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Body-Worn Camera Grant in the amount of $40,199 and approve execution of the grant agreement.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that on January 29, 2019, the Township received notification that the Department of Fire Services was awarded the 2018/2019 Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Grant in the amount of $14,151.63 to purchase personal protective equipment and fire hose. Resolution#11, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the acceptance of the 2018/2019 Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Grant in the amount of $14,151.63 and approved the purchase of two sets of personal protective equipment from the Municipal Emergency Service at a cost of $7,907.20 and a combination of 1.75’, 2.5’ and 5’ fire hose from Witmer Public Safety Group, Inc. in the amount of $6,638.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak requested approval to replace the 2008 Expedition used by the Director of Fire Services with a 2019 Ford Expedition. This was budgeted in the 2019 Final Budget. Resolution#12, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of a 2019 Ford Expedition to the Whitmoyer Auto Group, an authorized vendor under the Cooperative Purchasing Program at a cost of $38,900. The resolution also awarded the contract for the purchase of emergency lighting, siren and console to Marriott’s Emergency Equipment at a cost of $5,545.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak requested approval to purchase two Rockland Custom Product Command cabinets with Clean Gear venting systems. These cabinets are necessary to help the prevention of cancer, which can occur if the personal protective equipment are not placed in sealed containers to prevent the off-gassing of toxic fumes into the passenger compartment of vehicles. Resolution#13, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of two Rockland Custom Product Command Cabinets with Clean Gear venting systems at a cost of $12,699.82.
Community and Recreation Center Director Floyd Shaffer presented the 2019 Spring and Summer Recreation and Fitness Programs and the recommended fee schedules for the various activities. The programs/activity schedule will be valid from April 1st through September 2nd and will include new programs for Please Touch Tech Days, Tiny Tykes Sports, Improv for Kids, Dodgeball Tournament, Teen 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament, Youth Self Defense Classes, and Superhero Meet and Greet. The 2019 Spring/Summer Recreation Newsletter should be in Township mailboxes the third week of March. Resolution#14, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the 2019 Spring/Summer Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as presented.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Montgomery Township Taxpayer Bill of Rights governs the administration and collection of taxes authorized under Act 511 including the Township’s Business Privilege and Mercantile License Taxes. It sets forth the process for the handling appeals from decisions on assessment and refunds for these taxes. The Board of Supervisors serves as the Appeals Board to hold a hearing and has the option to appoint and “ad hoc Hearing Officer” by resolution to hear any such appeal and to issue a decision, which shall serve as the Board’s decision in the matter. Resolution#15, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the appointment of Joseph P. Walsh as the “ad hoc Hearing Officer” for appeals filed under the Montgomery Township Local Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Montgomery County Board of Elections is proposing to move the Montgomery 8 Precinct Poll from its current location in the Stump Road Fire Station to the Township’s Community and Recreation Center to better accommodate the need for more space for the nearly 3500 voters of the precinct. Resolution#16, made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the Chairman to execute the Lease Agreement with the Montgomery County Board of Elections for relocation of the Montgomery 8 Precinct Voting Place to the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center.
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 7:46p.m.