Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

FEBRUARY 22, 2010

At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Frank Bartle and Richard Brady. Items of litigation, potential litigation and personnel were discussed.

At 7:35 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the work session 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 and Deb Rivas.

Bruce Shoupe introduced Dick McBride, attorney for the David Cutler Group, who was present to update the current Board of Supervisors on the status of Friendship Park and the surrounding developments. Mr. McBride provided a history of the developments, zoning and the proposed park. Mr. McBride indicated that as part of the development approval, 20 acres were set aside for open space to be used as a Township park. John Chambers designed a layout for the park which was reviewed by the Park and Recreation Board. The total contribution based on the original plan approved is $1,136,000 for the construction of Friendship Park, which includes engineering design and inspection. The Cutler Group has agreed to secure the bid proposals and have the park constructed in accordance with the Township's plan. The Board suggested that the new Park and Recreation Board members have the opportunity to review the plan before the permits are filed. Mr. Chambers indicated that the layout must be finalized before the permits are requested. It was agreed that the plan would be reviewed at the next Park and Recreation Board meeting and finalized with John Chambers at that time. The work session concluded at 8:02 p.m.

At 8:05 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 and Deb Rivas.

Under public comment, Liem Neugen of 204 Rebecca Court, Chalfont, PA, asked the Board about the proposed TEVA project in Warrington Township and it's potential impact and safety concerns for the residents of Montgomery Township. Mr. Neugen indicated that the plan proposed was showing approximately 200 tractor trailers entering and leaving the facility every day. Chairman Walsh indicated that the Township was aware of the proposed plan and that we were on top of the information as it is being presented. Mr. Fox indicated that he had recently attended two meetings where this project was discussed. Mr. Walsh indicated that as a neighboring township, there is not too much we can do, but we will ask our Planning Director, Bruce Shoupe, and our traffic engineer to check the proposed plan for traffic concerns. Mr. Neugen said that he had been canvassing his neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods and that many residents were not aware of the plan. Mr. Fox indicated that the Township e-News email information program had just sent out a news blast about the project and meeting that was being held. The Board said that it would continue to keep the residents notified about upcoming meetings on this project.

Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed matters of personnel, litigation and potential litigation. The matter of litigation was Lesinski v. Montgomery Township. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.

John Nagel said that the Montgomery County Planning Commission was being recommended to prepare the Township's Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan update. The park comprehensive plan was last updated in 1999. Members of the County Planning Commission, Matt Schelly and Michael Stokes were present to address the Township's request that they prepare the update. Mr. Stokes indicated that the current contract that the Township has with the County will handle the request for proposal to prepare the update. Mr. Stokes indicated that there will be several items which the Township will need to perform, such as reports goals, parks and recreation mission statements and goals, parks and recreation personnel, facility inventory and analysis, programs and facility utilization evaluation, public information and financing. After a brief discussion regarding the start of the project in the summer and the estimated completion time of one year, Resolution #1 unanimously approved the appointment of the Montgomery County Planning Commission to prepare and coordinate the Parks and Recreation Plan Update for Montgomery Township.

Laurence Poli was present to be appointed and sworn in as the newest member of the Zoning Hearing Board as an alternate member. Chairman Walsh executed the oath of office and Resolution #2 unanimously appointed Laurence Poli as a Zoning Hearing Board Alternate member with a term to expire on January 1, 2011.

John Nagel announced a reorganization of the Administration Department and several promotions as a result. Lawrence Gregan, in addition to his duties as Finance Director and Treasurer, will also serve as the Assistant Township Manager. Ann Shade will be promoted to the position of Director of Administration and Human Resources and will be responsible for managing the Recreation Supervisor, Human Resources Coordinator, Administration Supervisor and their respective staff. Deborah Rivas will be promoted to the position of Administration Supervisor and will be responsible for the daily operations of the Administration Department and will supervise the positions of Public Information Coordinator, Administrative Secretary and Receptionist. Sudha Suryadevara will be promoted to the position of Recreation Supervisor and will supervise the positions of Recreation Intern and Administrative Secretary, as well as seasonal employees. Resolution #3 unanimously approved the promotions as noted above.

Larry Gregan introduced Leah Kim who will join the Township as an Accounting Associate effective March 4, 2010. Ms. Kim will be responsible for processing business tax returns, escrow bills and fixed assets. Resolution #4 unanimously approved the hiring of Leah Kim as an Accounting Associate in the Finance Department.

Chairman Walsh, along with the other Board members, commended the Township's Public Works Department and the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority for their dedication and hard work during the last two major snowstorms in the Township. Chairman Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Fox seconded, that these departments be treated to a pizza lunch to thank them for their efforts. Resolution #5 unanimously commended the employees of the Public Works Department and the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority for their tireless effort and dedication in keeping the Township roads passable during two consecutive major snow storms.

Sudha Suryadevara presented the 2010 Spring and Summer Recreation Programs which includes the popular Kids University Camp, an eight week summer program beginning on June 21^st and ending on August 13^th. Ms. Suryadevara indicated that this year there would be a registration deadline to assist the Township in planning for the number of attendees each week. After a brief discussion, Resolution #6 unanimously approved the 2010 Kids University proposal of 90 registrants maximum each week and a May 14, 2010 registration and payment deadline.

Sudha Suryadevara also presented the request for approval of a solicitation letter for the Autumn Festival this year. This year the event will be held on the first Saturday of October, and the committee is requesting the approval of the Board to obtain the funding necessary to partially finance the event. After a brief discussion, Resolution #7 unanimously approved the 2010 Autumn Festival Solicitation Plan.

Richard Grier, Technology Manager, presented the options available and the costs that the staff had previously proposed for televising the Township's Board meetings. As indicated in the past, the Board recommended the fixed camera option and also discussed that initially the videotaped meeting would be broadcast on the cable channel the day following the meeting. Mr. Grier stated that the startup costs to videotape with a fixed camera should be between $1,500 and $3,000. Resolution #8 unanimously approved the expense of up to $3,000 for the purchase of equipment to videotape every Board meeting to be shown on the cable channel.

Bruce Shoupe asked the Board for its approval of a letter to be sent to the residents who live near the six initial basins that the Township will be returning to a natural state. Mr. Shoupe indicated that in addition to a letter, a sign would be posted at each basin. Mr. Shoupe stated that it was important to note that these basins will be monitored on a frequent basis. Also, once the program is established to be beneficial, it should be considered7 for expansion to other basins in the Township. Resolution #9 unanimously approved the letter to residents near the basins identified to go natural and the sign to be posted at each basin.

Solicitor Frank Bartle provided an update on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Right to Know law. Mr. Bartle explained the law and addressed certain cases that are currently under appeal with the Courts. Mr. Bartle specifically spoke about cases where emails exist between Township staff and the personal email accounts of elected government officials. The state open records office has stated that all emails pertaining to Township business are public records, whether or not they are personal email accounts. Presently, the case is in the court system and has yet to be decided. Mr. Bartle also commented on a case where certain companies are trying to circumvent the local tax collector, and the fees associated with tax collector services, by requesting the information directly from the local township under the right-to-know law. Mr. Bartle also mentioned another case where personal information of employees is being requested, such as home addresses, dependents, etc. All of these cases are currently pending in the court system.

Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for February 8, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #10 awarded the bids for the annual curb and sidewalk project to Drumheller Construction at the cost of $223,883. Resolution #11 approved the 2010 Spring and Summer Recreation Program Fees. Resolution #12 approved an out-of-state training for fire services. Resolution #13 approved the 2010 Fee Schedule revision. Resolution #14 approved the 2010 Capital Expenditures. All consent agenda items were unanimously approved.

Under other business, Chairman Walsh said that in addition to volunteering their time in the community and the good work that they do for the Township, several Board members are to be recognized for achievements in their professions. Chairman Walsh congratulated Mike Fox on his promotion to Sr. Vice President of Univest Bank and to Candyce Chimera on receiving a Remax National Award.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.