FORKS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS May 1, 2008 AGENDA 6:30 PM Workshop / Walking Tour of Township Building for positioning of Security Camera s 7:30 PM Called to Order/ Pledge of Allegiance Minutes of the previous Board Meeting dated: April 24, 2008 Supervisors Comments: Treasurer s Report/ Debits:.. Total Outstanding Debt $ 7,875,858.00 General Fund $ 54,971.23 (4/25/08) - $ 273,398.76 (4/29/08) Utility Fund.. $ 118,156.75 Escrow Fund $ 28,764.41 Tap-In.... $ 4,337.13 TRANSER: Recreation Land Acquisition to General Fund - $ 2,656.43 Standing Committee Reports (a) Public Safety Public Works Parks & Recreation Community Relations Finance & Administration Township Manager s Report Engineer s Report Solicitor s Report Supervisor Chuss Supervisor Miller Supervisor Howell Supervisor Nicholas Supervisor Egolf Richard Schnaedter Fred Hay Karl H. Kline Comments from the Public [Comments are limited to five minutes and must be in regard to nonagenda items. The Public must sign in at the Podium prior to the Call to Order] 01. NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 01. Forks Twsp. Community Park-Recreation Equipment Capital Purchases (Don Miller, Director of Parks & Recreation) 02. Resolution # 080501-1 DEP Resolution for Lisa Bodnar existing home septic system (Karl Kline) 03. Barry Miles Minor Subdivision (Keystone Consulting Engineer) 1
04. Approval of AA/Forks Township Recreation Registration Fees (Don Miller) Executive Session: [A] ACTION [D] DISCUSSION [I] INFORMATIONAL AGENDA SET BY 2:30 PM ON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THE BOARD MEETING (a) Reports are presented by the Committee s Chairman and may include comments from Township Directors and Managers, who are members of that Committee. 2
FORKS TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Northampton County, Pennsylvania May 1, 2008 MEETING GENERALITIES The Forks Township Board of Supervisors met in regular session at the Municipal Building, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Easton, Pennsylvania on this date. Chairman C. David Howell called the regular meeting of the Board to order at 7:30 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board Members present were: C. David Howell, Chairman Erik Chuss, Vice Chairman Robert Egolf, Secretary/Treasurer Bonnie Nicholas, Member Donald Miller, Member Others present were: Karl Kline, Solicitor Ryan Christman, Engineer James Farley, Finance Administrator Greg Dorney, Chief of Police Mark Roberts, Public Works Director Richard Schnaedter, Township Manager Tim Weis, Construction and Zoning Barbara Margolese, Recording secretary MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS BOARD MEETINGS: Regular Meeting of April 17, 2008 Solicitor Kline noted that on page 3 the solicitor s report should read that the Strausser project billing arrearage has reached the amount of $93,000 and on page 4 Mr. Chuss moved to approve commencing the process to obtain the purchase of the public works equipment. Supervisor Nicholas stated that on page 2 the community relations committee meeting was to be held on May 12 th at 6:00 p.m. and on page 3 under Solicitor s report Solicitor Line stated that Mr. Asteak (instead of Attorney Gingold))and his clients from Residents who Care. She also noted that she voted Nay on the motion to approve the Emergency Services training facility to WHP on page 3. Bonnie Nicholas moved to approve the minutes of the April 17, 2008 meeting as amended. Robert Egolf seconded the motion. Vote Called: All in favor (5-0). SUPERVISORS COMMENTS: Erik Chuss asked the Board to consider sending a letter of support regarding the Borough of Stockertown s efforts to replace a bridge. Mr. Schnaedter was directed to contact Stockertown to obtain the status of the bridge construction and to inquire as to whether the bridge is to be for pedestrians or vehicles or both. Mr. Chuss noted that the Township s Comprehensive Plan is ready to send to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission while the Planning Commission is considering editorial changes. After some 3
discussion Erik Chuss moved to place Discussion on distributing the Comprehensive Plan to the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission for its review added to the agenda as #5 under New Business. As there was no second the motion failed. Supervisor Miller informed the Board that the summer program Mad Science for Kids has added an additional class and a class called Tech Computer Class has been added which will be for 3-5 year olds and one for 6 12 year olds and a class for seniors. Supervisor Nicholas announced that the Lehigh Airport Authority at Braden Airport has received a ½ million dollar matching grant from PENNDOT for the airport to replace office buildings. Ms. Nicholas stated that agenda items should not be changed after the Tuesday afternoon deadline. She added that any discussion regarding Planning Commission related matter should not be placed on the agenda unless the Board has the approved minutes from that Planning Commission meeting. TREASURER S REPORT: Treasurer s Report Debits: Total Outstanding Debt: $7,875,858.00 Robert Egolf moved to authorize payment of debits from the following funds: General Fund $ 54,971.23 (4/25/08) 273,398.76 (4/29/08) Utility Fund. $ 118,156.75 Escrow Fund. $ 28,764.41 Tap-In... $ 4,337.13 Donald Miller seconded the motion. Vote Called: All in Favor (5-0). STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS: Public Safety/Supervisor Chuss Erik Chuss reported that the next meeting of the public safety committee is to be cancelled. He stated that the old furniture from the Police Department has not yet been removed. He stated that the committee is discussing an anti-speeding program for Forks Township. He also stated that he has spoken with Mr. Kiefer (Forks EMS) and Mr. Albertson (Suburban EMS) and payments are being made to Suburban EMS from Forks EMS. Erik Chuss moved to add discussion on the audiovisual system as Unfinished Business on the agenda. Robert Egolf seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Egolf, Miller, Howell Aye, Nicholas- Nay 0-Abstain. (5-0). Public Works/Supervisor Miller Supervisor Donald Miller reported that no meeting was held this past month. Parks and Recreation/Supervisor Miller & Supervisor Howell Supervisor Howell stated that there was nothing to report for this month however item #1 under new business will address the park and recreation equipment purchases proposal. Community Relations/Supervisor Nicholas Supervisor Bonnie Nicholas a community relations committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12 th at 6:00 p.m. Finance and Administration/Supervisor Egolf Supervisor Egolf stated that a meeting was held on April 23 rd at 5:00 p.m. at which time the 2007 budget was reviewed specifically looking at overages in the budget. 4
TOWNSHIP MANAGER S REPORT Township Manager Rick Schnaedter announced that the Two Rivers Council of Government Electronic Recycling event is being held on Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Easton Area High School Athletic Complex. Mr. Schnaedter stated that Lafayette College has inquired as to whether a zoning permit is required for their annual fund raising event at Metzger field on June 1 st. Tim Weis stated that he is looking for some guidance in this matter. It was noted that Lafayette College has always informed the police department when an event is to be held and that they have always been a good neighbor. Mr. Chuss recommended that the Township Manager draft a policy with Zoning Officer Tim Weis to be considered at the next Board of Supervisors meeting. ENGINEER S REPORT Fred Hay: Agenda items only. SOLICITOR S REPORT Karl Kline: Solicitor Kline stated that a memo had been received which was from the Forks Police Department and the Easton Area School District regarding police involvement with the schools. He stated that the School District would like a memo of understanding and that this matter can be discussed by the public safety committee. Mr. Kline stated that the bids for the Emergency Services training facility have been executed and signed and that the township is ready to proceed with construction. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Amy Lohman (2470 Chestnut Lane) and Ms. Roxanne Keller (2485 Chestnut Lane) stated their strong concerns regarding the placement of portable basketball hoops in streets and on sidewalks in their neighborhood. Both women noted that much profanity is used by the children using these basketball hoops and often it is directed at persons passing by the players. They both noted that the players have made driving on the streets or walking on the sidewalks a hazard. Chairman Howell stated that Solicitor Kline will look at the ordinance regarding blocking streets and sidewalks and will report back to the Board of Supervisors at the next meeting during the Solicitor s Report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 01. FORKS TOWNSHIP AUDIOVISUAL SYSTEM Supervisor Chuss stated that a consultant was brought in and a recommendation was made. He noted that the cameras in the proposal are located to handle ingress and egress security breaches. Supervisor Nicholas noted her concerns regarding the removal of cameras from the Fire Department. Ms. Sandra Hanks asked what additional cost would result from the cameras being kept inside the Fire Department. Ms. Nicholas said that the cameras are needed to keep track of what is going on inside the building and not just at the doors. She added that she is concerned about a camera that she noticed had been covered. It was noted that this camera had been facing a water fountain and was considered an invasion of privacy. Erik Chuss moved to approve the audiovisual proposal as drafted by the Township department heads and to go for bid with this proposal. Robert Egolf seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Egolf, Miller, Howell Aye, Nicholas - Nay, 0- Abstain. (4-1-0) Finance Administrator Farley asked that appropriate surge protection be included in the proposal. NEW BUSINESS 01. FORKS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK-RECREATION EQUIPMENT CAPITAL PURCHASES 5
Supervisor Miller stated that one set of equipment had been chosen. He stated that the equipment is to be purchased from the Mid Atlantic Park and Playground Concepts Company and that the equipment is a brand called Your Miracle Recreation Equipment Company. Mr. Miller stated that the total cost for the project is $56,688. Supervisor Miller stated that the recreation committee is also looking to add picnic tables, a carousel and take down the existing adult fitness stations. He estimated the cost for this to be approximately $20,000. He agreed that the cap for all of these improvements should be $76,000. Mr. Farley asked that Solicitor Kline review the contract because he did not feel that the labor for this project was set at the prevailing wage. Donald Miller moved to approve the capital purchase of the park-recreation equipment for the above described items with a cap on expenses at $76,000 and for the contract to be reviewed by the Township Solicitor to insure that it includes labor at the prevailing wage. Robert Egolf seconded the motion. After a brief discussion regarding the installation of the equipment it was determined that the picnic tables and benches are not co-star items. Mr. Miller and Mr. Egolf amended their motion to only include intergenerational equipment. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Egolf, Miller, Howell, Nicholas Aye, 0- Nay, 0-Abstain. (5-0) 02. RESOLUTION #080501-1 DEP RESOLUTION FOR LISA BODNAR EXISTING HOME SEPTIC SYSTEM Engineer Christman stated that the 537 sewage plan is being changed for this one house so that a package treatment plant plan can be sent to the DEP to replace the Bodnar s failed septic system. Bonnie Nicholas moved to approve Resolution #080501-1. Donald Miller seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Miller, Howell, Nicholas Aye, Egolf- Nay, 0-Abstain. (4-1) The Board recessed from 9:35 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. 03. BARRY MILES MINOR SUBDIVISION Engineer Christman stated that the proposed minor subdivision will create two larger lots out of three existing smaller lots. It was noted that the Planning Commission had wanted the developer to make a commitment to either performing percolation tests on the lot which does not currently have a house on it or to commit to hooking-up to the public sewer. It was noted that since the Planning Commission meeting the developer had decided to commit to connecting to the public sewer and that a note to that extent will be placed on the plans. Supervisor Nicholas noted her concerns with the steep slopes and drainage on the lot. Mr. Christman stated that this will be addressed when a grading plan is submitted for the lot. Erik Chuss moved to approve the waiver requests as noted in the April 7 th Keystone Engineering letter #2a (the use of USGS contours instead of 2 ft. contours) and #2b (plan scale of 1 = 40 instead of 50 or 100 ft. scale) and #2c (deferment of a sewage planning module). Robert Egolf seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Egolf, Miller, Howell, Nicholas Aye, 0- Nay, 0-Abstain. (5-0) Erik Chuss moved to approve the minor subdivision application subject to those conditions noted in the April 7 th Keystone Engineering letter and that a note be added to the plans stating that Lot 3 will be served by public sewer. Bonnie Nicholas seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Chuss, Egolf, Miller, Howell, Nicholas Aye, 0- Nay, 0-Abstain. (5-0) A request was made from Mr. Miles to have the engineer submit an itemization of his costs for this project. There being nothing further to come before the Board of Supervisors, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. 6