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Board of Supervisors
Agenda
MINUTES
Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 14, 2006 - 6:00 p.m.
Township Municipal Building
Members Present:
Stephen C. Wagner, Chairman
Miro A. Gutzmirtl, Vice Chairman
James H. White, Sr.
Joyce V. White
Joseph M. Horvath
Staff Attending:
Thomas F. Beil, Township Manager
Robert E. Kassel, Jr., Asst. Township Manager
Jeffrey Dimmich, Township Solicitor
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room of the Upper Saucon Township Municipal Building, 5500 Camp Meeting Road, Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, PA.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Wagner asked all in attendance to stand and recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Public Comment is summarized as follows:
Gretel Ruppert – 5201 Mountainside Lane – Mrs. Ruppert updated the Board on the progress of the historic barn inventory being performed in the Township. Mrs. Ruppert said there has been an enthusiastic response from residents with sixty-one (61) barns having been registered. She then proceeded to explain the process behind the inventory, and encouraged the Township to complete registration for the historic barns that they own.
Mr. Gutzmirtl inquired about the amount of any tax credit associated with the historic designation.
Mrs. Ruppert said the tax credit amount has not yet been determined.
Charles Ruppert – 5201 Mountainside Lane – Mr. Ruppert was concerned about the type of units that would be built on steep slopes in the Liberty Village development and wanted to know if the plans would come before the Supervisors again.
Mr. Beil said he believed the project, which was part of the Fieldstone settlement, had to come back before Supervisors for final approval.
Attorney Dimmich agreed with Mr. Beil that the project must come before the Board again to ensure its compliance with SALDO.
Bob Tettemer – Glen Road – Mr. Tettemer commented on an appeals hearing held earlier in the month regarding a request to operate a boarding house. He said it was his opinion that the applicant did not provide adequate plans that showed the exterior and interior of the dwelling. He also said the applicant did not provide any emergency precautions, such as emergency entrances and exits. Mr. Tettemer said the Township have more restrictive regulations with respect to these types of requests and appeals.
SUBDIVISIONS AND LAND DEVELOPMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS
State Representative Karen Beyer – Legislative Update
Representative Beyer handed out a packet of information to all Supervisors that contained legislation that was of interest to local officials for the 2005 and 2006 sessions. She specifically addressed legislation concerning school district budget and property tax reform, an increase in minimum wage, the State budget, health care reform, and the “fair share” concept for municipalities in the area. Also enclosed in the packet was the “Growing Smarter Tool Kit” that contained different ways municipalities could obtain funding for community and economic development.
Representative Beyer told the Board that she would be putting forth efforts to get some of the money allocated every year to cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh rerouted to Allentown and its surrounding communities. In addition, Representative Beyer spoke about Homeland Security and emergency preparedness in the Township.
Representative Beyer also engaged the Board in a lengthy discussion concerning the sewer issues in Coopersburg and the legal challenges it has posed for the Township, development of the Stabler properties, as well as the current and future traffic problems confronting the Township.
Representative Beyer concluded her presentation by urging Supervisors to contact her with specific issues and questions.
MINUTES
Regular Meeting of October 25, 2005
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. White to approve the minutes of the October 25, 2005 regular meeting of the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors.
A roll call vote was taken, and the results were as follows:
Chairman Wagner: Yes
Mr. White: Yes
Mrs. White: Yes
Mr. Gutzmirtl: Abstain
Mr. Horvath: Abstain
Mr. Gutzmirtl and Mr. Horvath were not members of the Board when this meeting took place.
The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with 2 abstentions.
Regular Meeting of November 22, 2005
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mrs. White to approve the minutes of the November 22, 2005 regular meeting of the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors.
A roll call vote was taken, and the results were as follows:
Chairman Wagner: Yes
Mr. White: Yes
Mrs. White: Yes
Mr. Gutzmirtl: Abstain
Mr. Horvath: Abstain
Mr. Gutzmirtl and Mr. Horvath were not members of the Board when this meeting took place.
The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with 2 abstentions.
Special Meeting of December 3, 2005
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. White to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2005 special meeting of the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors.
A roll call vote was taken, and the results were as follows:
Chairman Wagner: Yes
Mr. White: Yes
Mrs. White: Yes
Mr. Gutzmirtl: Abstain
Mr. Horvath: Abstain
Mr. Gutzmirtl and Mr. Horvath were not members of the Board when this meeting took place.
The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with 2 abstentions.
Special Meeting of December 7, 2005
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. White to approve the minutes of the December 7, 2005 special meeting of the Upper Saucon Township Board of Supervisors.
A roll call vote was taken, and the results were as follows:
Chairman Wagner: Yes
Mr. White: Yes
Mrs. White: Yes
Mr. Gutzmirtl: Abstain
Mr. Horvath: Abstain
Mr. Gutzmirtl and Mr. Horvath were not members of the Board when this meeting took place.
The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with 2 abstentions.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Board reviewed the following Committee Report:
- Administration & Finance Committee Meeting of August 1, 2006
Copies of the Committee Report were made available to the public.
ORDINANCES
None
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 2006-34 – National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Horvath to adopt Resolution No. 2006-34 designating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the basis for all incident management in the Township.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Resolution No. 2006-36 – Cooperative Purchasing Contract with the City of Harrisburg
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Horvath to adopt Resolution No. 2006-36 authorizing the Township’s participation in the Pennsylvania Capital City Vehicle and Equipment Contract administered by the City of Harrisburg.
Attorney Dimmich explained that there was already a Resolution in place that authorized the Township’s participation in such a contract. This resolution, he said, would merely be a reaffirmation.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
MOTIONS
Accept Resignation of Mark Sullivan from the Library Board of Directors
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Horvath to accept with regret the resignation of Mark Sullivan from the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board of Directors effective immediately.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Appointment to the Southern Lehigh Public Library Board of Directors
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Horvath to appoint Jerome T. Trexler to the Southern Lehigh Library Board of Directors to fill an unexpired term ending June 20, 2007.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Release of Funds – Locust Valley Estates, Phase 1 – Certification No. 3
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Horvath to authorize the release of construction security in the amount of $1,532.50 for Phase 1 of the Locust Valley Estates Subdivision in accordance with Keystone Consulting Engineer’s recommendation made by letter dated July 20, 2006.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Release of Funds – Locust Valley Estates, Phase 1 – Certification No. 4
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Gutzmirtl to authorize the release of construction security in the amount of $9,493.75 for Phase 1 of the Locust Valley Estates Subdivision in accordance with Keystone Consulting Engineer’s recommendation made by letter dated July 20, 2006.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Request for Payment – Michael F. Ronca & Sons, Inc.
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mrs. White to authorize payment in the amount of $82,650.00 to Michael F. Ronca & Sons, Inc., for work completed on the Applebutter Hill Water Storage Tank.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Release of Funds – Tuscany Hill Subdivision – Certification No. 2
A motion was made by Mrs. White and seconded by Mr. Gutzmirtl to authorize the release of construction security in the amount of $33,425.20 for the Tuscany Hill Subdivision in accordance with the Township Engineer’s recommendation made by letter dated August 14, 2006.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Release of Funds – Parkside Manor – Certification No. 1 (Sewer Improvements)
A motion was made by Mr. Horvath and seconded by Mr. Gutzmirtl to authorize the release of construction security in the amount of $63,568.86 for the Parkside Manor Subdivision in accordance with the Township Sewer Engineer’s recommendation made by letter dated July 19, 2006.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Request for Payment – Signal Services, Inc.
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mrs. White to authorize payment in the amount of $2,040.30 to Signal Services, Inc., for work completed on the traffic signal upgrades project.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Letter from PA Department of Labor & Industry
The Board reviewed a letter from the PA Department of Labor & Industry approving recertification of the Township’s Workplace Safety Committee.
Mr. Beil informed the Board the certification allows the Township a 5% discount on Workers Compensation insurance.
Mr. White added this would be the third year the Township has received the certification and corresponding discount.
Chairman Wagner commented that while thankful for the 5%, the discount should be higher given the amount of work the Committee does.
Letter from Pastor John Kinyon – Cornerstone Presbyterian Church
The Board reviewed a letter from Pastor John Kinyon inviting Township officials to attend “Friend Day” at the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
No further comment was made regarding this matter.
Letter from PennDOT
The Board reviewed a letter from PennDOT approving the Township’s request for PennDOT to assume 50% of the costs associated with relocating a portion of the South Branch Sewer Interceptor.
No further comment was made regarding this matter.
DIRECTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS
Zoning Hearing Board Agenda – August 21, 2006
Mr. Beil reviewed the Zoning Hearing Board Agenda for August 21, 2006, which contained five (5) appeals.
It was the consensus of the Board not to take a position on any of the appeals currently before the Zoning Hearing Board.
BILLS, PAYROLLS, AND COMMISSIONS
Prepaid Invoice List #07252006 dated 08/10/2006………$923,432.74
Warrant List #07252006 dated 08/10/2006………………$331,106.64
Mr. White questioned six (6) invoices and requested copies of each, which Mr. Beil and Mr. Kassel said they would provide to him at a later date.
Mr. Gutzmirtl questioned payments listed to Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc.
Mr. Beil explained the payments to Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc., were for the Olympus project and several older subdivision inspections.
Chairman Wagner questioned the total cost for the Municipal Authority study.
Mr. Beil said he was unsure of the total cost for the Municipal Authority study but would look into it and report back to Mr. Wagner.
A motion was then made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Gutzmirtl to authorize payment of the Prepaid Invoice List and Warrant List #07252006 dated 08/10/2006.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
None
COURTESY OF THE FLOOR
Richard Bogdany – 2992 Forest Drive – Mr. Bogdany voiced concern over the debris and gravel collecting on the roadway near the horse farm located off Forest Drive.
Mr. Beil assured Mr. Bogdany that the Township would look into the matter.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mr. White and seconded by Mr. Gutzmirtl to adjourn the meeting.
The motion carried by a vote of 5 to 0.
Secretary
Disclaimers and Legal Information
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