Regular Meeting                                                                                                                         October 16, 2007

 

 

The regular meeting of the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 9:33 a.m. by Chairman Kujawa in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building.  Present were Gerald Wolf, Lawrence Curtis, Joseph Kujawa, Brian McGrath, Evan Adair, Esq., Richard Morris, P.E., Chief Richard Andrews and Robert Mitchell.

 

Following the Pledge to the Flag, Mr. Kujawa called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications.  No comments were received.

 

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve the minutes of the Board’s October 9, 2007 meeting.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis to approve payment of the weekly bills in the following amount, which motion carried by unanimous roll call vote:

 

General Fund                                                      $392,371.54

Sewer Revenue Fund (10/10/07)                              $652,853.60

Sewer Revenue Fund (10/11/07)                              $       674.50

 

Mr. Kujawa announced that the Township had solicited and received the following quotations for the Bondy Drive Storm Sewer Repair Project:

 

            Jim Brozell Construction                                       No quotation

Don McCaslin                                                     $  22,235.00

Gerlach’s                                                           $  12,830.00

Chivers Construction                                            $  30,350.00

 

Mr. Kujawa stated that these quotations were substantially in excess of the costs that had been assumed and exceeded the cost of work that can be secured by quotations.  It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis that the quotations be rejected and that the Engineering Department redesign the scope of work.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. Mitchell recommended that the Board adopt Resolution No. 2007-R-27, proclaiming October Fire Prevention Month.  Mr. Mitchell stated that the slogan for this year’s program is Practice Your Escape Plan, that 80 percent of deaths in home fires are children, often because of an absent or defective smoke alarm and discussed the importance of also maintaining carbon monoxide detectors. It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis to adopt Resolution No. 2007-R-27.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On recommendation by Mr. Morris, it was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis that financial security for required improvements to the Eriez Magnetics Fabrication Building on property at 2200 Asbury Road, in the form of PNC Bank Letter of Credit No. 18103517-00-000 in the amount of $94,600.00 be released as required improvements have been completed.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On recommendation by Mr. Morris, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. McGrath that financial security for required improvements to the Brecht Company Land Development on property  at  3761, 3803 and 3809 West Ridge Road, in the form of PNC Bank Letter of Credit No. 18103577-00-000 in the amount of $83,490.00 be released as required improvements have been completed.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On recommendation by Mr. Wolf, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. McGrath that the Board authorize a transfer of $6,445.00 from the Wages-Recreation/Maintenance budget to the General Expense-Recreation budget, to provide funds for materials costs of improvements to Cassidy Park.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On recommendation by Mr. Wolf, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. McGrath that the Board approve a software maintenance agreement with New World for a term from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 at a cost of $35,260.00.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. Curtis stated that the Board previously had authorized Mr. Morris and him to travel to Villanova University for the annual stormwater management symposium being held on October 17-18.  Mr. Curtis moved and Mr. McGrath seconded that the Board approve inclusion of one employee each from Hill Engineering, Inc. and Urban Engineers of Erie, Inc. in the vehicle to and from the symposium.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

Mr. McGrath stated that it should be understood that the Supervisors had not been advised of the recent meeting between officials of Erie County and the City of Erie at which issues relating to the Airport’s runway extension project and the Erie Golf Course were discussed, as reported in this morning’s newspaper.  Mr. McGrath stated that representatives of the Erie Municipal Airport Authority, in approximately November 2006, had raised the possibility of its purchasing from the City the Erie Golf Course property and transferring it to Millcreek Township, so as to allow part of the Millcreek Golf and Learning Center property to be used for the runway expansion project.  This led to discussions, during which representatives of SMS Golf Enterprises had stated that adjacent land should be acquired for development of a driving range in order for the concept raised by the Airport Authority to be feasible.  This information has been shared, and Mr. McGrath stated that it is important that the public does not assume that this is some new issue now being raised.  Mr. McGrath stated that he is not sure that details regarding the possible transfer as reported in the newspaper are correct and is concerned about a scenario in which money would be given to Millcreek to buy the Erie Golf Course property, as Millcreek cannot pay more for real estate than is supported by a certified appraisal and no appraisal has yet been done.  Mr. McGrath is also concerned that the Erie Golf Course must be maintained in playable condition for the scenario to be workable and that existing agreements between Millcreek, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection regarding the former Superfund Site property must be respected and addressed.  Mr. McGrath stated that he had previously asked that Millcreek be included in discussions on these subjects and that he hopes Millcreek will be included in any future discussions so that all issues can be fully and properly discussed.

 

On recommendation by Attorney Adair, Mr. Curtis moved and Mr. McGrath seconded that Mr. McGrath, Mr. Morris and Peter Dion be authorized in their employed capacities to attend hearings of the Environmental Hearing Board as witnesses in proceedings to begin on October 23, 2007, including such travel, meals and lodging as necessary being included.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On  recommendation  by  Mr.  Morris,  it  was  moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Curtis that the stormwater maintenance agreement for the Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum development be approved.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

At the request of Mr. Mitchell, it was moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. McGrath that Mr. Mitchell be authorized to attend a Fire Academy workshop on October 20, 2007, with transportation in a Township vehicle.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

On  recommendation  by  Chief  Andrews,  it  was  moved  by  Mr.  Curtis and  seconded by Mr. McGrath that Lt. Randy Faipler and Lt. Christopher Lucas be authorized to attend a two-day seminar sponsored by the Public Agency Training Council on Critical Incident Response to School Violence on October 29-30, 2007 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, with transportation in a Township vehicle.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

 

No other citizens wishing to be heard and there being no further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. McGrath, seconded by Mr. Curtis to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 9:58 a.m.

 

Phyllis A. Vollbrecht

Assistant Secretary

 

 

APPROVED:    October 23, 2007

 

Joseph S. Kujawa

Brian P. McGrath

Lawrence G. Curtis