Regular Meeting March 3, 2009

The regular meeting of the Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairman Curtis in the Assembly Room of the Millcreek Township Municipal Building. Present were Gerald Wolf, Brian McGrath, Lawrence Curtis, Joseph Kujawa, Evan Adair, Esq., Phyllis Vollbrecht, Peter Dion, and Chief Richard Andrews.

Following the Pledge to the Flag, Chairman Curtis called for public comment on agenda items other than development or rezoning applications. Richard Figaski, 1528 Westwood Drive, appeared to encourage the Board to take advantage of his offer several weeks ago instead of spending $10,000 to $30,000 for consulting services for the evaluation and recommendations for recruitment and retention by the Police Department. He asked if it was true that the study was being done as a result of a settlement of an equal employment opportunity claim. Mr. McGrath said that as part of that settlement, there is no formal agreement that forces the Township to conduct this study. Attorney Adair said he did not represent the Township in this case. There is nothing written or unwritten that obligated the Township to request proposals for these services or to award a contract to anybody in particular. Mr. Figaski pointed out that the Equal Employment Opportunity website offers free of charge remediation services, training, and seminars to address problems such as these. After discussions with the labor attorney and the Chief, the Board decided that an independent set of eyes was needed to look at this, and not someone who has been involved in our department or local departments. This is not a unique problem for Millcreek Township. Mr. Figaski said the pool of potential recruits is very limited due to our hiring standards and he does not encourage the lowering of those standards. The Board agreed. Retention is not a problem. There have been three Afro-Americans and four females (one is currently employed here) employed in the history of the department. The offer by Mr. Figaski was addressed by the Board, according to Mr. Kujawa, and the Board wants a third party for the evaluation. Mr. Curtis informed Mr. Figaski that the Board’s decision isn’t about him or the Chief or other retired officers, but that they want a third party to conduct the study.

It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve payment of the weekly General Fund bills in the amount of $508,597.46 and the Sewer Revenue Fund bills in the amount of $57,319.09. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. McGrath reviewed the following proposals received for professional consulting services for the evaluation of and recommendations regarding strategies for recruitment and retention by the Millcreek Township Police Department:

Problem Solvers Network, LLC

P. O. Box 9037, Erie, PA 16505 Not to exceed $30,750.00

The Waters Consulting Group, Inc.

5050 Quorum Drive, Dallas, TX 75254 Not to exceed $33,200.00

Capital City Strategies Group, LLC

112 East Jeffrey Place, Columbus, OH 43214 Not to exceed $10,000.00

It was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to award the contract to Capital City Strategies Group, LLC in the amount not to exceed $10,000.00. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On motion by Mr. Kujawa, seconded by Mr. McGrath, Resolution 2009-R-7 was adopted; a Resolution to authorize exoneration of taxes assessed against mobile homes deemed by the Erie County Bureau of Assessment to have been removed or damaged to an extent rendering them worthless. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

On motion by Mr. Kujawa, seconded by Mr. McGrath, Resolution 2009-R-8 was adopted: a grant application for approximately $250,000 to the DCNR for Cassidy Park. The Chairman is authorized to sign the same. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. McGrath reported the need to amend the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding that the Township had with the Airport Authority. In doing so, the Township will be able to acquire the Erie Golf Course and relieve the Airport Authority from their responsibility of reconfiguring Millcreek’s current nine hole course. He expressed the Board’s thanks to Attorney Evan Adair and Attorney Mark Shaw for their help. Leagues scheduled for this summer will not be disrupted as the Airport Authority must give 120 days notice before any work is done. It was moved by Mr. McGrath and seconded by Mr. Kujawa to approve the Agreement with Erie Regional Airport Authority amending the March 16, 2004 Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Powell Avenue relocation and Millcreek Golf and Learning Center. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Treasurer Wolf, moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to approve the designation of First National Bank as the new depository for the Sewer Revenue Account, and that the Board of Supervisors, Treasurer Wolf, and Assistant Treasurer Vollbrecht be authorized to sign the signature cards. Chairman Curtis called for public comment on the matter; none was received. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to employ Denise Bizzarro as a part-time secretary in the Engineering Department (three days per week plus the Planning Commission meeting) and if the Engineer feels it necessary for more hours and with the approval of the Board, at the rate of $8.00 per hour, effective March 2, 2009. This is due to the resignation of Lee-Ann Czytuck. Chairman Curtis called for public comment on the matter; none was received. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was recommended by Chief Andrews, moved by Mr. Curtis and seconded by Mr. McGrath to promote James D. Constable from Patrolman to Corporal effective March 3, 2009. Chairman Curtis called for public comment on the matter; none was received. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. McGrath announced that the meeting on March 24, 2009 was changed from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. due to two Supervisors scheduled to be out of town.

There being no citizens to be heard or further business to come before the Board, it was moved by Mr. Kujawa and seconded by Mr. McGrath to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Phyllis A. Vollbrecht

Assistant Secretary

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APPROVED: March 10, 2009

Lawrence G. Curtis

Brian P. McGrath

Joseph S. Kujawa