Elizabeth A. Dupuis

Key discussions during the meeting included an executive session regarding a property acquisition. Under Authorities, Boards, and Commissions Reports, there was a detailed report concerning the Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority, specifically addressing maintenance challenges at the Millbrook Marsh walkway and scheduling further discussion on Whitehall Road Regional Park. Special Reports focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusionary Initiatives and Township Fiscal Responsibility related to Millbrook Marsh, where the structure of the Nature Center Working Group and Advisory Committee was reviewed. The Board conducted a public hearing regarding amendments to Chapter 27 (Zoning) concerning wireless communication facilities and adopted the new Chapter 21 (Streets and Sidewalks) ordinance. New Business included the approval of multiple voucher reports, several contract payments, and a discussion on the 2023 Centre Region Council of Governments Summary Budget, leading to the tabling of the Parks and Recreation Operating Budget discussion. Additionally, the Board conditionally approved the Salvation Baptist Church Preliminary Land Development Plan and awarded contracts for the Park Hills Drainageway Utility Relocation and the Pine Grove Mills LED Street Light Conversion.

The Special Budget Meeting focused primarily on the presentation and discussion of the Draft 2023 Annual Operating Budget. Key discussion points included an overview of major initiatives, changes to the fund balance, and expenditure projections for 2023. Specific budget amendments addressed the TASA Grant offset for a bike and pedestrian safety project, utilizing committed funds for Blue Course Drive repairs, and staffing requests for seven full-time equivalents (FTE) and two part-time (PT) positions. The Board reviewed FY 2023 goals related to IT, Human Resources, and Finance, alongside major projects such as mobility improvements and drainageway enhancements. The Township Manager presented various options for managing the General Fund Balance, including proceeding as usual, budget cuts, a step-down approach, or raising taxes. The Director of Finance reviewed General Fund revenues and detailed budgets for Public Safety (Police, Fire Protection, Ambulance, Emergency Services, Health and Welfare), Finance departments, and contributions to the Centre Region Council of Governments entities. Several items across various funds, including Senior Citizens services and specific park projects, were flagged for further review or workshop discussion.

The meeting included a special report from the Climate Action Committee providing an update on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and future planning toward net zero emissions, and an update from the Centre Region Parks & Recreation Authority regarding C-NET coverage and the Park's Comprehensive Study. Unfinished business involved directing the Tree Commission to prepare a Tree Preservation Ordinance and referring the draft Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to the Tree Commission for review. The Consent Agenda was approved, covering items such as the Treasurer's Report and various contracts. A public hearing resulted in the unanimous adoption of a resolution authorizing the execution of a reimbursement agreement with PennDOT for vehicle detection upgrades at specified intersections. The Board referred the conditional use application for a skatepark to the Planning Commission with a scheduled public hearing for November 5, 2018. Discussions were held regarding the direction for staff to develop a utility scale solar ordinance, appropriation of $45,000 for rooftop solar photovoltaics at Whitehall Road Regional Park, and the indefinite postponement of action on funding for the community kitchen. Finally, the Board authorized the renewal of the agreement with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP for auditing services and scheduled the 2019 operating budget worksessions for November 13th and 15th.

The meeting involved several significant discussions and actions. Citizens Input addressed concerns regarding reproductive rights and the community's relationship with the police. A key discussion topic involved a resolution to support legislation prohibiting domestic violence offenders from holding state office; after extensive public comment and board deliberation emphasizing concerns about restorative justice and the bill's language, the resolution failed to pass. The Board directed staff to include safety improvements for a school zone on Cherry Lane, specifically a 15-mph zone and night lighting, into the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Plan. The Board accepted the Pine Grove Mills Mobility Study Report and directed staff to allocate funds in the CIP for project advancement, discussing priorities such as roundabouts versus stop-controlled intersections and sidewalk improvements. New business included the unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda items, the adoption of a resolution amending the Personnel Policy Manual to require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for IT security, and the authorization to enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to acquire a consultant for a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Regional Records Management System. Finally, proclamations were adopted designating September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month and July as Park and Recreation Month.

The meeting included citizen input regarding excessive speeding and loud vehicle noise on Blue Course Drive, leading to suggestions for police enforcement and coordination with the adjacent borough police department. Key reports covered the local COVID-19 response statistics, an update on the 2021 State of Planning Report, and a presentation on the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden, including its various demonstration gardens and upcoming events. Under unfinished business, the Board authorized staff to proceed with the design for the Pine Grove Mills Streetlight Improvement Project, involving the replacement of existing fixtures with LED ornamental lights. New business involved approving the January 2022 Voucher Report and addressing the C-NET Board Member Vacancy by having supervisors volunteer to attend upcoming meetings until a permanent replacement is found. Furthermore, the Board authorized the submission of a variance application for the Park Hills Drainageway Project to allow work within the floodplain. Finally, the Board adopted a proclamation officially recognizing March 2022 as Women's History Month, celebrating the contributions of women and acknowledging the Board's historic first all-female roster.