Board of Supervisors Business Meeting Minutes
PARADISE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2018
Call to Order
Chair Konrath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library.
Roll Call
Officials Present:
Gary Konrath – Chair John C. Prevoznik – Solicitor
Peter Gonze – Vice Chair Charles Unangst – Engineer
Reda Briglia – Supervisor
Pledge of Allegiance
Konrath led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Public Comment Statement
Konrath read the public comment statement “Ladies and gentlemen, before the Board of Supervisors votes on any matter, the Board will allow for public comment on that particular item. If you wish to be heard at that time, please raise your hand, and you will be recognized. A public comment period will be held at the end of the regular agenda for any other business.”
Konrath stated that the meeting is being recorded for the limited purpose of preparing the official minutes.
Moment of Silence and Reflection for Michael P. Tripus
Executive Sessions
Konrath stated that executive sessions were held on:
1) November 27, 2018, commencing at 2:30 p.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.;
2) November 28, 2018, commencing at 12:00 p.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m.;
3) November 29, 2018, commencing at 11:30 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.
On November 27, 2018, the Board of Supervisors discussed in Executive Session personnel matters and legal issues, in consultation with the solicitor, confronting the Township as a result of the incident which occurred on November 27, 2018. No decisions were made.
On November 28, 2018, the Board of Supervisors discussed ongoing personnel matters and after which, for informational purposes, viewed possible temporary office space in Barrett Township for suitability for temporary office space in the event that the Paradise Township Municipal offices remain unavailable. No decisions were made.
On November 29, 2018, the Board of Supervisors discussed ongoing personnel matters and after which, for informational purposes, viewed the Paradise Township Maintenance Building Office for suitability to temporarily house administrative staff in the event the Paradise Township Municipal Building remained unavailable. No decisions were made.
Approval of Minutes
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to approve the November 19, 2018 Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes and work session minutes (which will be attached to the regular meeting minutes as Exhibit 1) as presented.
Motion carried 3-0.
Treasurer’s Report
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to table the treasurer’s report until December 17, 2018.
Motion carried 3-0.
Report On Incident of November 27, 2018 by Chair Gary Konrath
Konrath introduced Assistant District Attorney Michael Mancuso and Pennsylvania State Trooper. Several area television and newspaper reporters were present.
Konrath reported on actions taken by the Township in the aftermath of the November 27, 2018 incident.
i. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify Chair Konrath’s decision to relocate and advertise the relocation of the regularly scheduled meeting from Paradise Township Municipal Building to the Weiler Room, at the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library.
Motion carried 3-0.
ii. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify Chair Konrath’s decision to temporarily close Paradise Township administrative offices from November 27, 2018 until 8:00 a.m. on December 4, 2018 and to continue to pay involved employees. The Paradise Township Municipal Administrative Offices shall reopen at 8:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.
Motion carried 3-0.
iii. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify Chair Konrath’s decision to utilize the professional cleaning services of Aftermath Corporation to clean portions of the Municipal Building affected by the November 27, 2018 incident, at no cost to the Township.
Motion carried 3-0.
iv. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to send a thank you letter to the Aftermath Corporation for the donation of its time and services to the Township.
Motion carried 3-0.
v. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify Chair Konrath’s decision to utilize Keystone Services to provide crisis counseling and evaluation to employees of the Township who are affected by the November 27, 2018 incident, at no cost to the Township or employees.
Motion carried 3-0.
vi. Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to ratify Chair Konrath’s consultation with the solicitor regarding insurance claims and benefits available to the Township resulting from damages incurred on November 27, 2018.
Motion carried 3-0.
New Business
2019 Proposed Township Budget
Konrath stated that the 2019 proposed Township budget was advertised for adoption at tonight’s meeting.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to table discussion and approval of the 2019 proposed Township budget and to ratify Chair Konrath’s decision to extend time for public view of the 2019 proposed Township budget and to change date of formal action and approval of the 2019 proposed Township budget from December 3, 2018 to December 17, 2018 and advertise same.
Motion carried 3-0.
Planning Commission Items
Konrath stated that the Paradise Township Planning Commission would be attending the Board of Supervisors work session on December 17 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the Code of Ordinances. Konrath stated that a work session was also scheduled with Mount Airy #1, LLC at 4:00 p.m.
Reports
Solicitor – Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the work session with Attorney De Stefano regarding the Holy Trinity Church was cancelled for tonight and will be rescheduled. Solicitor Prevoznik stated that the work session scheduled for December 17 at 4:00 p.m. has been advertised.
Engineer – Mr. Unangst stated that he has contacted LaBella Associates to follow up if any inspections were due.
Correspondence/Miscellaneous
Konrath stated there were no correspondence/miscellaneous for tonight’s meeting.
Other Business/Public Comment
PennFuture Letter regarding Mount Airy Dam Permit Violations
The Board discussed the letter received from PennFuture. Solicitor Prevoznik will write a letter to the DEP and forward the PennFuture letter to them.
Public Hearing
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to recess the regular meeting until 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to reconvene the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for Ordinance 254, Fee Scheduled, advertised for 6:30 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
The Board discussed a date and time certain to continue the Public Hearing for Ordinance 254. Solicitor Prevoznik provided a sign-in sheet marked as Exhibit 1. Solicitor Prevoznik noted that no one signed in.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to continue the Public Hearing for Ordinance 254 to January 7, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. at the Paradise Township Municipal Building.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion carried 3-0.
Other Business/Public Comment (Continued)
The Board discussed the reopening of the municipal administrative building.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to reopen the municipal administrative building tomorrow, December 4 at 8:00 a.m. and if necessary to move to the maintenance building. If the office staff moves to the maintenance building the municipal building will be posted as such and that the budget is available at the temporary office in the maintenance building.
Motion carried 3-0.
Gonze reported that Representative Maureen Madden was unable to attend tonight’s meeting due to her mother’s death. Gonze stated that Representative Madden offers her support to the Township Board of Supervisors and staff.
Public Hearing
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to recess the regular meeting until 6:45 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to reconvene the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for Ordinance 255, Short Term Rentals, advertised for 6:45 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
The Board discussed a date and time certain to continue the Public Hearing for Ordinance 255. Solicitor Prevoznik provided a sign-in sheet marked as Exhibit 1. Solicitor Prevoznik noted that no one signed in.
Motion: Briglia moved and seconded by Gonze to continue the Public Hearing for Ordinance 255 to January 7, 2019 at 6:15 p.m. at the Paradise Township Municipal Building.
Motion carried 3-0.
Executive Session
Motion: Konrath moved and seconded by Briglia to recess the regular meeting and go into an executive session at 6:48 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Konrath to reconvene the regular meeting at 6:54 p.m. Konrath stated that personnel issues were discussed in executive session and that no decisions were made.
Motion carried 3-0.
Adjournment
Motion: Gonze moved and seconded by Briglia to adjourn the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Motion carried 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Reda Briglia
Secretary