OFFICIAL MINUTES August 13, 2015 Approved: September 10, 2015 MONTGOMERY COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY NORRISTOWN, PA BOARD MEMBERS: Mr. Scott Brown; Mr. Peter Denitz; Mr. Tom Kohler; Mr. Steven Malagari; Mr. Rian Nemeroff; Ms. Jeannette Quirus; Ms. Allison Slizofski; Mr. John Wichner BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Peter Denitz; Mr. Charles Tabourn GUESTS ATTENDING: Rob Diehl, Stantec; Dawn Renninger, Stantec STAFF ATTENDING: VanBuskirk Mr. Matt Edmond; Ms. Crystal Gilchrist; Mr. Josh Stein; Ms. Denise I. Call to Order The Montgomery County Transportation Authority (MCTA) meeting was called to order by Mr. Scott Brown, Chair. II. Public Comment There were no other public comments. III. Approval of July 9, 2015 Minutes The minutes from the July 9, 2015 MCTA Meeting were approved by the Board. Motion: Mr. Wichner motioned and Mr. Nemeroff seconded to approve the July 9, 2015 Authority Meeting minutes. The minutes were approved by all present. IV. Finance Director Report Three (3) handouts were given to the Authority: Lafayette Street 2015 Capital Budget; Montgomery County Transportation Authority July Check Register; Copy of the Annual Financial Report of the MCTA for 2014 Submitted by Maillie, LLP Mr. Schaible: Gave an update on the County budget for the Lafayette Street Extension Project; detailed the expenditures and grant revenues for 2015 through July; and reviewed the check register with the Board totaling $555,019.22 for June and July. Noted that a check number for Maillie was omitted on the check register the check number is 602. Mr. Schaible: Maillie, LLP also requested $1,500.00 more than its original quote of $5,000 due to additional work performed during the audit. Maillie offered to absorb $750.00 of the $1,500.00 if the Board would approve of the increase. In past years Maillie has always quoted $5,000.00 for audit services, but the final actual billing and payment of its services was always below the $5,000.00 quote. Because the MCTA is involved in more projects this has increased the work load for Maillie compared to previous years.
Transportation Authority Meeting 2 August 13, 2015 The Board discussed Maillie s request with some members voicing concerns that the original proposal was for $5,000.00 and was approved per MCTA Resolution 15.2.5. It was noted that some of the Board members did question the validity of the increase, but accepted Mr. Schaible s explanation, agreed to pay the additional $750.00, and anticipate that next year s quote will be more accurate. The MCTA Audit for 2014 has been completed and Mr. Schaible reviewed several highlights with the Board. Various Board members suggested requesting a multi-year contract with Mailllie to keep costs down for future audits and to have the contract dates coincide with the County s audit process. Mr. Edmond: Will ask the County solicitor for direction and also talk to the County purchasing department on the matter of multi-year contracts. He will then present the information to Board members at the appropriate time. V. Authorization to Amend Resolution for 2014 Financial Audit Motion: Mr. Kohler motioned and Ms. Quirus seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.1 authorizing payment to Maillie, LLP a not-to-exceed sum of $5,750.00, an increase of $750.00 from the not-to-exceed amount of $5,000.00 under Resolution 15.2.5 for audit services performed by Maillie, LLP of all MCTA financial transactions in 2014. The resolution was approved by all present. VI. Lafayette Street Section MGN (Barbadoes Street to Ford Street) Authorization for Property Acquisition Green Street Limited Partnership/Green Street Partnership/Geoffrey M. Duffine/The Lafayette Street Partnership (Parcel 48 Ms. Gilchrist: Mr. Geoffrey Duffine owns, under various partnership names, property located at 218 and 220 E. Main Street with 201 East Lafayette Street and a storage yard on the south side of Lafayette Street at Green and Mill Streets, in Norristown, PA (Parcel 48). The MCTA is acquiring 6,099 sq. ft. of fee simple right-of-way (ROW) and 24,394 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement (TCE). The acquisition of fee simple and easements was valued at $142,900.00 in January of 2013 and negotiated in an administrative settlement recently for $165,000.00, which was supported by the claimant s own appraisal, the MCTA s ROW negotiator and PennDOT District 6 s ROW administrator as an appropriate settlement. Settlement is scheduled for August 18, 2015. Mr. Edmond: Gave a background summary of the issues surrounding the condemnation against Mr. Duffine and explained that negotiators have been working extensively with Mr. Duffine s lawyer to resolve the various issues in order to settle amicably with Mr. Duffine. After considerable discussions and negotiations Mr. Duffine has agreed to settle amicably rather than proceed with eminent domain.
Transportation Authority Meeting 3 August 13, 2015 The Board is being asked to approve a resolution to compensate Mr. Geoffrey M. Duffine and his various partnerships for right-of-way acquisition and remaining property taxes due at settlement; and Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA for various real estate settlement costs associated with the acquisition. Motion: Mr. Malagari motioned and Ms. Slizofski seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.2 to pay Green Street LP; Green Street Partnership; Geoffrey M. Duffine and the Lafayette Street Partnership a sum not-to-exceed $165,000.00 for acquisition of a fee simple right-of-way and a temporary construction easement from its premises at 201 East Lafayette Street, Norristown (Parcel 48); a sum not-to-exceed $1,098.00 for remaining property taxes due as of the date of settlement; and to pay Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA a sum not to exceed $1,373.00 for various real estate settlement costs for furthering of the Lafayette Street Extension Project. The resolution was approved by all present. Authorization to Reimburse Professional Services Fees Green Street Limited Partnership/Green Street Partnership/Geoffrey M. Duffine/The Lafayette Street Partnership (Parcel 48) Mr. Edmond: Related to the acquisition of 201 East Lafayette Street, Norristown (Parcel 48) owned by Mr. Geoffrey M. Duffine and his various partnerships, they are eligible to be reimbursed for professional services they incurred during negotiations up to a maximum of $4,000.00. A resolution is before the Board to authorize reimbursement of $4,000.00 for attorney fees incurred by Mr. Duffine during right-of-way negotiations related to the Lafayette Street Extension Project. Motion: Mr. Kohler motioned and Mr. Wichner seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.3 authorizing payment to Green Street LP, Green Street Partnership, Geoffrey M. Duffine and the Lafayette Street Partnership, owner of 201 East Lafayette Street, Norristown (Parcel 48), a not-to-exceed sum of $4,000.00 for attorney fees incurred during right-of-way negotiations for the furthering of the Lafayette Street Extension Project in Norristown. The resolution was approved by all present. VII. Ridge Pike Improvement Project PA Turnpike to Regal Drive Two (2) handouts were given to the Authority: Revised MCTA Resolution 15.8.6; Revised MCTA Resolution 15.8.10 Authorization for Property Acquisition Mid-Atlantic Resources (Parcel 20) Mr. Edmond: Mid-Atlantic Resources, Inc. owns property located at 1201 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 20). The MCTA is acquiring 2,751 sq. ft. of fee simple right-ofway (ROW) and 2,768 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement. Ms. Gilchrist: Gave details in a brief overview of the property that is to be acquired for the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. The acquisition of fee simple and easements was valued at
Transportation Authority Meeting 4 August 13, 2015 $118,300.00 in February of 2014 and negotiated in an administrative settlement for $121,929.40, which was supported by the claimant s own appraisal, the MCTA s ROW negotiator and PennDOT District 6 s ROW administrator as an appropriate settlement. The Board is being asked to approve a resolution to compensate Mid-Atlantic Resources, Inc. for right-of-way acquisition and remaining property taxes due at settlement; and Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA for various real estate settlement costs associated with the acquisition. Motion: Mr. Malagari motioned and Ms. Quirus seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.4 to pay Mid-Atlantic Resources, Inc. a sum not-to-exceed $121,929.40 for acquisition of a fee simple right-of-way and a temporary construction easement from 1201 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 20); a sum not-to-exceed $9.73 for remaining property taxes due at settlement; and to pay Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA a sum not-to-exceed $1,940.00 for various real estate settlement costs for furthering of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township. The resolution was approved by all present Mr. Edmond: MCTA Resolution 15.8.5 for professional services related to the Mid-Atlantic Resources, Inc. acquisition (Parcel 20) was postponed to a future agenda. Authorization for Property Acquisition Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP (Parcel 4) Mr. Edmond: Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP owns property located at 1315 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 4). The MCTA is acquiring 12,066 sq. ft. of fee simple right-ofway (ROW) and 12,720 sq. ft. of slope easement. Ms. Gilchrist: Gave details in a brief overview of the property that is to be acquired for the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. The acquisition of fee simple and easements was valued at $145,400.00 in February of 2014 and negotiated in an administrative settlement for $163,070.00, which was supported by the claimant s own appraisal, the MCTA s ROW negotiator and PennDOT District 6 s ROW administrator as an appropriate settlement. The Board is being asked to approve a resolution to compensate Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP for right-of-way acquisition and remaining property taxes due at settlement; and Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA for various real estate settlement costs associated with the acquisition. Motion: Mr. Malagari motioned and Mr. Brown seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.6 to pay Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP a sum not-to-exceed $163,070.00 for acquisition of a fee simple right-of-way and a slope easement from 1315 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 4); a sum not-to-exceed $0.88 for remaining property taxes due at settlement; and to pay Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA a sum not-to-exceed $2,220.00 for various real estate settlement costs for furthering of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township. The resolution was approved by all present Authorization to Reimburse Professional Services Fees Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP (Parcel 4)
Transportation Authority Meeting 5 August 13, 2015 Mr. Edmond: Related to the acquisition of 1315 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 4) owned by Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP, they are eligible to be reimbursed for professional services they incurred during negotiations up to a maximum of $4,000.00. A resolution is before the Board to authorize reimbursement of $3,300.00 for attorney fees incurred by Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP during right-of-way negotiations related to the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. Motion: Mr. Wichner motioned and Mr. Malagari seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.7 authorizing payment to Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP, owner of 1315 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 4), a not-to-exceed sum of $3,300.00 for attorney fees incurred during right-of-way negotiations for the furthering of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township. The resolution was approved by all present. Authorization for Property Acquisition Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP (Parcel 25) Mr. Edmond: Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP owns property located at 1010 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 25). The MCTA is acquiring 2,526 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement (TCE). Ms. Gilchrist: Gave details in a brief overview of the property that is to be acquired for the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. The acquisition of TCE was valued at $14,800.00 in February of 2014. The Board is being asked to approve a resolution to compensate Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP for right-of-way acquisition. Motion: Ms. Quirus motioned and Ms. Slizofski seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.8 to pay Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP a sum not-to-exceed $14,800.00 for acquisition of a temporary construction easement from 1010 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 25) for furthering of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township. The resolution was approved by all present. Ms. Gilchrist: MCTA Resolution 15.8.9 for professional services related to the Conicelli Conshohocken Road, LP (Parcel 25) acquisition was postponed to a future agenda. Authorization for Property Acquisition Veeco Partnerhip (Parcel 21) Mr. Edmond: Veeco Partnership (Dominic Conicelli) owns property located at 1222 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 21). The MCTA is acquiring 1,699 sq. ft. of fee simple right-of-way (ROW) and 2,178 sq. ft. of temporary construction easement (TCE). Ms. Gilchrist: Gave details in a brief overview of the property that is to be acquired for the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. The acquisition of fee simple and easements was valued at $54,000.00 in February of 2014 and negotiated in an administrative settlement for $62,238.53, which amount was supported by the claimant s own appraisal, the MCTA s ROW negotiator and PennDOT District 6 s ROW administrator as an appropriate settlement.
Transportation Authority Meeting 6 August 13, 2015 Mr. Diehl: Gave some background information on the ownership of Parcel 21 and Mr. Conicelli s Veeco Partnership. The Board is being asked to approve a resolution to compensate Veeco Partnership for rightof-way acquisition and remaining property taxes due at settlement; and Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA for various real estate settlement costs associated with the acquisition. Motion: Mr. Nemeroff motioned and Ms. Slizofski seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.10 to pay Veeco Partnership a sum not-to-exceed $62,238.53 for acquisition of a fee simple right-of-way and a temporary construction easement from 1222 Ridge Pike, Plymouth Township (Parcel 21); a sum not-to-exceed $93.83 for remaining property taxes due at settlement; and to pay Robert Chalphin Associates Division of Land Services USA a sum notto-exceed $1,625.00 for various real estate settlement costs for furthering of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township. The resolution was approved by all present. Ms. Gilchrist: MCTA Resolution 15.8.11 for professional services related to the Veeco Partnership acquisition (Parcel 21) was postponed to a future agenda. Authorization to Increase Appraisal Contract H2 Engineering (Pkg. 3) Mr. Edmond: Explained that H2 Engineering of Mechanicsburg, PA was contracted to appraise four parcels associated with the Ridge Pike Improvement Project. Continuation of H2 Engineering services is required to update the valuation of Parcel 23 (owned by Dominic Conicelli) due to engineering changes. The Company submitted a cost proposal of $3,000 to update the appraisal. An increase of $3,000.00 will bring the total contract to $15,300.00. Mr. Diehl: Explained that the differences in the design by Pennoni Engineering related to the type of storm runoff system and issues surrounding it. A rain garden system was a solution and eventually was the best choice. Construction of such a system will limit the usage of most of Mr. Conicelli s storage area/parking lot, thus prompting a reevaluation of the property as a fee simple easement. Motion: Ms. Quirus motioned and Mr. Kohler seconded to approve MCTA Resolution 15.8.12 to authorize supplementing the existing contract with H2 Engineering of Mechanicsburg, PAA for an amount not-to-exceed $3,000 to update an appraisal for Parcel 23 of the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Plymouth Township, bringing the total contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $15,300.00. The resolution was approved by all present. VIII. Chester Valley Trail Status Authorization to Award Appraisal Problem Analysis & Review Contract to ARS, Inc. Tuok Chhay Huot & Phavy Phin (Parcel 35) Mr. Edmond: Explained that the Board approved a resolution at the June MCTA meeting authorizing the MCTA to enter into a contract with Keystone Acquisition Services of Pittsburgh, PA to perform right-of-way negotiation services for the portion of the Chester
Transportation Authority Meeting 7 August 13, 2015 Valley Trail Extension project in Montgomery County. The MCTA needs to acquire the entire Parcel 35 owned by Tuok Chhay Huot & Phavy Phin in Upper Merion Township. An RFP for new engineering services will hopefully be ready by late summer or early fall of 2015. In the meantime, the MCTA is moving forward with the acquisition of this property and the next step is to enter into a contract with ARS, Inc. to provide the appraisal problem analysis and appraisal review. Ms. Gilchrist: Gave details in a brief overview of Parcel 35 located at the intersection of Saulin Blvd. and DeKalb Pike. The parcel was the location of the old Capital Trailways Bus Terminal. The intent is to realign Saulin Blvd. to allow the Chester Valley Trail to cross DeKalb Pike as part of the signalized intersection. Motion: Mr. Malagari motioned and Mr. Kohler seconded to approve the MCTA Resolution 15.8.13 authorizing MCTA to enter into a contract with Appraisal Review Specialists, LLC, of Hurricane, West Virginia, for a sum not-to-exceed $1,900.00 to complete appraisal problem analysis and appraisal review for Parcel 35 of the Chester Valley Trail Extension in Upper Merion Township, PA. The resolution was approved by all present. IX. Authorization for Payments of Invoices The Check Register was discussed earlier on the Agenda, Item IV. There were no questions by the Board. Motion: Mr. Brown motioned and Ms. Quirus seconded to approve the Authorization for Payments of Invoices. The authorization was approved by all present. X. Lafayette Street Section MGL (Ridge Pike/Diamond Avenue) Mr. Edmond: Section MGL is now under construction with changing traffic patterns along Ridge Pike. Major utility work is underway. Received approval from PennDOT to do a full depth reconstruction of Ridge Pike. This section will be done by early 2017, at which point Lafayette Street will be opened to Diamond Avenue. XI. Ridge Pike Improvement Project (Regal Drive to Chemical Road) Status Mr. Edmond: Coordination between the various engineering firms for the Ridge Pike project and the Lafayette Street Interchange is ongoing. Notice to Proceed was given to Pennoni Engineering who is working on the design and hopefully will have the plats ready in the fall. Once the plats are ready the appraisal process can begin for this section. XII. Ridge Pike Improvement Project (Butler Pike to Crescent Avenue) Status Mr. Edmond: The long term contract with the engineer (HRG of Harrisburg) expired this spring. A new RFP will go out once the Crescent Avenue to Philadelphia section gets started.
Transportation Authority Meeting 8 August 13, 2015 XIII. Ridge Pike Improvement Project (Crescent Avenue to Philadelphia Line) Status Mr. Edmond: Last week the County Commissioners awarded the engineering contract to Gannett Fleming for engineering services to be performed on this section of the project. The contract now needs to be signed by all appropriate parties before the services can begin. XIV. Other Business Ms. Gilchrist continues to work on acquiring a van for the Board s tour of MCTA projects in October. The Arcola Road Bridge is moving along and is still on track to be finished in the summer of 2016. XV. Adjournment A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the regular meeting. The next MCTA Board meeting will be September 10, 2015 at 1:00 pm.