REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1 of 6 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Benjamin Pisoni called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Other Supervisors present were Barbara Spencer, Robert Neff, Mark Stevenson and Andy Merritt. Staff present were Karen Brown, Acting Manager; Greg Love, Admin. Asst./Zoning Officer; Sebastian DeGregorio, CRPA; Jordan Finkelstein and Rob Brooks, PC. Residents & others in attendance: William & Durga Zally, Davin Carr-Chellman and Scott Reed. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr. Zally stated he attended a previous meeting and requested something be done about the speeding on Smith Road and thanked the Board for taking immediate action. Mr. Zally stated since the radar sign went up and there was police presence the speeds decreased but has concerns that there will no longer be police presence based on an email sent by Sgt. Romeo. Mr. Pisoni stated staff will contact the State Police and request that they continue to periodically patrol Smith Road. 4. TREASURER S REPORT MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve the Treasurer s Report dated June 11th, 2009; Mr. Neff seconded; Vote 5-0-0-; Motion Carried. 5. BILLS LIST There was discussion regarding Riff Raff totals and costs. Mr. Neff stated the Public Works Department would need to purchase longer hydraulic hoses for the post pounder. 6. MINUTES MOTION: Mr. Neff moved to approve the Bills List dated June 11 th, 2009; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 4-0-1; Messrs. Neff, yea; Merritt, yea; Stevenson, yea; Pisoni, yea; No Nays; Ms. Spencer abstaining; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve the minutes of May 28th, 2009; Mr. Stevenson seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. 7. SUPERVISOR REPORTS AND ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mr. Neff stated the Public Works Department did a very good job with Riff Raff this year and the Township made about $900.00 on scrap metal to help cover costs. Mr. Merritt stated there will be the first game under the new lights at Municipal Lane on Saturday and the children are excited about that. Mr. Merritt commented the guardrails are up and is pleased at the quick work the crew did to complete this job. Mr. Stevenson stated the next step on that portion of State Route 550 will be the installation of rumble strips down the middle and sides of the road to alert drivers that they are drifting. Mr. Stevenson stated he attended the Centre Region COG Finance Committee meeting and commented that Mr. Steff tracked housing starts to show how the economy has impacted the Centre Region. Mr. Stevenson stated 5 years before the year 2009 housing starts have averaged about 20-22 starts per year and through May of this year the average is about 10 starts per year. Mr. Pisoni stated staff questioned whether the Board would approve the idea of sending out an update asking whether residents were interested in a farmers market at Municipal Lane one day a month. The Board agreed that it could be sent out in an update to see what residents thought of the idea. Mr. Pisoni stated he was invited to participate in a public forum that was sponsored by the League of Women Voters to discuss protecting the ground water through proper installation of residential wells and geothermal heat pump systems boreholes. Mr. Pisoni stated he was invited because Halfmoon Township was one of the first municipalities to adopt a well water ordinance. Mr. Pisoni stated they now add a type of silica sand to the bentinite and that greatly improves the bonding. Mr. Stevenson commented that bentinite is always trying to expand so it seals the hole very well. Mr.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2 of 6 Pisoni explained it cost 2-5% of the cost of that system to grout the geothermal wells. Mr. Pisoni stated a few months ago the Board was asked whether they wanted the Spring Creek Water Commission to work on a model Ordinance for geothermal wells. Mr. Pisoni stated he thought it would be easy to add language to the existing well water ordinance. Mr. DeGregorio stated the language may already exist because Patton Township just added the different specifications on geothermal and the Planning Commission could look at their language. Mr. Pisoni stated the concern with geothermal wells with the housing industry there are not many wells going in. Mr. Neff questioned how many wells you would have to have to have a geothermal system. Mr. Pisoni stated you needed two wells. Mr. Stevenson stated it depends on the size of the house. Mr. Stevenson stated any property has sandy soil if you live in between the State Gamelands and State Route 550 and sandy soil conducts the least in heat exchange so you would need more wells. Mr. Pisoni stated the stimulus package is also pushing geothermal wells. There was discussion on cost savings for a geothermal well. Mr. Stevenson stated he is on the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and would question how long it would be until a model ordinance is completed. Ms. Spencer stated he attended the Upper Bald Eagle Halfmoon COG and the Port Matilda Borough would like to use the berm machine with an operator or they can provide the operator. Mr. Neff stated so far we have lent out equipment and manpower and have received nothing in return. Ms. Spencer suggested Mr. Neff talk to the other municipalities and work something out with them to supply manpower. Ms. Spencer stated there is a member of the fire company that would like to come back to the fire company and the COG members were asked to give guidance on their thoughts. Ms. Spencer stated there was an alleged theft involved with this person and the fire company is having a hard time making a decision whether to let her back in or not. Ms. Spencer stated the fire company has a good image now and has concerns about bringing someone in from the past. Mr. Neff stated he would not allow her back in. Mr. Pisoni questioned whether there was a reason the fire company absolutely needs her. Mr. Stevenson stated the fire company should act in their own discretion and if they have discomfort allowing her back in then there is no reason to allow her back in. Mr. Pisoni stated he has concerns. Ms. Spencer stated she also attended the steering committee meeting between Halfmoon and Patton Townships and discussed the traffic study that was completed on all the different routes to see how much traffic there is now compared to what it was before and determine future traffic patterns. 8. C-NET Ms. Hahn provided a power point presentation to update the Board about C-NET. Ms. Hahn discussed Public Access Government Education (PAGE) networks. Ms. Hahn discussed the history of C-NET since it began. Ms. Hahn stated in November of 2008 C-NET changed the way they web stream the meetings which saves time and discussed C-NET members. Ms. Hahn discussed C-NET staff and board members. Ms. Hahn stated the 2009 annual budget is just under 280,000 and discussed grants that C-NET receives. Ms. Hahn stated C-NET produces over 600 programs per year. Ms. Spencer commented that because C-NET has a grant through Comcast then they will never be on satellite TV. Ms. Hahn explained satellite and dish networks are not legally obligated to carry PAGE channels. Ms. Brown questioned whether the subscriber could request their provider to provide PAGE channels. Ms. Hahn stated they could but they are not mandated to so they most likely will not. Ms. Hahn stated C-NET appreciates Mr. Neff sitting on the Board of Directors. 9. RVZD UPDATE Mr. Brooks discussed the surveys that have been completed over the last 15 years. Mr. Brooks discussed how many acres were in each zoning district. Mr. Brooks stated if a property would be developed in the A-1 district than the developer would need to provide 50% of open space. Mr. Brooks stated the Rural Village District zone is a mixed use area with higher density, diversify housing types that provides affordable housing, promotes more pedestrian neighborhoods and villages and concentrates infrastructure and roads, sewer, water at the eastern end of the Township. The RVZD preserves the rural character and protects open space. Mr. Stevenson requested Mr. Brooks describe what a village concept is. Mr. Brooks stated a village is smaller than normal lots and everything is in walking distance and being clustered in a smaller area. Mr. Stevenson stated since the adoption of the Park Plan this RVZD Ordinance helps that plan with the fee-in-lieu. Mr. Brooks stated this Ordinance is being formed for an approximately 1,000 acre parcel along the Patton Township boundary. Mr. Brooks stated instead of one single district there are several districts. There is the RVD3 which is a higher density zone and RVD1. Mr. Brooks stated the open space requirements are 35% overall but is 30% in the higher density and 40% in the single family home area of this district. Mr. Brooks stated the primary conservation land is excluded from any development. Mr. Brooks stated any additional density would mean a developable acre would be preserved elsewhere in the Township so one acre preserved would be one additional unit. Mr. Brooks stated there were three options; fee simple purchase land and have a permanent easement, purchase
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3 of 6 development rights and have a permanent easement or the fee-in-lieu developer pays x amount for the unit and that allow the Township to use the money for open space or parkland. Mr. Brooks stated it is setup that the Board would determine the per unit price based on consumer pricing. Mr. Brooks stated that number has not been determined but there was discussion about making the number $1,300 - $5,000. Mr. Brooks stated in discussions with Mr. Love, Mr. DeGregorio and Ms. Yurchak that $2,500 seems fair to all involved to start with and it can be adjusted over time. Mr. Pisoni stated there have been some comments made that once the appraisal is received for the wildlife corridor that that figure can be used to also base the decision. Mr. Brooks stated the density could be maxed out at 2.2 developed units per acre there is a provision that it could go up to 2 but anything over that would have to go into the low income housing category. Mr. Brooks stated 5% of affordable housing is required and it must be mixed in with the other types of housing. Mr. Brooks stated the Ordinance calls for a minimum of 1% of the gross square footage of the residential area for commercial. Mr. Brooks explained Parkland can be feein-lieu or a certain amount per acre. Mr. Brooks stated the current Park Plan calls for.05 acres of parkland per dwelling unit but the Planning Commission had agreed upon.03 acres of parkland per dwelling unit so the Board would need to decide that amount. Mr. Brooks stated affordable or workforce housing is essential to give some diversity in what is currently in Halfmoon Township. Mr. Brooks stated there is a phase in plan when projects begin they have to start including workforce housing if it goes over 2 dwelling units per acre. Mr. Brooks stated phasing is also tied into commercial and residential build outs. Mr. Brooks stated the Ordinance would be using federal guidelines for affordable housing. Mr. Brooks explained affordable housing is not the same as low income housing. Mr. DeGregorio discussed affordable housing. Mr. Stevenson questioned whether there was anything in the Ordinance that prevents the creation of land trusts to create affordable housing. Mr. Brooks summarized by saying the Planning Commission feels this Ordinance meets the needs and concerns of the Township residents and had lots of public input and recommends the Board consider the Ordinance for public hearing. Mr. Brooks suggested holding an information session before the meeting to answer any questions. Ms. Spencer questioned whether the sewage & water issues need to be resolved before this goes to public hearing. Mr. Brooks stated DEP is in charge of the sewage so it would depend on the phasing and how the developer chooses to work the plans. Mr. Brooks explained there are multiple options for the developer for sewage. Mr. DeGregorio explained a Community on lot disposal system (COLDS) is designed for multiple housing units and if it is built than it has to be built to the University Area Joint Authorities (UAJA) specifications and managed by UAJA. Mr. Stevenson questioned where UAJA s current sewage service ends now. Mr. DeGregorio stated it ends at Grays Woods. There was discussion whether the Planning Commission members were comfortable with $2500 per acre for parkland or open space for higher density. Mr. Brooks explained there is no model ordinance to pull a number from and the Board of Supervisors can change that number anytime and there can be a public hearing held before an actual number is put in. Mr. Stevenson stated he would like a number agreed upon by construction before approval and then adjusting it for inflation. Mr. DeGregorio discussed appraisal values. Mr. Stevenson requested Mr. DeGregorio provide appraisal values and he would look at those numbers and see if he could come up with a fair number. Mr. Stevenson stated he appreciates Mr. DeGregorio and the Planning Commission for their work on this Ordinance. 10. RESOLUTIONS FOR BANK ACCOUNTS MOTION: Mr. Stevenson moved to approve Resolution 2009-12; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township PLGIT Accounts.; Ms. Spencer seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-13; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township General Account.; Mr. Merritt MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-14; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Money Market Account.; Mr. Merritt
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4 of 6 MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-15; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township State Account.; Mr. Merritt MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-16; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Payroll Account.; Mr. Merritt MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-17; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Capital Reserve Building Fund.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 4-0-1; Messrs. Pisoni, yea; Neff, yea; Merritt; yea; Ms. Spencer, yea; No Nays; Mr. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-18; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Conditional Use Account No. 4685.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 4-0-1; Messrs. Pisoni, yea; Neff, yea; Merritt; yea; Ms. Spencer, yea; No Nays; Mr. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-19; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Zoning Escrow Account No. 4697.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 4-0-1; Messrs. Pisoni, yea; Neff, yea; Merritt; yea; Ms. Spencer, yea; No Nays; Mr. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-20; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Playground Account.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-21; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Earned Income Tax Account.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-22; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Real Estate Tax Account.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-23; A Resolution of the Township of authorized persons with the bank for the Halfmoon Township Earned Income Tax Account.; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. 11. MANAGER ORDINANCE Mr. Pisoni stated the solicitor made a few small changes and felt this was ready for a public hearing. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve moving the Manager Ordinance to a public hearing on July 9 th, 2009; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5 of 6 12. NUISANCE ORDINANCE Mr. Pisoni stated this Ordinance was reviewed by the solicitor and she made a few minor changes. Ms. Spencer stated she was glad this Ordinance addressed burning so there would not have to be a separate burning Ordinance. Mr. Neff questioned whether there should be a cut-off time for burning. There was discussion on what residents are burning and education. Mr. Love stated the Centre County Solid Waste Authority Enforcement Officer had responded to some complaints in the Township and dropped off some information that he would like to present to the Board at a meeting later this summer. Mr. Love stated there have been two sections provided for noise levels that the Board of Supervisors would need to choose from to insert. There was discussion on who decides what is reasonable and unreasonable noise levels. There was discussion on special occasion parties, noise levels and waivers. MOTION: Mr. Stevenson moved to approve moving the Public Nuisance Ordinance for regulation of public nuisances in Halfmoon Township for the protection of the public health and safety. Providing for administration, definitions, enforcement, penalties and exceptions to the public hearing phase for July 9 th, 2009; Mr. Merritt seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. Mr. Pisoni requested Ms. Smith send the Public Nuisance Ordinance out to the residents in an email update. 13. PARK & RECREATION BOARD REPORT There was no Park & Recreation Board report. 14. OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION BOARD REPORT There was no Open Space Preservation Board report. 15. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT There was no Planning Commission report. 16. ZONING OFFICER S REPORT There was Zoning Officer s report. 17. MANAGER S REPORT MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve Resolution 2009-24; A Resolution of the Township of Halfmoon, Centre County, Pennsylvania, amending Resolution 2008-23, and establishing a revised fee schedule to set building permit fees; Mr. Pisoni stated this was just changed last year and was not user friendly; Mr. Stevenson seconded; Vote 4-1-0; Messrs. Pisoni, yea; Stevenson, yea; Merritt, yea; Ms. Spencer, yea; Mr. Neff, nay; No abstentions; Motion Carried. Ms. Brown stated the Board would need to approve the 2009/2010 CATA budget. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve the 2009/2010 CATA budget; Mr. Stevenson seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. MOTION: Ms. Spencer moved to approve the addition of Assistant to Ms. Smiths job title; Mr. Stevenson seconded; Vote 5-0-0; Motion Carried. 14. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Pisoni stated the CATA meeting went very well and there were fourteen residents in attendance. Mr. Pisoni read the proposed stops and suggested the Board contact CATA and request the bus drive through Ira Lane/Shanelly Drive, Darrich and Lynn Circle instead of one stop along Smith Road and Charlotte Street so the State Game Land parking can be used. The Board requested Ms. Brown send a letter to CATA. There was discussion on citizen volunteers to review the Manager candidates. Mr. Pisoni stated he would like to add Ms. Brown the Board of Supervisors email list so she can be better informed.
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 of 6 15. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. MOTION: Mr. Neff moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.; Mr. Stevenson seconded; Vote 5-0- 0; Motion Carried.