Schuylkill Township
Open Space Commission
MEETING DATE: June 29, 2009

MEMBERS:  Bob Mauch, Bud Emig, Greg Blazic, Gary Gounaris, Bob Cooney, Bereth Graeff, Walter Mostek, new alternate Linda Hartman

ATTENDANCE:   All present.

CALL TO ORDER:  Bob Mauch, Chairman of the Open Space Commission called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

           
MINUTES:   

Motion was made by Bud Emig and seconded by Walter Mostek subject to correction of a typo in the word “cash”  to approve the minutes from June 1, 2009. Passed unanimously.

PROPERTY OUTREACH

            Bob Mauch requested that the Outreach committee draft a press release for the Open Space commission announcing the purchase of a targeted property.

FINANCE

            Bob Mauch reported for Greg Blazic that, as of June 29, the OSC account balance (including both cash and CD’s) is approximately $1,734,000.  The current estimated borrowing capacity for the OSC is approximately $12 million based on annual EIT revenue of $825,000.

OLD BUSINESS

Bob Mauch reported  the following:

  1. At the June BOS meeting the Board approved the OSC recommendation to appoint Linda Hartman as the alternate member.
  2. The Board approved the recommendation from the OSC to spend up to $10,000 for an appraisal of a targeted property.
  3. The Board approved OSC’s recommendation to send an offer letter for a targeted property owner who stated that he was willing to sell at our offer price.  The seller subsequently signed the offer letter and returned  it to the township.
  4. The finalized Open Space map was submitted and approved by the BOS who then directed the township solicitor to determine how the map is best incorporated into the township open space and recreation plan.
  5. The Board was informed that the OSC deferred a vote on funding open space on Todd Pohlig’s Alternate Plan G for the Reeves parcel until today’s meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS

            Bob Mauch reported that we have guidelines for purchase of Open Space lands with public funds that were approved by the BOS is July ‘07.  These guidelines were drafted before engaging NLT and appear in need of updating, particularly as regards the inclusion of environmental testing, public participation, and grant funding and  reimbursement.

           Walter Mostek agreed to serve as chairman of a subcommittee, including Greg Blazic and  Linda Hartman, to work with Diane Rosencrance of NLT to revise the guidelines. The revised guidelines need to be submitted to the OSC for review and approval at the OSC July meeting, so that the BOS can then approve same in their August meeting prior to the close of our first open space transaction expect in mid August.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

            John Meaney asked a question regarding the proposed Reeves plan G and the number of units.  He was asked about the increase of traffic flow given that Plan G had a higher amount of units.  We noted that Todd Pohlig earlied stated that traffic studies indicated that the development is “age targeted” and studies show that there would be no increase in peak hour traffic compared to the by right plan.

            Mr. Meaney expressed doubt concerning the veracity of those studies.

            Supervisor Barbara Cohen and Mr. Meaney spoke about a trail system and whether a trail could be installed in the open space proposed for the Reeves parcel.

            Motion made by Bob Cooney and seconded by Gary Gounaris to move into executive session, passed unanimously at 8:10 p.m.

           
           
EXECUTIVE SESSION
           
            8:10-9:50

MOTIONS POST EXECUTIVE SESSION

Discussion regarding Reeves property.  Bob Mauch informed Todd Pohlig that the  OSC needs to get an appraisal to appraise the value of Plan G ‘s proposed open space.  The OSC would like to assemble a task force of OSC members and consultants to help determine how the appraisal should be approached, and to contact the county to determine the probability of obtaining grant funding for the open space.  The OSC will need 30-60 days to arrange the above.

Motion to recommend to the Board additional authority of approximately $2,000 for an appraisal of the target property identified as Parcel C subject to the property owner’s board approval of the township moving forward with the appraisal process.  Motion was made by Bob Mauch, seconded by Walter Mostek and passed unanimously.

Motion to recommend to the Board additional expenditure of up to $5,000 for reappraisal of 2 subject lots reflecting conservation easements.  Motion was made by Walter Mostek, seconded by Greg Blazic and passed unanimously.

Motion to recommend to the board to expend up to $5,000 for consultants associated with deliberations to expend Open Space funds on the Reeves property The motion to approve was made by Bob Mauch and seconded by Bud Emig. Bereth Graeff opposed. The motion carried

Motion to recommend to the board to expend $15,000 for an appraisal of the Open Space on the Reeves property, subject to further approval by this commission as to the scope of that appraisal.  A motion was made by Bob Mauch, seconded Gary Gounaris.  Bereth Graeff and Greg Blazic opposed, motion carried.

 


MOTION TO ADJOURN 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made at 10:34  p.m. by Bereth Graeff, seconded by Gary Gounaris  and passed unanimously.