|
|
Please Note Change AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Mr. Chris Lee will convene the meeting. 2. CITIZEN COMMENTS Members of the public are invited to comment on any items not already on the agenda (five minutes per person time limit, please). Comments relating to specific items on the agenda should be deferred until that point in the meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A copy of the minutes from the May 19, 2008 Executive Committee meeting is enclosed. 4. COG COMMITTEE STRUcTURE The General Forum asked the Executive Committee to “review COG’s standing committee structure and make recommendations for changes that reflect the needs of the Centre Region.” During its April 21 and May 19, 2008 meetings, the Executive Committee initiated discussions regarding the preparation of its recommendations. On a very tentative basis, the Committee discussed the following outline of a committee structure: · Human Resources (renamed from Personnel) · Finance (perhaps add financial review of all contracts entered into by the COG) · Public Safety – Responsible for fire protection, emergency management, and building codes (takes some of the old Public Services focus; eliminates Code Administration Committee). · Planning and Transportation – Expands Transportation Committee to include major land use issues. This change enhances coordination between land use and transportation planning. · Environmental/sewer/water/recycling – A new committee, taking part of the old Public Services committee focus, plus environment. · Parks Capital – Regional park development will be an important topic for the next 10-15 years; it incorporates the Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee. A variation of this Committee is a COG Capital Committee that provides guidance on all COG capital projects. In either case, this Committee would continue to work closely with the CRPR Board/Authority. · Executive – No change
The Executive Committee’s
discussion focused on two areas: 1) the creation of a Ø Sub-committee on Public Safety – Dave Fryer, Richard Killian, Jim Steff Ø Sub-committee on Transportation and Land Use – Elizabeth Goreham, Chris Lee, Bob Crum Enclosed is the recommendation from the sub-committee on Public Safety. The sub-committee on Transportation and Land Use will be holding its second meeting on June 13, 2008. A report will provided at the Executive Committee meeting. The Executive Committee should continue its efforts in drafting a recommendation for the General Forum to consider. 5. SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY Identified as a work objective for 2008, the Personnel Committee scheduled an update of the current COG Sexual Harassment Policy, which was approved by the General Forum in 1994. During its last four monthly meetings, the Committee has reviewed the current policy and identified revisions. Enclosed is a copy of the revised policy that will be considered by the Personnel Committee during its June 16, 2008 meeting. The changes in blue were recommended by the COG Solicitor and changes in yellow were discussed by the Committee during its April 8 meeting. The Executive Director will report on the outcome of the Personnel Committee’s meeting. The Committee could ask the Executive Committee to refer the following motion to the General Forum for consideration: “That the General Forum approve the Sexual Harassment Policy, dated June 17, 2008 as recommended by the Personnel Committee. 6. FIRE EVALUATION STUDY The 2003 and 2004 COG budgets included $30,000 ($15,000/year) to conduct a comprehensive review of the organizational and operational needs of the Regional Fire Protection Program. In addition, Harris Township committed $15,000 for the Boalsburg Fire Company to be included in the review. Tri Data Consulting of Virginia started a similar study in 1990. The study was completed in 1991, and in the subsequent 13 years, many of its recommendations were implemented. For example, the appointment of a Fire Administrator was recommended in the study. During its July 26, 2004 meeting, the General Forum awarded a contract to Emergency Services Consulting, Inc. (ESCi) in an amount not to exceed $45,000. The ESCi study produced two documents: an evaluation report and a strategic plan for fire protection services. The strategic planning process was coordinated by a 17 member Ad Hoc Fire Program Evaluation Committee (members included Bryce Boyer, Dennis Hameister, Craig Humphrey, Steve Miller, and Dave Wasson). During its June 11, 2008 meeting, the Public Services Committee asked the Executive Committee to consider scheduling an update on the status of the recommendations contained in the 2005 ESCi Report that evaluated the organizational and operational needs of the Alpha and Boalsburg Fire Companies. The report would be made by Mr. Steve Bair, COG Fire Director, and should last approximately 15 minutes in addition to time for questions from the General Forum. This item is presented for informational purposes only and does not require action from the General Forum. The Executive Committee should decide whether to schedule the presentation. 7. PARKS AND RECREATION UPDATE During the last six months, significant progress has been made on major capital projects for Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation and Executive Directors ask the Executive Committee to consider scheduling a status report to the General Forum on the following topics: bids for Park Forest Community Pool, Oak Hall Master Plan and community survey, SCASD discussions on parking at Welch Pool, Whitehall Road property closing, and Nature Center capital campaign. This item is presented for informational purposes only and does not require action from the General Forum. The Executive Committee should discuss whether this presentation should be scheduled. 8. 8. CONCORD PUBLIC FINANCE During its January 22, 2007 meeting, the General Forum approved the following motion regarding the appointment of a financial consultant for the pool renewal projects: “That the General Forum, as recommended by the Finance Committee, approve an agreement with Concord Public Finance at a cost not to exceed $22,500 for the provision of consulting services relating to the renewal of the Park Forest Community and William Welch Community Pools.” Enclosed is a communication from Concord Public Finance that requests an additional $4,000 to cover the “extensive work” required for the preparation of the official statement/bond disclosure documents, which were not needed, as well as the company’s out of pocket travel expenses of $712.15. The Finance Committee discussed this matter during its May 20, 2008 meeting and at that time approved the reimbursement of $712.15 for travel expenses and agreed to continue discussion of the request for reimbursing $4,000 until its next meeting. At its June 10, 2008 meeting, the Finance Committee unanimously recommended that the Executive Committee refer the following motion to the General Forum for consideration: “That the General Forum authorize the payment of $3,000 for additional costs associated the funding of the regional pool renewal projects.” The Finance Committee agreed that some additional compensation is appropriate because there was more work involved in assembling the bond information for the five participating municipalities than was anticipated. Although the committee thought the additional work and the substance of the work justified the additional compensation, prior approval should have been obtained. Enclosed are copies of the April 25, 2008 funding request from Concord Public Finance and a June 5, 2008 email that asks for additional information from Concord. 9. QUESTIONS FOR THE UNIVERSITY This month’s presentation will focus on Penn State University’s plans for the Arboretum. 10. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Mr. Steff will provide an update on the following topics: · Appointment of an Interim Code Director · Proposed recruitment process for Director of Centre Region Code Administration (see enclosure) · Recruitment of a part-time Refuse/Recycling Administrator · Municipal representation on Library Board · Municipal actions of emergency management proposal. 11. ITEMS FROM THE FLOOR Members of the Executive Committee are encouraged to bring forth discussion topics not addressed on the agenda. 12. OTHER BUSINESS A. Matter of Record – Next month’s meeting of the General Forum is scheduled for Monday, July 28, 2008 at the Borough of State College municipal building. Tentative agenda items are: revised 2009 COG Program Plan; selection of date for Trick or Treat; COG/PSU contract for emergency management services; and COG committee structure. 13. TENTATIVE AGENDA ITEMS The following agenda items are tentatively scheduled for discussion at the Monday, June 23, 2008 General Forum meeting, to be held in the forum room of the COG Building. A. Fire Evaluation Report Update B. Parks and Recreation Project Updates C. Concord Public Finance Request D. Sexual Harassment Policy E. University Report – Arboretum 14. ADJOURNMENT
|
