HLRA
Wednesday, February 15 2006
In Attendance:
Authority Board
W. William Whiteside, III, Chairman
Joanna M. Furia, Vice Chairman
David Creamer, Treasurer
Joan Nesbitt, Secretary
William Donnelly (arrived at 3:20)
Carmen S. Italia, Jr.
Staff
Michael J. McGee
Mary Eberle Esq.
Curt Toll, Esq.
William Walker
Absent:
James R. Matthews
Mr. Whiteside called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM. The Board members introduced themselves and all those
present did likewise. A sign in sheet was circulated and is attached hereto
On a motion by Mr. Italia which was seconded by Ms. Furia the Board unanimously approved the minutes as proposed for
the January 18, 2006 meeting.
Mr. McGee advised the Board that the Township was advancing the Authority funds to continue to operate. He
reported that the legal bills were the only direct outlay of funds at this time; however, administrative costs to
operate were accruing. He further stated that this month there were no checks to be issued. He
suggested that a Resolution be adopted to authorize a Bank Depository. He offered a proposed Resolution for the
Boards consideration. On a motion by Mr. Creamer, that was seconded by Ms. Furia the Board unanimously adopted
the Resolution appointing Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Trust as the Authority Bank depository.
Ms. Liz Gabor of the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) again advised the Board that the Association of Defense
Communities (ADC), formerly NAID, is conducting their Winter Forum in San Diego on March 5th through the 7th.
She also stated that invitations from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) to attend their conference would
be forthcoming. OSD would pay for three people to attend, however others would be able to attend at their
cost. The meeting is expected to take place in Atlanta Georgia during the first week of May. Ms Gabor
also advised that OEA has already recognized some LRAs for BRAC 2005 bases. She pointed out that OEA expects to
be advertising another round of LRA recognitions in the Federal Register in late March. Mr. Donnelly
arrived.
Mr. McGee and Mrs. Eberle then provided an update to the Board on the creation of the committee of the Board to plan
for the reuse of the housing in Bucks County. An agreement in principle has been prepared by the Solicitors
representing the parties, as directed at the last Authority meeting. The committee is to consist of a total of
five members; consisting of two members appointed by Warminster Township, one member each from Ivyland Borough, Bucks
County and Centennial School District. Mr. McGee also reminded the Board that Horsham Township Council will be
considering an Ordinance at their February 27th meeting increasing the Board from seven to nine members. One of
the members would be chosen by Bucks County and the other was recommended by U.S. Representative Schwartz
Mr. McGee distributed the final draft of the application to OEA for recognition. After a brief discussion
Mr. Italia moved and Mr. Donnelly seconded a motion and the Board unanimously approved the application to OEA for
recognition of the Horsham Township Authority for NASJRB as the Local Reuse Authority.
Mr. McGee advised that the proposed Bylaws for the Authority were distributed to the Board for their review.
Mrs. Eberle pointed out that some aspects of the Bylaws were fashioned after the Horsham Township Home Rule
Charter. She did mention that an action of the Board requires a majority affirmation by those present at a
meeting. Mr. Creamer moved, Ms. Nesbitt seconded and the Board moved with Mr. Donnelly abstaining to adopt the
Bylaws as presented.
Mr. Toll then recommended to the Board that they authorize a letter be directed to Senators Specter and Santorum and
U.S. Representatives Schwartz and Fitzpatrick. He suggested that the Authority should consider expressing a
firm position that the Authority alone should have the exclusive right to plan for the ultimate reuse and
redevelopment of NAS-JRB Willow Grove after the federal screening process was complete. He pointed out that the
BRAC Law was established to provide for the locally impacted jurisdictions to do the planning and that any attempt to
structure reuse outside of the mandated process should be actively opposed. Copies of the proposed
letters were distributed. Mr. Toll further suggested a letter be directed to the Pennsylvania National Guard
concerning the need to strictly adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act as it relates to the relocation of
any units to include the 56th Stryker Brigade to Willow Grove. Mr. Donnelly then moved and Mr. Italia seconded
and the Board unanimously authorized that the letters be sent as proposed.
Mr. Preston, representing the Navy PMO, stated that the Navy issued a revised Notice of Availability (NOA) for
approximately 910 acres as being excess federal property and that February 23rd was the deadline for receipt of
expression of interests from federal agencies. The NOA included the housing in Bucks County and the properties that
are impacted with easements. Those agencies responding shall provide by March 23rd the details of the intended
use and program funding for the use. He also pointed out that all the services will be issuing their notices of
surplus property no later than May 9, 2006 as prescribed by law.
Mr. McGee advised that a tour of the Base for the Board has been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday April 19, 2006
starting at 1:00 PM. The tour would be in lieu of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Authority.
Mr. Whiteside then asked if anyone present wished to ask questions or make any comments. There being none and
with no additional business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 3:48 P.M. The Board then entered into
executive session to discuss matters of litigation. The executive session concluded at 4:25 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. McGee
Executive Director
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