HLRA
Wednesday, May 17 2006
In Attendance:
Authority Board
W. William Whiteside, III, Chairman
Joanna M. Furia Esq., Vice Chairman
Donnamarie Davis Esq.
Jeffrey Albert, Esq.
William Donnelly
Carmen S. Italia, Jr.
Joan Nesbitt, Secretary
Staff
Michael J. McGee
Mary Eberle Esq.
Curt Toll, Esq.
William Walker
Absent:
James R. Matthews
David Creamer, Treasurer
Mr. Whiteside called the meeting to order at 3:00 PM in the Horsham Township Municipal Building at 1025 Horsham Road,
Horsham PA, 19044. The Board members introduced themselves and all those present did likewise. A sign in sheet
was circulated and is attached hereto. Ms. Liz Gabor of the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) joined the
meeting via speaker phone.
On a motion by Ms. Furia which was seconded by Ms. Davis the Board unanimously approved the minutes as proposed for
the March 15, 2006 and March 29, 2006 meetings.
Mr. McGee advised the Board that the Township continues to advance the Authority funds to operate. He
distributed a list of checks for the Board's consideration. Ms. Furia then moved and Mr. Italia seconded to
approve the list of checks in the amount of $15,428.50; the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. McGee gave a brief report on the OSD Conference in Atlanta. He also reported that a tour of the Horsham
Memorial Army Reserve Center had been arranged for the Board and the committees. The tour was scheduled for
Tuesday May 23, 2006 at 1:00 pm. LTC Burnham will lead the tour. The proposed advertisement was then
discussed. The proposal listed the communities contiguous to Horsham and further listed the communities
contiguous to those as the area of service. Ms. Gabor advised that she would consult with HUD further to
confirm the outreach area; she did express the belief that it would include all of Bucks and Montgomery
Counties. The Board agreed that the deadline for submitting the notice of interest should be set at October 6,
2006 and the workshop and tour should be set for July 20th assuming the Army representatives are available.
A discussion then ensued concerning the need for a Vision Plan to be prepared with the aid of a consultant. It
was agreed that the Director should prepare a request of proposals to be distributed to the Board for their
review. The proposal for the preparation of a website by Catapultweb was reviewed. After which Ms. Furia
moved and Ms. Davis seconded a motion to authorize the Director to proceed to execute an agreement with Catapultweb
in an amount not to exceed $8,000. The motion passed unanimously. The Board after discussion
authorized the Director to proceed with the preparation of a OEA grant application and job descriptions for
staff to include a Deputy Director and Administrative Assistant.
Mrs. Eberle advised that Mts. Nesbitt would be signing the filing of the Articles of Incorporation for process by the
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
There were no representatives from the Navy BRAC PMO present. The Director advised that in previous
conversations with Mr. Drozd (Navy) and LTC Burnham (Army) it had been suggested that the LRA offer its opinion on
the location of the Army requests for 65 acres. Ms. Gabor also suggested that it would be appropriate.
The Director reminded the Board that the site had been pointed out during the tour of the base and that if the Base
is developed for non aviation uses there may be a need to provide roads that will act as thru roads. The
current location of the Army Reserve Center (ARC) (25 acres) and the Army National Guard (ANG) (40 acres) would
prohibit the extension of Norristown, and Precision Roads. After discussion Mr. Albert moved and Mr. Donnelly
seconded to send a letter to the Army and appropriate departments consistent with the Board's discussion
expressing the opinion that the HLRA should have input in the process of site location for both the ARC and ANG and
that the current location is of concern to the HLRA given its impact on possible future road extensions and the
economic value of the Horsham Road location. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Gabor announced that she would be conducting the Homeless outreach training on Thursday May 25th at 7:00 and that
representatives of HUD were expected to be in attendance.
The Director distributed a description of each of the committees and asked for the Board's assistance with
developing goals and expectations for each committee. Mr. Whiteside asked if there where any questions or
comments from those in attendance. Mr. Plunkett, a Horsham Resident, suggested that a map of the Base be
available at the meetings. Mr. Sergo of the Bucks County Housing Group asked if the homeless outreach training
was open to the public. The Director advised that it was a public meeting. Ms. Davis informed the Board
that the Bucks County committee was scheduled to meet in the Warminster Township building on 6/1/06 at 7 or 7:30 pm.
There being no additional business the meeting was adjourned at 4:12 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. McGee
Executive Director
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