BUCKS COUNTY CONSORTIUM

Thursday, February 5, 2004

Meeting Minutes

A roundtable meeting of the Bucks County Consortium was held at Doylestown Borough on February 5, 2004. The following individuals were present:

Preliminary Remarks

Frank Farry called the meeting to order, announced the morning's agenda, and thanked Doylestown Borough for hosting.

Presentation: Past President Recognition

Frank Farry thanked John Cornelius for serving as President of the Bucks County Consortium, and presented him with a recognition plaque.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by John Cornelius, and seconded by Paul Williams, to approve the Minutes of 6 November 2004. Motion carried.

Membership

Frank Farry introduced Linda Wieand of Tinicum Township, and notified members that Tinicum Township is pursuing membership in the organization. Tinicum Township will submit a resolution, similar to the one passed by Haycock Township in 2003.

Treasurer's Report

A Treasurer's Report will be presented at the March meeting.

Presentation: “Government Banking – The Role of Credit Cards”

Pete Berger, Christopher Binder, Charlie O’Donnell, and Michael Proto of Citizens Bank presented. The group stated that there are several circumstances when credit card transactions could be utilized by local governments. These include the payment of parking tickets, program fees, tax bills, water and sewer bills, etc.

Joseph Armetta of Lynk Systems, Inc., a company that deals with the technology used to conduct credit card transactions, also presented. Included in the presentation were the following: history of credit card use, pricing (flat fees, sliding scales, etc.), customer expectations, fund transfers, online banking, Excel integration, website design and itnegration, etc.

Jeff Vey questioned and discussed the role of integrating credit cards with escrow accounts, and John Cornelius questioned and discussed the role of credit cards with E-government.

Presentation: “Patch Management”

Tim Nichols presented on the road maintenance program of Patch Management, Inc. Included in his presentation was a discussion of road materials, the company’s efficient method for patching potholes, and its guarantee of not paying for the same pothole repair twice.

Salt Bidding

John Davis made a motion to raise the salt bid performance bond from 50% to 100% of contract price. Bob Pellegrino seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Other Business

Bruce Townsend discussed three problems that have occurred in Northampton Township, and may have an impact on other members. First, a property owned by James Morrisey, Inc., and condemned, recently went before a jury and it awarded far more than that identified in appraisals. Second, its police contract was resolved through arbitration, and many issues were not ruled in favor of the municipality. Third, the Auditor General, upon review of its Liquid Fuels expenditures, identified the need to bid snow removal contracts in excess of $10,000 unless the elected body passes an emergency declaration.

Bill McCauley reported on the status of police contracts in Montgomery County, and how these contracts could have an impact on Bucks County.

Bob Pellegrino reported on Newtown Township’s police and fire contracts. Issues discussed included DROP provisions, and arbitration awards.

Jeff Vey reported on HB 1222.

Adjourn

Frank Farry thanked the guest speakers. John Cornelius made a motion, seconded by John Davis to adjourn. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

___________________