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BUCKS COUNTY CONSORTIUM
Thursday, October 1 , 2009
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: A meeting of the Bucks County Consortium was held at Buckingham Township on October 1, 2009 and called to order by Mr. Tieperman at 9:25 a.m.
Roll Call and Introductions: The following Bucks County communities were represented at the meeting:
Timothy J. Tieperman, Warrington Twp
Joe Czajkowski, Newtown Twp
Robert Pellegrino, Northampton Twp
Dana Cozza, Buckingham Twp
Carolyn McCreary, Plumstead Twp
Eileen Bradley, New Britain Twp
Gail Weniger, Warwick Twp
Sandra Fadell, Doylestown Twp
Bill Cmorey, Bensalem Twp
Greg Lippincott, West Rockhill Twp
Mark Fournier, Telford Borough
Cathy Kichline, New Britain Twp
Joseph Golden, Upper Southampton Twp
Stephanie Mason, Doylestown Twp
Ted Taylor, Lower Southampton Twp
Also in attendance:
Ted Dorand, PECO
Mike Hartey, Keystone Municipal Services
Tom Hough, Hough Assoc.
Ryan Ingham, Hough Assoc.
Elisabeth Sibley, Hough Assoc.
Approval of Minutes -September 3 , 2009:
Mr. Cjazkowski made a motion, seconded by Ms. Mason, to approve the Minutes of September 3, 2009. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report and Payment of Bills
Mr. Tieperman presented the Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2009. A Motion was made by Ms. Mason and seconded by Mr. Pellegrino, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for September 2009. Motion carried.
Presentation:
First presentation, Ms Colleen Deer, Vice-President from Mockenhaupt Benefits Group spoke on pension plan costs and state assistance that is available. Act 44 of 2009 (House Bill Number 1828) was signed in law on September 18, 2009 and makes numerous changes to the municipal pension plan funding standards and Recovery Act (Act 205 of 1984). The Act also regulates the establishment and operation of deferred retirement option plans (DROPs), establishes new conduct & disclosure standard for professional service contracts applicable to pension plans. Act 205 (Recovery Program), established new municipal distress determination method using pension plan ratio, based upon the most recent actuarial valuation report. (Distress levels range from None to Severe). Ms. Deer also spoke about amendments applicable to all plans, some effective immediately, some changes made on or after September 18, 2009, all of which are included in the Actuarial Valuation Report (AVR). Her presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Second presentation was given by, Ms. Jean C. Pugh, Director of Group Business Programs with the Pennsylvania League of Cities & Municipalities (PLCM), Mr. Ed Wilson with Constellation New/Energy and Mr. Arthur Morris with Utility Solutions. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Morris spoke in length about the Electric Procurement Program offered through their Municipal Utility Alliance (MUA). They mentioned that the economy is at a five year low and it was a good time to look at the market and lock in on a contract that offers fixed pricing. The ideal contract would be a multi-year contract of 2-3 years. Messrs. Wilson and Morris said that contracts are coming due from companies like PECO & PP&L so when shopping around make sure the supplier is taking the risks not the consumer, make sure you have budget certainty, look at a supplier with multiple market areas (most companies offer four groups of pricing: residential, small, mid and large commercial). Messrs. Wilson and Morris suggested that you look as an individual municipality not as a consortium when shopping for pricing, and that you look now for your best pricing even through decisions do not have to be made until next November. Their presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
Third presentation was given by Mr. John Strasser, the new Franchise Manager for Verizon in Southeastern PA. Mr. Strasser introduced himself to the members of the consortium and gave his information if anyone needed to get in touch with him. Mr. Strasser advised that the August price change will affect 5% of the customers with the premier stand alone package, these packages were purchased in 2007-2008, and the cost is $10.00 and is effective October 1, 2009. The price increase does not affect the Fios Bundle customers.
Community Updates
Act 101 (Recycle Program), approved but not moving forward.
Harvest Grant, No updates.
Adjournment
Mr. Pellegrino made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m. This motion was seconded by Mr. Tieperman. Motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
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