ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT Albright College, Thirteenth & Bern Streets, P.O. Box 15234, Reading, PA

2 Our Mission To maintain and enhance the quality of life in Berks County by assisting municipal leaders in meeting the changing needs of their communities. Our Vision The center will be recognized as the premier municipal leadership development organization in Berks County as a result of its unique public/private/academic partnership. Local officials will be inspired to anticipate, plan, and prepare for community change through the center s assistance in: Learning best practices, legislative authority, and skills for more effectively fulfilling their public responsibilities Working cooperatively with other communities and the private sector Enhancing citizens understanding of local government organization and operation Since its inception in 1994, the Center for Excellence in Local Government has focused on three major areas of operations: Intergovernmental Cooperation, Training, and Project and Study Center. Message from the Board President In the 2013 annual report I noted that the Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College was in the midst of transition. CELG had a new director, Paul Janssen, and was moving to Roessner Hall, the original Rockland Building which had housed so many of the CELG events. And, it became the host organization for the Berks County Secretaries Association (BCSA) and the Berks County Water and Sewer Association (BCW&SA). With a commitment to the strengths that made CELG the organization it was through 2013, the Community Advisory Board (the governing body for all CELG operations), the Berks Municipal Partnership, the Local Government Advisory Committee, the Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council, the support of the Governor Mifflin Area Coordinating Council, and the continued development of the BCSA and the BCW&SA, CELG continued the progression of meeting the needs of our Berks County municipalities and Berks County itself in 2014 and I am particularly pleased with all of the transition in CELG programming, which is detailed in this report. But I am most impressed with two particular aspects. The first is Albright College and its demonstrated commitment to CELG, its affiliated operations, Berks County and its municipalities. We all know that CELG is a unique entity in the Commonwealth; however, its services and operation are made possible by Albright College. We are grateful for so many things including CELG s firstclass home in the new Roessner Hall, with its premier teaching and meeting facilities; the Campus Center and the numerous other buildings which have been the sites of CELG meetings, workshops and conferences; the services provided such as publications, public relations, and financial support; and the academic setting so critical to the work of CELG. None of our successes would be possible without the support of the College. I would like to extend my thanks to Lex McMillan, Ph.D. and the trustees of Albright College, and the academic and administrative staffs that support CELG and its affiliated operations. I am also thrilled with CELG s expanded events calendar. After the 2014 annual dinner I had a conversation with Paul regarding the limited informal and social contact municipal officials have in Berks County, which is so critical to intergovernmental cooperation. This is in stark contrast to most Commonwealth counties, which have none. In response, CELG now sponsors four major events, which include substantive time for all of our officials to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern. Whether it is the Annual Dinner, Open House, the BCW&SA Annual Conference or the newly organized Golf Outing, which will have its second annual event on May 19, 2016, we now have year-round events which provide the opportunity for much greater dialogue and conversation. Thank you all for your support for good government in Berks County! Sincerely, Kevin S. Barnhardt, Berks County Commissioner 2014 and 2015 Community Advisory Board President 3 Program Participation Major Events Municipal Officials Dinner, Open House, Golf Tournament, 2014 Municipal Law Form Association Events Clambake, Municipal Secretaries Association, Finance Association, Berks Cooperative Purchasing Council, Boroughs Association Standing Committee Events Breakfast with Commissioners, Community Advisory Board/ Local Government Advisory Council/Berks Municipal Partnership Training PA Land Use, Workshops, etc BCW&SA Training and Events BCW&SA Monthly Meetings Total Attendees Attendance in 2013=711 CELG attendance for training programs and events for Participants include elected officials, planning commissioners, managers/secretaries, zoning officials and other professional personnel. 2 3

3 The Center for Excellence in Local Government at Albright College The Center for Excellence in Local Government (CELG) at Albright College, which is dedicated to the advancement of municipal and county operations in Berks County, has been in operation for 22 years. Founded by John Kramer, who remained its director for the first 18 years retiring in 2012, CELG was originally envisioned as a training and intergovernmental assistance center. Over the years it has evolved into a multi-functional support center for municipalities across Berks County and the Berks County government itself. CELG is funded by an array of donations from municipalities (62 of the 73 municipalities in Berks County), Berks County, Albright College and more than 20 private corporations who support the work of the center. Recently, CELG has expanded its operations following an appeal to our sponsoring municipalities, Berks County, our new participating municipal and Water & Sewer Authority members and sponsors, and our new partnership with our private sponsors, who are all vested in providing services to Berks County and our residents and municipalities operating in Berks County. This annual report tells the story of the transformation of the Center for Excellence in Local Government. GOVERNANCE. Governed since its inception by the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and Albright College, CELG seeks to responsively meet the needs of the local, county, commonwealth, and federal elected and appointed officials serving Berks County. The CAB is chaired by Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhart with representatives from Albright College, boroughs, townships, the City of Reading, the BCW&SA, and a cross section of private sponsors (attorneys, engineers, planners, banks, finance houses, municipal suppliers, and code enforcement) for CELG. Special recognition to Albright College President Lex McMillian and former provost Andrea Chapdelaine who supported the programming and development of the center through Community Advisory Board Kevin Barnhardt CAB Chairman Commissioner, Berks County Chip Bilger Executive Director Western Berks Water Authority President, BCW&SA Carl Godlove President/CEO SSM Group, Inc. Chris Hartman, Esq. Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz, PC Gary Kraft Mayor, Mohnton Borough President, BCBA, CEO, Kraft Engineering Fred Levering Past CAB Chairman Council President, Wyomissing Borough The Honorable James Lillis, Esq. Court of Common Pleas Formerly with Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys Ray Maillet AVP, Business Development Officer First Priority Bank Mike Malinowski President, Board of Commissioners Muhlenberg Township VP, Branch Manager, EHD Deborah McCreery Albright College Vice President, Advancement Terry Naugle Past CAB Chairman Asst. Vice President, Great Valley Consultants Jon Scott President & CEO Greater Reading Economic Partnership Vaughn Spencer Mayor, City of Reading Joe Thomas Albright College Vice President, Academic Affairs Members serving during 2014 and 2015 Joni Naugle (2014) President, Naugle Associates, LLC Kevin Conrad (2014) West Reading Borough Council Brian Pinto ( ) Former Leadership Gifts Officer Albright College Andrea Chapdelaine ( ) Former Provost Albright College 4 Roessner Hall - a new home for the Center for Excellence in Local Government and the Berks County Water and Sewer Association. 5

4 ANNUAL REPORT 6 Assistance in Intergovernmental Cooperation The Berks Municipal Partnership (BMP) The BMP, which includes elected officials from five regions of Berks County and representatives including a county commissioner, was formed 13 years ago. Fred Levering, president of the Wyomissing Borough Council, has chaired the BMP for years. The BMP has representation of as many as eight officials and as few as four officials, from each region from the City of Reading, a third-class city, as well as townships of the first and second class, boroughs and a county commissioner. The BMP meets a minimum of four times annually as a group and twice with the county commissioners in the spring and fall. The purpose of the BMP is to address both countywide and regional issues that the commissioners have with municipalities or municipalities have with the county. Recent examples include the newly operational radio communications built and activated by the county for all police, fire, EMS, and EMC operations throughout the county. Another issue addressed was the creation of a potential countywide computer cloud project to allow for data storage and information sharing as well as a super computer computing platform. Additionally, the Berks County commissioners were considering implementing a $5 vehicle registration fee and were prepared to share the proceeds 50/50. With all 73 Berks County municipalities. Following discussion, the preliminary recommendation from the BMP is for the county to implement the fee and fund countywide transportation projects. The alternative projects are now being reviewed for priority and recommendation. Executive Committee Chairman Fred Levering Borough Council President Wyomissing Borough, Central Region Central Region Representatives Lucille Brady Supervisor, Bern Township Ron Dunkleberger, Chairman Council Member, Shillington Borough Mike Malinowski Supervisor, Muhlenberg Township Curt Miller Council Member, Mt. Penn Borough Tony Sacco Supervisor, Cumru Township Vaughn Spencer, Mayor, City of Reading Jay Vaughan Manager, Spring Township North Region Representatives Sandra Green Mayor, Kutztown Borough Jeanette Heckman Council Member, Hamburg Borough Mark Stitzel Supervisor, Perry Township West Region Representatives Vince Balistrieri Council Member, Womelsdorf Borough Randall Haag Supervisor, Bethel Township Dennis Mulally Supervisor, South Heidelberg Township Neal Nevitt, Chairman Supervisor, Lower Heidelberg Township South Region Representatives Jeff Fiant, Chair Supervisor, Brecknock Township Gary Lloyd Supervisor, Exeter Township Warren Lubenow Council Member, St. Lawrence Borough Robert Myers Council Member, Birdsboro Borough East Region Representatives (4) Marianne Deery Mayor, Boyertown Borough Jeffrey Gorrin Supervisor, Pike Township Ed Overberger Supervisor, District Township County of Berks Christian Leinbach, Chairman Berks County Commissioner Shannon Rossman Director, Berks County Planning Comission Members Serving Craig Conrad Supervisor, Oley Township Joseph Rudderow Supervisor, Maidencreek Township Berks County Cooperative Purchasing Council (BCCPC) The BCCPC is a membership-based cooperative for the purchase of goods and services used by members of the council. Products include rock salt, fuel, office supplies, fire and security services, leaf and yard waste disposal, to name a few. In addition, the BC- CPC acts as a clearinghouse for specialty services that members may need for special projects or services. Specialty engineering, IT, architectural services, and specialty products are among the inventoried services for member usage. Executive Committee Norann Warmkessel, President Secretary/Treasurer, Hereford Township Brian Potts, Past President Township Manager, Bern Township Rich Sichler, Vice President Borough Manager, West Reading Borough Jeri Diesinger, Secretary Borough Manager, Kenhorst Borough Kelly Laubach, Executive Board Director of Contract and Procurement, Berks County Diane Hollenbach, Executive Board Township Manager, Maidencreek Township Dan Becker, Solicitor Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys Tammi Reinhart, 2014 Executive Board City of Reading Governor Mifflin Area Coordinating Committee (GMACC) Beginning in 2005 with the development of a joint comprehensive plan, the municipal members (Brecknock and Cumru Townships and Kenhorst, Mohnton and Shillington Boroughs), through formal member appointments in cooperation with the Governor Mifflin School District, have met quarterly and as needed to address issues of joint concern. CELG has supported and assisted the GMACC where needed since its inception. Following the adoption of their comprehensive plan, the GMACC has completed numerous construction projects for the municipalities from paving to drainage to landscaping. Each municipality contributes personnel, equipment and materials as needed to complete the projects. Additional projects completed include a 15-hour video series titled The Citizens Academy. In The Citizens Academy, municipal representatives discuss each function of their governments, including being a supervisor, police operations, finance, codes, and numerous other topics. The videos are available on each member s website. Another project was the inventory of all of the member s recreational facilities, parks and programs, which was then also listed on their websites to increase accessibility to a broader array of facilities. In 2015 CELG wrote a Berks County Community Foundation Grant from the Roger Hiller Fund, which will assist the membership in conducting a 10-year update of their joint comprehensive plan. This decennial effort will focus heavily on planning and programs that will impact the zoning and SALDO efforts for promoting economic development for employment and community services, as well as enhancing their tax base, the lifeblood of every community and school district. CELG believes this is the first planning effort in the Commonwealth in which a multi-municipal school district will be sitting at the table and supporting the development of jobs and non-residential tax ratables. Jeff Fiant, chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Brecknock Township, has chaired the GMACC for a number of years. 7

5 ANNUAL REPORT Assistance in Intergovernmental Cooperation (cont. d) Professional Development The Berks County Water & Sewer Association (BCW&SA) The BCW&SA was initiated in 2013 following the development of two major Berks County Planning Commission countywide studies of service providers and in order address a need to unify the 50-plus water and 40-plus sewer providers in Berks County. The Berks County commissioners reached out to municipalities and providers through the Berks Municipal Partnership to determine if there was interest in identifying the many water and sewer providers and determining if there was a need for better intergovernmental cooperation among the many utility providers of public water and sewer. The full story of the BCW&SA is told separately on page 12 of this report. New in Berks County Municipal Secretaries Association (BCMSA) Recognizing the lack of formal education or even a social operational entity for any of the 73 municipal secretaries in Berks County, CELG began the process of organizing the opportunity for municipal secretaries to gather regularly and discuss and receive current information on the issues and responsibilities for all municipal secretaries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The group has met formally for bimonthly meetings since October 2013 and has discussed the following subjects: Workplace safety, minute and ordinance content, retention, electronic meeting presentations, City/Countywide Blighted Property Review Committee, pension reporting open records, Right to Know Law and Sunshine Act. The Berks County Finance Officers Association (BCFOA) Following 12 months of review and a four-hour conference for nonprofit and municipal finance officers, the BCFOA began to form. The finance conference focused on ethics in accounting, processional financial reporting, and changes being proposed by GASB. Following the format of BCSA, the BCFOA meets every other month and focuses on issues facing finance officers on a daily basis. The first meeting topic focused on the financial and reporting requirements of the emerging federal government healthcare reform including the Cadillac Tax. In February, the BCFOA will focus on policies and procedures for cash management and investment. Berks County Boroughs Association (BCBA) In 2013, recognizing that the BCBA and the Berks County Mayors Association (BCMA) had stopped formally operating effectively and with some of the smallest and oldest boroughs in the Commonwealth, CELG began examining the opportunity to reorganize both the BCBA and the BCMA into one organization representing boroughs in Berks County. The objective in the reorganization was to identify the issues that impeded the redevelopment and revitalization of the challenges facing the Mayors and Borough Councils. The BCBA began meeting formally in January 2014, and elected Gary Kraft as its initial unified BCBA and BCMA president. Meeting five times annually and continuing the tradition of the Annual Clam Bake, the association began an aggressive meeting schedule addressing issues including right of way responsibilities, code enforcement, Penn Dot s new liquid fuels law and its impact on boroughs, Berks County law enforcement from the local and the county perspective, and planning initiatives for boroughs. Executive Committee Gary Kraft, President Mayor, Mohnton Borough Ron Dunkelberger, 1st VP Borough Council President Shillington Borough Vince Balistrieri, 2nd VP Councilman, Womelsdorf Borough John Kahn, At-Large Exec. Comm. Councilman, Laureldale Borough Tammy Gore, At-Large Exec. Comm. Mayor, Fleetwood Borough Bob Myers, Treasurer Councilman, Birdsboro, Borough Paul Janssen, Secretary Director, CELG Local Government Advisory Committee (LOGAC) This committee is comprised of all government entities sponsoring CELG, including Berks County, townships, boroughs and the City of Reading. LOGAC meets three times a year to discuss emerging issues and areas where CELG could provide training to better assist member governments meet the demands of these issues. Local Government Advisory Council Members Jamal Abadalo Manager, Muhlenberg Township Jack Bittig Planning Com., Exeter Township Frank Deery Planning Com., Boyertown Edward Evans Wernersville Borough Jeri Diesinger Manager, Kenhorst Borough Sandy Green Mayor, Kutztown Borough Tammy Gore Mayor, Fleetwood Borough Barbara Hartford School Director, Boyertown Area School District Frank Karoly Planning Com., Longswamp Township Thomas Keim Manager, Robeson Township Fred Levering Borough Council, Wyomissing Borough Thomas McKeon Director, Berks County IDA Shannon Rossman Exec. Dir., Berks County Planning Com. Frank Schnee Council Member, Robesonia Borough Mark Stitzel Supervisor, Perry Township Jay Vaughn Township Manager, Spring Township Sandy Weiser-Pascavage Manager, Leesport Borough Philip Wert Council Member, West Reading Borough Members serving during 2014 and/or 2015 Steve Landes Manager, Muhlenberg Township Master Planner and Advanced Master Planner Partnering with the Berks County Planning Commission, the Berks County Bar Association, and PMPEI, CELG sponsors a three-part training series on zoning, subdivision and land development, and community planning, which culminates in a Master Planner Certificate. CELG also sponsors additional workshops on advanced planning topics 15 additional course hours result in an Advanced Master Planner Certificate. Recent topics have included the Penn Dot HOP process, the green design initiative in development, issues-based comprehensive planning, and mixeduse performance zoning, and source water protection for residential properties. The CELG has granted more than 100 Master Planner certificates, 15 Advanced Master Planner certificates and 30 candidates are currently working on the Advanced Master Planner Certificate. New in 2015 The Berks County Planning Commission and CELG have aligned the Advanced Master Planner series with the members of the Smart Growth Alliance of Berks County (SGA) to identify topics for training Master Planner Graduates: Nick Duchan, Brian Filby, Dave Franke, Laura Mursch 2014 Advanced Master Planner Graduates: Linda Cusimano, Cheryl Franckowiak 2015 Master Planner Graduates: Ray Daub, Jill Greene, Dennis Heimbach, Christin Kelley, Tammy Mitgang, Cheryl Rascoe, Robert Sattazahn, Amrinder Singh 2015 Advanced Master Planner Graduates: Ron Arndt, Devon Hain Additional topics for specialized training The Perfect Storm. EM Kutz, silver sponsor, provides training on the latest equipment available for efficient and effective winter operations including: available equipment, storm water controls and MS4 reporting. In partnership with the Berks County Conservation District (BCCD) and the BCPC, more than 100 officials received 2.5 hours of specific MS4 training. With the BCCD, a program was held regarding the utilization of the BCCD Dirt and Low Volume Road grant program to mitigate storm water erosion associated with these roads. Additional topics include: Cellular Attack; Lerta; Accounting and Finance; and PA Land Use. 8 9

6 ANNUAL REPORT Project and Study Center City of Reading Charter Review Commission Following a requirement of the Home Rule Charter, the City of Reading convened the CRC, and CELG was asked to moderate and facilitate its work. Over a six-month process the CRC reviewed more than 30 different issues with the current Charter. After examination, the CRC recommended that six formal Charter revisions be sent through the formal ballot referendum process and if passed, formally amend the Home Rule Charter for the City of Reading. Upon completion the CELG issued a final report, detailing the issues examined and formal recommendations. Berks County Budget and Law Enforcement Assessment This study is reviewing the current status of law enforcement local police, state police, patrol, probation, court staffing, the DA, county detectives, county jail, parole, adolescent and juvenile services, geographic demographics and Part I and II crimes for their effect on police services and funding. The study will compare Berks County law enforcement efforts with 15 surrounding counties. The Municipal Consolidation of Lower Alsace Township and Mt. Penn Borough CELG facilitated the discussion and formulation of the ballot referendum of the Lower Alsace and Mt. Penn municipal merger and the development of a Home Rule Charter. The work resulted in a unanimous vote of both the Board of Supervisors and Borough Council to submit the Charter to a referendum vote of registered voters in both municipalities. Public input on the Exeter Township Early Intervention Program (EIP) A series of six public meetings to receive input on the Pennsylvania Economy League developed EIP plan for Exeter Township was held. CELG then summarized the comments and submitted a report of the findings to the Board of Supervisors. Independent assessment of annual lease value for the Reading Area Water Authority for the City of Reading CELG conducted an independent analysis of the Annual Lease Value of the Reading Area Water Authority to determine what the legal annual rental payment would be for the Authority to make to the City. City of Reading Comprehensive Plan Update CELG was asked to participate in the task force to update the City of Reading Comprehensive Plan. Underground Fuel and Underground Pipeline Safety: At the request of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters, CELG convened a panel of local officials to examine the issue of new and expanded pipelines due to the dramatic expansion of fracking technology in Pennsylvania as well as states across the Midwest. Jim Moll, engineer for Spring Township; Gary Kraft, mayor of Mohnton Borough; Brian Potts, manager of Bern Township; and Carol Auchenbach, Berks County Planning Commission planner, assembled to examine the issues associated with the new and expanding pipelines. Development of a RFQ/RFP Meter Reading Contract bid process for the Reading Area Water Authority CELG conducted an independent analysis of the current and future meter reading requirement for the Reading Area Water Authority. CELG then developed and released an RFQ/RFP to determine alternatives to their current service. While no firms responded to the request, CELG will be working to determine if the contract requirements can be modified to receive competitive meter reading proposals. The Municipal Consolidation of Upper Tulpehocken Township and Strausstown Borough CELG facilitated the discussion of the Consolidation Committee made up of members of both communities and the potential formulation of the ballot referendum of the Upper Tulpehocken and Strausstown municipal consolidation where Strausstown Borough would become a part of Upper Tulpehocken Township. The committee has been charged with completing their work by February This will enable the two municipalities to consider whether it should be sent to the voters of both municipalities in the form of a consolidation referendum for the spring 2016 election primary. Newly expanded events calendar: Responding to requests for events which would allow officials and center sponsors to interact in a more informal social setting, CELG and the BCW&SA built upon the success of the Municipal Officials Dinner and added an Open House, Golf Outing, and the BCW&SA Annual Conference (described under the BCW&SA section of the report). Each event has allowed county and municipal officials and center sponsors from across the county to gather for greater informal dialogue and social interaction. The Municipal Officials Dinner The 2014 Municipal Officials Dinner was met with a record number of registrations more than 200. Jim Ritzman, deputy secretary for planning, presented Act 89 of 2013, which has significantly altered the formula for liquid fuels funding creating a five-year incremental increase in municipal and county allocations. The 2015 dinner saw registrations increase to more than 210. Attendees heard acting department of economic and community development secretary Dennis Davin outline newly elected Governor Wolf s budget proposals. CELG and BCW&SA Open House Initiated in 2014, the open house was initially held to showcase Albright College s commitment to CELG through our new offices in Roessner Hall. Replacing the old Rockland Building, the site of hundreds of CELG events in its first 20 years, Roessner Hall s state of the art offices and classrooms now host most of the events conducted by CELG and the BCW&SA. With more than 70 registrants, the inaugural open house was a major success resulting in the event becoming annual. The second open house held in 2015 had a slightly different focus with Ed McMahon, a Fellow with the Urban Land Institute, presenting on smart growth principals. His presentation was made possible with a grant from the Reading Berks Realtors Association and funding from the Greater Reading Economic Partnership. In addition, the candidates completing the Master and Advanced Master Planner program were presented with certificates, and the fourth annual Smart Growth Alliance Award was presented to Reading Bike Hub. More than 100 municipal and county officials and private sponsors attended the event. Inaugural CELG and Berks County Water & Sewer Association Golf Outing The first golf outing brought 84 golfers to the Reading Country Club for a day of food, fun and golf. Beginning with lunch at noon and a shotgun start at 1 p.m., the event concluded with cocktails and dinner. The 2016 outing will be held on May 19, Municipal Law Forum Biannually, Kozloff Stoudt hosts the Municipal Law Forum, an evening for municipalities to gather and hear emerging issues in the commonwealth regarding laws and court decisions. In 2014, 105 municipal officials attended

7 ANNUAL REPORT John Kramer, CELG Director Emeritus Recognizing John Kramer s 18 years of development and leadership, as well as his continuing work, Albright College conveyed the title of director emeritus upon his retirement. Kramer has remained active in a number of CELG activities, including: Instruction for the Master and Advanced Master Planning Classes; Participation in the Smart Growth Alliance; Providing contract services for Lower Alsace/Mt. Penn consolidation and the Upper Tulpehocken/Strausstown consolidation; Recipient of the Third Annual BCW&SA Award for his work in developing CELG to be a successful home for the association; Service on the City of Reading Comprehensive Plan Update Committee; Completion of a two-year appointment to the City of Reading School Board, where his ability to build coalitions for effective problem solving has been recognized as a major part of the recent stability the school board has enjoyed. The Richard Trostle Award for Intergovernmental Cooperation The Trostle Award was created in 2012 to recognize elected officials for their work to promote intergovernmental cooperation and services. Richard C. Trostle, a long-time mayor of Mohnton Borough, worked in the Cedar Top Fire Company, serving as fire chief for 33 years. His belief in intergovernmental cooperation lives on annually in the recognition of officials in Berks County. Since 2012, the award has been presented to: John Kramer, director of CELG from 1994 through 2012; Fred Levering, council president of Wyomissing Borough; Jay Vaughn, supervisor of Spring Township; and Ron Dunkelberger, council president of Shillington Borough since 2008 and a member of Borough Council since Local Government in Berks Over the past two years CELG has hosted 10, one-hour BCTV programs on topics including source water protection, disaster planning and management, the Reading area transportation plan, the Mt. Penn/Lower Alsace municipal consolidation, election board requirements for running for a municipal position in Berks County, overview of the BCW&SA Annual Conference on regulatory partners for clean water, the responsibilities of a municipal solicitor and a municipal engineer, an overview of issues related to municipal liability and insurance, and an overview of the findings of the pipeline safety work. Berks County Water & Sewer Association (BCW&SA) Beginning full operation in June 2013, the Berks County Water & Sewer Association (BCW&SA) is now in its third full year of operation and an integral part of the operations of the Center for Excellence in Local Government. It is important to revisit the issues associated with the formation of the BCW&SA. In 1993 the Berks County commissioners requested that the Berks County Planning Commission study the numerous and fragmented providers of public water and sewer in Berks County. The study highlighted the varied providers and issues related to the fragmented system that was in place. At the request of the Berks County Municipal Partnership, the Berks County commissioners agreed that an update was appropriate to the 1993 study. The update highlighted the fragmentation present in cooperation for key issues related to planning, emergency response and most importantly, systematic economic development. As a result of the studies, the significant providers of both water and sewer services began meeting in the fall of Following a series of meetings, six organizations provided seed funding for the organization of the BCW&SA. The association was formalized in January of 2013, and the Greater Reading Economic Partnership, together with the Western Berks Water Authority, the City of Reading, the Reading Area Water Authority, the Joint Municipal Authority of Hamburg, and the Pennsylvania American Water Corporation, committed funds to the organization. The BCW&SA began its first year of operation in June of For the past two years the association has been under the umbrella of the CELG at Albright College, which provides 501c(3) status and acts as the Fiduciary Agent, providing Secretariat duties. This allows the association to focus their resources on training, cooperation and safe water and sewer operations throughout Berks County. Unlike CELG, the Berks County Water and Sewer Association is a membership-based association. Membership is comprised of public and private water and/or waste water systems, managers and operators of the systems, engineers and solicitors, and private corporations including supply companies, laboratories and accountants. Training has focused on the following: Source water protection, disaster planning and management, and working through the agencies and regulations which effect the water and sewer providers in Pennsylvania. More than 15 hours of continuing education hours have been offered in Berks County through the BCW&SA. Topics including revised coli form rules, process instrument verification, distribution monitoring, hypochlorite verification, vulnerability self-assessment training, pipeline maintenance and leak detection were among those discussed at workshops. More than 320 attended the conferences and workshops in 2014 and In 2014, recognizing the immediate impact the BCW&SA has had on economic development, source water protection and disaster planning and readiness response, Smart Growth Alliance presented the association with its third Annual Alliance Award. Also in 2014, the Berks County commissioners were presented the Second Annual Award for commitment to the principals of the association and their financial commitment to its success. In 2015, the award was presented to former CELG director John Kramer for his work to foster intergovernmental cooperation, which is so critical to the success of the association. Berks County Water & Sewer Association Board of Directors Chip Bilger, Chairman Western Berks Water Authority Keith Brobst, Vice Chairman Hamburg Municipal Authority Shannon Rossman, Secretary Berks County Planning Commission Paul Janssen, Treasurer Center for Excellence in Local Government At-Large Executive Committee Dean Miller, Reading Area Water Authority Brian Hassinger, Pennsylvania American Water Charlie Jones, City of Reading A Letter from the Executive Director It has been my pleasure to serve as the president of the association over the first three years of its existence. The BCW&SA serves the authorities, municipalities, and the private water and sewer providers across Berks County, and in some cases, in adjacent counties. The association has focused on three major priorities, economic development, source water protection, and disaster planning and response, all critical to the quality of life of all citizens in Berks County. You will read about the activities and functions about the BCW&SA further in this report. However, I need to address a component of both CELG and the BCW&SA that is critical to our future operation. As you may know, recently both CELG and the BCW&SA embarked on a development effort to more fully engage both operational and financial support from corporations and companies working in and around Berks County. As a member of the Community Advisory Board, I and many of the members of the board met with firms engaged in many aspects of municipal services in Berks County. The purpose of the effort was to develop funding to expand all aspects of CELG and BCW&SA operations.the response was overwhelming and is a large part of the new operations offered at the center. Whether it is subsidizing the cost of the Master Planner and Advanced Master Planner Program or the Open House, or the cost of the Annual Dinner (which is the best $15 meal in Berks County), providing funding for a communications and finance assistant to expand CELG operations, the support of the corporate sponsors is critical to CELG and BCW&SA operations. Another aspect of our corporate support is their integral involvement in the events, workshops, and training opportunities of the center. On behalf of the BCW&SA and CELG, it is my pleasure to extend our thanks for all of the support of our corporate sponsors, who are so critical to our success. Sincerely, Chip Bilger, Executive Director Western Berks Water Authority Chairman, BCW&SA 12 13

8 Municipal Sponsorship Corporate Sponsorship Revenues and Expenses CELG exists to support all 73 municipalities and Berks County itself. Sponsorship is voluntary for any municipality. However, in addition to providing premier sponsorship directly to CELG, the Berks County Commissioners match every dollar of funding paid from municipalities. ($5,000 or more) County of Berks ($2,000 to $4,999) City of Reading Spring Township Wyomissing Borough Muhlenberg Township ($1,000 to $1,999) Amity Township Cumru Township Exeter Township Laureldale Township ($500 to $999) Bern Township Brecknock Township Kenhorst Borough Kutztown Borough Longswamp Township Lower Alsace Township Lower Heidelberg Township Perry Township Robesonia Borough St. Lawrence Borough (<$500) Alsace Township Bectelsville Borough Bernville Borough Bethel Township Birdsboro Borough Boyertown Borough Caernarvon Township Centerport Borough District Township Douglass Township Earl Township Fleetwood Borough Greenwich Township Hamburg Borough Heidelberg Township Hereford Township Marion Township Jefferson township Leesport Borough Maidencreek Township Maxatawny Township Mohnton Borough Penn Township Ontelaunee Township Mount Penn Borough North Heidelberg Township New Morgan Borough Richmond Township Robeson Township Tilden Township Rockland Township Ruscombmanor Township Shillington Borough Sinking Spring Borough South Heidelberg Township Topton Borough Tulpehocken Township Upper Tulpehocken Township Washington Township Windsor Township Union Township West Penn Township Wernersville Borough West Reading Borough Womelsdorf Borough Berks County Assoc. of Twp Officials Since its inception, CELG has been funded through a combination of municipal, county and corporate contributions. In an effort to grow services, CELG created an expanded corporate sponsorship program in 2015 with giving levels ranging from premier sponsor to entrylevel support. Corporate sponsors provide CELG s primary support for speakers, trainers, events and workshops. A heartfelt thanks to all of our corporate sponsors! We are truly grateful for your support. s Berks County Commissioners EHD (Engle Hambright) Greater Reading Economic Partnership Hartman, Valeriano, Magovern & Lutz, P.C. Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys Kraft Code Services, LLC SSM Group, Inc. Gold Sponsors COMCAST Fulton Bank Masono Bradley, LLP Silver Sponsors E. M. Kutz Fox Rothschild, LLP Gilmore and Associates, Inc. McCarthy Engineering Assoc., Inc. Bronze Sponsors Concord Public Financial Advisors Georgeadis, Setley, Attorneys and Advisors JetPay Payroll Services Metro Bank Entry Sponsors Boyer Engineering, LLC E. J. Breneman, L. P. Kraft Engineering McMahon Associates, Inc. Mogel, Speidel, Bobb and Kershner Corporate Sponsors Private Sponsors Municipal Sponsors Corporate Sponsors Corporate Sponsors 39% Private Sponsors Municipal Sponsors 6% 34% Revenue - CELG CELG May % 25% Total income = 161,430 BCW&SA Revenue - May- 15 BCW&SA 26% 27% Total income = 54,021 Combined Revenue Combined May % 32% 11% 25% Total income = 215,451 20% 17% Fees for Service Contract Revenue Fees for Service 8% Contract Revenue Municipal Sponsors Fees for Service Contract Revenue Program Materials Program Materials Administra/on Program Materials Administra/on Expenses CELG May CELG 27% Expenses - BCW&SA BCW&SA May- 15 8% 10% 4% 82% 70% Total expense = 159,425 Total expense = 36,383 Expenses Combined - Combined May- 15 Administra/on 23% 5% 72% Total expense = 195,808 Personal & Instruc/on Personal & Instruc/on Personal & Instruc/on 14 15

9 Albright College, Thirteenth & Bern Streets, P.O. Box 15234, Reading, PA