When: Manheim Township Board of Commissioners meeting, Sept. 8.
What happened: The board voted unanimously to reject bids for the Sand Trap snack bar renovation project at Overlook Golf Course due to higher than budgeted prices.
Details: The bids were for the renovation and expansion that would have enclosed part of an existing patio and built a larger bar. The renovation would have provided seating for 140, nearly three times the current amount. It would have also included four new restrooms.
By the numbers: The township had budgeted $700,000 for the renovations.
Public comment: Resident William Schnelli brought up his concerns during public comments.
Quotable: “Why is our township spending or funding this kind of money toward what should be a private enterprise developed elsewhere?” Schnelli read from a prepared statement. “It will disrupt the Overlook golf course, pose traffic problems, as well as safety concerns for golfers as well as others using Overlook facilities.”
What’s next: In an email after the meeting, Township Manager Rick Kane said, “The bids were rejected so there is no project.”
Parks and rec plan: The board unanimously adopted a resolution for the parks and recreation strategic plan and master plan, after the matter was tabled at the Aug. 25 meeting.
Details: The 10-year master plan includes: program and facilities inventory, needs identification and capacity analysis, environmental constraints, concepts and alternatives, priority improvements and capital budgeting, and goals, objectives and actions. The plan can be found on the township’s website.
Commissioner comments: Commissioner Carol Gifford expressed concerns that environmental features were not specifically outlined in the plan, including native plants and no-mow zones in individual parks.
Quotable: “If we care enough about financial sustainability, we should care enough about environmental sustainability,” Gifford said.
Discussion: President Stacey Morgan Brubaker said the master plan is meant to be a guide, not a directive. Andy Bowman, assistant township manager, said the township will complete several master plans in the coming years. The no-mow policy is outlined in the appendix of the plan, and native plantings and mitigation of non-invasive species are done every year through public works, he said.
Quotable: “Those concepts have been in place for years, both in public works and parks and recreation, and I don’t foresee that changing now,” Bowman said. “This is giving us direction on the next decade for master planning, and it’s giving us a 5-year strategic plan.”
Treasurer: The board voted passed a resolution appointing Kristina Kerper as township treasurer/finance director at an annual salary of $115,000. Kerper replaces Judi Lumis, who left in April.
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