Consider for adoption a resolution authorizing a personal property disposal policy.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Township of Lower Merion (“Township”) is authorized to dispose of personal property by a process set forth in the First Class Township Code; and  

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners seeks to establish a policy to direct Township personnel in this regard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township of Lower Merion, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that personal property, to include surplus equipment, in the hands of the Township shall be disposed of as follows:

1.   Departments or Divisions within the Township shall, periodically, prepare an itemization of personal property, including excess equipment, identified for sale and/or disposal.

2.   The Chief Financial Officer of the Township, working with such Departments or Divisions, will determine an estimated fair market value of each item to be sold based upon its age, condition, value and past comparable sales of similar equipment. Item(s) can be valued and thereafter sold as a lot.

3.   If the estimated fair market value is under $2,000, the Department or Division will send a description of the item(s) together with pictures to be uploaded to GovDeals or a similar website providing a mechanism for immediate public auction.  Alternatively, the item(s) may be sold by the Department or Division head through private sale if approved in writing by the Chief Financial Officer and deemed in the Township’s best interest.  Following the sale and payment to the Township arrangement shall be made for the item(s) to be picked-up or delivered to the purchaser.

4.   If the estimated fair market value of the item(s) exceeds $2,000, the Chief Financial Officer will seek a resolution of the Board of Commissioners approving the sale of such item(s) by public auction. 

5.   Following approval by the Board of Commissioners, the procedure for the sale shall be as follows:

a.   The item(s) listed for sale together with the time and date of the public auction shall be advertised once in a generally circulated local newspaper no less than 10 days prior to public auction with instructions on the process for bidding.

b.  Information and pictures related to the item(s) being sold by auction shall be uploaded to the GovDeals or a similar website for online or electronic auction sale.  Alternatively, the Chief Financial Officer may use another auction provider. 

c.   Sale shall be made to the best responsible bidder.   The record of an electronic auction shall be accessible for public inspection.

d.  The Chief Financial Officer may reject any bid believed to be less than the fair market value of the property.

e.   Following the sale, immediate payment shall be made and the Township shall arrange for the item(s) to be picked-up or delivered to the purchaser.

6.   The provisions set forth above shall not be required:

a.   Where Township property is to be traded in or exchanged for new Township property; or

b.   Where Township property is sold or exchanged with a public utility; or

c.   Where Township property is sold to a county, city, borough, town, township, institution district, school district, volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service or volunteer rescue squad located within the township, or to an authority; or

d.   Where Township property, except for that which is owned and operated by the Township in order to conduct existing governmental functions, is sold to a nonprofit corporation engaged in community industrial, commercial or affordable housing development for its reuse.

7.   The Chief Financial Officer will bring any personal property transfer to an organization described in section 6 with an estimated value above $2,000 to the Board for approval.