ANNOUNCEMENTS
CANCELLED - Monthly Township Supervisors' Meeting - Thursday, January 9th, 2025
The monthly Board of Supervisors' meeting originally scheduled for this Thu8rsday, January 9th, 2025 has been canceled to allow all Supervisors to attend the meeting of the Central Berks Regional Police Commission. This meeting is a joint meeting with all of the members of the Mount Penn Borough Council and Mayor required to attend. The discussion will go over the proposed study of the police department and to discuss select issues related to a merger of the municipalities. The meeting will be held at the Mount Penn Borough Hall, 200 North 25th Street, Reading, PA 19606 at 6:30 P.M.
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ATTENTION! CHANGE IN LOCATION!! JOINT PUBLIC MEETING OF BOTH MOUNT PENN BOROUGHJ & LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE AND THE BOROUGH OF MOUNT PENN, BERKS COUNTY TO THE RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS OF THE, PENNSYLVANIA,
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Lower Alsace and the Borough Council of the Borough of Mount Penn, are scheduled, on January 9, 2025 at 6:30 P.M. , to meet during the meeting of the Central Berks Regional Police Commission meeting already scheduled. This meeting is a public meeting which will be held at the Mount Penn Borough Hall building, 200 North 25th Street, Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania, beginning at 6:30 p.m., prevailing time.
The purpose of this joint meeting is to discuss items related to the discussion of a merger between the two municipalities and discuss a proposed study of the operations of the Central Berks Regional Police Department to be conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through a grant to be obtained by the Borough of Mount Penn. Residents of both municipalities are invited to attend.
Don Pottiger, Township Manager and Hunter Ahrens, Borough Manager
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING - DROP OFF PROGRAM
Lower Alsace Township Christmas Tree Recycling
The Township Supervisors and Staff of Lower Alsace Township hope everyone enjoys the holidays. Gatherings with family, opening presents, and enjoying time off from your labors are all things everyone looks forward to at this special time of year.
Unfortunately, after the holiday comes a time that no one really enjoys, … and that is taking down all the decorations! No matter when you do this, the one thing the Township can help with is disposing your tree! The Township will have a drop off location at the flag pole which is right off of Carsonia Avenue at the Township building. Please feel free to drop off your trees at the concrete pad behind the flagpole and the Township will dispose of them for you! Just look for the sign at the flagpole!
We ask that the trees do not have lights, decorations, tree stands, or tree or trash bags – just the tree (which makes it easy to run through the wood chipper). The trees will be chipped using the chipper which is used during the tree branch collection program. If you have any questions, please call the office and let us know.
Happy Holidays!
LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA - DECEMBER 30, 2024 - 6:30 P.M. - APPROVAL OF 2025 BUDGET
Special Meeting of the Board of Supervisors - 2025 Budget Approval
December 30, 2024 at 6:30 PM
John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
II. PRESENTATIONS
A. None noted.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A. None scheduled.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Motion to approve the minutes of the December 12, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting to be approved at the January 9, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisor’s Meeting .
V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT
VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS (if any updates)
A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.
B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.
C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.
D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.
E. Antietam School District – Supervisor Sellers.
VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT (if any updates)
A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.
VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT (if any updates)
A. Engineer’s report to be presented.
IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS - no new reports
A. Planning Hearing Board:
1) Nothing new to report.
B. Zoning Hearing Board:
1) Nothing new to report.
C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.
X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS
A. No new Treasurer’s reports.
B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.
XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL (no new reports)
A. Central Berks Police Department
1. Nothing new to report.
B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department
1. Nothing new to report.
C. Sewage Enforcement Officer
1. Nothing new to report.
D. Zoning and Building Code Officer
1. Nothing new to report.
E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company
1. Nothing new to report.
F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association
1. Nothing new to report.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Final comments on the 2025 Lower Alsace Township budget and presentation of the Ordinances to adopt the 2025 Lower Alsace Township budget and approve Tax Millage rates.
1. Ordinance approving the 2025 Budget of Lower Alsace Township.
2. Ordinance approving the 2025 Tax Millage Rates for Lower Alsace Township.
B. Discussion of staffing – update on road crew position.
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion of the joint meeting with the elected officials of Mount Penn Borough to discuss a proposed study of the Central Berks Regional Police Department to be conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. In addition, a brief discussion on the status of consideration of merger with Mount Penn Borough, including scheduling future meetings and future goals, may take place at the joint meeting if time allows. The proposed study of the Central Berks Regional Police Department will be paid for by a grant from the Strategic Management Planning Program (SMPP) which Mount Penn Borough is receiving. The joint meeting will be held as part of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors’ meeting to be held on January 9th, 2025 at the Lower Alsace Township Municipal Building.
XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT
XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive session if necessary.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
The Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will conduct their annual Township Reorganization meeting, which will be held on January 3, 2025, at 8:30 AM.
The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on January 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP - 2025 BUDGET APPROVAL - MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2024 AT 6:30 PM
TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF 2025 BUDGET FOR INSPECTION
AND INTENT TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF 2025 BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that the 2025 Budget of the Township of Lower Alsace is available for public inspection, and copying, at the Lower Alsace Township Offices at the Township Building located at 1200 Carsonia Avenue, Reading, Pennsylvania between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on the days that the Township Offices are open for business. Notice is also given that the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Lower Alsace intends to consider adoption of the Budget at the special Township Supervisors’ meeting on December 30, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Supervisors Board Room in the Township Building. Copies of the Budget are available for inspection at no charge or copies may be made at the Township rate, which charge is not greater than the cost thereof, at the Township Building of the Township at 1200 Carsonia Avenue, Reading, PA, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on regular business days of the Township.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
Don Pottiger, Manager, Lower Alsace Township
LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' MEETING AGENDA - DECEMBER 12, 2024 - 6:30 P.M.
John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
II. PRESENTATIONS
A. Rhonda Mayer from Tompkins Insurance Agencies will discuss the new proposal for Township health insurance.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A. None scheduled.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.
V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT
VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS
A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.
B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.
C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.
D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.
E. Antietam School District – Supervisor Sellers.
VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT
A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.
B. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue.
C. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road.
D. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.
E. Update on the status of property on Eagle Lane.
F. Update on the status of commercial vehicle parking in the 900 block of Brighton Avenue.
G. Discussion of the property on 1400 block of Friedensburg Road – converting commercial property (bar & restaurant) to commercial property (wellness center).
H. Discussion of the property on 800 block of Carsonia Avenue.
I. Discussion of letter received from the Solicitor for Antietam Valley Municipal Authority regarding a proposed amendment to increase its term of existence for an additional fifty (50) years.
VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Engineer’s report to be presented.
B. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along Lewis Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT. Cost estimates from Eshbach Masonry have been received.
C. Discussions on the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal Grant and project.
IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS
A. Planning Hearing Board:
1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on December 4th, 2024. The agenda of that meeting is included for the Supervisors’ review and commentary.
B. Zoning Hearing Board:
1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on December 5th, 2024. The agenda of that meeting is included for the Supervisors’ review and commentary.
C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.
X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS
A. Motion to accept the November 30, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.
B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.
XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL
A. Central Berks Police Department
1. November 2024 report.
B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department
1. November 2024 report.
C. Sewage Enforcement Officer
1. November 2024 report.
D. Zoning and Building Code Officer
1. November 2024 report.
E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company
1. November report.
F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association
1. November report.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues have been received by the Township. If additional problems arise, a phone conference call with representatives of the organization will be scheduled to discuss these concerns.
B. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. A follow up meeting with owner of property and operator of business, the Township zoning official, the Solicitor, and the Township Manager was held on November 12th to review what corrections have been made. More progress was noted, but there is still more work to be done.
C. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.
D. Update on the status of property on Eagle Lane. The property was approved for a single rental unit on September 23, 2024.
E. Discussion on commercial vehicle parking in the 900 block of Brighton Avenue – noise issues with refrigeration unit.
F. Discussion of the property on 1400 block of Friedensburg Road – converting commercial property (bar & restaurant) to commercial property (wellness center).
G. Discussion of the property on 800 block of Carsonia Avenue.
H. Update on the status of property on 100 block of Midland Avenue.
I. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time. Work progresses.
J. Discussion on fence concerns at property in 600 block of Penndale Avenue.
K. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance. A new grant application was submitted.
L. Continue discussions on the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project.
M. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along Lewis Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT. Cost estimates from Eshbach Masonry have been received.
N. Discussion of staffing – update on road crew position.
O. Update on the status of consideration of merger with Mount Penn Borough, including the results of a presentation by Pennsylvania Economy League and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development presented at the November 19th, 2024 Mount Penn Borough Council Workshop meeting.
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Motion to advertise the proposed Ordinance to approve an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Antietam Valley Municipal Authority to increase the Authority’s term of existence by an additional fifty years from the date of the filing of the Articles of Amendment.
B. Discussion of letter received from Troy Goodman, President of Mount Penn Borough Council, requesting a Letter of Support from the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors for approval of a review of the Central Berks Regional Police Department’s finances, operations, municipal contracts, and collective bargaining agreement, which will be performed in cooperation with the Strategic Management Planning Program and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
C. Motion to approve Letter of Support for approval of a review of the Central Berks Regional Polce Department to be signed by the Board of Supervisors.
D. Discussion of the preparation of the 2024 budget. Draft budget to be presented. The budget will be approved at a special meeting to be scheduled for December 30, 2024, to be held at 6:30 P.M.
E. Authorization to advertise the 2025 Lower Alsace Township budget (to be approved at the December 30th, 2024 special meeting).
F. Presentation of the Resolutions to adopt the 2025 Lower Alsace Township budget and approve Tax Millage rates.
1. Resolution approving the 2025 Budget of Lower Alsace Township.
2. Resolution approving the 2025 Tax Millage Rates for Lower Alsace Township.
G. Authorization to advertise the adoption of an Ordinance to approve an Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of the Antietam Valley Municipal Authority to increase the Authority’s term of existence by an additional fifty years from the date of the filing of the Articles of Amendment.
H. Discussion on the results of the review of quotes received for third party administrators for the Township’s health insurance benefits package.
I. Presentation of a Resolution and possible Motion to Approve Tompkins Insurance Companies as provider of health insurance benefits based upon the review of proposals noted above.
J. Approval of the advertising of the Special meeting to approve the 2025 Budget after public review period to be held Monday, December 30, 2024 at 6:30 P.M.
K. Approval of the Township declared Holidays for 2025.
L. Approval of the advertising of the calendar of Township meetings for 2025.
M. Discussion of the status of the Township newsletter.
N. Possible action on advertising for bids for the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project when plans are ready.
XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT
XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive session if necessary.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be a Special meeting to be held at 6:30 P.M. on December 30, 2024, to approve the 2025 Budget.
The Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will conduct their annual Township Reorganization meeting. The meeting date at time is to be determined at the December 12, 2024 meeting and will be advertised as part of the calendar of Township meetings of 2025 as noted above.
The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on January 2, 2025.
ATTENTION - Update on Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority's project at Crystal Lake (aka Carsonia Lake)
An update on the Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority's project at Crystal Lake (aka Carsonia Lake) from Joseph Boyle - Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors:
On behalf of the Mount Penn Borough Municipal Authority (MPBMA), the Authority wishes to notify of the Crystal Lake Phase I restoration beginning on Monday, December 2, 2024. The entire perimeter of the lake section of Carsonia Park will be closed to the general public for approximately 80 days.
Flyway Excavating, Mount Joy, PA, will perform lake rehabilitation activities in accordance with the Authority approved nationwide permits of #3 and #27. (NAP - 2018 - 00059).
Please feel free to contact me with any questions related to this notification.
Joseph L. Boyle, MEd
MPBMA Board of Directors - V. Chair
MPBMA Source Water Protection Program - Chair
200 N. 25th Street
Reading, PA 19606
610-779-4900 office
[email protected]
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING - DECEMBER 4TH, 2024 AT 7:00 P.M.
Planning Commission
“Building a Better Community”
AGENDA
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
1. Call the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. Pledge to the Flag
3. Approve Minutes of May 1, 2024 – 919 Brighton Avenue
4. Address visitors & reason for attending
5. Application Reviews
a) 100 Antietam Road – Antietam School District
The Board will consider the Application of Antietam School District for Land Development under Section 502 of the Municipalities Planning Code and Ordinance for Lower Alsace Township and Mount Penn Borough of 2011, as amended, to allow the property located at 100 Antietam Road to be redeveloped into a K-3 Elementary Center in the R-4 Zoning District.
b) 824 Carsonia Avenue – Mark Hummel
The Board will consider the Application of Mark Hummel for a variance to allow the property located at 824 Carsonia Avenue to revert from a commercial property into a single-family home in the C-1 Zoning District.
6. Adjournment - Next Meeting will be held as needed
AGENDA - TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS' MEETING - NOVEMBER 14th, 2024 AT 6:30 P.M.
LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP - AGENDA - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' MEETING - NOVEMBER 14th, 2024 AT 6:30 P.M.
John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
II. PRESENTATIONS
A. None scheduled.
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
A. None scheduled.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A. Motion to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2024, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ Meeting.
V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT
VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS
A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.
B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.
C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.
D. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – Supervisor Sellers.
E. Antietam Valley School District – Supervisor Sellers.
VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT
A. Solicitor’s report to be presented.
B. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue.
C. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road.
D. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.
E. Update on the status of property on Eagle Lane.
F. Update on the status of commercial vehicle parking in the 900 block of Brighton Avenue.
VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT
A. Engineer’s report to be presented.
B. Motion to approve Payment #2 to Construction Masters Services, LLC for the 2024 Road Paving projects in the amount of $82,219.40, which is funded by the 2024 state Liquid Fuels revenues received this year. This is the final payment for completion of the project.
C. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along Lewis Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT. Cost estimates from Eshbach Masonry have been received.
D. Discussions on the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal Grant and project
IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS
A. Planning Hearing Board:
1) No new meetings of the Planning Commission have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on May 1, 2024.
B. Zoning Hearing Board:
1) No new meetings of the Zoning Hearing Board have been scheduled at this time. The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on May 20th, 2024.
C. Antietam Valley Recreation Commission – no report.
X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS
A. Motion to accept the September 30, 2024, Treasurer’s reports.
B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.
XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL
A. Central Berks Police Department
1. October 2024 report.
B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department
1. October 2024 report.
C. Sewage Enforcement Officer
1. October 2024 report.
D. Zoning and Building Code Officer
1. October 2024 report.
E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company
1. October report.
F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association
1. October report.
XII. OLD BUSINESS
A. Update on the status of property on 700 block of Brighton Avenue – issues with residents living on site. No current issues have been received by the Township. If additional problems arise, a phone conference call with representatives of the organization will be scheduled to discuss these concerns.
B. Update on the status of property on 1500 block of Friedensburg Road – number of vehicles on property. A follow up meeting with owner of property and operator of business, the Township zoning official, the Solicitor, and the Township Manager was held on November 12th to review what corrections have been made. More progress was noted, but there is still more work to be done
C. Update on the status of the use and occupancy permit application for property on 1300 block of Friedensburg Road – ongoing construction and conversion into apartments. All necessary permits have been applied for and approved at this time. Work progresses.
D. Update on the status of property on 100 block of Midland Avenue.
E. Update on the status of vehicles parked along the zero hundred block of Cornell Street.
F. Update on the status of property on Eagle Lane. The property was approved for a single rental unit on September 23, 2024.
G. Discussion on commercial vehicle parking in the 900 block of Brighton Avenue – noise issues with refrigeration unit.
H. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance and for Lower Alsace Township. No updates have been received by the Township from the state. A new grant application period is now open.
I. Continue discussions on the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project.
J. Discussion of damages incurred to a stone wall along Lewis Road which may have resulted from the traffic detoured during the construction work performed by PennDOT. Cost estimates from Eshbach Masonry have been received.
K. Discussion on fence concerns at property in 600 block of Penndale Avenue.
L. Discussion of staffing – update on road crew position
XIII. NEW BUSINESS
A. Possible action on advertising for bids for the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal project when plans are ready.
B. Discussion of the property on 1400 block of Friedensburg Road – converting commercial property (bar & restaurant) to commercial property (wellness center).
C. Discussion of the property on 800 block of Carsonia Avenue – converting commercial property to single family residential. Planning and zoning review is scheduled for December.
D. Discussion on health insurance proposals.
E. Discussion on budget timeline and setting up a budget workshop meeting to review draft budget prior to December Supervisors meeting when budget will be voted on for approval.
XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT
XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Executive session if necessary.
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on December 12th, 2024.
ATTENTION: Burn Ban Is Now In Place In Lower Alsace Township
ATTENTION - RESIDENTS OF LOWER ALSACE:
The Lower Alsace Fire Company Fire Chief has recommended and the Township Supervisors have agreed that a 30 day temporary ban of ALL burning, including all recreational burning be put in place during this extended drought, The state Department of Conservation & Natural Resources has rated our county at a Forecast Fire Danger level of HIGH as of October 28, 2024. The ban could be lifted as soon as significant rainfall has been recorded.