PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 – 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President John K. Lear.  President Lear led with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Answering roll call were Council members:
Bruce Lord, Bill Clinton, Joan Wieder, Vicki J. Lightcap, Douglas K. Landis, Vice President Michael R. Mensch and President John K. Lear.

Also present this evening was Mayor Ethel Ritchey, Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Engineer John Katsaros, Rick Krupp, Roads Department, and Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz.

Public Comment Period
   Gerald Gabel, 509 Pottstown Avenue, commended the Roads Department for the outstanding job they did with recent snow plowing. 

Communications
   None

Committee Reports
Roads Committee
   Councilor Mensch reported several minor incidents related to snow plowing including a damaged fence and mailbox. The Post Office will be contacted to confirm appropriate placement of mailboxes and letters will be mailed to residents with this information.

   A list of expenses from the first snow storm, including overtime hours for plowing and salt used, was forwarded to FEMA in order to receive possible reimbursement.
   The total amount of money used this year for snow removal will be the figure used for next year’s budget.

   The condition of Long Alley, between 6^th and 8^th Streets, was discussed. The Roads Department cold patched many of the pot holes, but the situation will need to be further addressed in the spring.

Facilities/Energy Committee

   Councilor Lord reported on the heating issues at the Borough building. Councilor Lord has been in contact with Graber Electric and is waiting to talk to Young’s Petroleum for the current status.

   A five year plan for the Borough building was presented including three possible options:  1.) remodel the building making it more efficient using green energy  
2.) lease/purchase another building 3.) purchase a new building.

Councilor Lord reported that there is money available through “green grants”.  Outsiders will be brought in, at no cost to the borough, to evaluate the building and the garage and
provide a recommendation.

   The committee will also look into chairs for the council table.

 Safety/Fire Co./Emergency Management
   Councilor Lord reported that the committee met with the Fire Company. The Fire Company expressed concerns about locating fire hydrants during a snow storm. President Lear indicated that the borough could purchase makers or flags next year. President Lear also mentioned that the borough should create a formal snow plowing policy and incorporate who would be responsible for uncovering snow from the hydrants.
   The emergency management trailer was also mentioned.  A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Lightcap and unanimous to donate the lights on the trailer to the Pennsburg Fire Company.  The committee will find out where the trailer and generator were obtained from and return them accordingly.

   Councilor Lord will report several hazardous buildings, as indicated by the Fire Company, to the Building and Zoning Officer, Edward Seidel. 
   The Fire Company would also like to see an Ordinance requiring buildings to have their fire alarms connected to a central alarm system.
   Carmen Merolla will attend the Council Meeting on April 20, 2010, to explain the Emergency Management Plan and NIMS requirements.

Revitalization

   Councilor Lightcap reported that she will be presenting the completed Revitalization Plan to the County Revitalization Board on March 23, 2010.  Council members chose a cover and discussed the suggestion by Brian O’Leary, Montgomery County Planning Commission, to shift the priority ranking of the façade improvement program from medium to high. A discussion followed concerning the appropriate timing to approve the Revitalization Plan.  The Solicitor indicated that at times, Montgomery County required a formal Resolution to approve these types of plans.

   Because of the uncertainty as to whether or not formal action was required, Borough Council approved in concept the Revitalization Plan, including the façade improvement program change to a high priority ranking.  If necessary, Council will take additional action on the Plan after it has been presented to the Montgomery County Revitalization Board on March 23rd.

     Councilor Lightcap also reported on the various meetings she attended.

Solid Waste/Recycling
   President Lear reported that the most recent regional recycling grant was received and monies would be distributed to each municipality.

Regional Planning
   President Lear reported that the transit study was discussed and the last update on the Comprehensive Plan was finalized.  Council members were encouraged to familiarize themselves with the plan for upcoming meetings with the public. 

  Council decided that the preliminary informational meeting with the County should include all of the municipalities.

Police Commission
   Mr. Fox, Assistant Headmaster of the Perkiomen School, inquired about the possibility of police patrolling the school grounds.  The Commission will look into costs.

Consent Agenda
  A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the
February 2, 1010, Borough Council meeting and the February Treasurer’s Report.

OLD BUSINESS
BYOB Ordinance

   Solicitor Garner presented a draft Ordinance for discussion.  The Ordinance will apply to establishments that permit, promote and/or advertise their business as a BYOB.  The BYOB Ordinance will be presented for adoption at the next Council meeting in April including a $100.00 application fee.
  A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to authorize the advertising of the BYOB Ordinance.

NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION - A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Wieder and unanimous to adopt the Local Government Fiscal Assistant Act which would provide direct funding to local governments for publics services.
Montgomery County Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to authorize Secretary Jeanne W. Hopkins, to apply for funding in the amount of $40,000.00 to offset the matching requirement of the Revitalization Phase V streetscape project.
 
Revitalization Phase VI
   Drew Sonntag, URDC, provided a cost of $750.00 to prepare a Powerpoint presentation and complete the grant for this project.

   A Motion was made by Lightcap, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to authorize Urban Research and Development to prepare the grant for Phase VI and prepare a Powerpoint presentation for the Montgomery County Revitalization Board.

Gas and Diesel deliveries
   President Lear explained that Farm & Home was not awarded the “piggyback” bid through the County for gas and diesel deliveries this year.  Riggins from southern New Jersey was awarded the bid.  A contract is not required with Riggins. It was decided to stay with the “piggy back” program, and utilize Riggins for fuel, saving the advertising costs of going out on bid.

11^th & Main Street Traffic Signal
   Payment # 2 to Lenni Electric in the amount of $30,147.82, was approved on a Motion by Clinton, a second by Landis and unanimous.

The bills for payment in March were approved with the addition of a bill from URCD for Phase IV Streetscape Project in the amount of $4,305.00, with a Motion by Landis, second by Mensch and unanimous.

A Motion was made by Clinton to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa M. Hiltz
Administrative Assistant