PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
July 7, 2009 – 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: President John K. Lear, Vice President William Clinton, Ethel G. Ritchey, Bruce Lord, and Darren Robinson.  Due to employment obligations, Councilor James Campbell was present via speaker phone.

Also present this evening was Mayor Vicki Lightcap, Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz, Roads Assistant Rick Krupp and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.

Public Comment
Craig Snell, 210 W. 3^rd Street, shared concerns about fireworks set off within the borough.  President Lear said he would check with the police department on the matter and ask the borough office to mark the calendar for June 2010 to have a discussion with the Police Chief on the issue of fireworks within the borough. Also, the fireworks ordinance will be posted on the website next year.

Councilor Gerald Gabel arrived.

Consent Agenda

A Motion was made by Ritchey, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the June 2, 2009 Borough Council Meeting, the June Treasurer’s Report and authorization for Fire Police services at the E. Greenville Fire Co. Carnival July 8-11, 2009.

The Administrative Manager will attend a PSAB Webinar on Understanding & Preparing the 2010 Pension Plan MMO, on July 28, 2009.  A Motion was made by Robinson, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous to approve the Webinar cost of $30.00.

Emergency Management
Councilor Lord reported that the EMS day, scheduled for the fall, was discussed at a recent emergency management meeting.  He reminded elected officials that NIMS training courses need to be completed.  A NIMS training course for 300 and 400 series is being scheduled for this fall.  The Administrative Manager reminded elected officials to forward a copy of their certifications to the borough office as they complete each course.

Revitalization
Councilor Clinton reported the final draft of the revitalization plan is in hand.  All elected officials were given a copy of the draft for their review and comment.

Community Day
Chairperson, Linda Campbell, reported on the progress being made in planning the September  12^th event.  The next meeting is scheduled for July 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the borough council chambers.

Police Commission
President Lear reported the new police car computers have arrived and will be installed soon.

Regional Planning
President Lear reported new land use chapters for the Comprehensive Plan update are in hand.  The Secretary will distribute the chapters for council’s review and comment. 

Roads Committee
Road repairs - Rick Krupp’ provided a list of alleys and roads that are scheduled for spot milling and paving.  A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to authorize the road work as recommended by the Roads Assistant.

Permit for Dumpsters – Rick suggested a permit be developed for dumpsters that are placed on the street.  The permit would require reflective tape and orange cones for the safety of motorists.  The borough office will search for legislation already in place in other municipalities and forward to council members for their review.

Chipping trees – Rick reported that more and more people are cutting down trees and placing the branches at the curb for chipping.  The chipping crew has refused to take the trees but have been met with resistance from some residents.  Council confirmed that we are not a tree removal service.  The chipping service is meant for tree and shrubbery trimmings only.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
11^TH & Main Streets Traffic Signal
A Motion was made by Ritchey, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to award the bid to Lenni Electric with the exception of the ADA ramps in the amount of $12,240.00 for a net total of $200,899.95.

President Lear reported on the additional dollars pledged recently: Montgomery County Commissioners - $77,539.00,  Green Lane - $4,000.00,   Upper Hanover - $3,400.00, Pennsburg - $7,400.00, East Greenville - $2,000.00, Red Hill - $7,200.00, U. P. School Dist. - $3,400.00. 

$249,939.00 has been pledged to the cost of the traffic light.

Costs to date for engineering and legal fees - $26,181.97.

$10,617.00 extra appears to be available for anything unforeseen.Approximately $3,000.00 for engineering inspections and legal fees are still expected to be spent.

President Lear whole heartedly thanked all persons, municipalities and entities who were involved in keeping this project alive.

PennDot handicap ramp replacements – PennDot is planning handicap ramp replacements from E. Greenville through Red Hill this summer.  Czop/Specter Inc. is communicating with PennDot representatives and their contractor to determine if PennDot will construct the ramps at 11^th & Main Streets so that we could eliminate this cost of $12,240.00 from the bid costs.

PennDot will also be installing handicap ramps at the intersection of Route 663 and Seminary Street.

Recreational backyard burning
Borough Council reviewed several municipalities’ ordinances regarding recreational backyard burning.  A consensus of council areed Pennsburg’s ordinance is sufficient but a permit needs to be added to the requirements.  The regulations for backyard recreational burning would be given with each approved permit.  There was a lengthy discussion on the cost of a permit and renewals.  It was decided a permit would cost $10.00 and would need to be renewed on an annual basis.  The zoning officer, fire chief and fire marshal would have equal authority to enforce the ordinance.  The Solicitor will draft an ordinance for borough council’s review and discussion at the August 4^th meeting.

 8:30 P.M.  Due to another commitment, Councilor Robinson asked to be excused from the meeting.

Railroad Cars at 2^nd Street
A letter from Joe Sink, Fire Marshal, was read on the status of the railroad cars.  The railroad tankers marked “liquefied petroleum gas” have been removed from the area of 2^nd and Cherry Sts.

Ordinance amending the Property Maintenance Code – 42-1
Adoption of the 2009 ICC Property Maintenance Code was adopted with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous.
 

NEW BUSINESS
Recycling Grant Monies
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous to disperse the $4,897.67 proceeds of the 2005 and 2006 Performance Grants to the joint East Greenville and Pennsburg recycling account.

The 2008 Recycling Performance Grant application is available.  Jeanne Hopkins and Jim Fry, East Greenville will be working together to make application by the end of September.

Zoning Hearing application of Thomas Henry, Church Road property
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Gabel and unanimous to support the zoning hearing application and authorize John Lear to attend the hearing.

Act 32 – Consolidation of the collection of the local earned income tax at the County level.
Borough Council members discussed the appointment of a voting delegate and an alternate to represent the borough council on the Tax Collection Committee.  No decision was made and the subject was tabled until the August 4^th borough council meeting with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous.

Community Coaster
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous to forward the donation amount of $4,500.00 to the TMA Partnership in support of the new UPV Community Coaster. 

The bills for payment in July were approved with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous.

Public Comment Period
Councilor Gabel produced a Letter of Resignation.  Due to recent health issues, Mr. Gabel said he would resign from Borough Council, effective immediately, and also withdraw from the November election.  A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous to accept with regrets, the resignation of Gerald D. Gabel from the Pennsburg Borough Council.

A Motion by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to authorize the Administrative Manager to advertise for Letters of Interest in filling the unexpired term of Mr. Gabel.  Mr. Gabel’s term will expire December 2009.

9:07 P.M. – Executive Session

9:32 P.M. – The regular meeting reconvened.

There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a Motion was made by Ritchey to adjourn the meeting at 9:33 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer