PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, October 6, 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 Clinton, Bruce Lord, Darren Robinson, Michael Mensch and Douglas Landis. 

 

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

 Jeanne W. Hopkins.

 

Public Comment Period

Harvey Walker, 319 Main Street expressed concern about vehicles that speed along Main Street.  He reported the crosswalks for pedestrians are being ignored by vehicles as well.  Mr. Walker was told the existing “yield to pedestrian” signs are in the process of being replaced with “stop for pedestrians”.  Mr. Walker’s concerns will be brought to the attention of the police department.

 

Linda Campbell, Community Day Chairperson, called in by telephone to thank everyone able to help make Community Day a success.

 

Gerald Gabel, 509 Pottstown Avenue reported that weeds are overtaking a fire hydrant located at Perkiomen Ave. and Route 663.  The Secretary will notify Upper Hanover Township. Mr. Gabel also reported pot hole locations on Route 663.  The roads department will identify the locations and contact PennDot.  Mr. Gabel asked that Borough Council pursue lowering the speed limit on Pottstown Ave. (Route 663). 

 

Consent Agenda

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Robinson and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the September 1 and September 15, 2009 meetings; September Treasurer’s Report; Fire Police services for The Open Line CROP Hunger Walk on October 18, 2009 (rain date is October 25, 2009), Bally Borough Halloween Parade on October 20, 2009 (rain date is October 22, 2009), Hometown Christmas Parade on December 6, 2009 for a Route 29 road closing for the entire length between the hours of 11 A.M. and 5 P.M.

 

Fire Company

   Councilor Mensch reported the Fire Company Audit for 2008 is in hand and appears to be in good order.

 

Recycling

   Councilor Mensch reported the 2008 Recycling Performance Grant has been filed with the PA. Department of Environmental Protection. It is not known when grant monies will be allocated.

   Leaf collection dates have been set for Saturdays, November 21^st and December 5^th.  Leaves may be dropped off at the East Greenville pump house on Water Street between the hours of

9 A.M. and Noon. Pennsburg and East Greenville will share the newspaper advertisement for the leaf collection announcement.

 

Mayor’s Report

   Mayor Lightcap reported the Hometown Christmas Parade on December 6, 2009 is held in the afternoon, and anyone may participate.

   Mayor Lightcap and the Administrative Manager attended the MCATO Conference in late September. Conference topics were very interesting and informative.

   The Mayor will read a proclamation at tomorrow’s Domestic Violence Awareness meeting.

 

 

Roads and Maintenance

   Rick Krupp, Roads Assistant asked to purchase a communication radio for the new truck at a cost of approximately $550.00 and a weed wacker at a cost of $400.00.  Rick will provide detailed information on the equipment for borough council’s review.

 

Police Commission

Trick or Treat Night will be held on October 31^st from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Dumpsters on Public Streets Ordinance

   The Dumpster Ordinance was approved with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous.  The Ordinance allows for the enforcement of safety measures and regulates the length of time a dumpster may occupy an area on the street.

 

Zoning Hearing Board Alternate

   The Secretary was authorized to advertise for interested persons to the position with a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Revitalization

   Councilor Clinton announced the change in date of the Revitalization Committee Meeting from October 12^th to October 20^th, 6:00 p.m.  He asked that comments on the draft revised revitalization plan be forwarded to the borough office.

   Mr. Clinton commented the Phase IV Grant was returned to the County earlier this year due to financial pressures, but Phase V is now at hand.  Finances have been examined and he is confident the Phase V match can be met.  The streetscape would begin at 3^rd Street and work towards East Greenville.

   Mayor Lightcap added that a façade program should be considered in the new plan to aid businesses along Main Street. Councilor Clinton responded that a façade program is currently mentioned in the new plan.

   President Lear reported the Phase V grant was awarded for $360,000.00.  The borough’s matching cost is $40,000.00.  The borough will be able to apply to Montgomery County Housing and Community Development for the $40,000.00, leaving the borough with a match of about $6,000.00.  Mr. Lear provided a “snap shot” of the 2009 to-date vs. year-end financial picture. 

   A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to authorize URDC to begin the engineering on Phase IV/V. 

   A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Clinton and unanimous to request an extension on the Phase V project.

 

2009 Police Contract

   President Lear read the changes in the new police contract.  A proposed best case vs. worst case budget was presented as well.

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to ratify the tentative agreement with the Upper Perk Police Department.

 

Fuel Oil

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Robinson and unanimous to authorize the Secretary to advertise for fuel oil bids to be opened at the November 2, 2009 Borough Council meeting.

 

The Montgomery County Consortium group of borough and township managers was discussed.  The Secretary was authorized to attend a meeting to determine the value of joining the organization.

 

Traffic Signal QNB Certificate of Deposit

   The C/D will be redeemed upon maturity and deposited into the Traffic Signal account at Wachovia bank on a Motion by Clinton, seconded Robinson and unanimous.

 

Continuing Education for Rick Krupp, BCO

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Robinson and unanimous to authorize Rick Krupp to attend PCCA courses for residential inspections in Lake Harmony on November 10 and 11, 2009 at a cost of $195.00.  An amended Motion by Clinton, seconded by Mensch and unanimous added mileage and food expenses to be reimbursed to Rick Krupp.

 

BJ Wholesale Club Memberships

   A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to accept with no cost to the borough, memberships to BJ Wholesale Club to employees and Council Members.

 

A Motion was made by Robinson, seconded by Mensch and unanimous authorizing and designating Council President Lear, Vice President Clinton, Council Member Ritchey and Secretary Jeanne Hopkins as official signers of bank documents.  Two signatures are required on all financial documents and there are no restricted dollar amounts.

 

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

 

2010 Budget Meeting dates were set for 7:00 P.M. on October 20, November 10 and

November 17 on a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous.

 

Public Comment Period

None

 

There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a Motion was made by Councilor Clinton to adjourn the meeting at 8:36 P.M.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Jeanne W. Hopkins

Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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