PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
December 2, 2008 – 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order by President John K. Lear at 7:00 P.M.  President Lear led with the Pledgeof Allegiance.  Answering roll call were Council Members: President John K. Lear, Vice President WilliamClinton, Bruce Lord, Darren Robinson, Ethel G. Ritchey, James Campbell and Gerald D. Gabel. 

Also in attendance this evening was Borough Solicitor Charles D. Garner, Jr., Borough Engineer John Katsaros, Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz and Administrative Manager Jeanne W. Hopkins.

Public Comment – None

Consent Agenda
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Campbell and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the November 3, 2008 and November 18, 2008 Council Meetings and November Treasurer’s Report.

Communications – None

Parks/Recreation/Open Space
The Borough Engineer reported the advertisement has been placed in the newspaper for bids to demolish the former Green Lane Tool and Die buildings.  Bid openings are scheduled for December 15^th at 10:00 a.m. in the Borough Council Chambers.  A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for December 9^th at 10:00 a.m. in the Borough Council Chambers.

Municipal Buildings
Councilor Ritchey reported that due to the recent heavy rain, a leak in the civic building required a repair.  The repair has been completed.

Revitalization Phase III
Borough Council Members discussed the new decorative street lights that will be installed along Route 663.  Due to the width of the roadway, there is concern that large trucks may hit the street lights, causing the borough to potentially spend additional dollars to replace a damaged light.  A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Gabel and unanimous to temporarily eliminate the two street lights along the old T&C building and store them until another arrangement is made for lighting at that area of Route 663.

Veterans Memorial
Councilor Lord reported that he received many compliments from Veterans and their family members about the meaningful ceremony held in November.  He also read a letter of thanks and gratitude from the sister of an honored Viet Nam Veteran.

Police Commission
The 2009 Budget has been prepared.  James McVeigh was sworn in as a new officer.  The next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. in the East Greenville Council Chambers.

Recycling/Trash
Councilor Ritchey reported new rain gutters will be installed along the borough garages and recycling building.

Emergency Management
Councilor Lord reported the next meeting is scheduled for January 2009.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Outdoor Wood Burning Ordinance - President Lear shared information passed along to him from an Upper Hanover Twp. resident.  This resident has installed an outdoor furnace. After discussion, it was agreed that the outdoor wood burners should be regulated and not banned.   Solicitor Garner added that the ordinance the borough previously adopted on wood burning furnaces partially regulates this type of heating equipment.  The Zoning Officer and Fire Marshal will be asked to review the specifications and provide their recommendations.

NEW BUSINESS
11^th and Main Street traffic signal – Solicitor Garner provided up to date information on the status of the Intersection Improvements Agreement with Red Hill and Upper Hanover Twp.  Upper Hanover Twp. has requested a cost limitation on their behalf of $45,000.00 be included in the agreement.  Upper Hanover Twp. feels if there are any shortfalls in the final cost of the signal, Pennsburg and Red Hill should absorb those costs.

Open Records Access Policy – Solicitor Garner provided the draft policy for review by Borough Council Members. The Ordinance will be placed on the next meeting’s agenda for possible adoption.  The new law goes in to affect on January 1, 2009.

2009 Budget – Council Members will meet one more time to discuss the budget on December 9, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. and upon the conclusion of the budget meeting, a regular borough council meeting will follow where the 2009 tentative budget will be proposed.

The Secretary was directed to advertise a close-out meeting on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. on a Motion by Lord, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous.

Councilor Gabel asked that consideration be given to donating more than $90,000.00 to the fire company in the 2009 Budget. 

RESOLUTION – A Motion was made Campbell, seconded by Lord and unanimous to allocate 25% of Liquid Fuel Tax monies not used for resurfacing to be allocated for maintenance and repair of existing roads in 2009.

RESOLUTION – A Motion was made by Campbell, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous eliminating payments into the PA. Municipal Retirement System Fund by participants in the fund for 2009.

RESOLUTION – A Motion was made by Campbell, seconded by Lord and unanimous eliminating payments into the Police Pension Fund by participants in the fund for 2009.

2009 Audit – A Motion was made by Campbell, seconded by Clinton to approve the services and costs associated of Styer Associates, Inc., CPA.

Certificate of Deposit – A Motion was made by Ritchey, seconded by Campbell to authorize the Secretary to purchase a CD in the amount of $5,000.00. The money comes from the U.P.V. Regional Planning Commission to be used for the 11^th & Main Sts. traffic signal costs.

PennDot is proposing the installation of LED’s for existing traffic signals.  In our case the only place that might qualify is 8^th & Main Street where only amber and red LED’s are needed.  All other signals are fully equipped with LED’s.  There are certain standards you must meet with PennDot.  The Secretary was directed to check with PennDot on the requirements. 

Public Comment

Rene Albert, 779 Hunter Drive, suggested mounting street lighting on the former T&C building  to replace the street lights alongside the building. 

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

There being no further business to come before Borough Council at this time, a Motion was made by Councilor Campbell to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
_________________________________________________________________________________
 

PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
December 9, 2008

 The Borough Council’s Special Meeting was called to order by President Lear at 8:15 P.M.  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, Darren Robinson, Gerald Gabel, Bruce Lord and James Campbell.

Also in attendance were Mayor Vicki J. Lightcap, Solicitor Charles D. Garner and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.

2009 Budget – A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Lord and unanimous to advertise the tentative budget with proposed Expenditures of $1,486,000.00 and proposed Revenues of $1,486,000.00.

Tax Anticipation Note – Borough Council Members will consider adoption of a Resolution to enter into a Tax Anticipation Note at the close out meeting on December 29, 2008.  The Secretary and the Solicitor will work on getting the details worked out prior to the December 29^th meeting.

Public Comment – none

8:40 P.M.  Executive Session was called to discuss a matter of personnel.

8:55 P.M.  The regular meeting was reconvened.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
________________________________________________________________________________

PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL YEAR-END MEETING
Monday, December 29, 2008 – 7:00 P.M.

The meeting was called to order by President John K. Lear at 7:02 P.M.  President Lear led with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Answering roll call were Council Members: President John K. Lear, Vice President William C. Clinton, Ethel G. Ritchey, Bruce Lord, Darren Robinson, James Campbell and Gerald D. Gabel.

Also present this evening was Mayor Vicki J. Lightcap and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins.

Public Comment – None

2009 Budget
A Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Campbell to adopt the 2009 Budget with proposed Revenues of $1,486,000.00 and proposed Expenditures of $1,486,000.00.  Councilor Gabel voted Nay.  The Motion carried with all remaining Councilors voting Yea.

Mayor Lightcap commented that she is concerned that senior citizens will have difficulty in paying higher taxes.

TAX LEVY ORDINANCE #3-08 setting the tax rates for 2009 was adopted with a Motion by Clinton, seconded by Robinson.  Councilor Gabel voted Nay.  The Motion carried with all remaining Councilors voting Yea.

OTHER BUSINESS
Tax Anticipation Note
Council Members and Mayor Lightcap discussed the reasons for entering into this type of “loan”.  After a lengthy discussion, a Motion was made by Clinton, seconded by Campbell to adopt the Resolution to enter into a Note Purchase Proposal with Quakertown National Bank for the principal amount of $300,000.00 with an interest rate of 3.5%.  A Roll Call vote was taken.  Yea – Campbell, Clinton, Lord, Ritchey, Robinson and Lear.  Nay – Gabel.  The Motion carried.

Open Records Access Policy

The Open Records Access Policy was adopted, Jeanne W. Hopkins was named the Open Records Officer and the copy charge imposed will be $.25 per copy on a Motion by Ritchey, seconded by Campbell and unanimous.

Trash Bags

A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Campbell and unanimous to ratify the purchase of 40,000 trash bags at a cost of $9,724.00.

Backhoe update

President Lear reported that the Roads Committee made a decision a few weeks ago to cancel the purchase of the backhoe.  Mr. Lear added that the decision needed to be made quickly since the backhoe was scheduled to be delivered the next day.  Councilor Campbell, Roads Committee Chairman, explained the decision was due to the current economics and also it was determined a dump truck will need to be replaced very soon and the truck would be higher on a list of priorities.  The committee will continue to work on a 5 year and 10 year equipment replacement plan.

A Motion was made by Campbell, seconded by Ritchey and unanimous in agreement to cancel the purchase of the backhoe.

Decorative Street Lights

President Lear explained the reason why the street lights alongside the former Town & Country Building on Route 663 have been installed.  It was learned that revised plans would have to be drawn up and submitted to PennDot for approval.  So the decision was made to install them as per the original plan so that we would be in compliance with our PennDot permit.

Quakertown National Bank Certificate of Deposit due 12/24/08. 

The Secretary was directed to redeem the C/D and transfer the proceeds to PLGIT on a Motion by Campbell, seconded by Robinson and unanimous.

The Secretary was authorized to advertise the January 6, 2009 regular council meeting for 7:00 P.M. in the Pennsburg Borough Council Chambers.

Public Comment – None

The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 P.M. with a Motion by Councilor Lord.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanne W. Hopkins
Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer