BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE

BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

BUDGET WORKSHOP

NOVEMBER 4, 1999

 

 

            Meeting of November 4, 1999 (work session on the year 2000 budget and any other business coming before council.

 

            The meeting was called to order by council president, Bernard McCollum at 7:30 p.m.

            Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll:  Present were:  Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Patricia Katona, and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger.  Absent was Chris Kraft.

 

            Please note:  An Executive Session was held after the October 14, l999 meeting to discuss Personnel matters.  These will be addressed at the November 18, l999 meeting. This was MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly

 

            Budget meeting:  Conducted by Joan Giunta

 

            Passed out revised budget sheets.   Revenues:  Getting good interest 

                                                                     Expenses:  Just for the Borough, Only Operating, no Capital Expenses.

 

            Renovations:  Grant money available through the County.

 

            Open Space:  According to Tom Snyder, Borough Manager monies will be needed to straighten out the deeds in relationship to the Community Park.  Tom explained the "rails to trails" program.

 

            Trash pickup:  A great deal of discussion on this subject.  Tom estimates $55,000. This would include:  Current households covered, Commercial, Spring Mount Summit Condos, Highpointe townhouses.  Tom feels everyone is entitled to trash pickup and feels that this figure should cover all expenses.

 

            Pat Katona, Secretary of Trappe Borough mentioned that in Trappe there is no problem.  There is a flat fee.  Bottom line to this discussion:  Commercial or Not???

 

            Gilbert Williams of the Audience:  More business?  More money?

 

            Pat:  Who now collects the trash at SMS?  Tom:  They have their own collector.

 

            Joan:  Feels Commercial should not be included, it wouldn't be fair.  She also mentioned that the borough has a contract and the borough should stay with that until it is finished.  She also suggested setting rate in January for commercial, not put all the trash into one lump sum.

 

 

            Pat:  Tonage? 

 

            Mount View Grant:

 

            Bid does not include Paving.  Paving will be done after Winter.  Drainage bidding in budget.

 

            Parks/Culture:  $10,000.   Not just for legal per Tom.  Money will also go for improvements.  Since Chris is absent tonight, Joan would like to hear what he has to say.

 

            2nd Infrastructure Loan:  Didn't draw upon this yet.

 

            Ordained Streets:  Sue mentioned again that projects started should come first.  Joan mentioned that a budget modification can be done on the Highway Reserve Account and deal with each street as it becomes an issue.

 

            Condo:  Waiting to hear from the engineer what needs to be done to bring the street up to code.

 

            Fire Company representatives were present and asked the Borough if additional monies would be available (other than what is budgeted).

MOTIONED BY PAT KATONA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO INCREASE THE DONATION FROM $1,000.00 TO $2,000.00.ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

           

            Joan would like council to return to the November 18th meeting with any budget requests.

 

            Auditor to replace Patricia Katona:  MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT DONALD WHITCO TO FULFILL THE TERM OF PATRICIA KATONA.

 

All business having been completed the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 


Nancy J. Eppley

Secretary  11/12/99

 

 

BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE

BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 18, 1999.

 

            The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum at 7:30 p.m.

 

            Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll.  Present were:  Bernard McCollum, Joan Giunta, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Chris Kraft (arriving minutes after the meeting was called), Patricia Katona and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger.

 

            PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:  By the assembly.

 

            Dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 14, 1999:  MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY PAT KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Dispense with the reading of the minutes of November 4, 1999:  MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY PAT KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Approval of the minutes of October 14, 1999:  MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Approval of the minutes of November 4, 1999:  MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 1999.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            Bernie mentioned that an Executive Meeting was held following the November 4th meeting.  Topics of discussion were police contract, salaries.  Since this was an Executive Session no formal action can be taken.

 

            ACCOUNTS PAYABLE:  Nancy Eppley

 

            For councils' review:  Deposit Detail, Expenditures for the Month of November, Monthly Revenue and Expense to date.

 

            Questions: 

 

            Pat Katona:  PA Magazine-Don't we get this free?   Yes, but we have one more subscription that we have to pay for.

 

                                Who is R. H. Wampole?  Service Station in town.

 

            Joan Giunta:  There is a check written to PECO for the distribution of electric but it doesn't show in the disbursements.    Nancy will check further.

(Secretary's findings:  Disbursement sheet didn't get distributed for this Liquid Fuels Acct., sorry).  According to Bob Brant, this amount must be paid and when the Borough of  Schwenksville takes over the lights there might be some reimbursement coming to the Borough.

Add to the Expenditures:  $l,278.78

 

                                    Salary transferred:  Money transferred  into Salary account from General Savings.

 

                                    Monies transferred:  $3,000.00 (Police Car Capital Reserve) and $10,000.00 (Snow Removal Capital Reserve).

 

            Sue Kuhn:  Old Copier Repair?  Not covered by any contract. According to Tom we will probably go under contract next year.

 

                              Gerhart's Engraving:  For name plates.

 

            Pat Katona:  U & O's Numbering.  Nancy will put down names in the future.

 

                                Bid Specs:  Some bid specs were paid for at Carroll Engineering.  These item have been deducted from the Carroll bill.  In the future, bid specs will be picked up at the Borough office.

 

            TREASURER'S REPORT:  Nancy Eppley

 

            Treasurer's Report (October) passed out for review.

 

MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS SUBMITTED.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

FIRE COMPANY REPORT: 

 

            2 calls for the month of October.  17 men in service, distance traveled l0 miles.

 

            11/28:  Christmas Lights will be put up.

 

            12/05:  Chicken Barbeque, Children will decorate the tree.

 

AMBULANCE REPORT:  Nancy Eppley

 

            11 Calls for the Borough separately  and 6 calls for the Colannade.

 

            SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Robert Brant

 

l)        Police Agreement:  Spoke about in the Executive Session.

 

5% salary increase per year (2000, 2001, 2002)  3 year contract.

Retirement:  53 years of age plus 20 years service

Life Insurance increased to $100,000.

 

MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT  TO APPROVE THE CHIEF OF POLICE CONTRACT BETWEEN FRANK HOLDEN AND THE SCHWENKSVILLE BOROUGH.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED

 

Ordinance will be drawn up.

.

2)      PECO Light Purchase:  PUC has the agreement and approval will be had in the next few weeks.

 

3)      Community Park:  Letter given out for councils' review.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

STREETS & ROADS:  Sue Kuhn and Tom Snyder

 

Status of Montgomery Avenue and Mountain View Avenue: 

 

Tom has received quotes for the removal of trees on both streets.  This was mentioned in error, only Montgomery Avenue.  Tom would like authorization to spend up to $2,000.00 for this project.

 

MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $2,000.  FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE TREES ON MONTGOMERY AVENUE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

There is an enormous tree on the Benner property near the utility lines.

Bernie suggested calling in the electric company to do the work.

 

Mt. View:  Need easements, PennDot to go across Main Street.  Must get approval from the County and then PennDot will proceed.

 

Bids for Mt. View:   Tabulations:

 

"A"  Storm Sewer - Mt. View to Blvd.  Inlet of Boulevard

 

"B"  Go across Main Street

 

"C"  Water Main

 

Mr. Brant recommended that council not go ahead with awarding the job(s) until a complete review of the specs have been completed.     

 

PROPERTY:  Sue Kuhn        Nothing

 

FINANCE:     Joan Giunta

 

Received a cover letter from the auditing firm re:  Gael Hahn's audit.  No errors have occurred.

 

Budget "2000" address the following:

 

Police Contract, Waste Collection, Mt. View Construction, Renovations to Borough Hall (grant to comply with ADA requirements), Open Space (Park Land), Increase the contribution to the Fire Company, a new line item, Festival.

 

Joan mentioned that there are balances in our accounts, but some are "earmarked" for specify projects and monies need to be carried over for running the budget next year while waiting for receipt of income.

 

Opinions are available such as:  Increasing taxes or adjusting some monies that are "earmarked", also using monies from General Fund Savings.

 

Joan projected:  Revenue/Expenditures  ($303,413.)  A balanced budget.

 

Joan didn't budget for unordained streets.

 

Some adjustments were made on the Open Space Project this year.

 

Liquid Fuels: To be used for power and maintenance of streets lights.

 

Mt. View:  Large expense, Shown under Capital Expense.

           

            Budget is balanced.  Council was able to modify the l999 budget to reflect transfers.

                       

            Chris questioned the "Festival" Event? 

           

            Joan:  Doesn't know where to take money from.  This is not a service or for the safety of the residents.  It falls into the category of entertainment.

 

            Chris:  Disagrees, is a good service.  It promotes the Borough.

 

            Joan:  Is there a guarantee that the Festival will bring something in?

 

            Chris:  Suggested forming a committee to oversee.

 

            Joan:  Uncomfortable with funding.

 

            Pat:  First time the Borough has budgeted for this item?

 

            Chris:  Yes, he reviewed  year's budget and came up with a figure that is understandable for next year.

 

            Pat:  Good community function.  Have a line item on this and use if need be, if not used carry over.

 

            Joan:  Feels that Borough would set an example that any agency/group could ask the Borough for monies.  (Boy Scouts, Community Groups)

Any contributors?

 

            Chris:  Didn't know the number.  Feels it is still a good idea, promotional and civic pride.  It can be expensive and difficult.  Just have monies available and again if the monies aren't used they can be carried over.

 

            Pat:  Feels events of this type brings the Borough together.

 

            Chris:  Park Development:  There is a real mess and Chris feels that the Borough could be in for a lot of legal fees.  $5,000.00 can help, but need $10,000.00 to handle.

 

            Budget Item for Festival:  Pat:  Yes     Sue:  Will go with the majority, mixed feelings, not necessary negative,   Bernie:  Yes, there is enough monies available, if the money is not used, it is not lost,   Chris:  Yes, but appoint someone on council to monitor.  Joan:  Will create a new line item, budget money for one day affair.   Pat felt that it is valuable to the community and we should at least give it a try.

 

            Joan mentioned that the budget is lean, not a lot of money.  Pat, Sue, and Chris commented Joan on her preparation of the budget.  Bob Brant suggested that the council adopt the budget for advertising and in the future when the new council is on board if there are any modifications those can be done as needed.  Bernie mentioned that there is over $50,000.00 in the Plgit Plus Account.

 

            MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PAT KATONA TO ACCEPT THE YEAR 2000 PROPOSED BUDGET  WITH MODIFICATION OF $2,500.00 FOR FESTIVAL EVENT.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.  THE 2000 BUDGET WILL BE ADVERTISED AND READY FOR ADOPTION DECEMBER 9, 1999 MEETING.

 

            Contribution to Fire Company and Ambulance Corps:

 

            MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO EXPEND THE CONTRIBUTION OF $1,000. EACH TO THE FIRE COMPANY AND AMBULANCE CORPS.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            PARK BOARD:  Tom Snyder     There has been fill put around the swings.

 

            STREET LIGHTING:  Chris Kraft      Wiring needs work, cost would vary between $3,000.-$3,500. 

 

            FIRE COMPANY LIAISON:  Pat Katona

 

Pat attended the ladies auxillary meeting presided over by Doris Silver.  Very well run meeting.  Pat wants to do all she can to help the community safety, health wise.  Any support would be appreciated.

 

            POLICE COMMITTEE:  Joan Giunta

 

Advertising the Ordinance to amend the Police Pension Plan in regards to age and years of service.  MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY SUE KUHN IT WAS VOTED TO ADVERTISE THE ORDINANCE.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.  New council will probably take this up.

 

            BOROUGH MANAGER:  Tom Snyder

 

Talked about new well sites.   Board has Snow Plowing letter to review.

 

            CORRESPONDENCE:  Nancy Eppley

 

Borough's Assn. Meeting:  December 2, l999.  Contact Nancy if you wish to attend.

 

            In addition, Joan Giunta:  Letter from PA Municipal Retirement System stating that the Borough will receive $15,760. From interest.  Letter states that the governing bodies may allocate the excess interest to one or any combination of ways:  l) the municipal account, 2) the individual members' accounts, and  3) the retirees' account.  Form to be sent in.

 

            OLD BUSINESS:  Borough Authority Reports.  Still waiting.

 

            NEW BUSINESS:  Nothing

 

            MAYOR ROSENBERGER:  Frank Holden on vacation.  Next meeting Frank will give his October and November reports.

 

            OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Nothing

 

            ADJOURN:  MOTIONED BY SUE KUHN AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN TONIGHT'S MEETING.  ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary

12/03/99