BOROUGH
OF SCHWENKSVILLE
BOROUGH COUNCIL REORGANIZATION MINUTES:
MONDAY,
JANUARY 3,2000.
Began: 7:30 p.m. Ended: 8:00 p.m. with an Executive Meeting following regular meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger called the meeting to order and administered Oaths of Office for council seats to Bernard McCollum, Barbara Slater, and H. Gilbert Williams, Jr.
Mayor then called for the nomination of Council President. MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT BERNARD McCOLLUM AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was then turned over to the President.
Vice President: MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO APPOINT CHRIS KRAFT AS COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Appointments for the Year: (will vote on the entire list or any other suggestions)
Secretary: Nancy Eppley
Treasurer: Nancy Eppley
Solicitor: Keenan, Ciccitto, and Brant
Engineer: Defer to regular meeting on Jan. l3th. Some questions need to be addressed, also
More proposals may be coming in for review.
Manager/Code Enf.: Thomas Snyder
Plumbing Inspector Thomas Snyder
Fire Marshall: Ralph Rosenberger
Emergency Mgtm: Ralph Rosenberger
Chief of Police: Frank Holden
Authority member: Jim Dull (term is 5 years)
Planning Comm.": Roy Miller (term is 5 years)
Zoning Hearing: Tony Katona (term is 3 years)
Park Board: Roy Miller (term is 5 years)
Zoning Hearing Board
(Solicitor): Andrew Cantor
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE LIST AS PRESENTED, DEFERING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ENGINEER, ALSO CLARIFICATION ON WHETHER JAMES DULL CAN SERVE ON BOTH THE AUTHORITY BOARD AND AN ALTERNATE ON THE ZONING HEARING BOARD. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Other Business:
Pat questioned: Commonwealth of PA (RRRA) Grant: Status??? Due by January 13, 2000. Tom Snyder is working on the paperwork and it will be to Harrisburg before deadline. Borough received money back in 1992 and project never signed off and wasn't followed up on.
Bob Brant: Will give council summary of items pending before council.
Award of Bid for Mt. View: Defer to l/l3/00. Two new members on council, he would like to hear their comments, if any. Bid was divided into 3 phases. "A" Storm sewer-Mt. View, "B" Storm sewer across Main Street, and "C" Installation of water main-improvements by the Borough Authority.
Pat questioned: State money or HUD money? Both coordinated together.
Award date? Will have to look at bid. Robert Brant said that so far everything within timeframe.
Bernie: Reminded public that the Borough will be paying for trash removal. There are a few questions to be ironed out such as Extra toters, Commercial properties.
COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS:
Chris Kraft: Streets and Roads (working with the Engineer), Property, and Christmas Lights.
Pat Katona: Police and Fire Liaison, Special Community Events
Barbara Slater: Personnel (Tom & Nancy), Street Lighting
H. Gilbert Williams: Insurance, Finance
Bernie would like to see that all concerns brought up.
Pat: Mayor in charge of Police? Bernie: Mayor is in charge of Police Department. Pat: What if the chief needs anything, should Mayor be the one Frank would go to? Bernie: No, should be presented by council via mayor and Frank Holden. Bob Brant explained police chief's hours, etc. reporting to mayor. There are times when exceptional factors are involved and having a liaison is needed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Nothing.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Held
EXECUTIVE SESSION RESULTS:
Secretary/Treasurer: MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA TO ESTABLISH THE SECRETARY/TREASURER'S HOURLY RATE TO $15.00 PER HOUR, FOUR (4) WEEKS VACATION (only l week paid), AND ONE (l) WEEK SICK OR PERSONAL TIME. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Borough Manager: MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO GIVE THOMAS SNYDER A $2,000. INCREASE IN SALARY. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Bernie is to contact Carroll Engineering to see if they will hold the l999 rate. As of the writing of the minutes (l/10/00), Carroll will hold the price.
Post Office: Removal of a stack box at Maple and Second Streets will be removed per post office.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
1/10/00
JANUARY
13, 2000.
Began: 7:30 p.m. Ended: 8:45 p.m.
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.
Secretary, Nancy Eppley called the roll. Present were: Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft, Patricia Katona, Gilbert Williams, Barbara Slater and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.
DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 1999 and THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2000 (REORGANIZATIONAL MTG.)
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 1999 AND THE MINUTES OF THE REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF JANUARY 3, 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 1999 AND THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2000 (REORGANIZATIONAL MTG.)
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF DECEMBER 9, 1999 AND THE MINUTES OF THE REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF JANUARY 3, 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TREASURER'S REPORT: Nancy Eppley
Council has been given a copy of the Deposit Detail for December, Expenditures for January, Year to Date Report, Liquid Fuels Report.
There are two additional checks which were written as of today (Frank Holden-Dental Bill and Bell Atlantic bill which need to be added to the disbursement total.
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Frank Holden
Month of December (state/local) 57 calls.
Chris: Road Problems??? Frank mentioned that a tree fell down.
Chief Holden's complete report is on file at the Borough Hall Office.
AMBULANCE REPORT: No report No one present
FIRE COMPANY REPORT: Nick Matregrano
Nick read the final report in the capacity of Fire Chief. Meetings will now be covered by newly elected Fire Chief, Scott Angstadt or his Assistant Chief Jim Keyser. Nick thanked council for their support and cooperation during his tenure as fire chief. He then introduced Scott who briefly told of himself. Scott mentioned that the Christmas Lights will be taken down next Sunday, weather permitting. Bernie mentioned that he hopes that everything will go smooth in the communication between the Fire Company and the Borough. He also mentioned that Pat Katona is the liaison for the Fire Co.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Loren Szczesny is our solicitor for this evening, filling in for Robert Brant.
Letter from Bob Brant indicating that he will be corresponding on the Open Projects for the Borough as of 12/31/99. Pat mentioned that she wishes to convey via Loren to Bob that the report is excellent, billing is consistent.
Resolution for the Police Pension Fund? At the present time, the letter is in R. Brant's office (Wendy McKenna) working on this. An ordinance would need to be adopted at the February meeting. According to the letter from the state an Ordinance not a Resolution is needed. Loren will check this out.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
ROADS AND STREETS: Chris Kraft
Nothing to report for Roads and Streets. Tom Snyder is working closely with Chris on the projects and the grants.
Other:
Mail box has been moved.
Presentation to the Water Authority concerning: Schwenksville Borough Community Meadow Park. The letter stated that the Borough would like the lands turned over to them . At the present time, the Borough owns half and the Authority owns the other half. Part of this is subjected to development, the Borough would like to take over the park in its entirely. Agreement states a l0 year lease then with a month to month after this year.
Chris mentioned that the meeting last night went well.
Borough Hall Renovations: Chris wrote a letter and asked council to review it and come back at the next meeting with their thoughts/suggestions. A new table has been ordered for council meetings. Some suggestions that Chris mentioned were: Moving the back of the building windows to the front of the building, disability access, storage area which would mean extension of the existing office.
Trail accessibility: Several valid complaints have been received by the Borough from residents who cannot use a portion of the trail for walking due to the dumping of concrete material. Owner of the property in question is Mr. Richard Croyle. Mr. Croyle would like to enlarge the parking lot and will in time correct this situation with a little ramp going over the trail. Mr. Croyle has posted "No Dumping" signs and contractors have been instructed to make sure nothing goes into the wetlands. This condition has been monitored before by the County and EPA. There are some PennDot storm sewers and sewer lines there, but Mr. Croyle knows that and he has to stay away from them. A reliable contractor is doing the work.
Pat: Can the Borough stop him?? Bernie: No, the Borough cannot take any action. The County is now out of it. Pat: Any reports from DEP or anything?? Bernie: Everything so far that has been brought in is okay. Pat: Does this come in under Subdivision or Land Development?? No answer to this. Chris: Will continue to explore. Mr. Croyle is one of the four who has entered into a lawsuit . Chris mentioned again that let us wait and see the situation. Take all of the concerns of our citizens to heart. Tom Snyder mentioned that the deeds along the trail are mixed up.
FINANCE: Gilbert Williams
Working on straightening out the Liquid Fuels Account for l999.
Pat: Didn't notice a check for Robert Brant and Carroll Engineering this month.
Nancy and Bernie: Notified those sending invoices to the Borough, in order to be paid by the Council Meeting need to get their bill(s) into the Borough by the end of each month . Otherwise, there is a daily writing of checks, even on the meeting day, after all reports concerning the finances have been printed. There are a few exceptions that are made because of interest that could occur. Sufficient time will be given and if the bill is not in, the bill will be paid the next month.
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
Park Grant: Was ready for mailing, but after speaking with Mr. Massey, he finds that it would be beneficial if the Borough had more information then the Borough could be entitled to more monies. By the end of next week, Mr. Massey would like to see all of the engineering, legal, and miscellaneous bills relating to the grant. An extension will be given and Tom will send a fax letter tomorrow. Extension at this time is verbal, Bernie would like a written extension from Mr. Massey.
Bernie is concerned that the Borough doesn't have a written extension, concerned that a penalty will occur. Tom said that he is doing his best and the problem should have been straightened out financially years ago, but that never happened.
Open Space: Waiting for the condemnation to go thorough. Then buying the ground and turning it over to the group. Approved for $506,000.00 from the County. If the condemnation comes through less than $560,000.00 then the Borough will get less. The Borough won't have to spend any monies. (Note: On the recorder two figures were mentioned that are somewhat similar).
7 Acres in Perkiomen Township are out in limbo because of Upper Salford. This is because of the condemnation. This article is covered under the Solicitor's report #2. There is a lot of legal work to be done.
Gil Williams: What is the "timeframe" for this management?
Chris: We have preliminary
Loren: Everything should fall into place.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
Mt. View Bids: Can be extended to February 8th. Need a special meeting to award the bids, and hopefully we will know where the Borough stands with PennDot. If this situation goes beyond the 2/8 date then the job will have to be rebid, due to the wage guidelines. Grant is okay. There will be no new engineering costs.
Tom mentioned that the meeting needs to be advertised. Loren said that his office will do the advertising. Bernie: Nancy can do it.
Pat: Specs the same? Tom: Yes, only a new bid awarding date. The meeting can be during the day as long as there is a quorum present. There will be a quorum. Meeting is to be held on February 3, 2000 at l2 noon.
Renovation of Borough Hall: We should have some idea as to where we are headed to apply for a HUD Grant which will come out in March. Could cover the ramp, expansion, ADA toilet. Wouldn't cover the moving of the windows and refinishing the floor. Chris reminded members to get in touch with him with any ideas.
Tom said that he could draw the plans himself and get estimates from contractor. Then the borough can get an architect for the final drawings. At the present time, this is all that is needed. Architect and Engineer later on.
Park Avenue-Vacant Lot Owned by Mullaney. There will be a Zoning Hearing on Thursday, January 27, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. for a Variance. Then this variance will go to the Planning Commission. Property is zoned R-l, applicants wish to put a duplex on the lot.
Pat asked if Tom knows the outcome of this? No, per Tom. He doesn't have any feelings on it.
North Elementary School: There is an interest in the property. This application would come to council for a zoning change, because applicant wishes to change districts from Institutional to Modified Retirement Community. This facility would be age restricted (principal owner over 55 years old). Will be cluster housing, children can come for a visit of a few weeks and maybe for the summer.
Bernie: School owns the property. Tom mentioned that the Borough abides with the BOCA Code 1992 version, so we meet State requirements.
STREET LIGHTING: Barbara Slater
Bernie mentioned that a flashing light is out. Tom said that it was reported and this afternoon he found another one out. He'll take care of it.
FIRE COMPANY: Patricia Katona
Didn't spend anytime with the Fire Co. in December or January. The Fire Company and the Ladies Auxillary both had their reorganizational meeting and council will be getting copies of their personnel rooster.
Grants: New line item added at the end of 1999, and this money is to be used for events in the borough. Pat has received a list containing approximately 17 service clubs. The giver of this list thought it would be a good ideas if the Borough could contact these organizations and see if something could get started. Pat is reluctant to do this because of the number of organizations. Most of them are well organized on their own. The borough only has $2,500.
Bernie has spoken to Chris and Chris will write up a guidelines report. Pat was under the impression that this money would be used to benefit the residents of Schwenksville. If it is a non-profit organization it would be a gift, otherwise if profit borrowing the money would be up to council's approval and the money would be paid back. Chris explained the workings. Bernie: Council is not putting the event on. Pat suggested that if the money does not get used then the money could carry over to the next year and perhaps more be added.
Commonwealth Library Grant: 50/50 grant. For the Library reconstruction, rehabilitation, and construction in the library. Pat would like permission to explore with Nancy Benner at the library to see what wish list the library may have. Pat also was wondering about the millage that is given to the Library, would that be considered as part of the 50%? Bernie didn't mind the exploration but don't give any commitment. The library is not just the Schwenksville Library, it is incorporated with the whole library group.
Grant application for Frank Holden: (Legislative-Economy Development). Bernie would like this in Harrisburg by the end of January. Pat will make a draft, present it to Frank for his approval and the draft will be sent off no later than Tuesday. Bernie said that he will hand carry.
Chris has another grant which could be looked at in the future.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Fax received from Deb Swartley concerning prices for cleaning Borough Hall and Chief Holden's office. BH will be $40.00 per month and FH office will be $30.00 per month.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THIS MONTHLY EXPENDITURE FOR THE CLEANING OF BOROUGH HALL AND FRANK HOLDEN'S OFFICE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Future expenditure: PA Yearbook $35.00. Will list all local officials.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THIS EXPENDITURE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Future expenditure: Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce $140.00
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THIS EXPENDITURE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Borough Meeting/Dinner: To be hosted by Jenkintown and Hatboro Boroughs in North Hills on January 27,2000. Anyone wishing to attend please see Nancy.
OLD BUSINESS:
Engineering Appointment: Several proposals were past out previously for review. Gil: Prices are hard to compare, but accountability is important. Pat: Would like to see field reports that are written, it seems that no reports come from the engineer. Chris: Tom does a lot of the work. Tom: Certain things can be broken out. Also, that reports were given previously, but then former councils did not want. He did a lot of the work on Centennial Street. Pat: Feels reports are valuable for historical purposes., who knows what problems may arise in the future. Tom: What does council want? What should be reported on? Pat: field, progress, monthly report. Deeds can be gotten from the County. Pat suggested that perhaps the engineer could attend some meetings. Pat: Concerned with the time reported, mileage (Tom-doesn't charge for). Pat can't understand all the incidentals. Pat: times have changed, need updated things. She would like a report like Bob Brant's report.
Bernie: A few proposals have been submitted, now time for deciding . He spoke to Carroll Engineering and there is nothing of any importance going on in the Borough now.
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO RETAIN CARROLL ENGINEERING AT THEIR ORIGINAL RATES. APPOINTMENT WILL GO MONTH TO MONTH.
Vote: 4 yes
1 no (Pat Katona) MAJORITY IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIED.
Bernie mentioned that the solicitor and engineer can be "dropped as in "drop of a hat" if service is not acceptable. Pat: Key word is "accountability". Chris: Feels that there needs to be accountability. Bernie: Thanked the engineers that were present at tonight's meeting, and their resumes will be kept on file.
Trash: Residents of the Borough will be getting their trash pickup free as of January 1st. Board members questions those residents who received extra carts and paid for them. Contract is not up until a few years, then new guidelines will be set. Tom has serial numbers for all the totes, there was a lot of stealing going on. Not all of it is straighten out. Chris: What is fair?? Some will be now getting 2nd cart free. Tom: Will have an answer by the next meeting.
MAYOR'S REPORT: Carroll Rosenberger
2 weddings performed.
Received a call from a concerned resident, wondering if police were going to be on duty over New Years' Eve? Person heard that there is/was a bomb at the post office.
Bruce McBain: Recognition to Bruce for his fine work covering borough meetings for many, many years. Best of everything in the future.
Other: Work on Rt. 29: Unclear on details. Will check with PennDot
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA 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