BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2000
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum.
Roll call: Bernard McCollum Present
Chris Kraft Present
Patricia Katona Present
Gilbert Williams Present
Barbara Slater Present
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly
MINUTES: DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2000:
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA, IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES: APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2000:
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 11, 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Nancy Eppley
Presented to council for their review a Disbursement Report for the General Fund and Liquid Fuels Accounts, Deposit Detail (all accounts), Statement of Expenditures/Revenues to Budget Comparisons.
Questions: Emergency Management Phone: Cancelled by Ralph Rosenberger. Nancy will check to see when cancelled to see that the Borough is not charged for service.
Bruce Singer invoice presented today for repair of 2 chairs. Mr. Singer was not aware of presenting his bills for payment by the end of each month to be paid the following month. The bill presented tonight is for $200.00. Bernie felt that there was a motion to spend approximately $360.00,now over budget. There are 6 straight back chairs to be done yet.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO EXPEND A TOTAL OF $630.00 FOR THE REMAINER OF CHAIRS TO BE FINISHED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Keenan, Ciccitto, Brant bill for the month just came in the office 1 day before the meeting. Pat asked that this bill be paid. Mr. Brant realized that it was late and there is no problem in waiting for the check until next month.
Carroll Engineering invoice: Bernie felt that it was high. Services included the base map, Mt. View engineering, and Borough Hall Renovation Meeting.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Nancy Eppley
Cash balance as of tonight: $592,031.34 in all of the Borough Accounts.
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND TREASURER'S REPORT AS SUBMITTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Timothy Hoppes
Report for the Month of April: 16 local and 19 state police calls. Total hours between Chief Holden and Chief Hoppes for the month is 212 3/4 hrs.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: Month of March: 1 call in another municipality. For the Month of April: 5 calls. Events coming up will be the Chili Bake Off and Flea Market on Memorial Day. The Carnival will be held the 2nd week of June.
AMBULANCE REPORT: Nancy Eppley
Month of March and April: 18 calls each. The Wheel Chair Advance Service started on April 3rd.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant
Discussed the Status of the Dissolution of the Schwenksville Borough Authority. Bob has had several discussions with Chris Kraft and Gib Williams. There was a meeting scheduled for this Friday, but at the last minute it was cancelled. The attendees were to be: Chris Kraft, Robert Brant, Blake Dunbar and Fred Kehs. Bob will try to reschedule this meeting.
Bob reviewed information that is needed for the take over. Issues to be reviewed are: Bond issue amount, pay off any outstanding debt, any restrictions or conditions on the bonds issued, and whether there are enough funds to satisfy this, any other debt outstanding, list of equipment and personal property, deeds and real estate parcels, rights of way, etc. status of sewer liens, any litigation, finances-accounts and balances, employee information.
No questions from either council or anyone in the audience.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS AND ROADS: Chris Kraft
Issues to be considered: Spring Mt. Summit Condo Road, Mt. View Avenue, Montgomery Avenue and Drainage on 3rd Street.
Tom Snyder has mentioned that we need to reapply for funds for the 3rd Street project (curbing and drains). Chris explained the drainage situation. Tom mentioned that Carroll Engineering previously drew up a plan on the redoing of the storm sewers on 3rd Street, but it was denied on the Grant. Tom feels that it is a good time to reapply.
Another Grant is needed to be applied for that being the Handicap Ramp for Borough Hall. Both these grants can be accomplished now.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE TOM SNYDER REAPPLY FOR THE THIRD STREET GRANT AND FOR THE HANDICAP RAMP FOR BOROUGH HALL. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Starting Ordination of Streets: Chris proposed that Pat, Tom and himself get together and discuss this sometime next week.
Gib: When this is done, what are the specifications that are needed?
Bob Brant: When the Borough ordains a street it takes upon themselves a responsibility and a liability. The street must be passable, safe, and open. That responsibility has several avenues depending on the type of street is involved and the location of the street. He compared several streets. Some streets have to be brought up to certain specifications. There is no general rule. The engineer is very important in the decision making and his advice is necessary. Tom Snyder referred to a print dated 1991 on Boyer, Cherry , 3rd and 4th Streets, these were previously checked by the engineer.
Chris: Not forming a committee yet. But will discuss the streets and report back to council at their next meeting.
PROPERTY: Chris Kraft
Borough Hall Renovations: Engineer was here and went over everything and has drafted a plan. They will be presenting a drafted plan with figures.
Letter concerning the Former Perkiomen Railroad Corridor and Adjacent Properties: Chris previously drafted a letter for councils' review and tonight the final letter is ready along with a proposed resolution. Chris reviewed the letter and read the resolution which is on file at the Borough Hall Office in the Resolution file.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RESOLUTION. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
There will be no cost to the Borough. Committees will need to be established to help raise monies to support this venture. It may be successful or may not be depending on discussions that will result with the property owners involved.
Pat questioned whether the local Planning Commission and the Montgomery County Planning Commission have seen this, is council duplicating anything?
Chris: There is no duplication and the local and county planning boards are aware of this. The intent was mentioned.
Dick Croyle-property owner in the audience said that his property would be affected. He has spent a considerable amount of money improving the parking lot in order to alleviate parking problems on Main Street. He owns about 600' and now it is being proposed to take this land from him. Never saw any proposal. Chris mentioned that the letter was not approved by council and therefore not available for publication or review.
Pat questioned since the parking lot is being improved shouldn't the land come under the Land Development Code, has this plan come before the Planning Commission? Mr.Croyle said that he is not developing land only improving the parking lot. Tom Snyder has been in contact with Mr. Croyle throughout this process and before any imperious surface paving is done he must do something about planning. At the present time, he is just filling in. Questioned if the fill is approved by the County. Yes and by the Dept of Agriculture. It is clean fill and it is recyclable. Mr. Croyle was asked to abide by the Pennsylvania Planning Code.
FINANCE: Gilbert Williams Nothing tonight
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
Grant for the Park still being worked on.
STREET LIGHTING: Barbara Slater
Working on getting prices. Bernie mentioned that most electric suppliers rates are comparable. The suppliers would be supplying electric just to the street lights. Will continue to check out.
FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Pat Katona No report
POLICE COMMITTEE: Pat Katona
Application on the Computer, any news: Probably might be getting in Sept or October.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Bernie McCollum
Snow Plowing Resolution: Would like to get this passed, enough time has been spent on it.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTING A POLICY AGAINST PLOWING SNOW FROM UNORDAINED ROADS LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH.
Question: Chris basically opposes this, but some of this might get resolved by ordaining some of the streets. Doesn't object to the resolution itself.
ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Street Cleaning: (State Roads-Main and Perkiomen Avenue) 100 hrs. $70.49 per hr.
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO SIGN THIS RESOLUTIO. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Tom Snyder: The Spring Mountain Property will be going to settlement in about 2 weeks. There will be no cost to the Borough also there is no ground in the Borough.
MOTIONED BY GILBERT WILLIAMS AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE EITHER ROBERT BRANT OR BERNARD McCOLLUM BE AUTHORIZE TO SIGN THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION TO THE OPEN SPACE FUNDS FOR SPRING MOUNT PROPERTY. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley
Borough's Assn. Dinner/Meeting: Thursday, May 25th at the Gypsy Rose Inn. Hosts are Collegeville, Trappe, and Schwenksville. Anyone wanting to attend please contact Donna at Collegeville or Nancy. Cost is $5.00 a person.
Open House by DEP in Conshohocken on May 25th. Subject: Communicating with the Community.
NEW BUSINESS: Nothing
OLD BUSINESS: Nothing
MAYOR'S REPORT: Carroll Rosenberger Nothing tonight
All business being conducted the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy J. Eppley
Secretary
Meeting began: 7:30 p.m. and ended: 8:45 p.m.
Next meeting: June 8th, 2000 at 7:30 p.m.