MINUTES 5/22/02

Home
Up

MINUTES OF THE MAY 22, 2002 COUNCIL MEETING

The tenth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2002 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Rick Boyd presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present –Rick Boyd, Roy Heffner, Leon Balthaser, Diana Edwards, Jeanette Heckman, Dale Schlenker

Members Absent –Charles Figard

Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor

Speicher

Visitors – Thomas Zelinsky (Chief of Police), Kimm Montone (Pottsville Republican), Julia Nazimov (Reading Eagle), Cherie Reichard

A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Leon Balthaser to approve the amended agenda, by adding items under Old Business as well as new Business.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Cherie Reichard of N. 5th Street wanted to express her concern about the lack of police coverage in the borough and her concern about the borough making a presentation to cover other municipalities

Ms. Reichard also questioned how long the cadet program was. Chief Zelinsky stated that the cadet will finish the academy in November. They are trying to rectify the manpower situation.

Ms. Reichard also questioned the police pension. President Boyd stated that it was in litigation. Ms. Reichard asked how the Borough got to this point.

President Boyd stated that approximately 8-10 years ago, the pension plan was determined to be over funded. The police wanted the over funding to be reimbursed to them. The Borough Council of the time, against the solicitor’s advice, refunded the officers. The state now says that it is in violation of the regulations and that the Borough is liable for reinvesting in the police fund.

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2002 meeting.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, and Safety Committee,

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
ENGINEER'S REPORT
May 15, 2002

SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

· SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

Flows at the plant are normal to low for this time of year. Treatment is within normal parameters.

The equipment for the dechlorination system is beginning to arrive. The equipment will be installed and on line to meet our NPDES parameters in June.

· MID-ATLANTIC CANNERS

A new Industrial User Permit has been written and requires approval.

EDENBURG P.S.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. has prepared bid documents to televise and test the old system in Edenburg Manor. Bids will be received at the May meeting. As discussed at the last meeting, the system is constructed of PVC. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. recommends that we proceed with some testing of the sytem to determine if laterals are causing problems and the general condition of the mains. It does appear that manholes have and continue to be a problem, so they should be inspected and repaired.

WATER SYSTEM

WATER PRODUCTION

The impoundment dam is full. The filter plant has been supplying water to the system since April 10, 2002 when the filter system went off line due to the screen problem. Repair parts have been ordered and are expected shortly. The second filter has been inspected and is okay.

WATER PROJECTS

The blow off project is continuing. The original rate of flow valve is being returned and a new one ordered since the pressure differential is not sufficient to operate the valve within parameters. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is also evaluating a separator to remove dirt that enters the air stripper.

The booster pump has been received to directly inject the chlorine into the distribution system versus the clear well and will be installed shortly.

The sample pump has also been received to bring the combined finished water to the lab.

The small patch repairs to the cover of the clear well out at the filtration plant are progressing.

NPDES PERMIT RENEWAL (no change)

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. has completed the renewal permit for the clarifier discharge at the water treatment plant. A letter from the PA DEP deemed the application administratively complete. It is now in the process of technical review.

HAMBURG CENTER

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. discussed the issues with personnel at the Hamburg Center with regard to the recent appraisal of the thank and property. Copies of the appraisal have been forwarded for their review. They continue attempting to locate records to help determine the condition of the tank paint and inspection history.

Discussion with Steve Squibb this month indicates some doubt remains on how they want to progress. I have told them that the Authority has spent considerable time and money on this project and would like to know the Center’s direction.

SUBDIVISIONS/LDP

Wyndcliffe II – Flow certifications are being prepared for the water and sewer improvements.

 

SAFETY COMMITTEE – 5/21/02

The Committee met at 4 p.m. on May 21, 2002. Chief Zelinsky, Lynda Albright, Chuck Figard, Mayor Del Rosario, Dale Schlenker and Leon Balthaser were present.

A "Children Playing" sign was requested for the area between Arch and Maple Streets on S. 7th Street. High speed and heavy traffic were concerns expressed, particularly in the morning and afternoon times that students are arriving or leaving school. The committee approved the request and the family was so informed that evening.

Chief Zelinsky desires to establish an evidence room to assure chain of possession for evidence resulting from police activity. Each officer would have his own evidence cage so no other person would have access to another officer’s locker.

Chief Zelinsky has a $5,000 grant originally obtained for construction of a base station. The grant was delayed in reaching the Borough. In the meantime, Officer Leymeister obtained financing from the Masons for the station. DCED approved using their grant for the evidence Room. Council approval is recommended.

Chief Zelinsky will take steps to ensure the presence of police on S. 7th Street during arrival and dismissal times for students for the remaining school days.

Committee members viewed the area planned for the evidence room, following the meeting.

Chuck Figard

OLD BUSINESS

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to hire Rita Reed as a full time regular employee and increase her hourly rate by $0.50 per hour.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

NEW BUSINESS

On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Leon Balthaser permitting Chief Zelinsky to proceed with construction of an evidence room at a cost not to exceed $5,000.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Leon Balthaser to appoint Aimee Benfer as the Pool Manager at a salary of $5,000

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Leon Balthaser and seconded by Diana Edwards to execute the resolution to permit the Borough Manager to join in the PSAB Borough Manager Caucus at an annual rate of $10.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to allow the Jaycees to use a small room on the 2nd floor of the municipal building at no cost and to remodel the room as necessary. This will be for a period of one year.

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve payment of invoices totaling $59,555.19

ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

LIST OF BILLS

AT & T 14.56

BCMHIPG 15,512.64

BLUE MARSH SURVEYORS 2,092.00

BFI 9,604.84

BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 862.50

COMMONWEALTH OF PA 60.00

DANKA 47.94

FIRST PRECINCT UNIFORMS 129.75

FORT DEARBORN LIFE INSURANCE 187.00

Hamburg, Pa May 22, 2002 7:30 p.m.

GBF 171.30

GALLS INC. 131.38

HUTCHINSON, GORMAN AND FREEH 14,670.00

M & T BANK 430.16

JP MASCARO 4,123.13

MET-ED 1,635.82

PURCHASE POWER 1,019.00

SQUAD FITTERS 400.65

SYNERGETICS 4,199.38

SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEERING 4,251.32

WEIS MARKETS 11.82

TOTAL DUE $59,555.19

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

Solicitor Speicher was wondering what was happening with the ordinance reference to zoning changes. Manager Albright stated they were working on it.

UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION

June 3, 2002 at 7 p.m. – Rec Board meeting

June 4, 2002 at 7 p.m. – Property Committee

June 10, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. – Finance Committee

June 10, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. – Council meeting

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. on motion of Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman

 

ATTEST:

 

Kim Y. Berger

Recording Secretary/Office Manager