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MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 27, 2000 COUNCIL MEETING The year end meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Richard Boyd presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer. Members Present - Richard Boyd, Jeanette Heckman, Roy Heffner, Scott Kreider, Charles Figard, Leon Balthaser and Charles Figard Members Absent – None Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor Speicher Visitors – Nikki Murry, Hamburg Item and Chris Hinz, Reading Eagle/Times A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the amended agenda. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE - None A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the minutes of December 11, 2000 meeting as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None A motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Personnel Committee and Finance Committee. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Flows at the plant are normal for this time of year.
SDE spoke to the contractor who built the garage on North Crescent Avenue. The contractor states that the floor drain is a French drain. SDE and plant personnel will evaluate this further.
No issues this month.
SDE submitted calculations of new local limits to the EPA as required by the NPDES permit for the wastewater treatment plant. We are waiting for the EPA’s comments on this submission. WATER SYSTEM (COUNCIL: FOR INFORMATION ONLY) WATER PRODUCTION Water is currently flowing over the spillway. The filtration plant is back on line. Plant personnel are working with Roberts Filter Group to eliminate minor programming problems. SDE and Tony continue to prepare a spare parts lists with costs for items at the water filtration plant.
The following items are currently being worked on:
Finance Committee Report Monday, November 13, 2000 Attending: Scott Kreider, Jeanette Heckman, Roy Heffner, Chuck Figard, Leon Balthaser, Rick Boyd and Lynda Albright Recycling Contract – Recommend to enter into an agreement with Cougle’s Recycling for collection and transport of newspapers and co-mingled magazines as per contract presented. 2001 Budget – (12/11/00 Version) – Lynda went over changes and reasoning for recent changes in budget including Penn Steel closing among other things JP Mascaro Recycling Contract – With the increase in fuel prices they would like to increase the rates to cover rising costs based on consumer price indexes (CPI) somewhere between 3.5% and 5.6%, however, we would like to know if we have any recourse to have them covered if and when fuel prices decrease. Lynda will check into this. Tax Anticipation Loan – It is anticipated that we will need to borrow money for the first quarter of 2001 on a short term basis, due to the fact that there is a minimal cash balance to be brought forward to the 2001 year, loss of sewer revenues with authority becoming an operating entity for water and sewer and future closing of Penn Steel. 2001 earned income tax revenues will not be coming in until mid-March or early April. Local banks will be contacted for rates. Chairman’s Opinion – I’m sure that in our own personal lives, if we don’t have the money, we don’t spend it!!!! How comes some of us think that we can spend other people’s money foolishly and unwisely. We must take a hard look at what we are doing here and change course for the betterment of all. NO MORE TAXES!!!! Respectfully submitted, Scott Kreider, Chairman December 14, 2000 Persons present: Rick Boyd, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard, Scott Kreider and Lynda Albright. Business covered: Interviews with Nancy McCreaary and Nicole Mozeko for Library Board Interview with Robert Gust for Zoning Board Interview with John Leonforte for part time building/zoning officer. Discussed personnel workman’s comp. for an employee. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Jeanette Heckman, Chairperson On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Scott Kreider to approve the following board reappointments for 2001.
ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None A motion was made by Leon Balthaser and seconded by Charles Figard to establish the following meeting dates for 2001: 2nd Monday and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for Council meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the 2001 General budget, in the amount of $2,168,800. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, NAYES – S. Kreider, L. Balthaser On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to adopt Ordinance #696-00, establishing the tax rate of 2.5 mill for general operations and .5 mills for capital reserve for 2001. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES – S. Kreider, L. Balthaser On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the annual agreement with the Animal Rescue League for 2001. This shall include a $300 contribution to ARL. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard , L. Balthaser, S. KreiderNAYES - None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to make the following appointments for 2001:
Union Fire Co. #1 of Hamburg – official Fire Company Hamburg Legion Ambulance – official ambulance service ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard , L. Balthaser, S. KreiderNAYES - None On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to extend the handicapped parking space at 522 S. 5th Street another 90 days, at which time the need for the sign will be reviewed again. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Leon Balthaser and seconded by Scott Kreider to appoint Thomas J. Zelinsky, Jr. as permanent full time Chief of Police effective January 1, 2001. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to execute the recycling contract with Cougle’s for the processing of our recyclables. This will be for a five year term. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to authorize the Borough Manager to make budgetary transfers as necessary (within each organization area of the budget.) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Diana Edwards to make the following appointments: Nancy McCreary to the Hamburg Library Board for a three-year term ending 12/31/03; Nicole Mozeko to the Hamburg Library Board to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of Melissa Schlenker, term ending 12/31/02; and Robert Gust to the Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year term ending 12/31/03. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Scott Kreider to appoint John Leonforte of Orwigsburg as the Assistant Building/Zoning Officer. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to appoint Richard W. Boyd to the Police Civil Service Commission term ending 12/31/04. (Discussion: Councilman Balthaser stated that he did not feel that this was a good move, especially since we will be hiring two full time officers. He feels that the Commission should be able to come to the Council for help. President Boyd stated that they only establish policy for testing, etc. The Civil Service Commission is not part of the selection committee. Councilman Kreider stated that someone else had been interested (Robert Gust) and with his background in law enforcement would have been a great candidate). ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES – S. Kreider, L. Balthaser On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to name the following officials to the Police Negotiating Committee: Richard Boyd, Chairman, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard, Mayor Del Rosario and Manager Lynda Albright. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None Solicitor Speicher stated that he received note from the Auditor General’s office dealing with the police pension fund dispute. There had been a possibility that the Borough’s State Aid being withheld. However, we did receive the state aid. The Auditor General’s Office can no longer litigate our police pension plan. Any and all litigation will be handled through the Public Employee Retirement Commission. Also, Solicitor Speicher mentioned that police officer candidates with military will receive an additional 10 points for veterans preference on their police testing scores. This must be considered when selecting new officers for the department, provided the candidate is "qualified". A motion was made by and seconded by to approve payment of invoices totaling $64,967.65 (Questions: Councilman Balthaser would like a copy of CTG’s bill and Councilman Kreider asked for an updated renovation building cost sheet. This renovation sheet will be distributed to all members.) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NAYES - None AT & T 77.91 American Leak Detection 250.00 Ames Dept. Store 47.01 BCMHIPG 11,465.68 County of Berks 1,654.51 Berks Mont Newspapers 165.53 Blue Mt. Computer Service 144.95 CFL Mechanical 841.61 CTG 1,500.00 Craig Correll 200.00 PA Dept. of Labor 25.00 GPU 6,805.32 Galls 55.98 Great Valley Consultants 411.60 Hamburg Auto 32.01 Hess Embroidery 40.00 Interstate Supply 297.65 Kantners 61.00 Stanley Klopp 47.94 Kozloff Stoudt 1,719.50 Kuzans 124.97 Anthony Lascala 300.00 MP Uniform 153.96 JP Mascaro 3,913.00 Medical Life 200.80 Morganti & Kirsch 4.74 Mountain View supply 110.20 MEIT 105.50 National Uniform 171.76 PPL Utilities 1,415.36 SA-SO 328.71 Software Systems 50.00 Stetzler, Roger 17.25 Stirling Engineering 29,208.88 Synergetics 1,856.57 Triangle Comm. 238.50 UST Indemnification 60.00 VoiceStream 18.27 Weaknect Sporting Goods 399.95 Wengert’s Automotive 410.38 Zee Medical Service 35.65 Grand Total $64,967.65 UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION January 1, 2001 – HAPPY NEW YEAR! January 8, 2001 – Finance Committee – 6:30 p.m. January 8, 2001 - Council meeting – 7:30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. on motion of Jeanette Heckman. ATTEST: Kim Y. Berger |
