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MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 22, 2003 COUNCIL MEETING The second regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2003 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, Dale Schlenker, Charles Figard, Jeanette Heckman Members Absent – Diana Edwards Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor
Visitors- Kimm Montone (Pottsville Republican), Merav Bushlin (Reading Eagle) A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the amended agenda. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE NONE A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the minutes of the January 13, 2003 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Property Committee Report and Safety Committee Report. (Correction: Item 1 under the Property Committee Report – all of council was not invited to the meeting at the park). ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None Property Committee Meeting January 14, 2003 Attendance: D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Albright, D. Longacre-Main Street, Representatives from the Lion’s Club and the baseball club 1) The Lion’s Club and the ball club came to discuss the projects they have planned for the Community Park. Of primary concern was the placement of the electronic scoreboard. Their preference was the area left of the flagpole. Property committee felt that the scoreboard in this area would obstruct the general community aspects of the band shell and park. A previous meeting with them at the park had discussed the area behind the food stand within the pool fencing. They rejected this area, as a light pole would be directly in the center view of the scoreboard. The Lion’s Club was emphatic that their selected area would be the only one they, as a club, would agree to for their support. They indicated that it is necessary for the borough to arrange the Coke contract for the procurement of the scoreboard. Property Committee was not aware that the next step would be the boroughs. Property Committee said we would discuss the issue and let them know our decision. There was much discussion on this topic. The Committee agreed to meet with the Lion’s Club and the ball club on Saturday at 9:00 AM to review additional possibilities. The Borough Manger to arrange the meeting. Also invited were the Recreation Board and all of Council. 2) David Longacre had nothing to report from the Main Street Program. 3) The subject of the season pool rates was discussed. The topic was tabled till next month additional financial data for the 2002 pool season will be available. The Finance Chairman recommends an increase for this year. 4) There has not been any additional information concerning the use of the second floor area for the District Justice. 5) Spotts, Stevens, & McCoy can provide an audit of our pool with recommendations for upgrades. The cost would be $3300.00. It was suggested that we contact the person that did the repair last year and see what he could provide for us. Update next meeting6) The Borough Manager reported on the broken windows at the park bathrooms. An investigation is continuing. The windows have been replaced. It was suggested that Lexan be used for the next replacements. 7) Property Maintenance – Evaluating the charges for this service. Recommendation will be made for the next meeting. Awaiting any recommendations for code modifications. 8) Brief discussion on the snow removal/plowing in the business area. Saturday Meeting with the Lion’s Club & Ball Club – January 18 Reviewed the possible areas for the scoreboard. Discussed an area right of the flagpole. The Recreation Board raised the possibility of the Lion’s Club original option B, left field in front of the tennis courts. Trees would need to be trimmed back on the field side. After much discussion on both sides, there was mutual agreement that this area would be acceptable to all. Coke will be contacted to further discuss the details of a contract. It was emphasized to all that a scoreboard would be dependent on the details and demands of a mutually agreeable contract. The portable fencing had been previously approved with openings at strategic locations to allow for pedestrian traffic through the park and fence. Property Committee stressed the need for communication between all groups to allow all phases of this project to proceed without delays. SAFETY COMMITTEE The committee met at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday 21, Jan 03. The following personnel were present: Mayor Del Rosario, Chief Zelinsky, Lynda Albright, Leon Balthaser, Dale Schlenker and Charles Figard. John and Peggy Sterner, 253 Walnut St. requested time to present their request for action involving illegal parking at Peach Alley and Walnut Street. Difficulty is experienced in getting out of the alley due to poor visibility caused by vehicles parking too close to the intersection. The recommended remedy is to repaint the yellow curb markings in the spring and utilize the police to cite illegal parkers. The committee recommends Ordinance 680 Chapter 15 (motorized vehicles) section 402 be amended to permit parking on the north side of Pine Street from the east entrance to St. John’s Cemetery to Church Street. Further recommend that No Parking signs be installed for a 90-day test period on the remaining north side of Pine St. from the easternmost cemetery entrance to the Hamburg Area High School entrance and on the South side from Church Street east to the bridge. Request for a stop sign at Peach and Locke Alleys was denied pending further site inspection. Two-way traffic request for Schuylkill Avenue involving relocation of entry and exit signs was postponed until a review is made of a previous study of that area. Recommend legal review of noise ordinance presented by the Mayor to replace current ordinance. Charles F. Figard OLD BUSINESS NONE On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Leon Balthaser to permit the Lion’s Club to place a 9’ x 27’ Scoreboard along the east side of the tennis courts near the big ball field, contingent upon a mutually acceptable contract with Coca Cola. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to allow the ball teams to erect a portable fence around the big ball field, which will be left up during duration of the ball season, but will be taken down should there be other events in the park and to leave at least two to three - five-foot openings in the fence for pedestrian traffic. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None The possibility of a trolley route in the Borough of Hamburg was discussed. President Boyd stated that everyone was asked to think of different scenarios as to where the trolley could run. He presented the scenario of utilizing Pine Street to the field house where the trolley could turn around. The Fire Company has not been presented with this idea as of yet. There was discussion about the possibility of installing a permanent stage at the parking lot at 4th and Pine Streets. On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Dale Schlenker to authorize the borough manager to prepare an amendment to the Ord. #680 -Motor Vehicles, Chapter 15, section 402 to permit parking on the north side of Pine Street from the east entrance of St. John’s Cemetery to Church Street. A 90-day trial for No Parking Signs to be installed on the remaining north side of Pine Street from the easternmost cemetery entrance to the Hamburg Area High School entrance and on the South side from Church Street to the bridge. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to recommend the Borough Solicitor affirm that a sub-division plan is not necessary for the sale of the former PA Steel property with 3rd Street being the dividing line of the two parcels. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve payment of invoices totaling $20,168.87. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker NAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 18.12 AT & T 169.62 BOC GASES 21.45 BERKS CO. CHIEFS OF POLICE 70.00 FORT DEARBORN LIFE INS. 187.00 FROMM ELECTRIC 42.60 GALLS 230.85 TROY HATT 150.00 HESS, ANDREW 16.00 EM KUTZ 68.00 LEISAWITZ, HELLER, ABRAMOWITCH 1,055.48 M & T BANK 430.16 MILLERS 5 & 10 165.66 NORTHERN BERKS CHAMBER 50.00 PSAB 40.00 PA CHIEFS OF POLICE 190.00 PITNEY BOWES 208.61 POWERCO 31.94 QUILL 94.37 RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 13,302.00 REPPERT’S AUTO SERVICE 40.00 SAMS CLUB 62.54 SAVAGE, E.S. 50.76 SYSTEMS DESIGN 3,236.23 YIS/COWDEN GROUP 205.75 ZEE MEDICAL 27.75 TOTAL BILLS TO BE PAID $20,168.87 SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was held from 8 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. January 29, 2003 – 7 p.m. – Trolley discussion at the High School
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. on motion of Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard. ATTEST: Kim Y. Berger
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