MINUTES 3/22/04

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MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 22, 2004 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL

The sixth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2004 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Adam Dries presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present – Adam Dries, Tammy Wilkinson, Charles Figard, Jeanette Heckman, Martha Bertolet, Tina Yoder, Dale Schlenker

Members Absent – None

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

Visitors- Maria Heine (Pottsville Republican), Lowell Thomas (EMA Coordinator), Norman Taylor, Officer William McEllroy, Tom Rausch, Stephen Rausch, Richard Boyd, Brad Breininger, Lori Guldin, Kerry Delong, Pat Delong, Tim Neufeld, Dolores Painter, John Timtishin, Acting Chief of Police Michael Painter, Holley McEllroy, Merav Bushlin (Reading Eagle), Norma Berger

A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the amended agenda by adding under New Business a resolution for the Our Town Foundation receiving $70,000 in funds from the DCED. Funds will be processed through the borough.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Lowell Thomas, Emergency Management Coordinator was present to request that the resolution and promulgation for EMA be approved this evening.

Mr. Thomas stated that there may need to be some minor changes needed to operate the operations center out of the municipal building. There may have to be some changes or upgrades to the items that are located in the caucus room for emergencies. These should be of very nominal cost.

Mr. Thomas also stated that the municipal building is lacking an emergency generator. In the event of an emergency where power is out, the operations center could not function without back up power.

Mr. Thomas stated that if we cannot get an emergency back up generator, the operations center would have to be moved back to the Ambulance garage where there is the capability of running the center with back up power.

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the minutes of the March 8, 2004 meeting.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report and Safety Committee Report.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

 

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY
ENGINEER'S REPORT
February 17, 2004

SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

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

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work on a preliminary design for the expansion of the wastewater plant. A cost estimate is being prepared for submittal to the governor’s Task Force for funding purposes. A verbal report will be presented to the Board.

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is continuing dialog with DEP on the Connection Management Plan.

MID-ATLANTIC CANNERS

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to talk with MACA on future needs. The Authority has received a letter from MACA pursuant to organic load. MACA is considering an additional capacity purchase of 200 pounds of BOD to take their long term capacity from 700 to 900 pounds. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is using this request in the capacity review.

SPECIFICATIONS

As reported at the last meeting, the Solicitor and Systems Design Engineering, Inc. met to bring the draft specifications to completion. The Solicitor submitted the Rules and Regulations for review at the meeting. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. has prepared the Pretreatment Regulations and Technical Drawings. The Pretreatment Regulations and Technical Drawings are the same as previously submitted with slight revisions in the form of typographical corrections and form. The Board should discuss any required changes and/or approve the documents.

PROJECTS

WETT/NPDES Permit Renewal-submitted and administratively complete

Plant Expansion Study

WATER SYSTEM

WATER PRODUCTION

The impoundment dam remains full with recent rains greatly improving inflow. Most production this reporting period has been from the surface water filtration plant.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work with Plant Personnel on new and proposed regulations that may effect the System in the future.

WATER PROJECTS

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is assisting plant personnel with the Radon Study. The monitors are installed and plant personnel are testing under slab ventilation.

VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is working on the Vulnerability Assessment for the water system and will report recommendations for review.

Safety Committee

The committee met at 3:30 on Tuesday 16, March 04. Present were:

Tammy Wilkinson, Lynda Albright, Acting Chief Painter, Dale Schlenker and Chuck Figard.

1. Request for a handicap parking sign at 257 S 4th St. was put on hold until the Borough Manager obtains additional information. Several committee members stated parking was not a problem in that area therefore, a reserved spot did not appear warranted.

2. Gun policy signs restricting gun possession in borough hall will be re-worded to remind persons authorized to carry concealed weapons they cannot bring them into borough hall due to the presence of the District Justice’s office in the building. State laws apply.

3. The Hamburg Item mistakenly listed Hamburg Police events of 8-14 March under the Pennsylvania State Police Log. Chief Painter had stated at last month’s meeting that police events in Hamburg would once again be provided to the Item and the current information was provided.

4. Statistics – information was provided to the committee concerning police work being done in conjunction with Shoemakersville police. Wherein tractor-trailers and other large trucks are being checked for safety and weight violations. One week the checks will be done at the Shoemakersville’s water tower pad, the next week in the Hamburg area. This helps both boroughs in removing unsafe vehicles from the highways and also helps the Hamburg police truck inspector maintain his certification.

5. Acting Chief Painter continues preparation for the upcoming Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) advisory study.

OLD BUSINESS

A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Dale Schlenker to untable the motion regarding the EMA resolution and Promulgation.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve Resolution #2-2004, updates to the Emergency Operations Plan and the Promulgation for the Hamburg Emergency Management Plan.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Martha Bertolet to hire Kyle Fritz as a park/pool employee for the 2004 summer season.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

NEW BUSINESS

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard to approve releasing $23,630.03 from the Line of Credit to reimburse the General account for expenses incurred under the Capital Improvements Project.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Charles Figard approving a 90-day extension on Sal Fiore’s Land Development.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Tina Yoder giving permission to the Hamburg American Legion to hold their annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31, 2004 beginning at 9:00 a.m., following the same or similar parade route as in the past.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson to accept Tina Yoder’s resignation, with regret, as a member of the Hamburg Recreation Board. The resignation is to become effective immediately.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder, D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager to Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Tina Yoder appointing Russell Stichter as a regular full-time employee on the Borough Crew retroactive to March 15, 2004 and to increase his salary to $12.50/hr. (Mr. Stichter has successfully completed his probationary period.)

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager to Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson appointing Joyce Clay as a regular full-time employee as the Police Secretary effective April 1, 2004 and to increase her salary to $11/hour. (Mrs. Clay has successfully completed her probationary period.) Mrs. Clay will also work as a parking enforcement officer.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the resolution for the Borough to submit a grant application to DCED for $70,000 on behalf of Our Town Foundation and that the borough serve as liaison and for the Borough Manager to complete the necessary paperwork.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Charles Figard to approve payment of invoices totaling $63,224.52.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

LIST OF BILLS

AT & T 24.57

ALBRIGHT COLLEGE 400.00

BOC GASES 23.07

COPY WORLD 159.00

EMC INSURANCE 4,894.09

FRY COMMUNIATIONS 634.92

GALLS 672.77

GOULD PUBLICATIONS 54.95

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 103.24

J & T AUTO 123.48

KUZANS 74.57

LEISAWITZ, HELLER & ABRAMOWITCH 1,938.79

LOWE’S 55.95

M & T BANK 430.16

J P MASCARO 6,580.88

MET-ED 2,615.51

NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS 759.68

PITNEY BOWES 188.70

QUILL 160.30

RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 13,306.68

REED SMITH 14,585.87

RESPONSE LAW 134.90

ROGER STETZLER 21.00

SYNERGETICS 7,095.73

SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEERING 7,383.05

THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR 160.37

TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 170.50

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES 416.27

WEIS MARKETS 16.54

WESTERN AUTO 38.98

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $63,224.52

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

An Executive Session was called at 7:48 p.m. to discuss personnel issues.

Meeting reconvened at 8:40 p.m.

A motion was made by Tammy Wilkinson and seconded by Tina Yoder to move Acting Chief of Police Michael Painter to regular Chief of Police with contract expiring December 31, 2004.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to set aside up to $9,000 from the line of credit towards the scoreboard that will be erected at the park by the Lions Club. There is a donation being made of $15,000 by a private individual. This will help with any accommodations that they need.

ROLL CALL: AYES – A. Dries, T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, C. Figard, T. Yoder,

D. Schlenker

NAYES – None

 

UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION

MARCH 23, 2004 – 4 P.M. – PROPERTY COMMITTEE

APRIL 5, 2004 – 3:30 P.M. – STREETS COMMITTEE

APRIL 6, 2004 – 4 P.M. – PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

APRIL 12, 2004 – 6:30 P.M. – FINANCE COMMITTEE

APRIL 12, 2004 – 7:30 P.M. – COUNCIL MEETING

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. on motion of Tina Yoder and seconded by Tammy Wilkinson.

ATTEST:

 

Kim Y. Berger 

Recording Secretary/Office Manager