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MINUTES OF THE APRIL 14, 2003 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL The sixth 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 – Richard Boyd, Roy Heffner, Leon Balthaser, Charles Figard, Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman, Martha Bertolet Members Absent – None Also Present – Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Lynda Albright, Borough Manager, Solicitor Speicher Visitors – Eric Veronillis (Item), Merav Bushlin (Reading Eagle), Kimm Montone (Pottsville Republican), Thomas Zelinsky, James Gilmartin, Sandra Christman, Dianne Leibensperger, Buck Holtzman, Dennis Degler, John Sterner, Peggy Sterner, Lisa Ball, John Timtishin, Tracy Arce, Aaron Wetzel, Moses Arce, Michael Wachen, Shannon Haddix, Jeffrey Piccioni, Tony Concordia, Chris Rabold, Derek Warnick, Michael Gallagher, Scott Kreider A motion was made by Dale Schlenker 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, M. Bertolet NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Mr. Sterner questioned the noise ordinance. Noise violations will be covered by the Crimes Code – Disorderly conduct and the fines are set by the District Justice. Noise violations will be at the discretion of the officer on scene. If it is excessive they can cite under the disorderly conduct law. Warnings can be given, but again it is at the officer’s discretion. Mrs. Sterner questioned how the officer defines disorderly conduct. Chief Zelinsky stated that the officers are trained to uphold the crimes code. Mrs. Sterner would like to receive a copy of this statute. Chief Zelinsky stated that if he received the name and address he would be sure to see that she received a copy. Scott Kreider questioned why no street sweeping tickets were issued for April 4, 2003. Chief Zelinsky stated that it was due to the absence of manpower. Chief was also unavailable. Chief Zelinsky stated that street sweeping is covered for the rest of the year. Moses Arce asked if the Chief was part of that roster and President Boyd stated that he is a managerial employee and does not need to be part of the schedule. President Boyd stated that in this forum all questions should be directed to the President of Council not to the Chief of Police. A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve the minutes of the March 26, 2003 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the following reports: Borough Manager's Report, Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager's Report, Treasurer's Report and Property Committee Report. (Question: Councilman Balthaser questioned the leak at the pool. Manager Albright stated that the repair company would be coming in tomorrow. Councilman Balthaser also questioned why the borough was going to be purchasing the scoreboard rather than the organization. It was stated that it would be cheaper for us to purchase it due to the loss of revenue that would occur if we went with the Coca-cola contract.) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT MARCH, 2003 The Borough Manager’s report for the month of March, 2003, includes the following: Held two staff meetings to discuss various issues. Attended a meeting with Benecon to review and updates regarding the Borough’s medical insurance. Met with a representative from PA Risk and Insurance Services to review safety factors at each of the municipal owned facilities. Reviewed sections of the Safety policy we currently have in affect and discussed some changes to make it more effective. He will be sending additional information regarding this. Met with Richard Hart of the Hart Agency to go over the 2003 policies for the Borough and Authority. Due to the number of claims in recent years, our workers comp premiums are higher than anticipated. This will be reviewed mid-year and if possible, we may be changing workers comp carriers. John Leonforte, Code Enforcement Officer and I met with a gentleman who is interested in purchasing the property at 4th and State Streets. He would like to restore it to its original look, as well as other positive improvements. Met with John Leonforte on various other occasions to review and update several building/zoning and code enforcement issues. Met with staff to review policies, benefits, rules and regulations as they apply to both the hourly and supervisory personnel. I will be working to revise some areas of concern. An extensive amount of time was spent on personnel issues, as well as working with the county for the possible relocation of the District Justice Office to the Municipal Center. I am happy to report that the County has agreed to the relocation and the District Justice will be moving sometime after August 1 of this year. Completion of the renovation of the second floor north must be completed prior to the move and is construction will commence upon completion of final design and bidding process. In addition to two council meetings, attended Personnel, Property, Safety and Authority meetings. If anyone has any questions regarding my report, please feel free to ask. Following my report are the activities of my staff for the month of March, 2003.
Lynda G. Albright Borough Manager PUBLIC WORKS SUPT. REPORT AUTHORITY PROJECTS The meter replacement program is winding down for the season. A lot of time has been spent on cold patching. A lot of streets are in dire need of repair. As soon as the weather breaks, a lot of time will be spent hot patching to try and salvage some of the streets. Time and the bad weather has really impacted our roads. The crew spent some time cutting brush as well as cleaning up lots of tree limbs around the greenway area. Some street signs were repaired. The crew hauled snow from various intersections and parking lots. With the warmer weather at the end of the month, the street sweeper was utilized to start the huge task of cleaning the streets of cinders. We also started the clean up of the litter along the roads. RECREATION AREAS The crew spent some time, during the warmer weather, starting to prepare the park for the spring season, spent time repairing and cleaning up. Worked on equipment to prepare for spring. Richard L. Pickel Public Works Superintendent Water & Wastewater Superintendent’s Report March 2003 Wastewater The mains and manholes in Edenburg have been grouted and sealed. We have had high flow since the grouting was done and the pumping station flooded, however the manhole sealing was not completed at that time. Powerco was in to work on the backhoe brakes. The wheel cylinders were replaced and everything seemed fine. A week later the master cylinders failed. They have since been replaced and, so far so good. The new influent and effluent meters have been installed and everything is going smoothly. Tom Leary has gone out of business and I have contact LRM to service our meters and chart recorders and well as finish installation of the ORP equipment for dechlorination. USEPA has asked to use some space inside the fence at the Wastewater plant for staging and storage while they clean up the leads contamination on the south end of town. They will peel back the top soil, and build a solid base to work from and will restore the site to it’s original condition when they are done. In order to accommodate the use of our emergency pump without washing their site away they have purchased, for us, three fifty foot sections of hose so our discharge will be beyond the site. We have had another bout with filimentous bacteria. They are now under control but the sludge is settling poorly. We are using polymer as a settling aid as needed and have been meeting permit parameters. Water The Public Notice Regulation document has been completed. I have reviewed it with Jennifer and will ask the authority to adopt it at the next meeting. It will then become part of the ERP. I also met with Jennifer on the vulnerability assessment and will report to the Authority at the next meeting. Tony and I met with representatives of Applied Analytics on several options for recording turbidities to meet PaDEP requirements. When Greg returns to work I will discuss the options with him and hope to have something ordered by the next Authority meeting. Greg and I also discussed the possibility of installing a SCADA (system control and data acquisition) system at the Water Plant. Regulations now in effect and in the pipeline may make this advantageous. I spent considerable time working on the Annual Water Supply Report for both 2001 and 2002. PaDEP changed the rules on how we may report on wells 2,3 & 4 and also requires a map of our water sources and supply area. I met with Susan Werner of PaDEP on how to report wells 2,3 &4 and have also prepared a map showing sources and service area. PaDEP conducted the twice-delayed Filter Plant Performance Evaluation. Tony worked with PaDEP extensively on turbidity sampling, measurement and reporting. We will be getting a report from them on their findings. As it stands, while the overall evaluation should be pretty good, turbidity sampling will be an issue and I don’t believe our sampling location will be allowed because it is post soda ash addition. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater Superintendent OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT – MARCH 2003 During the month of March, I attended two Council meetings, one EMA meeting and one staff meeting. Work continues on the access program regarding the water leak information and review of its contents. Work continues on a workman’s compensation claim from 1999. The insurance claim regarding the borough truck that was struck by a resident, who went around the barricade, was completed. Berks Earned Income Tax requires the borough to file their quarterly reports and W-2’s via magnetic media. Work was completed on form that will be submitted to them. On March 12 and March 13, I traveled to Harrisburg for updates on the computer system. On March 17 and March 18 I was in Pittsburgh received training from the Software Company. Since it was the end of the first quarter, quarterly reports and grease trap letters were completed. The annual tenant form mailing was completed. Throughout the month, work was done on the water reports for DEP. Research on water and sewer information for the Hamburg Ambulance was obtained. The web page was updated as well as the municipal access channel. I created a pie chart reflecting the budget figures; this will be expanded upon in the near future. I have been in contact with Mountain Lake Pool Company regarding the pool issue. The pool will be drained, pressure washed and the company is coming into find another leak. I attended a conference with PEMA regarding an application for storm reimbursement. I attended a meeting with the other supervisors on March 28, 2003. Respectfully submitted,
Office Manager
Property Committee Mtg. 4/1/03 Chairman-Roy R. Heffner Attendance: D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, C. Figard, R. Boyd, L. Albright, D. Longacre Representatives from Synergetics, RPA and Burkhardt Mechanical.
OLD BUSINESS NONE NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner authorizing the Borough Manager to file an application and execute all documents related thereto with FEMA for possible reimbursement for the President’s Day Snow storm of 2003. (Special note: reimbursement covers exclusively overtime for the crew, outside vendors, materials used and equipment. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. BertoletNAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to accept the resignation, with regret, of Barry Shollenberger as a member of the Recreation Board. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Leon Balthaser to appoint Michael Stasulli and Tina Yoder as members to the Recreation Board. Both terms of office run until 12/31/03. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Roy Heffner to take action permitting the Hamburg Jaycees to hold their annual Memorial Day Festivities from Sunday, May 18th to Tuesday, May 27th with the same conditions as in the past, except that the Jaycees will be required to submit to the Borough Manager, in advance of use of the park, a company contact or individuals who will be repairing any damage that may occur due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to take action authorizing Doug Kramer of Synergetics Architects to proceed with the final design and preparation of bidding documents for completion of the renovations to the second floor north side of the Municipal building to accommodate its use by the District Justice. (QUESTION: Councilman Balthaser questioned how much this design would cost? Manager Albright stated that the design is almost finished, cost unknown.) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard take action to continue covering the water/sewer charges for the Ambulance building for 2003. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker, M. Bertolet NAYES – None In the absence of the Mayor, Chief Zelinsky read the following Proclamations relating to Arts and Crafts Festival and the Memorial Day Festivities at the Park: PROCLAMATION FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS Parking is prohibited on the following streets between the hours of 8 am and 3 pm. On State Street between 3rd and 4th Street On S. 4th Street between State Street and Pine Street PROCLAMATION FOR MEMORIAL DAY FESTIVITIES ONE WAY TRAFFIC One way traffic will be in effect around the Hamburg Park twenty four hours a day on May 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2003. One way traffic will run: Westbound – On Franklin Street from N. 3rd Street to Park Road Southbound – On Park Road from Franklin St. to Island St. Eastbound – On Island St. from Park Road to N. 3rd Street Northbound – On Peach Alley from Island St. to Franklin St. Parking will be prohibited on N. 2nd St. between State St. and Island St. on May 26, 2003 between 8 am and 10 am. A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve
payment of invoices totaling $204,697.71. NAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 227.76 AMERICA’S TONER 319.94 BOC GASES 20.95 BARKO CLEANING SERVICE 914.00 BERKS CO. TREASURER 307.48 COUNTY OF BERKS 1,630.17 BERKS PRODUCTS 308.85 BERKS MONT NEWSPAPERS 29.30 BLUE MT. COMPUTER SERVICE 480.45 BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 890.98 CMA READING 850.00 COMMONWEALTH OF PA 25.00 COPY WORLD 1,552.00 EMAC DAIRY BRUSH 84.80 EJB PAVING 170.82 EARTHLINK 23.95 EDENBURG WELDING 389.00 EHRLICH CO. 121.00 GALLS INC. 230.91 GEORGE BISEL 156.55 GREAT VALLEY CONSULTANTS 868.43 HAMBURG AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 54.23 HART, RICHARD 12,265.00 HENN’S GARAGE 369.44 KANTNER’S TIRE SERVICE 22.00 KELLER’S 72.50 MIKE KERSHNER 79.80 EM KUTZ 1,227.49 KUZANS TRUE VALUE 121.25 LEISAWITZ, HELLER & ABRAMOWITCH 4,019.78 LESHER’S APPLIANCES 35.00 LOWE’S BUSINESS 251.94 MET-ED 5,601.62 MOUNTAIN VIEW SUPPLY 308.07 MEIT 215.00 NEXTEL 609.04 STATE WORKERS INSURANCE FUND 6,469.00 PPL UTILITIES 1,890.94 PENN PRIDE 1,054.64 PICKEL’S GENERAL HAULING 140.00 PITNEY BOWES 325.00 RANDALL RENTSCHLER 6.16 SAM’S CLUB 158.86 SAVAGE, E.S. 154.24 SMART DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS 57.54 STAPLES CREDIT PLAN 129.98 SYNERGETICS 437.50 SYSTEMS DESIGN ENGINEERING 506.94 TERRY’S TREE EXPERTS 1,200.00 THYSSENKRUPP 155.70 TRIANGLE COMMUNICATION 170.50 UNIFIRST 365.50 GENE M. VENZKE 455.00 VERIZON 415.69 WESTERN AUTO 26.99 BILLS TO BE PAID $48,974.68
BILLS TO BE PAID DURING THE MONTH ALBRIGHT COLLEGE 220.00 WACHOVIA BANK 936.75 KIM BERGER 1,000.00 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG 78,636.27 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG EMP. SHARE SS 4,057.45 M & T BANK 21,705.60 RICHARD PICKEL 140.98 DENNIS SCHWOYER 1,025.00 NASRO 325.00 BERKS COUNTY TREASURER 423.00 STATE WORKER’S INSURANCE FUND 18,137.25 THE SPORTSMAN’S GUIDE 670.60 M & T BANK 430.16 RODGER GEHRING 21.00 HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 26,236.62 RANDALL RENTSCHLER 1.80 PA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FUND 1,370.55 ROBERT MENGLE 300.00 THOMAS ZELINSKY 85.00 TOTAL BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH $155,723.03 TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $204,697.71
SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was held from 7:50 p.m. to 9:07 p.m. to discuss personnel issues and potential litigation. A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Roy Heffner to terminate the probationary employment of Officer Rodger Gehring effective immediately and that a letter be sent to him notifying him of his termination in accordance with PA Law. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, M. Bertolet NAYES – L. Balthaser, D. Schlenker INFORMATION ITEMS
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. on motion of Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard.
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