MINUTES OF THE YEAR END MEETING OF DEC. 27, 2006 OF BOROUGH COUNCIL

The year-end meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Tammy Wilkinson presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer.

Members Present – Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet, Dale Schlenker, Roger Stetzler, Elaine Swavely, Roy Heffner, Jeanette Heckman

Members Absent –None

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

Visitors – Chief Michael Painter, Stephen DeLucas - Reading Eagle

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the amended agenda.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

NONE

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the minutes of December 11, 2006 meeting as submitted.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

The wastewater treatment plant has again operated better in the month of November. Systems Design Engineering, Inc., Keith Brobst and plant staff continues to watch the plant carefully to determine corrective action for the difficulties encountered in the past.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is also working with the Solicitor on the EPA issues.

 

WWTP PROJECT

Bids were received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant on February 17, 2005. The Authority at their February 22, 2006 meeting issued the "Intent to Award" to:

General/Mechanical Contract DESCCO Design and Construction, Inc.

Amount of Contract: $5,866,184.00

Change Orders No. 1 $ 7,412.00

$5,873,569.00

 

Electrical Contract J.B. Electric Corp.

Amount of Contract: $983,469.00

 

HVAC Contract PSI Pumping Solutions

Amount of Contract: $70,900.00

Contracts were executed and the "Notice to Proceed" was issued on March 17, 2006 to all contractors. The pre-construction meeting was held on March 16, 2006. Work is progressing very well. The Contractor is maintaining the work site in a clean and safe condition.

Work completed this period:

Oxidation Ditch precast complete and tested, mechanical equipment installed. Handrails being installed

Clarifiers tested and approved. Weirs and mechanical equipment are being completed.

Pump building and electrical room nearly complete.

Distribution box concrete complete with yard piping and stop gates

Mechanical yard piping progressing. Complete route from pump station to the clarifiers is complete. Chlorine Contact and effluent in progress.

Electrical Contractor working on conduit system, generator and switchgear installed. Motor Control Center installed and wiring of equipment progresses.

Backfilling around the clarifiers complete to rough grade

Applications for Payment

DESCCO Design and Construction Application No. 9 (Requisition 237)

Amount $ 525,398.00

Balance on Contract $1,860,314.00

J.B. Electric Corp. Application No. 6 (Requisition 238)

Amount $145,800.00

Balance on Contract $458,949.00

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. assists the Solicitor on financing issues as required. The closing of the Commonwealth Financing Authority loan occurred on Friday September 15, 2006.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. has submitted payment applications for the complete grant amount and the first draw for the loan to provide continued cash flow for the remainder of the project. The first draw on the loan of approximately $2.5 million was received. The full grant amount from PENNWORKS was received in the amount of 687,250.00. The Authority has received confirmation of the DCED allocation of the Berks County grant in the amount of $130,000 per year for 10 years ($1,300,000 total). The second draw on the PENNWORKS loan is being worked on.

PUMP STATION PROJECT

Bids were received for the Pine Street Pump Station on December 16, 2005. The Authority has issued the "Intent to Award" to:

General/Mechanical Contract Pikeland Construction, Inc

Amount of Contract: $585,000.00

Change Orders $ 5,200.00

$590,200.00

 

Electrical Contract Pagoda Electrical, Inc.

Amount of Contract: $206,000.00

Change Order $ 178.64

$206,178.64

The Award and Notice to Proceed was issued on January 20, 2006.

Work this period included:

The project is substantially complete. Punch list items are being completed. Project closeout is in progress.

Evaluation of adding air release ports to the pumps are progressing. Additional tests to evaluate a water flush are also being investigated.

Applications for Payment

Pikeland Construction, Inc.

Amount $ 0.00

Balance on Contract $ 66,465.00

 

Pagoda Electrical

Amount $ 0.00

Balance on Contract $ 11,733.93

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN and I/I WORK

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is proceeding with review of repairs of the collection system as determined by the past televising contract.

WISSAHICKON WATER (no change)

WATER PRODUCTION

The impoundment dam has is full. The plant operator restarted the filter plant but elected to shut it down due to difficulties with operation. Most water for this report period was produced from the wells. Proposals are being solicited for replacement of the control system of the filter plant. We have contacted Optimum Control Corp. (OCC), a Reading based firm to quote the project. OCC programs water filter plants for Infilco. A budget price on rebuilding the control system will be presented.

REQUISITIONS

Requisition 237 DESCCO Design and Construction $525,398.00

Requisition 238 J.B. Electric Corp. $145,800.00

Requisition 239 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $ 18,222.10

Requisition 240 L/B Water Service $ 1,560.00

Requisition 309 L/B Water Service $ 4,062.64

Requisition 310 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $ 475.55

The 2006 calendar year brought little changes to the Hamburg Civil Service Commission.

The rules and regulations were updated whereby changing qualifications for promotions and some other word changes.

Minutes of the meetings are on file in the Borough Office. See Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/Recording Secretary to make arrangements for further review of such.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE DECEMBER 19, 2006

MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3:30PM

ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Elaine Swavely, Tammy Wilkinson, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner & Dale Schlenker

VISITORS: Deena Kershner & Mike Painter

Deena Kershner representing Our Town Foundation presented the opportunity for the next round of Streetscape monies and asked the committee if we were willing to support the issue. We all agree she should "go for it" and the Borough would support her in any way we could. She also indicated matching grants monies for previously purchased products and labor could be used. We encouraged her to pursue this and the committee indicated the support of the Borough in using these matching funds. Other issues such as storing slate and a spare new light standard were discussed and approved.

All committees were urged to give their "WISH LISTS" of needed projects to Tammy and Deena so a coordinated effort can move forward inquiring on available grants.

Sylvandale Forrest has presented additional areas available for improved land management; the Property Committee recommended the project go forward as presented.

Lynda was instructed to RE-CONTACT First Energy about the dangerous poles within the Streetscape construction area and ascertains why they did not return a comment. The legislators will also be contacted on this issue.

Wade will be contacted to meet with the Property Committee in January regarding the pool Bath houses and the need to install handicap areas

The newly installed Garage door at the "Frey Building" on Franklin St. has already been damaged. Rumble strips will be installed (if possible) to defer further damage to the door and to the pool storage building as well.

THANK YOU Rotary Club for volunteering to pick up Christmas trees January 6, 2006.

After review by the Police Department, signs will be erected at the Hamburg Park/Pool showing the new rules.

A request was made to have a building erected on the lot purchased by the Borough last year at Front & State. It was decided to wait until the Hamburg Planning Commission, Schuylkill River Heritage and the Berks County Redevelopment Commission finalize a plan for the area and present to Borough Council for approval.

CHAIRMAN OF PROPERTY DALE R. SCHLENKER

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the 2007 General Budget in the amount of $3,105,350

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Dale Schlenker to adopt Ordinance #745-06, amending the EMST tax.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Roy Heffner to adopt Ordinance #746-06, establishing the tax rate of 5.25 mills for general operations and .25 for fire company operations for year 2007.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

Earl Fox – Plumbing Inspector

Lynda Albright – EMST Collector/Asst. Bldg./Zoning and Asst.

Code Enforcement Officer

John Leonforte – Bldg./Zoning Officer/Code Enforcement Officer

Systems Design Engineers – Consulting Engineer

Great Valley Consultants – Planning Engineer

Berks Envirotech – SEO

Union Fire Co. #1 of Hamburg – official Fire Company

Hamburg Legion Ambulance – official ambulance service

Masano Bradley - Solicitor

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to reappoint Heather Breininger to another 4-year term on the Planning Commission, term ending 12/31/10.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler authorizing the Borough Manager to make budgetary transfers as necessary (within each organization area of the budget).

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler authorizing Sylvandale Forrest to move forward on the project regarding improved land management.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

Nothing to report

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve payment of invoices totaling $83,187.32

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner,

E. Swavely

NAYES – None

(T. Wilkinson abstained from the bill payable to herself due to direct income)

BLUE MT. COMPUTER 1,475.00

CAPTAIN CLOG 450.00

LAURA CINTRON, COURT REPORTER 235.20

EHRLICH 140.00

GALLS 104.96

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 119.29

ML CONSTRUCTION 1,783.00

JP MASCARO 11,160.00

MCTISH, KUNKEL & ASSC. 8,674.00

MEIT 202.50

NATL. ELEVATOR INSPECTION 60.00

PMHIC 25,415.12

PA DEPT. OF LABOR & INDUSTRY 36.00

PATRIOT COLLISION CENTER 2,141.14

RANDY’S CARPET 210.00

RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 19,346.79

REPPERT’S 421.52

ES SAVAGE 138.78

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND 212.69

SYSTEMS DESIGN 905.47

UNIFIRST 268.84

TAMMY WILKINSON 37.02

DUDA ACTUARIAL CONSULTING 2,150.00

UNION FIRE CO. #1 OF HAMBURG 7,500.00

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $83,187.32

JANUARY 1, 2007 – HAPPY NEW YEAR! (OFFICE CLOSED)

January 2, 2007 – 7 PM - RECREATION BOARD

January 8, 2007 – COUNCIL MEETING

JANUARY 6, 2007 – ROTARY PICKING UP XMAS TREES FROM 8 A.M. TO 12 NOON–TREES TO BE PLACED AT SAME LOCATION AS TRASH/RECYCLING

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m. on motion of Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler.

ATTEST:

Kim Y. Berger

Recording Secretary/Office Manager