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MINUTES FROM THE MAY 12, 2008 COUNCIL MEETING The ninth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2008 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, Elaine Swavely, Dale Schlenker, Heather Berger, Jeanette Heckman Members Absent – Roger Stetzler Also Present –Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/ Recording Secretary, Manager Lynda G. Albright Visitors- Chief Painter, Cynthia Noll, Penny Hummel (Item), Stan Galczynski A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Heather Berger to approve the amended agenda by adding a Proclamation under New Business. ROLL CALL: AYES –M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Nothing A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2008 meeting.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman 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, Police Report, Code Enforcement report, Recreation Directors Report and Safety Committee Report.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT APRIL, 2008 The Borough Manager’s report for the month of APRIL, 2008 included the following: Normal day-to-day activities included Holding staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place. Addressing complaints and other correspondence as needed. Meeting with John Leonforte, Codes Officer to review and discuss major projects being planned or worked on presently. Submitted two $10,000 grant applications to DCED to be used for the Grand Street Extension. Also submitted a grant application in the amount of $50,000 to DCNR for the renovation of the band shell at the park. The floors (dining area and kitchen area) in the Senior Center have been stripped and refinished. They look much better and the Senior Center Director is pleased with the work. Many positive comments have been made. The floor in the main hallway and steps to second floor are scheduled to be done shortly. Kim Berger, Office Manager and I met with a representative from ITS Mailing Systems to discuss the new postage machine we will be required to obtain prior to 2009. Met with Ken Pick and Dave Hummel of the Berks County Community Development Office to discuss the TIF, Grand Street Extension and the Elm Street program. Quarterly meetings of both the Uniform and Non-Uniform Pension plan were held to receive updated information on the assets of the pension plans. Interviewed a prospective candidate for meter reading. The Hamburg Lions Club has donated a gazebo that they received from the Ronald McDonald House. It has been placed in the park near the playground equipment. Thank you Lions Club. Lions Club is also working on possible repairs to the band shell at the park. The plans for repairs are being looked at by John Leonforte, Bldg. Inspector and Systems Design to determine the safety. Met with Authority Chairman and others to review finances of the Hamburg Municipal Authority as well as other outstanding issues. Met with Deena Kershner, OTF Program Manager during the month for continuous dialogue with regards to grants and other outstanding issues with regard to the streetscape and riverfront projects. Also attended a meeting of the Pa Downtown Center for a presentation of the Elm Street Program. Met with Guy Ketch, Recreation Director several times to discuss the pool/park opening, salaries, updated rules/regulations. Discussed NO SMOKING in the pool area with signs to be erected prior to pool opening. Met with a representative of Aqua Serve with regard to the chemical maintenance for the pool this summer. We have requested that he be more visible this year for any problems that may be encountered. Attended two Council meetings, Authority meeting, Finance, Safety, Personnel, Property Committee meetings and the Civil Service Meeting. If anyone has any questions regarding my report, please feel free to ask. Attached with my report are the activities of my staff for the month of April, 2008. Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT APRIL 2008 All salt spreaders have been removed for the season. The stop sign on Front Street was repaired. Grass mowing has started. Fire hydrants were flushed the week of April 7, 2008. Assisted with canoe launch work. Repaired the curb boxes at 607 and 609 S. 5th Street. Contracted the street sweeper with an operator to Shoemakersville for two days. Repaired a ½" service line at 147 N. 5th Street. The crew assisted with the sandblasting of the curbs. This took a full day. The work at the park and pool has begun. The roofs at the Little League field dug outs have been repaired. The "bad" rides were removed at the tot lot off of Primrose Alley. The crew worked on picnic tables and benches for the OTF put along the river. Work on pipes at the filter room at the pool. Put mulch around the playground equipment at the tot lot, park and Hawk Ridge park. Roger and I surveyed the roads for a five-year plan. The storm drain inlet at Fawn Court was rebuilt.
Respectfully submitted,
Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report April 2008 Water The dam remains full and most water from the month was surface water. We continue to run a well to stay within our surface water withdrawal parameters. As consumption drops we may be able to go to all surface water. The plant has been running well with the exception of a few mechanical glitches, sticking valve operators and leaking valves. We are taking care of these issues as they arise and taking steps to minimize their occurrence. We had several small leaks recently as well as a valve replacement. Hydrant flushing was done the first week of the month. The condition of the system remains good. We have received the draft NPDES permit from PaDEP. There were a few issues with it and they have been addressed with DEP. There have been a few additions for sampling and reporting but nothing major. The permit has been posted and will become permanent in 30 days. Wastewater We continue to produce a high quality effluent. Despite some problems with settling and ph we remain well within our discharge parameters. We had a day mid-month where an operator failed to take effluent samples and that will be a reporting violation. We had a seal failure on a return sludge pump. I asked the suppliers representative to have a look at it. While this was not a warranty issue there are not a lot of hours on the pump and we don’t want a recurrence. The feeling is that there was a build up of trash, i.e. rags and hair, on the impeller causing an imbalance. Due to the age of the pump the manufacturer has given a deep discount on replacement seals. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT April 2008 Old records were researched in hopes of finding an old aging report for the Authority. We did find the report and faxed it to the software company. We are trying to verify if we can create a report similar to the one that was used in the past. The current aging report is very detail and way to extensive to be handed to the members. The Municipal Access Channel and the website continue to be updated. Various letters and correspondence were sent. The street work bid documents were completed. The bids will be opened at the May 12, 2008 Council meeting. After measuring the Senior Center stove, I contacted and received a quote for a new stove from Singer Equipment. The spring season is here and as such it is time to start working on park and pool things. The advertisement was submitted for season ticket applications. The bulk mailing to all those individuals who had season tickets last year has also been sent. In the beginning of the month the utility billing clerk and I worked on water and sewer reports for the Authority engineer. After these were completed, Denise and I along with Lynda met with the Engineer to see if the reports would be satisfactory. I am happy to report that the reports are what he has been looking for. Tier II reporting for the Water Filtration Plant and the Wastewater Treatment Plant has been set up with County EMA. We will be able to review our information and update as necessary. This Tier II reporting deals with the hazardous materials that we have on site, such as Soda Ash and Chlorine. The Auditor Adjustments for 2007 have been entered and checked and accounting system is in balance. The budget report for the first quarter was completed on April 4. The pool cover has a few small tears around the perimeter. I contacted the pool cover manufacturer and ordered patch kits to fix these small areas. Attended the quarterly pension meeting with Smith Barney. Met with a representative from ITS Mailing Systems regarding the upgrade that is required by the Federal mandate. This mandate from the US Postal service requires that all mail be converted to digital machines. This must be done by December 31, 2008. We will be meeting with different company in early May. I attended an EMA Haz Mat training course. I have successfully completed a federal EMA course called ICS-100. This course was an eight-part program and it deals with Incident Command Training. It is very similar to NIMS (National Incident Management System). The recreation department’s payroll documents were gathered for the orientation in May. Paperwork was prepared for the oral interviews of the applicants for the corporal position. Attended two Council meetings, two Civil Service meetings, one EMA regional meeting, one EMA meeting and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for meetings as deemed necessary.
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT APRIL 2008 ACTIVITY REPORT
Building, Zoning and Codes Report April 2008Six (6) construction permits and five (5) zoning permits and seven (7) paving/sidewalk and two (2) occupancy permit were issued in April. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows:Catherine, Grandview Terrace, and Arthur St. All but one section of curb has been completed. We hope to complete the curb work by the end of May, with paving work to be done this spring or summer. Grand Street extension Plans have been submitted to Penn Dot. We hope to get through the permitting process by summer 2008 and start construction after that, with a hoped for completion date of spring of 2009.Hawk ridge and South 4th Street Our engineer has submitted plans and a response to comments to Penn Dot Penn Dot. A meeting is slated for May 15 to discuss additional concerns with Penn Dot. HAHS field house and bleachers Work has commenced. Footings are being placed. Completion of project by Fall 2008. Peach Alley Apartments Work on the Peach Alley Apartments project (former Wrights Building, at 239 Pine) is progressing. residential and light commercial Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, snowy sidewalks and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed. Note: From March 1 to date, approximately 10 new Property Maintenance complaints were filed with 13 resolved and 13 still pending.Fire Safety Inspections One fire safety Inspection was done this month.
John Leonforte Codes Administrator RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2008
The month of April continued with staff meetings, meetings with Lynda Albright, Bill Nabozny, Allen Schaeffer, Rick Pickel and James Gallop of Aqua Serve. Allen Schaeffer is still waiting for research from his suppliers to determine the best direction to go in the replacement of the concession stand boiler. Communication was made with James Gallop of Aqua Serve and a meeting date was established for May 8, 2008, to discuss expectations for the operation of the pool. I have made several calls to obtain information and prices for the purchase of two replacement basketball backboards. Bill, Lynda and I worked on a salary schedule for the lifeguards, food stand workers and supervisors. The schedule is based on experience and certification. I have increased supervisory visits to the park, especially the basketball courts, primarily to deal with language during the little league games. On the day that the little league replaced the fence, I dropped in to observe the work. The result was a positive upgrade to the ball field. In addition, I discussed their future plans for the field. The Lions Club pavilion is now in place and has been well received by the adults and their children. Again, I would like to thank Bill, Rick, Kim, Lynda and especially council for their willingness to support our efforts at the park and pool.
Respectfully submitted Guy Ketch William Nabozny SAFETY COMMITTEE APRIL 15, 2008 MUNICIPAL CENTER – 6:00 PM ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Heather Berger, Martha Bertolet, Chief Michael Painter, Dale Schlenker, Roger Stetzler and Elaine Swavely The Safety Committee recommends to council the approval a handicap parking space for 21 North Fourth Street. Lynda Albright presented information on the "Police Car Purchase Plan". The plan was years old and Lynda questioned whether we need to update it. It was suggested that the purchase and sale of the fleet be incorporated into the existing 5 year plan. Inventory of vehicles, age, mileage, special use, maintenance costs, etc. should be maintained and used to determine need for new vehicles and the order in which old vehicles should be replaced. Chief Painter will look to amend his 5 year plan. Community member requested review of need for a stop sign heading south at third and Maple (in front of the Railroad Historical Society). Currently there is a two-way stop at a three-way intersection. Discussion ensued regarding the intersection and traffic patterns. No action taken at this meeting. Chairperson Heather A. Berger OLD BUSINESS The following bids for Catherine Street, Clover Alley, Grandview Terrace and Arthur Street were opened.
A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Heather Berger to award to the lowest responsible bidder, pending review by the Borough Manager and Solicitor. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Elaine Swavely approving the salary schedule for the park/pool personnel for the 2008 summer season.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None On the recommendation of the Civil Service Commission and Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Dale Schlenker appointing Officer’s Richard Leymeister and Bob Mengle as Corporals for the Hamburg Police Department and to serve a one-year probation in this position and to increase their salary by $1200 as per the police contract.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None NEW BUSINESS The following Proclamation for one-way traffic around park during Memorial Day Festivities was presented: Under Section 4, Chapter XV, as amended by Ordinance #638, dated December 5, 1994, I, the undersigned Mayor of the Borough of Hamburg, hereby declare a four-day trial period for the following. One Way Traffic
By Order of the Hamburg Borough Police Dept. Roy C. Del Rosario/s/ Mayor A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve payment of invoices totaling $202,346.34 ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, E. SwavelyNAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 508.32 A.R. Adam & Son 450.00 Albert’s Warehouse Outlet 22.79 Allied Waste Mgt. 20,664.00 Barko Cleaning Service, Inc. 160.00 County of Berks 2,430.62 Berks Products Corp. 163.01 Berks-Mont Newspapers, Inc. 354.93 Blue Marsh Engineering Survey 262.50 Blue Mountain Computer Service 641.99 Body Works Health & Fitness 269.00 Edenburg Welding Co. 996.00 FedEx 87.76 Fisher Dam Auto 1,048.00 T.M. Fitzgerald & Associates 4,200.00 Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 316.11 Fromm Electric Supply 141.00 Harrisburg Area Comm. College 125.00 Hamburg Municipal Authority 683.84 Hartman Janitorial 2,525.00 Henn’s Garage 342.75 Hess Embroidery & Uniforms 53.00 Kermit K. Kistler Inc. 44.92 Mike Kershner 1,100.00 Kuzan’s True Value 23.57 Lowe’s Business Account 269.00 M & T Bank 3,556.00 J.P. Mascaro & Sons 11,332.00 Met-Ed 7,781.48 Meyco Pool Covers 43.05 Miller’s 5 & 10 62.72 Casey M. Moser 120.00 Mountain View Supply 275.15 Municipal Employers Ins. Trust 145.50 Nextel Communications 676.45 P.M.H.I.C. 26,514.24 PA Dept. of Agriculture 82.00 PPL Gas Utilities 1,605.99 Penn Pride, Inc. 2,674.18 Pennsy Supply Inc. 315.70 Richard Pickel 100.00 Quill Corporation 60.54 Reading Eagle Co. 469.15 Sustainable Energy Fund 212.69 Thren’s Auto Parts 163.31 ThyssenKrupp Elevator 197.31 Triangle Communications 161.50 UniFirst 290.47 Verizon 419.61 Windsor Press 248.79 TOTAL 95,390.94 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH Dept. of Labor 50.00 Borough/Payroll 97,978.06 Berks Co. Treasurer 468.00 Sam’s Club 68.75 Met-Ed 1,838.97 Venture Lighting 130.75 Yoder’s Heating 2,927.80 Albright College 45.00 Aqua Serve Corp. 3,212.50 Schuetrumpf, Kev 200.00 Petty Cash 35.57 TOTAL 106,955.40 GRAND TOTAL 202,346.34 SOLICITOR’S REPORT Nothing to report other than a brief executive session after the meeting regarding real estate matters and no action will be required. INFORMATION ITEMS
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:17 p.m. on the motion of Heather Berger and seconded by Dale Schlenker. Attest: Kim Y. Berger
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