The twenty-second meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2006 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, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner, Dale Schlenker

Members Absent – Tina Yoder

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

Visitors – Chief Michael Painter, Nikki Murry (Item), Scott Kreider, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Stephen DeLucas (Reading Eagle)

At this time the regular meeting recessed in order to move into a public hearing to hear comments/questions relative to the zoning change regarding off-premises signage in various zoning districts in the Borough of Hamburg.

Council President Wilkinson stated that this is a public hearing of the Borough of Hamburg for proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments and proceeded to turn the meeting over to the Solicitor, Mr. Zubey, for the purpose of reading certain items into the record.

Solicitor Zubey stated that the public hearing, which is being held this evening, is required under the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. The purpose of the public hearing is to give members of the public an opportunity to air their views and state their positions and for members of Borough Council to gauge public opinion. This type of public hearing is a legislative hearing and not a quasi judicial or administrative hearing.

Persons who wish to speak do not have to be placed under oath, although we are having a stenographic record made of this hearing. There is no right to cross-examine witnesses or Borough officials.

This Ordinance was prepared at the direction of Borough Council, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. A copy of the proposed text of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment was forwarded to the Berks County Planning Commission for review. By a letter dated October 19, 2006, the Berks County Planning Commission provided the Borough with a response that indicated staff had no adverse comments. I have here a true and correct copy of that letter. It has been marked as Exhibit 1, and I would ask that the Stenographer make it a part of the record.

Also in accordance with the Municipalities Planning Code, a copy of the proposed Ordinance was forwarded to the Hamburg Planning Commission. A true and correct copy of the minutes of the Hamburg Planning Commission indicates the Planning Commission recommended adoption of the proposed Ordinance. The minutes have been marked as Exhibit 2, and I would ask that the Stenographer make it a part of the record.

Again, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, this public hearing was advertised pursuant to public notice in the Reading Eagle on November 13, 2006 and November 20, 2006. I have here a true and correct copy of the Proof of Publication and it has been marked as Exhibit 3, and I would again ask that the Stenographer make it a part of the record.

Following the question/comment period, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to adjourn the public hearing.

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

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

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Nothing

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the minutes of November 13, 2006 meeting as submitted.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report and Finance Committee Report.

NAYES – None

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

The wastewater treatment plant is operated better in the month of October. 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.

Clarifiers tested and approved. Weirs and mechanical equipment erected.

Sludge pump roof completed.

Distribution box concrete complete with yard piping

Mechanical yard piping progressing

Electrical Contractor working on conduit system, generator and switchgear installed

Backfilling around the clarifiers complete to rough grade

Chlorine Building precast roof set and membrane roof installed

Mechanical aspects of the clarifier and oxidation ditch being worked on. Aeration shafts ready to be installed.

Applications for Payment

DESCCO Design and Construction Application No. 8 (Requisition 234)

Amount $ 459,936.00

Balance on Contract $2,385,713.00

J.B. Electric Corp. Application No. 5 (Requisition 235)

Amount $ 60,300.00

Balance on Contract $604,749.00

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.

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:

Grit removal system installation complete.

Electrical Contractor is substantially complete with the electric.

General Contractor is substantially complete as of the completion of the grit removal system. The Electrical and General Contractor are working on final punch list items.

A change order to replace the copper water piping within the pump station has been authorized not to exceed $2000.00. Evaluation of adding air release ports to the pumps are progressing.

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)

Wissahickon started production. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. and Keith inspected the facility and have instructed Wissahickon on procedures and some operational details.

PROJECTS

Bids for the force main upgrade of the Edenburg Pump Station was received September 6, 2006. Intent to award, Award and Notice to Proceed was given at the September 6, 2006 meeting. Contracts have been executed.

A pre-construction meeting was held with the Contractor. The R/W has been marked. Work is scheduled to start next week to be completed in approximately 12 working days.

Finance Committee

October 23, and November 13 at 6:30 PM

Attending the meeting were Tammy Wilkinson Roger Stetzler, Elaine Swavely, Martha Bertolet Lynda Albright and Solicitor Mike Zubey.

Purpose of both meetings was to review the Preliminary Budget for 2007 and offer suggestions and changes to try to balance the budget. Lynda mentioned receiving a letter from Workman’s Compensation, which will be an additional cost due to claims in previous years. This cost could be around $20,000.00.

Based on timbering bids opened earlier in the day on November 13^th, the committee is recommending council take action to award the Timbering Bid to Hahn Firewood and Logging of Boyertown.

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, request council take action to authorize the Borough Manager to begin the process for a tax anticipation note in the amount of $50,000.00 for 2007.

The Solicitor’s Retainer fee will increase for 2007. The new Retainer rate is $3,130.00 per month up from $2,625.00 for 2006.

We will be meeting again on November 21, 2006 at 1:00 PM to again address the budget that will be recommended for tentative Council approval at the November 28, 2006 meeting.

Martha Bertolet

Finance Chairperson

On the recommendation of the Property Committee and following the public hearing, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded y Roy Heffner to adopt Ordinance #744-06 zoning amendment dealing with off-premises signage in various zoning districts of the Borough of Hamburg.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Dale Schlenker to give tentative approval for the 2007 Budget, in the amount of $3,105,350.

NAYES – None

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the renewal of a handicapped parking space for 2007 at 18 North 4^th Street.

NAYES – None

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Planning Commission and Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler to accept the resignation of Lori M. Guldin as a member of the Planning Commission and authorize the Manager to send a letter of thanks and appreciation.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve payment of invoices totaling $262,806.64

NAYES – None

ASSOCIATION OF MAYORS 45.00

CAN SURETY 443.75

CODY COMPUTER SERVICES 6,600.00

EMAC DAIRY BRUSH 135.80

GALLS INC. 291.88

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 859.51

INSIGHT 79.00

KIRK ERNST LANDSCAPING 1,580.00

KERMIT KISTLER 68.98

MASANO BRADLEY 5,570.14

JP MASCARO 11,160.00

MEYCO POOL COVERS 420.00

NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS 666.67

PMHIC 22,498.79

PA STATE ASSC OF BOROS 707.00

PA STATE ASSC OF MAYORS 50.00

PPL GAS UTILITIES 1,226.76

POSTMASTER OF HAMBURG 160.00

PURCHASE POWER 2,018.99

RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 19,346.79

RELIABLE OFFICE SUPPLIES 20.98

TYLER TECHNOLOGIES 215.70

ULTIMATE OFFICE 194.60

GENE WERNER 20.00

YIS/COWDEN GROUP 160.00

RJR ENGINEERING 188,267.30

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $262,806.64

SOLICITORS REPORT

Nothing

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. on the motion of Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler.

ATTEST:

Kim Y. Berger
Recording Secretary/Office Manager