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MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 8, 2007 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL. The nineteenth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2007 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, Roger Stetzler, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman, Heather Berger Members Absent – None Also Present –Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/ Recording Secretary, Manager Lynda G. Albright Visitors- Chief Painter, Norma Berger Council President Tammy Wilkinson stated that on September 28, 2007 at 3:30
p.m. a special executive session was held to discuss pending litigation. No
action was necessary. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Norma Berger was present and questioned whether or not there was a noise ordinance in effect. Chief Painter stated that when it is occurring after 11 p.m. to contact Berks Communications so that an officer can check into the noise and where it is coming from. Mrs. Berger also stated that there are juveniles on skateboards traveling down 4th Street at night wearing dark clothing and there have been a few times they were almost hit. Mrs. Berger stated that it is very difficult to enter 4th Street from Franklin or Island street due to the numerous vans, pick ups blocking the view. A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Heather Berger to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2007 meeting.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. WilkinsonNAYES – None A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Heather Berger 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 Director’s Report and Personnel Committee report.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT SEPTEMBER, 2007 The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of September, 2007 included the following: Held staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place. Addressed complaints and other correspondence as needed on a daily basis. .Continue to meet at various times of the month with John Leonforte to review various building projects and code enforcement issues he is working on, in particular, 4th and Hawkridge, the proposed access to Route 61, new subdivisions, proposed senior housing at the old Wright’s building, the Grandview, Arthur, Catherine Street curbing project, Streetscape and the Exide Building. Also reviewed several complaint issues he is working on. Met with Deena Kershner, OTF Manager, to discuss and update on issues relative to streetscape and other ongoing on planned projects in the community. John Leonforte, Code Enf. Officer and I met with Ken Pick and Dave Hummel of the Berks County Community and Economic Development office, as well as representatives from Congressman Holden’s office, Senator Rhodes office and Rep. Argall’s to discuss potential grant and funding options for the Grand Street extension. Met with Greg Unger, Authority Engineer to review and discuss sewer financial/bond/debt issues. The Authority is required to post additional debt payment in support of the PennWorks loan, which will create a cash flow problem. John Leonforte, Rick Pickel and I met with representatives of PennDOT and Jerry Knowles of Rep. Argall’s office to discuss the street damage done as a result of the I-78 project. PennDOT has indicated they will work with us to make some of the repairs. Met with representatives of the Cedar Shopping Center complex to discuss types of businesses the Borough might wish to see in the future; this was done in an effort to accommodate them in the leasing of additional property that is vacant or yet to be built. Have been in touch with Deena Kershner, OTF Manager, as well as a couple of the businesses keeping them advised of the yellow painted line removal. At this time, it is anticipated that the lines will be removed by the third or fourth week in October. In the interim, we have been advised that by painting them with a light coat of white paint, will not create anymore of a hardship once the sandblasting commences. As a result, the crew has painted over the yellow lines with white paint. This will allow more available parking for the business patrons. Continue work on outstanding issues for final pool completion. Unfortunately, the main pump/motor at the pool was damaged due to an electrical outage and has hindered winterization. We have a new pump on order and will repair the damaged one and keep it as a spare. Continue work on police contract and on-going police litigation. During the month, attended two regular meetings and one special meeting of Council, Road, Finance, Property, Personnel, and Safety Committee meetings. 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 September, 2007.
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2007 The brush was cut at the Flood Control Dams. Completed placement of 2A stone on the walkway. Oil was changed in the John Deere tractors. Street signs were straightened around town. The new salt shed walls were sealed and wire mesh was installed under the roof. Grass continues to be mowed around the borough. Weeds were sprayed along the roads and curbs. Weeds/grass were cut around the dam and reservoir. At the park the filter room was painted. Park benches were painted. On September 4, 2007, a transformer at the park blew, which in turn blew our motor and pump to filter the pool. It was burned beyond repair. We had to order another motor/pump to replace it. This will take at least 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, the water had turned due to no chemicals or circulation. We had to empty the pool, wash it down and refill it. An enormous amount of time was spent working at the pool this month. The fire hydrant on North 6th Street was rebuilt. The old wooden guide rails along Chestnut Street were removed. A meeting was held with PA DOT about the roads the need repairs; Service Road, N. 6th Street and Belmont Avenue. Respectfully submitted,
Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report September 2007 Water The new SCADA system is essentially complete and functional, now if we just had some water to filter. The surface water source is gone till we get some significant rain. We had 2 sizable leaks in the last several weeks. A lateral crack on Chestnut Street was repaired with a band clamp. The other problem was on Walnut Street on the same line, which we dead-ended some months ago. We found another section of main inside a corrugated sleeve with the break inside the sleeve. We cut the line east of the sleeve and installed a cap. All bacteria testing was negative and service has been restored to everyone. The Our Town Foundation has had fire hydrants in the Streetscape area painted. We thank them for that. Wastewater The plant is working well aside from some issues with ph but we are meeting all permit parameters. We spent a good amount of time pumping wastewater from one place to another so the contractors could install the beaches on the clarifiers and install pumps in the sludge holding and fine bubble aeration tanks. The paving has been started, windows are being installed, and the painting has been started. The masons have finished, as have the roofers. There was a problem with a roof drain, which caused a leak into the workshop. Both the phones and the alarms were out for a period of time but all systems have been restored. Tony and I attended a school on computer use and Tony, Robbie and I attended a school on line locating. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater Superintendent OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT SEPTEMBER 2007 On September 4, 2007 a transformer blew at the park, which caused a few problems. The pump/motor, which filters the pool, burned up; there was no electricity until 11:30 a.m. in the municipal center. When this happened, the surge did something to the air conditioning unit and so Dynatech had to be called to reset the system. Contacted PA DOT to obtain copies of our traffic signal permits and plans. After numerous attempts, we have received these copies. On September 7, 2007, we once again had an issue with the HVAC system where water was found through the ceiling of the police department from the first floor. Upon arrival, water was coming out of the janitor’s closet next to our office. I contained the water and cleaned up as best as I could until I could reach Burkhardt Mechanical at 9:15 p.m. A technician responded and found the condensation drain clogged. He repaired the issue. A proposal has been submitted to include in the quarterly maintenance a type of "pill" that will keep the condensation drains from clogging.On September 10, 2007, elevator was stuck once again. Found that we had a power surge and in so doing locked the elevator on the ground floor. After resetting the elevator mechanically, it started working properly. The web page and municipal access channel continue to be updated. Various letters and correspondence were completed. Debris letters, junk car letters and weed notices continue to be sent. Completed the information necessary and submitted information to the actuaries to complete the MMO’s for 2008. On September 24 and 25, 2007 assisted the Liquid Fuels Auditor with auditing the 2005 and 2006 books. Quarterly reports were printed and completed as well as the grease trap letters for the third quarter. Attended two Council meetings, one special Council meeting and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings.
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT SEPTEMBER 2007 ACTIVITY REPORT
September 2007
Three (3) construction permits and seven (7) zoning permits and two (2) paving/sidewalk permits were issued in September. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: The Streetscape project. Wiring for lamp posts is being completed and curb, street and crosswalk painting remains to be done. Work is progressing to reconstruct some curbing, sidewalks, and the streets at Catherine, Grandview Terrace, and Arthur St. We have sent letters to each affected property owners asking that curb and sidewalk repairs be made. We have some estimates and hope to complete curb and sidewalk work this fall with paving work to be done this spring or summer. Final drawings for phase one of the Grand Street extension has been sent to Penn Dot for their review. Penn Dot has returned our application with comments.Our engineers will address the comments and resubmit our application. Our engineer has met with DEP and it was determined a joint permit with DEP and Army Corp of Engineers will be required. A permit application has been submittedand we expect to hear from DEP by end of October. We hope to get through the permitting process by spring 2008 and build Phase one month after that, with a hoped for completion date of fall of 2008 or springof 2009.
Ryan Kern with Barry Issett associates and I have met with Met Ed regarding right of way and construction easements needed to place a traffic light at Hawk ridge and South 4th Street. We were received positively at the local level, but approvals from higher authority is pending. Demolition has begun. Exide Corporation , the demolition contractor and, EPA continue the clean up and demolition of buildings #1 and #2, and all the accessory structures of the battery plant. A cleaning process (primarily pressure washing) continues. Actual demolition has started, with completion in October of this year. At this point approximately 50 % of the complex has been demolished. Demolition of the Curves property has been completed. Completion of exterior finish to the Driscoll building is pending. Work on the Peach Alley Apartments project (former Wrights Building, at 239 Pine) is progressing. This is will be a 12 month project. Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, high grass and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed.
John Leonforte Codes Administrator RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE MONTH The month of September continued with staff meetings and meetings with the pool contractor, Mike Kershner, John Leonforte, Lynda Albright, Kim Berger and Bill Nabozny. The major issue for the month of September was the destruction of the main pool pump. As a result, the pool filled with algae that which required the borough workers to empty, clean and refill the pool. Pumps and the large slide have been used to circulate the water to keep the pool clean until covered. I would like to thank Ricky Pickel and his crew for all the work they did at the pool this summer and especially during the month of September. They do outstanding work! In addition, I devoted a large block of time this month working on next year’s budget, organizational issues, and conducting end of the summer interviews with the staff. Bill and I have met several times to work on plans for next year. Respectfully submitted, Guy Ketch William Nabozny
10/02/2007 Personnel Committee Minutes 4:00 PM Persons Attending: J. Heckman, M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, L. Albright, borough manager. Items discussed: Policy Manual for non-union employees to be studied. Salary and Benefit requests for 2008 consideration for non-uniformed hourly employees received from the borough manager. They are looking for a raise in pay, an extra paid day off, and an increase in flexible spending. No decisions were reached on these matters. Again, Blue Cross was discussed. In particular, ways to save the taxpayers money on medical coverage was encouraged. No decisions were reached. Lynda will explore available options. Respectfully submitted, Jeanette Heckman
OLD BUSINESS Mayor’s Proclamation for trick or treat nights as Tuesday, October 30, 2007 and Wednesday, October 31, 2007 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Dale Schlenker approving the annual contract with the Animal Rescue League and authorize a donation of $300 to be paid in 2008. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the request of the Holiday Extravaganza Committee for use of the 4th and Pine Parking lot from Tuesday, November 20th through Friday, December 28th, also to utilize three parking spaces for placement of the Santa’s Workshop, and to hold their annual Christmas parade on December 1st starting at 9 a.m. and also to place a portable toilet in the southwest corner of the municipal lot.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the Resolution for the filing of a proposal for funds with the Department of Community and Economic Development on behalf of the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum Development project at 500 South 3rd Street, Hamburg. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None Mayor’s proclamation for one-way traffic westbound between 3rd and 4th on Port Clinton Avenue for Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the King Frost Parade. Mayor’s proclamation of parking prohibitions for Saturday, October 27, 2007 starting at 4:00 p.m. to Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 12 noon for King Frost Parade. On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Dale Schlenker to investigate establishing a tax incremental financing district regarding the Grand Street Extension. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, T. Wilkinson, H. BergerNAYES – None A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve payment of invoices totaling $334,420.21ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, J. Heckman, H. BergerNAYES – None (T. Wilkinson abstained from Reading Eagle due to direct income).
LIST OF BILLS AT & T 425.31 BARKO CLEANING 160.00 COUNTY OF BERKS 2,367.36 BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 264.00 CALENDARS 37.54 CAREER TRACK 99.00 DYNATECH CONTROLS 336.00 E-MAC DAIRY BRUSH 97.20 EJB PAVING 183.28 FORT DEARBORN LIFE INSURANCE 309.55 HARTMAN JANITORIAL 710.00 ANDREW HESS 23.04 KRE SECURITY 612.00 KANTNER’S TIRE 14.00 MIKE KERSHNER 66.75 KISTLER OBRIEN FIRE PROTECTION 102.90 KOLBE POOLS AND MORE 29.85 MET ED 5,497.75 MOBILE ARMATURE 150.00 MOUNTAIN VIEW SUPPLY 191.97 MEIT 117.00 NATL. BUSINESSWOMEN’S LEADERSHIP 139.00 PA DEPT. OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC 52.00 PPL GAS UTILITIES 267.75 PENN PRIDE 1,732.56 PURCHASE POWER 39.99 QUILL 233.89 READING EAGLE 45.70 RANDALL RENTSCHLER 8.37 STRATIX SYSTEMS 267.00 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND 212.69 TELCO, INC. 85.00 THREN’S AUTO PARTS 46.62 UNIFIRST 291.14 VERIZON 425.80 WERTLEY MACHINE SHOP 130.00 WINDSOR PRESS 46.65 YEAGER SUPPLY 232.41 OUR TOWN FOUNDATION 20,000.00 TOTAL 36,051.07 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH SAM’S CLUB 372.30 BUONO, NICK 25.00 PAINTER, MICHAEL 200.00 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – GROSS PAYROLL 80,598.20 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – EMP SHARE SS 5,018.96 DEPT. PUBLIC WELFARE 10.00 DENISE THOMAS 25.00 GREGORY THOMAS 25.00 STELLAR CONSTRUCTION 37,334.00 KUZAN’S HARDWARE 186.47 PA HOUSING FINANCE 152,291.00 WALMART 148.66 CHRISTOPHER DOUGHERTY 52.00 BERKS CO. TREASURER 55.00 ANTHONY LAURETI 22,000.00 PETTY CASH 27.65 TOTAL 289,369.14 TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $334,420.21 SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was called at 7:45 p.m. to discuss pending litigation. Meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m. INFORMATION ITEMS October 9, 2007 – 3:00 p.m. – Property Committee October 9, 2007 – 2:30 p.m. – Road Committee October 9, 2007 – 6 p.m.- Library Board meeting – in the Library October 16, 2007 - 3:30 p.m. – Safety Committee meeting October 16, 2007 – 7 p.m. – Planning Commission
October 22, 2007 – 7 p.m. – Water/Sewer/Public Relations Norma Berger stated that since the downtown area is starting to look nice, is the Borough going to continue going after those people who are not taking care of their properties outside the downtown area? There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. on the motion of Martha Bertolet and seconded by Heather Berger. Attest: Kim Y. Berger,Recording Secretary/Office Manager | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
