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MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 9, 2006 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL The twentieth regular 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, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner, Dale Schlenker Members Absent – Martha Bertolet, Tina Yoder, Elaine Swavely Also Present – Borough Manager Lynda Albright, Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/Recording Secretary, Mayor Roy Del RosarioVisitors- Chief Michael Painter, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Norma
Berger, Sylvia Summons, D. Carroll (Reading Eagle), Bob Andriez (Tilden
Township) ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Nothing A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2006 meeting.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None A motion was made by Roger Stetzler 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, Property Committee Report. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of SEPTEMBER, 2006 included the following: Held staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place. Met with new Recreation Director to go over several items of concern, as well as job duties. I expect to see some positive changes in 2007. Addressed complaints and other correspondence as needed. Met 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, storm sewer work at 5th and State Street and the I-78 project. As reported previously, work on the pool is on schedule and all major work should be complete sometime in October. Again this month, time was spent working with state and federal officials regarding the repair of the canal, which was damaged in June by the flooding. It is hoped that all paperwork will be complete and, barring any other unforeseen problems, the project should commence in the beginning of October. John Leonforte, Tammy Wilkinson, Council President and I met with a representative of USDA regarding the availability of funding to be utilized for curb and sidewalk replacement in areas where the borough wishes to do reconstruction of streets. Kim Berger, Office Manager and I met with representatives from Maidencreek Water Authority to look at their utility billing software. The Municipal Authority Engineer is not satisfied with the reports that are currently being generated by the software we are using. We may be converting to new utility software in the future. Met with department supervisors concerning their 2007 budget requests. Kim and I attended a seminar with SSI, our current software support company. They have advised us that effective immediately, they will no longer be supporting our software. All support will come directly from the author of our MUNIS software. Met with a township manager to review and discuss a pilot program we are participating in which deals with multi-year budgeting in conjunction with the comprehensive plan. He will be reviewing the information I have provided and we will be working closely between now and the end of this year. During the month, attended two regular meetings of Council, Hamburg Municipal Authority, Recreation Board, Finance, Property, Road, 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, 2006. PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Serviced the police cars; changed oil Serviced the borough trucks; changed oil Repaired sign at North Crescent Avenue. Continued cutting grass at all parks and trimmed weeds. Cut grass and weeds at the flood control dams. Repaired a ˝" water line at 51 N. 4th Street. The diving board was sandblasted and painted. Repaired the frey building doors due to vandalism. Repaired the picnic tables at the park. Repaired a water pipe at the sewer plant. Cut brush at the reservoir around the dam. Installed No Parking signs on Pine Street. Sprayed weeds around the borough. A lot of time was spent hot patching; including Plum Alley, Peach Street, Church Street, Park Road, Pine Street, Arch Street. Respectfully submitted,
Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report Water The water plant is still off line. The problems we have had in regard to pacing and the process staying stable remain. While attempting to start the filters we had a blower malfunction as well. We are in the process of making repairs, but in the meantime we are using the wells. Replacement of the chlorine booster pumps at the water plant should be done shortly. Kohl Bros. has done some engineering investigation and they feel we will get better and longer service from a different style of pump. Wastewater Construction continues on schedule. The Pine Street Pumping Station is nearing completion. The new pumps are on line and while we do have some problems the contractors are working with us to resolve them. The new grit remover is in place and should be operational shortly. Plant construction is also moving right along. We had a digester upset Labor Day weekend and it foamed over the side. It was cleaned up and PaDEP was notified. The plant continues to be a challenge. We are unable to get the process under complete control. Things have gotten better and chemical addition is significantly less but we still are having swings in the effluent. Ph. We also had a period where the sludge would not settle at all and this resulted in a dissolved oxygen permit violation. Heavy rain and flash flooding September 15th brought on another by-pass from the Pine Street Pumping Station. PaDEP was notified and the appropriate paperwork was filed. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater Superintendent OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT Due to another leak in the senior center, I contacted Burkhardt to have the line repaired. This was done and a proposal has been received to repair this problem so that it doesn’t happen in the future. I prepared an application for the Act 902 recycling grant so that we could purchase recycling containers. We will be having a pre-application meeting with PA DEP in early October. Various correspondences were mailed regarding complaints of junk cars, debris, etc. Throughout the month met with various applicants for the position of full-time office receptionist. The receptionist will be starting the first week of October. Due to a power outage, the chiller was not working and after contacting our representative, I reset the pump in the boiler room. Compiled information from various municipalities and created the spreadsheet for comparison. Attended a meeting with representatives from Maidencreek Water Authority to review their utility billing software. The Authority’s Engineer is not happy with the reports that we are receiving from our utility billing software. Received information from our current software company that they will no longer be our representatives and we will now be working directly with the founders of Munis. I will be working with them in the next few weeks to try and remedy some of our issues. Attended a meeting with the company to obtain information regarding the transition. Met with Chief Painter and spoke to Chairperson of the King Frost Parade relative to the route, vendors, what is needed, etc. Throughout the month spent at least a few days assisting the auditor who is finishing up the pension audit. Due to the changes in the Minimum wage law, researched information for the coming year. I researched information regarding food certification for the new pool manager. Due to the delinquency of various businesses paying their EMST Tax, I contacted them via telephone as a courteous reminder. To date this has been successful in obtaining some of the delinquent monies. On September 20, 2006, the 2001 police car was damaged when a doe ran into the front quarter panel of the vehicle. The officer was not injured and the vehicle was driven from the scene. Pictures were taken and the report was submitted to the insurance company. The vehicle is scheduled to be repaired on October 9, 2006. Tenant forms for the borough will be mailed out on October 2, 2006. Quarterly grease trap letters have been mailed. I contacted Pitney Bowes regarding our mail meter. An inspection was performed via the telephone line and everything was in order. Compiled a new list of duties for the receptionist as well as completed the paperwork necessary for her start date. Completed all payroll quarterly reports and submitted to the various agencies. Met with John Granger from Solebury Township regarding a program involving multi-year budgeting. I will be working on my portion of the information that is needed by him to complete his study. I have spent a lot of time this month working on the flood damage that was done to our towpath, canal and riverbank in late June. I have met with the property owners on several occasions. I have also met with contractors to obtain prices as well as the final contractor who will be performing the work as soon as all necessary permits/paperwork is complete. I have been corresponding and speaking to our engineer as well as with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management. I have completed all information for the Emergency funds and we are ready to submit the funding request as soon as the project is complete. I have been keeping the contractor advised of all developments. The emergency permit package for DEP is being submitted with supporting sketches and plans as prepared by the engineer. The Berks County Conservation District is not requiring a formal submission of an Erosion and Sedimentation plan, which is a wonderful blessing. I have been in contact with the various agencies on a frequent basis to keep this project moving. I met with the Engineer again on October 2, 2006 and we are waiting for the Corp of Engineers to agree with our plans. The Corp of Engineers receives a copy of the DEP application. They will then determine whether or not the Corp will issue their own permit or if DEP can issue a Statewide permit for the Corp. As long as there are no unforeseen problems with the Corp and the PA Historical and Museum Commission has no issues relating to the historic preservation of this area, we should be able to move forward and have this project completed in a matter of weeks. Attended two council meetings and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings.
Building, Zoning and Codes Report September 2006 Seven construction permits and eight zoning permits and one paving/sidewalk permits were issued in September. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: Preliminary work continues, to reconstruct the curbing, sidewalks, and street at Catherine, Grandview Terrace, and Arthur St., with hope to ask for bids this fall for work to be done Spring of 2007. A meeting with USDA regarding possible funds for curb and sidewalk repairs determined that no help is available to aid the residents with grants. Penn Dot has been contacted regarding storm water problem at 5th & State. Ricky and I did meet with The maintenance manager of Penn Dot for this district . We were told Penn Dot will not perform any work to direct storm water. Ricky agreed to install storm drain at corner and tie it into existing drain near bridge. No Penn dot permitting will be required. The former Wrights building, at Pine and 2nd St, has been purchased and is being cleaned up, secured and repairs are being done. Preliminary plans for development have been shown to the planning commission. Penn Dot 78 construction project is progressing. Work in the Borough of Hamburg is slated to be completed By the end of November 2007. Work continues at the municipal pool on schedule. Barry Isett has completed a preliminary study for the proposed extension of Grand Street to Rte 61. This plan has been shared with local, county and state representatives with positive support from all. Barry Isett will produce a proposal to design the complete project for review by the borough. Barry Isett has provided a preliminary plan and cost estimate to place a traffic light at Hawkridge and South 4th Street. This plan has been shared with local, county and state representatives with positive support from all. Ricky and I have had discussions with Balfour Beatty, contractors working on I-78, to fill areas at the Dolly Hop site. This proposal will result in a site more suited to develop by the borough. Additional fill may be provided to the Grand Street extension site next year. Streetscape work is preparing bid documents for work to be done……..( in the spring?) Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial, previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed.
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROPERTY COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3:30 PM ATTENDING: Lynda Albright, Tammy Wilkinson, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner & Dale Schlenker VISITORS: John Leonforte & Rick Pickel
Chairman of Property Dale R. Schlenker OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the "Guaranteed Energy Services Agreement" with Sustainable Energy for the replace of traffic signal light bulbs to LED bulbs. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the 2007 annual Agreement with the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None Mayor proclaimed King Frost 2006 Parking Prohibition for Port Clinton Avenue – one-way west bound between 3rd and 4th Streets on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mayor proclaimed King Frost 2006 Parking Prohibitions for all streets affiliated with the parade on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from Saturday at 4 p.m. to Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 12 noon. A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to execute an agreement between the Borough of Hamburg and Balfour Beatty to allow fill to be placed on the Dolly Haupt property. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve payment of invoices totaling $143,747.04 ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner NAYES – None T. Wilkinson abstained from Reading Eagle, due to direct income. LIST OF BILLS AT & T 357.67 COUNTY OF BERKS 2,30.15 BERKS PRODUCTS 151.00 BERKS-MONT NEWSPAPERS 65.90 BLUE MT. COMPUTER 125.00 BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 949.00 COPY WORLD 258.00 ROY DEL ROSARIO 25.00 EJB PAVING & MATERIALS 3,726.60 FORT DEARBORN LIFE INSURANCE 297.75 FROMM ELECTRIC 211.50 GALLS INC. 347.81 HAMBURG AUTO 2.40 HARTMAN JANITORIAL 710.00 HENNS GARAGE 485.45 INSIGHT 1,137.50 INTOXIMETERS 483.50 KANTNER’S 45.00 MIKE KERSHNER 156.80 MASANO BRADLEY 8,282.42 MET ED 5,318.03 MOUNTAIN VIEW SUPPLY 10.38 MEIT 202.50 NASASP 35.00 NATL. TACTICAL OFFICERS ASSC. 40.00 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CENTERS 87.00 PPL GAS UTILITIES 173.90 PENN PRIDE 1,540.84 PURCHASE POWER 39.99 READING EAGLE 951.72 THRENS AUTO PARTS 86.91 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR 176.24 TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 161.50 UNIFIRST 267.25 VERIZON 404.97 WINDSOR PRESS 18.30 THOMAS ZELINSKY 335.74 TOTAL TO BE PAID $29,968.72 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH DEPT. OF PUBLIC WELFARE 30.00 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG PAYROLL 79,794.91 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG EMP SHARE SS 4,453.79 SCHWOYER, DENNIS 3,170.42 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – SCHWOYER DEDUCTIONS 773.58 SAM’S CLUB 105.00 BERGER, KIM 57.85 BERKS CO. TREASURER 29.50 HILBERT, JUNE 14.50 UNION FIRE CO. #1 OF HAMBURG 25,288.77 PETTY CASH 60.00 TOTAL $113,778.32 SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was held after the meeting regarding police personnel issues. No action will be taken. INFORMATION ITEMS October 11, 2006 – 7 p.m. – Road Committee (after meeting with residents on Church Street at 6 p.m.)
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. on the motion of Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler. Attest:
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