The third 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, Tina Yoder, Martha Bertolet, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner, Elaine Swavely

Members Absent – Dale Schlenker

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

Visitors- Chief Michael Painter, Kerry Delong, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Lori Guldin, A representative from 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 internally lit signs in the borough.

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

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the amended agenda.

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Kerry Delong stated that at the end of the year of 2005 there was a motion passed to erect stop signs at Port Clinton Avenue and William Street. What is the status of this? Manager Albright stated that this was on hold because of the construction. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph in that area. Mr. Delong asked that council reconsider this for the safety of the motorists.

A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2006 meeting.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the following reports: Borough Manager’s Report, Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager’s Report, Building/Zoning/Codes Report, Treasurer’s Report, Police Report, Property Committee Report and Personnel Committee Report.

NAYES – None

The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of JANUARY, 2006 included the following:

Held staff meetings and/or individual meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place.

Addressed complaints and other correspondence as needed.

Met various times during the month with John Leonforte, Code Enforcement Officer, for updates on projects he is working on, primarily Hamburg Square, as well as the new Rite-Aid, Arby’s and other code enforcement issues throughout the borough. Both Rite-Aid and Arby’s will be opening for business in the beginning of February.

Worked with both Attorney Masano and Attorney Zubey trying to bring them up to date on some of the outstanding issues the former borough solicitor had been working on.

Spent quite a bit of time on police contractual and grievance issues; it is hoped to have some resolution in the near future.

Met with representative from the borough’s insurance company to review new policies and changes for 2006.

Met with the new Berks County Senior Citizen Director to discuss current and future operational costs of the Blue Mountain Senior Center. Also discussed the HVAC problems created by leaking coil units. She was informed that the units have been replaced and heat has resumed.

Met with the OTF Manager to review the business survey and the concerns regarding the Borough.

Received final word from the federal/state government that the $300,000 grant for the pool has been approved and we have been given the go-ahead to proceed with bidding and renovation. The pool specifications are being modified and should be ready for council’s final review in the next few weeks.

Met with Attorney Gavin from Golden-Masano-Bradley to review the on-going litigation regarding the HVAC system in the municipal building. I will be providing him with the necessary documentation to continue these efforts.

Was on vacation the last week of January.

In addition to the two regular council meetings, attended the regular meeting of Hamburg Municipal Authority, Planning Commission, Property committee, Safety, Road, Finance, and Personnel 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 January, 2006.

Lynda G. Albright

Borough Manager

Assisted the water department with installing meters.

Serviced the mowers for spring. Serviced the street sweeper and the back hoe.

Installed the new speed limit signs on Port Clinton Avenue. Also installed new no parking signs on Grand Street.

With the unseasonably warm weather, the crew completed some cold patching around the borough.

There was a time that the streets had to be cindered and sidewalks cleared.

Repaired the men’s room bathroom in the municipal center.

Removed the swing set and monkey bar set for safety reasons.

Installed conduit and electrical wiring for the new light poles at the dug outs at the "big" ball field.

Removed and replaced some swing at the park.

Installed a wall in the police office.

Cut brush along the roads and around town.

Chipped the Christmas trees into mulch.

Rebuild the fire hydrants at St. John’s Road and Catherine and Arthur.

Due to the heavy winds, signs had to be straightened, repaired or replaced.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt.

Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report January 2006

Water

Water for the month was from the surface source.

The chlorine sample pump for the finished water sampling has failed. This pump has been under water several times and has finally given up the ghost. Tony has made some modifications to the system and can now feed the chlorine analyzer by gravity.

On January 21 a squirrel shorted a line on the water plant electric service. Met – Ed made repairs pretty quickly, however it also took out several contactors at the plant. We were able to make repairs by taking parts from spare circuits and were down for only a few hours.

Our emergency response plan has been reviewed and updated.

Wastewater

A combination of heavy rain and a bad float caused an overflow at the Ridge Lawn Pumping Station on the 18^th. PaDEP was notified and the appropriate paperwork was filed. The bad float has been replaced. We have been having problems with a pump at Ridge Lawn tripping off on overload. We have replaced the contactors and have not had any further problems.

The contractor for the upgrade of the pine Street Pumping Station has been on site and we expect they will start very soon.

Seals have started leaking on the #3 secondary clarifier. The clarifier is now off line, parts have been purchased and a contractor hired to make the repairs. We have continued to meet our permit parameters without our largest clarifier.

Respectfully Submitted

Keith L. Brobst
Water/Wastewater Superintendent

Throughout the month various complaint letters were mailed including: junk car, blocked water meters, etc. Various thank you letters were mailed.

Met on many occasions with representatives from the insurance company, adjusters and representatives from the company that will be repairing our damage from the frozen HVAC coil.

Completed year end processing, updated all accounting work for 2006 as well as completed payroll year end processing, W-2’s 1099’s, etc. Completed and delivered a yearly benefit information sheet for each full time non-uniform employee.

Budgetary transfers were completed and reports printed for the Auditors. Assisted the auditor with information as requested.

The annual year end report for the Motor License Fund was completed and mailed to PA DOT.

Assisted with EMST questions, police pension issues for the actuary, questions regarding new trash billing system and other issues.

Completed letters and labels for the annual request for recycling totals from commercial property owners.

Updated the Municipal Access Channel and the web page.

Updated all I & I paperwork and information was given to the engineer and Water/Sewer Superintendent.

A lot of filing was completed for both Lynda and myself, new folders created, ordinances inserted into the Ordinance Book.

Assisted the Library in the claim for the window that was blown into the Library due to the heavy windstorm.

Contacted PA DOT for prevailing wages for the street work bids Completed the street work bids and contacted PA DOT for approval.

Attended EMA training and while there received my Advanced Certification certificate and plaque from the County and State.

Attended two council meetings and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Y. Berger
Office Manager

Five construction permits and three zoning permits were issued in January .

Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows:

Hamburg Commons site work and building construction continues. Rite Aide has been issued a temporary Occupancy permit to May 30, pending completion of site work.

Arby’s construction is progressing. Site improvements are progressing.

Construction at the Peebles Dept store is progressing.

Construction for a new Family Dollar is progressing.

Construction continues American hotel regarding the second phase of construction. The restaurant area on 4th St is expected to be open by the end of February.

The solicitor’s office is working on ordinance re: zoning amendments for special exceptions when sign proposals exceed certain zoning requirements.

Barry Issett and Co. have provided two preliminary concepts for the improvement of the Rte 61 &

South 4^th Street intersection.

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.

John Leonforte

Code Administrator

PROPERTY COMMITTEE

JANUARY 24, 2006

MUNICIPAL CENTER – 3:30PM

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

Visitor: John Leonforte

The status of the pool and the pool grant were discussed; attempting to determine a schedule of repair and construction. A decision will be made shortly, after discussion with Recreation Board, and given to Council.

The Property Committee recommends the adoption of Act 93 by enacting and approving an ordinance to participate.

The Property Committee recommends the enactment of an ordinance for participation in a Countywide UCC Appeals Board. The cost for the Borough will be $200.00 per year

The Property Committee recommends the signing of a Memo of Understanding with Berks Soil Conservation.

The Property Committee thanks ALL who were involved in the Christmas tree pick-up.

The newly hired Solicitors have been given the proposed ordinances for the smoke free pool/park and NEW pool and park policies

The issues continue with the HVAC system in the Municipal Center. Action is being taken to correct this problem once and for all.

The Borough finally received the new dump truck and is in use.

Chairman of Property Dale R. Schlenker

Personnel Committee
February 7, 2006

Attending the meeting were Elaine Swavely, Lynda Albright, Chief Michael Painter and Martha Bertolet.

Letters will be mailed to the park and pool applicants in the very near future for a meeting date.

The results of a survey of the surrounding boroughs and school districts determined the compensation for crossing guards. We currently pay $20.00 per day for approximately one-hour work. It was determined that Hamburg has the highest paid crossing guards. The next highest pay was $12.08 per hour. There will be no increase for 2006 and it will be reviewed again during the 2007 budget preparation.

Troy Hatt will be recommended as the official Fire Marshall for Hamburg Borough.

We have two applicants for Library Board Mike Stasulli and Elaine Swavely, which will be recommended for appointment.

A resignation from Gloria Hess was received effect February 20, 2006.

Personnel Committee recommends the appointment of Judy Romig as Tilden’s representative to the Hamburg Municipal Authority.

Personnel Committee recommended a pay rate increase for John Leonforte equivalent to the other non uniform employees in the borough.

Martha E. Bertolet

On the recommendation of the Property Committee and following the public hearing, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Roger Stetzler to adopt ordinance #736-06 – zoning amendment dealing with internally lit signs.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Martha Bertolet to reimburse general fund from the line of credit funds – $24,745.00 – for the balance of the dump truck.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Roger Stetzler to name Troy Hatt as the "official" Fire Marshall for the Borough of Hamburg.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Martha Bertolet to appoint Michael Stasulli as a member on the Hamburg Library Board effective immediately, with the term ending 12/31/08.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Roger Stetzler to appoint Elaine Swavely as a member on the Hamburg Library Board effective immediately, with the term ending 12/31/07.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, T. Yoder, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner

NAYES – None

E. Swavely abstained from the vote.

On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Tina Yoder to appoint Judy Romig as Tilden Township’s representative to the Hamburg Municipal Authority effective immediately, with term ending 12/31/10.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Road Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely authorizing the Borough Manager to advertise for street bids for North Crescent Avenue and the dead end of North 4^th street.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Tina Yoder to approve the preparation and advertising of an ordinance that provides that insurance companies must hold monies from insurance claims in municipalities where if a property is destroyed by fire, a portion of the claim payment is held out to provide for the demolition of the affected structures in the event that the property owners fails to take care of.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the preparation and advertisement of an ordinance for participation in a Countywide UCC Appeals Board at a cost of $200.00 per year.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Property Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Tina Yoder approving the signing of a Memo of Understanding with the Berks County Soil Conservation.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely to enter into an agreement with the Commonwealth of PA, Dept. of General Services for the salt contract participation agreement for the August 2006 through July 2007 winter season.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Roy Heffner to have a feasibility study done to extend Front street north of Wissahickon Water Company to Route 61, at a cost not to exceed $8,000.

NAYES – None

On the recommendation of the Finance Committee a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler to move the pedestrian button at 4^th and Pine Street behind the sidewalk in the amount of $2,500.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Tina Yoder and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve payment of invoices totaling $146,962.47

NAYES – None

AT&T 27.21

AT&T 227.15

Ark Rentals 81.90

Association of Mayors 10.00

Atlantic Tactical 129.89

Bks Cty Chiefs of Police Assoc. 394.00

County of Berks 2,300.15

Berks-Mont Newspapers, Inc. 253.88

Bond Customart 125.00

EJB Paving & Materials 183.15

Edenburg Welding Co. 224.00

Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 365.41

Gorman & associates P.C. 3,500.00

Hamburg Ambulance 262.00

Hamburg Auto Parts 134.17

Hartman janitorial 815.00

Kermit K Kistler Inc. 404.19

E.M Kutz Inc. 24,745.00

Kuzan’s True Value 273.93

Leisawitz Heller 183.19

Lowe’s Business Account 123.42

Met-Ed 5,320.68

Miller Municipal division 2,870.20

Miller’s 5 & 10 66.98

Mountain View Supply 26.06

Municipal Employers Ins. Trust 202.50

Nextel Communications 650.32

PA State Mayors Association 50.00

PPL Gas Utilities 2,509.88

Palos Sports 120.89

Patriot Collision Center 4,181.37

Penn Pride, Inc. 1,514.19

Pennsylvania Leaque of Cities 65.00

Powerco, Inc. 176.24

Public safety Center Inc. 63.63

Quill Corp. 48.45

Quill Corp. 86.45

Reed Smith LLP 58.00

SA – So 170.57

Sam’s Club 59.22

Roger Stetzler 6.00

Telco Inc. 85.00

Thren’s Auto Parts 356.56

ThyssenKrupp Elevator 176.24

UniFirst 318.90

Verizon 392.25

Weis Markets 3.68

Windsor Press 81.36

YIS/Cowden Group Inc. 535.50

Zee Medical Service Company 14.75

Thomas Zelinsky Jr. 16.02

TOTAL 54,989.53

BILLS PAID PREVIOUSLY 91,972.94

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL 146,962.47

LIST OF BILLS FOR APPROVAL

Borough/Payroll 82,364.45

Borough/State Share SS 4,444.47

Berks CO. Treasurer 1,322.50

Berks Cty Communication 1,207.77

Animal Rescue Leaque 350.00

Municipal Employers 206.55

AT&T 249.24

Kuzan’s Hardware 71.38

Verizon 387.99

HMA 137.63

Painter, Michael C 37.33

Stoudt, Kathleen 52.00

Sam’s Club 225.73

Albright College 75.00

Petty Cash 91.88

Noll, Joanne D 737.52

Comm. Of PA 6.50

An executive session will be held after the meeting to discuss police personnel and potential litigation.

February 22, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. – Hamburg Municipal Authority Meeting

February 20, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. – Planning Commission

February 21, 2006 – 3:30 p.m. – Safety Committee

February 27, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. – Water/Sewer & Public Relations Committee

February 27, 2006 – 7:30 p.m. – Borough Council meeting

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. on the motion of Tina Yoder and seconded by Roger Stetzler.

Attest:

Kim Y. Berger
Recording Secretary/Office Manager