Council Meeting Minutes

PENNSBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – 7:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Kristopher Kirkwood. Mr. Kirkwood led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Answering roll call were Council Members: Michael R. Mensch, Bruce Lord, Frederick Schutte, Cody Belmont, Robert Seville, Kristopher Kirkwood and Junior Council Member Thomas Heibeck. Diane Stevens was absent. Also in attendance this evening was Mayor Vicki J. Lightcap, Solicitor Charles Garner, Jr., Engineer Joshua Hagadorn, Roads Supervisor Jason Kulp, Administrative Assistant Lisa Hiltz and Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Jeanne W. Hopkins. Mayor Lightcap announced that prior to the start of the meeting the Pennsburg Fire Police were given the Oath of Office for 2017. Public Comment Period Cathy Davidson, Montgomery Avenue, asked questions about the proposed new Middle School. Joshua Hagadorn reported he is in receipt of Middle School plans to review but has not yet started the review process however; the traffic study is under review. Consent Agenda A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Belmont and unanimous to approve the Minutes of the December 6 and 20, 2016 Borough Council Meetings and the December 2016 Treasurer’s Report. Communications Mayor Lightcap reported on a request from a Main Street resident. The resident asked Borough Council to legislate the act of a business dumping snow on private property. Solicitor Garner said the matter is a dispute between property owners and suggested an Ordinance would not be helpful in correcting the resident’s complaint. Borough Council agreed. The Solicitor was directed to send a letter explaining the position of Borough Council. Fire Co./Emergency Management Mayor Lightcap announced that January 1 – 8 is First Responders Appreciation Week and she thanked all First Responders for their volunteer work. Facilities Mr. Schutte reported the new security cameras are installed in the council chambers and they are working fine. Parks and Recreation Mr. Lord announced the meetings would be held in the Council Chambers on the 3 rd Monday each month at 7 p.m. A future Holiday Tree Lighting will be a topic discussed. 1 Roads and Maintenance Mr. Mensch has been in communication with PennDot with regards to the placement of certain signs for the detour on Route 663. Solid Waste and Recycling Mr. Belmont announced the trash and recycling totes have been successfully delivered to property owners. Recycling requirements will need to be passed along to areas such as Arbor Court, Pennsburg Commons and other larger apartment buildings that are not included in our trash collection system, giving them ample time to comply with mandatory recycling. Building & Zoning Mr. Schutte reported that December revenue for building permits was $665.00. Outreach Mayor Lightcap reported on the meetings she has attended with regards to the proposed Middle School development. She raised questions such as: Flashing Signal costs and maintenance, blasting and the effect on surrounding homes, the impact to Montgomery Ave. residents, a proposed traffic signal at 8 th St. & Montgomery Ave, and walking student’s safety. The Upper Perkiomen School District is holding an Act 34 hearing on January 4, 2017. A Motion was made by Belmont, seconded by Lord and unanimous authorizing Mayor Lightcap to speak about these concerns at the hearing as a representative of the Borough. Solicitor Garner reported he and Josh Hagadorn are attempting to set up a meeting with school district’s representatives and consultants to get firsthand information on the status and process. Ambulance Mr. Mensch reported the new generator has been installed and two new ambulances are in service. The ambulance center can now be considered a “warming and casualty center”. Fundraisers are being planned for 2017. Police Commission Mayor Lightcap reported one pre-mediation meeting was held on December 8, 2016 and another is planned. A 2017 Police Department Budget was approved. President Kirkwood reported he recently learned of emails sent to Chief Devlin by Mayor Sloyer. Mr. Seville said the demands of the Chief by Mayor Sloyer are violating the “chain of command”, ignoring the Commission Chairman and Vice Chairman. Solicitor Garner added that no one person has the legal authority to direct the Chief of Police. The Chief should be sharing these actions with the Police Commission. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance to create certain recycling regulations A Motion was made by Belmont, seconded by Lord and unanimous to adopt the Ordinance. Police Radios Mr. Belmont reported the latest status is that the radios will be available by the end of January. 2 Mayor Lightcap reported she contacted the County Commissioners and has found that if the Police Chief is given the authority to request the radios, delivery of the radios could be expedited. A Motion was made by Belmont, seconded by Lord and unanimous to authorize Chief Devlin to request the radios from the County. A Motion was made by Belmont, seconded by Schutte and unanimous to authorize the 2nd payment for the radios, due in late January. Pennsburg Community Park The park survey was discussed. No action will be taken on the boundary that involves the Hartz property until the Park is developed further. NEW BUSINESS A Resolution authorizing Pennsburg Borough to recognize Pennsburg Fire Company No. 1 and officially accord it the status as a volunteer Fire Company was adopted with a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Belmont and unanimous. Planning Commission resignation A Motion was made by Schutte, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to accept with regret the resignation of Jacob Hallman from the Planning Commission. A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous to authorize the Secretary to advertise for a resident to fill the vacancy on the Planning Commission. Zoning Hearing Board A Resolution was approved with a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Belmont and unanimous to re- appoint Arlen B. Christman to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board. The term ends 12/31/19. Vacancy Board A Motion was made by Belmont, seconded by Mensch and unanimous to re-appoint Phyllis Bittenbender for a one-year term as Vacancy Board chairperson. Depository of Funds A Motion was made by Lord, seconded by Belmont and unanimous to approve the financial institutions of Quakertown National Bank, PLGIT, Bally Savings Bank and Tri-County FCU as the borough’s depositories. Montgomery County Housing and Community Development Block Grant A Motion was made by Mensch, seconded by Belmont and unanimous to authorize the execution of the grant documents for the CDBG Block Grant for 2nd Street improvements in the amount of $204,920.00. The January bills for payment were approved with a Motion by Mensch, seconded by Lord and unanimous. Public Comment Period Kathryn Kirkwood, 924 Main Street, Keith McCarrick, 333 Washington St., Kathy Kulp, Main St., and Brian Kierman, 1080 E. 11th St., Upper Hanover Twp. provided comments with regards to the Police Commission. 3   Mr. Belmont left the meeting to answer an emergency response call. 8:45 P.M. - Executive Session for a matter of personnel 9:45 P.M. – The regular meeting was reconvened. There was no other business to come before the Borough Council at this time. A Motion was made by Lord to adjourn the meeting at 9:46 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jeanne W. Hopkins Administrative Manager/Secretary-Treasurer 4