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MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 11, 2000 COUNCIL MEETING The twenty-third regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Richard Boyd presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer. Members Present - Richard W. Boyd, Roy Heffner, Leon Balthaser, Scott Kreider, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard, Diana Edwards Members Absent – None Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary Visitors – Nikki Murry (Hamburg Item), Thomas Zelinsky, Jr. (Chief of
Police,) NAYES – None William Kramer of the Hamburg Jaycees presented a plaque in memory of John Ayello to Chief Zelinsky. A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the minutes of the November 22, 2000 meeting as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, NAYES - None A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard 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/ Mayor Report. (Comment: Councilman Balthaser stated that he would like to commend Chief Zelinsky and his department for the fine job they did for the Christmas Parade.) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, C. Figard, L. Balthaser, NAYES - None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT - NOVEMBER The Borough Manager's activities during the month of NOVEMBER, 2000 included the following: I was extremely busy this month, having spent a lot of time on the proposed budgets for the Water, Sewer and General accounts for the year 2001. The Authority has now adopted the Water and Sewer Budgets for next year at their November 15 meeting. On Wednesday, November 1, at 10:00 a.m. and 10:45 respectively, met with Allen Englebert of Smith Barney, members of the police pension board and non-uniform pension board to review the Police and Non-Uniform pension assets for the 2nd and 3rd quarter of the year. On Friday, November 3rd, met with representatives of EPA to receive an update on the properties in both the Borough and outside the borough they will be looking at as probable lead sites. On Tuesday November 7 and Tuesday, November 21, held staff meetings to discuss various issues with department heads. At those meetings, I emphasized the need to cease any and all unnecessary spending for the balance of 2000. Also on this same day, Dave Mahaffie from Gannett Fleming was present to meet with utility companies and collect information on cost sharing for the relocation of any water or sewer lines during the I-78 construction project. On Wednesday evening, November 8th, attended a special workshop with the Authority to review their proposed water and sewer budgets. Met with representatives of Luppold Heating/Air Conditioning to review several issues regarding the modifications to the heating/air conditioning which will be made in an effort to reduce our electric costs. On Tuesday, November 14th, met with the individual supervisors to review their semi-annual evaluations. On this same day, met with Beth Heckhart of Leesport Bank regarding Authority finances and investments. On Thursday, November 16, met with Tonya Gerner to discuss her potential employment with the Borough as the next Recreation Director. She is willing to accept this appointment at the salary established by the Personnel Committee. Action of this appointment to be taken at the November 22nd meeting of Council. On Thursday evening, November 16th from 7 to 9:30 p.m., Chief Zelinsky and I attended a seminar at Albright College on "Changes in Personnel Law and How They Impact Municipalities". This meeting was very informative. On Tuesday, November 21, met with Doug Kramer of Synergetics and Landon from Stirling Engineering regarding reconstruction of the first floor lobby. On Tuesday, November 28th, Keith Brobst, W/S Supt. and I interviewed one of the potential candidates for sewer plant operations. On Wednesday morning, November 29th from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., attended a "brainstorming" meeting at the County Services Center with other municipalities and representatives from Berks County Planning and Community Development in an effort to gather ideas to develop initiatives specifically directed toward boroughs. In addition to the two regular meetings of Borough Council, I attended Authority Meeting, Recreation Board meeting, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee, Road Committee, Safety Committee and Property Committee meetings. If anyone has any questions concerning my report, please feel free to ask. Following are the reports of my staff for the month of November. LYNDA G. ALBRIGHT, BOROUGH MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS SUPT. REPORT – NOVEMBER 2000 During the month of November, the Borough Crew completed the following: AUTHORITY PROJECTS The crew performed some meter checks and meter changes. The crew cleaned the weir behind the dam at the reservoir. Brush was cut at the dam. Repaired ½" service line at 2828 Old 22. GENERAL WORK The curbing for the fire company personnel was painted red and signs were moved. The shoulders on Port Clinton Avenue and Mountain Avenue were cleaned. Brush was cut around the borough. More signs were replaced. Equipment and trucks were prepared for winter snow and ice removal. Installed a new water meter at the Hamburg Pool. The crew collected leaves at the park. The crew completed installing the electric line at the band stand. Richard L. Pickel Water and Wastewater Superintendent’s Report Nov. 2000 Wastewater The Ridge Lawn pumping station has sprung a leak. A contractor has been contacted and will be cutting a section of the wet well wall out to make the repair. Seals have been failing on the Ridge Lawn pumps. We made some modifications to the brackets that hold them in place and it seems to have solved the problem. We also had to repair the gear box on the grinder at the Edenburg pumping station. The drive roller on the belt filter press has been needing to be recovered and to have the bearings replaced. While the machine is down for that repair we are replacing or repairing all the rollers and the lacing on the belt. Water The water plant is still off line. Repairs are scheduled for the first week of December. Water usage is very high and we suspect a leak, although flow patterns also indicate unusually high use. Well 5 has been giving us some problems. We have been talking to some consultants on how to resolve the problems but so far haven’t been able to do so. The problems are intermittent and are not threatening the supply.
The month of November has come to a close, the following information has been completed for the month. Our software company was present throughout the month to migrate some data from the old utility billing program to the new version and also to acclimate Denise with using the program. This training and migration work will continue until the end of the year. The web page again, continues to be updated. As soon as the new dates have been established for 2001, I would like to enter them into the web page. Various memos and letters were mailed and delivered. Attended a Winter Preparedness meeting for EMA. It was a very informative meeting. There was a representative present from the National Weather Service. He told us that the projection is for lower than normal temperatures and normal to above normal snowfall for the season. Our average is 34" of snow during the season, although the last few years have been below normal. In addition to the above, I have been working on the accounting system. Everything is going pretty well. Lynda and I hope to interview by the middle of December. I attended two staff meetings, two Borough Council meeting, one Rec Board meeting and one EMA meeting. Minutes and/or notes were typed for all meetings. If you have any questions, please feel
free to ask.
THE FOLLOWING IS A REPORT OF ACTIVITY OF THE HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER: INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED COUNT DESCRIPTION 6 Disorderly conduct 1 Drunkenness, public 1 Harassment by Communication 11 Offenses against family or children, domestic disp 5 Vandalism, criminal mischief 1 Weapons, carrying, posses., etc. 6 Animal complaints 3 Harassment, Stalking, Other not aggravated 1 Assault Strong arm (hands, feet, etc.) 1 Assault Terroristic Threats 2 Assist ambulance 3 Assist fire company 17 Assist Other Departments 2 Assisted disabled motorist 2 Burglary Forcible entry 2 Burglary Unlawful entry - no force 1 Neighbor disputes 4 Noise complaints10 Theft By Unlawful Taking or Disposition 6 911 Hang-up Calls 9 Miscellaneous calls/complaints 2 Miscellaneous incidents 1 Missing/wanted persons/attempt to locate persons 3 Runaways (Juvenile only) 2 Suspicious persons 6 Property Alarms calls 5 Property False Alarms 3 Found/recovered property 2 Property Security checks 2 Property Security checks (found open windows,1 Borough ordinance violation 1 Truancy ViolationTRAFFIC REPORT 3 Parking complaints 2 Parking prohibited-street sweeping80 Parking tickets issued2 Vehicle Escorts4 Maximum speed limits 1 Obedience to traffic control devices 1 Oper. of veh. without official Cert. of 2 Operating vehicle under suspension 1 Stop sign violation 2 Traffic accidents (reportable) 1 Traffic control 2 Traffic stops 2 Traffic Unlawful activities 3 Abandoned vehicle 1 Restrictions on parking - certain type of vehicles 2 Suspicious vehicles MILES DRIVEN – 1997 FORD – CROWN VICTORIA – WHITE 458 1995 FORD – CROWN VICTORIA – WHITE 1806 1993 FORD – CROWN VICTORIA – WHITE 950 TOTAL MILES DRIVEN 3214 FINES COLLECTED DISTRICT COURT 23-03-06 $ 863.27
Thomas J. Zelinsky, Jr. Chief of Police Mayor’s Report: October 2000 November 6, 2000: held meet with Mayor, held in the Police Department at 7 p.m. The following issues were brought forward and were forwarded to the proper committees for review and recommendation to Council:
OLD BUSINESS NONE NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation by the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve and execute an agreement with Cougle’s Recycling whereby Cougle’s will process and transport co-mingled recyclables. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES - None (Question: The bill for Edenburg Welding says park and police. What was the
police part of it? President Boyd described the plate over where the coal had
been placed years ago needed to be replaced and welded into place due to water
coming into the basement from that location.) NAYES - None LIST OF BILLS Albright Insurance 443.75 Ames Dept. Store 13.68 Assc. of Mayors 10.00 Assc. of Mayors 40.00 BOC Gases 20.75 Barko Cleaning 493.00 Berks Mont Newspapers 176.35 Blue Mountain Computer 80.00 Browning Ferris Inc. 9,370.58 Christman, Sandra 88.25 David Dengler 100.00 Edenburg Welding 228.90 Four Star Electronics 672.00 GBF Info Systems 126.31 GPU 495.29 Great valley Consultants 1,310.59 Hamburg Auto 47.56 Terry L. Heckman 200.00 Henn’s Garage 40.97 ICI Dulux Paint 12.60 Kistler O’Brien Fire Protection 68.00 Kantner’s Tire Service 16.00 Mike Kershner 542.80 Kuzans 8.99 Metrocall 10.94 Morganti & Kirsch 30.43 Mountain View Supply 62.30 The Office Service Company 33.65 PA Local Govt. Sec. Assc. 75.00 PA State Assc. of Boroughs 206.00 Penn Pride 786.90 Reading Eagle 18.50 Synergetics Architects 2437.50 Thyssen Security Elevator 135.00 Verizon 438.20 Verizon Wireless 202.65 Wengert’s Auto 332.00 Western Auto 4.89 TOTAL $19,603.60 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER Borough of Hamburg=Gross Payroll 89,337.60 Borough of Hamburg – Emp. Share SS 5,015.74 BCMGHIPG 11,465.68 First Union 935.56 Berks Co. Treasurer=Dog licenses 31.50 Comm Dept. of Agriculture 25.00 Tray’s Wholesale 16.25 HMA 5,411.49 Petty Cash 11.75 Postmaster of Hamburg 180.64 Total $112,431.21
UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION President Boyd gave an update on the Visioning Group. The North Berks Recreation met on December 7, 2000. To date they have received resolutions from Hamburg, Tilden and Upper Tulpehocken. They are waiting for Strausstown, Upper Bern and Windsor. There has been no word from Shoemakersville. The group is looking for the appointment of two individuals from each municipality for the planning board. This board will then meet on January 31, 2001. The group needs the names by January 26, 2001 at the latest. The Visioning group will then not meet again until May 2001. The group then wants to organize with the North Berks Commerce for ideas. The comprehensive plan is to be done in about 18 months. December 12, 2000 – 6 p.m. – Personnel Committee December 13, 2000 – 3:30 p.m. – Road Committee December 15, 2000 – Council Breakfast 7 a.m. December 18, 2000 – Planning Commission December 19, 2000 – Christmas Luncheon – 11:30 a.m. December 19, 2000 – Safety Committee – 7 p.m. December 20, 2000 – Water/Sewer Committee meeting – 6:30 p.m. December 20, 2000 – Authority meeting – 7 p.m. December 27, 2000 – Year End Council meeting 7:30 p.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. on motion of Leon Balthaser.
Attest:
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