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MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 24, 2001 MEETING OF HAMBURG BOROUGH COUNCIL The twentieth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2001 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 - Rick Boyd, Roy Heffner, Leon Balthaser, Diana Edwards, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard, Scott KreiderMembers Absent – None Also Present – Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Solicitor John Speicher, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Mayor Del Rosario Visitors –Kimm Montone (Item), Chief Thomas Zelinsky, Val Lacis (Reading Eagle/Times), Douglas Williams A motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Diana Edwards to approve the amended agenda, by adding under New Business a motion to forgive a bad debt for the former Painter Property. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Mayor Del Rosario presented Officer Douglas Williams with an award for his apprehension of a criminal. A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2001 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Personnel Committee Report and the Finance Committee Report. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY ENGINEER'S REPORT OCTOBER 17, 2001 SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
No issues
WATER SYSTEM WATER PRODUCTION
HAMBURG CENTER Systems Design Engineering, Inc. will update the board on the issues to date.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT OCTOBER 9, 2001 – 6 PM TO 7:30 PM PRESENT: DIANA EDWARDS, CHARLES FIGARD, JEANETTE HECKMAN, LYNDA ALBRIGHT, BOROUGH MANAGER DISCUSSION: FRINGE BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES EXPLORED. A COMPARISON CHART WITH ALL THE MUNICIPALITIES OF BERKS COUNTY EXAMINED. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT IN ATTENDANCE: SCOTT KREIDER, CHUCK FIGARD, RICK BOYD, JEANETTE HECKMAN, DIANA EDWARDS, ROY HEFFNER, LEON BALTHASER, LYNDA ALBRIGHT, FRED SHEELER, JOHN SMITH, GERTRUDE HAAS, DEENA KERSHNER THE ENTIRE HOUR WAS TAKEN BY DISCUSSION CONCERNING THE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE BOROUGH FOR THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE NORTH BERKS CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. THEIR REQUEST IS FOR $102,00 OVER 5 YEARS OR THE EQUIVALENT OF $5 PER RESIDENT PER YEAR. MORE DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT WILL FOLLOW. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED SCOTT KREIDER, FINANCE CHAIRMAN FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT IN ATTENDANCE: SCOTT KREIDER, RICK BOYD, CHUCK FIGARD, LYNDA ALBRIGHT, KATIE BOYD (VISITOR) FUNDS FOR ROADS: SOME BORO ROADS ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF REPAIR. THERE WAS DISCUSSION AS HOW TO FUND THE REPAIR OF THESE ROADS IN THE FUTURE. ONE IDEA IN PARTICULAR WAS TO LIMIT OUR SPENDING OR EXPANSION OFSOME PROGRAMS AND TO INSTITUTE A WAGE FREEZE OR REDUCTION FOR ONE YEAR. MORE DISCUSSION LATER. MAIN STREET PROGRAM – A LETTER WILL BE DRAFTED TO THE NORTH BERKS CHAMBER TO INFORM THEM OF OUR INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FIVE YEAR PROGRAM, HOWEVER, WE WANT THEM TO SELL OTHER NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROGRAM FO THE GROWTH AND RESURGENCE OF THE AREA. WATERLOO TRAILER PROPERTY – ON THE RECOMMENDATION FO THE AUDITOR, WE ARE ADVISED TO REMOVE THE BAD DEBT OF THE TRASH FEES AND PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $355.37. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED SCOTT KREIDER, FINANCE CHAIRMAN FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT IN ATTENDANCE: SCOTT KREIDER, ROY HEFFNER, RICK BOYD, CHUCK FIGARD, LYNDA ALBRIGHT, JEANETTE HECKMAN NEW POLICE CRUISER – CHIEF ZELINSKY ASKED THE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER A NEW POLICE CAR. ONE OF THE CARS IS ON ITS LAST LEG AND NEEDS CONSTANT MAINTENANCE. IT WAS DECIDED THAT THERE WAS NO MONEY AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME AND IT IS NOT KNOWN WHEN THERE MAY BE FUNDS AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT TWO GOOD CARS BE MADE OF THE 3 WE HAVE. HISTORICAL SOCIETY – THE SOCIETY REQUESTED TRANSFER OF THE NEARLY $3,000 TO THEIR ACCOUNT THAT THEY ARE NOW OFFICIALLY INCORPORATED WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. A LETTER FROM THE SOCIETY WAS REQUESTED TO MAKE THE TRANSACTION OFFICIAL AND LEGITIMATE. STREET SWEEPER – A MORE CONCENTRATED EFFORT WILL BE PUT FORTH TO SEE IF NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITIES ARE INTERESTED IN CONTRACTING THE USE OF OUR SWEEPER IN HOPES OF GENERATING REVENUES FOR THE BOROUGH OF HAMBURG. PAINTER PROPERTY (SCHUYLKILL AVENUE) – THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN ABANDONED AND BOARDED UP FOR MANY YEARS. THERE ARE UNCOLLECTED MONIES OWED FOR SEWER, WATER AND TAXES. A LIEN WAS PLACED ON THE PROPERTY. ALL THIS TO NO AVAIL. IT WAS RECENTLY SOLD AT SHERIFF’S SALE. IT WAS REQUESTED BY LYNDA TO HAVE THE UNCOLLECTED PRINCIPAL AND PENALTY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,360.32 BE REMOVED FROM THE BOOKS AS A BAD DEBT. THIS WILL BE DONE IN THE FORM OF A MOTION AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. CARL MANWEILER DEED ISSUE – HIS DEED AND PROPERTY TAXES WILL BE INVESTIGATED TO SEE IF IT IS PROPER AND ALL TAXES DUE THE BOROUGH WERE PAID. IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT HIS ORIGINAL DEED SAID HIS HOUSE WAS IN WINDSOR TWP. THERE IS NO SUSPICION OF ANY WRONG DOING. THIS IS JUST FOR CLARIFICATION. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Scot Kreider and seconded by Leon Balthaser to adopt Ordinance #702-01 - Amending the Per Capita Ordinance. (This shows a reduction in charge from $10 to $5) ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider On the recommendation of the Road committee, a motion was made by Leon Balthaser and seconded by Charles Figard to take action to authorize the purchase of Galvanized Guide Rail to be placed along Pine Street above the Pine Terrace Apt. entrance at a cost of $3,384.00. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider On the recommendation of Doug Kramer, Architect from Synergetics, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to award the bid for the cupola at the Library to M.L. Construction in the amount of $18,950, contingent on approval by the Library Board. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider A motion was made by Leon Balthaser and seconded by Scott Kreider to table the following issue: the property committee wanted the Council to accept the Committees position and endorsement in favor of the preliminary plans developed by the North Berks Recreation Corp. for the Kernsville Dam Public Area. ROLL CALL: AYES – J. Heckman, D. Edwards, L. Balthaser, S. Kreider NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Charles Figard to transfer the funds in the Museum Committee Account in the amount of approximately $2800 to the newly formed Historical Society. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider On the recommendation of the Safety Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Diana Edwards to permit shooting blanks for a revolutionary war enactment to be held adjacent to St. John’s Lutheran Church during the Community Choir program on November 10 and 11, 2001. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Roy Heffner to forgive a bad debt of $2,360.32 for the former Painter property on Schuylkill Avenue. This property was sold free and clear of all municipal liens and this is being done at the auditor’s request. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider A motion was made by Scott Kreider and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve payment of invoices totaling $107,911.61. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider LIST OF BILLS AT & T 23.96 AT & T 111.19 BCMHIPG 14,116.05 BOC GASES 21.35 BFI 9,604.84 CARGILL, INC. 3,414.76 CITY PUBLISHING COMPANY 117.65 CLASSIC SIGNS 100.00 CRAIG CORRELL 100.00 DAVID DENGLER 100.00 EARTHLINK 21.95 GPU ENERGY 6,318.98 HESS EMBROIDERY 12.00 KOCH MATERIALS 840.00 LEE WAYNE 153.90 LOWE’S BUSINESS ACCOUNT 14.88 JP MASCARO AND SONS 4,010.83 ROBERT MENGLE 33.12 N.A.S.R.O 30.00 NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS 701.54 PA LAW ENFORCEMENT PROPERTY 700.00 PA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION 2,606.70 PPL UTILITIES 591.62 PITNEY BOWES 208.61 POSTMASTER OF HAMBURG 125.00 PURCHASE POWER 1,019.00 R & T SPECIALTY 139.05 REED SMITH LLP 1,326.65 SMITH BARNEY 58,804.90 SYNERGETICS 765.00 SYSTEMS DESIGN 1,042.73 TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 238.50 YODER’S HEATING 496.85 TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $107,911.61
SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was called at 7:42 p.m. to discuss potential litigation regarding police pension plan and also to discuss a personnel issue. Regular meeting resumed at 8:35 p.m. A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard that we get a formal agreement of representation with McAnney within ten days from today’s date or we seek other legal counsel to head the litigation of the police pension fund. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
L. Balthaser, S. Kreider On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to hire Rita Reed, Fleetwood at a rate of $10 per hour as a police secretary and to serve a 6 month probationary period. ROLL CALL: AYES – R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
S. Kreider UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION Status of siren – the new siren is still not operating properly.
Monday, November 12, 2001 – Council meeting – 7:30 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. on motion of Charles Figard and seconded by Scott Kreider. ATTEST: Kim Y. Berger
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