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MINUTES FROM THE YEAR END MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL - 12/26/01 The year-end 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 Boyd, Jeanette Heckman, Roy Heffner, Diana Edwards, Leon Balthaser and Charles Figard Members Absent Scott Kreider Also Present Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Solicitor Speicher, Mayor Del Rosario Visitors Nikki Murry, Hamburg Item, Lily Henning, Reading Eagle/Times, Theodore Miller, Dale Schlenker, Fred Sheeler, Stephen L. May, Hank Clarke (7:50 p.m.), Brittney Berger A motion was made by Diana Edwards and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the amended agenda. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES - None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Stephen May was present to voice his opinion regarding the new trash billing system. The written response he received from Manager Albright was very good and he understands more than he did before. He stated that he wished there was a choice of paying the bill in the beginning of the year. Fred Sheeler wanted to thank the Borough for pledging the funds to the Main Street Program. He would like a letter from the Borough stating this for a grant application. Council members were handed an invitation to a program at Schmecks Restaurant on Tuesday, January 15, 2001 at 7:44 a.m. There will be two speakers. He hopes that all of council will attend. A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to approve the minutes of December 10, 2001 meeting as submitted. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser NAYES - None A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the following reports: Engineers Report, Personnel Committee and Finance Committee Report. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser NAYES - None HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY ENGINEER'S REPORT DECEMBER 19, 2001 SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
Monthly iron tests are still in the high range. Working with MACA on this issue.
WATER SYSTEM WATER PRODUCTION
HAMBURG CENTER Systems Design Engineering, Inc. will update the board on the issues to date. We are awaiting a proposal to complete an appraisal of the tank and property.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT 6 p.m. Persons present: Rick Boyd, Jeanette Heckman, Charles Figard and Lynda Albright Items discussed: Recommend the candidates: Cynthia Bender, Nancy Kramer and Jeanette Heckman to the Library Board. Discussed requests from the supervisory staff and decided to recommend the additional five percent toward accident and health coverage. Recommend updating benefit packages to reflect the changes that were approved previously, plus a few minor changes (language etc.) Discussed requests for hourly staff (not recommending any changes) Discussed hiring practices and recommended going with the best person and the most qualified for the job to the best of manager and councils ability to choose. Suggested widening the radius of residency requirements to twenty-five miles. Recognize Rick Leymeister as being the police officer responsible for obtaining the $4000 donation to the police department. Recommend recognizing Scott Kreider, councilperson and former council president for more than ten years of service to the community and borough government. Meeting adjourned at approximately 9 p.m. Jeanette Heckman, Chairperson FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT In Attendance: Rick Boyd, Scott Kreider, Chuck Figard, Diana Edwards, Lynda Albright, Diana Edwards, Lynda Albright, Leon Balthaser Balthaser, Roy Heffner, Main street Committee members: Fred Sheeler, Buck Holtzman, Gert Haas, Deena Kershner; Reading Eagle reporter, Hamburg Item Reporter, Nikki Murray. Main Street Committee Request The group represented their plea for support of the program from the borough of Hamburg for a (5) year period at $20,000 a year. Rick Boyd asked that they seek an opinion and support from other municipalities. They rebutted that Hamburgs support is crucial to the program, because we are at the center of the revitalization program and must lead the way to have other neighboring municipalities see the need to help North Berks. Leon Balthaser Balthaser requested that council show some effort and support for the program. There was much discussion that followed. Later, a motion was made by Leon Balthaser Balthaser and seconded by Diana Edwards to support the program for (5) years @$20,000 per year. 4-Yes Leon Balthaser, Scott, Diana, Jeanette 3-No Chuck, Roy and Rick. Motion by Rick Boyd to raise taxes l/3 mill to support the Main Street program. Motion died for a lack of a second. A motion will be made to Council for approval of the program. Municipal Loan Refinancing Lynda presented us with information from Fulton Bank for a lower % rate (4.24%) on the building loan. Lynda and John Speicher will pursue it for the savings it will create. (Approximately $15,000 a year) Respectfully submitted, Scott Kreider OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the following board reappointments for 2002.
ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the 2002 General budget, in the amount of $2,064,500. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard,
NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Leon Balthaser to adopt Ordinance #706-01, establishing the tax rate of 2.5 mills for general operations and .5 mills for capital reserve for 2002. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Diana Edwards to approve the annual agreement with the Animal Rescue League for 2002. This shall include a $300 contribution to ARL. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Diana Edwards to adopt Ordinance # 707-01 - Trash Ordinance to allow for annual billing rather than quarterly billing. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES L. Balthaser On the recommendation of Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to adopt Ordinance #708-01 - OPT Ordinance to remove the $1000 minimum earnings and due date from March /April to January/February. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES L. Balthaser NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to authorize the Borough Manager to make budgetary transfers as necessary (within each organization area of the budget.) ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard NAYES - None On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to waive the requirements of Section 507 of the Zoning ordinance for the Heck Annexation/Subdivision. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None On the recommendation of the Planning Commission, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Diana Edwards to approve the final plans for the Heck Annexation/Subdivision contingent upon all outstanding issues stipulated in GVCs and SDEs letters being resolved. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser NAYES None On the recommendation of the Engineer, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve the Exemption for Sewage Facilities Planning Module for the Heck Annexation/Subdivision and authorize the Borough Manager to execute same. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to approve the updated Benefit Packages for Hourly, Supervisory and Manager, as well the Rules and Regulations. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser NAYES None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Roy Heffner to appoint Jeanette Heckman to the Library Board effective 1/1/02, with term ending 12/31/04. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser NAYES None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to appoint Nancy Kramer of Shoemakersville to the Library Board effective 1/1/02 to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of Nancy McCreary, with term ending 12/31/03. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser NAYES None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Charles Figard and seconded by Diana Edwards to appoint Cynthia Bender of Shartlesville to the Library Board effective 1/1/02 to fill the unexpired term created by the resignation of Nicole Mozeko, term ending 12/31/02. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None On the recommendation of the Chief of Police, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to hire Sandra Hewitt as a Crossing Guard retroactive to 12/17/01 at a rate of $11.00 per day. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee and Borough Solicitor, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to approve Ordinance #709-01 - which deals with the refinancing of the General Obligation Note, Series of 1998, approving and accepting the proposal of Fulton Bank, Great Valley Division and authorizing the proper officials of the Borough to take necessary actions and to execute necessary documents to complete the transaction.A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Charles Figard to table the above motion. ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. Balthaser NAYES None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Charles Figard to take action via Resolution #6-01 authorizing the issuance by the Borough of its Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note, authorizing the preparation and filing of documents with the DCED, approving and accepting the proposal of M&T Bank to purchase the TRAN and authorizing the proper officials to take necessary actions and to execute necessary documents to complete the transaction. ($125,000 at a rate of 3.159%) ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard, L. BalthaserNAYES None SOLICITORS REPORT Nothing new to report .A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve payment of invoices totaling $57,502.65 ROLL CALL: AYES R. Boyd, R. Heffner, J. Heckman, D. Edwards, C. Figard L. Balthaser NAYES None LIST OF BILLS
AT & T 11.84 BCMHIPG 15,489.57 BOCA 98.00 BFI 9,604.84 EARTHLINK 43.90 GBF INFO SYSTEMS 612.46 GPU 6,664.08 GALLS 48.98 JAMES MCANENY 1,000.00 KISTLER FARM MACHINERY 98.58 STANLEY KLOPP 12.33 MUNIS 3,273.45 MYSTIK HOY LUBE 304.70 NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS 846.65 PA STATE ASSC. OF BOROUGHS 548.63 PPL UTILITIES 1,105.94 PSYCHOLOGICAL RESOURCES 180.00 PURCHASE POWER 1,051.74 QUILL 200.24 SOFTWARE SYSTEMS 1,000.00 TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 238.50 UST INDEMNIFICATION FUND 60.00 UNION FIRE CO. #1 OF HAMBURG 9,000.00 WEIS MARKETS 5.70 SCOTT WILLIAMS 45.22 YIS INC. 356.00 ZEE MEDICAL 50.00 SUBTOTAL 51,951.35 MORGAN RAIL (MOTOR LICENSE FUND) 5,551.30 TOTAL FOR APPROVAL 57,502.65 Hank Clarke an elected councilman, submitted his letter of resignation. Due to job commitments, Mr. Clarke will not be eligible to fill the council seat. UPCOMING MEETINGS/INFORMATION January 1, 2002 HAPPY NEW YEAR! (OFFICE CLOSED) January 7, 2002 Continued Year End meeting 7:30 p.m. January 7, 2002 - Reorganization 8:00 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was continued until January 7, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. on motion of Charles Figard and seconded Roy Heffner. ATTEST: Kim Y. Berger |
