The eighth 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, Martha Bertolet, Dale Schlenker, Elaine Swavely, Roger Stetzler, Roy Heffner

Members Absent - Tina Yoder

Also Present – Solicitor Mike Zubey, Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager, Kim Y. Berger, Recording Secretary, Mayor Roy Del Rosario

Visitors –Sylvia Summons, Deena Kershner, Norma Berger, Kelly Breininger, Heather Breininger, Kerry Delong, Chief Michael Painter, Pottsville Republican

A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the amended agenda.

ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, R. Heffner, E. Swavely

NAYES – None

COURTESY TO AUDIENCE

Nothing

A motion was made by Roy Heffner and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the minutes of April 10, 2006 meeting as submitted.

NAYES – None

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the following reports: Engineer’s Report, Safety Committee Report and Finance Report.

NAYES – None

SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT ISSUES

The wastewater treatment plant is operating near normal. The sludge dewatering system continues to be used as required.

WWTP PROJECT

Bids were received for the Wastewater Treatment Plant on February 17, 2005. The Authority at their February 22, 2006 meeting issued the "Intent to Award" to:

General/Mechanical Contract DESCCO Design and Construction, Inc.

Amount of Contract: $5,866,184.00

Electrical Contract J.B. Electric Corp.

Amount of Contract: $983,469.00

HVAC Contract PSI Pumping Solutions

Amount of Contract: $70,900.00

Contracts were executed and the "Notice to Proceed" was issued on March 17, 2006 to all contractors. The pre-construction meeting was held on March 16, 2006. The contractor has installed the erosion control fence, the construction entrance and completed the excavation to subgrade for the oxidation ditch. Work has started on the excavation for the clarifiers. Work is progressing very well.

Applications for Payment

DESCCO Design and Construction Application No. 1 (Requisition 202)

Amount $125,712.00

Balance on Contract $5,740,472.00

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. assists the Solicitor on financing issues as required. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. also is in contact with Representative Allen’s office in acquiring more information of the Commonwealth Financing Authority funds.

PUMP STATION PROJECT

Bids were received for the Pine Street Pump Station on December 16, 2005. The Authority has issued the "Intent to Award" to:

General/Mechanical Contract Pikeland Construction, Inc

Amount of Contract: $585,000.00

Electrical Contract Pagoda Electrical, Inc.

Amount of Contract: $206,000.00

The Award and Notice to Proceed was issued on January 20, 2006. Work on the wet well suction valves and force main tie-in has been completed.

Applications for Payment

Pikeland Construction Application No. 3 (Requisition 202)

Amount $ 28,890.00

Balance on Contract $490.185.00

CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN and I/I WORK

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is continuing dialog with DEP on the Connection Management Plan. The 2005 Report has been prepared and submitted. Copies have been submitted to the Authority and Superintendent.

Contact with Lisa Trakis from the EPA was accomplished to coordinate EPA and PA DEP schedules. Ms. Trakis has requested some additional information pertaining to the work completed, bypass events and Chapter 94 information. This information is being forwarded. Ms. Trakis stated she will provide in written form their consideration of the end of bypass dates that differ from DEP after receipt of the Chapter 94 information.

WISSAHICKON WATER

No items this report period.

PROJECTS

The application for the design of the force main upgrade of the Edenburg Pump Station has been submitted to DEP.

WATER PRODUCTION

The impoundment dam is about 3 feet below the spillway. Currently all water production is from surface water. Well 5 is ready to operate as soon as Wissahickon starts their RO units.

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. continues to work with Plant Personnel on new and proposed regulations that may affect the System in future.

WELL 5

A recent inspection by DEP noted that they want an application filed on the cyclonic separator installed nearly 2-3 years ago. Discussions with DEP have indicated that a minor amendment to the water permit should be filed. Systems Design Engineering, Inc. is progressing with the permit amendment per direction of the Authority.

WATER PROJECTS

Systems Design Engineering, Inc. works with staff on minor operation and maintenance issues as required.

REQUISITIONS

Requisition 200 Systems Design Engineering, Inc. $21,685.40

Requisition 201 Pikeland Construction $28,890.00

Requisition 202 DESCCO Design and Construction $125,712.00

Safety Committee Meeting

4/18/06

Chairman: R. Heffner

Present: L. Albright, M. Bertolet, Chief Painter, D. Schlenker, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely

Visiters: L. Thomas

Lowell Thomas asked that a "limited state of emergency" be used on State Street during the times when traffic is being rerouted due to accidents on the interstate. The parking could be restricted during that time to allow traffic to pass each other. This is being considered along with other options. The Borough manager will contact Pa Dot for immediate review and what can be done. State St. is a state road and is under the state controls.

The Borough manager will also be checking on the status of the interstate projects. We need to be informed when these happen since they affect traffic flow in town.

Chief Painter informed the committee there was a complaint received from the American Hotel. They feel their patrons are being unfairly targeted by the police. The Chief indicated there has been some problems with exiting patrons and there are incident reports on file. It was stated the police are doing their jobs by controlling incidents in the Borough. The Chief will continue to patrol as in the past.

Request for additional police coverage in the Park. It is the time of the year when vandalism picks up. The Chief will do what he can to increase the police presence at the Park.

Crime Watch needs someone to coordinate them. The Chief has everything ready to go.

Will pursue painting STOP on the street at appropriate places throughout the Borough.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
APRIL 10, 2006 – 6:30 P.M.

Attending was – Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Roger Stetzler, Dale Schlenker, Tammy Wilkinson, Roy Heffner, Lynda Albright, Heidi Masano, Esq., Michael Gombar, Charles Fitzpatrick, Esq., Steve Smith, Authority Chairman, Greg Unger, SDE, Scott Kramer and Jonathan McEvoy of RBC Capital Markets

Scott Kramer of RBC Capital Market explained to members of Council that the Authority is undertaking a major sewer plant expansion/upgrade and needs to finance it in the most economical way possible. Including the refinance of outstanding sewer debt and incurring new debt, the Authority is looking at financing approximately $4,345,000. Several options were presented, i.e., bank loans through three different banks and a bond issue.

The bond issue appears to be the most economical and practical way to finance this project. Council’s concern was their responsibility in securing debt through a bond issue. This bond issue will in no way, reflect, against the Borough’s ability to borrow money for future financing of their projects. The Engineer will prepare a self-liquidating debt report to provide for the Authority’s ability to pay for their debt for this sewer plant expansion.

It was also suggested that both Windsor and Tilden assume some of the security of this debt.

The Finance Committee will recommend to Council that both the Borough and Authority solicitor prepare and advertise the appropriate ordinance authorizing the Borough to guaranty the Authority’s bond issue in the amount not to exceed $4,600,000 for the sewer plant and pumping station upgrades.

The Finance Committee will meet again, a date to be determined, to review the first quarter revenues and expenses.

Martha Bertolet, Chairperson

Streetscape vault project bids:

E. Kuser, Inc. $75,286

There was a second bid, however, it was delivered to the office after the deadline.

On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Elaine Swavely to receive the bid from E. Kuzer, Inc. for the Hamburg Streetscape Vault Project and turn it over to the solicitor and engineer for review and recommendation.

NAYES – None

Nothing

A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roy Heffner to approve payment of invoices totaling $94,364.19

NAYES – None

AT & T 27.38

ALBERT’S WAREHOUSE 66.92

BARLEYSNYDER 1,802.40

BARRY ISETT & ASSC. 15,076.83

BATTERIES PLUS 60.80

EMC INSURANCE COMPANIES 13,069.35

GALLS INC. 170.96

GOLDEN MASANO BRADLEY 5,349.26

HAMBURG MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY 58.00

KISTLER O’BRIEN 96.75

LEXISNEXIS MATTHEW BENDER 60.70

MAS MODERN MARKETING 214.36

JP MASCARO 11,160.00

MET-ED 2,260.80

PMHIC 23,176.74

PA DEPT. OF COMM. & ECONOMIC 38.00

PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER 63.63

QUILL CORP. 26.08

RARITAN VALLEY DISPOSAL 19,350.00

READING FOUNDRY & SUPPLY 31.30

REPPERTS AUTO 332.99

SAM’S CLUB 93.44

SEAL MASTER 1,368.00

SOCIETY CLEANERS 23.00

ROGER STETZLER 216.00

TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 170.50

TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $94,364.19

Rec Board had been interested in holding a raffle as a fundraiser for the pool. Under PA Law, the Borough Council must adopt a resolution authorizing the Rec Board to conduct this raffle. Rec Board must then go to the Treasurer’s Office to get a license for small games of chance. Approval is up to the County Treasurer’s Office.

Mayor Del Rosario questioned if the Rec Board couldn’t just have an organization, such as the Lions Club, Jaycees, Fire Company etc. who holds a small games of chance license to sponsor the raffle.

Council decided that this was a great idea and will contact the Rec Board to explore this avenue.

Chief Painter stated that Heather Breininger would be working with the department to restart Crime Watch.

April 27, 2006 – 3 p.m. Special meeting of Council to take action on the ordinance to guarantee the authority debt for the expansion of the sewer plant.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on the motion of Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roy Heffner.

ATTEST:

Kim Y. Berger

Recording Secretary/Office Manager