|
|
|
MINUTES OF THE JUNE 8, 2009 COUNCIL MEETING The eleventh regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2009 was held this evening at the Hamburg Municipal Center with President Martha Bertolet presiding. The meeting was opened with Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Prayer. Members Present Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Roger Stetzler, Jeff Adam, Dale Schlenker, Jeanette Heckman Members Absent – Heather Berger Also Present –Solicitor Gombar, Solicitor Antanavage, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/Recording Secretary Visitors- Chief Painter, Matt Reichl (Hamburg Item) A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the amended agenda. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Chief Painter handed out a revised copy of the patch that the Mayor is presenting. Council stated that they would look it over. A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeff Adam to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2009 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeanette Heckman to approve the following reports: Public Works Supt. Report, Water/Sewer Supt. Report, Office Manager’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Police Report, Code Enforcement report, Recreation Directors Report. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT |MAY 2009 The storm drain project on Windsor Street has been completed. All $50,000 was expended and all projects have finished. A lot of time was spent at the park and pool preparing for the upcoming season. Such items included, removing the pool cover, working on the pipes in the filter room, cleaning up the tree at the Arts and Crafts building, installing new swings due to the bad condition of a few of them, repair hot water heater at the big ballfield, cut down a dead tree near the river bank, cut the vegetation along the bank at Peach Alley and last but not least due to the weather conditions, sometimes the park was mowed twice a week. Weed cutting and spraying continues. The flood control dam areas were cut. Repaired street signs at 4th and Grand and William and Port Clinton Avenue. Cold patching continues around the borough. The 1996, 2003, 2005, 2008 trucks were all serviced. Worked with a contractor preparing for street construction. Met with contractors regarding the Grand Street Extension. Respectfully submitted, Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt.
Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report May 2009 Water The filtration plant is up and running again. We rebuilt the pressure control valve and things are back to normal. I attended a roundtable discussion at Albright College in regard to mass public notification. PaDEP has passed a regulation requiring direct contact with customers in the event of an emergency and procedures for doing that must be part of the emergency response plan. We have till May of 2010 to comply. OCC had to be called in for support on the SCADA system when trending results stopped recording. The database was full. OCC made a change in the way data is stored and we are back on track. Wastewater We have started extensive testing for the renewal of the NPDES permit. This will be conducted over the next several months. The thickener has been down for the last several weeks. Due to its age and how we acquired it I have had much difficulty locating a suppler for parts. I have found someone but specifications have changed and I will probably have to make some modifications. In the meantime we are filling all holding tanks till we can start the thickener again. There have been several call outs for high levels at the Ridge Lawn Pumping Station over the last several weeks. Levels go up rather quickly in a heavy rain and then subside quickly. We urge customers in the Ridge Lawn area to be sure downspouts are not tied into the sewers and that vents and clean outs are above grade and in good condition. We also found one of the pump discharge pipes leaking at Ridge Lawn. A contractor was called in to make repairs and it was taken care of very quickly. We are seeing the ph in the activated sludge system periodically dropping. We have added some soda ash to compensate but haven’t been able to find out why there is a drop. I have been in contact with Advanced H2O in regard to both their water and wastewater needs. The plant has not yet started production but they are testing systems and expect to begin production shortly. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater Superintendent
OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT The month of May has been a whirlwind of activity for most of the employees. With spring here and summer just around the corner there were many things to get ready. Besides all the normal activities that go on during the course of a month, the office had the new version of Munis and server installation. This was not a small undertaking and it was very frustrating at times. In early May the representative from Munis downloaded all the accounting, payroll, utility billing and purchasing files which entailed a day that the staff were not able to utilize the programs. We thought all was well. The next day the files were converted to a different version of Munis and again the staff was not able to utilize the programs for about three quarters of the day. Once everyone was able to go back to business it was discovered that there were problems. After many phone calls, conference calls, trouble shooting etc., it was determined that the best solution would be to do a re-conversion. Again it was another day of lost time on the Munis application. I am happy to report that the second time the conversion was perfect. After things were settled and testing was done to be 100% sure all was going well and after there was some time of reflection and the ability to put things into perspective I wrote a letter to Munis asking for an explanation as to why the first conversion did not work and that I had a pretty good idea that the problem was on their end and not ours. I also requested a substantial discount for our lost time and all of my aggravation. A conference call was held with the head of the conversion team and the head of Munis. A letter will be received from Munis and we will be credited $1,000.The Authority Trustee statement was completed. A lot of meetings were held with Guy getting everything ready for the start of the park and pool season. Season tickets continue to come in; however, ticket sales are down substantially. I hope that this is because Memorial Day was early and that people are waiting until school is over to purchase their tickets. Based on a phone call received from Glenn Danenhower, 400 Chestnut Street, Rick and I met with him regarding the corner property at 5th and Chestnut Streets. This property is being researched. For two days at the end of May, assisted the Auditor General’s auditor with a Liquid Fuels audit. The Department of Transportation has developed procedures for sending in the forms electronically when road work is done. I attended a training session on this at Albright College. Attended the quarterly Disaster Preparedness meeting with Red Cross. Information was researched regarding the Police Pension Plan. Research was conducted regarding the Liquid Fuels audits. Various weed notices, junk car letters and other correspondence was sent. All the storm sewer projects have been completed and all funding has now been requested. The Municipal Access Channel and web page continue to be updated. Attended two Council meetings, staff meeting, Authority meeting, Safety Committee as necessary. Minutes were prepared for meetings as deemed necessary.
Building, Zoning and Codes Report MAY 2009 Seven (7) construction permits and six (6) zoning permits and three (3) paving/sidewalk permits four (4) property transfer inspections certificates were issued in May. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: Grand Street extension Our HOP permit application with for north bound access to and from route 61 has encountered another hurdle. We asked PennDot to allow a shorter access ramp than requested by PennDot. They have indicated they want the ramp length to be built as close to PennDot specifications as possible. This wil require more engineering and further submission to PennDot. We have requested an HOP to allow emergency access to route 61 during emergencies NOTE: Penn Dot has said they will approve an emergency access to route 61 via Grand Street. Bids for construction of the emergency access are to be opened Thursday June 4th. I hope to begin construction as soon as possible. . Ken Pick from the county reported that he is optimistic funding will be available when we are ready to begin construction. Hawk ridge and South 4th Street Penn Dot returned our HOP application with comments. Due to new ADA requirements Penn Dot is requiring additional engineering work. Work is continuing. Orange Stones Rehab center Orange Stones, appeal of the third zoning permit denial to the ZHB has been denied by the ZHB. Orange Stones has appealed to the common appeals court the ZHB decision to uphold denial of zoning permit application #2. The common appeals court has upheld the ZHB denial of zonig permit application #2. Orange stones has appealed the common courts’ decision to the state court of appeals. Orange Stones has appealed to the common appeals court the ZHB decision to uphold denial of zoning permit application #3. Orange stones has appealed denial of the construction permit application to the County construction appeals board. The County construction appeals board has denied Orange Stones appeal and found in favor of the Borough. Orange Stones has
submitted zoning permit application #4. This application has been denied by the
zoning officer with a request to submit the planning commission for land
development review. No residents applied for a permit to install curbing. I am preparing a bid package for the work to be administered by the Borough. I hope to have the bids in and work started by the end of June. residential and light commercial Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish and cats and junk vehicles continue to be addressed. Note: Seventeen (17) calls were answered regarding Property Maintenance complaints. Eight 8 issues remain pending. Fire Safety Inspections Four (4) fire safety
Inspections were done this month. Codes Administrator RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE MONTH The month of May continued with a staff meeting and meetings with Bill Nabozny, Bob Mazaika, Rick Pickel, Kim Berger, Lynda Albright, and Ms. Louise Gassman who again is offering a free baton clinic at the park from June 15 to July 20, 2009. Honberger, Inc. has completed the installation of the Federal Government’s required drain covers. We are compliant. In the process of installation Fred (Honberger’s diver) determined the basins that connect the drain pipes to the pool will eventually have to be repaired. The main pool chlorine pump failed. This pump was in place before I started as Recreation Director. At this point we are still experiencing difficulties maintaining proper water balance. Bethany Emes Thren, Bill and I conducted several in-services on May 2nd, 9th, and 12th for food stand supervisors, food stand workers in food stand procedures and a new program for the cash register. Lifeguard in-services consisted of orientation for new guards and a training program developed by Bethany and a representative of the Hamburg EMT’s which reviewed CPR, first aid and backboard techniques, etc for all guards. In addition, the Director of Aquatics for Body Zone conducted a certification class for CPR at the guard’s expense. A large portion of in-service was spent in cleaning and preparing the pool for openingRepairs and operation:
Several Issues of vandalism have occurred
I have been conducting supervisory visits to the park and spending hour there in an attempt to control some of the issues. I especially want to thank Bill and Ricky Pickel and his crew for their work in opening the pool. We have a great crew. Respectfully submitted, Guy R. Ketch, Jr. Recreation Director
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY 2009 ACTIVITY REPORT
OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Road Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Dale Schlenker authorizing the execution of the proposal for the design of the 2nd Street and Grand Street Intersection Improvements in the amount of $10,500, to be completed by Barry Isett & Associates. These funds will be reimbursed from the County of Berks. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeff Adam to
award the Grand Street Extension Emergency Access bid to LSR Excavating in the
amount of $376,453.00
NAYES – None A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Roger Stetzler to adopt Resolution # 4-09, the Schedule of Fees for the Borough of Hamburg. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeff Adam to authorize the advertisement of Ordinance #767-09, Prohibition of parking trailers in residential area. After discussion, a motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Dale Schlenker to table the motion until the next Council meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Roger Stetzler to authorize ARM Group to proceed with geotechnical engineering in the amount of $5,380 and to provide an analysis for the Grand Street ramp extension in the amount of $1,200. This will be reimbursed by the County. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Jeanette Heckman and seconded by Dale Schlenker to authorize the advertisement of Ordinance #766-09, which will approve entering into the Intermunicipal Agreement by and among the Borough of Hamburg, Tilden Township and Windsor Township to establish the North Central Berks Regional Emergency Management Agency ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Jeff Adam to approve payment of invoices totaling $166,601.50. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, E. Swavely, J. Heckman, D. Schlenker
NAYES – None (D. Schlenker abstained from the invoice for Schlenker Motors due to a vested interest).LIST OF BILLS Lynda G. Albright 400.00 Allied Waste Mgt. 20,664.00 ARM Group, Inc. 128.00 AT & T 95.17 Barko Cleaning 160.00 Barley Synder 590.00 Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. 7,633.50 Berks Co Building & Code Assn 62.77 Berks –Mont Newspaper 355.44 Bernville Quality Fuels 560.50 Blue Mountain Computer Service 525.00 Keith L. Brobst 400.00 Burkhardt Mechanical 784.26 Central Penn Gas 1,521.26 Clover Farms Dairy 83.70 Connect-tek 148.75 Roy C. DelRosario 403.00 Duda Actuarial Services 400.00 Dynatech Controls, Inc 760.00 Edenburg Welding Co. 30.00 EPWPCOA, Inc 390.00 Fort Dearborn Life Insurance 303.43 Robert Grugan 300.00 GTS-Welco 210.95 Hartman Janitorial 1,100.00 J.L. Honberger Co., Inc 417.12 J.L. Honberger Co., Inc. 2,154.90 Kantner’s Tire Service 23.00 Mike Kershner 348.88 Kermit K. Kistler, Inc. 71.53 Lebanon United Jobbers 576.66 M & T Bank 951.00 Met-Ed 5,429.07 Miller Municipal Division 140.60 Mountain View Supply 367.13 Municipal Employers Ins. Trust 150.50 Penn Pride, Inc. 1,540.79 Philadelphia Ball & Bearing 5.72 Reading Eagle Co. 1,464.50 Schlenker Motors, Inc. 237.94 Seal Master/Allentown 231.96 Stratix System 72.00 Thren’s Auto Parts 268.11 ThyssenKrupp Elevator 208.75 UniFirst 344.36 Van Bennett Food Co Inc 597.80 Verizon 399.54 Weis Markets 28.06 Windsor Press 116.55 TOTAL $54,156.20
BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH Best Buy 115.98 Body Zone 270.00 Terry’s Tree Exp 1,500.00 Batteries Warehouse 31.95 KRE Security 684.00 Nabozny, William 12.48 Sam’s Club 1,307.14 Borough/Payroll 106,131.83 Smith Barney 429.08 Berks County Treasuer 152.50 Harbor Freight 109.99 HMA 600.00 Petty Cash 1,100.35 TOTAL 112,445.30 54,156.20 GRAND TOTAL 166,601.50
SOLICITOR’S REPORT No report INFORMATION ITEMS
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. on the motion of Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely. Attest: Kim Y. BergerRecording Secretary/Office Manager | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|