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MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 12, 2007 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL The twentieth regular meeting of the Hamburg Borough Council for 2007 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, Roger Stetzler, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely, Dale Schlenker, Heather Berger Members Absent – Jeanette Heckman Also Present –Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/ Recording Secretary, Manager Lynda G. Albright Visitors- Chief Painter, Deena Kershner, Bob Gronet (Raritan Valley Disposal), Sonya Gorostieta (JP Mascaro), Jonas Kreitzer (Kreitzer Sanitation), Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican) A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the amended agenda by removing the motion under New Business letter "C" and replacing it with a motion regarding the blight resolution. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Nothing A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Heather Berger to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2007 meeting. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Elaine Swavely 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 Report, Code Enforcement report, Recreation Director’s ReportROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT OCTOBER, 2007 The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of October, 2007 included the following: Held staff meetings with supervisors to discuss, provide and receive updates on various projects and issues taking place. Addressed complaints and other correspondence as needed on a daily basis. Continue to work on both the Borough budget and Authority budget. It is anticipated the borough budget will be ready for public presentation at the 11/26/07 meeting of Borough council. Continue to meet on a regular basis during the month with John Leonforte to review various building projects and code enforcement issues he is working on, in particular, 4th and Hawkridge, the proposed access to Route 61, new subdivisions, proposed senior housing at the old Wright’s building, the Grandview, Arthur, Catherine Street curbing project, Streetscape and the Exide Building. Also reviewed several complaint issues he is working on. John and I also met with Ken Pick, Dave Hummel of Berks County Community Development Office, Jamie Vitez of KMX and Jay Land from Wissahickon aswell as a representative of the Governor’s Action Team to discuss potential financing for the Grand Street Extension. There is a strong possibility that they will be able to assist us in this endeavor. Met with Deena Kershner, OTF Manager, several times during the month to discuss and update on issues relative to streetscape and other ongoing planned projects in the community. Kim Berger, Office Manager, Lynn Ernst, Accounting Clerk and I met to discuss the changes to the new LST (former EMST) for 2008. Due to all of the complications that will present itself with this new tax, it has been decided to appoint Berks EIT to handle the collection of these taxes effective 1/1/08. The solicitor is preparing the appropriate ordinance and other documentation needed to put this in effect. Met with Greg Unger, Authority Engineer and Steve Smith, Authority Chairman to review and discuss sewer financial/bond/debt issues with an M & T Bond Counsel representative. As reported last month, the Authority is required to post additional debt payment in support of the PennWorks loan. We believe all problems have been resolved and the additional debt payment will be submitted to the bank. It appears that the outstanding issues regarding the pool and winterization of same have been completed. Still waiting for receipt of the new pump/motor, which was damaged due to an electrical outage. Work will commence to close out the grant for the pool renovation in the near future. Continue work on police contract and on-going police litigation. Put together the payroll calculations for the entire contract period. It is anticipated that we will have a signed contract very shortly. Attended an assessment hearing at the courthouse with Attorney Bradley regarding two properties that the borough had purchased and were awaiting tax-exempt approval. Since the hearing, we have received our tax-exempt status. The properties included the State Street parking lot and the mountain land in Windsor Township. While I was on vacation, corresponded periodically with Kim Berger, Office Manager, regarding issues with the heating system. For now, the problems have been resolved, however, I will be asking a representative from each firm working on the system to attend a meeting with the Property Committee to seek some resolution. Met with Greg Unger, SDE Engineer, to review the possible placement of a generator on the North side of the municipal building. Greg will provide a proposal for either a new generator or a used one provided by the Authority. Attended the quarterly meetings of the non-uniformed and uniformed pension plan. Both plans are solvent. Met with Joe Duda of Duda Acturarial Services and members of the police department to review the police pension valuation and discuss possible changes/additions to their plan. During the month, attended two regular meetings of Council, Road, Finance, Property, Personnel, and Safety Committee meetings. If anyone has any questions regarding my report, please feel free to ask. Attached with my report are the activities of my staff for the month of October, 2007. Lynda G. Albright, Borough Manager PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT OCTOBER 2007 Street signs continue to be repaired. This month the crew worked on 3rd Street and Port Clinton Avenue. The order of 100 tons of salt was received and put into the salt shed. The flood control dams were cut. The outside air filters were changed in the municipal center. It had been two months and it was terribly filthy. It has been determined that they should be checked monthly. Winterization of the pool was finally completed this month. The leaves have finally started to fall in the latter part of October and so the crew started collection at the park. Barricades were put out for the Art Stroll. The curbs were painted white, until such time they can be sandblasted. The weeds in the streams were cut. Hot patching of the streets has started. We assisted the Authority with flushing the fire hydrants. Repaired ½" water line at 2822 Old Route 22. The fire hydrant was repaired on Peach Street. Temporary handicap signs were placed at 110 and 138 North 3rd Street. Respectfully submitted, Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt. Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report October 2007 Water In spite of the heavy rains we’ve had recently the dam remains unusable due to low level. The wells are also showing some strain and we urge conservation. Hydrants were flushed and the system overall looks pretty good. We moved several curb stops on Arthur Street to accommodate the installation of new curbs. The new control system at the water filtration plant is essentially complete except for a few punch list items. We expect these things to be resolved in the next few weeks. Wastewater The wastewater plant is working very well. The effluent is well within parameters although we had a slight hiccup during a period of taking tanks off line and changing flow patterns resulting in a low d.o. level. The construction is progressing and we can see the end approaching. The paving has been completed and the fence and gate have been installed. I am happy to say the entrance from State Street at the bridge has been closed. Access is now from Front and Pine Streets. The remaining items are the remodeling, painting, and finish work. There is also some demolition to be completed. Rains mid-month created some problems at the Ridge Lawn Pumping Station. High flows were overwhelming the wet well and we pumped it out to a tanker twice. We have been unable to find the problems on the Authority side of the traps and suspect that leaking laterals are the culprits. The plant had no problems with the flow although we had to put extra tanks on line. Respectfully Submitted OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT OCTOBER 2007 All quarterly reports were completed and sent. The annual Emergency Information forms were sent to all residents within the Borough of Hamburg. The 3rd quarter budget analysis was completed. Assisted with budget issues. Various correspondence letters and notices were completed. These included weed notices, debris notices, building and zoning issues etc. Work has stated on preparing for year-end in reference to software, memos etc. Worker’s compensation claims continue to be monitored. Received information that we could apply for a grant to obtain beverage recycling containers for the Borough. This grant was completed and submitted. We hope to hear that we were successful in obtaining these containers by late November or early December. King Frost permits were completed and various issues were handled. During the last week of October, the temperatures fell and there were issues with the heat on the north side of the building. By Thursday afternoon everything has been repaired or resolved. This will be addressed in Property Committee. Attended two Council meetings, one EMA meeting and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings.
HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT OCTOBER 2007 ACTIVITY REPORT
Six (6) construction permits and one (1) zoning permit and four (4) paving/sidewalk permits were issued in October. Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: The Streetscape project. A final inspection was performed 10/25/07 with Deena with OTF and Heim construction and Pete w/ Ludgate Engineering. At that time I pointed out issues that remain to be resolved, among them being a sewer vent problem on State St and the curb and sidewalk at the north/west corner of Pine and South 4th St is lower than the street grade.Work is progressing to reconstruct some curbing, sidewalks, at Catherine, Grandview Terrace, and Arthur St. We have sent letters to each affected property owner asking that curb and sidewalk repairs be made. All but one owner has responded to our letter. We hope to complete curb and sidewalk work this fall with paving work to be done this spring or summer. Final drawings for phase one of the Grand Street extension has been sent to Penn Dot for their review. Penn Dot has returned our application with comments. Our engineers will address the comments and resubmit our application. DEP and Soil Conservation have reviewed our application and asked us to address Comments. This is now being addressed by our engineer. Additional soil testing has been requested by Penn Dot. We hope to get through the permitting process by spring 2008 and build Phase one 4 months after that, with a hoped for completion date of fall of 2008 or spring of 2009.Ryan Kern with Barry Issett associates and I have met with Met Ed regarding right of way and construction easements needed to place a traffic light atHawk ridge and South 4th Street. We were received positively at the local level, but approvals from higher authority at Met Ed is pending. Exide Corporation site .The demolition contractor and, EPA continue the clean up and demolition of buildings #1 and #2, and all the accessory structures of the battery plant. A cleaning process (primarily pressure washing) continues. Demolition continues, with expected completion in December of this year. At this point approximately 85 % of the complex has been demolished. Demolition of the Curves property has been completed. Completion of exterior finish to the Driscoll building is pending. Work on the Peach Alley Apartments project (former Wrights Building, at 239 Pine) is progressing. Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, high grass and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed. Note: From June to date, approximately 60 Property Maintenance complaints were filed with 47 resolved and 13 pending. John Leonforte Codes Administrator RECREATION DIRECTORS REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2007 The month of October continued with staff meetings and meetings with Mike Kershner and Allen Schaeffer (plumber). The major issues for the month of October were the replacement of the main pump, the winterizing of the pool and the covering of the pool for the winter. A summer senior exercise program was submitted to the property committee for consideration. Preparations for the 2008 season are continuing. Respectfully submitted, Guy Ketch William Nabozny
OLD BUSINESS The following trash/recycling bids were opened.
A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Heather Berger to accept the bids and turn over to Borough Manager and Solicitor for review and recommendation to award. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Police Negotiating Committee, a motion was made by Heather Berger and seconded by Dale Schlenker to approve the 2006-2010 Police Contract. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler to accept the resignation of Lowell Thomas, with regret, as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Borough of Hamburg, effective 12/31/07.ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Heather Berger to appoint Kim Y. Berger as the Emergency Management Coordinator effective 1/1/08, contingent upon completion of all the necessary paperwork and approval of the County and Governor. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Heather Berger to approve the Blight Resolution between the Borough of Hamburg and the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None
Heather Berger and seconded by Dale Schlenker approving the Cooperation Agreement" between the Borough of Hamburg and the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society in fulfilling the terms of the DCED Grant for the RCT&HS improvements. ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, T. Wilkinson, H. Berger NAYES – None A motion was made by Dale Schlenker and seconded by Martha Bertolet to approve payment of invoices totaling $369,563.41 ROLL CALL: AYES – M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely, D. Schlenker, H. Berger, T. Wilkinson NAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 30.33 AT & T 350.79 BARKO CLEANING 200.00 COUNTY OF BERKS 2,367.36 BLUE MT. COMPUTER SERVICE 476.88 Hamburg, Pa November 12, 2007 7:30 p.m. BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 2,200.00 CDW GOVT. 547.89 EJB PAVING & MATERIALS 3,927.66 EPWPCOA INC 120.00 EDENBURG WELDING 73.00 FIRST PRECINCT UNIFORM 441.00 FISHER DAM AUTO 74.40 FORT DEARBORN 309.55 GALLS INC. 276.24 HARTMAN JANITORIAL 710.00 HEALTH NETWORK LABORATORIES 67.75 HESS EMBROIDERY 240.00 ANDREW HESS 94.44 HOY LUBE 559.55 INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL 100.00 KRE SECURITY 918.00 MIKE KERSHNER 187.65 LESHER’S APPLIANCES 112.45 MET-ED 5,549.51 MOUNTAIN VIEW SUPPLY 12.99 MEIT 117.00 NASASP 39.00 PA STATE ASSN BOROUGHS 631.00 PPL GAS UTILITIES 625.34 PENN PRIDE 2,202.95 RANDALL RENTSCHLER 14.92 REPPERT’S AUTO 143.00 SAM’S 454.31 ES SAVAGE 137.74 RICHARD SCHAEFFER 75.78 STAPLES 37.94 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUND 212.69 TELCO 52,473.00 THRENS AUTO 110.56 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR 187.06 TYLER TECHNOLOGIES 480.69 US MUNICIPAL SUPPLY 765.90 UNIFIRST 383.80 VERIZON 413.12 WINDSOR PRESS 169.64 YODER’S HEATING 964.81 TOTAL 80,587.69 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH UNION FIRE CO. 25,136.42 SMITH BARNEY 92,474.00 BEST BUY 327.57 YODER’S HEATING 1,839.46 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – GROSS PAYROLL 81,421.33 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – EMP SHARE SS 5,053.64 POSTMASTER OF HAMBURG 730.74 KUZANS 262.83 RODGER GEHRING 50.00 PA UC FUND 1,254.10 PETTY CASH – FIRE POLICE FOR KING FROST 1,050.00 PSU 30.00 BRENDA RICHARDS 78.00 SAMS CLUB 387.40 BERKS CO. TREASURER 20.00 BERKS CO. BUILDING 35.00 COURTNEY AULENBACH 52.00 LEANN BASHORE 52.00 TRAVIS EBELING 52.00 CINDY KRAMER 52.00 KEITH MYERS 52.00 JORDAN STRAUSSER 52.00 M & T BANK 77,944.82 HMA 512.50 PETTY CASH 55.91 TOTAL 288,975.72 TOTAL FOR APPROVAL $369,563.41 SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session took place immediately following the regular meeting regarding police litigation issues, however, no action was taken. INFORMATION ITEMS November 13, 2007 – 3:00 p.m. – Property Committee November 13, 2007 – 6 p.m.- Library Board meeting – in the Library November 15, 2007 – 7 p.m. - Authority Meeting November 20, 2007 - 4 p.m. – Safety Committee meeting November 20, 2007 – 7 p.m. – Planning Commission November 26, 2007 – 7 p.m. – Water/Sewer/Public Relations meeting November 26, 2007 – 7:30 p.m. – Borough Council meeting There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. on the motion of Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler. Attest:
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