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MINUTES FROM THE NOV. 13, 2006 MEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL The twenty-second regular 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, Roger Stetzler, Martha Bertolet, Elaine Swavely Members Absent – Roy Heffner, Dale Schlenker, Tina Yoder Also Present – Borough Manager Lynda Albright, Solicitor Mike Zubey, Kim Y. Berger, Office Manager/Recording Secretary Visitors- Chief Michael Painter, Maria Herne (Pottsville Republican), Sylvia Summons, Val Lacis (Reading Eagle), Nikki Murry (Item), Deena Kershner A motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve the amended agenda by adding under Old Business a motion regarding the timbering bid and under New Business an authorization to start the process for a tax anticipation note.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None COURTESY TO AUDIENCE Nothing A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Elaine Swavely to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2006 meeting.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None A motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Martha Bertolet 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 reportROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT The Borough Manager’s activities for the month of OCTOBER, 2006 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. Met at various times of 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. Continuing with on-site inspections at the pool. It has been reported that the majority of the work on the pool will be complete this year; however, it was suggested by the construction owner and pool consultant to wait until March or April to apply the new finish and put up the tube slides. Pool will DEFINITELY be ready for Memorial Day opening of 2007. On-going discussions with PEMA-FEMA regarding repairs of the canal; it is anticipated that all permits and approvals will be received in November and work can commence at that time. Have started the budget preparation for 2007. Received departmental requests.
Currently working on putting everything together for review by Finance
Committee. Proposed budget to be presented to the public at the November 27,
2006 Council meeting. Met with Councilwoman Elaine Swavely to review and discuss some issues she had questions and concerns on. After a recent meeting with our Health Insurance representatives, received information regarding our health insurance increase for 2007. While there will be an increase, it is not expected to be nearly as much as has been in the past…..good news. Working with OTF regarding the bidding of the streetscape project. Bids scheduled to be opened November 13 and, barring any problems, award will be made at the November 27, 2006 meeting of Council. During the month, attended two regular meetings of Council, Hamburg Municipal Authority, Recreation Board, Planning Commission, Finance, Property, Road, 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, 2006.
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Hot patching continues in the Borough, including: Birch Alley, Front Street, Pine Street, Plum Alley and Church Street. With the fall weather comes leaf pick up at the park. After the wind and rainstorms, there has been a lot of debris/leaves down at the park. The crew has started the collection of these leaves. The fence at Island Street was damaged at the park. The crew replaced the boards. Assisted with installing the new garage door at the Frey Building at the park. Two crew members flushed the fire hydrants. The crew cut the weeds/grass at the flood control dams. The fire hydrant at 4th Street and I-78 was rebuilt. Due to a service line leaking, the ˝" water line at 227 S. 4th Street was repaired. Once again the Do Not Enter sign at 4th and 61 was knocked down. The crew replaced it. Installed a new storm drain inlet on Port Clinton Avenue. Respectfully submitted, Richard L. Pickel Public Works Supt. Water/Wastewater Superintendent’s Report October 2006 Water Most water for the month came from the impounding dam. While the plant still will not pace, Tony has been able to make it work with manual settings. This requires a lot of attention and one or the other filter has shut down often due to high turbidity. New chlorine booster pumps have been ordered and we expect to have them installed shortly. Wastewater While the plant is not performing as well as we would like things are better. Soda ash addition has dropped significantly and permit parameters are being met other than one week where there were some problems with suspended solids. Saturday the 28th we were forced to by-pass the Pine Street
Pumping Station when 2 inches of rain fell in about 16 hours. Pa DEP was
notified and the proper reports were filed. Video Pipe Services has returned to finish out the contract that was started this summer for TV and grout work. We started on the hill north of I-78 and have found a significant number of leaking joints and several broken pipes. The leaking joints are being grouted as we go and broken pipes are being evaluated to determine the best method the repair them. We have also found several leaking service connections and are working with the engineer to determine how to proceed in these repairs. Construction at the Wastewater Treatment Plant is proceeding at a good clip. We have started to leak test the ditch and the contractor has been back filling around the ditch and clarifiers. The mechanical parts of the clarifiers are being set and they should be grouted within the next few days. All the buildings have been erected and the roofs are on, if not quite finished. The Pine Street Pumping Station is behind schedule. While there are no major components to be installed there are odds and ends to be completed. We continue to have some issues with the new pumps air locking. The engineer is working with the contractor and the manufacturer to resolve this issue. The heater at the Ridge Lawn Pumping Station, after 26 years, has given up the ghost. After exploring several options we have replaced it in kind. The contract for the force main replacement in Edenburg has been awarded to Wexcon and that project should be starting within the next few weeks. Respectfully Submitted Keith L. Brobst Water/Wastewater Superintendent OFFICE MANAGER’S REPORT The month of OCTOBER was extremely busy. Major projects included the tenant forms, quarterly reports and working on existing projects. The new receptionist started on October 2, 2006 and I spent a day or two showing her some things. The staff has been training her on a daily basis and she is doing very well. Rick Pickel and I met with the representative from Carbo-line regarding anti-graffiti paint. I requested a quote so that we could move forward with repainting of the bridge. I also asked that he take a look at the bandstand (the flag area) and asked that a quote be prepared for this area as well. The quotes were received and submitted. Contacted the baseball teams on numerous occasions regarding batting cages, signs, keys etc. After many phone calls, they have finally complied with our directives. Contacted numerous window-cleaning companies for quotes on maintenance of the windows. The windows have never been but should be cleaned to keep up with the maintenance of them. Several quotes have been secured and submitted. Contacted various carpet installers including the company that installed the carpet to discuss repairs of caucus room and the Borough Manager’s office, which are "bubbling". Quotes have been secured and submitted. Also met with another company who suggests stapling the areas down and leaving it at that. That quote has also been secured. Contacted ML Construction to obtain a quote on repairing the doors, which are either sticking or leaning. The quote has been secured and approved. Work will begin by the middle of November. Met with Jane Meeks of Berks County Recycling and Mark Vottero from DEP regarding our application for a recycling grant to cover the costs of the recycling containers we needed to purchase. After meeting with these representatives, I prepared the grant and it has been submitted to DEP and the County. We should hear something by spring of 2007. I have been working with Dynatech regarding the different temperature ranges that the building has been experiencing. Some areas are getting too Hamburg, Pa November 13, 2006 7:30 p.m. warm while others are too cold. They will be coming into the building again in the near future to try and correct this problem. Pat Parker from the Reading Chamber of Commerce has been in contact with me regarding updating our map that they distribute. Updates have been made and submitted to his office. I have worked with the Recreation Director and his assistant throughout the month with issues of purchase orders, checks, and the King Frost float they were creating. I hope everyone was able to see the float in the parade. Letters and applications have been mailed to the former employees of the park and pool. Interviews will be held between Christmas and New Year. We have received the experience mod for the Worker’s Comp insurance for the fire and ambulance service. Due to receiving these premium numbers for next year, I have invoiced the various municipalities for their share of the cost of the insurance for these volunteers. The senior center was experiencing an odor on October 13, 2006. After checking the center and there was no determination as to where the smell of something burning was coming from, the fire company was dispatched. After their review of the center and the basement, it was found that there was a light ballast burning in the basement. We did have an electrician check out the basement breakers because some of them tripped. The ordinance books in the office were updated. The Municipal access Channel and the website were updated. During some of the construction with the bridge over Port Clinton Avenue, we advertised that this was going to be done and when the closure was going to happen. King Frost soliciting permits were completed. I have been working with the pool cover manufacturer to have this pool cover repaired. We will be sending it back to have it repaired. Met with one of the new part-time police officers and prepared all payroll documentation. On October 31, 2006, it was discovered that the elevator was stuck open on the 2nd floor. After I investigated the inside of the elevator and went to the electrical room and terminated service to the elevator three times, it was determined that we needed a technician. The technician found the problem; someone had jammed the door open with a lighter. We will be receiving a bill for this service call, but the elevator is working properly now. I have spoken to the residents along Port Clinton Avenue on several occasions regarding the progress of the work to be done at the canal. DEP has the permit application and is in the process of review. I met with the Conservation District and have asked that they expedite the process. I have spoken with the Army Corp of Engineers who has been in contact with the PA Historic and Museum Commission. Things look promising and there seems to be a light at the end of this very long tunnel we have been traveling. I will continue to try and expedite these matters so that we can commence work. Attended two council meetings and staff meetings as necessary. Minutes were prepared for all the meetings. I also attended training at County EMA.
Building, Zoning and Codes Report October 2006 Five construction permits and five zoning permits and three paving/sidewalk permits were issued in October.Major projects ongoing or proposed are as follows: Preliminary work continues, to reconstruct the curbing, sidewalks, and street at Catherine, Grandview Terrace, and Arthur St., with hope to ask for bids this fall for work to be done Spring of 2007. Ricky and I have been meeting to determine an alternative to total reconstruction.The former Wrights building at Pine and 2nd St, has been purchased and is being cleaned up, secured and repairs are being done. Preliminary plans for development have been shown to the planning commission.Penn Dot 78 construction project is progressing. Work in the Borough of Hamburg is slated tobe completed by the end of November 2007. Work continues at the municipal pool on schedule. Pool deck is poured. Topsoil has been spread. Some detail as well as the pool finish and pool features remains to be done. Barry Isett has completed a preliminary study for the proposed extension of Grand Street to Rte 61. This plan has been shared with local, county and state representatives with positive support from all. Barry Isett will produce a proposal to design the complete project for review by the borough. Funding has been approved by the county that will cover cost of engineering.Barry Isett has provided a preliminary plan and cost estimate to place a traffic light at Hawkridge and South 4th Street. This plan has been shared with local, county and state representatives with positive support from all. The plan has been submitted to Pen Dot for a HOP.Ricky and I have had discussions with Balfour Beatty, contractors working on I-78, to fill areas at the Dolly Haupt site. A release has been signed and Balfour Beatty is applying for permitting. Streetscape work is preparing bid documents for work to be done……..( in the spring) Recommendations for animal control ordinances are being prepared. Inspections were completed for residential and light commercial, previously permitted, work in the borough. Property Maintenance complaints of rubbish, and Occupancy inspections continue to be addressed.John Leonforte OLD BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the reimbursement of $1,950 from the Line of Credit funds to the General Account for expenses to Wade Associates related to the pool renovation. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Elaine Swavely authorizing the appropriate officers sign the contract with the DCED for the $5,000 grant for the police department (Cody system for police vehicles)ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and after review by the solicitor, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the Articles of Agreement with DCED in relation to the study for Police Regional Services.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of Ludgate Engineers (engineer for OTF Streetscape project), a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Martha Bertolet giving conditional bid award for the streetscape project to Heim Construction, St. Clair, PA, subject to review and comment from the Engineer, Solicitor, and review/approval from PennDOT.ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Martha to award the timbering bid to Hahn Firewood and Logging of Boyertown. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None NEW BUSINESS On the recommendation of the Borough Manager, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler approving the request of the Historic Hamburg 2006 Holiday Extravaganza Committee for use of a portion of the Municipal Lot at 4th and Pine from Tuesday, November 28th thru Friday, December 29th for all of their holiday activities, includingsetting up of the Santa’s workshop, tree lighting ceremony and Santa meeting with the children after the annual Christmas Parade. All other requests remain the same as the previous year. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler to appoint John Leonforte as the Borough’s delegate to the North Berks Recreation Corp. and Buck Holtzman as the alternate. ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, a motion was made by Elaine Swavely and seconded by Roger Stetzler to make the following re-appointments effective 1/1/2007:
ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None On the recommendation of the Finance Committee, a motion
was made by Roger Stetzler and seconded by Martha Bertolet to authorize the
Borough Manager to proceed with the process of obtaining a tax anticipation note
for $50,000 for 2007. NAYES – None A motion was made by Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler to approve payment of invoices totaling $311,866.31 ROLL CALL: AYES – T. Wilkinson, M. Bertolet, R. Stetzler, E. Swavely NAYES – None LIST OF BILLS AT & T 26.20 AT & T 472.71 ALBERT’S WAREHOUSE 340.80 BARKO CLEANING 160.00 BERKS COUNTY 13.50 COUNTY OF BERKS 2,300.15 BERKS PRODUCTS 245.24 BERKS-MONT NEWSPAPERS 787.54 BLUE MT. COMPUTER 225.00 BURKHARDT MECHANICAL 645.00 LAURA CINTRON 100.00 EJB PAVING 1,333.00 T.M. FITZGERALD 4,200.00 FORT DEARBORN 297.75 GALLS 382.89 HARTMAN JANITORIAL 710.00 HESS EMBROIDERY 197.00 IIMC 100.00 MIKE KERSHNER 396.00 KEYSTONE AUTO SALES 95.00 KUZANS 352.37 LOWES 21.57 WILLIAM MCELLROY 544.72 MET-ED 124.16 MILLER MUNICIPAL DIVISION 360.40 MOGEL SPEIDEL BOBB & KERSHNER 605.14 MT. VIEW SUPPLY 27.54 MEIT 202.50 OVERHEAD DOOR 1,580.00 PPL GAS 806.20 PENN FUEL PROPANE 40.38 PENN PRIDE 1,608.82 QUARTERMASTER 222.95 QUILL 259.01 READING EAGLE 165.88 SAM’S CLUB 133.20 ES SAVAGE 32.00 ROGER STETZLER 40.00 SYSTEMS DESIGN 484.76 TEMPLE UNIVERSITY 30.00 THRENS AUTO PARTS 100.08 THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR 176.24 TRIANGLE COMMUNICATIONS 161.50 UNIFIRST 336.05 VERIZON 415.26 WINDSOR PRESS 55.00 ZEE MEDICAL 15.75 BILLS PAID DURING THE MONTH SMITH BARNEY 88,116.00 ALBRIGHT COLLEGE 81.50 KUZANS HARDWARE 747.15 SEAMAN, LINDA 52.00 VAN METER & ASSC. 200.00 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – GROSS 105,138.87 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – SS/MEDI 4,504.96 MICHAELS 62.22 PETTY CASH 1,196.16 ARK RENTALS 59.57 SAM’S CLUB 359.88 M & T BANK 77,944.82 PA UC FUND 1,240.92 ERNST, TINA 52.00 RENTSCHLER, KEN 25.00 GRIFFIN, HOPE 52.00 GRIFFIN, TRIS 52.00 WRIGHT, DANIEL 52.00 BOROUGH OF HAMBURG – CAPITAL 10,000.00 TOTAL $289,937.05 GRAND TOTAL TO BE APPROVED $311,866.31 SOLICITOR’S REPORT An executive session was held after the meeting regarding police personnel issues. No action will be taken. INFORMATION ITEMS November 15, 2006 – 7 pm – Authority meeting November 20, 2006 – 7:00 p.m. – Planning Commission November 21, 2006 – 3:30 p.m. – Safety Committee November 27, 2006 – 6:30 p.m. – Water/Sewer/Public Relations meeting November 27, 2006 – 7:30 p.m. – Borough Council meeting There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. on the motion of Martha Bertolet and seconded by Roger Stetzler. Attest: Kim Y. BergerRecording Secretary/Office Manager | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
