Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting October 2, 2013
Lansdowne Borough Council
Business Meeting
October 2, 2013
APPROVED MINUTES
The Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 7:30 p.m. in Borough Hall. Present were President Coleman, Ms. Lustgarten, Mr. Radich, Ms. Saylor, Mr. Schleigh, Mr. Wagner and Junior Council member Johnson. Councilwoman English was absent. Also in attendance were Mayor Young, Borough Manager Totaro, Borough Solicitor Scott, Borough Secretary Henry, Borough Finance Director/Treasurer Bartley and Acting Police Chief Donegan. The Fire Company Liaison was absent.
The Mayor opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved with one change: Mr. Schleigh will make Ms. English’s motion in her absence.
Approval of Minutes: Ms. Lustgarten moved to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2013 business meeting as submitted by the Secretary. Mr. Schleigh seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Public Comment: Ms. Lustgarten moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order to hear public comment. Mr. Schleigh seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Marianne Surla – 16 E. Marshall Road. Ms. Surla welcomed newly appointed Junior Council member Brandon Johnson and wished him luck during his term of service. Ms. Surla mentioned that she has been harassed by a borough employee on three different occasions while she was driving her car. Ms. Surla indicated that on these occasions the driver behaved erratically and Ms. Surla was afraid for her personal safety. Ms. Surla made a few disparaging comments about said employee, at which point the Mayor interrupted Ms. Surla. Mayor Young stated: “I have to stop right now. Ms. Surla, if you feel that you were dangerously followed by someone and if you did not choose to call the police, then everything you’re saying right now is hearsay. So, in the future if this is happening, I would call 911, I would have an officer come, stop that person and find out who it is that is following you. But I cannot sit here and have you make statements about someone that you’re just making up. You’re making it up and I think it is unconscionable.”
Ms. Surla indicated she would be donating a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book to the Lansdowne Library.
Mr. Schleigh moved to resume Roberts Rules of Order. Ms. Lustgarten seconded. Vote: unanimous.
REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report – Mr. Bartley had no formal report and stated that there were sufficient funds on hand to meet current obligations.
Solicitor’s Report – Mr. Scott had no formal report.
Manager’s Report – Mr. Totaro gave updates on the following:
· Active Codes Case Reports – Mr. Totaro mentioned that these cases involve abandoned properties in the borough. The Codes Department is working to change the outlook of these reports by shifting emphasis to obtaining an outcome rather than using enforcement as the sole remedy.
· Yard Waste – over the past year the yard waste bill has escalated and the borough will now be using a new facility on State Road for the yard waste collection.
· Borough Hall telephone system – all the phones are now migrated to RCN.
· Constellation Energy – contract ends January 1, 2014. Bids will be solicited for a new carrier
· Borough Yard fence – bids were solicited and ProMax Fence of Reading, PA was awarded the bid to do work on Lots 2 and 5. Mr. Totaro reported that an automatic opening device is scheduled for Lot 3 at a future date. Mr. Totaro also reported that black netting, rather than wire screening, will be used as fencing for Lots 2 and 5.
· Fire House renovations – Mr. Totaro reported that the Fire House will be doing some in-house renovations to the interior of their living area. Mr. Totaro thinks that the Fire Company will be applying for a grant in the amount of $10,000-$15,000 grant to help in this regard.
· Fencing at Nyack and Maple Avenues empty lot. Mr. Totaro reported that CMI Landscaping currently owns the lot and the fence needs to be replaced. The owner is willing to give up some lot space so that the borough can do some sidewalk landscaping in that area. Mr. Scott mentioned that the requested fence is higher than is permitted by code. Mr. Totaro asked for a letter of support and the consensus was to award it.
Mr. Schleigh moved to offer a letter of support of the application for a variance of the lot at 9 Maple Avenue for the height restriction of the fence conditioned upon approval of drawings by the landscaping company owner. Ms. Lustgarten seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Mr. Schleigh mentioned that there is a wood pile at Lansdowne Court and there is some question as to who is responsible for removing it. Mr. Schleigh questioned whether there was an open insurance claim for the property. Mr. Scott mentioned that if there was an insurance claim, the fire insurance company would have to deposit an escrow with the borough.
Acting Chief of Police Report – Acting Police Chief Dan Donegan reported that an arrest was made last night regarding the recent robbery at Penn Wood High School wherein $20,000 worth of musical instruments had been stolen. Two men hired by the Alpha Centurion Security Company were involved in the robbery. Acting Chief Donegan also reported that a man had been arrested on September 26, 2013 for robbing a local Wawa store. Acting Chief Donegan reported there has been an increase of thefts from unlocked cars and reminded residents to keep all valuables out of sight and the doors locked. Acting Chief Donegan mentioned that the bike patrol is now operating and has been very helpful in quickly responding to incidents.
Fire Company Liaison Report – No report was given in the liaison’s absence.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Young reported that she will be awarding Jennifer Hoff the 2013 Helms Award at the October, 2013 General Meeting of Borough Council. Mayor Young mentioned that the new Ardmore Avenue School will hold an open house on November 2, 2013. Mayor Young questioned who would take on the responsibility for the newsletter and the town wide yard sale after her term of office ends. After some discussion it was decided that Betsy Riffert, Assistant to the Borough Manager, would take over these duties as she has had prior experience in this regard.
President’s Report -President Coleman reported that she recently attended the Regional Caucus of Council Presidents, hosted by Darryl Clark, President of the Philadelphia Council. The main topic of discussion centered on the demographics of local municipalities and related issues. President Coleman mentioned three issues: (1) Educational Funding; (2) Act 537 ramifications, and (3) real estate taxes and the lack of industry to help offset rising taxes.
President Coleman reported that on September 25, 2013, she participated in a White House conference call that included President Obama and David Agnew, the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the White House. Both President Obama and Mr. Agnew answered questions and provided information regarding the Affordable Care Act.
President Coleman reported that she recently attended a steering committee meeting for 1st Suburbs in Building One Pennsylvania. The focus was on the fundraiser to be held in Collegeville, PA on November 21, 2013 and a request was made for buying ads, tickets, etc. President Coleman asked for support in funding this event by taking out a half page ad for $600.00.
Ms. Lustgarten moved to approve a $600 payment for a half page ad for the 1st Suburbs event. Mr. Schleigh seconded. Vote: carried with one ‘nay’ from Mr. Radich.
President Coleman mentioned that on November 1, 2013, a session regarding the housing mobility study and affordable housing vouchers will be held in Blue Bell, PA. President Coleman also mentioned that Debbie Lamborne, the new Elm Street Manager, would be attending the next general meeting to talk about the scope of the program and to solicit volunteers.
Mayor Young mentioned that Lansdowne/Upper Darby garden had been awarded 1st prize from the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program.
Old Business:
1. Act 537/Morton – Mr. Totaro reported that Morton Borough had sent a letter to Lansdowne regarding being part of Act 537. Mayor Young indicated that the local elected officials need to find a solution, as this issue is a huge problem with huge expenses. Mr. Totaro noted that Morton had attended prior Delcora meetings to voice their opinion. Mr. Totaro mentioned that the renewal contract that includes fees for long term control is separate from Act 537. Mr. Scott felt that the sewage treatment costs were reasonable. After further discussion it was decided to send a letter to Morton indicating our support and sending copies to a variety of local elected officials.
2. 2014 Budget – Ms. Lustgarten reported that the Finance Committee will meet next Monday to look at consolidating the budget. Mr. Totaro mentioned that the motion for the borough yard fence should indicate that the costs should come out of the Capital Reserve Fund.
New Business:
1. Fire House Improvements – already discussed under Mr. Totaro’s report.
Action Items:
1. Ms. Lustgarten moved to authorize payment of bills for the period. Mr. Wagner seconded. Vote: unanimous.
2. Ms. Lustgarten moved to authorize payment of Dan Kortan’s severance in the amount of $44,298.16. Mr. Schleigh seconded. Vote: unanimous.
3. Mr. Schleigh moved to reappoint Fran Wayne to the Human Relations Commission for a three year term expiring 9/30/2016. Ms. Lustgarten seconded. Vote: unanimous.
4. Ms. Saylor moved to award contract for Lot 2 and Lot 5 for an amount not to exceed $13,781 to ProMax Fence of Reading, PA for the replacement of the perimeter fence of the Borough Yard property. Mr. Schleigh seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Executive Session – Mr. Schleigh moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue. Mr. Wagner seconded. Vote: unanimous. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:45 p.m.
Public Session – No public motions were made upon reconvening to Public Session.
Adjourn – Ms. Lustgarten moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Saylor seconded. Vote: unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary
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