Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting June 18Th, 2014

Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting June 18th, 2014

Lansdowne Borough Council

General Meeting

June 18th, 2014

GENERAL MEETING

The Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting was held on Wednesday,

June18th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in Borough Hall. Present were President Saylor, Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Byrne, Mr. Radich, Ms. English, Mr. Wagner,and Mr. Schleigh was absent. Junior Council member Johnson was also present. Also present were Mayor Campuzano, Borough Manager Totaro, Borough Secretary Henry, Borough TreasurerBartley, Borough Solicitor Mr. Ewald was present in place of Mr. Scott and Police Chief Donegan was absent. The Fire Company liaison was also absent.

President Saylor stated that this meeting would be aired on June 31st, 2014 on Comcast channel 5, RCN channel 52 and Verizon channel 44.

Approval of agenda: The agenda was approved with no changes.

Approvalof Minutes: Mr. Aubreymoved to approve the minutes of the May 21st, 2014 Business Meeting of Council as submitted by the Borough Secretary. Ms. Englishseconded. Vote: unanimous.

Announcements and Presentations:

1. Recognition of Crossing Guards - Mayor Campuzanopresented certificates of appreciation to the Lansdowne Crossing Guards who are in the field each weekday in sometimes very harsh weather conditions. Certificates were presented to many of the crossing guards that were present this evening. It was noted that the guards not present would receive certificates in the mail.
2. Icery Business–Mayor Campuzano introduced Daniel Losacco and his wife Avril; owners of the new business on North Lansdowne Avenue named The Icery. Avril introduced the family and the menu of flavors and varieties of what is for sale in the store.
3. Cecil Charlton ED of the Delaware County TMAintroduced the organization that is supported by PennDOT, DVRPC, and SEPTA. The organization works to improve the various modes of transportation in the county. Information packets were distributed to members of borough council. Cecil discussed opportunity for acquiring bike racks for key places in the Borough by organizing sponsors who can secure funding for the racks.
4. Walgreen development Mr. Joshua Peterson and his team updated the status of their project and requested to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting to finalize their land development agreement with the Borough.

Treasurer’s Report: None

Solicitor’s Report: Mr. Scott had no formal report.

Mayor’s Report: Mayor Campuzanoannounced that Jennifer Gardner the treasurer of the Lansdowne Allied Youth organization was present from the organization to present an award to Alex Yurcaba the student of the year award for outstanding achievement in 2014. Mr. Yurcaba was present to accept the award. Also receiving an award was Mr. Jefferson. All awards recognize outstanding scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

Mayor Campuzano introduced Mr. Johnson the current Junior Council person whose term was ending this evening. Mr. Johnson thanked all those present and for the opportunity to work with each of the individual. Mr. Johnson informed the group that he would be continuing his studies at the University of PA.

Mayor Campuzano’s announcements included a variety of calendar items and activities that would be coming up in the coming weeks. Including the 4thof July and Union AA fireworks event. Reminded residents can contribute to this event by being in touch with the Union AA.

The Fall newsletter is currently being compiled and a due date of July 14th is set for any items that can be included. Thank the Lansdowne Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for their work on the Flag Day celebration. Mayor Campuzano reminded residents and the public to not litter.

Walgreen

Joshua Petershon reported to the Borough Council that the Delaware County will hear the preliminary and final land development. Mr. Petershon requested that the land development approval be set on the Borough Council’s agenda for the July 16th meeting.

Council President’s Report: President Saylorstated that the fee schedule would be looked at pertaining to the community groups use of borough facilities otherwise had had no additional items to report on.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Public Health and Safety – Mr. Schleigh was absent and the Mayor filled in and reported that this years National Night Out is August 5th at 6pm at the Highland Avenue Parking lot. The Mayor also reported that police cards are being printed, and that the bike patrol is active as an added security measure during the day and night and to please lock your car if you are not using it.

Finance and Administration – Mr. Radich the committee met on June 2nd prior to the general meeting ht emembers of the committee met with Independence Advisors who manage the Police Pension Fund and that the PPF is up 4.2% for the year at this time. Tax collections have arrived more expedicioulsy than prior years allowing for an early repayment of the Tax Anticipation notes. Actualrilly the PPF return is an annualized rate of return of approximately 9.6%

Tax collections are in earlier than prior years allowing for an early repayment of the TAN early to realize a savings.

Economic Development and Code Enforcement –No formal report from Mr. Wagner as the committee did not meet in the month of June.

Environment – Mr. Aubrey reported that the Environment Committee did meet and discussed the Delaware County Solid Waste Plan. The new park entrance at 129 Fairview is complete opening the park to the neighborhood to the south of the park. The Borough received 9 proposals for improvements to Hoffman park which will be evaluated and a recommendation is expected at next month’s meeting of Borough Council.

Community Relations: Ms. Byrne had no formal report. The Lansdowne Public Library will be marching in the 4th of July parade including

Library a forth of July float

Chess club meets Saturday at 11am

Union Gardens summer music class focus Brazilian music is being promoted

Science in the summer has started as well as the Summer Reading Program. These are rolling registrations and the next meeting Monday at 7:00 pm

Infrastructure and Public Works – In Mrs. English’s absence, May 27th meeting

The annual MS4 program public meeting took place meeting happened

Ramps and sidewalks at Ardmore Avenue School

2020house and RACP

Borough yard paving

Pothole killers

Firehouse generator

and facility maintenance lists for the firehouse and the library maintenance list

Junior Council: Mr. Johnson reported that he recently spoke about diversity in Lansdowne at a local church.

Visitor Comments:

1. Martha Smith Peachy of 16 Ardmore Avenue–expressed kindness and sympathy for the outreach of the Borough Council and Borough staff in the wake of the passing of her mother in law.
2. Terri Beraldi 239 West Plumstead – I am requesting information about three abandoned homes on the block that are abandoned or vacant or foreclosed. My question is what is going on with that and what can be done? Mr. Totaro in general there is property maintenance gives the borough the power to issue warnings that can escalate to citations. Abatement measures are in place for properties that require grass trimming etc. happen. Mr. Totaro explained that most homes in the foreclosure process do make their way back to the open market and viable residences.
3. Mr. Richard Smalley thanks the mayor for speaking a the memorial day parade. And introduced the booklet that was produced for this years parade.
4. Mr. Larry Smalley American Legion Post 65 acknowledged the sacrifice that the officers of all wars and requests that everyone can attend a homecoming for Mr. Matthew Spears. The Legion Post will be hosting WELCOME HOME MATT at an upcoming celebration and the Legion is trying to set a date which will be communicated to as widely as possible to recognize Mr. Spears.
5. Carol Costa resides on the same block as Ms. Beraldi at250 West Plumsteadthere are six communities in New Jersey that are bundling the vacant houses to make them more appealing to the banks. The ideas is that by bundling the mortgages they are making them more attractive. The limbo time period has been extended when properties experience extreme negligence. Specifically I see a house at Essex and Lansdowne Avenue I see a house that is boarded up and high grass and it is not a good service to the Borough to have the properties in such conditions. Mr. Aubrey responded to. Mr. Totaro responded that abatement and resident surveillance are both helpful actions for working towards these ends. Mr. Totaro stated that the Economic Development Committee reviews a list of special properties that do not appear to have a potential for returning to the market such as a property where a resident dies and may have a higher risk for more.

Kelly Artis 172 West Baltimore Avenue talked about an idea to use dressing up the windows of the abandoned properties as a mechanism for dressing up properties especially those on Lansdowne Avenue.

Old Business:There were no items under Old Business.

Action Items:

XVI.Action Items

Mr. Radich made a motion to approve bills for the period with the exception of withholding the payment to Liberty Vehicle Lighting $5,470.80 pending further review which was seconded by Mr. Aubrey and approved unanimously.

A motion was made by Mr. Aurbrey to enter into agreement with Signal Services and was seconded by Mr. Radich and was approved unanimously.

A motion was made by Ms. English to advertise for bids for a replacement generator for 26 N. Highland Avenue which was seconded by Mr. Radich and unanimously.

Mr. Radich motion to approve fireworks insurance rider which was seconded by Mr. Aubrey and approved unanimously.

Ms. Byrne motion to reappoint Marie Campuzano to the Library Board for a three-year term

expiring 3/31/2017 which was seconded by Mr. Radich and approved unanimously.

Ms. Byrne motioned to reappoint Donald Fry to the Library Board for a three-year term expiring 3/31/2017 which was seconded by Mr. Aubrey and approved unanimously.

Ms. Byrne motioned to reappoint Andrea Lee Kenyon to the Library Board for a three-year term expiring 3/31/2017which was seconded by Mr. Aubrey and approved unanimously.

Ms. Byrne motioned to appoint Jennifer Lyn Barvitskie as chairperson of No Place for Hate which was seconded by Mr. Radich and approved unanimously.

Mr. Aubrey motioned to adopt Resolution 2014-09, a Resolution of the Borough of Lansdowne Ratification of the Delaware County Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan, Substantial Revision, 2013 whc=ich was seconded by Ms. English and approved unanimously.

Executive Session – Mr. Aubrey moved to convene to executive session. Mr. Wagner seconded. Vote: unanimous. Executive Session convened at 8:15 p.m.

Public Session – No public motions were made upon reconvening to public session.

Adjourn – Mr. Aubrey moved to adjourn the meeting. Ms. English seconded. Vote: unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m

Respectfully submitted,

Craig Totaro

Assistant Borough Secretary

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