NORRISTOWN MUNICIPALITY
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
The Council Meeting of March 1, 2011 was called to order by Council President, Linda Christian, at 7:30 pm in Council Chambers.
There was a Moment of Silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Cub Scout Pack 13.
The following Council members were in attendance:
Linda Christian Gary Simpson
Cathy Lawrence William Caldwell
Mary DeSouza Bill Procyson
Also present were:
David Forrest, Municipal Administrator
Sean Kilkenny, Municipal Solicitor
Chief Russell Bono, Norristown Chief of Police
Jayne Musonye, Director of Planning and Development
Richard Zawisza, Director of Finance
Presentations:
Flag Ceremony - Cub Scout Pack #13
Sully Gelet - Recognition
Cops and Community (NC38T)
Flag Ceremony
Some of the Cub Scouts from Pack #13 commented on some of the things that their Pack is involved in such as “clean up the earth,” “clean up litter,” and the Pinewood Derby.
Sully Gelet
Councilwoman Lawrence and Councilman Procyson, joined by the other Council members, presented Sully Gelet with a proclamation and gift. Councilman Procyson noted that Sully Gelet has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame. Councilman Procyson added that Mr. Gelet had recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Resident Lynn Patterson wanted to make a statement about Mr. Gelet. She stated, “Sully is a fighter and has been there for us.”
Cops and Community
Lieutenant Shannon of the Norristown Police Department read the mission statement of Norristown Cops and Community Coalition Building Team (NC38T), which was formed to bridge the gap between the community and the Norristown Police Department. He stated, “It’s all about awareness.” Each member introduced themselves. Their first workshop will be held in April 2011. Councilman Simpson commented, “Don’t give up, stick with it.”
There was a motion on the floor to open the agenda to include 3 new items (changes in appointments, Municipal Lighting contract and a vacancy in the Code Department) by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Procyson. All in favor. Motion carries.
Motion to approve Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting held on February 15, 2011
There was a motion on the floor to approve the Minutes by Councilman Caldwell with a second by Councilman Procyson. All in favor. Motion carries.
Public Comment: None.
This item was added to the agenda:
Changes in appointments:
Council President announced the following changes in appointments: Chair of Public Works is Councilman Procyson, Chair of Code is Councilman Millner, the Chair of Public Safety/Code is Councilman Caldwell and co-chair, Councilwoman Mary DeSouza and the Chair of IT is Councilwoman Christian.
Council President - Appointment of Junior Council Persons
There was a motion on the floor to appoint Jordan Allen as Junior Council Person by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Caldwell. All in favor. Motion carries.
There was a motion on the floor to appoint Adam Pfender as Junior Council Person by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilwoman DeSouza. All in favor. Motion carries.
There was a motion on the floor to appoint Andre Nguyen as Junior Council Person by Councilman Simpson with a second by Councilwoman DeSouza. All in favor. Motion carries.
There was a motion on the floor to appoint Jasmine Williams as Junior Council Person by Councilman Caldwell with a second by Councilwoman Lawrence. All in favor. Motion carries.
Judge Hunsicker conducted the swearing in ceremony for Jordan Allen and Adam Pfender.
Judge Lawrence conducted the swearing in ceremony for Andre Nguyen and Jasmine Williams.
Council President Christian announced the Council mentors for the Junior Council Persons: Councilwoman Lawrence will mentor Jordan Allen, Councilman Simpson will mentor Adam Pfender, Councilman Caldwell will mentor Andre Nguyen and Councilwoman DeSouza will mentor Jasmine Williams.
Motion to approve Resolution 11-107 - Establishing a Junior Council Program - Solicitor Kilkenny read the Resolution. There was a motion on the floor to approve the Resolution by Councilman Simpson with a second by Councilwoman Lawrence. There was a Roll Call Vote resulting in:
Linda Christian yes
Cathy Lawrence yes
Mary DeSouza yes
Gary Simpson yes
William Caldwell yes
Bill Procyson yes
Motion carries unanimously.
Announcements by Councilman Simpson.
On April 17th Norristown Little League is sponsoring a Deck Picnic at the Reading Phillies. Tickets are $20. Call Bill Plichta for information at 610-270-0467. Zumba Fitness - Thursday nights adult classes starting March 24th at Eisenhower Middle School and Thursday night kids classes start on April 7th. Norristown Recreation has further information. The July 4th Parade Committee is recruiting organized groups to march in the July 4th Parade. Contact Sandy, Bill or Gabriela at 610-270-0498. Reminder: Norristown goes greener with single stream recycling. Plastics 1 through 7, newspapers, magazines, junk mail and cardboard, tin, aluminum and bi-metal cans, clear and colored glass all go in one recycling container. Any questions, call our Recycling Coordinator, Tysh Oliver at 610-270-2951. Women’s History Week (March 2-8) features women leaders who struggled for equality. The West End District I and II will have a combined Town Meeting this month. In 2012, Norristown will be 200 years old. There will be a Bicentennial Celebration Dinner on March 26 in Saviour Hall - tickets are $40 -contact Councilwoman Lawrence or Sandy Grubb. Every Monday night, there is a Bicentennial Committee meeting. There will be a fundraiser at St. Francis School on March 19 for the Bibbo family who lost their house on Stanbridge Street in a fire in December. Tickets are $25 - contact the West End Association at 610-585-3110.
Communications: None.
PLANNING/ECONOMIC/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Motion to adopt Ordinance 11-01 - Planning Commission Terms
Solicitor Kilkenny provided an explanation. There was a motion on the floor to approve the Ordinance by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Procyson. A Roll Call Vote was taken resulting in:
Linda Christian yes
Cathy Lawrence yes
Mary DeSouza yes
Gary Simpson yes
William Caldwell yes
Bill Procyson yes
Motion carries unanimously.
Motion to approve Resolution 11-104 - appointments to Planning Commission will be covered in Public Safety since the Resolution also appoints members to the Civil Service Commission.
PUBLIC WORKS
RVB Contract - Discussion
Solicitor provided a summarization and noted the contract is within PennDOT guidelines. There was a motion on the floor to approve the Contract between the Municipality of Norristown and the firm of Remington, Vernick and Beach by Councilwoman Christian with a second by Councilwoman Lawrence. All in favor. Motion carries.
This item was added to the agenda:
Municipal Lighting Contract
Councilman Procyson explained that there has been some difficulty maintaining the street lights in the Municipality. David Forrest noted there have been “ongoing challenges” with the current contract and he recommended canceling the agreement. Mr. Forrest noted he is currently interviewing 2 other firms and will bring the results to a future Council meeting. There was a motion on the floor to terminate the current Municipal Lighting contract by Councilman Simpson with a second by Councilman Caldwell. All in favor. Motion carries.
FINANCE
Motion to approve Monthly Disbursements:
General Fund $377,646.67
Community Development 11,116.57
Parks & Recreation Fund 110.80
Police Grant Fund 29,204.84
Subdivision & Land Development 9,866.00
Payroll Account 55,817.39
DCNR Master Escrow 83,352.65
Real Estate Tax Fund 11,425.58
There was a motion on the floor to approve the Monthly Disbursements as read by Councilwoman Lawrence by Councilman Simpson with a second by Councilman Procyson. All in favor. Motion carries. Councilwoman Christian posed a question regarding the Police Grant Fund and Junior Council Person Jordan Allen questioned why the amount under Parks & Recreation Fund was so small. Councilman Simpson explained that the money for repairs in the parks comes from grant money.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Motion to adopt Ordinance 11-02 - Civil Service Commission
There was a motion on the floor to adopt Ordinance 11-02 by Councilwoman Christian with a second by Councilwoman Lawrence. A Roll Call Vote was taken resulting in:
Linda Christian yes
Cathy Lawrence yes
Mary DeSouza yes
Gary Simpson yes
William Caldwell yes
Bill Procyson yes
Motion carries unanimously.
Motion to adopt Resolution 11-104 - Appointments to Planning Commission
Solicitor Kilkenny read the Resolution. There was a motion on the floor to adopt Resolution 11-104 by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Simpson. A Roll Call Vote was taken resulting in:
Linda Christian yes
Cathy Lawrence yes
Mary DeSouza yes
Gary Simpson yes
William Caldwell yes
Bill Procyson yes
Motion carries unanimously.
Towing Contracts - Discussion
Councilman Procyson recommended action on this item and asked for the wording of the motion from Solicitor Kilkenny. Council President stated that she would like Council to consider her recommendation for EVB and Morello’s Towing. She noted that the owner and operator of Morello’s lives in Norristown, making it convenient for residents whose cars are towed to pick up their car locally. There was a motion on the floor to award the towing contract as described in the RFQ process published by the Municipality of Norristown in the Times Herald to EVB and Janeway by Councilman Caldwell with a second by Councilwoman Lawrence. A Roll Call Vote was taken resulting in:
Linda Christian no
Cathy Lawrence yes
Mary DeSouza yes
Gary Simpson no
William Caldwell yes
Bill Procyson yes
Motion carries 4-2.
CODE
Motion to approve HARB Certificates of Appropriateness:
521 W. Lafayette Street
560 Stanbridge Street
212 East Poplar Street
614 West Marshall Street
223 East Elm Street
741 George Street
715 George Street
111 Pearl Street
919 W. Lafayette Street
232 East Jacoby Street
There was a motion on the floor to approve the Certificates of Appropriateness by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Simpson. All in favor. Motion carries.
This item was added to the agenda:
Vacancy for Code Clerk
Councilman Caldwell noted that the Code Committee looked at this issue and recommended hiring for this position. He stated that it is a collective bargaining issue and also noted that the temporary person is costing more than a regular employee. Council gave its directive to go forward with filling the position.
Council President Christian thanked Councilman Caldwell for the information provided to the Junior Council members. She noted that their votes will be recorded at the next meeting.
Executive Session Announcement
Council President Christian announced that Council met in Executive Session prior to tonight’s meeting to discuss personnel and litigation issues and also had a Special Executive Session on Saturday, March 26, 2011 to discuss personnel issues.
ADJOURNMENT
There was a motion on the floor to adjourn the Council Meeting by Councilwoman Lawrence with a second by Councilman Procyson. All in favor. Motion carries.
Respectfully submitted,
Roseann M. Santangelo