BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA 

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 10, 1997

The meeting was called to order by President, E. M. (Sue) Kuhn at 7:30 p.m.

The secretary called the roll. Present were: E. M. (Sue) Kuhn, Joseph Giunta, Joan Giunta, Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft (arriving a few minutes late), and Mayor, William Clossin.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: By the assembly.

MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

MOTIONED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MARCH 20, 1997. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Mileage for Bernie McCollum attending a seminar and for using his personal vehicle to help Frank Holden, Chief of Police for the installation of the terminal in Frank's police car.

Bernie attended a seminar (registration was $20.00). A bill for this seminar was present along with the above mentioned mileage. It was mentioned to Bernie previous concerning the seminar

that the seminar cost would have to be approved by council if he wanted to attend. However, in the past mileage was never paid.

It was suggested that in the future anyone wanting to attend any such seminar to get approval first to see what everything will cost.

MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY JOAN GIUNTA IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE AMOUNT USED BY THE IRS. THEIR MILEAGE IS 3l.5 CENTS PER MILE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Add the following bills to the accounts payable:

Treasurer's services for the month: $475.00 (standard rate)

PA Dept of Labor/Industry: 2 bills (l for the Borough and the other for the Authority). No pressure testing, checked safety valves, certification, and yearly inspection.

MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM, IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE ACCOUNT PAYABLE REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

TREASURER'S REPORT: MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

POLICE REPORT: Frank Holden

Month of March l997: Local and State combined: 68 incidents.

The complete report is on file at the Borough Hall office.

FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT: NICHOLAS MATREGRANO

Month of February l997: Not presented last month. Number of calls: 3, Firefighters in service: 28, Time in service: l hr. and l8 minutes, Distance traveled: 3 miles.

Month of March l997: Number of calls: 7, Firefighters in service: 58, Time in service: 2 hrs. and ll minutes, Distance traveled: l5 miles.

Circus: May l8th. 2 performances 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets $5.00 in advance and $7.00 after noon the day of the show. Tickets on sale at various businesses.

Thanked those who helped in the sale and purchase of Easter flowers and the Easter breakfast.

SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Robert Brant

l) Suburban Cable Meeting: Bob will receive a new extension agreement which he'll review with Tom Snyder and then present to council.

2) Proposed Ordinance: Prohibiting the use of Skateboards on Streets, Public Sidewalks and Alleys.

Mr. Brant reviewed the ordinance with council and audience present. This also has been duly advertised.

Input from council members and audience:

Bernie McCollum: Skating in the middle of the street and during public events such as the recent Parade. Previously those wishing to skate were told to go to the Park Board, no one showed up.

Mayor Clossin: Skateboarders go through stop signs and have no regard for drivers. Numerous complaints have been filed. Not all skateboarders are in violation, but those who are make it bad for others. Someone is going to get seriously hurt.

Darrell Heisey, 24 Burger Lane (not in the borough). How unsafe are the skateboards compared to bikes, rollerblades?

Debbie Heisey, above address. Feels that the children are being attacked. Not much in Schwenksville to entertain them. Can an alternative be found? Realizes liabilities, but perhaps something can be signed to not involve the borough. Looking at it from a teenager's point of view.

Joan Giunta: Skateboarding is not banned on private property, just in public places.

Frank Holden: Would like to see ordinance passed. Those involved are continuing skating in the streets and in groups along sidewalks with little consideration for others in public places.

Bernie McCollum: Bikes are controlled by vehicle law. Skateboards are not. Some skateboarders have been known to jump off and let the skateboard continue on its own course, which could cause a severe problem. There is no safety factor involved.

Clifford Kavaugh, 24 Burger Lane. He mentioned that he was a problem and corrected it. Suggests cracking down on violators.

Kevin DiSanta, 250 Second St. Feels board is "stereotyping". Provide a space for this activity. Put up signs "skate at your own risk".

J.R. Heacock, Haldeman Road. Sorry he missed the meeting, would like to attend another one. Majority of skaters are okay. Suggest using common sense in riding these boards.

Frank Holden: Police are responsible for all. Streets and sidewalks are for transporting pedestrians and vehicle traffic.

Sue Kuhn: Most of the skateboarders are from out of the borough. Has anyone of these skateboarders approached their own municipalities to see what they can do to help provide recreational space.

Rich Rowan, 24 Burger Lane. Understands boards' feeling. But feels there is a bad attitude toward the youth involved.

Daniel Heisey, 24 Burger Lane: Feels laws should be followed, but is there another alternative?

Joe Giunta: Commented everyone attending tonight. Residents want to see the streets and sidewalks safe.

Suggests that people should get involved. Attend the Park Board meeting on the 24th at 7:30 p.m., perhaps a solution can be found.

Bill Clossin: Mentioned his telephone conversation with a lady who car was grazed by a skateboarder who did not stop at a stop sign. Woman was terribly upset.

Eric of Second St.: Is carrying your skateboard a violation? No.

Kevin: Concerned with safety. But if this pastime is taken away, there might be those who will get into trouble.

Chris Kraft: Good discussion tonight. Safety is the issue. Council is not against skateboarding, but it cannot be on public streets or sidewalks. Suggest going to Park Board. MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ADOPT THE SKATE BOARD ORDINANCE. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Sue Kuhn thanked the audience for their participation.

Bill Clossin: Borough has little money, some land. Suggest checking for help from other municipalities.

Tom Snyder: Department of Community Affairs has been consulted in the past with help with parks. They do not fund skateboarding.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Streets/Roads: Bernie McCollum Nothing to report

Property: Bernie McCollum

Started to read the quotes that have been received. But after some discussion it was mentioned that Bernie would make copies for the board to review and a meeting will be scheduled. Some of the quotes are not broken down completely.

Insurance letter requesting: Emergency Lighting for meeting room in case of power failure. This has been done.

Insurance letter requesting ground cover for community playground. This is a problem, as ground cover could be washed away.

Letter from Borough Treasurer to Ray Bunt and the Department of Community Affairs. A letter was sent under Bernie's name rescinding the request for monies for renovation of borough building.

FINANCE/PERSONNEL: Joseph Giunta

Hasn't met yet with Gael Hahn for a quarterly review of accounts. Feels a review at 6 months would be better.

PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder

Park Board will meet on the 24th and discuss the skate board issue.

STREET LIGHTING: Chris Kraft No report

The mayor questioned the one light out at the traffic light. This has been fixed. Contractor is on call.

FIRE COMPANY LIAISON: Joan Giunta No report

POLICE COMMITTEE: Joseph Giunta No report

BOROUGH MANAGER: Thomas Snyder

l) Liberty Ministries is buying the hotel building. Inspections were recently completed and everything is in order.

2) Hepp property: Second Avenue Inspection on the roof has been completed. Tom will issue a Use and Occupancy Permit now.

3) Deck is down at 524 Main Street.

4) No substandard apartments anymore.

5) Centennial Street: Water 98% complete. Should be finished by 4/l5/97. Electric complete. Some work is needed on the poles.

6) Clemens Subdivision: Tom will be meeting with Fred Kehs next week to discuss water.

7) Special meeting to award the bid for Centennial Street and for awarding renovation bids for the Borough Building.

8) Retirement Center: All hazardous material is out, only demolition going on.

CORRESPONDENCE: Nancy Eppley No Report

OLD BUSINESS: Bernie McCollum

Attended a Financial Planning Seminar near Hershey recently and received a certification, plus help information for boroughs (cost saving methods).

Joseph Giunta

Escrow Account (Slater) MOTIONED BY JOSEPH GIUNTA, SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO REFUND MINUS MINOR CHARGES THE BALANCE AS OF MARCH 3l, 1997 $352.61. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Checks from Franklin Realty on the Lee Apartments: These are checks over 6 months old. New ones will need to be issued. Tom is aware of the situation.

NEW BUSINESS: Gael Hahn Borough received Liquid Fuels Check in the amount of $l5,982.29.

MAYOR'S REPORT: William Clossin

l) Pleased about the amount of money that had to be spent so far for snow removal this year.

2) Is everything okay for the Parade in the next week. Yes, resolution has been passed.

3) Parking in Snow Emergency Routes: Over 25 vehicles are in violation. Parking tickets have been issued, along with a copy of the ordination. A record will be kept on those who received tickets for the future.

AUDIENCE:

John Lynch: 806 Summit Avenue. Something has to be done with Mt. View Ave. The potholes are bad and continue to get worse. Tom Snyder said that fill (stone) was put in, but there is a drainage problem there that needs to be addressed. Bernie offered his services in looking into the problem.

Pat Katona also of Mt. View Avenue expressed her concerns. Something has to be done. Larger drain??

Bruce McBain: PSOA Parade Entertainment being provided. Rain Date only for the Fireworks only. Will have traffic control. More details to follow.

Buzzards: Are they gone? Yes.

Pat Katona wants to know how soon stones can be put down. This will probably be discussed on the 23rd of April. Tom Snyder thinks the cost would run between $l,000. and $l,500.00.

Gael Hahn, Mt. View Avenue: Feels that grading is the answer, the stones wash in the gully.

Dave Toporowski: What is going on with the Slater Subdivision? Tom replied, that he had applied for a subdivision, which would straighten out 2 lines.

Dave questioned the parking of trucks on the property, and the definition of Land Development. Tom has been monitoring the problem. Bob Brant didn't have the Land Development Code in front of him, and would defer comment until he has time to review same. Permission will have to come from council for Mr. Brant to research. He is not fully aware of all the properties involved. Council suggested that Dave write a letter and put down his concerns. Tom will check this out and copy Bob Brant. Bob said that each property is different and without knowing the exact problem he would just be guessing.

Pat Katona: Does the borough require a permit for a fence? No but certain specifications must be met.

Roberta Lynch: Mt. View Avenue. Please be aware of the driveways when grading is being done.

NEXT MEETING: SPECIAL: Wednesday, April 23rd at 8:00 p.m.

" " REGULAR: Thursday, May 8, l997 at 7:30 p.m.

MOTIONED BY JOAN GIUNTA AND SECONDED BY BERNARD McCOLLUM IT WAS VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.

Respectfully Submitted,

Nancy J. Eppley, Secretary

April 22, l997