COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 8, 2000.
BOROUGH OF SCHWENKSVILLE, PA
The Schwenksville Borough Council Meeting of June 8, 2000 was called to order by Council President, Bernard McCollum at 7:30 p.m.
Present were: Bernard McCollum, Chris Kraft, Patricia Katona, Barbara Slater and Mayor, Carroll Rosenberger. Absent was: Gilbert Williams.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY THE ASSEMBLY.
MINUTES: Dispense with the reading of the minutes of May 11, 2000.
MOTIONED BY BARBARA SLATER AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO DISPENSE WITH THE READING OF THESE MINUTES. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Approval of the minutes of May 11, 2000.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 11, 2000. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Nancy Eppley
Council has been given for their approval a Disbursement Report for the Liquid Fuels Account and General Checking, Deposit Detail (all accounts), Budget to Actual Spending to June 8, 2000. Nancy mentioned that in the disbursement report there shows disbursements for the Library and Fire Company taxes. She also mentioned that she did a summary of 1999 compared to 2000 monies in the accounts and figures show that revenue in all accounts shows an increase of over $60,000. from 1999, due to excellent interest and careful spending.
Approval of the Accounts Payable: MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED.
Question on the motion: Pat: Carroll Engineering Bill? Nancy mentioned that Tom Snyder did not approve some expenditures awaiting Ken Yerger’s clarification. There were charges for mapping, borough hall renovations drawings. Discussion on the preliminary plan. Pat questioned did council authorize Carroll to draw up the plans. Chris felt that the preliminary plan would be about $6,000. Carroll doesn’t employ an architect only a landscaping architect engineer. Tom explained what a structural engineer does. Tom referred to the March 17 minutes, page 5.
Chris mentioned that the figure mentioned is higher than anticipated. Pat reviewed the motion which was previously made and the motion did not mention any figure. Everything at this point is on hold according to Tom.
It was also agreed that Carroll Engineering should describe the work that is done in detail on their invoices. All the board was in agreement, Tom will instruct Carroll on this.
MOTION CARRIED TO PAY THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AS PRESENTED, ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Nancy Eppley
Treasurer’s report as of May 31st. Please deduct those expenditures for payment tonight from the final figure in the accounts.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE THE TREASURER’S REPORT AS PRESENTED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Chief Timothy Hoppes
Tim reviewed the layout of his report for the month of May 2000. 187 hrs. were spent, summary ticket log by violations, alarms by State Police, spoke on false alarms and suggested a letter to those residents who have alarms, explained how enforcement works on alarms.
There was a discussion on disturbing the peace. Jim Dull of the audience mentioned a dog problem that he has in his neighborhood , this problem would come under disturbing the peace. This will be discussed under Mr. Brant’s report.
FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: No one present, No report
AMBULANCE REPORT: No one present, No report
SOLICITOR’S REPORT: Robert Brant.
Cable TV: Bernie and Bob had a meeting on this subject. More details coming, also there will be hopefully more revenue due to technology changes .And a shorter contract period is anticipated.
Croyle Property: Council given a letter for their review. Also, no permits are needed for filling, once work is done on impervious soil land development work will start. Mr. Croyle is aware of this.
Proposed Ordinance on Disturbing the Peace. There is an old ordinance already in the books, but should be brought up to date.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO HAVE MR. BRANT DRAW UP AN ORDINANCE ON THIS SUBJECT.
Question: Barbara would like to review first. Mr. Brant said that this is a proposed ordinance and will be brought before council and voted upon. This is not a "disorderly conduct" ordinance.
MOTION CARRIED, ALL WERE IN FAVOR.
Ordaining and Opening Streets: Letter to council for their review. Mentioned abutting property owners.
Schwenksville Borough Authority: Chris and Bob met and this will be discussed later.
There entailed a lengthy discussion regarding the dissolution of the Authority as proposed by Council. Pat proposed to place a moratorium on further action for the dissolution. She explained the meaning of a moratorium as being " a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligation (or the payment of a debt), a waiting period set by authority.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER TO IMPOSE SUCH A MORATORIUM ON FURTHER ACTION TOWARD DISSOLUTION AND/OR OBTAINING ASSETS OF THE AUTHORITY.
Discussion followed with regard to the status of the take over by council members, authority members, Jim Dull and Joe O’Neil. Pat indicated she was not convinced that this is the direction the Council should continue and prevailed upon the Council to be in agreement. She cited the legal expenses as well as the Council having more accurate and current information should be sought from the Authority members. Legal fees cannot be determined according to Bob Brant. Chris felt that the employees at the Authority are living under fear of losing their jobs, he also stated that he feels that the Borough is being stonewalled and he cited reasons. Will legal action-court action be needed?
Upon agreement that the Council formally request to be present at the next Authority meeting of June 21st with the intent to have an informal discussion and resolution to some of the issues of concern for the Council Pat agreed to withdraw her motion at this time.
A letter would be forward to the Authority members over the Council President’s signature for this request.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
STREETS & ROADS: Chris Kraft
Will be meeting with Pat and Tom at a later date to discuss ordination of streets/roads.
Mt. View Avenue: There are a few improvements to be made which weren’t counted upon. There is a lower end drain problem with the crushing of concrete going into a home.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND THE $2,000.00 AS ESTIMATED TO THE COST OF MT. VIEW AVENUE.
Question: Barbara wants to see the driveway of her neighbor, Beverly put back as it was before construction occurred.
ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Chris mentioned that in looking over the ground he found some copper ore on the edge of the hill.
PROPERTY: Chris Kraft
He and Gib met with superintendent, Dr. Feir, School Board President, Randy Riegner and School Board Member, Ms. Lori Snyder to discuss the razing and building a new elementary school on the North Elementary School site.
Issues discussed about the property were size and vehicle access. Water and sewer lines are already on the site and maybe more importantly the sewer plan is already rated to handle the waste. Schools are community centers and serve in various community ways providing for central open space as well as civic meeting areas.. There are other sites presently being considered in Lower Frederick. At the present time, many of these sites do not have water and sewer access.
SPRING MOUNT HOUSE PROPERTY (OPEN SPACE): Settlement was completed recently. Tom and Chris were invited to come and observe the transfer. Mr. Brant was only to review the covenants that were drawn up. Bernie signed the agreement. There is a concern with the insurance liability coverage. Chris felt that this was never discussed, Bob will check this out. It was mentioned that all documents should be attested by the Borough Secretary and when there is any monies involved two signatures are needed, being either the treasurer, president, or finance chairman.
Meeting with Montgomery County on the Open Space Railroad Corridor. Both Tom and Chris met with Beth Piling and John Wood. Last month, Chris presented a letter and resolution to council and this was given to Montgomery County for their review. In July, Chris is going to address the Open Space Committee. There is confusion in the boundaries so there will be legal issues to be addressed.
It was suggested that the maps be merged. There is a 1917 drawing. There will be no field surveys made.
MOTIONED BY PATRICIA KATONA AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER IT WAS VOTED TO SPEND TO MORE THAN $350.00 ON THE MERGERING OF MAPS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Mountain View –Mast Construction Payment: MOTIONED BY BARBARA SLATER AND SECONDED BY CHRIS KRAFT IT WAS VOTED TO ISSUE A CHECK IN THE AMOUNT OF $47,096.25 FOR THE WORK WHICH HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE (PAVING). ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
Work has been certified by Ken Yerger. Retainage held back in the amount of $2,478. After payment has been made, paperwork will go to Montgomery County so that they can reimburse the borough. Reimbursement should be about 2 weeks.
Historical Properties: Chris suggested that Bernie contact Pennsburg Borough and ask to see a copy of their paperwork on historical properties.
Borough Hall Renovations: Discussion has been held but no authorization of monies has been made for Carroll Engineering to draw up plans. Borough received a letter indicating that the cost to do this would be $10,000. excluding electricial and plumbing sketches.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER TO PROCEED ALONG THESE LINES.
Question on the motion: Pat questioned "What will the Borough get on these plans? Has reservations. Chris mentioned that these will be structural plans for the ramp, bathrooms, and wing of building. Pat mentioned that money has been spend already, approximately $2,000. Wants to see plan. Bernie mentioned that plans have been underway and never came before council, Chris disagrees.
MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA IT WAS VOTED TO PROCEED. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
FINANCE: Gilbert Williams No report Absent
PARK BOARD: Tom Snyder
Has spoken to Mr. Massey, situation should be straightened out soon. Access to the park is the problem. Planning Commission would like the vacant lot investigated. Lot is between gas station and Moccia’s
STREET LIGHTING: Barbara Slater
Has contacted many suppliers. One is no longer in business, another would like to see the Borough’s electric bills for the last year before giving a quote, and another one will be getting back to her.
POLICE COMMITTEE: Pat Katona
Computer Grant: Understands that we might have something in June.
BOROUGH MANAGER: Tom Snyder
Ziggy has completed street sweeping at a cost of $1,050.00. He was on a Random Basis. Tom will check out the contract for PennDot for the State roads. He has the paperwork. Bernie mentioned that PennDot has torn up the curbing. Will this be put back? Yes. But they only do the curbing, not the sidewalks which are the residents responsibilities.
Land between service station and Moccia’s MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY BARBARA SLATER THAT COUNCIL HAVE ROBERT BRANT RESEARCH A "quiet title", ALSO HAVE BOROUGH ENGINEER WORK ON THIS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
NEW BUSINESS:
Tonage Report: Nancy received paperwork.
Library: Does the Library give financial reports? No, it was suggested that Nancy write to them and ask them for a 1999 report.
Bugs: Tonight we are being "attacked" by flying insects. MOTIONED BY CHRIS KRAFT AND SECONDED BY PATRICIA KATONA TO HAVE THE BOROUGH MANAGER SEARCH OUT AN EXTERMINATOR TO RID THE HALL OF BUGS. ALL WERE IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIED.
MAYOR’S REPORT: Carroll Rosenberger
1 wedding performed. Chief Hoppes will be working this Saturday at the Lutheran Church directing traffic for the minister’s wedding.
Mail: All mail is to be opened and stamped by the Borough Secretary.
Having all business completed the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfuly submitted,
Nancy Eppley, Secretary