ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF NOVEMBER 28, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on November 28, 2005, at the Rockledge Borough Hall. After the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited, the roll was called as follows: Mr. Denelsbeck, Mrs. Walz, Mr. Mori, Mr. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, Mr. Casey, and Mayor Costello.

The following additions were made to the agenda by Mr. Kelleher: discussion regarding the truck and the Austrian Village.

Mr. Mori made a motion to adopt the agenda. All were in favor.

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady had nothing to discuss at this time.

Finance

Mr. Casey stated that quotes were received to install blinds at the Borough Office and Police Station. One quote was received from Blinds 4 U for $1,650 and one was received from Fels Supply ($1,929.90 for vinyl and $2,850 for fabric). Mr. Beady questioned whether a third quote was received. Mr. Truman answered that Harold Praediger was unable to submit a quote due to problems with his supplier. Mr. Truman stated that the Blinds 4 U quote is actually $1,819.00 since one window at the Police Station had been omitted from the original quote. Both quotes include installation. Mr. Beady asked if the blinds from both places are of the same quality. Mr. Truman stated he felt they were of the same quality. Mr. Beady stated he was familiar with Fels Supply and felt the quality of their work was very good. Fels Supply has done work for Mr. Beady’s place of employment and they have never had a problem with them. Mr. Beady made a motion to award this contract to Fels Supply. Mr. Mori asked if this was a job that could be done in-house, therefore saving some money. Discussion followed regarding whether ordering them through the mail and having the Streets Crew install them would be worth looking into. Mayor Costello stated that he felt with all of the work that has been done with renovating both buildings, the job should be given to a professional. The vote was 6:1 in favor of awarding Fels Supply the contract, with Mr. Caffrey giving the nay vote.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked if there were any questions regarding the proposed 2006 budget. He stated that with the loss of the fund balance because it is being used to pay bills, there is no fund balance to insert as a revenue number. With the contractual increases in the cost of trash, sewer, employee salaries, etc., it will cost the Borough more money to do business next year than it has cost this year even though adjustments and cuts have been made. This leads to a .4 mill increase in real estate property. If your house is assessed at $140,000 your real estate property tax will increase $60.00 per year. In order to deal with the skyrocketing costs of trash collection (not dumping), the trash fee will be raised $20.00 per year. This amounts to an $80.00 tax increase on the average Rockledge home.

Mr. Aungst asked if the budget would be available either in hard copy or electronically from the Borough Office. Mr. Denelsbeck assured him it would. Mr. Denelsbeck asked for a motion to lay the budget on the table for 10 days prior to adoption. Mr. Caffrey questioned the salary included in the budget for a Police Clerk. Dr. Denelsbeck answered that they currently are not hiring anyone for that position, but possibly later in the year this position will be filled. Mr. Caffrey asked if the Assistant Borough Manager might assume the responsibilities of this position. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this is also a possibility. Mr. Mori made a motion for the budget to be laid on the table for public inspection. All were in favor.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Safety

Mr. Mori had nothing to discuss at this time.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher announced that the truck has been repaired and is back in service. Leaf collection is ongoing and seems to be running smoothly. Mr. Kelleher asked Mr. Truman to find out why an applicant for a Streets Crew position did not show up for an interview scheduled for this past Friday.

Mr. Kelleher announced that the Austrian Village has paid their outstanding debt owed for the sewage blockage that occurred earlier in the year.

Mr. Kelleher announced that for the first time in eight years FoxRok Football took a Championship on Saturday.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz had nothing to discuss at this time.

Property

Mr. Beady announced he would be opening bids for the Rockledge Park Sidewalk Project. The first bid is from Louis Biase Landscaping for $9,200. The second bid is from Giovannone Construction for $9,700. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Bresnan if they had to go with the lowest bidder as it is Community Development Block Grant. Mr. Bresnan said only if the County requires you go with the lowest bidder and Mr. Denelsbeck answered the County does require this. Mr. Beady made a motion was made to award the contract to Biase Landscaping contingent on the fact that the paperwork is in order, the solicitor gives an okay, and the County gives an okay. All were in favor.

Personnel

Mr. Casey had nothing to discuss at this time. Mr. Denelsbeck announced that applications for Streets Crew positions are being accepted.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that they had a meeting with Holy Nativity regarding 29 Robbins Avenue. These meetings will be ongoing.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated he had Fourth of July Raffle Calendars if anyone was interested in buying one to support the Fourth of July Association.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Naudascher stated that something needs to be done about people blowing their leaves out into the street for collection. Mr. Denelsbeck agreed.

Mr. Aungst requested that the elevator be left unhooked until the Council Meetings are over. He stated that the handicapped spot outside in the parking lot could be updated. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this would be handled.

Mrs. Ivey mentioned that the sign at the Ackers Plaza still has the Borough Office and Police Station listed on it. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Mr. Acker has to handle this matter and no longer lives in the area. When Mr. Acker is next in the area, this will be mentioned to him.

Mr. Wynne asked for an update on the sign at the new Givnish offices located at 1014 Fox Chase Road. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that they simply changed the face panel of the sign and are allowed to continue to have it internally lit.

Mr. Aungst asked if a copy of the Codification of Ordinances was available yet. We are still waiting to receive this.

Dennis Radtke, 18 Borbeck Street, requested that the street sign at Borbeck & Church Road be reinstalled. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the Streets Crew would take care of this.

Mr. Wynne questioned whether the buyer of the Keystone Tire property could be forced to build up to the sidewalk, therefore, eliminating parking in front of the building. Mr. Denelsbeck stated he thinks the building is currently too far back, but he thinks that someone has already made application to purchase the property so it may be too late to do anything at this point.

Motion was made to adjourn. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager