ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF December 12, 2005

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on December 12, 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.

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

Mr. Mori motioned to adopt the minutes from the November 14 meeting. All were in favor.

Mr. Mori motioned to adopt the minutes from the November 28 meeting. All were in favor.

Law and Planning:

Mr. Beady made a motion to accept the monthly Building Inspector’s Report. All were in favor.

Ms. Nemeroff from Hunt Engineering gave a brief overview of the Streetscape Plans. She stated that the only modifications made since the last presentation was the addition of a few medians, one at Sylvania and one North of Church Road. Ms. Nemeroff confirmed that these would not interfere with trucks making turns. Ms. Nemeroff also confirmed that these plans reflected the diminished bump-outs. Mayor Costello asked if the width of Huntingdon Pike was staying the same and Ms. Nemeroff said it was. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that there needs to be about 5-6 parking spots added back in the plans on the south side of the pike between Robbins and Fox Streets. Ms. Nemeroff stated she would make this adjustment to the plans. Mr. Costello asked if some of the existing overhead street lighting could be removed once the new lamps are put in. Mr. Truman stated he is waiting for a response from Mr. Gibbons who has been out of town regarding this issue. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Ms. Nemeroff if it is possible to increase the lumens of the lights that are in the plans to make them brighter. Ms. Nemeroff stated that she wasn’t sure if this was possible as Mr. Gibbons had chosen the lights. Mr. Aungst commented on the granite curbs in the plans. He stated that the idea of granite curbs were never discussed, they had just requested new curbing.

Mr. Caffrey questioned about the request from Temple Physicians regarding a handicapped parking spot in front of their building. Mr. Denelsbeck answered that once the parking is put on the plans, we can adjust the ordinance.

Mr. Beady questioned the idea of taking down some of the regular street lighting. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the whole purpose of doing this was to reduce the clutter on Huntingdon Pike. Mr. Beady stated that before the lighting on the plans is approved, that we should be sure these lights will give off enough light so that the existing lighting can be removed. Mr. Denelsbeck confirmed with Ms. Nemeroff that we have until mid-January if we need to make any changes to the lighting. We will get the answers to these questions from Mr. Gibbons and PennDot prior to mid-January.

Mr. Beady made a motion to accept the Streetscape Plans with the parking changes and a review of the street lighting to increase lumens and reduce the overhead lights. All were in favor.

Finance

Mr. Casey motioned to accept the monthly bills, mercantile tax report, financial report, and tax collector’s report.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked that all of the above reports be approved with the exception of the monthly bills. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the monthly bills includes the final payoff to Altchem Services. As there are still a few minor issues pending, Mr. Denelsbeck asked that some part of this payment be put on hold. Mr. Truman suggested holding back the lower of the two bills @$12,000.

Mr. Casey made a motion to hold the $12,000 bill owed to Altchem. All were in favor.

Mr. Casey made a motion to adopt the 2006 Budget. Mr. Aungst questioned if the fee for Mike Narcowich of the Montgomery County Planning Commission had been included in the budget. Mr. Truman confirmed that his fee is included. All were in favor of adopting the 2006 Budget.

Mr. Casey made a motion to adopt Tax Levy Ordinance 593. Mr. Denelsbeck read this ordinance aloud. This ordinance changes the tax rate to 4.15 mills on each dollar of assessed value. Mr. Truman called the roll:

Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: Yes
Mr. Kelleher: Yes
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Mori: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote being 7:0, Ordinance 593 is adopted.

Mr. Casey made a motion to adopt Ordinance 594 changing the trash fee from $200.00 to $220.00 per year. Mr. Denelsbeck read this ordinance aloud. Mr. Truman called the roll:

Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: Yes
Mr. Kelleher: Yes
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Mori: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote being 7:0, Ordinance 594 is adopted.

Mr. Casey made a motion to accept Resolution 2005-09 to incur a $150,000 Tax Anticipation Note. Mr. Denelsbeck announced that for the first time in many, many years, we are required to borrow money to fund the Borough for the first three months of 2006. Mr. Denelsbeck read the resolution aloud. Mr. Truman asked if a decision had to be made at this point as to the interest rate and maturity date at this point, or can the resolution simply be approved. Mr. Denelsbeck answered that the resolution gets approved and then we do what is financially best. Mr. Truman stated that the 6-month loan is cheaper, but if we kept the money until December, 2006, the Borough could stand to recoup the interest and then some; Mr. Wartman (Tax Collector/Treasurer) has agreed with this. Mr. Truman called the roll as follows:

Mrs. Walz: Yes
Mr. Casey: Yes
Mr. Caffrey: Yes
Mr. Kelleher: Yes
Mr. Beady: Yes
Mr. Mori: Yes
Mr. Denelsbeck: Yes

The vote being 7:0 Resolution 2005-09 is adopted.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked if everyone agreed with Mr. Wartman’s recommendation to keep the loan for 12 months in order to earn more interest. Mr. Casey motioned to keep the loan for 12 months. All were in favor.

Public Service

Mr. Caffrey reminded Council Members to stop by the Borough Office and have Mr. Truman take their pictures for the website.

Public Safety

Mr. Mori made a motion to accept the Police, Fire Marshal, and Fire Company Reports. The Second Alarmer’s report is not present. All were in favor.

Mayor Costello announced that Chief Leary is in Horsham at a meeting this evening. On December 8, Chief Leary, Emergency Management Coordinator Gene Reinhardt and Mayor Costello attended an Emergency Management Planning Session with the Eastern Montgomery County Emergency Management Team at Curtis Hall in regards to an incident command training and terrorism training being planned for April 30, 2006.

Sgt. Miller was in attendance tonight in Chief Leary’s absence and had nothing to comment on at this time.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher motioned to accept the Streets Department and Streets Opening Reports.

Mr. Denelsbeck commented that the Streets Crew did a good job with snow removal. Mr. Kelleher noted that the roads are thawing during the day, but are icing up at night. He has been keeping in touch with the Police Department and instructed them to notify him if the streets are icy and the Crew will be sent out. Standby policy will be in effect as more snow storms approach.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz mentioned a discussion was needed regarding having the lock on the double doors to the Borough Office changed so that organizations using the gym may have access to the bathrooms. Mr. Casey commented that he feels the locks to the whole building should be changed since the contractors still have keys. There should be different levels of keys made. Mr. Denelsbeck asked that Mr. Casey write out these levels of keys so that Mr. Truman can get a price on having this done.

Property

Mr. Beady stated a quote was received for furnishing the police lobby. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the quote is for $2,300 and Mr. Bresnan stated that other quotes were not needed. Mr. Denelsbeck stated there was $7,000 left in the Building Fund and he would like to have the Police Lobby area look professional. Mr. Beady stated he felt the Chief’s Office should be done at this time also. Mr. Beady made a motion to furnish the lobby and Chief Leary’s office. All were in favor. Mr. Caffrey asked about furnishing the Borough Office Lobby. Mr. Denelsbeck answered that they are waiting on a grant from the Willow Grove Foundation in order to purchase furniture for the lobby.

Mr. Beady stated they needed to consider the quote for installation of a burglary system for the Borough Office. A quote was received from ADT for $654.00 plus $85.00 for a panic button. There would be a fee of $36.50/month for maintenance and monitoring. Mayor Costello questioned the fee for monitoring. Mr. Denelsbeck stated we currently pay @$189.00 a month to ADT for monitoring the sprinkler system. Mayor Costello questioned why we would need to pay an additional fee. Mr. Denelsbeck asked what the installation included. Mr. Truman stated this included four motion detector sensors. It did not include a camera. Mr. Denelsbeck asked if we could look into having a camera installed so that you could see who is coming through the doors and buzz them in. Mr. Kelleher questioned the additional $85.00 for the panic button. Mr. Truman stated that this would be necessary if someone would pose a threat, Mrs. Metzinger would have a button under her desk that would alert the police immediately. The fee of $85.00 is for the installation of the panic button, not a monthly fee. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Mr. Kelleher would speak to Mr. Ovack regarding the installation of a camera in the lobby. Mr. Mori asked if it would be possible to have the alarm system alert our police. Mayor Costello answered that Montgomery County does not accept any direct notification for any alarms. It has to go through a central monitoring system.

Personnel

Mr. Casey had nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that Borough Council met briefly before tonight’s meeting to discuss a personnel issue.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Naudascher asked if the Crew would be coming back out during the week to remove the rest of the snow from the streets. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that Mr. Kelleher would discuss this with the Streets Crew. Mr. Casey asked if both sides of the streets are salted. Mr. Kelleher answered yes.

Mr. Naudascher asked for clarification of the snow emergency plan. Mr. Denelsbeck stated on the even days you park on the even side of the street and they plow to the odd side. If it is an odd day of the week, you park on the odd side of the street and they plow to the even side. This will again be put into the Winter Newsletter.

Mr. Aungst commented that the entrance area of the Borough Offices should have served as a reception area with a receptionist.

Mr. Aungst stated that the Planning Commission sent a memo to Borough Council a few months ago regarding 29 Robbins Avenue. The Planning Commission unanimously suggested that Borough Council consider subdividing this property into three 50x150 lots, the southernmost being the closest to Huntingdon Pike could be used for parking and the other two could be re-zoned as residential bringing tax revenue and should bring in an excess of $100,000. Mr. Aungst asked if this has been considered. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the deed restriction currently on that property prohibits this. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that they have met with Holy Nativity regarding this property and will continue to meet to see if a decision can be reached.

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that as there was an election in November, when Council adjourns tonight the business of the Borough must stop and nothing else may be voted on. On January 3, 2006, Judge Dougherty will be here to swear in Mayor Costello, Mr. Mori, Mr. Casey, and Mr. Caffrey and Council will then reorganize. Someone must make a motion to allow the Manager and the President of Council to continue to pay the normal bills that would be incurred by the Borough in its normal course of business. Motion was made and all were in favor.

Motion was made to adjourn. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager