ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF May 8, 2006

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on May 8, 2006, at the Rockledge Borough Hall. After the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited, the roll was called as follows: Mr. Denelsbeck, Mr. Mori, Mr. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mrs. Walz, Mr. Caffrey, Mr. Casey, and Mayor Costello was late.

Mr. Kelleher added a Streets Department update to the Agenda.

Mrs.Walz added a motion to change the times of the Basketball Program to the Recreation Agenda.

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

Mr. Mori made a motion to adopt the minutes from the April 10, 2006 meeting. All were in favor.

Mr. Mori made a motion to adopt the minutes from the April 24, 2006 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.

Finance

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

Motion was made to adopt the 2005 Audit performed by Bee Bergvall. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that the revenue in the Borough looks good. He questioned the amount of $8,466 – all other state grants. Mr. Truman confirmed this was the 904 Recycling Performance Grant. This is about $3,000 more than expected. Mr. Denelsbeck told Chief Leary that fine collection is right on target. Mr. Denelsbeck questioned Miscellaneous Revenue of $3,231, for a total of $22,737. Mr. Truman stated he would check this out. Mr. Denelsbeck questioned the amount for bank charges. Mr. Truman stated he would check this out. Mr. Denelsbeck questioned office supplies at 52.5%; administrative printing at 218%; and wages for building and maintenance is at 64% in two recently refurbished buildings. Police supplies are at 50%; computer services are at 82% (a contract was paid). The Easter Egg Hunt Committee is listed at 276%; Mrs. Walz stated she has reimbursed the Borough for all expenses related to the Easter Egg Hunt. Mr. Truman stated this reimbursement may have been put into Miscellaneous Revenue instead of credited back to the Easter Egg Hunt.

Public Service

Nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Safety

Motion to accept the Police, Fire Marshal, Fire Company, and Second Alarmer (March) Reports. All were in favor.

Mr. Mori and Chief Leary commented on the huge success of the Emergency Management Drill held on 4/30/06.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher motioned to accept the Streets Department Report. The Street Opening Report was not present. All were in favor.

Mr. Kelleher stated Jim Rahill is certified with PA One Call now.

Mr. Kelleher asked Mr. Truman about the fence in the Borough Hall parking lot. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the fence needed to be replaced and the cost for this will come out of the Community Center Fund. Mr. Truman will instruct Mr. Ovack to get some quotes for replacing the fence.

Recreation

The Basketball Program is running on Saturdays and Sundays in the Rockledge Borough Hall gym through June 18. Mrs. Walz made a motion to change the time to Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All were in favor.

Summer Camp will start on June 19 and will run through August 11. Mrs. Walz is currently working on hiring employees to run the camp and all will have background checks.

Property

Nothing to discuss at this time.

Personnel

Nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck announced that the cable company would like the Borough to send a letter to our State Senator, State Representative, and Congresswoman about the deregulation of the cable industry here in Pennsylvania. Mr. Denelsbeck asked if anyone would have a problem if we sent a letter to them opposing this law. This means that they would allow Verizon to cable Pennsylvania and not pay the franchise fee. All were in favor of sending this letter.

The Land Development Hearing for Wachovia Bank is scheduled for June 12, 2006 (the next regular Council Meeting).

Mr. Denelsbeck asked if approval could be given to purchase two trash cans to be placed at the site of the old mill on Jarrett Avenue and in front of the Borough Hall. Motion was made to purchase the trash cans. All were in favor.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Wynne, 32 Blake Avenue, asked Mr. Bresnan for a definition of public right of way in regards to the Shade Tree Commission. Mr. Bresnan answered it is the sidewalks and sometimes the space between the street and sidewalk where there is a planting area. Mr. Denelsbeck added that the Shade Tree Ordinance states that the Borough has the right to regulate the trimming, cutting down, or planting of trees 16’ of the right of way. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mr. Bresnan to review the Shade Tree Ordinance with respect to Mr. Wynne’s questions.

Mr. Wynne asked what the franchise fee was for Comcast. Mr. Denelsbeck answered 3% which works out to be around $27,000/year.

Mr. Naudascher asked for an update on the signage for the Borough Office and the alarm system. Mr. Truman stated that he is in the process of obtaining quotes for a camera system.

There was discussion regarding purchasing flags for Huntingdon Pike. Mr. Denelsbeck suggested possibly buying a set of flags this year and maybe another set next year. Motion was made to give Mr. Truman instruction to purchase the cheapest variety of flags with the Rockledge Borough seal. All were in favor.

Mr. Goldberg stated that an audio component will be added to one of the voting machines for sightless people who would like privacy while voting.

Mr. Mori made a motion to recess to Executive Session. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager