ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

The Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on September 25, 2006, 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. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, Mrs. Kehoe, and Mayor Costello.

The following additions were made to the agenda:

Mr. Kelleher added some updates under Streets, Lights, and Sewers.

Mr. Caffrey added an issue under Public Safety.

Mrs. Walz made a motion to adopt the agenda. All were in favor.

Law and Planning

Mr. Beady announced the renewal of the Comcast franchise agreement. Mr. Bresnan advised that since this is a renewal, we must have a public input hearing that needs to be advertised. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this would be advertised as a special hearing for October 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. Beady announced the Verizon Franchise Agreement needed to be signed. Mr. Bresnan confirmed that he reviewed this agreement. The term is for 12 years. The franchise fee is 5%, which is the same as Comcast. Mr. Caffrey made a motion to sign the Verizon Franchise Agreement. Mr. Wynne, 32 Blake Avenue, asked if the 5% franchise fee was paid to the Borough from Verizon. A representative from Verizon confirmed this. Verizon will be offering Analog and Digital packages. Mrs. Kehoe asked where the Verizon boxes would be located. A Verizon representative answered that it would follow the existing plan –aerial or underground. They will follow all of the permitting processes. All were in favor of signing the Verizon Franchise Agreement.

Mr. Beady made a motion to sign the Montgomery County Revitalization grant agreement for Phase III of the Revitalization Project. Mr. Denelsbeck explained that this is the agreement for a $300,000 grant for the Central Avenue to Shady Lane portion of the Revitalization Project. All were in favor.

Finance

Mrs. Walz made a motion to accept the 2007 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Police Pension Fund. All were in favor.

Public Service

Mrs. Kehoe announced that the Fall Newsletter will be mailed out over the next week.

Public Safety

Mr. Caffrey stated that he and Chief Leary visited 200 N. Central Avenue (Phy residence) regarding the request for a handicapped parking spot in order for Mrs. Phy’s son to be picked up by a Para transit bus. It was determined that a spot will be marked out in blue paint for the bus to pull up to the curb.

Mr. Kelleher stated he and Chief Leary checked out the same type of situation at 27 Fox Street. There is a driveway, however, cars are usually parked on either side of the driveway and there is not enough space for the bus to pull in. Mr. Kelleher proposed putting up two “No Parking” signs 3 feet from each side of the driveway so that the bus can pull right in. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that this would have to be made an ordinance so that “No Parking” can be enforced.

Mr. Denelsbeck proposed making that whole side of Fox Street a no parking zone since the three residents on the street have driveways. This would eliminate the parking problems the residents currently have with people who frequent the offices at 120 Huntingdon Pike parking on Fox Street. Mr. Denelsbeck suggested asking the residents if they would approve of this as they all have driveways. Mr. Beady asked if the residents would be able to accommodate all of their vehicles in their driveways or garages. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this would be something they will ask the residents. There will be about three additional parking spots on Fox Street when the drive-thru is removed. Mr. Caffrey will coordinate with Chief Leary about speaking with the residents on Fox Street to see if they would be in agreement with making their side of the Fox Street a “No Parking” zone.

Mayor Costello announced that word was received today that the money for the Cops Grant is available in the amount of $49,361. Some of the items that will be purchased from this grant will be portable radios, mobile data terminals, in-car radios, crime scene evidence and processing, camera systems, cell block monitoring system, and other technology items. Mayor Costello thanked Congresswoman Allison Schwartz and her staff for the work they did in securing the grant along with Chief Leary.

Mayor Costello announced that members of the Emergency Management Team, Police Department, and Fire Company attended a seminar at the Temple Ambler campus on Monday, September 18. The course was Risk Management: Your Role in Public Safety Operations. There was no cost for this course due to our role in the Eastern Montgomery County Emergency Management Group.

Mayor Costello announced that the Halloween Party will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2006 at Holy Nativity Church from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mayor Costello when they would be starting to purchase items listed under the Cops Grant. Mayor Costello stated he will sit down with Mr. Caffrey and go over the list. Mr. Denelsbeck stated that we must pay for the items first and then get reimbursed; these purchases must flow with the Borough budget. Mayor Costello stated they will get a timeline on when they can start purchasing. Mr. Denelsbeck stated nothing could be purchased between January and April. Chief Leary asked if any money would currently be available and Mr. Denelsbeck stated there was. Chief Leary suggested they discuss what could be purchased before the end of the year.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mayor Costello why the Halloween Party is held at the church, as it could also be held in the gym at the Borough Hall. Mayor Costello answered that Holy Nativity has always been a good partner in this in allowing the Police Department to hold the party there.

Mr. Denelsbeck asked Mayor Costello about the Police Department schedule. Mayor Costello stated that the Saturday coverage will be there. He will have a talk with Sgt. Miller to see what his likes/dislikes are regarding his current work schedule. Tentatively he will be put back on a shift that will be a direct assignment shift (7:00-3:00) unless they come up with something different that could minimize overtime; this would start sometime in October. Mr. Denelsbeck asked they look into scheduling the full time officers on three 12-hour shifts. Chief Leary stated they can be very functional shifts and would work very well for the full-time cops but not the part-time cops. Mayor Costello explained that the idea of 12-hour shifts has been discussed previously and some of the officers would want the shifts to start at 4:00 a.m.; this would be negative to the Borough as we could not expect part-time officers to come in at 4:00 a.m. Mayor Costello told Mr. Denelsbeck he would give him a detailed breakdown on three 12-hour shifts at a later time.

Streets, Lights, and Sewers

Mr. Kelleher stated Mr. Ovack will start checking the plows to be sure that everything is in working order for the winter. Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Ovack, and Mr. Hartey will meet to go over the 2007 Budget.

Mr. Denelsbeck reminded that the leaf collection was never designed for people to rake their entire yards out into the street. Mr. Kelleher will ask Mr. Ovack to make a list of those who repeatedly do this so that we can send them a letter informing them that their leaves are to be bagged and placed at the curb so that they are not taking up parking spots with their piles of leaves. Mr. Naudascher suggested this be put in the Newsletter. Mr. Denelsbeck stated this was placed in the Newsletter; however, people still tend to rake the leaves into the street.

Recreation

Mrs. Walz announced that the Parks Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. at the Borough Hall. Mr. Denelsbeck asked that someone take notes at these meetings.

Property

Mr. Beady had nothing to discuss at this time.

Mr. Denelsbeck stated that backflow devices need to be installed for the sprinkler system. Mr. Hartey stated this will probably cost $7,500-$10,000. Mayor Costello stated the Fire Company recently had this done and spent about $750.00. A member of the Fire Company who is on the qualified list performed the work. Mr. Hartey stated we have 90 days to get the work done and we either have to use one of their recommended contractors or they have to come out and inspect that the work was done properly. Mr. Hartey will get three quotes for this work.

Personnel

Nothing to discuss at this time.

Public Comment

Mr. Denelsbeck asked for public comment. Mr. Wynne, 32 Blake Avenue, asked about leaf collection. Mr. Denelsbeck stated the vacuum is for picking up the leaves that fall off the trees into the street. Residents are to bag the leaves in their yards and place the bags at the curb.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager