Conshohocken Borough

BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN

COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 18, 2009

 Meeting called to order by the President of Council Mrs. Sandra Caterbone. The Prayer of Council was given by Mr. McConnell and The Pledge of Allegiance was said. A moment of silence was held in honor of Officer Pawlowski.   Members of Council present at the meeting were Mr. Paul McConnell, Mr. James Griffin, Mr. Robert Stokley, Mr. Edward Phipps and Mrs. Sandra Caterbone. Mr. Jason Salus and Mr. Anthony Tucci were excused from the meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to go out of the regular order of  business. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mrs. Caterbone presented a Resolution to former Senator Constance Williams for her years of selfless and dedicated service to Conshohocken, its residents, workers, and government.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to approve Resolution 2-2009 honoring Constance Williams. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to open a Conditional Use Hearing for 20 East 11^th Avenue. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A Court Stenographer was present at the Hearing taking minutes.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to approve the request of Conshohocken Physical Therapy for approval of conditional use at 20 East 11^th Avenue. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to go back to regular order of business. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to accept the Treasurer’s report and pay all Borough bills. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2009 Council meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to accept the Siletta Plumbing bid in the amount of $6,500.00 for heater repair at the A-Field and to authorize the expenditure from the Parks and Recreation Impact Fees. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the purchase of windows for the A-Field at a cost of $1,750.00 and to authorize the expenditure from the Parks and  Recreation Impact Fees. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to adopt the advertised Ordinance for the West Fifth Avenue at Freedley Square road dedication. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mr. Liam McGuigan asked Council if a Committee could be formed to try to acquire enough money for the fireworks to continue on July 3, 2009.  Council thanked him for his desire to help continue a tradition in the Borough. 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the Intent to Award to Laffredo Construction their bid for the 400 block Streetscape Project. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the Borough Manger to release escrow money to Riverwalk Realty for Millennium Fire Damage Demolition in the amount of $470,000.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. A Roll Call Vote was taken. All members of Council voted in favor. Motion passed 5-0 vote. This project does not involve O’Neill Properties.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Borough Manager to release escrow funds to Gressen Properties for 101 East 8^th Avenue  in the amount of $222,504.50 after all engineering and inspection fees are paid. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell authorizing the Borough Manager to sign the certification for the Greater Valley Association for the Borough’s local matching funds. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The Public Safety Committee is working on the Borough’s Traffic Ordinance for handicapped parking spaces (additions and deletions), no parking in the cul-de-sac and parking against traffic.

There will be a Police Pension and Firemen’s Pension Investment Advisory meeting to report to Council and our Employees the results for 2008 is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 7:30 P.M.

Council will have to ratify for the minutes the vote taken on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 to accept the Developer’s offer for 143 West Second Avenue Section 104 Parks and Recreation Impact Fees. A motion was made by Mr. Stokley. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. A Roll Call vote was taken. All members of Council voted in favor. Motion passed by 7-0 vote.

The Mayor’s report for the month of January 2009:

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to accept the Mayor’s report. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Police contract negotiations and the Civil Service Commission eligibility list will be discussed in Executive Session.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve watches for employees with 20 years of service to the Borough. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The resident’s letter concerning a handicapped parking space located at 214 West Fifth Avenue will be presented to the Public Safety Committee at their next meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to extend Carl Royer and Nancy Nugent contracts for twelve months. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the Borough Solicitor to advertise an Ordinance for the Wastewater Authority’s revised local limits that needs to be adopted by all municipalities by March 20, 2009. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Congressman Sestak’s office called and they need to reschedule his meeting with Borough Council to April 15, 2009 to discuss what Grants are available and how his office can help the Borough.

There will be a Waiver of Off Street Parking Hearing for “On A Roll” March 4, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve a $100.00 ad in the AOH Saint Patrick’s Day Parade book. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to release the 2009 contribution to Colonial Neighborhood Council in the amount of $4,000.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Council would like the speed sign to be put at 6^th Avenue near Fayette Street.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to adopt a Resolution for the Land Development Plan for 225 West 5^th Avenue and to amend the Recreation Fee to $2,000.00 per unit. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mr. Gerald McTamney of 239 East 11^th Avenue asked if there was any surplus money left from last year’s budget.

Mr. McTamney also asked if there are any plans for the Verizon building.

Mr. McTamney asked where the money goes from the flea markets. He was informed it goes to the Mayor’s Special Events Committee.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to adjourn meeting. Meeting adjourned 8:00 P.M.

Pearl Duckett,
Assistant Borough Secretary