Conshohocken Borough

COUNCIL MEETING

MARCH 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.   Members of Council present at the meeting were Mr. Jason Salus, Mr. Anthony Tucci Mr. Paul McConnell, Mr. James Griffin, Mr. Robert Stokley, Mr. Edward Phipps and Mrs. Sandra Caterbone.

Senator Daylin Leach informed Council that he will be available to be of assistance in any way to the residents of the Borough of Conshohocken.  He left contact information and stated that his office is located at 601 South Henderson Road in King of Prussia PA.

A Public Hearing was held on two applications for improvements at the Veterans Memorial Park and Mary Wood Park to improve both the historic open space and a recreation park in the Borough’s business commercial district.

Mr. Marabella reported to Council that the worksheet which details all open and closed actions was attached, if there are any deletions or additions to let him know.

All Ethic Statements are due by May 1, 2009.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve updating our Code Books for the balance of our 2007’s Ordinances and all of 2008’s at a cost of between $2,625.00 to $3,250.00 plus 2% shipping and handling. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to purchase the E-Code with an annual maintenance cost of $995.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mrs. Pearl Duckett gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of February, 2009.

February 2009                                                                      Total 2009

Cash Receipts                          $813,950.74                      $1,071,997.12

Cash Disbursements                 $257,893.56                      $  578,523.98

Payroll Paid                              $223,805.93                      $  450,220.51

Net Cash Surplus/ (Deficit)       $332,251.25                      $   43,252.63

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. Stokley to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2009 Council meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The Parks and Recreation Committee are working on updating the Borough’s Park Rules and Regulations.

The 3^rd of July fireworks project is in full swing, a donation of $1,000.00 was made this week and Mr. Phipps hopes the number will increase by the end of the week.

The Donofrio Basketball Tournament will start on March 23, 2009.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve the Funfest being held at the A-Field and to include the Beer Garden. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve two movies in the park this year in conjunction with West Conshohocken Borough at an estimated cost of $2,000.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed

There was a discussion held on the box elder bugs problem at Sutcliff Lane. It was decided that the trees which carry the bugs will be removed and replaced with new trees. Mr. Stokley asked if all avenues have been taken to get rid of the situation were done. Mrs. Caterbone informed him it was.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to authorize Dan Moore to remove the trees at Sutcliff Park at a cost of $9,975.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The adopted Ordinance for the West 5^th Avenue Freedley Square road dedication letter was sent out on February 24, 2009 and the Ordinance is scheduled to be effective March 20, 2009.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to award Laffredo Construction the contract for the 400 block of the Streetscape Project in the amount of $384,570.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Borough Engineer to bid the Open Space Greening/Bicycle Rack Grant Project .The total cost of the project is $154,916.00 which is funded by an Open Space Grant of $123,933.00 and the Borough’s match is $30,983.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to adopt a Resolution for the submission of an application to the Montgomery County Revitalization Program for streetscape improvements for the 500 block of Fayette Street. The total cost of the project is $600,233.00 which is funded by a Grant of $480,186.00 and the Borough’s match of $120,047.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to adopt Resolution 6-2009 to renovate Veteran’s Memorial Park at a cost of $68,310.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to adopt Resolution 7-2009 for improvements to Mary Wood Park at a cost of $161,000.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the final change order for the 2008 Curb Cut Program Project at a cost of $425.00. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to hire for the Borough summer help program Jamel Major, Rick Wosczyna and Cortland Jackson. Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to authorize the Borough Manager to release escrow funds to Patrylak Homes Unlimited for 426 West 6^th Avenue in the amount of $2,901.25 plus interest. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to authorize the Borough Manager to release escrow funds to Advance Concrete for 218 East 10^th Avenue in the amount $1,736.28 plus interest. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Beginning March 31, 2009 the Conshohocken Rambler will operate Mondays and Fridays only.

The Committee is working on an amendment to the Borough’s Traffic Ordinance for handicapped parking spots (additions and deletions), no parking in the cul-de-sac, parking against traffic and one way street change.

The Committee is working on some of the Borough’s construction specification changes to our Sidewalk and Curb Ordinance.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to adopt a Resolution for a Moratorium on the Sidewalk Café Ordinance Alcohol Enforcement. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to form an Environmental Advisory Council. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Police and the Borough that was approved by the Police. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.  Mr. Savona outlined some of the previsions of the contract.

The Public Safety Committee’s decision on the issue of the handicapped parking space at 214 West 5^th Avenue is to leave our current policy as is.

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to appoint the members of the Police Pension Committee to include the Public Safety Committee Members, Finance Committee Chairperson and the Borough Manager. The Committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The Technology Committee is still working on the new website.

A motion was made on March 4, 2009 by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Borough Solicitor to work on a feasibility study for the Developer’s proposal for 402 Fayette Street. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. A Roll Call Vote was taken. All members of Council voted in favor. Motion passed by 6-0 vote. Mr. McConnell was absent from the meeting.

The Shade Tree Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2009 at 5:45 PM

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to authorize the Borough manager to sign the sewer module for 143 West 2^nd Avenue. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to appoint Bernadette Moyer to the Shade Tree Commission. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Mr. Salus gave an update on the Verizon Building. He stated that Council is still exploring options and proposals presented to them. Council has not made any final decisions except of the possibility of the staff moving in with as few renovations as possible. 

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. Tucci. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

The Committee is still working on the four way stop sign on West 3^rd Avenue.

A crossing guard is still needed at 3^rd & Fayette Street.

The Conshohocken Car Show is scheduled for June 6, 2009 with a rain date of June 13, 2009. Mayor Collins stated that it will be a Community Day with a lot of activities.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve four (4) Officers attending the 2009 Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers Conference. The Officers will pay all costs and they are asking that the Borough give them 24 hours comp time for costs incurred. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve Conshohocken Catholic School’s request for a banner for the Annual Ducky Regatta on Fayette Street. Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the Rolling Thunder Chapter # 1 PA ride through the Borough on Sunday, May 3, 2009 and The Lucky Seven Motorcycle Club ride to benefit autism on Saturday April 25, 2009. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve Anthony Santoro’s request for an educational refund in the amount of $969.75 plus book cost. Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

Congressman Sestak will meet with Borough Council on April 15, 2009 at 6:30 PM.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the advertised Ordinance for the Wastewater Authority’s revised local limits. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.   

Mr. Stokley reported that yard waste will be picked up on Wednesday’s and bags can be purchased at CVS.

Mr. Rob Krenshaw asked Council if there are any activities planned for the youth in the Borough.  Mrs. Caterbone asked Mr. Krenshaw to attend the Parks & Recreation meetings and maybe they could exchange ideas for the youth.

Mr. Leili stated that the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade was a great asset for the Borough.

He also expressed concerns with the plowing of snow on West Elm Street. The snow is being plowed on the sidewalks and it makes it very difficult to shovel.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to adjourn meeting.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 P.M.

Pearl Duckett,

Assistant Borough Secretary