Conshohocken Borough

BOROUGH OF CONSHOHOCKEN

COUNCIL MEETING

July 15, 2009

Meeting was called to order by the President of Council Mrs. Sandra Caterbone. The Prayer of Council was given by Mr. Tucci and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.   Members of Council present at the meeting were Mr. Jason Salus, Mr. Paul McConnell, Mr. Anthony Tucci, Mr. James Griffin, Mr. Robert Stokley, and Mrs. Sandra Caterbone.  Mr. Phipps arrived at 7:15 p.m..

A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, July 8, 2009 vote taken to adopt a motion to approve a Waiver of Off-Street Parking request for 16 East First Avenue.  Mr. McConnell made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. Phipps, a roll call was taken and everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Tucci and Mr. Griffin who were absent.

Mr. McConnell read a Resolution for Brian Tobin thanking him for all his work on the Borough’s new website.

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to adopt a Resolution formally thanking Mr. Tobin for all his work on the Borough’s new website.  Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor except Mr. Phipps who was absent.  Motion passed.

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.

Mr. Marabella reported that the Borough’s 2008 Audit was being worked on and that the auditors should be finalizing the report soon.

Mr. Marabella announced that there would a short Executive Session scheduled after tonight’s Council Meeting to discuss real estate, legal and personnel matters.

Mr. Marabella gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of June, 2009.

June 2009                         Total 2009

Cash Receipts                          $   243,002.59                   $5,905,122.63

Cash Disbursements                 $   240,711.83                   $2,016,491.48

Payroll Paid                              $   257,033.96                   $1,537,915.12

Net Cash Surplus/ (Deficit)       $  (254,743.20)                  $2,350,716.03

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

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to approve the minutes of the June 17, 2009 Council meeting.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  All voted in favor.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to take the “A” Field floor replacement cost out of the Parks and Recreation Fund.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

An announcement was made that the Parks and Recreation meeting for July has been changed to July 20, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to release the maintenance bond for the ramp at Aubrey Collins Park pending the Engineer’s approval.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Stokley.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to award the “A” Field building stucco re-bids to Duall Builders Restoration, Inc. for the amount of $76,600 for the base bid and pay this out of the Parks and Recreation Fund.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, July 1, 2009 vote taken to adopt a motion to authorize the Manager to sign the sewer module for 15 Colwell Lane for Rumsey Electric which the Sewer Authority has approved.  Mr. Stokley made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Salus who was absent.

An announcement was made that the Borough will stop selling leaf bags once this order is sold out, because residents can purchase these bags at a number of different locations now.  Currently there is approximately a three (3) month’s supply left.

An announcement was made that the County Commissioners have awarded the Borough a $300,0000 Grant for the 500 block of Fayette Street for streetscape improvements.  With the Borough’s match this will fund a $375,000 streetscape project.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Engineer to begin work on construction documents and necessary PENNDOT permits for streetscape improvements to the 500 block of Fayette Street.  The estimated engineering costs for this project are $45,594.50.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  Mr. Tom Beach, Remington, Vernick and Beach Engineers, explained the 500 block of Fayette Street streetscape project.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

Mr. Tom Beach explained the 100 block of Fayette Street streetscape improvements.  A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to authorize the Engineer to bid the 100 block of Fayette Street streetscape improvements.  Total cost of the project is $377,235.  The County Grant for the project is $286,000 and the Borough match is $91,235.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the Engineer to bid the Open Space Greening and Bicycle Rack project.  The project will provide street trees from the 100 to 400 block of Fayette Street; trees along portions of Maple, Ash and Cherry Streets; bicycle racks along Fayette Street and bicycle racks at each of the Borough parks.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to extend the completion date of the streetscape project from July 10, 2009 to August 14, 2009 due to inclement weather conditions.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell authorizing the Manager to release escrow to Washington Street Associates V, LP for the Stables at Millennium in the amount of $24,671.29. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, July 1, 2009 vote taken to adopt a Resolution for the appointment of Steven Phipps as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Borough.  Mr. Stokley made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. Tucci, a roll call was taken and everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Phipps who recussed because it is his brother and Mr. Salus who was absent.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to have the Career Fire Fighters become certified in the Property Maintenance Code so that they can issue citations for Ordinance violations if they have down time. Approximate cost for the certification if $90.00 each.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed. 

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to rebid the Code vehicle.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A short Executive Session was held to discuss  legal issues concerning a settlement proposal.  A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve the Insurance Company’s settlement proposal for the Kurt Gale vs. Borough of Conshohocken lawsuit.  Motion was seconded by Mr. McConnell.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

Mr. Tucci announced that the Public Safety Committee is continuing to work on language for rolling stop sign violations.

Chief Orler announced that he has checked on the cost of the small speed signs and that cost is $3,500.00 each.  It can be moved to other areas as needed.  He said he is checking to see if there are any Grants that would help defray the cost.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to release Narberth Ambulance’s 2009’s contribution in the amount of $2,000.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

Mr. Tucci announced that the Code Department has started to step up enforcement in the Borough for any Ordinance violations.  Warnings have been issued.

Mr. McConnell gave an update on the Borough’s new website.

Mr. McConnell gave an update on the Act 511 tax audit program for 2009.

Mr. McConnell announced that Council has copies of the August 2009 Library events for the month.

Mr. McConnell announced that there will be a Police and Firemen’s Pension meeting on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

Mr. McConnell announced that the changes for the 2009 Budget Mid Year update are being worked on and will be distributed on Friday.

Mr. Salus updated everyone about the Shared Ride Reimbursement Program. To date two (2) people have registered and one (1) person received reimbursement.

Mr. Salus announced that the Shade Tree Commission is moving forward and working on a new tree program.

A motion was made to record for the minutes the Wednesday, July 1, 2009, vote taken to adopt a motion for the Waiver of Off-Street Parking request for 319 Forrest Street.  Mr. Stokley made the motion, it was seconded by Mr. Griffin.  Everyone voted in favor of the motion except Mr. Salus who was absent.

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

A motion was made by Mr. Stokley to accept the Mayor’s report. Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to hire James Green as a crossing guard pending all background checks.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

Mr. Collins announced that the Police Department is accepting applications for crossing guards.

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve Anthony Santoro’s request for his second tuition reimbursement for 2009 for $1,225.00 which includes book cost.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Tucci.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve William Walter’s request for his first and second tuition reimbursement for 2009 for $654.00 plus book cost.  This is the total cost for both.   Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps.  All vote in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

An announcement was made that the Borough received an official letter from Comcast Cable that they would continue to tape our Borough Council Meetings through October 1, 2009. 

They have proposed to assist the Borough with taping and other issues if the Borough would extend the Franchise Agreement for five (5) years.  Mrs. Caterbone asked the Borough Manager to check some details and statistics and this would be discussed at a later date.

An announcement was made that the 2009 Farmer’s Market is open every Friday from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm. 

An announcement was made that Council will have for consideration next month the appointments required for Act 32 which are a delegate and two (2) alternate delegates to the County Tax District Committee.

An announcement was made that Council will make an appointment to the Community Revitalization Task Force at the August 5, 2009 Work Shop Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. McConnell to authorize the Solicitor to advertise and prepare an Ordinance for a change in our deed registration Ordinance for next month.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Salus.  All voted in favor except Mr. Griffin who was absent.  Motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Vivian Angelucci voiced her concerns about trash cans that are either left on sidewalks or in the street and weeds and bushes that in some instances are taking over the sidewalk.  Mrs. Caterbone assured her that these issued are being addressed.  John McGrath, the Code Enforcement Officer, has been out and has issued many warning and citations.

Mr. Salus asked if a letter could be given to the landlords to give to their tenants regarding the Borough’s Ordinances.  Mrs. Caterbone said that previously all the realtors were given Information Sheets to give to new residents.  This will be discussed further at a later date.

Mr. Leli voiced his concerns of water problems and the storm sewer system.  There was an overflow of water during Saturday night’s rainstorm and it backed up from the inlet.  He wanted to know if the Borough could check into this.  The Engineer stated that it would be difficult to put a camera in this pipe and that our Public Works Department could not go in because this is a “Confined Space”.

Mr. Shank discussed various issues on 8^th Avenue and Maple Street.  This included parking problems, drivers only slowing down but not coming to a complete stop at stop signs, and speeding.  He also voiced his concern with the speeding on Fayette Street and if he could have the statistics on how many and what type of citations the Police Department has issued.  Mrs. Caterbone asked the Police Chief to give the amount of tickets issued and if he could prepare a report for future meetings.

Mr. Gerald McTamney questioned many of the items including motions on the Agenda if they were discussed before the meeting.  Mrs. Caterbone explained that all of these items were discussed at the previous Work Shop Meetings as was the policy of Council.

Bill Killoran announced that as the creator of two songs about Conshohocken he made a CD and was selling it for $10.00 each as a benefit for Bailey Ehasz.  This is the young girl that was seriously injured in an automobile accident on Fayette Street.

Carol Smith updated Council regarding the Sewer Authority.  She explained that many safeguards have been put in place with the accounting system as well as a new accounting firm has been hired; there is a five (5) year plan currently being prepared. 

Carol Smith discussed the Shade Tree Commission.  The Commission is working with the engineers on planting new trees; planting the proper species for the area and they are planning a tree planting in the Fall of this year.  They are currently seeking an Arborist to assist the Committee.

Mr. Stokley announced that the Basketball League is a success and has between 230 and 240 children.  He said the Fireworks event was successful and all the local teams that participated raised funds for their teams.

Mrs. Caterbone announced that there would be a Ward Meeting on Sunday, July 19, 2009, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Meeting adjourned 8:30 P.M.

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary