Conshohocken Borough

The President of Council Mr. Paul McConnell called the meeting to order. Prayer of Council by Kim Costello of Washington Fire Company No. 1, and the Pledge of Allegiance were said. Members of Council present at the meeting were: Mr. James Griffin, Ms. Carolyn Maye, Mr. Edward Phipps, Mr. Jason Salus, Mr. Robert Stokley,  Mr.Anthony  Tucci and Mr. Paul McConnell. 

Mr. McConnell announced that there were three presentations for the evening.

 

Mr. McConnell announced that he and Mr. Phipps were re-elected to serve on Borough Council and that Mr. Raj Gupta and Mr. Matt Ryan were also elected to serve on Borough Council. Mr. McConnell also announced that Mr. Salus was elected to serve as County Treasurer. Mr. McConnell expressed his appreciation to all who sought public office for their time and dedication to their communities. 

 

Mr. Salus made a motion to adopt a Resolution for Washington Fire Company No. 1. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mayor Frost read aloud and presented the Resolution in recognition of Washington Fire Company No. 1’s achievement at the 2011 Pennsylvania Fireman’s Convention in taking first place in marching and second place in light rescue. 

 

Ms. Stetler introduced Ms. Anita Andre of the Shade Tree Commission to discuss the Shade Tree Planting taking place throughout the Borough. Ms. Andre stated that approximately 150 new shade trees are being planted throughout the Borough. The locations and types of trees to be planted have been studied and property owners have been provided letters informing them that a tree will be planted in their right-of-way. Ms. Andre stated that the program is voluntary and new letters would be sent out with contact information for those property owners that do not want a tree. 

 

Mr. McConnell announced that public comment will be taken before each item to be voted on; all other comments can be presented at the end of the meeting.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there was an executive session scheduled after the meeting to discuss a personnel issue and police negotiations.

 

Mr. Marabella gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of October 2011.

 

                       October 2011

 

 

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

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2011 Council Meeting. Motion was seconded by Mr. Griffin. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Record in the minutes that on November 2, 2011, Mr. Stokley made a motion for PNC bank to do interior construction after business hours from 5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on weekdays, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to adopt the revised Traffic Ordinance. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council needs to discuss the East 7^th Avenue curbs and roadway repairs issue. Council agreed to discuss this matter at the December 7 workshop meeting.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council needs to discuss the Codes Enforcement wall issues. Council agreed to discuss this matter at the December 7 workshop meeting.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that a copy of the Vending Ordinance has been provided to Council. Council agreed to discuss this matter at the December 7 workshop meeting.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve a request from Conshohocken Fire Company No. 2 for a permit to solicit for donations in the eight and nine hundred blocks of Fayette Street on Friday November 25, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to approve a request from Washington Fire Company No. 1 for a permit to solicit for donations from 1^st Avenue and Fayette Street to Elm Street and Fayette Street on Friday November 25, 2011 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve the proposal from Rogers Mechanical for $4,398 to repair the heater in Police Station. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Borough is seeking to hire a Codes Enforcement Secretary and that calls will be made to those that have submitted resumes.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to adopt the updated employee policy to include the use of social media and electronic communication. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council has copies of the proposed revisions to the Rental Ordinance. Council agreed to discuss the matter at the December 7 workshop meeting.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to accept the terms of the Ray Weinmann lawsuit. Mr. Salus seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Stokley made a motion to approve a change order for the 2011 Road Program for rock excavation for a not to exceed amount of $40,000. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the CDBG Curb Ramp Program will be completed in the Spring.

 

Record in the minutes that on November 2, 2011, Ms. Maye made a motion to approve payment to Laffredo Construction in the amount of $28,205.54 associated with the West 3rd Avenue emergency sinkhole repairs. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Record in the minutes that on November 2, 2011, Ms. Maye made a motion to approve payment to Laffredo Construction in the amount of $16,918.40 associated with the Colwell Lane emergency pipe repairs. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella stated that DEP has responded to the Borough’s letter regarding Plymouth Creek flooding issues and that DEP will set up a meeting during the week of November 21 to discuss the matter with the Borough.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Fall leaf collection schedule has been posted on the website. Mr. Buek provided additional information and stated that leaf collection has begun in some isolated locations. Mr. Buek also stated that “Coming Soon” flyers will be posted shortly before the scheduled collection and “No parking” signs will not be posted in most locations.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to approve the 2012 Road Program proposal for a not to exceed amount of $42,245.50. Motion was seconded by Mr. Phipps. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to authorize the Borough Manager to release escrow to Continental Bank for 528 Fayette Street in the amount of $234,317.25 contingent upon payment of all final Engineering and inspection Fees with $23,431.73 to remain for the eighteen (18) month Maintenance Bond to expire 03/15/2013. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve the Engineer’s request for additional fees in the amount of $2,892.50 for design revisions and administration of rebids of the “A” Field regrading. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to approve a change order in the amount of $3,500 for additional site grading at the “A” Field. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Phipps to approve engineering fees in the amount of $1,500 to relocate the goal post at the “A” Field. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to authorize the Committee to bid the basketball project at Sutcliffe Park contingent on the State accepting the change in the Grant application. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Sutcliffe Park Concession Stand will be bid in late November. Council requested that the elevation plans be posted on the Borough’s website.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the plans for the Boathouse project will be in by the end of the month.

 

 

 

 

 

The Mayor’s report for the month of October

 

A motion was made by Mr. Griffin to accept the Police report for the month of November. Mr. Tucci seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Police are collecting Toys for Tots again this year.

 

Record in the minutes that on November 2, 2011, Mr. Stokley made a motion to approve a request by Conshohocken Post 1074 Veterans of Foreign Wars to host Veterans Day Services. Mr. Phipps seconded a motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Ms. Maye to approve a request from the Montgomery County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee to hold the 2012 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Fayette Street on March 10, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with a rain date of March 31, 2012.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to approve the Capital Project Fund for acquisition, construction and reconstruction of the Borough’s assets and facilities. The amounts to be transferred from the General Fund are $1,200,000 for Fire Capital, $500,000 for Parking Infrastructure, $275,000 for Vehicles, $150,000 for Emergency Communications, $75,000 for Ambulance Infrastructure, $425,000 for Recreation Infrastructure, and $375,000 for Roads and Stormwater Management. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to accept the presented preliminary 2012 budget which is currently out of balance for a total of $10,464,400. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the preliminary 2012 Budget will be available for public inspection on November 21, 2011 and Council intends to adopt the final budget at the December 21, 2012 Council Meeting.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to authorize the Manager to advertise the Real Estate Tax Ordinance for 2012 which sets the tax rate at 3.5 mills. Ms. Maye seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the solicitor is working on the Police Pension Plan 2011 Compliance Amendment for Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that there will be a Budget Workshop meeting on November 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that additional resumes have been submitted for the Human Relations Commission. Mr. McConnell stated that this should be put on hold for discussion until January. Council members agreed.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Tucci to approve the proposal for a Communications Plan for the Borough. Mr. Stokley seconded the motion. Ms. Maye commented that the proposal was for $27,000 and was issued prior to hiring the Office Supervisor. Ms. Maye stated that now that the Office Supervisor has been hired, it should be her responsibility to modify the website and prepare informational brochures. Mr. Salus made a motion to table Mr. Tucci’s motion. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion. A Roll Call vote was taken. All voted in favor to table the motion except Mr. Tucci and Mr. McConnell. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Borough is working on the 2012 meeting dates.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that letters have been sent out for the 2012 Commission and Board appointments and that we are awaiting all responses.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Borough is working on the 2012 Fee Schedule revisions.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Salus to authorize the Staff to send a letter to join the Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County as a coalition partner for Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant and Assessment Grant with the contingency that there is no financial commitment required by the Borough. Mr. Griffin seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion passed.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the solicitor is reviewing the revised ING 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan Agreement.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that the Engineer’s Reports items were included in the Committee reports.

 

Mr. Marabella announced that Council has copies of the Borough’s monthly calendars for review.

 

Mr. Joseph Collins stated that Santa Clause would be at Borough Hall on the evening of November 25, 2011.

 

Meeting adjourned 8:20 P.M.

Francis J. Marabella

Borough Secretary