Borough Council Minutes for February 27, :30 p.m. Jenkintown Borough Hall

Transcription

1 BOROUGH OF JENKINTOWN JENKINTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRAURY 27, 2012 CALL TO ORDER: President Dobbs called the meeting of the Borough Council to order in Council Chambers of Borough Hall at 7:30 P.M. this 27th day of February PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Foley led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL: Mr. Boutcher, Mr. Conners, Mr. Danilak, Mr. Durkin, Ms. Durkin, Ms. Farrell, Mr. Golden, Mr. Marcero, Ms. Pancoe, Ms. Soltysiak, Vice President Marlowe, President Dobbs. Mayor Foley was also present. OTHER OFFICIALS PRESENT: Solicitor Kilkenny, Police Chief DiValentino and Assistant Manager Centola. FIRE DEPARTMENT AWARD CEREMONY James Gourley and Gary Hutnick, both members of Pioneer were both honored for their 50 years of service to the Jenkintown Fire Department. They were commended by the Fire Department and Borough Council. State Representative Larry Curry was at the ceremony to present them acclamations from the State House. In addition, they also received appreciation from Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz as well as Governor Corbett. Borough Council thanked them for their years of service and dedication to Jenkintown Borough. MOTION TO GO OUT OF ORDER Councilman Durkin made a motion to go out of order to approve the hiring of a new part-time police officer. Councilman Golden seconded.. Motion: To approve the hiring of Anthony Matteo as a part-time officer. Councilman Durkin moved; seconded by Councilman Boutcher. Motion: To go back to the order of business Councilman Marcero moved; seconded by Councilman Boutcher.. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2012 Borough Council Meeting. Councilman Boutcher moved, seconded by Vice President Marlowe

2 APPROVAL OF PAYROLL AND INVOICES: Vice President Marlowe reported the fund expense total for the various funds for the month of January 2012, as listed in the agenda packet. RECAP SHEETS EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH JANUARY 2012 GENERAL FUND ACCOUNTS SPECIAL FUND ACCOUNTS GENERAL FUND (2 PAYROLLS) $115, FUND 01 GENERAL FUND ACCOUNT $89, FUND 02 STREET LIGHT FUND ACCOUNT $4, FUND 03 FIRE PROTECTION TAX ACCOUNT $6, FUND 09 SOLID WASTE $13, FUND 31 CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND $8, FUND 35 HIGHWAY/LIQUID FUEL TAX FUND $3, FUND 60 POLICE PENSION FUND $14, FUND 65 NON UNIFORM PENSION FUND $2, TOTAL EXPENSES ALL FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS $255, Councilwoman Pancoe moved, seconded by Councilman Boutcher to approve the payrolls and invoices for the month of January 2012, as listed in the agenda packet.. CITIZEN COMMENTS: Michael Mizner, representing Occupy Jenkintown came before council to discuss the group s objective. He explained the group is non-violent and believes in community building. He sees the group as a place people can come to and talk with about things in the community, especially any grievances. He asked council to engage the group in anyway they see fit. President Dobbs asked the group why did they pick Jenkintown. Mr. Mizner said it was an experiment in dealing with the districts. They picked the 13 th District and Allyson Schwartz s office is in Jenkintown. Councilman Durkin asked how long they plan on protesting? Mr. Mizner answered there is no definite answer as they are engaging people and community building. President Dobbs mentioned the Borough is trying to revitalize the downtown area. One of the concerns we have is with debris and trash and keeping the business district clean. Mr. Mizner replied they would like to help police the area and engage those in the area to clean up properly. They have noticed trash in the area, especially on Johnson Street and want to help do something about it. They don t want to negatively impact the businesses and today was the first day they has gotten complaints via a business owner at The Family Cafe so they are looking at other options. Mayor Foley asked is they would be more impactful if they had a presence, but didn t stay overnight? Perhaps just come out during the day and just set up chairs so they can speak to people

3 walking and engage them that way. Ms. Mizner replied that he doesn t particularly like camping, but the reason they do is to engage a level of awareness and they believe it has an impact. Councilman Golden stated he appreciated the group thinking about other options. The Family Café is a relatively new business and if they have 2 or 3 complaints a day from people, even if it is about the Occupy Jenkintown group, it could be detrimental to their business. Councilman Marcero said he shared the concern of small businesses and thinks perhaps Town Square may be a good area for the Occupy group to set up. He also stated he thought it was great that they had come to a council meeting. Councilwoman Pancoe asked if the group was trying to engage Congresswoman Schwartz in a dialogue. Mr. Mizner said it was up to the people if they wanted to try and engage her. President Dobbs wanted to clarify is they can sleep on the sidewalks. Solicitor Kilkenny said they were in the right of way and as long as they were obstructing the sidewalk in a way people couldn t safely navigate around them, it was okay. Vice President asked what complaints the restaurant had gotten about the group. Mr. Mizner replied mainly people wanted to know the group was allowed to protest in front of the Family Café. COMMITTEE REPORTS Administration & Finance Committee: Minutes are at the desks Public Works Committee: Minutes are in the packets. There are two items on the agenda. Public Safety Committee: Minutes are in the packet; there are three items on the Order of Business. Building, Zoning, & Revitalization Committee: Minutes are in the packets and Chairwoman Pancoe thanked Councilman Boutcher for chairing. Jenkintown School District: Five families in Jenkintown are hosting Ecuadorian students and then in May, Jenkintown students will travel to Ecuador. The Lady Drakes(girls basketball) have made it to the semi-finals. Parent/Teacher conferences are underway. The music department is working on their production. A school garden is starting and pickets are being sold (similar idea to bricks). Anyone who is interested in purchasing a picket can see Councilwoman Farrell. Jenkintown Community Alliance: The JCA is continuing as previously discussed. Multi-Municipal Group: The group is looking at the gun control ordinance. Clear Channel will be looking at the bus shelters at the stops that don t currently have shelters in the five municipalities along the Route 611/263 corridor.

4 Manager Hanel is working with other manager on the circulation shuttle and way finding signage. The First Suburbs group is working on housing in the First Suburbs area. Solicitor s Report: Solicitor Kilkenny introduced his associate Alyson McDonald to Borough Council. Alyson will help serve Jenkintown. Dave Sanders from Solicitor Kilkenny s office will be tracking the lost/stolen gun ordinance repeals through the state legal channels. They will keep council up to date as it progresses. The Human Relations Commission in Conshocken has been challenged. Solicitor Kilkenny will also advise council as that case progresses. Mayor s Report: Mayor Foley had no report. Police Chief s Report: Chief DiValentino had no report. Manager s Report: Manager Hanel submitted a report to council in their packets. Assistant Manager s Report Assistant Manager Centola had submitted her resignation on February 21. She announced her last day in the Borough will be March 6 th. She thanked council and her colleagues for their support and guidance over the years. If she was needed for anything in the future, she is happy to help anyway she can. ORDER OF BUSINESS ORDER OF BUSINESS 1. Addition of Fee Schedule Motion: To amend the 2012 Fee Schedule to add in new fees as presented. Councilwoman Pancoe moved, seconded by Councilman Marcero 2. Greenwood Avenue Parking Lot Motion: To authorize the administration to change the southern row of the Greenwood Avenue parking lot, with the exception of the two (2) handi-cap parking spots, to 10-hour spots and change the remainder of the parking lot to 4 hour spots. Councilman Boutcher moved, seconded by Councilman Durkin 3. Solid Waste Ordinance Amendment Motion: To authorize the administration to advertise Ordinance , amending chapter 152 of the Borough Code Solid-Waste Disposal amending the language for the Memorial Day Holiday. Councilman Boutcher moved, seconded by Councilman Durkin

5 4. Right Hand Turn Sign Rodman and Walnut Motion: To install a right hand turn only on the eastbound side of Rodman Avenue at Walnut Street. Councilman Golden moved; seconded by Councilman Durkin 6. Emergency Management Plan Motion: To approve Resolution supporting the Emergency Management Plan. Councilman Durkin moved, seconded by Councilman Boutcher 7. Pension Plan Motion: To nominate Jay Conners to serve on the Uniform and Non-Uniformed Pension Boards. Councilman Durkin moved, seconded by President Dobbs 8. Non-Resident Earned Income Tax Motion: To adopt Ordinance , enabling the Borough to collect Earned Income Tax from non-residents of the Borough who do not pay the tax in their home municipality. Vice President Marlowe moved, seconded by Councilman Boutcher 10. Adjournment to Executive Session Motion: To adjourn into executive session at 8:34 p.m. Councilman Boutcher moved, seconded by Councilman Danilak Council reconvened at 8:58 p.m. President Dobbs announced personnel matters were discussed. Adjournment Councilman Golden moved, seconded by Councilman Durkin to adjourn the February 27th Borough Council meeting at 9:01 p.m.