WRIGHTSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING Regular Meeting MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012

Transcription

1 WRIGHTSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING Regular Meeting MONDAY, JULY 2, 2012 Borough Hall 601 Water Street In attendance: Council President Hobbs, Council Vice-President Scritchfield, Councilman Nelson, Councilwoman Bolton, Councilman Sipes, Councilwoman Abel, Mayor Habecker, Engineer Klinedinst, Solicitor Baranski, Treasurer Brenner, Secretary Wirls, Chief Pearson. President Hobbs called the regular meeting of the governing body to order at 7:02pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. President Hobbs explained to those in attendance that a new public comment policy has been adopted and respectfully requested that those in attendance adhere to said policy. PATRONS: Debra Holtzinger: Asked if there was a response to her inquiries regarding the fencing installed by Royal Farms. Expressed her frustration with the refuse pick up during the early morning hours at the Royal Farms property. Eric White: Stated that he felt Borough Council was putting themselves above the Constitution by the rules they have implemented. Commented that there is not good communication between Borough Council and the public. Asked why the public has not heard anything in regards to the cable franchise agreement. Inquired as to whether or not anyone has bothered to audit Comcast. Nate Nickel: Relayed to the governing body that the Wrightsville Rec has successfully obtained a tax identification number and will soon open a bank account. Mel McDonald: Asked why Chief Pearson was permitted to take the unmarked police vehicle home. Ms. McDonald stated that she never heard Borough Council vote upon permission for the Chief to take his vehicle to his residence. Questioned as to why Chief Pearson did not take care of a speed limit concern conveyed to him. 1

2 Accused Borough Council of being selective when enforcing property maintenance issues. Relayed that she felt Borough Council took away the right of residents by not allowing them to speak. Conveyed to those in attendance that the office should be open past 2pm. Stated that the Borough Secretary s salary should have been voted upon in a public meeting and the Borough Secretary works only 5 hours a day. MINUTES: Councilman Sipes made a motion to approve the June 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes. Vice-President Scritchfield seconded the motion. All in favor. POLICE Chief Pearson presented the June 2012 Police Department report which consisted of: 27 Calls for service 40 Traffic citations 1 Non-traffic citation for public drunkenness or disorderly conduct 8 DUI arrests 0 Criminal arrests for drug violations 5 Motor vehicle accidents 0 Warrant services Councilman Sipes inquired about the status of the 4x4 vehicle. Chief Pearson explained the quote process and costs. TREASURER Treasurer Brenner introduced Mike Rineer from auditors Sager and Swisher. Mr. Rineer presented Borough Council with the 2011 Audit and explained the following to the governing body: Unrestricted fund balance Capital Reserve fund Operating schedule General revenues Taxes Liquid Fuels fund Police pension Councilman Sipes made a motion to approve the Audit Report for the Borough s 2011 financial operations as presented by the appointed auditor s. Councilwoman Bolton seconded the motion. All in favor. 2

3 Treasurer Brenner presented Borough Council with the Treasurer s report for June Discussion ensued regarding code enforcement and legal expenditures as well as public works salaries. Councilwoman Bolton made a motion to approve the June 2012 check register. Councilwoman Sipes seconded the motion. All in favor. The motion carried with a unanimous vote, 6-0. Councilwoman Bolton made a motion to approve the June 2012 financial report. Councilman Sipes seconded the motion. All in favor. The motion carried with a unanimous vote, 6-0. ENGINEER Engineer Klinedinst relayed the following to the governing body: Royal Farms o Fencing and paving issues are prohibiting the recommendation of releasing the surety monies. Safe Routes to School o Meeting conducted with some residents about property access points o Research regarding trees for Hellam Street o Suggestion of rededication ceremony MS4 o annual reports submitted to DEP on June 8, Street Maintenance Program o Work to begin towards the end of July Discussion ensued regarding zoning and the upcoming need for a zoning officer, zoning hearing board and solicitor. Discussion ensued pertaining to the noise issue at the Royal Farms property. SOLICITOR Solicitor Baranski brought Council s attention to the proposed Speed Limit Ordinance. MAYOR - Mayor Habecker addressed public comment and other miscellaneous items: In reference to Mr. Blymier s demand to be contacted by a certain date made at the June Borough Council meeting, Mayor Habecker stated that the governing body would not discuss legal matters in the public forum. Reiterated his comments made at the June Borough Council meeting regarding budget items for the 2012 budget. Stated that Borough employees receive the salaries that they do because they are valued. 3

4 Relayed that the Borough must be conscientious of setting any type of property maintenance precedent. Resolution , a Resolution adopting a Borough vehicle policy was discussed and adopted in an advertised public meeting. In accordance with Resolution , Chief Pearson was granted permission to take the police cruiser home. Property Maintenance and the issues raised when the property owner has defaulted on their mortgage and the bank does not want to comply with the Borough Ordinances. Mayor Habecker asked Jim Arvin of White Rose Ambulance to give recent ambulance activity reports. Mr. Arvin explained the report to those in attendance and relayed that memberships were successful with approximately 500 memberships to date. COMMITTEE REPORTS Administration & Finance: Councilwoman Bolton relayed that she and Councilwoman Abel met with Treasurer Brenner to discuss the 2013 budget. Councilwoman Bolton made a motion to approve the waiver of the $50 Entertainment fee for the Art on the Porch event hosted by Historic Wrightsville, Inc. Councilman Sipes seconded the motion. All in favor. Councilwoman Bolton made a motion to approve and adopt Resolution , a Resolution appointing the Borough Secretary as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Police Pension fund. Council Vice-President Scritchfield seconded the motion. All in favor. Councilwoman Bolton relayed to those in attendance that she, along with Councilwoman Abel and Secretary Wirls attended a kick off meeting for the Comcast franchise renewal. Councilwoman Bolton stated that she requested to be a member of the Steering Committee and is looking forward to the process. Public Works: Borough Council reviewed the Streets Department report. Councilman Nelson stated that he was not in favor of adopting the proposed speed limit Ordinance and would not vote on it until he knew what the cost of sign implementation would be. Councilman Nelson made a motion to approve the following street closures for Art on the Porch on August 18, 2012: *4 th Street from Hellam Street to Garden Avenue 4

5 *Garden Avenue from 4 th Street to 5 th Street Council Vice-President Scritchfield seconded the motion. All in favor. Discussion ensued pertaining to the Community Development Block Grant for Locust Street. Public Safety: Borough Council reviewed the Fire Department report which consisted of: Hellam Township: 26 Wrightsville Boroughs: 14 Lower Windsor Township: 1 Hallam Borough: 7 East Donegal: 7 Columbia Borough: 3 Springettsbury: 2 Marietta: 1 York Township: 2 Manor Township: 0 West Hempfield Township: 3 Dover Township: 1 Chanceford Township: 1 Medical Assist: 18 Auto Accidents: 16 3 with Entrapment Structure Fires: 10 6 of the 10 working fires Automatic Fire Alarms: 5 Brush Fire/Woods/Mulch /Controlled Burn: 1 Stand By/Transfers: 3 Vehicle Fires: 0 Co/ Gas Incident/Alarms: 0 Investigations: 4 Fire Police: 0 Transformer/Wires Down: 4 Debris Removal: 0 Public Service: 0 Water Rescue: 2 Haz-Mat Incidents: 2 Search Detail: 1 Residential Rescue: 1 Average Crew Size: 12 PERSONNEL Average Fire/Rescue Response Time: 1 minute 5

6 QRS Response Time: 40 seconds Discussion ensued regarding Crossing Guards. Council Vice-President Scritchfield stated that in the event of an emergency, response will be much quicker by allowing the Chief to take the police cruiser home. Community & Economic Development: no report Parks & Recreation: Councilman Sipes relayed to those in attendance the following: Historic Wrightsville, Inc will be hosting Christmas in July at the Locust Street Church on July 21 st at 2pm. The Senior Center made a profit of $320 from their Bake and Yard Sale. Councilman Sipes asked that the governing body table the proposed Recreation dissolution Ordinance until the Recreation Board receives the funds from the Borough. Discussion ensued. Solicitor Baranski and Treasurer Brenner explained the process for obtaining a tax exempt status as well as the new changes in the Borough Code that Borough Council must adhere to. Only expenditures relating to current projects in progress shall be paid for by the Borough. There will be no payment made by the Borough for any new expenditures incurred by any member of the Recreation Board. Any monies collected for projects currently in progress will be given to a Council member and deposited by the Borough Treasurer. It was determined that Treasurer Brenner would work with the Recreation Board s accountant. Personnel Committee: Council President Hobbs relayed that both Full-Time employees received their yearly reviews. Council President Hobbs addressed the comments made pertaining to the alleged limited hours worked by the Borough Secretary by stating that she can attest to the fact that the Borough Secretary works on average hours per pay period, including weeknights and weekends. Additional Business: Councilwoman Abel addressed the comments made by Ms. McDonald at a previous meeting in relation to her concerns regarding the amount of residents in town with cancer by suggesting Ms. McDonald contact the CDC or DEP. Councilwoman Abel informed those in attendance of the fact that she was contacted by multiple residents affected by the recent bike race in a less than positive manner. Additionally, Councilwoman Abel stated that she would have liked to have seen the 6

7 information about the bike race circulated sooner than what it had been. The governing body broke for an Executive Session at 8:54pm and reconvened at 9:51. It was relayed to those in attendance that the Executive Session was held in order to discuss personnel matters. No decisions or actions were taken. Councilman Nelson made a motion to approve a 4 % raise for Jason Livelsberger retroactive to his employment anniversary date. Council Vice-President Scritchfield seconded the motion. All in favor. The governing body broke for a second Executive Session at 9:53pm and reconvened at 10:44pm. It was relayed to those in attendance that the Executive Session was held in order to discuss legal matters. No decisions or actions were taken. Council Vice-President Scritchfield made a motion to recess the July 2, 2012 Regular Borough Council meeting until Monday, July 16, 2012 at 4pm. Councilwoman Bolton seconded the motion. All in favor. The July 2, 2012 Regular Borough Council meeting was officially adjourned at 10:45pm. Respectfully Submitted, Melissa B Wirls Borough Secretary 7