Rutledge Borough Council Meeting- June 27, 2016

David Waltz, Council President, opened the scheduled Work Session Meeting at 8:00 PM, in the Council Meeting Room, 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA.

After the salute to the flag, the following Council Members answered roll call: David Waltz, Marie Govannicci, James Jones , Kimberly Brown,  John Shingle, Marlaina Kloepfer

Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Michael F. Culp, Esq.

Not Present: Tom Kopp

Public Comment: None

Building/Borough Property– The office lease with CDCA expires on September 30, 2016. MOTION to renew the office lease with CDCA for a five-year term, $470.03 per month for the first year, a 3% increase per year, effective each October 1, utility bills for air conditioning, heat and electricity to be paid by CDCA. MOTION approved unanimously.

Marlaina Kloepfer stated that the tree in the front of the Community Center that was pruned does not look good for the rentals, and provides no shade. Mr. Waltz stated that it will look good for the next spring growing season, and people were complaining that it was interfering with the flag.

Ms. Kloepfer asked that the Shade Tree Commission be consulted the next time a tree is ti be pruned.

Building Permits– Nothing to report.

Finance -  Nothing to report.

Public Safety : David Waltz reported that Rutledge received a proposed 5-year contract with Swarthmore Police. The first year will be $91,528.00, with a 2 1/2 % increase in 2018, and 3% increases each year for 2019, 2020 and 2021. If Rutledge Borough is interested in the contract, it would have to be advertised and then adopted.

MOTION by Jim Jones, Second by Marie Govannicci, to advertise the ordinance for the proposed 5-year contract with Swarthmore Borough to provide police protection. MOTION approved unanimously.

Rutledge Activities Committee – Marie Govannicci will attend the meeting tonight to finalize plans for the July 4th activities. There is no rain date. A check was received for $132.00 for the shirts that were ordered.

Rutledge Girls’ Club: The Girls’ Club won the championship tonight.

Streets – David Waltz reported that Mark Bascelli has been patching potholes.

Sewer– Jim Jones reported that the Borough wants to transition to sewer bills based on water usage as provided by Aqua PA. The sinkhole at 32 President Ave. is back, and General Sewer has been contacted to video the area.

Trash – Jim Jones reported that there have been complaints about trash cans being left in the street or aprons, and not on the curbs. Residents must call in advance for pickup of large items.

Communications – Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Code Red contract is over. Ms. Kloepfer thanked Mayor Cunningham for attending the PA Association of Boroughs quarterly meeting. Jack Whelan was the speaker.

Ms. Kloepfer stated that she will be taking over the duties for the yard sale.

Planning Commission – Marlaina Kloepfer reported that a new member will be joining the Commission. His one year residency requirement has been completed. MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Jim Jones, to appoint David Anthony Collins as a member of the Planning Commission. MOTION approved unanimously.

Kim Brown reported that the parking ordinance will be discussed at the next meeting. The Commission is working on the solar panel ordinance, and uploading forms for the Communications Committee. The Commission is working on a list of FAQs for building permits and zoning hearings.

Mayor – Mayor Cunningham reported that he attended the DARE graduation.

Solicitor – Solicitor Michael Culp reported that there will be a hearing on July 14, 2016 for property maintenance issues at 7 Rutledge Ave.

Old Business: David Waltz reported that he has received bids from Co-Stars vendors for a dump truck. He did a lot of research and it appears that the F350 truck will suit the Borough’s needs.

Fred Beans Ford – $55,736.55

New Holland Ford – $57,364.00, and includes drop down sides.

The truck will be a 2016. The 2017 models have not been tested for snow plows and salt spreaders, and is 4 inches longer, and will not fit in the garage. Part of the package includes a dolly caddy to remove the snow plow. The plow is 8 feet, and can extend to 10 feet, and has wings for corners and turning. Both bids are for a 6 year lease, with option to buy for $1.00 at the end of the lease. The cost is $10,692.00 per year, with an interest rate of 3.97%. The old truck can bring $5,000.00-$6,000.00. Mr. Waltz will send pictures to dealers. The Borough has funds in the Truck Reserve Account and Streetlight Reserve. The highwayman will be able to salt all of the streets and not just the intersection. The Borough can get salt from Ridley Twp.

Kim Brown reported that she has contacted Rachel Sten regarding logos, and will have something for the next Work Session.

Rutledge Ball/Dance- No progress.

Parking Permit Ordinance – Kim Brown distributed a draft. Fees were taken out. Ms. Brown would like feedback so that we can move forward with it. It does not override the other parking ordinances. There will be a fee for lost tags, and the permits must be placed in the window. Solicitor Kulp stated that the ordinance must qualify the amount of snowfall and a snow emergency.

Shade Tree Commission Ordinance – The Planning Commission looked at the ordinance, and will get it to Council for review.

Fire Pit Ordinance- Ms. Brown stated that Council must decide as a group which way to go. Some feedback was received from the Fire Co. Council President Waltz stated that there is a current ordinance that does not allow open burning. Mr. Waltz will contact Dean Kemp for comments.

New Business : Jim Jones reported that he and Council President Waltz had a meeting with the Fire Chief and Chairman of the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. They would like to have better communication with Rutledge Borough Council. They were not aware of everything that has been going on. They offered to water the newly planted trees the next time there is a tree planting by the Shade Tree Commission. Ms. Govannicci suggested that a representative from the Fire Co. give a small speech/address to the residents at the July 4th festivities.

David Waltz would like to change the start times of the Committee and Work Session meetings to 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM, respectively.

MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by John Shingle, to have the Committees Meetings at 7:00 PM, and the Work Session Meetings at 7:30 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.

David Waltz reported that Tom Kopp has resigned from Council. MOTION by Jim Jones, Second by Kim Brown, to accept the resignation of Tom Kopp. MOTION approved unanimously.

Marlaina Kloepfer will post the information to have letters of interest for the position to the Secretary by July 18, 2016, with interviews on July 26, 2016, at the Work Session.

Kim Brown had sent an email regarding a hall rental during which plates of food were dumped in front of her house, trash was in the street, and animals got into it. Ms. Brown asked that Council consider not allowing food to leave the building. Mr. Jones stated that it is part of having rentals for Borough income. A renter drove onto his lawn and damaged his steps. The deposit is for damage to the Borough building only. Mayor Cunningham stated that he has trash on his property after parties sometimes.

Jim Jones stated that he has been getting complaints about the condition of 7 Rutledge Ave. The house is now owned by the bank, but the resident is still living there. The bank is trying to get her out. The Code Official wrote a citation, and there is a hearing on July 14.

MOTION by Jim Jones, Second by Marie Govannicci, to go into Executive Session at 9:09 PM to discuss a legal matter. MOTION approved unanimously.

MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to go out of Executive Session at 9:19 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.

Public Comment: None

 

Meeting adjourned 9:25 PM.

Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano, Secretary

 

 

 

 


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