M. Diane McGaughey, Council President, opened the scheduled Borough Council Meeting at 7:30 PM, in the Council Meeting Room, 212 Unity Terrace, Rutledge, PA.
After the salute to the flag, the following Council members answered roll call: M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci, Marlaina Kloepfer and David Waltz.
Not Present: Tom Kopp, Brian Costello
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt., Jr., Esq.
Minutes:Â MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of August 5, 2013. MOTION approved with a majority vote of YES, one NO vote (David Waltz).
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by David Waltz, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of August 26, 2013, 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Robert Hunt, 209 Linden Ave., stated that there is no sign at Linen Ave. and Waverly Terrace. David Waltz stated that the sign will be installed next week. Mr. Hunt stated that the road work looks great, and asked if the cost increased because more work was done than originally planned. Diane McGaughey stated that the Borough received a $50,000.00 grant from the County to repair a portion of Swarthmore Ave., and the bids for the original work came in lower than anticipated, so more work could be done. Mr. Hunt asked about the curbing price- $26,000.00 for Waverly Terrace. Mr. Hunt stated that 6 properties received curbing, which is an improvement to the properties that was paid for by all taxpayers. When Mr. Hunt sells his property, he will have to have his curbing repaired, at his cost. Diane McGaughey explained that the road repair will last longer with the installation of curbing. Past practice has been that cracked curbing is addressed when the properties were sold. Mr. Hunt stated that the other two Terraces did not get curbing. Ms. McGaughey reported that there was not enough money to do all of the curbing. Mr. Hunt reported that the minutes from the May Work Session are not on the Borough’s website. Marlaina Kloepfer will post them.
Karl Eilinsfeld, 223 Linden Ave., stated that the most current minutes on the Borough’s website are from July 22, 2013, and he would like them posted sooner. The Solicitor and Softball Coach are not updated on the website. Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the minutes are posted on the website after approval by Council. The August meeting minutes will be posted after they are approved by Council tonight.
Scott Waltz, 2114 Franklin Ave., Morton, regarding 7 Rutledge Ave. Mr. Waltz stated that he has gone through the Borough’s meeting minutes. In the minutes from November 15, 2012, the Solicitor stated that the Code Enforcement Official has the right to go on any property. Mr. Waltz has spoken with other Code Officials who stated that this is not the case, according to the Property Maintenance Code. They can go on the property if a structure is uninhabitable. A Borough representative would have to call the homeowner ahead of time to set up a meeting to discuss the issue. The Code Enforcement Officer is not allowed to walk up a resident’s driveway into his/her yard to do an evaluation without checking with the homeowner. Mr. Waltz would like to see this addressed.
The Solicitor will look into the matter. Mr. Walt stated that once a case is closed, the process starts all over again. If a homeowner gives permission for someone to come on his/her property, it is a one-time thing. Mr. Waltz stated that, at the Work Session, it was stated that there were problems with the property at 7 Rutledge Ave. since 1989, and a folder was held up. Mr. Waltz went through the folder, and there were three issues for which letters were sent to the homeowner. None of them had any resolution. Mr. Waltz advised Council Members to be careful of what they say and do before they try to smudge someone’s name.
Michelle Senior, 100 Rutledge Ave., stated that her neighbor cut down bamboo and laid it down on the grass, and did not put it in the trash. It can harbor rodents. The Code Enforcement Office will address it.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August, 2013.
Correspondence:
1)     Proof of Publication – proposed parking ordinance
2)Â Â Â Â Â Liquid Fuels Audit 2009-2011
3)Â Â Â Â Â Jean Lenke- Resignation from the Communications Committee
4)Â Â Â Â Â Swarthmore Borough- Police contract
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that, as of August, collections total $396,289.64. There is $37,139.85 uncollected: 19 RE Tax, 8 Sewer Tax, and 29 Per Capita Tax. Estimated collection as of 12/31/13 is $433,429.49. Diane McGaughey asked Mr. Heron to meet to discuss uncollected taxes.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for August 2013:
1 Apartment Inspection- approval is held up until minor things are corrected. The 1st floor tenant is moving out in 2 weeks. The garage was demolished.
Expired plates on automobile- the owner complied and put a cover over the antique car.
High grass – complied
Fence over height allowed- owner to comply
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for August. There were:
5 Parking Tickets 5 Citations 5 Warnings
Mayor Cunningham informed residents that they must call 911 in order to reach the police. It is not for emergencies only.
There will be a horseshoe tournament on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Triangle Park. There will be food and prizes.
Mayor Cunningham reported that 20 palettes were shipped from the electronic waste recycling event last Saturday. 60,000 pounds of electronic waste were taken out of Rutledge and Morton Boroughs.
Diane McGaughey asked the Mayor to ride around the Borough at night. Ms. McGaughey stated that Saturday night at 9:30 PM, two young people were in the Triangle Park. The park closes at dusk. She asked the people to leave.
Sergeant Stuflett would like to use Rutledge’s Meeting Room to host a class that he is teaching.
Public Safety:Â Nothing to report.
4th of July: There will be a meeting on October 14, 2013, at 8:00 PM. Tree lighting and luminaries will be discussed.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Done for the season.
Communication: Marlain Kloepfer reported that there will be a Communications Committee Meeting on Thursday, September 12, 7:30 PM. Ms. Kloepfer thanked everyone for the Borough Newsletter distribution. A lot of inquiries were received regarding the County mosquito spraying on September 4, 2013, such as: can the Borough opt out of it, and what kind of chemical was sprayed.
Code Red notification system allows five people to have access to the system. Mayor Cunningham, Tom Kopp, and Marlaina Kloepfer will have access. Ms. Kloepfer would like to see 100% participation by the residents.
10% of the Borough’s residents are on the Listserve.
One resume for the Zoning Hearing Board Alternate position was received, and given to Diane McGaughey.
The Delaware County Association of Boroughs will have its quarterly meeting on Monday, September 30, 2013, 7:30 PM, at Marcus Hook Borough.
Ordinance: Marlaina Kloepfer asked if there were any questions about the proposed parking ordinance.
Trash: Dan Werner reported that the recycling igloo will be removed from the Borough’s driveway. The Borough received a $705.00 grant from DEP for recycling completed in 2011. Mr. Werner encourages resident to recycle.
Building: Nothing to report.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that the special needs swing has been installed at the Triangle Park. It is getting a lot of use, and the families are very appreciative. Installation was done pro bono. Someone erected an unauthorized volleyball net at the park.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: There will be a meeting on September 11, 2013 at 7:30 PM.
Finance: Diane McGaughey reported that one meeting was held to discuss the 2014 Budget.
Property/Borough Building: Diane McGaughey stated that 288 homes participated in the Community Wide Yard Sale.
Ms. McGaughey was contacted about having an arts and crafts sale at the Community Center.
Repairs are needed on the Borough Building- window in back of building, and dead tree removed from Unity Terrace side.
Streets: David Waltz reported that the road repair has been completed and the contractor did a great job. Some days he was stalled because of rain. On Rutledge Ave., he repaired through the intersections, and di more than what was in the contracts.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that the grass at 230 Linden Ave. was cut by the Borough’s Highwayman. The owner lives in Florida, and had hired someone to cut the grass, but it was not done. The Homeowner will pay the Borough for the grass cutting.
The citation for property maintenance issues at 7 Rutledge Ave. have been withdrawn because the homeowner has complied.
Solicitor Hunt sent Council a letter concerning the status of the garages and asked how Council would like to proceed.
The proposed parking ordinance has been advertised and may be approved tonight.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business: Diane McGaughey reported that the photos that are hung around the room are entries in a photo contest held by A Few Steps.Org.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Daniel Werner, to authorize Marlaina Kloepfer, Tom Kopp, and Kevin Cunningham, as CodeRed managers, with Mr. Cunningham as the Chair. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by David Waltz, to approve parking ordinance #466 , an ordinance that amends Section 27-507, Chapter 27, to prohibit parking of certain trucks, commercial vehicles, and trailers in residential districts. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Todd Smith, 101 Linden Ave., stated that there is a trailer parked on Unity Terrace. Since the new parking ordinance was approved, can the trailer be towed at the owner’s expense if it is not moved in 72 hours? President McGaughey replied yes.
Bills for August 5, 2013:
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,671.49. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $43,238.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the PIB Loan Road Repair Fund in the amount of $5,719.13. MOTION approved unanimously.
Bills for September 9, 2013:Â
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by David Waltz, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $17,588.57. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $976.26. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary