David Waltz, 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: Marlaina Kloepfer, David Waltz, James Jones, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not Present: M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner
Minutes:Â MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Jim Jones, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Reorganization Meeting of January 6, 2014, and the Council Meeting of January 6, 2014. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes from the Work Sessions of January 27, 2014, and February 24, 2014. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 2014
Correspondence:
1)     Delaware County Association of Boroughs- PSAB Spring Conference, April 6-9, 2014, at Penn State; 75th Anniversary of the PSAB; Quarterly Meeting of the DCAB on Thursday, January 30, 2014, 7:00 PM at Marcus Hook Borough; request for ads for the 74th Annual April Banquet Program Booklet- Full Page $100.00, ½ Page $55.00, ¼ Page $35.00, Patron $2.00
2)     Eastern Delaware County Stormwater Collaborative – Invitation to monthly meetings
3)Â Â Â Â Â Catania Engineering Associates- Chapter 94 Report
4)     Paul Mickle- resigned as Rutledge Borough’s representative to CDCA
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $53,609.19 has been collected as of February 24, 2014. There is $369,863.09 in receivables during the discount period. The 2013 uncollected real estate taxes on 11 properties were turned in to the County totaling $7,745.39
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for January and February.
230 Linden Ave. – the house has been vacant for three years. The owners live in Florida. There is mold because the sump pump stopped working.
230 President Ave. – U&O inspection passed.
There were major problems with snow removal because of the 60†of snowfall this winter.
2 Zoning permits for aprons- work not started due to weather.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for January and February. There were:
January: 20 Parking Tickets, 3 Citations, 1 Traffic Warning
February: 10 Parking Tickets, 5 Moving Citations
Theft of copper pipes on the 100 block of President, theft from an unlocked vehicle on the 100 block of Rutledge Ave., suspicious vehicle with an occupant on the unit block of Rutledge Ave., 100 block of Rutledge Ave.- domestic argument between a mother and son.
Police Chief Brian Craig reported that residents need to watch for suspicious behavior at their neighbors’ homes.
Public Safety:Â Tom Kopp reported that, in January, there were 24 calls with time in service of 29 Hours 25 Minutes. There were 3 motor vehicle accidents, 1 commercial building fire, a carbon monoxide detector, and 2 training with 38 manpower hours. In February, there were 16 calls with time in service of 11 Hours 30 Minutes, 3 motor vehicle accidents, 6 assists to Swarthmore, 2 training 4 Hours 34 Minutes.
On March 16, the Fire Co. will participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade. The goal for the Fire Co. is to go paperless by April 1, 2014, and to submit reports electronically. The 2nd mailing for the fund drive has been sent. $16,931.00 has been collected.
A 300†cell tower owned by SBA Communications, and a second smaller tower collapsed and killed two contractors. A firefighter was killed in the second collapse. The collapses are under investigation.
Mt. Kopp presented cards from OSHA to be put in the Borough Office to teach residents how to be protected from carbon monoxide, and generator safety.
4th of July: There will be an Easter Egg Hunt in April.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Marie Govannicci reported that the Club would like their budgeted donation from the Borough before the season starts. They would like a finer dirt for the infield, and to replace and reinforce 2nd base and home plate. They are also interested in selling space on the fence for merchants to hang signs as a fundraiser.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that a message was sent out about tomorrow’s trash collection, since today’s was cancelled due to snow. Ms. Kloepfer is setting up a training session for the Code Red notification system. Ms. Kloepfer attended “Crisis in Communication†training and will share the resources with Council. She has prepared a job description for the summer intern position for Council to review. The Planning Commission will meet next week and will look at the revised parking ordinance and the User and Occupancy procedure. They have reviewed the hall rental contracts.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Â Jim Jones stated that he needs to get together with Daniel Werner to discuss the Trash Committee.
Building: Nothing to report.
Recreation: Mulch needs to be ordered for the playground.
Sewer: Jim Jones reported that he needs to get together with Daniel Werner to discuss the Sewer Committee.
Shade Tree Commission: The Committee will meet in March.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that Karl Eilinsfeld has done a good job plowing the snow, and is fixing potholes as they turn up.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that the Borough has two Ordinances regarding signs at the Triangle Park: 16-103-H –no posts or placards may be placed without Council Chair and Recreation Board approval, and 19-101- it is unlawful to advertise unless it is a judicial notice or a traffic sign.
There is the provision that signs can be approved by the Recreation Board or Council.
A Council member may be appointed to the CDCA Board.
The Zoning Hearing Board approved the request for a variance at 105 E. Sylvan Ave that allows 1.2% building coverage over that stated in the ordinance. Council can appeal the decision or take no action. MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to accept the Zoning Hearing Board decision regarding building coverage at 105 E. Sylvan Ave. MOTION approved unanimously.
Old Business: Tom Kopp reported that he has not heard anything about the 3-year pressure test on the elevator that is due at the end of the month. The Fire Co. will sell food at the Craft Fair on April 5, 2014, and will not pay the $10.00 fee. The food will be sold next door. David Waltz stated that Council will handle the fee.
New Business: County Aid for road repair for 2014- MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Jim Jones, to apply for 2014 County Aid for road repair. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve Ordinance 468, an ordinance that gives the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. the authority to seek reimbursement from insurance companies for fire, emergency, and like services rendered to a property or business owner at no cost to the insured. MOTION approved unanimously.
David Waltz reported that Rutledge Borough’s request for a full-time representative on the School Board was denied because it is against State law. The State Representative is looking into it.
Public Comment: Thomas Heron, 228 Rutledge Ave. asked if there is a game plan to repave the rest of
Swarthmore Ave. because there is a lot of pooling when it rains. Mr. Waltz stated that a plan is in the works, but it has not been approved.
Jack Borsch, 213 President Ave. stated that the residents should be informed of the holiday trash schedule.
Bills for March 11, 2014:Â
MOTION by James Jones, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $44,337.79. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by James Jones, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $5,575.99. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by James Jones, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund the amount of $64,494.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary