MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
January 22, 2018 Meeting
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA 19070
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the meeting was called to order at 7pm.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Council President Heidi Sentivan, Councilman Roberts, Councilwoman Gradel, Councilwoman Newell, Councilwoman Govannicci, Councilman Torres-Zickler, Councilwoman Reed and Mayor Cunningham. Also present was Solicitor Christine Reuther, Esq.
Absent: None
Public Comment –
Resident Mark Lenke of 5 Sylvan Avenue discussed his concerns regarding unsolicited weekly advertisement papers. He brought samples and discussed their possible entry into the storm drains and their poor appearance as they lay in yards and the streets. He wanted to know how to stop their delivery, possibly to everyone through a blanket request from the borough.
Councilwoman Gradel stated she liked the papers and does not receive them at her home and picks up her neighbor’s. Various ideas were exchanged. Councilwoman Sentivan stated that council would explore what options were available.
The Girl’s club representative, Margie Corcoran of 124 Rutledge Ave, discussed the installation of the new scoreboard which has yet to be selected. The scoreboard installation will cost as much as the scoreboard. Poles will be needed as well as power which will be shared to light the flagpole. The scoreboard was a donation and will be acknowledged on the board. The flagpole was also a donation from the estates of local residents which will be acknowledged on the board. There was also a brief discussion of signage and other forms of advertisements for contributors. Tasteful, seasonal and temporary advertisement opportunities were discussed.
The solicitor contributed her thoughts about creating a regular permit and policy for all signage and encouraging donations to be made directly to the borough of Rutledge to be used for the purpose of installing the scoreboard, or other fixtures. The donations can be held strictly for those purposes and are tax deductible.
Councilman Roberts stated that the Planning Board had previously declined advertisement signage for aesthetic reasons.
Timetables for the scoreboard installation were discussed. Although it was noted that the scoreboard was approved by the last council pending final design, the Girls Club has yet to bring the 2 requested scoreboard options before council and now time is running short for installation before the season begins. There is a significant lead time to order the scoreboard. Councilwoman Govannicci discussed the possible donation of labor, such as electricians. Professionals are being talked to but no one has committed as of yet. It was noted that fees will be waived but permits will still be necessary for this project.
The Planning Board will be given the opportunity to review the materials. Margie will appear before the Planning Board on February 12.
The conversation extended into an analysis of whether the Girl’s Club is tax exempt, an arm of the Borough, etc. The pros and cons of having them be an arm of the borough were briefly discussed. The Borough would control funding and the group would lose some autonomy. However, the Solicitor pointed out that all funds would be audited which she felt was a positive for everyone.
In person registration for softball is currently being scheduled. The proposed teams were described; including U-8,10,12 & 14 adjustments.
Councilwoman Govannicci closed the discussion with congratulations on the success of the Girl’s Club teams with 3 championships.
Councilman Torres-Zickler briefly discussed updates to the trash information on the website and his desire to see more recycling information. There was a discussion about emptying the cans at the park. There is an ongoing issue with dog bags being left in the cans, which unfortunately create a smell problem.
Council President Sentivan discussed the sewer project. She noted that all camera work is completed and Catania Engineering has evaluated the results. 2 sewer repair contracts were approved by the last council and the first work for repairs should begin by the end of the month. Phase I will include the far side of Linden Avenue from Morton Ave to Melrose Terrace and will include relining mains and manholes. Phase II will run between Linden and President. Phase III will be applied for shortly. Councilwoman Gradel had several questions about the process of relining sewer lines, materials and nature of the repairs.
Council President Sentivan spoke on behalf of the Building Committee and advised council that she wants to assess how much money is left for building improvements and then develop a priority list. She also would like to see advertisements on the website once the Building Committee date is set.
The attorney recommended setting regular meeting dates for committees.
Councilman Torres-Zickler discussed Communications goals of website updates and adding information for each council person. The Delaware County Emergency System was also discussed briefly, including who has access to that. It was noted that there are over 100 people on the borough email list. There was also discussion about having a paper newsletter printed. Ms. Bascelli advised against using the borough copier as it will not handle large quantity copies without complications.
Parks was updated by Councilwoman Govannicci who reported that she and Councilwoman Reed will be meeting soon. Beautification for the spring season will soon be underway with new trashcans and benches. The flagpole was ordered last year and the former rain garden sign replacement is being considered. Again, she explained that when snow equipment is on the one borough truck, leaf equipment cannot be used. Putting equipment attachments on and off the truck is very cumbersome and heavy for one person. She also informed council that an investigation of the sinking area on the basketball courts needs to be conducted. March 31stis the Easter Egg Hunt. She asked that Rachael Sten of Shade Tree be contacted about adding mulch to the rain garden area. Mats for under the swing sets are also being priced as mulch wears from that area quickly. March 24thwas announced as the date of the Shade Tree Commission cleanup.
Councilwoman Reed spoke on Public Safety stating that she is scheduled to meet with fire officials from the Department and has received the Fire Department report. A conversation about the response to fire department fundraising took place. Jack Breslin, the new Chief, spoke about volunteerism and the tax break for volunteers passed last year. They also need administrative assistance which will also qualify for tax incentives. He encouraged open communication and stated how much even $20 per home in support at fundraising time could help them out.
Councilman Roberts discussed the 3 open slots on the Planning Board. He discussed Planning Board goals, the Comprehensive Plan, new leadership and working with the solicitor to be in compliance. He also discussed the environmental subcommittee which he wanted to include members of the public and Planning Board.
The Solicitor warned that the Planning Board has set rules and focus as determined by the State and any to be careful when considering the role of the new Environmental Committee. They should provide an advisory role and not be a mandatory step in any process.
Councilwoman Newell will be reviewing ordinances to see what should be updated first.
Councilman Roberts stated he and Councilwoman Gradel started reviewing the budget. They met with Ms. Bascelli and the bookkeeper on Sunday to discuss new chat of accounts and auditor’s recommendations for more streamlined bookkeeping. They requested old budgets to look for trends and encouraged council members to review their department budgets. He noted that grant matches will be built into the budget and plan on giving a quarterly updates.
Councilwoman Newell will be setting up  a meeting with PennDOT and the State Representative regarding movable speed bumps for possible use on streets that run through to McDade. There is concern about the road project on 420 that will be starting and whether that will bring more local traffic. Temporary signage for local traffic only was discussed as was lowering the speed limit on Morton Avenue. The solicitor discussed what PennDot can and can’t do to redirect traffic and concerns about trucks. The fire chief found it unlikely that the truck status would change and PennDot can only redirect traffic onto PennDot roadways.
Other issues discussed were a possible traffic study on Linden, speeding tickets and the solicitor suggested that any items that can be put in the street such as trash cans, cones, etc. can be helpful to slow traffic. Council President Sentivan felt this was the number 1 issue since the election.
Mayor Cunningham reported that the Souper Bowl of Caring would be from 10 am to 1. Signage will be out and food will be collected for the needy which goes to the Food Bank. The Girl’s Club will hand out flyers.
Public Comment:
It was noted that Margie Corcoran wants to conduct fundraisers for the scoreboard project.
The Fire Chief noted that council members are required to take the NIMS courses online. He will provide specifics on which courses are required.
OLD BUSINESS
Shade Tree Ordinance – Solicitor suggested it be tabled due to the many changes she is suggesting to the ordinance. Issues with terms, appointments, minutes, authorizations and status, fundraising were all mentioned. The Borough also has an unusual right of way situation which may require the creation of subzones within the very large right of way that exists.
An extensive conversation ensued on the Shade Tree history and how the commission began calling themselves a commission. Ms. Govannicci gave a brief review and indicated that they wish to be less of a club and more official.
Motion to advertise the Ordinance To Create the Shade Tree Commission. After a brief discussion all portions of the Chapter 25 Shade Tree Ordinance are tabled until they can be reviewed.
Motion to Table Shade Tree Ordinances JR/KTZ All in Favor
Motion to Memorialize the Resolution Authorizing the CDBG application for the Borough of Rutledge. SR/JR A discussion took place regarding the application and the possible funding for codification of ordinances. Codification was discussed and its need in Rutledge. The value of proper updating and indexing was mentioned and the public was invited to comment on the application itself. There was no public comment and the resolution was unanimously approved ratifying the Statement of Support for the CDBG application in the amount of $40,000.
Motion to adjourn: HS/MG All in Favor
All in Favor
Respectfully Submitted,
DawnMarie Bascelli
Borough Secretary