April 6, 2020 Council Meeting

MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

April 6, 2020 Council Meeting 

212 Unity Terrace

Rutledge, PA 19070

 

The remote meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance recited at 7:34 pm. The meeting was open to the public live on facebook and a phone number was available for residents to call in during the meeting.

 

Roll Call, Present: Heidi Sentivan, Jody Roberts, Marlaina Kloepfer, Samantha Newell, Christine Gradel, Ken Torres-Zickler, Lindsay Reed, Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Administrator Barbarann Keffer, Solicitor Christine Reuther. 

 

Public Comment:  none

 

Tax Collector: No report at this time; there will be one at the work session.

 

Minutes: motion to pass the March 16 council meeting minutes  (HS/LR); passed unanimously. 

 

Public Safety:  The February MRFC report was read aloud.  Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, approval of Ray Devine as Emergency Manager is pending but expected to go through.

 

Finance: Approval of the bills list from March 17-April 6, was tabled.  There was a discussion on possibly opening the hall rentals after the worst of the pandemic is over to 4 events per weekend.

            

Parks: There will be a rebidding of Phase 1 of the Triangle Park Plan; the Master Plan is in on hold until we can hold a public meeting. HS requested that Joe McGinnis remove the basketball rims because the caution tape was not working to dissuade people from congregating at the basketball court.

 

Streets:  Motion to move forward with a bid package to pave Waverly Terrace from President Avenue to Linden Avenue and Linden Avenue to Rutledge Boarder (HS/SN); passed unanimously.

 

Sewer: 

 

Building: MK talked about the amendments to the 2018 Property Maintenance Code which mostly concern roof and sump pump drainage and run-off; JR offered language on the amendments.

 

Activities:  There will possibly be a virtual Scavenger Hunt with the Shade Tree Commission.  The Spring Shade Tree Commission tree planting has been cancelled.  The park clean-up will be rescheduled. No contact Easter egg hunt will be put together for the weekend and advertised via email and Facebook.

 

Communications:  KTZ will continue to do the email blasts as necessary as new information on the Coronavirus becomes available.  CR spoke about how local municipalities can work with local law enforcement to create an ordinance on summary offenses related to disorderly conduct.  Residents should call the SPD for non-compliance issues.

 

There were questions about exempt businesses (landscaping companies are exempt) and how best practices should be observed.  And a discussion on shorter, targeted, themed messaging on this Corona-life.

 

Personnel: JR talked about how the office is working with a staggered staff to keep everyone safe and that there would not be any furloughs or layoffs.  Borough Hall is officially closed to the public but available via phone and email.

 

Planning: 

 

Mayor’s Report: KC thanked everyone for adhering to the stay-at-home orders; parents are encouraged to keep everyone safe and make sure that their children are following proper social distancing.  The borough being closed means the parks are too.  KC also thanked Ben Martin for fixing the flagpole.  There was another dog-on-dog attack at Linden and Waverly.  Questions followed concerning the 3-strike rule. KC to follow up with the Police.

 

KC also received a complaint about burning trash/fire pit rules.  He encouraged residents to call 911 and state that it is a “non-emergency” call. If the police are available, they will investigate. Additionally it is helpful to document in the police report, so that council can identify community issues.   

 

Public Comment: none

 

New Business:  JR gave a synopsis of the County Covid-19 call: the virus is still spreading and the County has modified the way it is counting positive cases.  The new data mapping includes the % of positive tests in each municipal population.

 

CR stated that the assisted-living and nursing homes as well as prisons are most concerning.  CG asked about the County Council remote meetings.  HS said that borough council will stick with its regularly scheduled meetings and continue to use Zoom.

 

Old Business: none

 

Motion to adjourn, 8:28 pm. (HS/KTZ).