MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
March 19, 2018 Special Meeting (Replacing cancelled meeting on March 26, 2018)
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 Newell, Councilwoman Govannicci, Councilman Torres-Zickler, Councilwoman Reed and Mayor Cunningham.
Absent: Councilwoman Gradel
Public Comment – None
Motion to Approve the Minutes of the February 5 and February 26, 2018 Council Meetings JR/LR AIF
Public Comment on the SCOREBOARD –
Jen Mickle (110 E. Sylvan Ave and from the Planning Commission) asked questions about council’s position on canvasing the neighborhood for feedback about the scoreboard. Jen stated a woman had claimed she was contacted by council members, but she was not formally canvased by council. This was followed by a lengthy conversation on canvasing, how council did reach out to residents, how everyone felt about canvasing or not and discussions about a council person’s individual actions versus those of council as a unit.
Council President Sentivan let people know that council did not canvas, and because the scoreboard did not require a variance (which has a set definition of who needs to be contacted for a hearing opportunity) there was no need. Based on the advice of the Borough Solicitor, it was recommended that we use standard Borough communication channels (including electronic posting and distribution lists) so as to avoid inadvertently creating a precedent..
The solicitor drew a distinction between canvassing as a Council and conversations that an individual Councilperson may have with a resident of the Borough. She stated that every council person had the right to talk to people individually and that was part of their first amendment protections and that she would personally want her councilperson to tell her what was happening in their neighborhood. She felt it was appropriate for a councilperson to seek out like-minded people to encourage meeting attendance, etc. if they didn’t had concerns with an issue before council. What an individual does, does not bind council.
Carrie Kozub (103 President) requested clarifications about the difference between canvassing and conversations, specifically approaching people’s homes and seeking someone out. Carrie suggested that all council members respect their process, and each other by bringing their discussion points and criticisms to council first. If there are issues, they should be laid before their peers first before a member goes off on their own. She felt this slowed the process. The scoreboard was decided on last fall and now the installation won’t be in time for this year’s season and she is frustrated by that.
Jen Mickle added that everyone needs to put their thoughts out there. Having the same opinion is not necessary but don’t oppose something in a secretive manner. Everyone is still neighbors and needs to discuss these issues.
Tony Collins ( 118 President and from the Planning Commission) asked what actions of council versus an individual are. He noted that Jen Mickle brought the Planning Board’s comments to council.
Councilman Roberts discussed the suggestions provided to the Council from the planning commission, which indicated that Council should consider design, insurance costs, etc. based on the feedback provided by community members at the previous Council work session. He noted that while Council did not get this information from the planning commission in time for the previous Council meeting, the comments offered by other residents were addressed by the considerations provided by the planning commission. He also noted that this Council had not received any details on the scoreboard until January and had requested that the Planning Board review the design first and public comment first.
Council President Sentivan noted that council wants to move forward but they want to check everything to insure the best decision.
The design for the scoreboard was confirmed and the sample shown. Insurance premium effect was $9. Additional monies for installation were raised at this week’s Beef & Beer which was also a really fun community event. Council President Sentivan noted she would love to see more events like that happen just for community gathering.
Margie Corcoran of the Girls Club announced that the Beef & Beer raised approximately $6800 for the scoreboard installation. They also had a local team member’s father who is a licensed electrician volunteer to handle that aspect of the installation. Congratulations were offered.
Councilwoman Govannicci asked to confirm that the back of the scoreboard is now gray. That was confirmed.
Motion to approve the scoreboard design and installation: MG/JR 1 N0 Lindsay Reed 4 YES Passed
The scoreboard will now be ordered.
Motion to approve disbursements for the month: JR/HS AIF
A quarterly report will be presented next month.
Margie Corcoran thanked everyone for the somewhat difficult process. She thought the outcome was great for the community and the girls and feels the message on the scoreboard is welcoming. She presented Council with the Division Championship Plaque for 2017.
Councilman Ken Torres-Zickler announced that he was very happy to get newsletters out and thanked Rachael Roxanne for proofreading and helping with delivery.
A thank you was also offered to the communications committee for the helpful weather related messages about parking, plowing and trash among other things.
Motion to adjourn at 7:43: HS/KTZ All in Favor
Respectfully Submitted,
DawnMarie Bascelli
Borough Secretary