MINUTES OF THE RUTLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
November 25, 2019 Work Session
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA 19070
Meeting was called to order and Pledge of Allegiance recited at 7:31 pm.
Roll Call: Present: Heidi Sentivan (excused absence), Jody Roberts, Marie Govannicci, Samantha Newell, Christine Gradel, Ken Torres-Zickler, Lindsay Reed, Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Administrator Barbarann Keffer, Solicitor Christine Reuther.
Public Comment: none
Mayor’s Report: KC read the police report. The Tree Lighting ceremony will be on December 2 at 7 pm.
Chief Stufflet discussed that an officer was hired to take his place SPD force after his promotion to chief. The department is still in need of an officer to be fully staffed. JR commended the Chief on the department’s community outreach efforts.
Minutes: motion to pass the minutes from the November 4, 2019 meeting (SN/MG); motion passed unanimously.
Trash & Recycling: KTZ discussed the 2020 recycling calendar and continued public outreach about contamination of the recyclables.
Communications: KTZ talked about the upcoming newsletter and the input/notices that should be in it.
Activities: LR said the committee is finalizing the 2020 event list and there was a discussion of the borough calendar. The committee will meet the 4th Monday of every month.
Public Safety: Jen Mickle discussed the first draft of Resolution 2019-13, required by Act 172, to allow the volunteer firefighter tax credit to MRFC members who fit the qualifications. She also addressed questions by Council about the qualification guidelines.
Finance: The 2020 budget draft is ready to be publicly advertised. JR read the updated version of the budget which increases the millage rate by 1 mil, the sewer fee will go up by $35/household and the trash fee will increase by $35/household.
Jen Mickle discussed the card payment system.
MG asked if the borough employee salaries needed to voted on; because the hourly rates have not changed, CR stated that there did not have to be a separate vote.
Motion to advertise the 2020 budget (MG/SN); motion passed unanimously.
Streets: Pothole repairs are set to start this week. PECO sent a vague notice about routine tree pruning which will be taking place in Rutledge.
Building: There was a discussion of raising the cost of renting the lower hall to $500 (up from $425) and also of increasing the “prime season†(May and June) costs by $50 for the upper and lower halls.
Motion to increase the rates as stated above for contracts signed in 2020 (SN/LR); motion passed unanimously.
Planning: The Emergency Response Plan should be finalized for review and action in early 2020.
Public Comment: none
Old Business: There was a discussion of the possibility of a 6-month contract with the Mommy and Me business.
New Business: In 2020, Council meetings will go back to the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm.
There was a brief discussion of whether or not the borough would participate and/or be a sponsor in the Darby Creek Valley Association’s Watershed-Wide clean-up in April.
Motion to adjourn, 8:51 pm (LR/MG).