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: David Waltz, Marlaina Kloepfer, Tom Kopp, M. Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not Present: Marie Govannicci, James Jones
Public Comment: None
Minutes: MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of July 27, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve the minutes for the Council Meeting of July 7, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of July 2015. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve the July Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
1)FEMA sent a rerate of 75 S. Morton Ave., Rutledge Court Apartments. The residence is removed from the Special Flood Hazard Area.
2) The Fire Co. applied for a Zoning Hearing.
3) PA State Association of Boroughs- sent a Proud Member plaque
4) PA State Association of Boroughs- Fall Leadership Conference- October16-18. 2015, Seven Springs Mountain Resort
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that, as of July 31, 2015 438,471.80 has been collected. The discount and face period are over, and we are in the penalty phase now. $29,958.35 is outstanding- 13 Real Estate tax; 7 Sewer Fee; 34 Per Capita Tax.
Code Enforcement: The Secretary read the Code Official Reports for June and July.
June- 3 Complaints received, 1 U&O Inspection not approved, 1 Rental license not approved
July – 3 Complaints received, 2 U&O Inspections not approved, 4 Rental licenses- 2 approved, 2 not approved
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for July 2015. There were 23 Parking Tickets, 8 traffic tickets and 2 traffic warnings.
Mayor Cunningham stated that the tree in front of the Community Center needs to be pruned because the flag cannot be lowered to half-staff. During the storm on June 23, two branches fell. David Waltz is getting estimates to remove the tree. It was pruned two times. A professional gave an opinion that the tree may split if there is another storm. Dan Werner would like a second opinion on whether the tree should be pruned or removed.
Mike MacCrone of the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. has requested use of the Triangle Park on September 19, 2015 for the 12th Annual Horseshoe Tournament.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that the Chief is unable to attend tonight’s Council Meeting.
Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for July.
There were 23 calls with time in service of 8 Hours, 38 Minutes; 101 Hours 48 Minutes Manpower
There were 2 Drills with time in service of 4 Hours, 30 Minutes 34 Hours 30 Minutes Manpower
The Fire Co. participated in Morton and Rutledge 4th of July festivities.
Six members are training to be drivers and operators.
Mr. Kopp spoke with the Code Enforcement Officer regarding removal of the propane tanks at 409 Morton Ave.
The Annual Fund drive is $5,000.00 short of the goal.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Nothing to report.
Recreation: Nothing to report.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that she has two items for new business.
Planning Commission: Nothing to report
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Daniel Werner had an issue with a resident on Sylvan Ave. who wanted to take down his existing garage and put up a new one that was the same size. The resident thought this was permitted because his garage was “grandfathered inâ€. The term means that the existing garage did not have to be removed when the new ordinance with garage requirements was passed. But, if the resident wanted to erect a new garage, it would have to comply with the current zoning. Or, the resident can replace up to 75% of the existing garage, and does not have to comply with the current ordinance.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Shade Tree Commission: A proposed ordinance was given to the Planning Commission for review.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that the repaving of two blocks of Melrose Terrace has started. Ridley Twp. will accept the $31,000.00 that Aqua paid Rutledge Borough as payment in full for the work.
The stop sign on Unity Terrace and Sylvan Avenue is not visible. The Code Enforcement Officer will notify the owner to trim the bush.
Diane McGaughey reported that there is a dumpster on Sylvan Ave. with no lights on it.
Solicitor’s Report: Robert Hunt stated that he drafted a banking resolution for check signers for TD.
The CodeRed contract for emergency notification has automatically renewed for one year.
The PA State Association of Boroughs would like Boroughs to pass a resolution to support Senate Bill 3, in support of medical marijuana use.
Old Business:Tom Kopp reported that the second and final inspection of the elevator has been completed.
New Business:
Diane McGaughey reported that the Community Yard Sale will be on Saturday, September 12, 2015, 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
David Waltz reported that the Chambers Memorial Church’s subdivision plan was approved by the Zoning Hearing Board with the condition that a driveway be put in on the right side of the property. Dan Werner stated that the original plans are over the pervious surface coverage, and now will be 80%.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to accept the plans for the subdivision of Chambers Memorial Church property. MOTION approved unanimously.
Marlaina Kloepfer stated that the contract for website hosting expires this month. MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Daniel Werner, to renew the website hosting contract for three years at a cost of $286.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Diane McGaughey, Second by Daniel Werner, to renew a one year contract with CodeRed emergency notification system at a cost of $500.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve Resolution 2015-08-01, a resolution that authorizes Council President, Council Vice President, and the Secretary/Treasurer to sign TD bank checks. MOTION approved unanimously.
David Waltz stated that the summer intern, Matthew Kroon, is doing a fantastic job sending out letters for unpaid parking tickets. $1,305.00 has been collected in past due parking tickets. Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Marlaina Kloepfer, and Kim Brown are working on citations. The payment of parking tickets will be strictly enforced.
David Waltz reported that the Borough is entering into the last year of the police contract with Swarthmore. The option to back out of the contract for 2016 ended on July 31, 2015. The Borough will negotiate a new contract next year.
Tom Kopp reported that the Fire Marshall Certificate will expire at the end of August.
Public Comment: Viginia Warmerdam, Chambers Memorial Church, asked if the paperwork for the Church’s subdivision had been signed. David Waltz responded that Council and the Planning Commission have to sign the paperwork, and it will be given to Catania Engineering to file at the courthouse in Media.
Bills for August 3, 2015:
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marlaina Kloepfer, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $36,889.40. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Diane McGaughey, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,448.21. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano,
Secretary