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, Tom Kopp, James Jones, Marlaina Kloepfer, Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq., Police Chief Brian Craig
Not Present: M. Diane McGaughey
Minutes: MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by James Jones, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of July 7, 2014. Daniel Werner stated that he was not here, so he cannot argue what is in this document, but there is something untrue in Sara Hill’s public comment. Ms. Hill stated â€Daniel Werner went to Ms. Hill’s and instructed her to put out the fire or she would be cited and he would call the police.†Mr. Werner said that that he said nothing about Ms. Hill getting cited. He knew full well that she would have gotten a warning. That statement says that there was a fire going on when he arrived. Further down, Ms. Hill says that the fire was cold when Mr. Werner got there. This is untrue, and there was a witness there who also saw the lighted fire, and Mr. Werner is surprised that the witness did not speak up at the July meeting. This is an integrity thing on Mr. Werner’s part. He went to Ms. Hill’s house to try to rectify a problem. This should not have happened to Mr. Werner, and he expressed his displeasure at the way it was handled. Mr. Werner wants to make a note that statement was untrue. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by James Jones, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Work Session of July 28, 2014. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of July 2014. MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the Treasurer’s Reports as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
1)Â Â Â Â Â PennDOT Master Casting Agreement for 2014-2017
2)Â Â Â Â Â PECO- Green Region/Open Space Program- 10th Anniversary bonus opportunity. Five grants of $10,000 each will be awarded for projects that provide a lasting benefit to young people in the community and that include them in the design and/or implementation of the project. No matching funds will be required.
3)Â Â Â Â Â PECO- Ralph Brown, PECO Energy, notified the Borough that its Growing Greener Grant application was approved, along with those of the members of AFewSteps.Org.
4)Â Â Â Â Â PA State Association of Boroughs-Basic Budgeting Class7 many webinars
5)     Temple School Environmental Design – conducting a study about municipal level efforts in Greater Philadelphia to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The purpose is to learn what is already being done in Delaware Valley Communities and how universities and public agencies can assist municipal leaders in these efforts
6)Â Â Â Â Â 2013 Financial Audit has been completed. Suggestions have been given to Council
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $456,252.02 has been collected as of July 31, 2014. Accounts receivable as of July 31, 2014 is $25,729.00- 9 Real Estate, 9 Sewer, 42 Per Capita. $481,984.03 should be collected as of 12/31/2014. Mr. Heron reported that he received paperwork from the County regarding an upset price sale. The County will put a lien on 1 Sylvan Ave. for unpaid taxes. The property, which belongs to Northwestern Services, is tax exempt from Real Estate and School taxes, but the fees for trash removal and sewer must be paid.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for July.
1 Apartment Inspection
2 Correction Notices
High grass & leaves on President Ave.
Hanging light fixture Sylvan Ave.- corrected
3 Active Zoning Permits
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for July 2014. There were 27 Parking Tickets, 4 Traffic Citations 3 Traffic Warnings.
Mayor Cunningham reported that August 5, 2014 is National Night Out Against Crime, and residents are asked to show support by turning on their porch lights from 7PM-10 PM. The Police Chief will spend more time in Rutledge that evening.
There will be a one-block parade, with a fire engine, for the Girls’ Club. The girls will get trophies.
Mayor Cunningham took care of the confusion regarding an electronic recycling event.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that he has the Fire Company reports from May to July.
May 2014
25 Calls     121 Personnel Responded Haz Mat Spill in Morton
June 2014
18 Calls          13 Hours         30 Minutes
3 Training       9 Hours                       30 Minutes
July 2014
23 Calls          9 Hours                       3 Minutes
3 Training       6 Hours           30 Minutes
1 Special Detail                       4 Hours                      2 Borough Parades
The Fire Co. will sell food at the Community Wide Yard Sale in September.
The Horseshoe Tournament is coming up in September.
Property/Building Maintenance: No report.
4th of July Committee: Â Marie Govannicci thanked everyone for their efforts in making the 4th of July festivities a success. The Committee will meet again on November 10, 2014 to discuss the tree lighting ceremony and the luminaries. Ms. Govannicci requested that a tent, cost not to exceed $800.00, be purchased for use at Borough events.
Recreation: The infield at the Triangle Park needs to be weeded, plus other repairs for next year need to be included in the budget.
Ms. Govannicci is looking into getting a new rain garden sign.
Ms. Govannicci is working with Catania Engineers on the drainage problem with the rain garden.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Nothing to report.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that a Code Red representative called. They would like to enter into an agreement with COG, and would like to upgrade current members’ coverage to include text messaging, at an affordable rate.
The Committee will have an information table at the Community Yard Sale. Any committees that would like to share resources are welcome to provide handouts/folders. They are working on the rain barrel initiative with Morton and Swarthmore Boroughs. Residents can preorder and pick up the rain barrels at the Yard Sale, or place an order that day.
Planning Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that there has been a delay in getting the meeting minutes. There was a meeting on July 14, 2014. The Commission discussed the zoning of the former fire house, and they recommend that Council not change the current zoning of the building. The next meeting will be on August 11, 2014.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Jim Jones reported that a price of $5,000.00 was received to repair the Borough’s lines that caused the sinkhole at 32 President Ave. Sewer reserve funds will be used. A call was received from a resident at 213 President Ave. stating that there is a sinkhole in the rear of his property. A dye test will be done to determine if the problem is with the Borough’s lines or the homeowner’s lateral.
Shade Tree Commission: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that a call for a Secretary was sent out.
Finance: Nothing to report.
Streets: David Waltz reported that the County approved a grant for $30,000.00 for the repair of Swarthmore Ave. $25,000.00 is set aside for next year. The Borough can either hold this year’s grant and do one repair in 2015, or do two separate jobs, one each year. Mr. Waltz thanked the County for the grant, and stated that the County has been very good to the Borough.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reminded Council that the 2015 Budget planning is coming up. The Planning Commission gave a formal recommendation regarding zoning of the old Fire House. A formal letter of recommendation will be sent to Council for discussion at the August 25, 2014 Work Session.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business: MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to authorize the purchase of a tent to be used for Borough related events, cost not to exceed $800.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by James Jones, Second by Marie Govannicci, to authorize repairs to the sinkhole and sewer line at 32 President Ave. at a cost of $5,000.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by James Jones, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve Resolution 2014-08-01 which authorizes the Council President and Secretary to sign the 2014-2017 Master Casting Agreement with PennDOT. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: Harry Mirra, Code Enforcement Official, submitted his resignation. Mr. Mirra will stay on until a replacement has been and trained, but will have to leave by October, 2014. Mr. Mirra served 22 years as the Borough’s Code Official. Mr. Mirra thanked Council and the Mayor for the dedicated and outstanding service to the Borough and to him.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to go into Executive Session at 8:04 PM to discuss personnel issues. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by Marie Govannicci, to end Executive Session at 8:32 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.
Bills for August 4, 2014:Â
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Jsames Jones, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $13,141.35. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $1,019.47. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Sewer Fund in the amount of $54,233.76. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary