M. Diane McGaughey, 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: M. Diane McGaughey, Marlaina Kloepfer, Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci, Tom Kopp, and David Waltz.
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, and Robert Hunt., Jr., Esq.
Not present: Brian Costello
Minutes:Â MOTION by David Waltz, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of June 3, 2013. MOTION approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: No Report
Correspondence: None
Tax Collector’s Report: Thomas Heron reported that $393,376 was collected in June and reported that 20 real-estate, 9 sewer invoices, and 30 per capita remain to be collected. Mr. Heron provided a schedule to solicitor.
Code Enforcement Report: Harry Mirra read his report for June 2013:
The following properties passed their inspections: 2 Linden Avenue and 105 Morton Avenue. The property at 226 Rutledge Avenue failed. Mr. Mirra inquired about the boundary line between Rutledge and Ridley because of issue with the creek to the borough Engineer. Councilmember Werner will examine sewage specs to see if there are defined boundaries. Councilmember Waltz had a map from the engineer in possession and gave the map to Mr. Mirra for review. Mention of literature being shared with the residents who live near the creek prohibiting dumping/littering in the creek. Councilmember Werner said he would work on this literature. Update on the property on Sylvan Avenue: new photos were taken after the court hearing and everything has been pushed back a month (updates are to be done by August 14th). Two zoning permits were completed for 202 President Avenue and 2 Unity Terrace.
Public Comment: None
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police report for March. There were:
30 Parking Tickets      1 Warning       11 Motor Vehicle Citations
6/2 Â Â Â theft reported of bicycle on President Avenue
6/17Â theft of loose change from parked car in driveway on Rutledge Avenue
6/26 report of unknown male in area of Rutledge Avenue, upon arrival subject was gone and there was no answer at the complainant’s door
Additional information regarding the recycling event will be shared but the tentative time is 1-4:00. The details for the 4th of July are set. Discussed a potential future bicycle registration event.
4th of July: Ready for the celebration on the 4th. The game passes for the day are ready to go out. Thanks to everyone for the help.
Communication: The committee will be meeting on July 9th to discuss the newsletter and other future projects. The contract for our emergency communication has been switched from Global Connect to CodeRed due to an acquisition that occurred. Councilmember Kloepfer is trying to make contact with CodeRed to move forward.
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Building: Nothing to report.
Recreation: We are waiting for the invoice so the special needs swing and base can be ordered. It will take about 2-3 weeks for the swing and base to arrive.
Sewer: Councilmember Werner is investigating the process of fully replacing the sewer mains in a non-intrusive manner as part of a long-term plan.
Shade Tree Commission: Next meeting is August 21st.
Public Safety: Councilmember Kopp was happy that council had the opportunity to see the new truck. The new truck will be at the Rutledge 4th of July Celebration. Everything is going well, but it is busy for the fire department. They received almost an alarm a day in the month of June. The inside of the station has been painted by its members, a hydrant has been put on the ramp at the station, the truck committee did an excellent job of purchasing the new truck. There was only a difference of $150,000 between the 1997 purchase and this one.
Finance: Nothing to report
Property/Borough Building: Nothing to report.
Streets: Councilmember Waltz reported that the curbing for Waverly Terrace is being disputed and a decision will be made during the work session as to how to move forward. PECO wants to complete work on Waverly between now and September on a gas line. Contact with PECO will be made to try to get PECO in and done their work before our street work/repair begins. We will need to get a definite start date from PECO. Our street work is not scheduled to start until after July 15th. Our timeline is still acceptable with the state in terms of our grant as long as we make the first payment.
Solicitor’s Report: The purposed parking ordinance was circulated to all members. After the final draft is approved, the notice will go out.
Update on the Swarthmore Contract: There was an issue of an ordinance being needed because it can be considered an inter-governmental contract (which is being sought by the Swarthmore Solicitor). The language of the code is not clear and there is not much case law regarding this issue. Mr. Hunt will contact the Swarthmore Solicitor to discuss the ordinance. Mr. Hunt updated council on the property on Rutledge Avenue. Mr. Mirra helped expedite the process by visiting the property after the formal hearing to help go over the items. The family is now involved with the cleanup.
Old Business: Nothing to report.
New Business:
Update on the Planning Commission. Presently the council has received two resumes. Council is in need of one more application in order to fill the five member commission.
Council is in need of one individual to serve as an alternate on the Zoning Hearing Board. A letter of interest and resume is required to be considered for the position. If residents are interested, please forward the letter and resume to the President of Council.
Public Comment: None
Bills for July 1, 2013:
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the General Fund in the amount of $9,426.66. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Dan Werner, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $789.94. MOTION Â approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Submitted by:
Marlaina Kloepfer, Councilmember