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, Daniel Werner, Marie Govannicci, James Jones
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Police Chief Brian Craig, Robert Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not Present: M. Diane McGaughey
Public Comment: Karl Eilinsfeld submitted his resignation as the Borough’s highwayman, effective September 25, 2015.
Minutes: MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to approve the minutes as submitted for the Council Meeting of August 3, 2015. Tom Kopp stated that he did not speak with the Code
Enforcement Officer regarding propane tanks. MOTION approved unanimously with noted change.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to approve the minutes for the Work Session of August 24, 2015. Daniel Werner stated that he did not attend the meeting. MOTION approved unanimously with noted change.
Treasurer’s Report: Gennifer Guiliano distributed the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August 2015. MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by Marie Govannicci, to approve the August Treasurer’s Report as submitted. MOTION approved unanimously.
Correspondence:
- Jamie Miller – 101
- Sylvan Ave. was damaged by the storm on June 23, 2015. Her contractor has been working with her insurance company to agree on a price for the sidewalk repair. The work will be completed by September 25, 2015.
- Kathy Donaghy- Thank you for the phone call regarding the outstanding parking ticket- what a kind service
- Ferg Abbott, Wallingford Swarthmore School District – Would like the Community’s help to develop a leadership profile for the next superintendent at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District via discussion groups. Would like volunteers to attend discussion groups.
- 2014 Financial Audit
- Delores Shelton, Chairperson, Chester City 333rd Founder’s Day Celebration Committee- Founding Celebration Luncheon will be on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Willie Mae Leake Community Center, 701 Yarnall Street, Chester, PA from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM $33.00 per ticket.
- Robert J. Willert, Executive Director, DELCORA – Press release regarding the settlement agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to make improvements to the combined sewer and stormwater drainage system in the City of Chester.
- PennDOT- Master Casting Agreement
Tax Collector’s Report: The Secretary read the Tax Collector’s Report for August. $443,500.01 has been collected as of August 31. 2015. Accounts receivable- $24,930.16.
Code Enforcement: The Secretary read the Code Official Report for August. There were: 3 Complaints received regarding weeds and property maintenance issues, 2 Rental licenses inspections approved.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Kevin Cunningham read the Police Report for August 2015. There were 12 Parking Tickets, 2 traffic tickets and 1 traffic warning.
Morton Borough would like Rutledge Borough to join its shredding event for residents. There is a cost involved. To be discussed at the Work Session. David Waltz stated that the bank in Swarthmore has free shredding twice a year.
There are still streetlights that are not working.
There were people knocking on doors soliciting without a permit. Chief Brian Craig reported that the Borough cannot stop non-profits from knocking on doors, and cannot interfere with people trying to make a profit. Residents can put “No Soliciting†signs on their properties.
Public Safety: Tom Kopp reported that the Deputy Chief Chris Reife is here at tonight’s Council Meeting.
Tom Kopp read the Fire Co. report for August.
There were 18 calls with time in service of 8 Hours, 29 Minutes; 41 Hours 34 Minutes Manpower
There were 4 Drills with time in service of 7 Hours; 51 Hours Manpower
Two members attended the Keystone Conference Training Expo- 22 Hours
Annual Driver Operation Course- 44 Man Hours
The Fire Co. sold food at the Yard Sale.
The 12th Annual Horseshoe Tournament will be on Saturday, September 16, 2015. The cost is $30.00, and signin is from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM. The rain date is Sunday, September 20, 2015.
Finance: Daniel Werner stated that he will start collecting input from Council for the 2016 Budget.
Property/Building Maintenance: Nothing to report.
4th of July Committee: Marie Govannicci reported that there will be a meeting on October 12 to discuss tree lighting and look at the tree in front of the Community Center.
Recreation: Marie Govannicci reported that there will be a block party on the 200 block of Sylvan Ave. on Saturday, September 26, 2015, 2PM-9PM. It is potluck food and refreshments, and there will be a movie for children. There will be activities and games. Ms. Govannicci stated that she is getting three quotes for sidewalk repairs at the Triangle Park and in front of the Community Center.
Rutledge Girls’ Club– Marie Govannicci reported that the girls are playing fall ball, and she requested a list of things that they will need for 2016.
Communication: Marlaina Kloepfer reported that she has items for new business.
Planning Commission: Nothing to report
Ordinance: Nothing to report.
Trash: The trash contract is up in 2016.
Building: Daniel Werner stated that there are active building permits.
Sewer: No PA One calls this month.
Shade Tree Commission: The Commission met on September 9, 2015, which will be discussed at the Work Session. The Committee would like to change the day of the meetings because Ms. Govannicci cannot attend meetings on that night.
Streets: Nothing to report.
Solicitor’s Report: Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that he prepared a resolution and 33-page ordinance for
Floodplain Management for the National Flood Insurance Plan that was submitted to FEMA for review. It regulates how the Borough must do things in the floodplain area.
A Floodplain Administrator must be named. It must be an employee. Mr. Hunt suggested that it be the Code Enforcement Officer.
A secondary person must be named as a contact, such as Council President or Vice President, and an effective date needs to be named. To be discussed further at the Work Session.
Old Business:
Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Planning Commission has a meeting tonight and will discuss the fire pit and Shade Tree Commission ordinances.
Marie Govannicci stated that Rachel Sten of the Tree Commission would like to attend the Work Session to discuss the Borough logo. Her company does graphic design and can help the Borough to do what it wants. Ms. Kloepfer stated that she would open up a discussion about the logo on Facebook.
Tom Kopp stated that he spoke with the Code Enforcement Officer, Dave Ciancaglione, today about the propane tanks at 409 Morton Ave. Council President Waltz stated that he had asked Mr. Ciancaglione to investigate the property because there is a lot of trash on it, and that is when Mr. Ciancaglione noticed the tanks. Mr. Kopp reported that, according to NFPA 6.3.1, propane tanks less than 125 gallons may be placed zero distance from a house. 58.6.3.1 says that the State has sole jurisdiction over the propane industry.
New Business:
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to pass Resolution 2015-09-01, a resolution that authorizes the Council President and Secretary to execute the PennDOT Master Casting Agreement. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to accept the resignation of Karl Eilinsfeld, highwayman, effective September 25, 2015. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Tom Kopp, Second by Marie Govannicci, to advertise for the highwayman position, after a job description has been written. MOTION approved unanimously.
Public Comment: None
Bills for September 14, 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 $24,373.81. 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 $1,247.67. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by tom Kopp, to approve payment of the bills for the month from the Gas Fund in the amount of $52,023.00. MOTION approved unanimously.
Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:05 PM.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano
Secretary