David Waltz, Council President, opened the scheduled Work Session 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, Marie Govannicci, Diane McGaughey, Daniel Werner, James Jones, Tom Kopp
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Robert S. Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Borough Property/Building: Nothing to report.
Building– Dan Werner reported that there is an outstanding permit .
Finance– Nothing to report.
Public Safety – Tom Kopp stated that he would have to look for the letter from the 4th of July Committee to participate in the festivities. Mr. Kopp questioned the 30 days mentioned in the letter sent to the Fire Co. regarding cheerleading. Mr. Kopp left the meeting after he gave his report.
Recreation – Marie Govannicci stated that a resident called about a tick infestation at the Triangle Park. The Mayor, Council President and the Health Officer investigated, and found no infestation. The mulch that is used repels ticks. David Waltz spoke with the resident who made the report; she is fine with the results.
The lock on the water valve at the park is being addressed.
David Waltz stated that he received a quote to do the work by Henderson Plumbing of $1,650.00. The work consists of digging 36†down, removing the existing piping and valve, put in a new valve, and filling the pit with stone. Dan Werner suggested that more quotes be obtained. Marie Govannicci will get more quotes for the work.
Tree Commission – Marlaina Kloepfer attended the meeting. The Committee is concerned about funding. The Committee is working on an ordinance that recognizes them as a Committee of Council.
4th of July– Marie Govannicci stated that t-shirts are on sale. There will be an organizational meeting for a final tweaking of the events for the July 4th festivities on Thursday, June 25, 7:00 PM, 221 Sylvan Ave.
Streets : David Waltz reported that Karl Eilisnfeld has begun painting yellow lines, three feet long, 15 feet from the stop signs, for parking. The Mayor had a complaint of a large dump truck cutting through Rutledge Borough six or seven times a day from the construction area where the new homes are being built.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Nothing to report.
Communications– Marlaina Kloepfer reported that there will be a meeting in July. The Planning Commission information has been added to the Borough’s website. The intern, Matthew Kroon, will start next week. There was no response for a second intern. Ms. Kloepfer stated that she received information on economic ecology from the PA State Association of Boroughs Conference.
Planning Commission – Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Commission had a meeting on June 8. A new member is needed in January, as Kim Brown is running for Council. The Commission has done a lot of work on the accessory use ordinance. Ms. Kloepfer would like to keep the momentum going and have the Commission look at more ordinances. The Commission has done a lot of great work.
The Commission hosted a Composting Workshop on June 20 that was a success. Twenty people attended.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Cunningham distributed a speed enforcement evaluation from the Swarthmore Police. From June2 to June 10, 2 strips were placed in the street in the 200 block of Rutledge Ave. The speed limit is 25 MPH with a tolerance of 10 MPH. 345 cars went down the block, and most went 20-25 MPH. The average speed was 20 MPH. Eight people were going the wrong way- it could be people parking or Karl Eilinsfeld on the lawnmower. The police will monitor the Terraces in the future. Jim Jones stated that 25 MPH is too fast for a residential neighborhood.
Solicitor’s Report – Solicitor Robert Hunt reported that he researched the letter from Robert DeLucia, Esq. regarding plumbing permits. It appears that it is a complaint letter that was sent to all Boroughs stating that they should not allow plumbing work to be done without a contractor’s license. Rutledge Borough requires a State license and proof of liability insurance when a permit is issued. Rutledge stopped the issuance of contractors’ licenses when the Borough opted in to the PA UCC.
The Planning Commission submitted a draft revision of the deck ordinance for Mr. Hunt’s review.
The Shade Tree Commission submitted an ordinance for review.
Solicitor Hunt drafted a parking permit ordinance that includes two hour parking on Linden Ave. between Morton Ave. and Unity Terrace if there is no parking permit on the vehicle. One permit will be issued per address, and additional permits will cost $10.00 each.
Another enforcement letter was sent to the Firehouse regarding the illegal use of the building for cheerleading lessons. Mr. Hunt expects the matter to be appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board to see if the use is compliant with the current zoning.
Solicitor Hunt is working on a Flood Plain Ordinance. The document is 20-25 pages. A Flood Plain Administrator must be named, and it must be someone employed by the Borough. The ordinance is to be sent to FEMA before it is advertised and passed.
Solicitor Hunt is working on a firepit ordinance.
Old Business– Nothing to report.
New Business – A quote was received for a second computer of $1,375.00 from CKAM Technologies. This is the person who set up the other computer in the office. Dan Werner stated that the Borough should backup data and save it off-site. MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by Jim Jones, to purchase a new computer. MOTION approved unanimously.
Jack Borsch sent a letter regarding the fees for fire protection by the Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. Rutledge Borough budgeted $14,675.00 for 2015. The Fire Co. has stated that the amount will be $10,669.00, with $4,669.00 due now.
Catania Engineering sent a letter to the law firm that represents the bank that owns 7 Rutledge Ave., stating that the garage is condemned.
David Waltz stated that the Solicitor wrote a draft for parking permits. Mr. Jones commended the Solicitor for his efforts, but has concerns. He realizes that there is a parking problem on Linden Ave. because of the apartments in Morton Borough. There is already cluttered signage in the Borough, and this will add another sign. Mr. Walt explained that each home will get one parking permit at no cost, and the resident may purchase more at $10.00 each. Visitors can purchase a permit for $10.00 that will allow five days parking. Mr. Werner stated that he understands that there is a problem with parking in the Borough, and something needs to be done. Ms. Govannicci asked how the permits would be enforced- Swarthmore Police. Ms. Kloepfer stated that it will be extra work for the Secretary, and suggested that the Solicitor send a letter to the apartment manager. Mr. Jones suggested that signs be put up that read “Resident Parking Onlyâ€. Ms. McGaughey stated that the Borough can erect “No Parking “ signs for 89 days.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to purchase 2 “Resident Parking Only†and 4 “Resident Parking Only 1AM-6AM†signs. MOTION approved unanimously.
David Waltz stated that he would like to hire a part-time person to write up parking citations to be sent to the District Court. There are approximately 200 tickets that letters have been sent, but the people still have not paid. Mr. Waltz stated that the Swarthmore Police Secretary will do it for $25.00 per hour. She is able to complete 6-8 citations per hour. The fines collected will pay for her salary, and she will do it until the citations are caught up. Ms. Kloepfer stated that she would fill out citations, as long as another Council member does so, as well. Ms. Kloepfer stated that she will put a message out on the Listserve, Facebook, and the Borough webpage notifying residents that they have until July 6, 2015 to pay any outstanding tickets, or citations will be issued.
MOTION by Daniel Werner, Second by James Jones, to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano, Secretary