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
Also present: Mayor Kevin Cunningham, Robert S. Hunt, Jr., Esq.
Not present: Tom Kopp
Public Comment: Patrick Barton and Paul O’Connor want to purchase the Rutledge Court Apartments at 75 S. Morton Ave. FEMA designated that the property is located in the flood zone. Rutledge Borough is suspended from the FEMA program, and the gentlemen are unable to get flood insurance. FEMA subsidizes flood insurance.
25 S. Morton Ave. in Morton and 75 S. Morton Ave. in Rutledge have the same parcel identification number, according to FEMA.
The gentlemen have engaged a civil engineer to do an elevation certificate to show that the FEMA information is incorrect. The property is supposed to settle on May 20, 2015, but it might have to be pushed back because of the flood plain issue. David Waltz asked the gentlemen to call him as soon as they hear from the Engineer.
David Waltz gave a letter to Solicitor Robert Hunt from FEMA that states that Rutledge is suspended from the program, to find out why.
Borough Property/Building: Nothing to report.
Building– Dan Werner reported that there is an outstanding permit for a deck. More information is needed.
Finance– Nothing to report.
Public Safety – No report.
Recreation – Marie Govannicci reported that the water at the park is working. A padlock will be put on the water device so that water will be more accessible to water the trees and plants.
Tree Commission – Marie Govannicci reported that the Commission has some activities coming up that are listed on the Borough website.
4th of July– Marie Govannicci reported that the extra Rutledge shirts in inventory will be sold. There will be a plain logo shirt for this year’s July 4th festivities. A new logo will be worked on for future shirts. The rain date for the festivities is Sunday, July 5, 2:00 PM. The Committee will send out flyers stating the activities of the 4th of July and Tree Committees, with a donation envelope.
Streets : David Waltz stated that Ridley Township should approve bids for paving this week. Hopefully, the work will be done by the end of the summer. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has a State wide program for LED streetlight replacement. The Commission will evaluate the streetlights and electricity bills and shop prices for electrical services. There are 35 communities involved, and Rutledge responded by May 15, 2015. A letter of intent will be sent out shortly.
They will buy and install all of the lights, and there will be no out of pocket costs for the municipalities. Payment will be the difference between the old electricity payment and the new bill. The repayment schedule is a 4-7 year program. Diane McGaughey stated that she attended a COG meeting where this was discussed. 70% of the utility pole belongs to PECO Energy.
Mr. Waltz reported that the potholes in the streets will be patched. He has a list for Karl Eilinsfeld.
Trash: Nothing to report.
Sewer: Jim Jones reported that there was a sewer backup at a resident’s property. General Sewer was called to clear the blockage. General Sewer strongly suggested that Rutledge put together a maintenance program for the Borough’s sewers.
Communications- Marlaina Kloepfer reported that there was a meeting on May 14, 2015. The Committee is reworking the ordinance section on the webpage to make it more searchable. They are going to add an FAQ and “Did you know†section. They are looking at having a recorded version of Council and Work Session meetings on YouTube. They have a call in to Comcast. They are developing a standard release form for photos of minors so that they may be posted to the Borough website and Facebook. Solicitor Hunt will draft the release. An announcement for two summer interns went out on Facebook. Resumes are due by June 1, 2015. Ms. Kloepfer is working on the forms for the Code Enforcement Officer.
Planning Commission – Marlaina Kloepfer reported that the Commission is having a composting workshop on June 20, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, upstairs in the Community Center. The cost is $50.00 per person, $55 per couple. Attendees will receive a composting bin.
The Commission has worked on ordinance revisions for decks and fire pits, and the revisions have been referred to the Solicitor for review. There was a discussion about portable and permanent fire pits.
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Kevin Cunningham reported that he will schedule a meeting with the police regarding parking and speeding in the Borough. They will put down strips that help calculate the speed of cars. David Waltz reported that he has been talking to Officer Bill Thomas.
Mayor Cunningham reported that there will be a Memorial Service on Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 1:00 PM. Diane McGaughey asked that he police monitor issues such as contractors parking on the wrong side of the street. Ms. McGaughey stated that the Police Contract ends next year. Council discussed issues such as parking on the sidewalk and parking too close to stop signs. Mr. Waltz reported that, according to the State, municipalities control the distance for parking near stop signs.
Solicitor’s Report –Solicitor Robert Hunt stated that a flood plain ordinance must be passed by September 2, 2015. FEMA has updated its ordinances, so Rutledge must adopt them. Diane McGaughey asked if it would help residents in the flood plain area if Ridley Twp. widened the creek.
Old Business– Nothing to report.
New Business – Marie Govannicci stated that the Tree Commission members came to the Planning Commission meeting, and they think that they are not a Committee of Rutledge Borough Council. They have a document that established them as a committee. The Secretary will research the issue.
MOTION by Marlaina Kloepfer, Second by James Jones, to authorize the expenditure of funds to purchase 250 doorhanger notices and 3-part forms for the Code Enforcement Officer. MOTION approved unanimously.
Marlaina Kloepfer asked the Secretary for a reader friendly description of the stormwater management and MS4 project.
Daniel Werner asked the purpose of the Public Comment sections of Council Meetings. Residents have brought up issues, such as parking problems, and most recently, a conflict with the Council President, and Mr. Werner has never seen any follow up to the residents’ concerns. Mr. Werner asked about a formal way to close out the issues with the residents. David Waltz stated that the issues are discussed at the Work Session.
Solicitor Robert Hunt stated that it is a substantive issue, and not a procedural one. Council must decide how to handle public comments. Council can send a letter in response, or each committee can respond to issues concerning their committees.
Diane McGaughey stated that she spoke to the Girls’ Club President on Wednesday. The issue boils down to procedure- what Council has to follow, why Council is following it, and how to respond to it. Council has to look at its clientele from the standpoint of experience.
Marie Govannicci stated that the issue with the Girls’ Club President appeared to start because Diane McGaughey called the head of the softball organization, and things snowballed from there. The issue has been resolved- the softball field is completed and the Girls’ Club is playing softball. Marie Govannicci stated that perhaps the President of Council should thank the resident, and tell him/her that we will take it under advisement, and invite the resident to attend the Work Session to see how the issue is addressed.
MOTION by Marie Govannicci, Second by James Jones, to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 PM. MOTION approved unanimously.
Submitted by:
Gennifer Guiliano, Secretary