PRESENT
President Bollendorf, Vice President Stockton, Councilwoman Benjamin, Councilman Hegele, Councilman Forgeng, Councilman Rich, Councilwoman Anzinger, Mayor Guenst, Manager Hegele, Assistant Secretary DeRenzis, Superintendent Sine, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers, Fire Company President Mount, Engineer Goff, Solicitor Kilkenny, Solicitor Grieser, and Treasurer Zollers.
ABSENT – None
CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the April 22, 2019 Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
INVOCATION – Mayor Guenst gave the invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Gardner.
MEETING NOTES – President Bollendorf reviewed the Public Comment Policy found on the back of the agendas.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Guenst welcomed Eagle Scout Ben Feenstra who was attending the Council Meeting to earn credits toward his community service badge. Mayor Guenst wished everyone a Happy Easter and a Happy Passover.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY VICTIM SERVICES PROCLAMATION – Chief Gardner and Mayor Guenst read a proclamation for Montgomery County Victim Services. Representatives Erin Milbourne, Lynn Williams, Jessica Rice, and Samantha Comer were present to accept the proclamation. Chief Gardner stated Victim Services often does not receive the recognition they deserve as they often perform work behind the scenes after a crime has occurred. Chief Gardner thanked the women of Victim Services who were present and stated he has been lucky enough to work alongside their organization closely throughout the years. Chief Gardner stated the month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is the perfect time to recognize Victim Services for their leadership, dedication, and courage.
Lynn Williams of Victim Services thanked Chief Gardner and Mayor Guenst for their recognition. She stated over 25% of residents in Hatboro will be affected by sexual assault directly and that this impact extends to the family and friends of those affected. Lynn stated Victim Services provide free support and clinical services as well as raise awareness. She added that they have pledges for those in attendance to complete should they wish.
LEXI BROOKS – MISS MONTGOMERY COUNTY ACKNOWLEDGMENT – Mayor Guenst welcomed Miss Montgomery County, Lexi Brooks to the meeting. Ms. Brooks stated she is a Hatboro native and won Miss Montgomery County on March 24th. She stated she will now compete for Miss Pennsylvania and then Miss America should she win the state competition. Ms. Brooks stated. Ms. Brooks stated she was extremely excited to be at the Council meeting as she first attended wen the Human Relations ordinance was first discussed. She stated that her advocacy truly began at this time and since moved on to major achievements. Ms. Brooks stated she is now advocating for her own platform SOS (Silencing the Opioid Stigma) which raises awareness for those affected by opioid addiction. She thanked Council for allowing her to attend the meeting and noted it is great to see so many females in important positions such as Borough Manager, Mayor, and President of the Fire Company.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Bollendorf stated that the Borough held a table at the Chamber’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 13th. He said she event was a great success and thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their ongoing hard work with community events.
President Bollendorf wished everyone a happy Earth Day and noted that the Borough’s recycling mascot will be attending Earth Day events at Pennypack Elementary School and Crooked Billet/Hallowell.
President Bollendorf announced that the annual Enterprise Fire Company Carnival will be taking place from Tuesday, May 21st to Monday, May 27th in Miller Meadow.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Zollers stated at the end of March 2019, the Borough had a total account balance of $3,459,600.57 with a year to date interest earned in the amount of $2,009.12.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Kilkenny stated the oral arguments for the Wawa appeal will be taking place on Friday, April 26th in front of Judge Eisenberg of Montgomery County. He noted these arguments are open to the public and will take place at 9:30 AM in Courtroom #6 at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown.
Solicitor Kilkenny stated he and his firm have also been working on various zoning matters/zoning oppositions, various personnel matters, right to know matters, and other various legal issues.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Goff stated RVE continues to work on the safety study and the environmental clearance report for the Corinthian Trail project as well as working on permitting with the DEP for the Eaton Park Streambank Restoration Project.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Hegele stated PennDOT has completed the milling and paving of York Road and will be back in town to sweep remaining chunks of asphalt and debris from the sidewalks. Manager Hegele stated that PennDOT will also be repainting traffic lines as it was discovered that the center turn lane along York Road was painted too wide. She noted they will be fixing this issue as soon as possible.
Manager Hegele stated the Memorial Pool opens on Saturday, May 25th. She reminded residents that the pool rules need to be followed and all members sign/receive a copy of the rules upon joining the pool. She also noted that children must be at least 13 years old to enter the pool by themselves.
She stated there will be a Community Day taking place at the Pool on Saturday, May 18th from 10 AM to 2 PM. She stated pool memberships will be for sale this day; however, there will not be swimming allowed due to limited lifeguards.
Manager Hegele stated Borough Hall will have extended hours for pool membership sales on Wednesday, May 8th and Wednesday, May 22nd from 5 PM to 7 PM. She noted if anyone is not able to make it to Borough Hall during operating hours, they can contact her and she will accommodate.
Manager Hegele stated the documentation for the RAV Collision Zoning appeal will be filed later in the week and that there will be two Zoning Hearing Board Meetings on May 8th. One for 430 Oakdale Avenue and one for 333 N. York Rd.
Manager Hegele stated the Upper Moreland Hatboro Trail Committee will be meeting on May 8th as well and the meeting will be open to the public.
Manager Hegele stated she spoke with the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs who will be in Hatboro during the month of July to film a video about Hatboro. She noted the video will be played on the PCM channel and that this video will aim to promote tourism. President Bollendorf asked Miss Montgomery County, Lexi Brooks if she would be available to be a part of the video. Ms. Brooks stated yes.
STAFF REPORTS
POLICE REPORT – Chief Gardner stated Louie will graduate from Penn Vet’s narcotics scent training program on May 17, 2019. He stated Louie obtained a 196.8/200 on the certification and is one of the earliest to graduate from the program.
TAX COLLECTIONS REPORT – Tax Collector Mount read her report for the month of March 2019.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – Superintendent Sine stated Public Works attended Earth Day events at local elementary schools alongside the Recycling Mascot. Superintendent Sine stated that Montgomery County residents are able to attend Hazardous Waste collection events throughout Bucks/Montgomery Counties and Philadelphia. He noted a complete list of dates/events is on the Borough’s website.
Superintendent Sine stated Upper Moreland Township has completed their storm drain replacement and road widening at Byberry/Warminster Rds. He thanked PennDOT for the free storm drain pipe and noted that traffic signal improvement will begin soon via the PennDOT Green Light Go Grant.
Superintendent Sine stated the Memorial Pool has been cleaned and public works is working diligently to prepare the pool for the 2019 Season. Superintendent Sine noted that the red slide at the pool is nearing the end of its life and may need to be replaced as early as 2020.
Councilwoman Anzinger asked if there have been any sightings of the spotted Lanternfly this season. Superintendent Sine stated he has not seen any yet, but will be walking the parks and looking more closely.
FIRE MARSHAL REPORT – Fire Marshal Myers stated he has been working alongside the Hatboro YMCA to arrange their Superhero Day for their summer camp. He stated this event will showcase real-life super heroes (first responders) and he is even trying to get a medical helicopter to land in Miller Meadow for the event.
Fire Marshal Myers stated that he and employee Jake Miller have been working on property maintenance issues throughout the Borough.
Fire Marshal Myers stated he also worked on zoning for the 333 N. York Road ZHB application and also met with two companies for emergency management services (Lewis Environmental and Moyer).
FIRE COMPANY PRESIDENT REPORT – Fire Company President Mount had nothing to report.
VOTING ITEMS
ACKNOWLEDGMEENT OF STAFF REPORTS – Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to acknowledge the receipt of the Public Works Report, Fire Marshal Report, Tax Collector Report, Treasurer’s Report, Historical Commission Minutes, and the Upper Moreland Hatboro Joint Sewer Authority Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST, PAYMENT OF BILLS, MANUAL CHECKS, AND TRANSFERS – Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks, and transfers for the month of April 2019. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MARCH 25, 2019 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to approve the March 25, 2019 Council Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
APRIL 12, 2019 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to approve the April 12, 2019 Committee Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Rich motioned to approve the Fire Company Expenditure for the month of March 2019 in the amount of $7,403.91 Motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the Fire Company Capital Expenditure List for the month of March 2019 in the amount of $149,657.76. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
TORNADO SIREN PROGRAM – Councilman Hegele motioned to discontinue the use of the emergency tornado siren. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
2019 PSAB CONFERENCE VOTING DELEGATE SELECTION
Vice President Stockton motioned to select President Bollendorf as the primary voting delegate for the 2019 PSAB Conference. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger. President Bollendorf abstained. A vote was cast, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Councilman Rich motioned to select Vice President Stockton as the secondary voting delegate for the 2019 PSAB Conference. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng. Vice President Stockton abstained. A vote was cast, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
COMMUTER PARKING ORDINANCE – Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to draft an amendment to the Commuter Parking Ordinance to include E. Moreland Avenue between New Street and E. Montgomery Avenue. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin.
Vice President Stockton asked if Chief Gardner is confident that this will be the last time that the Ordinance will have to be expected. Chief Gardner stated that it is hard to predict how far the commuters will go to save money from parking in paid lots; however, his evaluation of the boundaries shows this extension is needed. President Bollendorf asked Chief Gardner to keep an eye on the parking situation.
A vote was cast, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
ORDINANCE ALLOWING AIRBNB RENTALS IN HATBORO – Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to authorize staff to draft an ordinance allowing AirBnb rentals in Hatboro. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
MEMORIAL POOL SNACK STAND RFP – Councilman Rich motioned to approve the Memorial Pool Snack Stand Lease for the 2019 Pool Season. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATION: YMCA SUPERHERO DAY – Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the special event request for the Hatboro YMCA Superhero Day. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin, all ayes Motion carried 7-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – There were no special updates.
OLD BUSINESS – None.
NEW BUSINESS
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH REQUEST FOR RELIEF FROM FEES
Manager Hegele stated that St. John’s Lutheran Church approached the Borough for a fee waiver for the use of the Memorial Park ballfield from April to July. Manager Hegele stated they have used the park for their softball league for years and are requesting a waiver. Darren Shaw of St. John’s stated that he is the manager of the team and a member of the church. He noted that they have used the field for years and that they have paid in the past. He stated they take good care of the field when using it and clean it up if needed while they are there, so it would be beneficial to obtain a fee waiver.
Councilwoman Benjamin asked if the Rotary could get a fee waiver as well if they used the field. Manager Hegele stated fee waivers are granted by Council on a case by case basis.
Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the request for relief from fees submitted by St. John Lutheran Church for the use of the Memorial Park Ballfield for the summer of 2019. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Michael Celec of the Union Library thanked Public Works for taking care of the unsafe tree at the Library that was noticed over the weekend.
Ron Battis, W. Moreland Ave. congratulated everyone for speaking clearly.
Chief Gardner stated the County-wide drug take back event will be taking place on Saturday and that the information is on the Borough’s website.
Mayor Guenst stated that Tom Murt will be holding a disability awareness walk at 1 PM on Saturday as well.
ADJOURNMENT – The April 22, 2019 Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:38 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Deena DeRenzis
Assistant Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Deena DeRenzis