PRESENT: President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Hegele, McElroy & Palmer; Mayor Hawkes, Borough Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Chief Gardner, Solicitor Pionzio & Engineer Walsh.
ABSENT: Councilman Harbaugh, Treasurer Kalnajs, and Fire Marshal Erick Myers were absent.
CALL TO ORDER
President Tompkins called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION
Mayor Hawkes gave the invocation for the meeting.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Chief Gardner.
MEETING NOTES – President Tompkins announced that the first privilege of the floor is for voting agenda items only.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – There was no comment from the public.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Hawkes thanked everyone for all the help they’ve given him over the last 12 years.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Tompkins stated that Council held a brief executive session before the meeting regarding a personnel manner.
President Tompkins then thanked residents for his 12 years on Borough Council. He added the Borough has a wonderful staff and that he is thankful to have worked with them.
President Tompkins stated there was going to be a budget vote later in the meeting that proposed a tax increase.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Kalnajs was absent. Vice President Rich read the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 2017. He noted a balance of $3,281,559.12 Interest earned for the month totaled $1,572.97 on all accounts.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Pionzio thanked Council for believing in her and allowing her to serve the Borough. She stated that over the years, Council and staff has become her extended family and everyone has worked hard to accomplish a lot. She then extended her best wishes to the Borough for 2018.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engingeer Walsh wished everyone a happy holiday.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Zollers stated there will be a special recycling pickup on Wednesday, December 27. This pickup would be for those who are missing their regular recycling day due to missing their regular recycling pickup due to the holiday.
Manager Zollers thanked Council and the Mayor for the opportunity to work with them and wished them the best of luck in the future.
STAFF REPORTS
POLICE – Chief Gardner announced that the Police Department participated in the Thanksgiving Buckle Up PA in which the officers issued 53 citations including seatbelt violations and other traffic violations. The Department has applied for $1,200 in reimbursement that they will be receiving soon.
Chief Gardner thanked Council and Mayor Hawkes for having the pleasure to work with them. He then wished everyone a Happy Holiday and a Merry Christmas.
TAX COLLLECTIONS – The Tax Collection Report was submitted to Council is advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available.
PUBLIC WORKS – The Public Works Report was submitted to Council in advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available on the sign in table. Manager Zollers stated he had nothing further to report.
FIRE MARSHAL – The Fire Marshal Report was submitted to Council in advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available on the sign in table. Fire Marshal Myers was absent.
VOTING ITEMS
Acknowledgement of Reports – Councilman Palmer motioned to acknowledge the receipt of the tax collections, public works, fire marshal, treasurer’s reports, Borough Authority Minutes and UMHJSA minutes, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0
Approval of Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks and Transfers – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of November 2017, motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NOVEMBER 27, 2017 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the November 27th, 2017 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
DECEMBER 4, 2017 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the December 4th, 2017 Committee meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer. Councilman Hegele abstained as he was not in attendance. Motion carried 5-0.
PROCLAMATION – LOCHEL’S BAKERY – SWEETEST BAKERY IN AMERICA – Councilwoman McElroy delivered a proclamation to Kathy Lochel of Lochel’s Bakery congratulating the bakery for being named the Sweetest Bakery In America.
ADMISTER OATH OF OFFICE – NEW PATROL OFFICER, MICHAEL THOMPSON – Chief Gardner introduced the Department’s newest patrol officer, Michael Thompson. Councilman Hegele motioned to appoint Michael Thompson to the position of Patrol Officer. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng. Motion carried 6-0.
Mayor Hawkes administered the oath of office new Patrol Officer Michael Thompson.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for October in the amount of $11,041.89, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
ON STREET HANDICAPPED PARKING ORDINANCE – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the On Street Handicapped Parking Ordinance, Ordinance No. 1044. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
FINAL ADOPTION OF 2018 OPERATING BUDGET – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the final adoption of the 2018 Operating Budget. Motion was seconded by Councilman Palmer.
President Tompkins stated that there was a small change in admin wages due to personnel matters discussed in the executive session prior to the meeting.
Motion carried 6-0.
2018 TAX RATE ORDINANCE – President Tompkins stated this ordinance contained the rates previously discussed with the General Fund Revenue at 6.357 mils, Sinking Fund Revenue at 1.517 mils, and the Fire Protection Fund Revenue at 0.925 mils. Vice President Rich motioned to approve the Ordinance No. 1043 for the 2018 Tax Rate Ordinance. Motion was seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins took a moment to thank Manager Zollers and Secretary Hegele for all of their hard work on the 2018 budget.
JANUARY 2018 MEETING SCHEDULE – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the January 2018. Motion was seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
HATBORO STATION/STATION PARK ESCROW RELEASE #2 – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the Hatboro Station/Station Park Escrow Release #2 in the amount of $186,634.00. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
2017 PAVING PROJECT FINAL PAYMENT REQUEST – Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the final payment request for the 2017 paving project in the amount of $151,097.42. Motioned was seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
RORER AVENUE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PAYMENT #1 – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the Rorer Avenue Drainage Improvement Project Payment #1 in the amount of $76,517.28. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele., all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
2018 FEE SCHEDULE – RESOLUTION 17-11 – President Tompkins asked Manager Zollers if he had looked into credit card fees to allow the Borough to accept digital and credit card payments. Manager Zollers stated staff has been looking into the costs that would go along with these payments.
Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the 2018 Fee Schedule. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. 6-0.
LOLLER ACADEMY BUILDING REHAB DESIGN – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the design for the Loller Academy Building Rehab Design. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – There were no special updates from Council this month.
OLD BUSINESS – There was no old business to come before Council this month.
NEW BUSINESS
Wireless Infrasctructure Deployment Bill, Resolution 17-09 – President Tompkins read Resolution 17-09 in the Borough’s opposition of the Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Bill 1620 in its entirety for those in attendance. President Tompkins stated that this bill would override a lot of the Borough’s local Zoning regulations when it comes to Wireless developers.
Councilman Palmer motioned to approve Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Bill Resolution 17-09. Motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
There was no comment from the public on this item.
Prohibition of Category 4 Licensed Gambling Facilities, Resolution 17-10 – President Tompkins stated the Borough is exercising its statutory option to prohibit the location of a Category 4 licensed truck stop video game terminal location within the boundaries of Hatboro pursuant to Pennsylvania Law. He stated that state law is allowing municipalities to opt-out of allowing mini-casino facilities within their boundaries.
Nancy Guenst, Academy Rd. asked if the new video gaming facility in Hatboro was affected under this resolution. President Tompkins stated that business is not considered a mini-casino and that the term “video game terminal” referred to electronic gambling devices such as poker machines, etc.
Vice President Rich motioned to approve Resolution 17-10. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Authorization of Payment of Bills, Resolution 17-12 – President Tompkins stated that this resolution will allow Council signers to pay bills that must be paid before December 31, 2017.
Councilman Palmer motioned to approve Resolution 17-12 for the Authorization of Payment of Bills. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
There was no comment from the public.
First Responder Radio Needs, Resolution 17-13 – President Tompkins read Resolution 17-13 in its entirety. He stated that whenever Enterprise Fire Company or the Police Department respond to a call, they must be patched through Montgomery County and that their radios should be capable of having the primary channel for both fire and police. This would allow easier communication with other municipalities who are responding to the same calls and can be performed easily through programming the radios.
Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve Resolution 17-13 for First Responder Radio Needs. Motion was seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins stated that he would like to extend this resolution to other municipalities in the area as it can benefit them as well. Chief Gardner stated that the County will also be releasing a new system in June of 2018 that will allow easier communication, but that this patching would allow immediate communication without delay. Manager Zollers added that this would also greatly benefit communication with the neighboring fire companies.
Nancy Guenst, Academy Rd. thanked Council for addressing this issue.
Special Recycling Collection Day, Wednesday, December 27 – Manager Zollers announced that there will be a special Recycling Only Pickup on Wednesday, December 27, 2018 for residents who are missing their regular recycling day due to the holidays.
HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilman Palmer wished everyone a happy holiday and a happy new year. Councilman Palmer added that it was a privilege to serve the community on Borough Council for the last 4 years. He learned a lot over his time on Council. Councilman Palmer wished new Council the best of luck and thanked current Council for their service.
Councilman Hegele stated it has been a pleasure serving on Borough Council and that they have accomplished a lot together over the years. He thanked Councilman Palmer, Councilman Harbaugh, President Tompkins, and Councilwoman McElroy for their service to the Borough. Councilman Hegele wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Vice President Rich wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He wanted to thank current Council for their service as Councilman Hegele did.
Councilman Forgeng thanked Council for their service and wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
Councilwoman McElroy wished everyone a Happy Holiday. She stated it has been an honor to work alongside everyone on Council for the last 18 months. She added that current Council was a great group who not only loves Hatboro, but has taught her a lot. Councilwoman McElroy stated it was a privilege to work with staff and it has been an honor to serve the community. She finished with wishing incoming Council the best of luck.
Mayor Hawkes wished everyone a safe and happy holiday. He stated it was a pleasure to serve the community as Mayor for the last 12 years.
President Tompkins thanked everyone that he has served with on Borough Council over the years. She stated that staff has been wonderful and extremely supportive over the years. He added that everyone in the borough, staff and appointed officials are great people. He wished incoming Council the best of luck and that this position is not about philosophy but rather hard work. He concluded with wishing everyone a merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, and a safe and happy new year.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
Nancy Guenst, Academy Rd. thanked current council for their service to the Borough. She stated it is not an easy job and that they have done an incredible job. She added that being a member of Council is a learning process and that the members of Borough Council who are leaving are much appreciated for their service. Ms. Guenst thanked Mayor Hawkes for his 12 years of service and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
ADJOURNMENT
The December 18th, 2017 meeting of Borough Council was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane C. Hegele
Assistant Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele