PRESENT
President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Harbaugh, McElroy & Palmer; Mayor Hawkes, Borough Manager Zollers, Secretary DeRenzis, Chief Gardner, Solicitor Pionzio & Engineer Dougherty.

ABSENT
Councilman Hegele and Assistant Borough Secretary Hegele were absent.

CALL TO ORDER
President Tompkins called to order the Committee meeting of Council to order at 7:00 P.M.

PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST
Councilman Palmer stated Council was in receipt of the November 2017 Expenditure List.  This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting Agenda for approval.

TRAFFIC SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
President Tompkins stated that the Borough is working on scheduling a meeting with PennDOT to discuss some traffic safety issues along York Road that have been suggested by Mayor Hawkes.

1. York Road Request for Flashing Warning Light Heading Northbound: President Tompkins stated he is unsure if PennDOT will allow the placement of a flashing warning light heading Northbound on York Road from Newington Drive and instead suggested issuing a reminder for drivers to drive within the posted limits.
2. Purchase/Installation of Electronic Speed Signs, York Road Vicinity of Crooked Billet: Chief Gardner stated that he received a quote for an electronic speed sign. President Tompkins stated Council will look into purchasing one of these signs under the Capital Budget.
3. York/Williams – Installation of Pedestrian Warning Signs: President Tompkins stated that the Borough recently installed additional pedestrian warning signs at the intersection of York Road and Williams Lane and will discuss the installation of a flashing warning sign with PennDOT. Chief Gardner stated he was stationed at the intersection and that drivers were obeying the law.
4. Borough Hall – No Left Turn from Driveway: President Tompkins asked Manager Zollers if he had any suggestions for signage at the Borough Hall Driveway. Manage Zollers stated that an “All Traffic Exit At Light” sign would be the safest option for the location.
5. York Road and Moreland Avenue – Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (All 4 corners signalized red at same time so pedestrians can cross): President Tompkins stated that PennDOT previously denied an all-red cycle and that there is currently pedestrian advance signage in place at this intersection. Engineer Dougherty stated that during the discussions with PennDOT, the Borough does not have the required volume of pedestrian traffic to warrant a 4-way red signal at this intersection.
6. No Pedestrian Signage – West Side of York Road at Crooked Billet Road: Mayor Hawkes stated that he does not believe pedestrian crossing should be permitted at Crooked Billet Road. President Tompkins stated that if crossing were to be banned at this location, people will attempt to cross York Road instead which would create more of a danger to pedestrians.

FINANCE
FINAL ADOPTION – 2018 BOROUGH OPERATING BUDGET

Councilman Harbaugh stated that Borough Council approved the preliminary budget at the November 27, 2017 Council Meeting. Councilman Harbaugh stated there have been small changes to the budget including the application of the credits from the Borough’s insurance program that were approved at the November Meeting.  He added that Council will make small changes for the new Police Officer that will be joining the force; however, these changes are not expected to change the preliminary budget. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

2018 TAX RATE ORDINANCE
Councilman Harbaugh stated that the 2018 Tax Rate Ordinance will reflect a tax increase. He stated that the increase was included in the preliminary budget for 2018 and will be a millage of 8.799 mills. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

GRANTS AND FUNDING
Councilperson McElroy stated she had nothing for the agenda this evening.

PUBLIC WORKS
Councilman Hegele was absent. Councilman Forgeng stated he had nothing for the agenda this evening.

FACILITIES AND PARKS
Councilman Forgeng stated he had nothing for the agenda this evening.

ZONING/HISTORIC PRESERVATION
ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING ANNOUNCMENT
President Tompkins stated that the next Zoning Hearing Board Meeting date for the Wawa has been finalized and will be taking place on January 11^th, 2018 at 7:00 PM in Borough Hall.

ADMINISTRATION
2018 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Vice President Rich stated that staff has prepared a schedule of Council meetings for the year of 2018. The Reorganization meeting would take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. He added that Council meetings will continue to take place on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. President Tompkins stated that in the past, Council has held a combined Committee/Council meeting in the month of August and suggested changing the December meetings to December 3^rd and December 17^th to prevent conflict with Christmas Eve. Solicitor Pionzio stated Council Elect should think about the prospective Council meeting dates and offer suggestions as they see fit.

HATBORO STATION/STATION PARK ESCROW RELEASE #2
Engineer Dougherty recommended an escrow release for the Hatboro Station/Station Park Village project in the amount of $184,634.00 for completion of improvements to the property. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

2017 PAVING PROJECT PAYMENT REQUEST
Engineer Dougherty requested the release of the final payment to Gorecon for the completion of the 2017 Road Paving Project in the amount of $151,097.42. Councilman Rich stated that $117,869.60 of this bill will be paid from Liquid Fuels and $33,227.82 will be paid from the Borough’s Parks and Recreation funds. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

RORER AVENUE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PAYMENT #1
Vice President Rich stated the Rorer Avenue Drainage Improvement Project has been completed. Engineer Dougherty has requested a payment be made to Gorecon in the amount of $76,517.28. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

2018 FEE SCHEDULE UPDATE
President Tompkins stated Council has discussed adjustments to the Fee Schedule for 2018. He stated Council proposes a change to the Annual Trash Fee for Non-Owner Occupied Properties from $340.00 per unit to $357.00 per unit and increasing the Annual Commercial Trash Collection Fee from $700.00 to $735.00. President Tompkins suggested that the fees for the bulk item pickup of large items that are non-appliances be changed from $7.50 per item to $10.00 per item. President Tompkins stated that the cost of Bulk Item Pickups for Large Televisions will be distinguished by whether or not the television contains a Cathode-Ray Tube. Televisions that contain these CRTs will cost an additional $10.00 for the bulk item pickup because of increased costs the Borough incurs while disposing of these types of televisions. Televisions that do not contain CRTs will still cost $15.00 if smaller than 20 inches and $25.00 if larger than 20 inches.

President Tompkins stated Council will also adjust the hourly event rates per employee and per vehicle. He stated Manager Zollers is calculating a combined hourly rate for Public Works employees and Chief Gardner has calculated a combined rate of $100.00 per officer and squad car.  President Tompkins stated the vehicle rates for events should be set according to the FEMA Schedule of Equipment Rates for reimbursement. This will allow for adjustments for events according to specific Borough vehicles requested and would prevent the Borough from having to index these rates in the future.

President Tompkins stated staff is looking into costs to allow the Borough to accept credit card payments. He added that Council will look to add these costs into the fee schedule to allow the Borough to accept Credit Card Payments online and make things more convenient for residents.

President Tompkins also noted the addition of a 6 month parking permit to the fee schedule at a rate of $250.00 per 6 months.

Councilman Forgeng asked if permits for plumbing repairs are a set cost per fixture. Manager Zollers stated that the cost per fixture only pertains to new fixtures that require a change in plumbing and not the replacement of existing fixtures. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

LOLLER ACADEMY BUILDING REHAB DESIGN
President Tompkins stated that Council is in receipt of a proposal from DEDC Inc. for the costs of the design, plans and bidding for the clock tower, new lighting, and the new HVAC system.

Councilman Forgeng asked why this proposal did not include the fire alarm and the sprinkler work. President Tompkins stated that this work is not required with a historic building and that there is already a functioning fire alarm in the building. Councilman Forgeng asked if the smoke alarms would be hardwired in the future. Manager Zollers stated that the smoke alarms are already hardwired and stated that the total costs as detailed by the proposal total $99,152.00 which include the $2,000 in reimbursable expenses.

Councilman Harbaugh stated that the rehab work needs to be completed and that Council should move forward. This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

HANDICAP PARKING ORDINANCE
President Tompkins stated this Ordinance was previously discussed at the November Committee Meeting. Solicitor Pionzio stated that this ordinance will add two handicap parking spaces in the Borough. Under this ordinance, one handicap parking spot will be added on Woodland Avenue and one handicap parking spot will be added on S. York Road near Williams Lane.  This item was moved to the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting agenda for approval.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no comment from the public.

ADJOURNMENT
President Tompkins adjourned the December 4, 2017 Committee meeting of Borough Council at 7:26 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane C. Hegele

Assistant Borough Secretary

Transcribed by Borough Secretary Deena DeRenzis