PRESENT
President Bollendorf, Vice President Stockton, Councilwoman Anzinger, Councilwoman Benjamin, Councilman Hegele, Councilman Forgeng, Councilman Rich, Mayor Guenst, Acting Manager Hegele, Secretary DeRenzis, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers, Solicitor Kilkenny, Engineer Hyne, Engineer Hanna, and Treasurer Kalnajs.
ABSENT
Treasurer Kalnajs was absent.
CALL TO ORDER
President Bollendorf called the February 12, 2018 Committee 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 announced that Council had held an executive session prior to the Council Meeting to discuss a personnel and a legal matter
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
President Bollendorf stated that Privilege of the floor will be for voting items only and will be limited to 3 minutes.
MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Guenst announced that she will be holding a monthly movie night in Borough Hall and that the movie will be selected based on what is being celebrated or recognized during each month. She stated that the first movie night will take place on February 13, 2018 in Borough Hall and that the featured film will be Hidden Figures in celebration of Black History Month. Mayor Guenst added that she will make an announcement each month for the new movie showing and that residents are welcome to make suggestions for future films.
The next item on the Mayor’s agenda was a presentation to Officer Stephen Plum. Chief Gardner invited Chief Sam Gallen from the Montgomery County Detective’s Agency to the front of the room who delivered a commendation to Officer Plum.
Chief Gallen thanked Chief Gardner, Mayor Guenst and Borough Council for welcoming him to the meeting to present a commendation from District Attorney Kevin Steele. Chief Gallen commended Officer Plum for over 29 years of service to the law enforcement community and his dedication to the residents of Hatboro as well as being named Officer of the Year twice during his career. Chief Gallen thanked Officer Plum for his ongoing service as a volunteer firefighter for Abington Fire Company and for holding the position of Chief of Enterprise Fire Company. Chief Gallen concluded by thanking Officer Plum for his dedication to the community, Montgomery County, and those around him.
Chief Gardner stated that most of the Hatboro Police Department was in attendance for the night’s meeting to celebrate Officer Plum. He began by thanking Officer Plum for over 29 years of service to the Hatboro Police Department and that over this time, Officer Plum has become a quintessential part of the department. He stated that Officer Plum is not only a good friend to all that know him, but is a beloved member of the Hatboro community, and that he will be greatly missed. Chief Gardner and Mayor Guenst presented Officer Plum with a plaque containing the badge that he wore daily as a member of the department and congratulated Officer Plum on his retirement.
President Bollendorf thanked Chief Gardner and the officers in attendance for a great job during the previous night’s celebrations on York Road following the Eagles championship game.
Mayor Guenst stated that it is a tradition in Hatboro to honor members of Council as they leave office; however, there have been a few previous Councilpersons who did not receive a proper farewell. Mayor Guenst presented former Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander, Councilwoman Patricia Flemming, and Councilwoman Marianne Reimer with plaques for their service and dedication to the community during their time on Borough Council.
President Bollendorf thanked former councilmen Bill Tompkins and Marty Palmer for their help to new councilpersons during the transition period to Borough Council. President Bollendorf first presented a plaque to Bill Tompkins thanking him for his 8 years of service as a Councilman and 4 years of service as Council President. President Bollendorf presented a plaque to Marty Palmer for his 4 years of service on Borough Council.
President Bollendorf also presented a certificate to Hurricane Hawkes in recognition of his 12 years as the “First Dog of Hatboro”. President Bollendorf then presented former Mayor Norm Hawkes with a plaque commending him for his 12 years of service as Mayor of Hatboro.
President Bollendorf concluded by presenting a plaque to Mayor Guenst for her dedication and service to the Borough during her time as a Councilwoman.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Bollendorf reminded residents that the Hatboro 2040 Comprehensive meeting will be taking place on Monday, January 29 at Pennypack Elementary School. He stated that residents are encouraged to attend and get involved as this plan will help shape the future of Hatboro over the next 25 years.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Kalnajs was absent. Vice President Stockton read the Treasurer’s report, stating the Borough as of December 31, 2017 has an account total of $2,411,572.70 and that the year to date interest for all accounts was $18,188.68.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Solicitor Ciuca stated that he had nothing to report this evening and that he and his firm are making the transition to Borough Solicitor very well.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Engineer Hyne stated that he will be meeting with staff to go begin numerous projects in the coming weeks.
MANAGER’S REPORT
Acting Manager Hegele stated that the Planning Commission will be meeting for the first time in over a year on Tuesday, February 6th. On the agenda for this meeting will be the new Crooked Billet School Project. Acting Manager Hegele stated that staff is continuing to work with Main Street to work on the welcoming of new businesses and Main Street improvements. She stated that she hopes to have a complete list of 2018 events to present to Council at the February Committee Meeting for their approval. She added that the she will be meeting with the engineer for a tour of Hatboro to go over locations in which grant funding can be used. Acting Manager Hegele also noted that there will also be numerous grant applications for Council’s approval in the coming months.
CHIEF OF POLICE
Chief Gardner stated that the department is currently preparing for the upcoming Super Bowl. He stated that he has been working with other departments and the Emergency Management team to ensure those celebrating remain safe. He added that the department had a good plan in 2008 and that they will be ready come the Super Bowl.
TAX COLLECTIONS
President Bollendorf stated that Tax Collector Emig’s report was submitted in advance and that she is currently preparing tax bills to be sent out to residents.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
Foreman Sine stated that Council is in receipt of the Public Works Report detailing the year-end totals for trash and recycling collection. He stated that these totals are consistent with previous years’ numbers and that the Borough’s recycling percentage is around 35% which is consistent with the state average. Foreman Sine added that the Public Works Department has been working diligently during the recent snow storms. He also stated that Public Works has purchased cold patch to help repair potholes forming throughout the Borough and that he has been in contact with PennDOT regarding the potholes that have formed on the Borough’s state roads. He also stated that Public Works has also completed the kennel at the Police Department. Chief Gardner stated that Public Works did a great job on the kennel project.
President Bollendorf asked for the best way that residents can report a pothole in the Borough. Foreman Sine stated that potholes on Borough-owned streets can be reported to Borough Hall staff via telephone and that contact information for PennDOT is on the Borough’s website for residents to report potholes on state roads.
Councilwoman Benjamin asked if there was any information on the Borough’s website detailing what can and can’t be recycled in the Borough. Foreman Sine stated that the Borough has educational recycling slides on the TV channel and that there are also informational packets for recycling collection available to residents at Borough Hall.
Councilman Hegele asked if this information was also on the website. Secretary DeRenzis stated that there is a list of recyclable materials on the Public Works page of the website.
Mayor Guenst asked if there was a link on the Borough website for the Montgomery County electronic and hazardous waste collection events. Secretary DeRenzis stated that there is a link on the sidebar of the website for these events as well as a complete list of these events on the Public Works page.
FIRE MARSHAL REPORT
Fire Marshal Myers thanked office staff for helping him reformat his monthly report and that this new report is much more detailed. He stated that there was one fire in the Borough in January; however, the residents were evacuated safely. He also stated that he received 66 smoke detectors from 6ABC’s Operation Save A Life and that these smoke detectors are available in Borough Hall for residents who may need one. Fire Marshal Myers congratulated Chief Gardner for completing his certification from PEMA to become an Emergency Manager and that he and Chief Gardner will be working together to develop a good plan for the Borough when the Super Bowl arrives.
President Bollendorf asked how residents can obtain a smoke detector. Fire Marshal Myers stated that residents who need a smoke detector can contact Borough Hall or email him directly and he will provide them with one. President Bollendorf asked if this information was also on the website. Fire Marshal Myers stated yes.
VOTING ITEMS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPTS OF REPORTS
Vice President Stockton motioned to acknowledge the receipt of the tax collections, public works, fire marshal, treasurer’s reports, Borough Authority Minutes and UMHJSA minutes, motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST, PAYMENT OF BILLS, MANUAL CHECKS AND TRANSFERS
Councilman Rich motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of December 2017, motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
APPROVAL O F MINUTES
DECEMBER 18, 2017 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
Councilman Rich motioned to approve the December 18, 2017 Council Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
JANUARY 2, 2018 REORGANIZATION MEETING MINTUES
Councilwoman Anzinger motioned to approve the January 2, 2018 Reorganization Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Vice President Stockton, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
JANUARY 8, 2018 COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the January 8, 2018 Committee Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST
Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the Fire Company Expenditure List for the month of December in the amount of $11,349.05. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
FIRE COMPANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE LIST
Councilman Rich motioned to approve the Fire Company Capital Expenditure List for the month of December in the amount of $5,000. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Benjamin, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
POLICE DASH/BODY CAMERS & SPEED DISPLAY SIGNS
Councilwoman Benjamin motioned to approve the purchase of Police Dash/Body Cameras and Speed Display Signs. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
ASSISTANT FIRE MARSHAL APPOINTMENT
Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the appointment of Matthew Hauser to the position of Assistant Fire Marshal. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
ALEIS DATA CONVERSION
Councilwoman Benjamin motioned to approve the ALEIS Data Conversion. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR FUNDING
Councilman Rich motion to approve the request for funding to the Borough Authority. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
2018 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the 2018 Borough Council Meeting Schedule. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
HATBORO STATION/STATION PARK ESCROW RELEASE #3
Councilman Rich motioned to approve Hatboro Station/Station Park Escrow Release #3 in the amount of $150,721.50. Motion was seconded by Vice President Stockton, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
STEERING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Councilman Hegele motioned to approve the appointment of Vice President Stockton and Councilwoman Anzinger to the Steering Committee. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rich. Vice President Stockton and Councilwoman Anzinger abstained from the vote. Motion carried 5-0.
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPOINTMENTS
Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the Boards and Commission appointments per the spreadsheet prepared by staff dated January 18, 2018. Motion was seconded by Councilman Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
EMPLOYEE RATIFICATION LIST – JANUARY 2018
Councilman Rich motioned to approve the Employee Ratification List for January 2018. Motion was seconded by Vice President Stockton, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES
President Bollendorf stated there were no special updates from Council.
OLD BUSINESS
WAWA ZONING HEARING BOARD UPDATES
Acting Manager Hegele stated that the next Wawa Zoning Hearing Board Meeting dates are scheduled for Wednesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 21, 2018 in Borough Hall at 7 PM. She stated that these dates have been posted on the Borough website, TV channel, and Facebook page.
FEBRUARY 21 ZONING HEARING BOARD MEETING – 6 S. YORK RD.
Acting Manager Hegele stated that the Borough received an application requesting a variance at 6 S. York Rd to open a clothing Boutique. She stated that this meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2018 in Borough Hall at 7 PM. She stated that this hearing has been advertised on the Borough’s website and that the property has been posted, notices have been sent out, and the application is available for review at Borough Hall.
NEW BUSINESS
FACILITIES PROJECT – PUBLIC WORKS – PAYMENT REQUEST #12
President Bollendorf stated that Council is in receipt of Payment Request #12 from Gordon Baver for the Public Works Facilities Project in the amount of $17,530.10. President Bollendorf stated that Foreman Sine has informed Council of recurring problems with the fire system at the Public Works Facility that should be functioning properly under the construction agreement. President Bollendorf stated that Foreman Sine will be contacting project manager to resolve the issue. President Bollendorf stated that Council will be voting to approve this payment request on the condition that the fire alarm issue be resolved prior to the release of payment. Councilman Rich motioned to approve Payment Request #12 for the Public Works Facilities Project under this condition. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Anzinger
Councilman Forgeng asked how serious this issue is. Foreman Sine stated that this fire system issue is very serious. He stated that this issue is caused by malfunctioning heat detectors in the system that are causing frequent false fire alarms that dispatch the Police Department and the Fire Department. Foreman Sine stated that he previously contacted the project manager numerous times, but did not receive a response until recently. He hopes to have the issue resolved as quickly as possible.
Councilman Forgeng asked if these heat detectors are malfunctioning due to a temperature change when the garage doors are opened and closed. Foreman Sine stated that the garage doors are trapping heat around the sensors when they are open and is causing the false alarms. He stated that the solution to this problem is to raise the threshold of the heat detectors from 130 degrees to 190 degrees. He stated this modification of the sensors will cost $1,500 and that since this problem should have been addressed during construction that the Borough should not incur this cost.
President Bollendorf asked if the party requesting this payment was the general contractor of the project. Foreman Sine replied yes. President Bollendorf stated that Council will wait for the approval from Foreman Sine and Fire Marshal Myers that the fire alarm problem has been resolved satisfactorily before payment is officially released.
Councilman Hegele asked Foreman Sine if he could inform him of these issues in the future as soon as they arise. Foreman Sine stated yes.
A vote was called, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0.
TAX ANTICIPATION NOTE
President Bollendorf stated that previous Council approved a Tax Anticipation Note in November of 2017 in the amount of $600,000 and that current Council will move forward with this note.
Councilman Rich motioned to approve the Tax Anticipation Note in the amount of $600,000 as ratified by previous Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hegele, all ayes. Motion carried 7-0
APPOINTMENT OF ACTING MANAGER/BOROUGH SECRETARY
President Bollendorf stated that Borough Manager Zollers is currently on medical leave and could be out of the office for an extended period of time, and as a result, Council would like to appoint Assistant Borough Secretary Hegele to the position of Acting Borough Manager. Vice President Stockton motioned to approve the appointment of Diane Hegele to the position of Acting Borough Manager. Motion was seconded by Councilman Forgeng. Councilman Hegele abstained from the vote. Motion carried 6-0.
PRIVELEGE OF THE FLOOR
Mr. Bruce Hart, 175 Earl Lane stated that he noticed a few lamps along York Road were out.
Foreman Sine stated that in previous years, Borough Council enacted a system in which these lamps cycle on and off periodically throughout the night in order to conserve electricity. He added that over the weekend, a tractor trailer destroyed a light post at the intersection of York and Byberry that caused Public Works to disable the circuit surrounding the area of Hatboro Federal. Foreman Sine stated that the Public Works department has a list of lights that are out throughout the Borough, but cannot repair them until the department’s bucket truck is repaired. He added that if anyone sees street lights or decorative lights in the Borough that are out, they can call Borough Hall and Public Works will add them to the list of repairs.
President Bollendorf asked if the Borough has contacted the insurance companies of the parties involved in the accident. Foreman Sine stated that the Borough has already contacted their insurance company to cover the cost of the repairs.
ADJOURNMENT
The January 22, 2018 Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:39 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Deena DeRenzis
Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Secretary DeRenzis