CALL TO ORDER:  President Reichner called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 

ATTENDANCE:  President Reichner, Vice President Jacobus, Councilmen Myers & Smith, Councilwomen Hendrickson, McCuen & Shay, Mayor Schultz, Borough Manager Hegele, Assistant Borough Secretary DeRenzis, Bookkeeper Jacobus, and Police Chief Ruegg were all in attendance. 

PUBLIC COMMENT:  There was none at this time.

CAPITAL BUDGET PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION:

Manager Hegele indicated this is the first of several capital budget workshops.  The purpose of this evening is to learn more about capital budgeting, hearing the needs of the Borough by departments, and that all the numbers included in the worksheet are mostly estimates as the costs are ever changing due to the costs changing. 

Manager Hegele reviewed with council and the public a slide presentation that included what and why the Borough needs a capital budget.  The last public workshop was in 2018.  The purpose of this first workshop was to show the current vs. future needs of the borough for the next 5 years.  How staff will proceed after this meeting, and how the capital budget will be integrated into the operating budget. 

Manager Hegele outlined the objectives for this process which includes identifying projects, identify revenue to pay, schedules for larger purchases, and sharing what defines a capital asset.  Borough Manager has put together a template that will be used by department heads and staff and eventually shared with the public.   Manager Hegele shared a number of funding sources that council could consider, a review of current local funds available and possible grants or loans that council could consider when the time came to execute the purchase for the needs of the Borough.  Manager Hegele concluded the slide show, which will be shared on the Borough website with next steps that include this first workshop, identification of the needs and prioritizing them for the next 5 years, asking for public input by sharing the information and then discussing again in summer council meetings. 

Chief Ruegg reviewed the capital budget needs requested for the police department. 

 Purchase a new police car each year.  Council requested a list of all cars in the police fleet and their current mileage.  He discussed the benefits of a hybrid vehicle on idling vs. the cost of batteries.  He indicated hybrid batteries are more expensive, but there is a trade off with fuel savings. 

CCTV in Police Department, technology is always changing, and the department uses cameras for a variety of law enforcement needs.  This is also in the operating budget as well.

Tasers, Body cameras and MV Cameras.  in 2028 the current lease ends, he has prices for a new lease that includes tasers, mv cameras and body work cameras.  The new proposal begins the lease now for 10 years with a credit back to Borough for current lease,  Would like to do this now so the borough can budget for the next 10 years vs. unknown costs now vs. 2028 at the end of the current contract.  There was a discussion about costs that have been paid for already and getting those funds back.  The current equipment was purchased using grant funds and as in all grants, they have restrictions that the Borough needs to adhere to.

Parking Enforcement Costs.  Chief Ruegg indicated with the expected addition of Park Mobile this year, there will be some software and hardware costs.  They may be able to come from the general fund, but we are including in capital for this presentation.  These costs would be eventually offset by citation fees.

Breath Testing, the department needs and there could be grant funding, will need to research further.

Patrol Riffles/Handgun replacement this is due in 2028 and will be able to sell current guns to help offset costs. 

Radio Replacement is in discussions now for 2027 with the county.  The high-end quote provided is for portables and vehicle radios.  The county purchases radios in bulk resulting in a savings to each municipality, they would offer very low or zero financing.  Will include radios as well for the fire marshal and emergency management.

K9 Program.  The K9 vehicle is a 2017 and is getting high on miles, it has a lot of idling due to the dog.  K9 Louie is getting older and will be aging out of service probably in 2 to 3 years.  The total reflected in the budget is for the dog, the car, and upfitting. 

Computers, borough departments are in a 5 year lease which is included.

Copier, this is a lease as well and shown as such.

Manager Hegele reviewed the needs requested for the Public Works Department which include the following:

5-year paving plan with roads to be determined.  Paid for using Highway Aid money each year.  Included is curb repairs on Madison Avenue.

Fleet needs for the department include a pick up with lift gate, street sweeper, trash truck, and 2 small dump trucks.

Gas Pumps need major repair or complete replacement. 

The West Monument Avenue bridge was included, PW is making repairs in July to preserve the life of the bridge, however we will not know until West Moreland opens again and traffic lessens on West Monument.

Manager Hegele reviewed the needs for Borough Hall which include the following:

Bathroom upgrades, new roof, new windows, televising meetings, Loller Clock, Exterior work,  as well as leases for office equipment.

Manager Hegele also reviewed other capital needs that included stormwater planning, NPDES permitting, MS4 unfunded mandates (not known yet) and requested that a set amount be included yearly for stormwater improvements; the borough’s infrastructure is aging.

Manager Hegele reviewed needs for parks including pool needs, and ADA Park grant funding.  All was included in the spreadsheet.

Manager Hegele stated the Fire Marshal has requested new gear, currently her home fire company is supplying, and she needs a new portable radio and one for her vehicle.  She also requested radios for Emergency Management and the planning to purchase jersey barriers yearly should the LSA grant we applied for not be awarded. 

The Fire Department has indicated they need a fire truck.  This was added to the worksheet.  We will be meeting with the fire department and will discuss other needs and include on worksheet once we have the information.

Councilman Myers asked about radar and if it gets approved, what the cost would be and could it be added to the spreadsheet.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Meri Keller, West Monument Avenue asked if the fire department should be billing for calls, they respond to; she stated some homeowner’s policy have a reimbursement clause in them.

Gary Blickley, Harding Avenue stated he thought some items are missing, i.e. Pennypack facility, Second Alarmers, and Cressbrook.  Manager Hegele stated she would add and discuss possible needs and adjust spreadsheet. 

Manager Hegele stated that the Borough staff would be meeting in early July with our insurance provider and after their visit may have to add items to the capital budget worksheet.

ADJOURNMENT:  President Reichner adjourned the workshop at 7:56 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane C. Hegele

Borough Manager/Secretary

Transcribed by Manager/Secretary Hegele