PRESENT
President Tompkins, Vice President Rich, Councilpersons Forgeng, Harbaugh, McElroy & Palmer, Mayor Hawkes; Borough Manager Zollers, Assistant Secretary Hegele, Solicitor Pionzio, Chief Gardner, Fire Marshal Myers & Engineer Walsh.
ABSENT
Councilman Hegele was 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. He announced one member of the audience was recording the meeting.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – There was no comment from the public.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Hawkes stated he attended the new Police Station Dedication, cutting the ribbon on Saturday. He also announced the cruise night was a great success.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Tompkins announced there was an executive session prior to the meeting for a contract issue. He thanked the Chamber and the Farmers Market for great events this summer. He also attended the open house/dedication and thanked the Chief for a great job. Chief Kramer’s grandson attended and he thanked Bux Mont Transportation for their help with Mr. Hutton.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Kalnajs gave the Treasurer’s Report for the month of August 2017. He noted a balance of $4,456,600.70. Interest earned for the month totaled $2,076.956 on all accounts.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Pionzio stated she had no report this month.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Walsh stated he had no report this month.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Zollers provided the following updates:
- He went on Parks Tour with County and Assistant Secretary Hegele. There was no planning done, just discussed some background and boundaries of parks.
CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT – Chief Gardner provided the following updates:
- Announced the Dedication and Open House was well attended. He thanked the Fire Police for their assistance. He stated for the first time in many years he was able to get a group photo of the entire department.
TAX COLLECTIONS REPORT – The Tax Collection Report was submitted to Council is advance of tonight’s meeting, and that copies of the report were available.
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT – 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 REPORT – 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 stated Emergency Management will be having a table top drill with the County in October. He also announced the SMART 911 system is up and now ready for people to sign up. He also reminded everyone it is Fire Prevention month.
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 Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0
Approval of Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks and Transfers – Councilman Forgeng motioned to approve the warrant list, payment of bills, manual checks and transfers for the month of September 2017, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 21st, 2017 Committee/Council Meeting – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to approve the August 21st, 2017 meeting minutes, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer. Councilwoman McElroy abstained as she was absent. Motion carried 6-0 with one abstention.
September 11th, 2017 Committee Meeting – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the September 11th, 2017 Committee meeting minutes, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SERGEANTS PROMOTION – Vice President Rich motioned to approve the promotion of Patrol Officer Andrew Valleley to rank of Sergeant, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SWEARING IN OF NEW SERGEANT – Mayor Hawkes administered the oath of office to Sgt. Andrew Valleley with his family by his side. Mrs. Valleley pinned her husband with his new badge.
POLICE CONTRACT – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the new contract between the Hatboro Police Department and the Borough. President Tompkins reviewed the highlights of the contract which included no change in health insurance coverage, raises of 3.75% for the 4-year term of the contract and the addition of a power shift. Motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
Sgt. Ruegg thanked Borough Council and stated it is a pleasure to work for the Borough and receive the support from Council and the Community.
FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for August in the amount of $56,875.68, motion seconded by Vice President Rich, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
FIRE COMPANY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the fire company August 2017 Capital Expenditure List in the amount of 413,341.00, motion seconded by Councilman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
PARKS RULE ORDINANCE NO. 1042 – Vice President Rich motioned to approve Ordinance No 1042, update to Parks Rules and Parking Ordinance. Solicitor Pionzio stated the ordinance removes the parking lot recently sold on Warminster Road and the addition of rules and regulations for the new Celano Park. Motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
400 NORTH YORK ROAD ESCROW RELEASE RESOLUTION – Vice President Rich motioned to approve Resolution #2017-07 for escrow release number 3 in the amount of $22,144.94 which also begins the start of maintenance for 18 months, motion seconded by Councilman Forgeng all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
CASE – LANCASTER AVENUE – STORMWATER AGREEMENTS – Councilman Palmer motioned to authorize signatures for the Stormwater Agreements for this project, motion seconded by Councilman Harbaugh, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – GHOST TOUR & MOVIE NIGHT – Councilman Harbaugh motioned to approve Event Request by Chamber for Ghost Tour and Movie Night on Friday, October 13th, motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
President Tompkins stated since this was new, he would open the floor up for comment. There was none.
LOCHEL’S BAKERY – SWEETEST BAKERY IN AMERICA CELEBRATION – Councilwoman McElroy motioned to approve the block party and event on York Road on Saturday, October 14th to celebrate winning Sweetest Bakery in America contest. Motion seconded by Councilman Palmer, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
EMPLOYEE RATIFICATION LIST – Councilman Palmer motioned to approve the employee ratification list for the month of September, motion seconded by Councilwoman McElroy, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SPECIAL UPDATES – There were none this month.
OLD BUSINESS – There was no old business to come before Council this month.
NEW BUSINESS
- Zoning Hearing Board – Wawa: President Tompkins stated the next hearing is at Keith Valley Middle School on Thursday, September 28th at 7:00 PM.
- Celano Park Dedication – Assistant Secretary Hegele stated most of Council was good for Saturday, October 21st. The time is still yet to be determined.
- 2018 Budget Update – Councilman Harbaugh stated the first meeting with staff is on 9/30. There will be a workshop in November, date to be determined.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
James Buckley, Tanner Avenue stated there have been some complaints recently around his business. He stated these are the same people, they harass his employees. He has complied and tried to be a good neighbor. He is losing money. He is aware of what is being done and does not understand why all this work and resources to make 3 homeowners happy. He stated while those residents have a right to live there, he has a right to have his business there. President Tompkins stated the police are up there because of issues, some of which need to be enforced. Chief Gardner stated they have been issuing traffic and parking tickets and noted that the Business owners there are very cooperative.
Ed Henry, Bonair Avenue asked who is overseeing the Station Park Village. President Tompkins stated the Borough Engineer. He asked if there has been a discussion with the YMCA and the sale. President Tompkins stated while not official it is his understanding the YMCA has an agreement of sale for the building already with a private entity. It is not known yet about the status of the lot and building across the street. He thanked the YMCA for all their support with the Ghost Tours and Movie event this past weekend.
ADJOURNMENT
The September 25th, 2017 meeting of Borough Council was adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred “Fred” Zollers
Borough Secretary
Transcribed by Assistant Borough Secretary Diane Hegele