Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting
Wednesday January 19, 2005

The Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting was held on Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Present were President Wayne, Mrs. Fryer, Mr. Borgman, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill, Mr. Lee and Mr. Smith. Also in attendance were Mayor Young, Borough Solicitor Scott, Borough Engineer Bevilacqua, Borough Manager Forrest, Borough Secretary Henry, Borough Treasurer Asciutto, Police Chief Kortan and Fire Chief Young.
President Wayne stated that the meeting was being taped by Comcast and will be shown on January 24th at 7:00 PM on Channel 10. President Wayne welcomed Sharon Coleman as the new Borough Council member, stating that she would be chairing the Economic Development Committee and serving on the Community Development and Municipal Services Committees.

Minutes
Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of the December 15, 2004 Borough Council General Meeting as submitted by the Secretary. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2005 Public hearing for the purpose of considering the Lansdowne-East Lansdowne Joint comprehensive Plan. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Announcements and Presentations

Mayor's Report
Mayor Young welcomed members of Girl Scout Troop 440 who acted as Borough Council members and gave reports on various Committee related topics.
Mayor Young swore in Kevin Kienzle as the newest member of the Lansdowne Police Department.
Mayor Young welcomed State Senator Anthony Williams and State Representative Nick Micozzie, thanking them for their help to the Borough on various matters.
Fire Chief Young and Bill Connor, along with Bob Madeira, presented the George T. Lewis Scholarship Fund check of $1,000 to Timothy Moore.
Mayor Young announced the Jingle Judges awards for 2004:

Treasurer's Report
Mr. Asciutto gave the Treasurer's report for December. Mr. Asciutto reported that total General Fund revenues amounted to $162,465.32 and total General Fun expenditures amounted to $607, 219.84. Mr. Asciutto reported the ending balance of the Police Pension Fund was $5,797,083.62. This fund realized a net change of + $227,530.28. No statement was available for the ending balance in the Non-Uniform Pension Fund.
Mr. Smith stated that 2004 expenses are $108,000 below what was budgeted. Mr. Smith stated that Tax Collector Dale Nupp had collected approximately $2.8 million in real estate taxes.

Mr. Smith moved to accept the Treasurer's Report as read. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Engineer's Report
Mr. Bevilacqua stated his items would be covered under Committee reports.

Solicitor's Report
Mr. Scott reported he had no formal report and no Executive Session items.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. President's Report
President Wayne stated that Kevin Lee had been named one of Philadelphia Gay News' People of the Year in their January 6, 2005 issue.
President Wayne reported that a joint meeting of the East Lansdowne and Lansdowne Borough Councils was held on January 6th to review the draft of the Comprehensive Plan. This plan is the second of three plans that will guide activity in Lansdowne Borough. The third plan will be a multi municipal green space plan. President Wayne stated that the Comprehensive Plan will define the goals and objectives for development in the Borough, provide a general pattern for future growth, land use and infrastructure and community character; it will also outline the strategies, tools, resources and partners necessary to achieve these goals. Public comments on this plan can be made at the February 2nd business meeting.

B. Economic Development
Ms. Coleman reported that finalization of the Comprehensive Plan is expected by mid-February. Ms. Coleman stated that the grants obtained with State Representative Nick Micozzie's help will allow for a joint venture with the LEDC and the GLCA to develop a gateway park at Scottdale and Baltimore Avenue, to do renovations at the Lansdowne Theater Building and to support continuing renovation work at the Twentieth Century Club.
Ms. Coleman stated that the next Economic Development Committee meeting will be held on February 22nd.

C. Finance and Administration
Mr. Smith stated that the next Finance an Administration Committee meeting will be held on February 7th at 7:00 PM. Smith Barney representatives will be there to discuss Police Pension Fund investments.

D. Municipal Services
Mrs. Fryer stated that the next Municipal Services Committee will meet on February 7th at 6:30 PM.
Mrs. Fryer reported that the Clover Avenue sewer project is 80% complete. The concrete is being delayed until next week.
Mrs. Fryer reported that the Ad Hoc Committee regarding School District issues will be meeting on January 24th, 6:30 PM at Borough Hall.
Mrs. Fryer stated that PECO is currently doing work on recently paved Borough roads.
Mrs. Fryer asked for a consensus on what type of restoration Borough Council would prefer.
The primary work will be on Wycombe Avenue with some work on Union and Austin Avenues.
The consensus was for a full restoration and Mr. Forrest will send the appropriate letter to PECO.

E. Public Safety
Ms. Hill stated that the next Public Safety Committee meeting will be held on February 9th.
Ms. Hill gave the January Police Report: 570 incidents, 336 parking tickets, 23 adult arrests and 11 juvenile arrests. Ms. Hill reported that 8 police officers (including Chief Kortan) and two staff members had perfect attendance during 2004. No Fire Company report was given.

F. Community Development
Mr. Borgman stated that at last month's Community Development Committee meeting, it was decided that the Committee's name will be change back to the Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement Committee.
Mr. Borgman stated that the Planning Commission had unanimously approved the subdivision for 55 E. Baltimore Avenue.
Mr. Borgman stated that the Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement Committee has no opposition to establishing a transitional apartment unit at 119 W. Baltimore Avenue or a day care facility at 122 Powelton Avenue.
Mr. Borgman stated that a special meeting may be held on January 31st regarding property transfers and revising the fee schedule.
Mr. Borgman stated that the next Community Development Committee meeting will be held on February 8th at 7:00 PM.

G. Parks and Recreation
Mr. Lee reported that he will discuss having monthly meetings with other Parks and Recreation Committee members.
Mr. Lee reported that three good proposals have been received regarding the multi municipal parks and recreation comprehensive plan.

Mr. Lee reported that a $60,000 grant had been received for addressing the water problems in Interboro Park.
Mr. Lee stated that the Recreation and Park Board is discussing forming an Ad Hoc Committee for fund-raising projects for capital projects in the parks and recreation programs.
Mr. Lee reported that Chuck Cavanaugh will remain Chair of the Park and Recreation Board with Martha Peachey acting as Vice Chair.
Mr. Lee stated that the Recreation and Park Board is looking at acquiring an empty parcel
on Woodland Avenue as a pocket park.

Mr. Smith moved to Suspend the Rules of Order. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Visitors

John Callaghan
13 W. Greenwood Avenue
Mr. Callaghan asked for clarification on the joint meeting regarding the Comprehensive Plan and if Lansdowne was joining Yeadon in its code efforts. President Wayne stated that the comprehensive plan will guide the Borough's decisions regarding land use and the character of the Borough and Lansdowne will join Yeadon in the planning effort only and not the code operations. Residents are welcome to attend the public meeting regarding the Comprehensive Plan at the February 2nd business meeting.
Mr. Callaghan asked why the annual Fire Marshall inspection fee for businesses was so high. Mr. Borgman stated that the Community Development Committee wants to investigate the fee structure and address possibly revising it.
Mr. Callaghan asked the amount of delinquent taxes for 2004. Mr. Smith stated that an immediate answer was not available but that the Tax Collector had collected 97% of 2004 taxes.

Jack Covert
232 Jackson Avenue
Mr. Covert stated that the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra will hold a Valentine's Day concert on February 13th.
Mr. Covert asked if the parking fines had increased and whether the Recreation Boar would be funded by the Borough this year. Chief Kortan stated that parking fees had been increased as of July 1, 2004. President Wayne stated that the $150,000 budget line item for capital improvements to parks is to be raised from grants, donations and outside sources and is in addition to the normal funding for this Board.
Mr. Covert stated that the Lansdowne Folk Club is temporarily out of business and aske that those interested in helping should contact him at 610-394-2783.
Mr. Covert felt that the recent fine letters sent to the Borough businesses did not promote a healthy business climate and business owners were concerned about the letter's tone and also about perceived eminent domain issues

Eric Betz
149 Bartram Avenue
Mr. Betz questioned the Borough's overtime payment policy regarding its sanitation workers, stating the overtime was being taken away and being made into straight time. President Wayne stated that the Borough's policy was changed to pay employees straight time for 40 hours per week worked and then over time for any hours thereafter per the Fair Labor Standards Act. President Wayne suggested that Mr. Betz contact his supervisor regarding specific contract provision issues. Mr. Forrest stated that the sanitation workers are dissatisfied with the current policy and may go through a grievance procedure in the future.

Anthony Campuzano
40 W. Albemarle Avenue
Mr. Campuzano thanked Lansdowne residents, Borough personnel, Borough businesses and Borough Council for the success of the Gift Givers Program.

Chuck Jeffers
13 Willowbrook Avenue
Mr. Jeffers stated that two more businesses have been lost in the Borough and asked if any other businesses were replacing them. President Wayne stated that Borough Council is trying to maintain a business friendly atmosphere and that Appligent, Inc. is moving into the Bell Telephone building and the partnership with the GLCA and LEDC are working on ideas for the Lansdowne Theater; also the LEDC has applied for a Main Street grant which will provide funding for facade improvements and the hiring of a Main Street manager.
Mr. Jeffers asked if PECO had replaced the shredded pole on S. Baltimore Avenue. Mr. Forrest stated that PECO will be replacing it shortly.
Mrs. Fryer asked if the code fee letter sent to the businesses had been approved by the Community Development Committee. Mr. Elliot stated that it had not, that a number of letters were sent in error and that some refunds are due.

Borough Council's Response to Visitors:
Mr. Lee stated that no plans exist regarding the eminent domain issue brought up by Mr. Covert. Mr. Lee felt that in order to have a business friendly environment in Lansdowne, residents need to shop Lansdowne first and attend the Comprehensive and Redevelopment Plan meetings are held. Mr. Lee felt that the liquor issue should be revisited for any future eating establishments that might come into the Borough.

Mayor Young stated that Representative Micozzie met with Lee Jones and herself regarding the Lansdowne Folk Club and that funding applications have been sent out.

Mr. Smith moved to Resume the Rules of Order. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Old Business
None.

New Business
Mr. Smith moved to adopt Resolution 2005-03, a resolution Establishing a Capital Projects Fund Account through the Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Fund. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Communications
None.

Bills
Mr. Smith moved to authorize payment of bills for the period. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Executive Session
None

Mr. Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mrs. Fryer. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary

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