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Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting
Wednesday, March 5, 2005
The Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting
was held on Wednesday,
March 5, 2005 at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Present were President Wayne, Mr.
Borgman, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill and Mr. Lee. Also in attendance were Mayor
Young, Borough Manager Forrest, Borough Treasurer Asciutto, Borough Solicitor
Scott, Borough Secretary Henry, Police Chief Kortan and Fire Chief Young. Mrs.
Fryer and Mr. Smith were absent.
Minutes - Mr. Borgman moved to approve the minutes of the February
2, 2005 Business Meeting of Borough Council as submitted by the Secretary. Mr. Lee seconded and the
motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Coleman moved to Suspend the Rules of Order. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Visitors
John Callaghan 13 W. Greenwood Avenue - Mr. Callaghan asked if the Barksdale Studios building had been bought by a church. President Wayne stated that a group of people bought the building at auction. Mr.
Scott stated that no zoning permit had been applied for but the building could not
be used as a church.
Mr. Callaghan felt it would be better to have Borough Council members answer
visitors’ questions
right away instead of waiting until the end of the visitor section.
Ms Coleman moved to reinstate the Rules of Order. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion
carried unanimously.
Reports and Discussions
A. Treasurer’s Report - Mr. Ascuitto reported that he would have
a written report on delinquent taxes at the next meeting. Mr.
Asciutto did report on the following still outstanding real estate
taxes:
- 2001 - $20,838.00
- 2002 - $42,790.00
- 2003 - $58,053.00
- 2004 - $124,352.00 (just liened)
Total: $ 246,035.00
Mr. Asciutto stated that these amounts do not include the sewer fees
but do include any payment plan arrangements. President
Wayne asked for a breakdown of sewer and trash fees only
and also for a cross index of these fees against the real estate taxes.
B. Borough Engineer’s Report - Mr. Bevilacqua reported that most
of the concrete work is done on the Clover Avenue Sewer project.Permanent
paving will be done within the next three weeks, weather
permitting.
Mr. Bevilacqua stated that a pre-demolition meeting on
98 Nyack Avenue will be held on March 8th, 9:00 AM.
Mr. Bevilacqua reported that gas utilities work will start
next week. The entire work schedule is from March 7th through September 2nd. Donella will install the new main from Bailey Road and Wycombe Avenue to Nyack Avenue and this work is scheduled for March 7th through April 29th. PECO will take over from April 29th through September 2nd with 3 crews. PECO
will be coordinating with the Code Department regarding paving issues.
C. Solicitor’s Report - Mr. Scott stated he had one Executive Session
item.
D. Borough Manager’s Report - Mr. Forrest stated that the
final environmental impact statement is due out in early March regarding
the Philadelphia airport FAA runway issue.
Mr. Forrest stated that tickets are available for the 66th
annual banquet of the Delaware County Association of Boroughs
to be held on April 29th.
Mr. Forrest discussed the draft storm water ordinance. This ordinance pertains to the Phase II requirements regulating storm water discharge, primarily in the area of new development. Mr. Forrest stated that most of the language cannot be changed by Borough Council. Mr. Scott stated that this ordinance is applicable to development over 2000 sq. ft. of new impervious surfacing and 5000 sq. ft. of ground disturbance. Mr. Scott stated that 75% of any costs incurred by the Borough can be reimbursed.Mr. Lee asked if there was an enforcement time line. Mr.
Scott stated that the provisions only come into play when a change to a property
is requested and this would already be subject to some local filing requirements.
Mr. Forrest stated that the Borough will be enforcing Section
8 items regarding prohibited discharges. After further discussion it was decided to refer the ordinance back to the Municipal Services Committee for further review. Mr. Lee moved to refer Storm water Management Ordinance No. 1205 to the Municipal Services Committee for specific recommendations to Borough Council within two weeks. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Scott stated that any changes would not affect the advertising of this ordinance. President
Wayne asked that any issues of potential conflicts with the Borough Code and this
ordinance be addressed.
E. Fire Chief Young - Chief Young reported that 100 smoke
detectors will be given out to needy families within the Borough.
Chief
Young stated that the County has an emergency contact list for all businesses
and the Fire Company will be making this available to all Borough businesses. Chief
Kortan stated that he has this list on a computer disc
and will provide it to Chief Young.
Chief Young reported that Oliver Bros. was the lowest bidder
for the Fire Company heaters in the amount of $17,500.00 and
can have the installation done within 3 days. Mr.
Scott suggested getting three telephone bids for the second
floor heater and if under $10,000, work could proceed.
F. Police Chief Kortan - Chief Kortan stated that the signage at Hoffman
Park is now complete and that the speed hump issue is still
being investigated.
G. Mayor Young - Mayor Young reported that $163.00 had been raised
during the recent No Place For Hate gathering.
Mayor Young stated that Pauline Garcia of the ADL will
be at the March 16th meeting to present the Borough’s
NPFH designation.
Mayor Young stated that Girl Scout Troop 539 will be doing
a television commercial.
Mayor Young stated that the Lansdowne Folk Club will be doing
a commercial for their April fundraiser.
Mayor Young stated that March 14th is the deadline for newsletter
articles.
Mayor Young stated that Irene Rovaine is seeking sponsors for
their fund - raising event. They are purchasing and giving away to their members t - shirts advertising business names and telephone numbers. The
cost is $50.00 for the shirt advertising.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
H. President’s Report - President Wayne stated that all financial interest
statements are due by May 1st.
President Wayne stated that annual reports are required
from the Planning Commission and the Park and Recreation Board.
President Wayne stated that school superintendent Dana Bedden
will be invited to the
April 20th general meeting.
I. Municipal Services - There was no formal report given
in Mrs. Fryer’s absence. Mr. Forrest reported on the subject of highway
equipment purchases. Mr. Forrest stated that as part of the $1.2 million
capital loan received, $230,000 is earmarked for public works equipment. A
proposal is pending for the purchase of one sweeper, two pickup trucks
and snowplow equipment.
President Wayne had some questions regarding:
- DelCora metering issue - Mr. Forrest stated this was still
in the planning stage and no date has been set for meter
installation. The
Borough would be responsible for any inflow and infiltration
issues but these meters will be more effective in monitoring
any problems.
- Status of Hoffman Park bank stream restoration grant
project - Mr. Forrest stated that there will be no response from
the DEP until October.
- Status of Union Avenue study - Mr. Forrest stated that
the first public meeting was held on February 10th
to gather public input. Upper
Darby will be doing the actual study.
J. Finance and Administration - There was no formal report given in Mr. Smith’s
absence
K. Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement - Mr. Borgman stated that the next Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement Committee meeting will be held on March 8th. At last month’s
meeting, property transfer projects and the property maintenance
code were discussed.
Mr. Borgman stated he is looking into stepping up the process
regarding 231 N. Lansdowne Avenue violations.
Mr. Borgman stated that the draft Comprehensive Plan discussion
will be held under Old Business.
L. Public Safety - Ms. Hill reported that the disposal of the old
fire truck by the Fire Tech Company will have to be advertised. Mr.
Forrest stated it would be advertised for $80,000 - $90,000.
M. Parks and Recreation - Mr. Lee reported that the Recreation and
Park Board is looking into other amenities for Interboro Park
other than a large toy and is looking into removing old equipment and putting
in clean fill.
Mr. Lee reported that the Recreation and Park Board will
be presenting a proposal for a dog park at Marlyn Park to the
Parks and Recreation Committee and the issue now is how to fund
this.
Mr. Lee stated that the next Recreation and Park Board meeting
will be held on March 21st at 7:30 PM.
Mr. Lee stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee now
wants to meet every month.
N. Economic Development - Ms. Coleman stated that the Economic Development
Committee wants to rethink their mission and how to further develop
outreach projects. Also,
the Committee has developed a spreadsheet regarding
the status of various Borough development projects.
Ms. Coleman
reported that the Borough has been accepted into the Main Street Program
an the grant money will be used to hire a Main Street manager and do business
facade improvements.
Ms. Coleman reported that the Baltimore Avenue project has
started. A meeting was held in Philadelphia on February 23rd and McCormack & Taylor is the lead developer. Ms.
Coleman stated that this project will be done in
3 distinct phases over the next 12 - 15 months.
Ms. Coleman stated that the LUPTAP grant has been received
for the neighborhood revitalization project for properties
between Union and Lansdowne Avenues south of the railroad tracks.
Old Business -
1. Ad Hoc School Committee - In Mrs. Fryer’s absence, Mr.
Lee reported that several meetings have been held regarding the Borough’s
resolution regarding how members are elected. The current plan has 6
municipalities in 9 separate districts with two Lansdowne representatives. Mr.
Lee stated that a major concern is that Lansdowne has a diluted voting
power. Mr. Lee stated that the Committee’s
consensus was to have two representatives from three districts with three
at large members.Mr. Lee stated that letters will be sent out to the other
municipalities, the School Board, Senator Micozzie and Senator Williams
regarding this issue and all meetings will be open to the public.
2. Comprehensive Plan - Mr. Robert Bartmann of the County Planning
Commission
presented his results/overview of the Lansdowne Comprehensive
Plan. His major points of concern were as follows:
- The plan gives basic data but no analysis of the data. It is not
focused on supplying the Borough with needed information.
- Some demographics trends are noted but no meaning is given about
how they will affect future developments.
- There are no footnotes.
- Is the Plan a prediction or a projection? This should be stated
as such in the Plan.
- There is no economic base study which should be a fundamental part
of this study. This
economic base should state what sustains the
community, i.e., who is employed at what job and how viable
are these occupations, etc.
- A visual environment overview should be noted.
- An analysis of zoning
regulations should be provided.
- All public
facilities and utilities should be analyzed regarding condition
and adequacy.
- A conversion statistic is
given but what was its source? Field
survey or permits?
- Street names are referred to
in the text but cannot be read on any of the maps.
- The study was done through
tax records and not necessarily through field observations.
- No financial analysis was provided. How does the Borough derive
its revenue? Taxes, new businesses, etc.?
- What is the borrowing capacity of the Borough?
- Include a capital improvements ballpark figure setting
the costs for establishing priorities.
- There is no mention of beautification plans or street tree
ordinances/programs.
- There are omissions regarding future park sites.
- There is no Comprehensive Plan map, only a future land use
map. A future land use map is probably not as critical due to decreased land availability. You
need to see where people live, how do they get
to various amenities throughout the Borough, what open space exists, etc.
President Wayne stated that he desires a plan that provides a
roadmap for the needs of the community and how to get them. President
Wayne asked the best way to quickly get from the present version
to something that is nearer to Mr. Bartmann’s observations. After further
discussion it was the consensus of Borough Council that a better comprehensive
plan is necessary. President Wayne asked that Mr. Forrest and Mr. Bartmann
have a future meeting with Mr. Lee of the Delaware County Planning
Department to outline these concerns. Mr.
Forrest felt that the County would be receptive
to these changes and that the draft had previously been presented
to the Steering Committee for their review.
Communications - None.
New Business - Mr. Lee moved to approve bills for the period. Mr. Borgman seconded
and the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Coleman moved to execute contract for the New Communities Program with the Department
of Community and Economic Development. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Coleman moved to execute subrecipient agreement with the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Borgman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Lee moved to advertise Storm water Management Ordinance, Ordinance No. 1205. Ms. Hill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Hill moved to award firehouse HVAC replacement to Oliver Mechanical in the amount of $17,500.00, contingent upon confirmation that the second floor unit falls under $10,000.00, that three telephonic bids are received and that Oliver Mechanical is the lowest bidder. Ms. Coleman seconded and the motion carried 4 - 1 with Mr. Lee casting the dissenting vote.
Mr. Lee moved to procure two one - ton pick ups, up fitted with snowplowing equipment and one street sweeper through the City of Harrisburg’s PA Capital City Vehicle and Equipment Contract Purchasing Specification. Ms. Hill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Lee moved to execute Tree Vitalize grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council. Ms. Coleman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session - Mr. Lee moved to adjourn to Executive Session
to discuss a litigation issue, seconded by Mr. Borgman. The motion carried
unanimously and the meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 10:22 PM.
There were no motions made upon reconvening to Public Session. Mr.
Lee moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Borgman. The motion
carried and the meeting adjourned at 10.40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary
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