Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting
Wednesday, April 6, 2005

The Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Present were President Wayne, Mrs. Fryer, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill, Mr. Lee and Mr. Smith. Also in attendance were Mayor Young, Borough Manager Forrest, Borough Treasurer Asciutto, Borough Solicitor Scott, Borough Secretary Henry and Police Chief Kortan. Mr. Borgman and Fire Chief Young were absent.

Minutes - Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2005 Business Meeting of Borough Council as submitted by the Secretary. Ms. Coleman seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Smith moved to Suspend the Rules of Order. Mr. Lee seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Visitors

John Callaghan 13 W. Greenwood Avenue - Mr. Callaghan questioned the Zoning Hearing meeting outcome regarding 36 Runnemede Avenue. Mrs. Fryer stated that the owner withdrew her reapplication.
Mr. Callaghan asked if the Borough would be restricting residents from converting houses into apartments. President Wayne stated that specific code regulations apply to these situations and would dictate a Zoning Hearing Board meeting. Mr. Scott stated that it would depend upon which zoning district the property is located.

Dr. Len Wert N. Lansdowne Avenue - Dr. Wert asked the purpose of the overnight parking permit. Chief Kortan stated that it was previously created to keep vehicles off the street during the evening in order to facilitate emergency vehicle access to the community. Dr. Wert stated that a rusted out van has been parked on E. Marshall Road for several months and constitutes a safety hazard. Chief Kortan stated he will investigate the matter.

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

Reports and Discussions

A. Treasurer's Report - Mr. Ascuitto had no formal report.

B. Borough Engineer's Report - Mr. Bevilacqua reported on three items:

1. Clover Avenue Sewer Project - Paving is complete as of April 4th with some punch list items remaining.
2. 98 Nyack Avenue - demolished on March 31st. There were some substructure concerns at 96 Nyack Avenue and Mr. Bevilacqua is awaiting an interior portion report from the structural engineer. Mr. Bevilacqua stated that these structural concerns were not apparent until after the demolition had begun. Mr. Forrest stated that the issue of structural concerns with twin residences needs to be examined in the future. Mr. Smith stated that these would be Borough costs and not funded by the County.
3. TV inspections on Green Avenue (High School area) toward Bryn Mawr, Greenwood and Owen Avenues. The storm and sanitary sewers have been inspected from Wycombe to Florence Avenues, across the ball field behind the Administration Building and across Clover Avenue, the football field and out to Lansdowne Avenue to Greenwood Avenue and then Owen Avenue to the creek area on Bryn Mawr Avenue. Mr. Bevilacqua reported problems in the following area: (a) storm water from Wycombe Avenue and the dead end of Florence Avenue has been dumping into the sanitary line in the ball field behind the Administration Building. Mr. Bevilacqua stated that as an emergency fix, crews can work between the two buried manhole covers in the ball field behind the Administration Building. Mr. Smith questioned if this was an emergency situation. Mrs. Fryer stated she wanted Borough Council to be aware of the depth of the problem by having this discussion. Mr. Forrest stated that residents in the area of Owen and Greenwood and also Bryn Mawr Avenues have been experiencing more backup problems during the past year because of this problem.
   Mr. Bevilacqua stated a cost upward of approximately $5,000 to install a new 25' diversion concrete pipe (that would last approximately 100 years) as a fix for the immediate problem. Mr. Bevilacqua stated that the leaking of the terra cotta fittings during high flow, however, would remain a problem. President Wayne questioned the practicality of doing only a partial restoration and asked if this was a priority matter. Mr. Forrest stated that a tightening up of the system is the goal and that this project as well as the project on Stewart Avenue is a priority. He also mentioned that looking into illegal connections into the sanitary line is part of this project.

President Wayne asked that a priority list of future projects be submitted through the Municipal Services Committee. Mr. Bevilacqua stated that this is being done.

C. Solicitor's Report - Mr. Scott stated he had multiple Executive Session items. He also mentioned that the Brady subdivision issue is again being raised.

D. Borough Manager's Report - Mr. Forrest reported on two items:

1. Septa is requesting the use of 25 additional parking spaces at the Highland Avenue parking lot for train commuters at the Lansdowne Station. Septa would issue permits and turn over most of the permit proceeds to the Borough. It was the consensus of Borough Council to pursue this matter and have the Economic Development Committee review and resolve any legal issues that may arise.

2. Joan Raina is requesting a fee free permit for the use of the Owen Avenue parking lot on May 7th for an animal awareness event from 10 AM to 3 PM. Mr. Lee suggested referring future requests of this type to the Public Safety Committee due to there being no current policy or Borough ordinance in place for addressing this type of use. President Wayne suggested that the Public Safety Committee come up with a set of guidelines to address either a specific event or events as a whole.

Ms. Hill moved to grant a permit with no fee for use of the Owen Avenue parking lot on May 7th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for an animal awareness event. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

E. Fire Chief Young - No report was given in Chief Young's absence.

F. Police Chief Kortan - Chief Kortan reported that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the William Penn School District and the local police departments.

G. Mayor Young - Mayor Young reported that the No Place For Hate group is doing a library project to purchase books for creating a reading list for different age groups. May will be designated as the official No Place For Hate month.
Mayor Young reported that members of the Penn Wood High School Hi Q team will be attending next month's general meeting.
Mayor Young stated that the ACLU has requested that the Borough send a letter requesting that the U.S. Patriot Act not be renewed. Mr. Lee moved to have Borough Council send a letter to State representatives in support of Lansdowne Borough's decision not to renew the Patriot Act. Mrs. Fryer seconded and a roll call vote was taken. The motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Young reported that she and Mrs. Fryer had attended an Act 72 seminar. Mrs. Fryer stated that this is an individual matter and that everyone needs to read the information due to the complexity of the matter before making a recommendation to the School Board. President Wayne suggested referring the matter to the Finance and Administration Committee for the procedures and positions to take.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

H. President's Report - President Wayne reminded Borough Council members to submit their Statements of Financial Interest by May 1st.
President Wayne again requested that annual reports be submitted from the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board.
President Wayne gave a Comprehensive Plan update:

1. Two areas of concern were addressed at the March 30th meeting: the correction of multiple maps in the Plan and the development of a additional information to guide public policy decisions.

2. A task force is being set up re: zoning ordinance provisions. The task force members will be Mr. Borgman, Mayor Young, Mr. Bartmann, Mr. Bonenberger and Ms. Coleman.

I. Municipal Services - Mrs. Fryer reported that Municipal Services Committee meetings will now be held monthly starting in May at 6:00 PM.
Mrs. Fryer stated that the Ad Hoc meeting with other Borough is being postponed until April 30th.

J. Finance and Administration - Mr. Smith reported on the following items:

1. Borough Audit - the audit is complete and has been submitted.

2. Educational Service Agency - does not need to be utilized regarding appointments of crossing guards.

3. Borough Pension Fund - will now include international equities up to 8%.

4. Capital Program - Mr. Forrest stated that equipment is being purchased, improvements to the Borough Yard will be bid out and improvements to the Borough Hall are being investigated.

5. Tax Collector - Approximately $2.1 million has been received to date.

6. Twentieth Century Club renovations - The Borough will have to pay $6,000 for CDBG change order items. The new sign will cost $3,850.

K. Zoning, Planning and Code Enforcement - Mr. Smith stated that applications for 46 E. Stratford and 38 Runnemede Avenues had been turned down. Mr. Smith stated that Borough Council needs to inform residents about their zoning variance request outcomes and asked that a more professional way of doing this be adopted. It was suggested that a copy of the letter from Borough Council regarding their decision to the Zoning Hearing Board be sent to the resident in question as a courtesy to them.

L. Public Safety - Ms. Hill had no formal report. Ms. Hill mentioned that anyone copying material at the library would have to use the tables already in place.

M. Parks and Recreation - Mr. Lee reported that no damage estimates have yet been received for the water damage to Hoffman Park.
Mr. Lee stated that the petition for a dog park in Marlyn Park is being proposed for withdrawal as another site is being investigated outside of Lansdowne. The residents in question have been encouraged to keep the dog park in the Borough.
Mr. Lee reported that work is starting in Interboro Park with the toy being removed and clean fill being placed at the site of the removed toy. Phase I will include investigating better accessibility for the handicapped. A total site plan for the park is in the works for a future date.
Mr. Lee reported there are no water problems in Reservoir Park and the numerous incidents of vandalism have stopped since the suspects were apprehended. A neighborhood cleanup of the park is also being discussed.
Mr. Lee reported that the next Parks and Recreation Committee scheduled for March 19th at 7:00 may be rescheduled until Mr. Borgman's return from vacation.
Mr. Lee stated that the Civic Association is premiering the historical film, "There is a town, Lansdowne" on April 30th at PennWood High School at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Also, the Civic Association will be sponsoring a jazz brunch in Sycamore Park on June 12th, 1-3 PM. Tickets are $18.00 in advance, $22.00 at the gate.
Mr. Lee stated that the Darby Creek cleanup is scheduled for April 30th, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and volunteers are needed. The area north of the Baltimore Avenue bridge will be targeted for the first time.

N. Economic Development - Ms. Coleman reported that a meeting will be held tomorrow regarding the Baltimore Avenue corridor revitalization program with a bus tour of the corridor. After the tour a focus group will address the input from business owners and the community to address the issues of transportation, quality of life, economic revitalization and historic preservation.

Old Business - None.

Communications - None.

New Business - Mrs. Fryer moved to approve bills for the period. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Lee moved to enact Ordinance No. 1206, an ordinance regarding the duties of the Borough Tree Advisory Board. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Hill moved to appoint Christine DuBois-Buxbaum to the Library Board, filling the unexpired term due to the resignation of Kate Bech. This term expires 3/31/06. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Hill moved to appoint Andrew Lee Kenyon to the Library Board for a three year term expiring 3/31/08. This position is filling the seat left empty after Mr. Cicero's term expired. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Mrs. Fryer moved to adopt Resolution No. 2005-07, a resolution regarding application to the County Council of Delaware County for an allocation of county liquid fuel tax funds. Mr. Smith seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Executive Session - Mr. Lee moved to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss litigation issues, seconded by Ms. Hill. The motion carried unanimously and the meeting adjourned to Executive Session at 9:25 PM.

There were no motions made upon reconvening to Public Session. Mr. Smith moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Lee. The motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 10.00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary