Lansdowne Borough Council Special Meeting
November 21, 2005 - 6:00 PM
A special meeting of the Lansdowne Borough Council was held at 6:00 PM,
November 21, 2005, for the purpose of considering the draft 2006 budget.
In attendance were President Wayne, Ms. Hill, Mr. Lee, Mr. Smith, Mr.
Borgman, Mrs. Fryer, Ms. Coleman and Mayor Young. Also in attendance
were Borough Manager Forrest, Solicitor Scott and Treasurer Asciutto.
Mr. Wayne called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Old Business
Mr. Wayne began the discussion of the draft 2006 budget with the likely
increases in expenditures. Mr. Smith discussed briefly some options for
increasing revenues, including a transfer from the capital reserve fund.
There began a discussion of specific sections of the budget.
1. Revenues
Mr. Wayne discussed his reservations regarding a loan from the capital
reserve fund to the general fund in the amount of $130,000 and asked the
council to consider alternatives. There emerged a consensus to
eliminate the loan from the capital reserve fund. Mr. Wayne asked
Council to consider reducing 2006 prior year waste collection fees from
$75,000 to $35,000. There was a general consensus to do this and also
add $100,000 in revenues from the sale of sewer and trash receivables to
a collection company.
Mr. Smith discussed the proposal for collecting fees for services the
fire department performs when they respond to a motor vehicle accident
and are called on to clean up debris and other materials. There was a
consensus to reduce fire department expenses as an alternative. There
was a consensus to reduce fire department general supplies to $7,000.
2. Expenditures
There was a discussion of proposed expenditures beginning with the
administration budget. Legal fees were discussed and it was decided
that $65,000 was sufficient for 2006. Mr. Wayne discussed the need for
additional financial controls to ensure that expenditures do not exceed
authorized limits and when they do, that measures are taken to execute
the budget as adopted.
Mr. Wayne discussed the police vehicle lease for two additional patrol
cars and indicated that he would prefer that they not be budgeted for
the following year. Mr. Smith indicated that the police are having
significant trouble with their older vehicles and that leasing two new
vehicles would be wise. There emerged a consensus to lease the two new
vehicles as part of the 2006 budget.
The Mayor questioned the fire hydrant fees and there ensued a discussion
regarding the fee purpose and origin. Mr. Forrest indicated that he
would investigate the budget figure of $35,000.
There was a general discussion of Code Enforcement relative to revenues
covering expenditures. Mr. Wayne pointed out that in the proposed 2006
budget revenues exceed expenditures.
Street lighting was discussed next. Mr. Wayne spoke against
transferring street lighting utilities fees to the liquid fuels fund. A
consensus emerged to put 100% of these expenses back in the general fund
and restore $62,000 to the 2006 road program. It was also decided to
increase street lighting capital expenditures from $2,000 to $5,000.
Under Park and Recreation expenditures, Mr. Lee suggested reducing
general supplies by $500. He also asked that maintenance and repairs be
increased to $25,000. There emerged a consensus to take these actions.
Mr. Smith indicated that since there would be no loan from the capital
reserve, the debt expenditure could be removed from the 2006 budget.
The council agreed.
Mr. Wayne discussed the need to continue funding the Main Street
Manager.
Mr. Ascuitto reviewed the budget revisions.
Mr. Smith made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss
personnel matters related to the draft 2006 budget. Ms. Fryer seconded.
The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Ms. Hill made a motion to approve resolution No. 2005-20, a resolution
of the Borough of Lansdowne regarding authorizing the disposal of the
1985 Hahn ladder truck by advertisement and sealed bids. Mr. Smith
seconded the motion. There was discussion. Ms. Hill indicated that a
Wisconsin fire company indicated that they would pay $5,000 for the
truck. Mr. Lee asked to amend the motion to table it and asked the
council to again consider donating the truck to a needy fire company.
Mr. Smith seconded. Mr. Wayne asked for a vote on the amendment. The
motion on the amendment failed. Mr. Lee made a motion to amend the
original motion to require a minimum bid of $20,000. There was no
second and the motion failed. Mr. Wayne asked for a vote on the original
motion and it passed with six members in favor and one opposed.
Mr. Smith made a motion to advertise the proposed 2006 budget. Mr. Lee
seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Smith made a motion to enact a hiring freeze in 2006. Mr. Lee
seconded. There was discussion on the motion. Mr. Lee made a motion to
amend the original motion to provide that the hiring freeze take effect
immediately. Ms. Hill seconded. The amendment passed unanimously. Mr.
Wayne asked for a vote on the original motion and it passed unanimously.
Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn the public meeting. Ms. Coleman
seconded. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
David R. Forrest
Acting Borough Secretary
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