Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting
Wednesday - October 17, 2007

The Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting was held on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Present were President Wayne, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill, Mr. Lee, Ms. Lustgarten and Mr. Urban. Also in attendance were Mayor Young, Borough Solicitor Scott, Borough Manager Totaro, Borough Treasurer Smith and Borough Secretary Henry. Councilman Wagner, Borough Engineer Bevilacqua, Police Chief Kortan and Fire Chief Young were absent.

President Wayne asked for a moment of silence in memory of Lansdowne resident Earl Moseley.

President Wayne stated that the meeting would air on October 22^nd at 7:00 p.m. on channel 10.

Approval of Agenda - Agenda was approved after adding an additional motion regarding the shade tree advisory board's proposal.

Minutes - Mr. Lee moved to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2007 Council General Meeting. Ms. Hill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Guests - There were no guests.

Announcements and Presentations - Mayor Young had no announcements or presentations.

Treasurer's Report - Mr. Smith reported an ending balance for all funds of $10,487,889.51; General Fund ending balance was $1,484,442.91; total cash receipts for the General Fund were $358,847.99. Additionally, $130,000 in principal was paid to the bond issue with $6,720 paid in interest. Mr. Smith reported an appreciation of $209,000 for the Police Pension Fund as of 9/30/07. Mr. Smith reported that the MMO payment amounted to $271,970.00 and approximately $87,995 for the Drexel Avenue sewer project was paid.

Solicitor's Report - Mr. Scott had no formal report.

Mayor's Report - Mayor Young mentioned that a Human Relations Commission meeting will be held on October 23rd, 7-9 p.m. at the Twentieth Century Club. The Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will be holding a hoagie sale on November 3rd. Mayor Young mentioned that an MS4 meeting was recently held regarding storm water management and reminded residents that the last Wednesday of each month is pickup day for organic waste.

Council President's Report - President Wayne stated there will be a discussion of the budget and proposed tax increases at next month's general meeting and copies of the preliminary budget will be available for public inspection at Borough Hall after the meeting. The final budget will be approved at year's end and public comment is welcome. In addition, the proposed zoning ordinance will be discussed. The ordinance will have a number of provisions that will help to preserve and maintain the character of Lansdowne. President Wayne reminded residents to vote on November 6th.

Committee Reports

I. Finance and Administration - Ms. Lustgarten reported that the F&A Committee will meet on November 5th to finalize the preliminary budget.

II. Public Safety - Ms. Hill gave the Police Report for September: 711 incidents, 57 motor vehicle accidents resulting in 8 injuries, 43 adult arrests, 12 juvenile arrests, 553 parking tickets, 76 motor vehicle violations, 31 traffic violations, 6 speeding tickets, 11 registration violations, 6334 miles traveled for police vehicles. No Fire Company report was given.

III. Nominations - Ms. Coleman mentioned that she would have motions regarding appointments to the Darby Creek Joint Sewer Authority and reappointments to the Planning Commission.

Members of Council:

1. Mr. Urban stated that the Parks and Recreation Board has recently discussed doing a survey at Hays Park and installing a new fence there, replacing equipment at Belmont Park and installing play equipment at Interboro Park. There is also fencing being proposed for Marlyn Park. The Hoffman Park restoration day will be held on October 20th and volunteers are needed. Recent work to the Borough Green cost approximately $1900.00.

Communications - There were no communications.

Mr. Lee moved to suspend the Rules of Order. Ms. Hill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Visitors:

Len Wert Resident of Lansdowne - Dr. Wert asked for a status report on the following:
Baltimore & Wycombe Avenue property: President Wayne stated that there are no plans for a strip mall at this site and building permits and formal plans have yet to be submitted.
Virginia donuts site - The Code Department is looking into code issues at this site.
Johnston Funeral Home - Approvals are pending for work to continue.
Dr. Wert felt that the property at Linden & Wycombe Avenue should be condemned. Dr. Wert indicated that there are some hedges posing visibility problems for motorists, particularly at Greenwood and Wycombe Avenues. Dr. Wert asked if trucks were prohibited on Scottdale Road. They are and Dr. Wert stated that trucks are speeding along that road. Dr. Wert felt that parking regulations should be enforced at the Shadeland and Drexel Avenue intersection. Dr. Wert felt that the Borough should allow a bank to be built at Union and Baltimore Avenues. Dr. Wert mentioned that he hoped the Immigration Ministry office would not make Lansdowne a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Dr. Wert again requested that a resolution be enacted making English the official language of Lansdowne. Dr. Wert expressed his concern over the recent reports of the MRSA virus.

Jack Covert Resident of Lansdowne - Mr. Covert stated that the Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra will be holding a Halloween concert on October 28th and the last concert of the season will celebrate the 80th birthday of concert master Irving Ludwig. Mr. Covert mentioned the improved appearance of the municipal parking lot with the removal of the meters and suggested that a sign directing patrons where to pay would be helpful. Mr. Covert mentioned that the stop sign on the north side of Highland and Essex Avenues is missing and the other one cannot be seen due to the school buses parked there. Mr. Covert asked if the budget would be on the web site. President Wayne stated that only the finalized budget will be put on line. Mr. Covert asked if the Borough Green had an endowment to take care of maintenance. Borough Council will get back to Mr. Covert on this issue. Mr. Covert felt that the crosswalk in front of the Lansdowne Theater should be widened.

Charlie Jeffers Resident of Lansdowne - Mr. Jeffers indicated that construction signs along Baltimore Avenue should be removed after the projects are completed. Mr. Jeffers mentioned that he recently bought a new car and felt that his yearly parking sticker fee should carry over to the new vehicle. The problem was resolved but he incurred a $15.00 parking ticket while the matter was being investigated. Mr. Jeffers indicated he would like to see Lansdowne get involved in the annual Delaware County Memorial Hospital Cancer Walk.

Barbara Silzle Resident of Lansdowne - Ms. Silzle mentioned that the Farmers Market has been a wonderful gathering place for Borough residents and also thanked Borough Council for removing the meters in the municipal parking lot.

Anthony Campuzano 40 W. Albemarle Avenue - In his capacity as Chairman of the Lansdowne Democratic Committee, Mr. Campuzano urged residents to vote on November 6th, indicating several important issues at the County and local level.

Borough Council comments to visitors:
Ms. Hill stated that a traffic study had been done regarding the corner of Drexel and Shadeland Avenues and under the advisement of Chief Kortan the Public Safety Committee decided not to place a stop sign at that intersection.

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

Old Business - No old business.

New Business - No new business.

Action Items

Executive Session - Mr. Lee moved to adjourn to Executive Session. Ms. Hill seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:30 p.m.

Public Session - No motions were made upon reconvening to Public Session.

Adjourn - Mr. Urban moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Hill. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
 
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary