Adjourned Reorganization Meeting
Wednesday — January 4, 2006
The Lansdowne Borough Council reconvened the January 3, 2006 reorganization meeting on Wednesday, January 4, 2006 at 7:30 PM. Present were President Wayne, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill, Mr. Lee, Ms. Lustgarten, Mr. Urban, and Mr. Wagner. Mayor Young was absent due to illness.
President Wayne led the Council in the pledge of allegiance. Following the pledge he asked for any comments from visitors. There were none. President Wayne then moved to the next order of business, organization of Borough government. He explained that certain actions were taken relative to organization at the January 3 meeting, but further discussion and action regarding organization would be considered tonight. Mr. Wayne directed the Council's attention to two documents, one entitled Reorganization Meeting Issues and the other entitled Proposed Agenda for 2006. Using these documents as a guide for organizing and prioritizing the work of the Council and staff, Mr. Wayne asked if there were any additions or comments so that a consensus could be achieved.
Ms. Coleman referred to the 2006 proposed agenda. Under public safety, Ms. Coleman asked that a defined parking policy be added to the list. Under oversight, within public safety, she asked that monitoring emergency response be added. She had a question regarding Manage the Environment, specifically why storm water management was not under the category of municipal services. Mr. Wayne stated that when he prepared the document he organized the items according to functional areas. Ms. Coleman asked that under oversight, the tree advisory board be added to the list. Under Manage Borough Finances, Ms. Coleman asked that an item be added to explore more revenue sources. Also under the same heading, she asked that a process of accountability be established. Under Quality of Life, policy, she asked that recreation activities be emphasized. Regarding arts she asked that support for the arts be emphasized. Under Increase Tax Base, she asked that a tax abatement policy be added. She asked that a redevelopment authority be explored. Ms. Coleman asked that developing an approach for attracting developers should be explored. Under Communications with Residents, Ms. Coleman asked that public meetings and attendance at council and committee meetings be added.
Mr. Wayne asked for other comments. Ms. Hill asked that leisure activities be added to the activities normally associated with parks and recreation. She also asked that the arts be emphasized. Ms. Hill asked that consideration be given to department directors providing a two-year budget and plan.
Ms. Lustgarten asked that litter and recycling be emphasized under Manage the Environment as well as a public education campaign to strengthen the borough's recycling effort. Ms. Lustgarten also discussed the availability of parking and the need to explore this issue.
Mr. Wagner asked that the budget process be started earlier than is currently done. Under Economic Development, Mr. Wagner asked that promoting the borough be emphasized. He also suggested that the borough try to attract institutions of higher education.
Bob Scott discussed delinquent sewer and trash fees and the need to pursue them more aggressively.
President Wayne discussed what he felt are the priorities for the year. He listed them:
- Enhancing the Council's relationship with the Planning Commission
- Enhancing recreation through the pending park plan and relationships with the Lansdowne Park and Recreation Board
Ms. Lustgarten asked for further explanation of the planning commission. President Wayne stated that he wanted to see a more active planning commission and one that had a closer relationship with the Borough Council. Ms. Lustgarten asked if there were timing issues associated with the priority list. President Wayne indicated that he felt that the police pension was critically important.
Mr. Lee stated that he felt the Council should be more involved in school reform and specifically school tax reform.
President Wayne moved on to a discussion of the past committee structure of Borough Council. He related that in the past the business of Council was done largely through committees. He asked if this new Council wished to continue with this approach. Mr. Urban asked how the Council would operate in the absence of committees. President Wayne stated that ordinances, for example, could be reviewed by the full Council as a committee of the whole rather than going through a two-step process of review by committee and then on a separate evening review by the full Council. Committees could be formed on an ad hoc basis to deal with specific issues.
There followed a lengthy discussion of the merits and potential challenges of operating the borough government primarily through a committee of the whole. At the conclusion of the discussion President Wayne suggested two standing committees to deal regularly with issues he felt needed extra attention. He suggested that there be a standing Finance Committee and a standing Public Safety Committee. There followed a discussion regarding the merits of having a standing Economic Development Committee. It was concluded that a standing committee for Economic Development would not be necessary.
President Wayne summarized the discussion and the consensus among the Council. Most business of the Borough will conducted through a committee of the whole; the police pension advisory board ordinance should be amended to provide for different representation among the Council; Council liaisons would work with the Park and Recreation Board and the Lansdowne Library.
President Wayne stated his intention to put together a tentative list of committee and assignments for consideration by the members of Council.
President Wayne moved on to the next order of business, Old Business. There was none. He moved on to new business, starting with the payment of bills.
New Business — Mr. Lee moved to approve the payment of bills for the period. Ms. Coleman seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
It was decided to defer consideration of Resolution 2006-3 and 2006-4 until after the executive session.
Ms. Coleman moved to adopt Resolution 2005-5, a resolution regarding the Borough Council meeting schedule. Ms. Hill seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Lee moved to reappoint Mike McCall to the Board of Heath for a five-year term expiring 12/31/09. Ms. Hill seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Coleman moved to go into executive session to discuss a litigation matter and a personnel matter. Ms. Hill seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Upon reconvening to Public Session, the following motions were made:
- Mr. Urban moved to appoint Dave Forrest Borough Manager. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hill. The motion passed unanimously.
- Ms. Lustgarten moved to give Dave Forrest a $1,500 bonus for his outstanding work in 2005. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lee. The motion passed unanimously.
- Mr. Urban moved to appoint Bill Smith treasurer. The motion was seconded by Steve Wagner. The motion was approved by voice vote.
Ms. Hill moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Lee. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
David Forrest
Acting Borough Secretary
