MEETING OF THE MOUNT PENN BOROUGH COUNCIL January 13, 2015

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1 MEETING OF THE MOUNT PENN BOROUGH COUNCIL January 13, 2015 The Mount Penn Borough Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Borough Hall. President Staron brought the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Responding to roll call were Mayor Overley and Council members: Thomas Staron, Kurt Miller, Mark Dudash, Claudia Hurwitz, Roger Reto and Michael Worrall. Also in attendance were Solicitor Tom Klonis and Engineering Representative Jim Mohn. Kristin Reeser did not attend. I. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: A. Mayor Overley presented the 2014 Holiday Decorating Awards, thanked the residents for participating and encouraged continued holiday spirit. Single Home Semi-Detached 1 st Endlich Ave. 1 st Carsonia Ave. 2 nd - 37 S. 27 th St. 2 nd Cumberland Ave. Row Home 1 st - 28 S. 23 rd St. 2 nd - 31 N. 23 rd St. B. Adrian Murren of 2533 Perkiomen Ave. addressed Council regarding the continuous issue of fecal matter not being cleaned up at the property located at 2531 Perkiomen Ave. Mr. Klonis explained the process and encouraged the residents to continue to notify the office of any issues. Another citation was issued today for improper disposal of fecal matter. C. Lucind Burroughs of 2535 Perkiomen Ave. also addressed Council about the property located at 2531 Perkiomen Ave. D. Elliot Liebowitz, owner of Mount Penn Plaza asked Council for a tax incentive to help reduce the burden of renovations needed to bring the property into compliance for the new tenant. Mr. Miller explained his ideas for a local economic tax revitalization abatement or LERTA. Mr. Miller and Mr. Reto will meet to look into this, and other possibilities for our businesses and homeowners, and report back to Council. E. Matt Stairaker, President of Lower Alsace Ambulance Association, addressed Council regarding the changes with Exeter Township Ambulance and how these changes will affect the Borough. Mr. Stairaker asked for a contribution from both the Borough and the Township to help with the cost of a much needed truck. The Association will attend the February 10 th meeting with a financial report and the 2015 budget. Mr. Staron will request a meeting with Mr. Theodossiou in the mean time to discuss a few options. The discussion continued regarding fee per household being levied on the local tax bill.

2 2 II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND FINANCIAL REPORTS A. Moved by Mr. Worrall and seconded by Mr. Miller that the minutes of December 9, 2014, be approved as presented. B. Moved by Ms. Dudash and seconded by Mr. Reto to approve checks # and checks # in the amount of $39, from the General Fund and checks # in the amount of $3, from the Liquid Fuels Fund. C. Mr. Dudash reported 97% of the Real Estate taxes have been collected for D. The following balances were reported for the month of December 2014: Checking- $ 76, Savings- $ 292, Liquid Fuels- $ 19, Petty Cash- $ Certificates - $ 302, III. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Streets: No Report. B. Buildings: No Report. C. Legislative: No Report. D. Trees: No Report. E. Public Utilities: No Report. F. Solid Waste: No Report. G. Personnel: Mr. Miller made the motion to hire the new Streets Employee effective January 5, 2015, David Okonski, at a rate of $17.00 per hour, seconded by Mr. Reto. The motion carried. Ms. Hurwitz voted no. H. Insurance: No Report. I. Pension: No Report.

3 3 IV. LIAISON REPORTS A. Fire Company: Chief Waldman asked Council to consider a possible millage increase to the Fire Tax for There are necessary building and equipment repairs that are being pushed off to balance the budget year to year. Mr. Waldman also suggested Council consider a possible merger between Lower Alsace and Mount Penn Fire Departments. He volunteered to begin talks if Council was so inclined. Mr. Miller will look into some paving options for the driveway at the Fire Station. B. M.P.B.M.A.: Mr. Worrall suggested Mike Green of Lower Alsace Township be appointed to the Board. Discussion continued regarding the vacancy. Mr. Staron requested a letter of intent from any potential candidate prior to making an appointment. Ms. Hurwitz made the motion to table the Water and Sewer board appointments until the January 27 th Council meeting, seconded by Mr. Miller. The motion carried. Mr. Worrall was opposed. C. A.V.M.A.: Ms. Hurwitz made the motion to accept the letter of resignation for Christine Capal, seconded by Mr. Reto. Council thanked Ms. Capal for her service. D. Planning Commission: No Report. E. Police Commission: Mayor Overley welcomed Officer Albert Shade to the Department. Solicitor Klonis reported he received a letter from Attorney Mark Merolla regarding the Articles of Agreement. Lower Alsace requested that Mount Penn consider appointing a second alternate. If Mount Penn and Lower Alsace both agree, the Articles of Agreement would be amended reflecting the second alternate. Council will table the discussion until the January 27 th meeting. The articles will need to be amended to reflect the change in alternate appointment. Discussion continued. F. MPABA: No Report. G. AVRSC: Mr. Worrall reported The Recreation Commission of Antietam Valley s Intergovernmental Agreement will need to be adopted by each of the sponsoring organizations. Mr. Worrall will forward a copy to the solicitors office for review. H. Shared Services: Mr. Worrall reported he is working with Senator Schwank s office to schedule a date for the Property Maintenance Workshop. V. OTHER REPORT: A. Mayor: Mayor Overley reported he and Ms. Reeser, along with their families, judged this year s Holiday Decorating Contest.

4 4 B. Engineering Company: Mr. Mohn reported representatives from the Berks County Planning Commission will attend the February 10 th Council meeting to present required MS4/Stormwater/NPDES information to Council and the public. Council asked the meeting be scheduled to begin at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Mohn has not had success gaining entry to the property in violation on Friedensburg Road. Fire Marshal Vogt and Mr. Mohn will continue to work together. Mr. Mohn will issue a citation if the resident does not respond to his letter. C. Solicitor: Mr. Klonis reported there were 2 hearings held in December for Property Maintenance issues. Both received convictions from District Justice. D. Secretary: Ms. Hauck reported the Statements of Financial Interest need to be completed and returned to the office. VI. ORDINANCES: #820-Handicapped Parking at 2304 Fairview Avenue. Motioned by Mr. Reto, seconded by Mr. Miller. VII. RESOLUTIONS: 1-15 John Skrincosky-Assistant Treasurer- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Ms. Hurwitz Roger Krause CPA-Auditor- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Ms. Hurwitz Robert Delong-Zoning Hearing Board- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Ms. Hurwitz Christeena Hauck-Treasurer- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Ms. Hurwitz Hoffert & Klonis-Solicitor- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Ms. Hurwitz Claudia Hurwitz-Antietam Valley Municipal Authority-Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. Ms. Hurwitz abstained Christeena Hauck-Secretary to Council- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Brian Sands-Plumbing Inspector- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Daniel Sassaman-Planning Commission- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Gary Herb-Sewage Enforcement Officer- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Jim Cocuzza-Resident Rep. Police Commission- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. Ms. Hurwitz abstained Benjamin Overley-Police Commission- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. Ms. Hurwitz abstained.

5 Patrick Motley-Accessibility Inspector- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Barry Vogt-Fire Marshal- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. The motion carried unanimously Josh Nowotarski- Alternate Rep Police Commission- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. Ms. Hurwitz abstained Motley Associates-Engineering Firm- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Timothy Waldman- Electrical Inspector- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Allen Madeira-Building Code Official- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto James Mohn- Zoning Officer- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto Dennis Swartz-Emergency Management Coordinator- Motioned by Mr. Worrall, seconded by Mr. Reto. VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Miller reported he has been in touch with Kraft Codes to get rates and information for their Property Maintenance Program. Kraft will be attending a future Council Meeting to present a proposal. Ms. Hurwitz expressed her disappointment in the hiring process of the Street Employee. As a member of the Personnel Committee, she was neither consulted nor informed of the decision to hire. The other members of the Personnel Committee and the Chairman of the Streets Committee were present for the interview and hiring process. IX. CORRESPONDENCE: None. X. NEW BUSINESS: None. XI. ADJOURNMENT: Ms. Hurwitz made a motion for adjournment at 9:45 P.M., seconded by Mr. Reto. The next Council meeting will be held Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. at Borough Hall.