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RIDLEY PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES
April 15, 2008
Welcome
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of silence to honor Betty Signor, recently deceased.
Roll Call
All Councilors present, except for Doris Lamb.
Chief Byrne and Charles Catania present.
William Lincke not present.
Eulogy for Betty Signor – delivered by Councilor Nick Miccarelli.
Certificates of Recognition:
Bookmark Contest Winners – Librarian Margaret Rooney
Councilor Nicholas Miccarelli
Mayor Hank Eberle
(See attached list)
Delaware County Soccer League Champions – President of Council Joseph Yorke
- Mayor Hank Eberle
(See attached list)
Swearing In: Jeffrey Craig, David Crispin
Committee Reports
Finance / Personnel Councilor Jeanne Frantz
• Account Payables - $153,767.77 this month. Councilor Frantz will be asking the Council to approve the payments.
• Advance Tax Money through the first deadline – March 31, 2008
Tax Revenue up-to-date $1,529,388.73.
• Auditors – Barbacane, Thornton: will be making a preliminary presentation to the Finance Committee early in May, for presentation May Council meeting.
• Eastlake Park – Grant – Deadline
Barabra Smith and Charles Catania worked very hard to meet the deadline before we were at risk of losing the grant money. It has been decided that a path will be put in place, from the deer statue to the foot bridge, made of pervious material that will keep the path from flooding.
Recreation
• Yard Sale – May 10th, 2008 – to sign up, please call the Borough Hall (610) 532-2100. Someone will be there with maps on that day.
• Playground – Tot Lot at Firehouse Grounds – Recreation Board will be making plans to replace that Tot Lot. In fact, meeting tomorrow to address plans for it, Details to come.
• Summer Playground – TBA
• Barnstormers – April 19th is Singer/Songwriter Night – tickets are $15, for more information please call (610) 461-9969. For some of you who have not seen the productions, please come out and join the Barnstormers. It is a great community feeling. Please come see us on the 19th.
• Victorian Fair – September 6th, 2008 – anyone with a bridal gown dating back to 1970 or before, please contact Bev Kapanjie at (610) 521-0633. They are interested in borrowing it for demonstration at the Fair.
School Board
• Bike to Work Program – Delco Planning Department is holding this event. Media Train Station will be May 16th at 8am, and Swarthmore Train Station will be May 12th at 8am. I would like to see the Borough get involved with this program, if not this year, then next year.
• Veterans’ Affairs Summit – Ridley High School – Congressman Sestak
To be held on May 12th from 5:30pm – 9:30 pm. All veteran’s and their families are welcome to attend the summit, They are a wonderful event with specialists to help problems experienced by veterans. There is information on the table in the back, and you may call Congressman Sestak’s office for information, as well.
Motion: Linda Smith
Seconded: Nick Miccarelli
Carried: 7-0
Public Safety Councilor Linda Smith
• Police – Tom Byrne (See attached report)
• Fire Department – Ned Donkin (See attached report)
• Emergency Management Team
With the FAA problems, we are looking over a new program. We would like one person from each precinct to get involve in the AMT. This is important to keep going. To all interested parties, please send letter of interest to Borough Hall.
• Civil Service Commission
Maybe by next Council meeting, we might have chosen the candidates who passed and were selected.
Letter of commendation read into the record regarding Officer Quinlan (attached).
• Business Association
At the meeting, Christine (?) and Diane Miller of the CEO at Taylor Hospital announced that Taylor/Crozer-Keystone health systems announced that they will become completely smoke free as of July 4th, which means there will be no smoking allowed anywhere on the hospital property. This means across the street from the hospital or in personal cars.
• Board of Health – Meeting Cancellation due to Betty Signor’s passing.
• Yard Waste – Schedule read out by Borough Manager.
Motion: Jeanne Frantz
Seconded: Nick Miccarelli
Carried: 7-0
Parks & Property Councilor Doris Lamb
• Highway
o Front End Loader – thanks to George Hutchins for bringing Richard Brooks from Chester County Transmission. The problem was the switch, and it was fixed at no charge, which is great news. No more lurching forward.
o AQUA PA has offered us $160,000 to repair the roads they have taken up when replacing lines. We will have to have Council’s approval in order to accept that money.
o Pot Holes – are presently being repaired.
• Shade Tree Commission – Arbor Day- May 12, 2008 @ Noon
After clean-up. Ridley Park has been honored as Tree City. To commemorate, we will be planting 2 trees at the Library. Coffee and donuts will be available to the first 25 people to come and help commemorate.
• CRC – Spring Clean Up – May 3rd, 2008 from 9:30 – 11:45 am, coordinated by Jamie Anderson from Lakeside. Flyers are available for those who are interested. Testa Industrials have graciously donated cases and cases of materials for that. Many thanks.
• PECO/CSX - working on getting this matter resolved.
Motion: Jeanne Frantz
Seconded: Perry Artese
Carried:7-0
Historic Comm. /Community Resources Councilor Robert Berger
• Historical Society – Announcements
o Springtime Champagne Tea, Sunday April 27th, 2008, at 12 Noon. Tickets are $20 for non-members, and $15 for members. For more information, please call Barbara Smith, President of the Historical Society.
• Recycling – Update
o Cell phones are being discarded at 125 million a year. A new recycling bin is at the Athletic Club. Please bring all cell phones and accessories. Also, please bring all excess recycling to the igloos at the Highway Department.
• Baseball Season/Softball season is here. The Baseball/Softball Parade will start on Dupont and go around Lincoln Elementary. All citizens are invited. Competitions will be sponsored, and please exercise safety measures.
• Athletic Club received $95,000 for the Lighting Project at the baseball fields. Councilor Berger urges council not to delay this project.
Linda Smith: How often are you taking this down to Delaware.
Bob Berger: Ultimately, we will do computers, too.. Swarthmore College is doing this as well.
Mayor Eberle: Where did you get the grant?
Bob Berger: Ron Raymond and Nick Miccarelli, I can’t say enough about your help. The School Board is talking about it, and we want to make sure that all t’s are crossed and all I’s are dotted. Urge council to get this done.
Joe Yorke: What do you mean, asking Council to move this along quickly? This has to go before the building officials, and he would determine what should be done. Did you submit a permit application yet?
Bob Berger: This application went to the electrician, Because the questions needed to be answered by the electricians. It will be done by Friday. I talked about at workshop, and brought it up and it is not on the agenda.
Terry Bradley: It was my oversight. It was under Councilor lamb’s section, and I see you added it to yours. It was my oversight and no one else’s.
Motion: Nick Miccarelli
Seconded: Linda Smith
Carried: 7-0
Communications Councilor Perry Artese
• Franchise Fees - $2,666.78 from RCN for the months of November and December 2007.
Motion: Linda Smith
Seconded: Jeanne Frantz
Carried: 7-0
Public Relations / Library Councilor Nicholas Miccarelli
• Memorial Day Celebration – spoken with some of the other Councilors, and we have decided that Vietnam vets killed in action should be recognized and will receive a plaque next to other veterans at Veteran’s Park. Long overdue presentation.
• Borough Newsletter – working on it with Jeanne Frantz.
• Sound Barriers – Update – project is well-funded. Received a notice that the project is still funded, but will be delayed until summer. The office of Rep. Raymond sent a nasty-gram and it should get things back on schedule.
• Will have a resolution to read later about Boeing Contract.
• Library –
o Free Magic Show on Friday, May 2nd.
o Registration for Science in the summer will begin soon.
o Annual Book and Bake Sale will be held. The Library is asking for donations of books, DVD, CD’s and videos on Thursday May 1st.
o Thanks to all volunteers.
Motion: Bob Berger
Seconded: Perry Artese
Carried: 7-0
President’s Report Council President Joseph Yorke
• Planning & Zoning – Commission meeting Wednesday, April 30.
o 307 W Sellers -
o 501 Hinckley
o 611 Swarthmore
o Taylor Hospital State-of-the-Art ICU
o Downtown Revitalization
o Zoning Code Revision
(See attached report)
Motion: Bob Berger
Seconded: Nick Miccarelli
Carried: 7-0
Borough Activity
Borough Manager’s Report
• Payroll Services –well under way. Going smoothly. The only glitch is that we have to accommodate the reports to assist Charlotte.
• Civil Rights Violation Case with Ridley Township – Dismissed after argument and presentation of Del Comm. It arrived on my desk the first week here, involving Ridley Township and an assault at the High School, racial elements. It happens often, where a claimant does not know where the line of demarcation is between the Borough and the Township. So, it was dismissed and did not cost us a dime.
• Status of Grants and County/State Relief
o RACP Grant – State Auditors (4-24) and Recent Status –
Our consultant has advised us that we had enough to proceed with the reports and reimbursement requisition. Unfortunately, the consultant insists that we will still not receive reimbursements until January 2009.
o Inventory: Crash Team Investigation Purchases - Auditor’s Request
Inventory was taken on all the items purchased under this grant at the request of our auditors. Also, all movable assets. Councilors Lamb and Smith and I were down at the Police Building to take an inventory of all items purchased that are movable.
o Street Sweeper Grant – originally was gong nowhere due to red-flags. However, we received a call from Rep. Raymond who assures us that this grant money will be back in the pipeline, and DCED has assured us that this will be watched over along the pipeline.
o Lake money is on its way.
Motion: Linda Smith
Seconded: Jeanne Frantz
Carried: 7-0
Engineer’s Report – Charles J. Catania, Jr. (See attached)
Motion: Bob Berger
Seconded: Linda Smith
Carried: 7 - 0
Mayor’s Report – Mayor Hank Eberle
Comments on the late Betty Signor.
John Conboy’s birthday several weeks ago. Many accomplishments, and has voted 100% of the time. He is part of the greatest generation.
History on Digney Street (Digney and Pennypacker).
Motion: Nick Miccarelli
Seconded: Bob Berger
Carried: 7-0
Public Comment
Joe Bozak, 501 Morton Avenue, Ridley Park
Witnessed President Berger make a terrific football program. Many of the members of the Athletic Club have ignored political affiliation to vote the present members who sit on Council. I cannot think of a better community activity than Fall Football. A great team of people helped put together the paperwork for the grant to get the lighting. I heard Councilor Yorke say the proper paper work needs to be in place, and I have faith that President Bob Berger will be able to get all the necessary paper work together. Please don’t stop it. This is a great place to raise kids, and please let this go through. I urge the Councilor to work together to get this done. Bob Berger has been trying to get together the Ridley Challengers League. They want to be part of this, they see the kids and the program. The reason I bring this up, with the football, if we don’t have the lights, we will not be able to get this done before the Fall. This will benefit the kids who play football, but the whole community. I urge you to work together without any delays.
Joe Yorke: There is not a gap on the council, just people from 2 parties, and we work together. I think what we told Bob Berger, you have to make sure you comply with the tree line, and like the lower field, this would be an improvement. Bob Berger said he would be ready with the application by Friday, and then the Zoning Official and the Building officials will look at it. We would certainly like this to get along, but we cannot give anyone blanket approval. We have to follow the law.
Joe Bozak: I know that Linda Smith has tried to work very hard and loves sport and has always been very kind to us, letting us use her electricity and trash cans. I would be hard pressed to vote for someone who would derail this project. I urge you to work together.
Jeanne Frantz: This makes me sad and confused about where you might have gotten the impression that this council is not working together. No on e here is party affiliated in what they are doing.
Joe Bozak: I want to make sure that what you are doing is proper, and we have the money. You can work together. It is all about the kids.
Jeanne Frantz: I understand your passion, I am not really sure why we are even having this conversation. We have procedures. We have a rule among all of us. What is good for one is good for all. If we were to violate the rules we have for Zoning, any person in this audience can say they were being treated unfairly. We have to treat every single person according to the mandates for the Borough.
Terry Bradley: As soon as the plans were submitted, they went to Keystone municipal and were reviewed. I had the staff put an application in Councilor Berger’s box and we are now waiting for it. I assure you that there is not hold up on our end.
Linda Smith: I was up here on a rainy Sunday and looked for it. We have done all we could.
Bob Berger: I just wanted to let you know what the School Board said about the deadline and schedule. They want this done by June while school is out.
Kevin O’Brien, Bonsal Road, Ridley Park
1) Portable Basketball Rim System: several systems along Bonsall and they are a danger. Little kids – 10 years old and 5 years old – are there. 621 Gilbert, and 501 Bonsall, 317 Crum Lynne is the worst because the crest and cars on both side. There is a cone in front. Little kids go there and I am looking for the cars. Something needs to be done to address this.
2) About 501 Bonsall, the dead tree sitting there needs to be addressed, it is an eyesore.
Joe Yorke: We will look into it and have the police and code enforcement look into it and enforce the code and law.
Kevin O’Brien: My neighbor, Mrs. Welsh, 408 Bonsall, we filled out seven permits, the first 4 were lost, and I went to the Shade Tree Commission, and they approved it. I was assured by someone who is in this room who was here on Council last year that the tree would come down. Someone marked her property and mine, and we were told you can’t take the tree down and she pay thousands of dollars to get the sidewalk redone around the tree. Now we hear that the tree has the same mold as before and that it has to be taken down. Vehicles have been hit and branches taken down. People have seen the conditions, and it is unfair for my neighbor to have to pay to take this tree down.
Joe Yorke: If it is on private property, the owner has to take it down. The Borough cannot take down the trees that have to be taken down because it is not in the budget, but we can prune for public safety reasons. We will ask PECO first and see what is in the budget.
Kevin O’Brien: for five years the Borough told her it could not be taken down. She fixed the sidewalk, and now they want the tree taken down. An 87 year old widow should not be treated this way.
Jeanne Frantz: we are going to have a meeting to consolidate the permit issue.
Jay Whelan, 310 Cresswall Street, Ridley Park
Wanted to thank Ron Raymond, Nick, his emminence the Mayor and say we are hoping there will not be resistance in the efforts to get the light project done. It would not have happened without Bob Berger, and the lunch shack was all his doing. I want to thank them all for all their help.
Beverly Gallozzi, 501 East Chester Pike, Riley park
Very upset about the fees that the landlord is passing on to us. I am very upset and we are on fixed incomes and I don’t know why the fees went up from $25 to $100.
Joe Yorke: We raised the fees to cover the costs of the program, but you need to read your lease. The owners are due to pay that and you should look at the lease. It is their apartments and they should pay it. We do not make the tenants pay, it is due from the owner. You should check the lease, and see if you are obligated to pay it. You should call the owner and ask them why they are charging you.
Beverly Gallozzi: The main door on the apartments – we are not allowed to lock the door, and the fire department said we cannot lock it. It is a danger, and we have already had people in the hallway and laundry room.
Joe Yorke: You should call the police if you have people living in the hallways. The owner should get the type of door that allows you to get in and out. It is up to the owner to provide the safety door. Terry Bradley will give you the number and you can call tomorrow for the contact name of your apartment.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Councilor Linda Smith (see attached)
Parks & Property by Doris Lamb
Seconded: Jeanne Frantz
Carried: 7-0
Public Safety by Linda Smith
Seconded: Nick Miccarelli
Carried: 7-0
Finance by Jeanne Frantz
Swim Club
Seconded: Linda Smith
Carried: 7-0
Accounts Payables
Seconded: Bob Berger
Carried:7-0
Planning & Zoning by Joe Yorke
Seconded: Nick Micarrelli
RESOLUTIONS:
09-2008 Adoption of Code of Conflict (attached)
Discussion on what a councilor can say or not.
Motion: Linda Smith
Seconded: Jeanne Frantz
Carried: 7-0
10-2008 BOEING KC-767 Manufacture (attached)
Motion: Nick Miccarelli
Seconded: Bob Berger
Carried: 7-0
Old Business - None
New Business - None
Adjournment
Motion by Nick Miccarelli
Seconded by Bob Berger
Carried: 7-0
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• PARKS & PROPERTY – By Councilor Doris Lamb
Recommendation to accept $160,000 reimbursement amount from Aqua PA for street repair necessary as a result of work done on water mains in the Borough of Ridley Park.
Approve release of funds to Ellis Construction, Inc. for work completed on the Ridley Park Athletic Club Restoration Project in the amount of $21,900.00, reflecting full contract amount and retainage.
• FINANCE – By Councilor Jeanne Frantz
Recommendation to approve the settlement regarding the Ridley Park Swim Club, 2007 Tax Appeal Folio No. 37-00-00787-01 appraising the parcel at $595, 000, to be taxed accordingly.
Recommendation to approve Accounts Payable for the month of April in the amount of $153,767.70.
• PLANNING & ZONING – By Councilor Joseph Yorke
Recommendation to award contract to Keystone Municipal Services, Inc., to be retained as consultant and independent contractor for the purposes of inspecting buildings, reviewing plans, code enforcement and zoning administration services.
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