BOROUGH OF RIDLEY PARK

January 13, 2009 – 7pm

Ridley Park Borough Hall
Community Room
105 E Ward Street
Ridley Park, PA 19078

Special Meeting - Minutes

The Ridley Park Borough Council met in special session on the above date in the Community Room of the Ridley Park Borough Hall. Council President Joe Yorke called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of allegiance led by President Joe Yorke.

ROLL CALL

Council members present: Mr. Artese, Mr. Berger, Mrs. Frantz, Mrs. Lamb, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Yorke. Also present were Mayor Hank Eberle and Mrs. Terry Bradley, Borough Manager/Secretary. Councilor Nicholas Miccarelli, Police Chief Byrne, Solicitor, William Lincke, and Engineer, Charles Catania, Jr. were not present.


SPECIAL REPORT:

Councilor Doris Lamb presented the specifics on the grant application. Namely, Councilor Lamb explained that the application requested $50,000 in order to restore and preserve the WPA 1938 Hancock Street Highway Garage, which due to blight and the passage of time, has suffered damage to the roof, rafters, soffits, and interior support structure. In addition, the door frames and window frames need replacement, and the stone needs pointing. In addition, the Borough Engineer recommended new electrical wiring to replace the outdated system presently in place.

According to Charles Catania, the Borough Engineer, a $50,000 grant will cover the cost of all necessary repairs and renovation to this Historic Building.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No one present.


RESOLUTION – 01-2009 CDBG Grant APPLICATION (See attached)

Jeanne Frantz made a motion in support of the resolution. Perry Artese seconded the motion.

Approved and Carried: 6-0
UNFINISHED BUSINESS


PUBLIC COMMENT:

Council President Joseph Yorke raised the issue of the public comment section of the meetings, and asked Council to support a limit on podium time. In addition, he asked for Council’s support in calling for points of order when anyone at the podium engaged in unseemly, discourteous behavior, especially as relates to employees of the Borough.

Councilor Jeanne Frantz, Chair of the Personnel Committee is supportive of this measure, and will ask the President to remind all persons complaining about Borough employees to address all matters to her for response in writing.


307 Sellers Avenue:

Council President Joseph Yorke raised the issue of 307 Sellers Avenue, asking for status on Council members’ readiness to vote on this matter at the next Council meeting.

Discussion followed. Councilors agree that this matter has been going on for many years, and that all Councilors are duty-bound to make an informed decision and vote based on all the information received.

Councilor Perry Artese expressed regret that the solicitor had not been present to address Council’s specific questions in addition to all responses by memo.

Council President Joseph Yorke explained that the Solicitor’s review and comments addressed the legal issues involved, but the matter had been held up for review and comments by the project’s Engineer, Damon and Associates.

Several Councilors expressed confusion about the project engineer’s comments, and whether or not it addressed the matter sufficiently.

Councilor Lamb expressed concern over the safety issues raised by the Traffic Engineer.

Councilor Yorke explained that, if approved by Council, this plan would be conditional on meeting all the requirements raised and specified by the solicitor and the engineer.

All Councilors present agreed to proceed to vote on the matter at the next scheduled Council Meeting. Councilor Joseph Yorke will make the recommendation.



NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Artese made a motion to adjourn at 8:05 P.M., seconded by Ms. Jeanne Frantz..

Carried: 6-0



Executive Session on personnel matters followed.



Respectfully Submitted,



Terry Bradley, Secretary/Treasurer