Approved minutes

Lansdowne Borough Council

Business Meeting
December 3, 2014
APPROVED MINUTES

The Lansdowne Borough Council Business Meeting was held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 7:00 p.m. at borough hall. Present were President Schleigh, Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Byrne, Ms. English, Ms. James and Mr. Radich. Also in attendance were Mayor Campuzano, Borough Manager Totaro, Borough Secretary Henry, Borough Solicitor Scott and Police Chief Donegan. Assistant Borough Finance Director/Treasurer Marabella was absent. The Fire Company liaison was absent.

The Mayor opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda: Mr. Aubrey moved to approve the agenda. Ms. English seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Aubrey moved to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2014 business meeting. Mr. Radich seconded. Vote: unanimous.

Mr. Radich moved to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2014 special meeting of Borough Council. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.

Public Comment – Mr. Radich moved to Suspend Roberts Rules of Order. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Visitors:

1. 
   Jayne Young – Resident of Lansdowne. Mrs. Young referenced the leaf problem at the Lansdowne Swim Club and commented that in the past the Lansdowne Swim Club has been the repository for excess snow in the borough and have been amendable to having snow dumped in their parking lot.
   
2. 
   Matt Schultz – 91 E. Greenwood Avenue. In his capacity as Executive Director of the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, Mr. Schultz asked that Borough Council consider becoming a partner in another grant proposal. The National Endowment for the Arts (“NEA”) has returned with another grant that would be no expense for the borough. A letter from the Mayor is necessary to affirm that the borough will not apply for another NEA grant this year. President Schleigh indicated this is an action item for voting at tonight’s meeting and asked if Mr. Schultz would stay for that point to answer any questions.
   

Borough Council comments: Mayor Campuzano reiterated Jayne Young’s comment that the Swim Club had always been helpful when the borough needed a space for excess snow removal and thanked her for mentioning this fact.
Mr. Radich moved to reinstate Roberts Rules of Order. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.


REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report: No report was given. Mr. Totaro indicated that Mr. Bartley would be providing a full report at the next general meeting of Borough Council.
Solicitor’s Report – Mr. Scott had no formal report.
Manager’s Report – Mr. Totaro gave updates on borough projects as follows:

• 
  The fencing at the borough yard is now complete. A seepage pit has been installed and the deck has been repaved.
  
• 
  Borough wide paving – the vast majority of trenching will be completed in the spring.
  
• 
  Gladstone Manor lights have been rewired and are now operating.
  
• 
  A more sophisticated repair job has been completed on Scottdale Road in the area of the spring that runs across it.
  
• 
  The Fire House generator has been installed but still needs an Electrician’s certification.
  

President Schleigh asked if the speed bumps had been pulled from Scottdale Road to which Mr. Totaro indicated they had been pulled.

President Schleigh questioned the salt reserves. Mr. Totaro answered they were 80-90% full.

Chief of Police Report – Chief Donegan reported that the Civil Service Commission met November 20^th to discuss the sergeants’ results. An offer of employment has been made to another applicant for the part time officer position. Mercy Hospital recognized several Lansdowne police officers at a ceremony on November 19^th wherein commendation bars were given to be worn on their uniforms. This recognition resulted from the July 24^th incident at the hospital involving a mental patient. As of November 29^th Lansdowne will be carrying nasal niloxin in the patrol cars; Act 139 now allows first responders to carry it.

Fire Company Liaison Report – No report was given.
Mayor’s report – Mayor Campuzano gave his report as follows:

• 
  Many articles were received for the upcoming borough newsletter and the mayor thanked President Schleigh for his article.
  
• 
  The Christmas tree lighting ceremony with the LBPA will be held this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the borough lot.
  
• 
  The mayor recently attended the Building One PA awards ceremony. This is an organization for inclusion, sensibility and economic growth in the towns.
  
• 
  The mayor asked if any Council members wanted to nominate any member or borough staff for an award given by the State Association of Boroughs.
  
• 
  The mayor asked if the leaf pickup was still happening to which Mr. Totaro indicated it would continue until the end of December.
  
• 
  The mayor reported that he has secured more Jingle Judges and that he will judge businesses as well this year.
  
• 
  Paul Revere Pizza will be the featured business at the December general meeting.
  

President’s Report – President Schleigh noted the resignation of former Council member Steve Wagner. Borough Council has interviewed two candidates and will vote on it at the December general meeting.
Old Business: There were no items for Old Business.
New Business:

1. 
   Lansdowne Swim Club (“LSC”) - LSC Board member Tim Campbell came before Borough Council and explained that the LSC had been trying to improve its appearance at the parking lot entrance but the huge leaf pileup every year was becoming a problem. Mr. Campbell asked if the borough would pick up the leaves if they were gathered into two or three large piles at the front of the parking lot. President Schleigh asked what the past practice had been in this regard. Mr. Campbell explained that the borough did not pick up their leaves and the Club collected them into a dumpster for dispatch to a compost site. Solicitor Scott expressed concerns with potential liability issues inherent with entering a private property and felt more comfortable with having the leaves picked up at curbside. Mr. Campbell explained that there was not much room at the curb and doing so would present a safety hazard. Mr. Scott asked that an indemnification agreement be drafted with the Club’s input if the borough was inclined to make the pickup wherein any claim that the LSC could possibly assert against the borough would be waived. Mr. Aubrey questioned the amount of leaves to which Mr. Campbell indicated about 10 yards. Mr. Aubrey asked what would prevent other businesses from asking for the same favor. The mayor noted that the LSC is a non-profit organization, not a business, and felt comfortable with their request. Mr. Radich moved to authorize the borough solicitor to draft an indemnification agreement between Lansdowne Borough and the Lansdowne Swim Club pursuant to the Borough Solicitor’s review. Ms. English seconded. President Schleigh asked for a roll call vote. The motion carried 4-1 with Mr. Aubrey casting the “nay” vote. President Schleigh abstained from the vote, stating that he “is a member of the Lansdowne Swim Club and may have a financial interest in the outcome of this decision”.
   
2. 
   Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation National Endowment for the Arts grant application. Matt Schultz, Executive Director for the HLTC, explained that this was a new grant designed to apply for more specific things such as construction drawings and design documents. Mr. Schultz would be asking the NEA for $200,000-$250,000 and asked if the borough would consider being a partner in this endeavor. The only caveat would be that the borough would not be able to submit another NEA grant application this year. Mr. Aubrey moved to have the borough partner with the HLTC to apply for the NEA grant for design documents and construction drawings. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
3. 
   September 12, 2015 Parade proposal. Ms. April Rice, Chief of Staff for State Representative Margo Davidson, presented a proposed parade route for an event to be held on September 12, 2015. The tentative route would start at Bailey and Lansdowne Avenues, cross Baltimore Avenue, turn right onto Stewart Avenue, proceed through East Lansdowne and end in Yeadon. The Upper Darby Fire Department would be on hand to assist in the event. There would be five fire trucks and a few marching bands. President Schleigh asked that Ms. Byrne, in her capacity as Chair of the Community Relations Committee, assist Ms. Rice with coordinating this project.
   
4. 
   December 13, 2014 Fire House event. The Lansdowne Fire Company will be holding their annual Christmas party at the Twentieth Century Club and has asked for a rental fee waiver. Ms. Byrne moved to waive the Twentieth Century Club rental fee for the benefit of the Lansdowne Fire Company (a non-profit organization) holiday event on December 13, 2014. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   

Action Items:

1. 
   Mr. Radich moved to authorize payment of bills for period. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
2. 
   Mr. Radich moved to award a Tax Anticipation Note to PNC Bank for $700,000 at a rate of 1.25%. Ms. English seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
3. 
   Mr. Radich moved to execute a three year agreement with the SEIUBJ32 bargaining unit according to terms set forth in the draft contract of 12/1/2014. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
4. 
   Mr. Schleigh moved to reappoint Bill Patterson to the arts Board for a term expiring 12/2/2015. Mr. Radich seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
5. 
   Mr. Schleigh moved to reappoint Bill Bowden to the Code Appeals Board for a three year term expiring 11/30/2017. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
6. 
   Mr. Schleigh moved to reappoint Della Cowall to the Arts Board for a four year term expiring 12/2/2018. Mr. Radich seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
7. 
   Mr. Schleigh moved to accept the resignation of Mr. Wagner from Borough Council. Mr. Radich seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   
8. 
   Mr. Radich moved to award long term disability insurance mandate to Brown and Brown of Pennsylvania LP (Mutual of Omaha) in the amount of $5,237. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   

Executive Session: Mr. Schleigh moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss various matters. . Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Public Session: Upon reconvening to public session, the following two motions were made:

1. 
   Ms. James moved to promote police officer Christopher J. Schiazza to rank of Sergeant. Ms. Byrne seconded. Chief Donegan asked that the effective date be included in the motion. Ms. James amended the motion and moved to promote police officer Christopher J. Schiazza to rank of Sergeant effective January 1, 2015. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   

2. 
   Mr. Radich moved to accept a payment plan from the Lansdowne Boys and Girls Club for delinquent sewer fees in the amount of $100 per month until the delinquent amounts are paid in full. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
   

Adjourn: Ms. Byrne moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Ann Henry

Borough Secretary

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