RICHLANDTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES

Transcription

1 RICHLANDTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 9, 2011 The regular meeting of Richlandtown Borough Council was held on May 9, Council President Jim Bowman opened the meeting at 7:00pm. Council members John Wassmer, Floyd Bless, Jocelyn Myers, Thom Gross and Mayor Carl Raub III were present, Councilman Brian Doyle arrived late. Councilman Bob Shinn was absent. ANNOUNCEMENTS: PUBLIC COMMENT: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes for April 11, 2011 were accepted on a motion by Brian Doyle, seconded by Thom Gross and carried by all. PRESENTATIONS / DEVELOPER S ISSUES Quakertown Borough is requesting any available Fire Police to assist with traffic control duties for two events. 1) Quakertown Memorial Day Parade & Ceremonies on May 30, ) Quakertown Borough s Annual Fourth of July Event, scheduled for Monday July 4, 2011, rain date Saturday, July 9, A motion to supply Fire Police assistance to the above events was made by Floyd Bless, seconded by Brian Doyle and carried by all COUNCIL & STAFF REPORTS MAYORS REPORT EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN The first meeting to discuss the EOP was held on Wednesday, April 27 th. The committee recommended that borough council approve the revised phone contact list for the current plan that is in place. Work then commenced on the new formatted version of the EOP that was supplied by the Bucks County Emergency Office. There was a great deal of discussion on a variety of topics. The committee then started working on the contact portion of the plan, which will require a substantial amount of review and update information that is in the current plan and inserting it in the new one. Another meeting will be scheduled in the near future. PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS A meeting to conclude discussion on crosswalk installation by creating a list in order of importance will be scheduled later this month. We will also be addressing the types of materials available for use due to volume of traffic and the current economic conditions and repairs to the crosswalk across Main Street at Cherry Street. I have already addressed concerns about condition of existing crosswalks that were installed last year with Terry Flaherty of Flint Trading. ROAD SIGNS The removal of old signage clutter is winding down as weather permits. Now that the street sweeping is complete, we need to begin relocating some signage to new location(s) on state maintained roads as per PennDOT. SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES Borough Council will need to make a decision on designating certain streets or all streets within the borough for snow emergency routes before discussing any signage purchasing. SPEED LIMIT 1

2 According to our solicitor at the recent council meeting, we are required to pass an ordinance before making any change to the speed limit. We have been given a sign count from PennDOT on the total number of new signs to be purchased for placement on state maintained roads in the borough. Respectfully submitted, Carl T. Raub III Mayor Borough of Richlandtown Solicitor s Report will be available Monday Report of the Borough Street Cleaning and Storm Inlet cleaning. PennDOT addressed the storm inlets along Main Street, popping the grates and jetting/vacuuming. They returned to complete the annual Spring street cleaning with dismal results. The project started with good intentions, there was a crew of workmen, walking ahead of the sweeper, using leaf blowers/brooms and shovels to move all debris from the pavement into the street and they were doing a great job. Then it rained. The sweeper was unable to pull the now water laden debris/mud into the vacuum and so it was passed over and remained on the street. Milford Township was onsite Monday May 2 nd to clean the borough s streets with similar results. Town Court was unable to be cleaned due to development wide non compliance with the No Parking request. Council President Jim Bowman stated that Reilly could be contacted to provide street sweeping services provided the cost is less than $ MOWING: Grass is growing like crazy but the ground remains soggy and this is complicating maintenance efforts. Benner Hall has been able to be mowed across the front of the building and to the West as well as a small portion at the East end of the parking lot regularly. The rear fields are being mowed as weather and ground conditions permit. Windsor Court detention basin: only the slope of the basin is able to be mowed as the flat bottom is soggy. The Concord Ridge detention basin is seriously overgrown due to ponding throughout. I have been able to mow a portion of the sloped sides but unable to address anything else. Property Maintenance Violations: I have obtained six (6) Non Traffic Citations from QCSD to be issued as follow up to Violation notices per the Solicitors direction. Current outstanding violations are: Preston: 139/141 South Main St. contacted Dept of Health they can only intervene when garbage is evident. In this instance garbage is defined as food or food containers. I have also contacted the DEP about the state and safety of the out buildings, they are unable to intervene. Monachelli: 144 Second St. - I spoke directly with Mr. Monachelli, he recently retrieved his mail from the Quakertown address (the only mailing address we have on file) and had the notice of violation in hand. I discussed the violation with him and the 30 day timeline for completion. 147 South Main St.: I contacted Emerald Realty and inquired when the demolition was to begin and was told that the bids had to be awarded by the bank before he could move any equipment in or any trash out. I did discuss the smell emanating from the shed and asked him to investigate. To be processed: 58 Maple Ave has 3 unregistered vehicles in various states of disrepair sitting in their driveway. The need to issue notice of violation has been discussed with the code enforcement officer. 148 South Main St: Multiple violations spanning three properties. There is a large assortment of vehicles/equipment and assorted unknown objects piled on and around this property which change 2

3 and rotate almost daily. There is an RV and storage trailer that is on property owned by Phoebe Richland, there are unregistered vehicles parked on the property of 150 South Main (this property is vacant) and additional unregistered vehicles on the homeowners property. I discussed this with the homeowner and stated the violations associated with unregistered vehicles in which he responded I know the law. There was some discussion over his after work visitors obstructing passage through the alley way and he informed me that the driveway was his private drive. Upon inspection of the deed for this property, it is referenced that certain rights of passage were afforded BUT the alley is a right of way and not a portion of his plot. 225 North Main St: Resident is operating a Home Business, Dream Catcher Yoga Studio without proper permits. Code Enforcement Officer Ed Boyd drafted a letter to be mailed to the homeowner making them aware of the need to obtain a permit. No where on this document was a CEASE AND DESIST order until inspection and permitting was obtained. I brought this to Mr. Boyd s attention last week and have received no response. I have received a request for the borough to designate a handicapped parking only spot in front of a residence on First Ave. I have talked with PennDOT about this and also the Solicitor and there should be no issues as long as the property owners understand the regulations governing use. Council voiced unanimous approval to identify handicapped parking only parking space as requested. Resident on East Union would like to convert his second floor to an apartment. While the Borough Code states that the Village Center District is established and specifically structured to accommodate higher density residential uses there is no indication whether this conversion is permitted, not permitted or conditional. I have been notified by resident E. Scheetz that the residence at 112 Cherry Street has been vacated. There is concern over the fact that the building is open and she has observed neighborhood youth entering the house and also utilizing the trampoline outside. I have notified the PSP Dublin Barracks to have the troopers include that house and possibly the alley behind it as part of their patrol. PPL Energy Rebates: All information was submitted for the lighting retrofit for Benner Hall and Borough Hall. It has gone through the qualifying stage and is now awaiting final approval. It will take approximately 1-2 weeks for PPL to approve payment. In order to reserve our rebate we must complete the reservation certificate, and provide proof of financial commitment. Water Superintendent s Report: The Water Superintendent s Report was accepted on a motion by Brian Doyle, seconded by Thom Gross and carried by all REPORT OF THE FIRE COMPANY- see attached FINANCE COMMITTEE: (J. Wassmer Chair) PUBLIC WORKS: (F. Bless (Chair), T. Gross, J. Myers) Invitation to bid, with specs, for the seal coat project will appear in the Intelligencer on 5/19 and 5/26 with bid opening scheduled for 1300 on 6/6/2011 at the borough office. The proposals will be presented to borough council for consideration at the 6/13 council meeting. It was advised to talk with borough engineer about having potholes and cracks sealed prior to the sealcoating project. Steve Funk will be contacted to provide an estimate for those repairs. 3

4 There are several new areas designated for sign placement that will have to be bored open. I would like to schedule a time with Mr. Wassmer to complete this task Pothole repairs and routine street maintenance will commence in Town Court Development this week. PARKS & RECREATION: (J. Myers (Chair), F. Bless, T. Gross) See attached PUBLIC WELFARE: (T. Gross (Chair), F. Bless, J. Myers) Sidewalk program updates. Councilman Gross has asked that all members of council review the packet of information provided at the 4/28 work session and be prepared to discuss options for addressing the sidewalk project at the 5/23 work session. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: (vacant) PERSONNELL COMMITTEE: (vacant) OLD BUSINESS Letters to 38 S. Linda Ct. homeowners and 29/31 North Main St homeowner sent addressing their respective issues. Decision relating to snow emergency routes within the borough and the declaration of NO PARKING ON ANY STREET WITHIN THE BOROUGH LIMITS until the snow has been cleared. Would like to move forward with this discussion so that any mandates and signage changes can be implemented well before winter thereby allowing residents time to consider alternate parking options for those instances. Must Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks. I have had a lengthy discussion with Don Centofante about this issue and he has provided information/applications that will allow us to obtain the delineators. The first thing that needs to be done is a crosswalk compliance survey. See attached for more information. NEW BUSINESS Blanket Friendly Letter of Violations to residents of Town Court Development. Please review/remark so that this may be sent. Volunteer recruitment: PAYMENT OF BILLS: A motion to pay the bills was made by Brian Doyle, seconded by Thom Gross and carried by all. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:52pm on a motion by Floyd Bless, seconded by Brian Doyle and carried by all. Next Meeting: Monday June 13, 2011 Respectfully Submitted Dani McClanahan Borough Secretary 4

5 5