May 16th Borough Council Meeting Notes

BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG
COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
May 16, 2011
7:00 P.M.

Call to Order. .............................................................................................. Melinda Keen

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Approval of Agenda

Minor changes to the agenda allowing Bob Garrett to go first so he can catch a train.  Council President Keen recognized State Representative John Lawrence, in attendance.  Representative Lawrence stated he is here to observe.

Review and Approval of Minutes of the April 18, 2011 Regular Council Meeting

No changes, approved

Treasurer’s Report

Reading by Wendy Keegan was skipped

Approval of Bills

President Keen noted the generator installed and functional with grant secured through senator Pileggi’s office.

Bills approved for payment

Public Comments (Agenda Items Only)

None

Public Safety Reports:

Police Chief’s Report. ....................................................................... Brian Sheller

123 traffic citations

10 criminal arrests

Were starting to see an increase in criminal act with the warm weather

Officers using segway on night time patrol, hope it leads to more arrests

Council discussed putting cameras in the park tying the feed right into the police station and the need to exploring funding for the project.  Price for the cameras have come way down since the idea was first discussed several years ago.  Its easier to do technically today than it was back then as well.

Fire Chief’s Report. ....................................................................... Richard Klingler

17 calls

7 guys per call

62.5 hours on alarms

34.5 hours on training

Councilperson Mark Agen made a motion that 25% of the borough’s fire company’s budget allotment ($11,250) be sent to the fire company immediately.  The motion passed unanimously.

Council President Keen noted Parkesburg Community Breakfast last Saturday raised $150 for the fire company.

Emergency Management Coordinator. ............................................. Richard Irwin

No report

Presentation:

•      Bob Garrett - Executive Assistant with PennDOT talked about the train station and West Bridge Street Bridge

•      A few months ago Chester County asked us to down and talk to Parkesburg about upgrading the train station. 

•      Bob noted Jim Thomas’ vision that the train station become the transportation hub of western Chester County. 

•      PennDOT agrees and wants to help.  PennDOT has been working with Jim Thomas to create a work statement. 

•      That work statement has been finalized with a three fold focus 1) to upgrade the station, 2) improve Amtrak service and 3) someday get SEPTA back.

•      PennDOT will take care of the funding if Parkesburg will work with us and do some of the heavy lifting.

•      The long-term objective is:

•      Accessible to people with disabilities

•      An intermodal transportation hub with ample parking

•      A safe and secure area

•      Sufficient pedestrian crossing

•      Signage on 30, 372, 10 and 41 directing people to the station

•      Maximize parking

•      Intermodal connections to make it easy for people to get to the train station

•      A working group of 7 to 15 people to help PennDOT steer the project with representation from all sectors of the community will be put together immediately.

•      PennDOT will use community development plans already in place and expand on them

•      The next step is to come up with an action plan with a timeline and a budget for enhancing the train station

•      West Bridge Street Bridge

•      Bob grew up in Atglen and can remember the bridge, hard to believe its not there

•      PennDOT would like to move federal funds to replace the bridge

•      Invited people to see a similar station and travel by Amtrak in early June to Elizabethtown’s train station, their project is very similar to Parkesburg’s project

•      Take a tour, meet Elizabethtown officials and compare notes

•      Community planning initiative will start mid June leading to a plan by the end of the calendar year

•      For more information www.Planthekeystone.com

Planning Commission:

• Bell’s Delights – Request for Waivers  

Presentations by Regester Associates, Inc. regarding the zoning and planning varoiances requested by Belle’s to improve its Route 10 ice cream stand

Unfinished Business

New Business

Department Reports:

Engineer’s Report. ................................................. Mendi Lowe

Zoning Officer’s Report. ....................................... ARRO Consulting

Building Code Official’s Report. .......................... John Coldiron

Code Enforcement Officer’s Report. .................... Robert Hosier

Manager’s Report. .................................................. James Thomas

• Wastewater issue at Chetty has been resolved
• Water rate increase to the PUC a 13% increase
• Fireworks July 1, July 2^nd rain date

Public Works Report. ............................................. Melinda Keen

Fire Marshal’s Report.............................................. Raymond Stackhouse

Mayor’s Report........................................................ John P. Hagan, II

PABA. ................................ ..................................... Eric Jamison

Solicitor’s Report.................................................... John S. Carnes, Jr.

Committee Reports:

Parks & Recreation. ........................................ Kathleen Rick

Progress & Development. ............................... Sharon Wolf

Streets & Property............................................ Melinda Keen

Finance. ................................................................... Charles Persch

Police & Fire................................................... Charles Persch

Library Board Representative. ............................... Melinda Keen

Public Comments

Council Comments

Adjournment

Scheduled Public Meetings:

Committee Time Date Location

•      Parks & Recreation 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 6, 2011 Borough Hall

•      Progress 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 6, 2011 Borough Hall

•      Streets & Property 7:00 p.m. Monday, June 6, 2011 Borough Hall

•      Finance 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011 Borough Hall

•      Fire & Police 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 9, 2011 Borough Hall

•      PABA 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011 Borough Hall

2011 Scheduled Council Meetings:

June 20th

July 18th

August 22nd

September 19th

October 17th

November 21st

December 19th