Parkesburg Today: Borough Council Meeting

Members of Borough Council and the Mayor catch up following the meeting. From left to right Joseph Dynesko, Sharon Wolf, Mark Agen, Mayor John Hagan.

Below is the agenda and notes (in blue) from last night's Borough Council meeting where the council approved the 2011 budget with no property tax increase and agreed to accept dedication of the Streets in the Parkesburg Knoll, Phase II-A even though more than 10 lots in the development remain vacant.

BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

Monday, December 20, 2010 7:00 P.M.

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

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

Everyone present

Approval of Agenda

Review and Approval of Minutes of the November 15, 2010 Regular Council Meeting

Treasurer’s Report

Approval of Bills

Public Comments (Agenda Items Only)

Planning Commission/Subdivisions:

Department Reports:

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

Fire Chief’s Report. ............................................................. Raymond Stackhouse

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

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

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

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

The project on State Street is being held up by the state because handicapped curbs and sidewalks do not meet standards. Appeal to allow design made to the state.
Highland Township storm water running on to Chetty development on 8^th Avenue is being addressed. Pipes have been delivered and are waiting to be installed by Chetty.
One of the old Street light on Strasburg Ave was hit and damaged. The matter was turned over to Borough's insurance company for resolution.
Looking at a $60K emergency power system for Borough Hall/police station and plan to use a $30K from the state to help pay for it. Evaluating ways to make a little money on the old generator by selling it.

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

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

John Hagan has not made a decision about running for mayor next year. He plans to make a decision in the next week or two upon completion of some medical tests he’s currently having done. The Mayor complimented Council for doing an excellent job keeping costs under control and managing priorities. Mayor Hagan stated, “You’ve put the Borough first without regard to politics.” Finished with a message of Christmas through the ages.

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

No Report from PABA. Council talked about the town tree lighting ceremony last night, the Octorara Middle School band did a nice job. About 100 people were in attendance.

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

The Borough agreed to an early dedication of the roads in the Parkesburg Knoll development as well as a reduction of the escrow.

Unfinished Business

New Business

• Motion to enact Ordinance 488 – An Ordinance of Parkesburg Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Establishing Taxes and Fixing Tax Rates for the Fiscal Year 2011

For the 4^th straight year with no tax increase. Passed unanimously

Motion to Adopt 2011 Budget

2010 - $1,000+/- surplus bringing the fund balance to about $100,000
2011 budget $3,240,025
Not sure about health insurance rate going into the New Year which could significantly impact the budget.

The 2011 budget passed unanimously

Council President Keen thanked Borough Secretary Wendy Keegan and Manager Jim Thomas for their work controlling expenses this past year.

• Motion to enact Ordinance 489 – An Ordinance of Parkesburg Borough, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Amending Ordinance 482 to Add the West Bridge Street Bridge Project to the List of Capital Projects Authorized by Said Ordinance

Before we did State Street project we took out a construction loan. Those funds were used instead of a TAN. This motion allows funds left over monies to be allocated to the West Bridge Street bridge project and other capital projects. Passed Unanimously

• Motion to Adopt Resolution 2010-11 – A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing Reducing the Subdivision Bond for Parkesburg Knoll, Phase II-A from $383,688.21 to $125,636.50

Council has reviewed progress over the last 8 months and believes the goal can be met by the end of the year. Passed Unanimously.

• Motion to Approve Declaration of Lot Owner Obligations for Parkesburg Knoll Phase II-A

Done in conjunction with the dedication of the roads. Usually the roads are not dedicated until all the houses are built. There are still several lots where no house has been built. The developer agreed to leave $5000 per lot in escrow to protects the Borough. Passed Unanimously

• Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2010-12 – A Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Parkesburg Accepting a Deed of Dedication for Streets Consisting of Portions of W. Seventh Avenue, S. Culvert Street and W. Sixth Avenue Offered by the Reserve at Parkesburg Knoll, LLC (As Well as Fifty Foot Right-of-Way in Which Said Streets Are Located) to Be Made a Part of the Public Road System of the Borough of Parkesburg Subject to a Maintenance Agreement and Bond Assuring the Structural Integrity of the Public Improvements Herein Accepted for a Period of Eighteen (18) Months and Conditioned Upon the Borough Solicitor Confirming That No Further Encumbrances or Liens Are Placed Upon the Dedicated Property Which Affect a Partial Release of Mortgages Relating Thereto.

The streets in Parkesburg Knoll, Phase II-A become the property of the Borough of Parkesburg. Passed unanimously.

Developer paid $13,828 for all the engineering work associated with the project bringing the project and developer current with the borough.

Committee Reports:

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

Received check for $2,100 from football group

Baseball group will be sending a check

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

There is a series of meeting zoning ordinance Mr. Grafton will attend. The meetings are scheduled for January 20th, February 8th, March 8th at 7:00 PM at Borough Hall on First Avenue.

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

We have several business that will be occupying several vacant storefronts on First Avenue and Main Street.

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

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

Richard Klinger is the new Fire Chief

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

The library is showing a $32,000 deficit and are having a fund raiser.

To get state funding they need to be open a certain number of hours. Cost containment has forced them to cut hours.

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

Public Comments

Council Comments

Noted by Council VP Kathy Rick that the new fire chief has not reported to council and expressed a desire to see him and have a fire company report more often.

Adjournment

Scheduled Public Meetings:

Committee Time Date Location (All meetings at Borough Hall, 315 First Avenue)