Lansdowne Borough Council
General Meeting
April 15, 2015
APPROVED MINUTES
The Lansdowne Borough Council General Meeting was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. in
Borough Hall.
Present were President Schleigh, Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Byrne, Ms. English, Ms. James and Mr. Radich.
Councilwoman Williams was absent. Also present were Mayor Campuzano, Borough Manager Totaro,
Borough Secretary Henry, Borough Solicitor Scott and Finance Director/Treasurer Bartley. Sgt. James
McCaughan sat in for Police Chief Donegan. The Fire Marshall was absent.
The televised meeting will be aired at 6:00 p.m. the following Monday on RCN channel 52, Comcast channel
5 and Verizon channel 44.
Mayor Campuzano led the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of agenda: Mr. Radich moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Radich moved to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2015 Borough Council
general meeting. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
Announcements and Presentations:
The spotlighted business for this month was Vinyl Revival. Mayor Campuzano introduced owner Adrienne
DiFabio, who spoke briefly about her store located at 3537 N. Lansdowne Avenue, next to the Lansdowne
Theater. The store sells new and used vinyl records. In addition, there is a 35 seat theater within the store
space that features independent movie screenings, live music events and is available to rent for private parties.
The mayor mentioned that in addition to vinyl records, cd's, etc, the store also features a gift store with unique
items.
Treasurer’s Report: Mr. Bartley presented the March 31, 2015 Treasurer's report as follows:
General Fund: beginning balance $465,267; ending balance $3,989.558.
Sewer Fund: beginning balance $925,072; ending balance $1,748,242.
Liquid Fuels: beginning balance $556,295; ending balance $769,331.
Capital Reserve: beginning balance $63,138; ending balance $59,334.
Non-uniformed Pension: beginning balance $2,855,109; ending balance $2,965,947.
Police Pension: beginning balance $8,167,087; ending balance $8,170,689.
Mr. Bartley mentioned that the borough has sufficient funds on hand to meet its current obligations.
Page 1 of 5
Lansdowne Borough Council
General Meeting
April 15, 2015
Solicitor’s Report: Mr. Scott had no formal report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Campuzano thanked the following individuals who helped with the annual Clean
Up Day held this past Saturday: President Schleigh, Kate Wagner, Councilwoman Byrne, Lansdowne
residents Mary Ann Surla and Dale Blair. The mayor noted that the CVS parking lot on Baltimore Avenue
has been cleared of litter and the store manager will move the trash cans closer to the front door.
The mayor mentioned that he received a letter from the Arbor Day Foundation congratulating
Lansdowne on being named a tree city for 2014 and receiving the Foundation's "growth award". The mayor
thanked Charlene Hennessey for starting the tree city project 25 years ago. The mayor also thanked Borough
Council, borough manager Totaro, Mary Lou Jennings and all the members of the Shade Tree Commission.
The mayor read the following calendar items:
 Lansdowne S Orchestra, final concert for season on April 26th, 3:00 p.m. at the Upper Darby
Performing Arts Center.
 Union Athletic Association fundraiser, April 18th, 7-11 p.m. at 20th Century Club.
 Town Yard Sale - May 9th starting at 9:00 a.m. Rain date is May 10th.
 Folk Club, April 24th, Christian Lopez Band.
 National Night Out - August 4th, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Highland Avenue parking lot.
 Memorial Day Parade & 5K Run - May 2nd. The 5K run is sponsored by the LEDCorp. and starts at
7:45 a.m. at PennWood high school.
 LEDC Arts and Crafts Show - May 2nd, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at PNC parking lot.
 Pot holes are being filled. Most of the paving is completed.
 Election Day - May 19th.
Council President’s Report: President Schleigh reported as follows:
 Public Hearing tonight regarding adoption of Ord. 1295 re: temporary signs.
 Ad Hoc Committee has met twice to discuss the revitalization of the central business district.
 Several borough council members and area political colleagues attended a breakfast this past Saturday
to promote the "Contest Passport" program. This is an annual event that sponsors a number of
restaurants in the Upper Darby and Lansdowne areas and offers visitors chances to win various prizes
after validating their 'passport' card.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Public Health and Safety: Ms. English reported on several topics of discussion:
 National Night Out event - discussing possibility of again having the moon bounce and smoke house.
 Lighting requests around the borough.
 Ardmore Avenue Home School Association is holding a 5K run on April 25th. Ms. Byrne noted that
this 5K run has been cancelled.
 Ms. English asked President Schleigh for a copy of the yearly Civil Service report.
 Signage will be changed on Owen Avenue and street lines repainted in light of the recent accident at
Owen and Marshall Road.
Finance and Administration: Mr. Radich reported that the F&A Committee met on April 6th. Present at
this meeting was a citizens group, Delaware County United for Sensible Gun Policy. Their concern was that
the borough's pension funds not be invested in companies involved in the manufacture of ammunition and
assault weapons as well as hedge funds that may have an indirect investment in this companies. The
2 of 5
Lansdowne Borough Council
General Meeting
April 15, 2015
Committee provided them with a list of holdings for the Police Pension Fund. Mr. Radich commended Mr.
Bartley and Mr. Totaro on the annual audit that was filed by the outside auditors and received a clean opinion.
Economic Development and Code Enforcement: Ms. James reported that the Arts Board has agreed to
combine the Arts Festival with their upcoming Art Gallery Event in September. Ms. James mentioned that
there are a few vacancies on the Arts Board. The next EDandCE Committee meeting will be held on April
20th, 7:00 p.m.
Environment: Mr. Aubrey reported on several topics of discussion at the last Environment Committee
meeting:
 Darby Creek cleanup is April 25th. Also scheduled is Arbor Day on April 24th, 1:00 p.m. at
Sycamore Park.
 Installation of two "tree city" signs is underway and they will be posted at different locations in the
borough.
 Keep Lansdowne Beautiful Day is April 18th, 9:00 a.m. - noon
 Recycling: there was some confusion among residents concerning the pickup scheduled the day
before Good Friday, wherein the recycling normally picked up on Friday was picked up on Thursday
and Thursday's recycling was picked up on Wednesday. Mr. Aubrey asked for Borough Council's
opinion on having the Friday recycling pickup changed to Wednesday only when a holiday falls on a
Friday. Mayor Campuzano felt that residents should be urged to look at the dates on their recycling
magnets and suggested announcing any changed pickup dates at a televised borough council meeting
and putting a notice in the borough newsletter. Mr. Aubrey will bring the suggestions back to his
committee for further comment.
 Mayor Campuzano noted that he had spoken with the mayor of East Lansdowne regarding sharing a
shredding event.
Community Relations: Ms. Byrne reported that Comcast Cares Day will be held on April 25th and the
William Penn School District will be participating in the event. Ms. Byrne noted that many projects are in the
works but nothing set yet for community relations activities.
Library Liaison Report: The library is launching the "Children's' Choice Book Awards" on May 4th at 3:30
p.m. with several events to be held at the library throughout the week tied into the event.
Infrastructure and Public Works – Ms. James had no formal report.
Visitor Comment:
Mr. Aubrey moved to suspend Roberts Rules of Order to hear visitor comment. Ms. English seconded. Vote:
unanimous. President Schleigh mentioned that the first public comment section would pertain to the
temporary signage issue, proposed Ordinance 1295. There was no visitor comment on this issue.
1.
William Jillson - Resident of Lansdowne. In his capacity as past commander of American Legion
Post 65, Mr. Jillson mentioned that the Memorial Day parade will be held on May 25th.
Ms. Byrne moved to resume Robert Rules of Order. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
3 of 5
Lansdowne Borough Council
General Meeting
April 15, 2015
Communications:
1. Karen Holm, Environmental Manager for the Delaware County Planning Department. Application
being submitted to the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resource's Community Conservation
Partnerships Program for funding to develop a signage manual for the Delaware County Parks System.
2. Ryan T. Judge of Delco Planning Department - invitation to participate in Delco's hazard mitigation
planning process meeting on April 23rd, 5:00 p.m. at the Delco Emergency Services Center in Lima,
PA.
Old Business:
1. Aldi, Inc. letter - Mr. Totaro will be sending a congratulatory letter to Aldi, Inc. regarding its
acquisition of 66 stores in the Philadelphia region and proposing Lansdowne as one of their sites.
Mayor Campuzano noted that Lansdowne was one of the 25 sites out of 65 stores that was picked and
felt the letter was a good idea.
2. Lansdowne Arts Board Event - Ms. James previously reported on this and mentioned that a few
more members are needed for the Arts Board.
Mr. Aubrey announced that the Lansdowne Human Relations Commission also needs several members.
Mr. Aubrey opened a discussion on the temporary signage ordinance and questioned why graphics were being
added to the current ordinance. Mr. Scott noted that the existing ordinance has a number of graphics and the
proposed signs are currently not regulated and the idea is to put time restrictions on them. Mr. Aubrey
mentioned that the old ordinance speaks to specific graphics and form and felt that some of the definitions
language should be changed in the proposed ordinance. President Schleigh noted that the Ordinance should
have been an action item for tonight's meeting. Mr. Aubrey moved to amend the agenda to add the
adoption of Ordinance 1295 as an action item. Ms. Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous.
New Business:
1. Pop up space - Mr. Totaro reported that the PA Horticultural Society ("PHS") employs these types of
spaces in unconventional spaces to identify specific leisure areas in commercial districts. At this time PHS
does not do this in suburban areas. Julia Prymak of the Lansdowne Business and Professionals Association
("LBPA") explained that the LBPA, Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation ("LEDC") and the
Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce would like to draw more interest in Lansdowne and the current intent is
to start discussions regarding Lansdowne's objectives and mission regarding pop up spaces, who would
participate, where the locations would be, etc. President Schleigh asked that the Economic Development and
Codes Enforcement Committee look into this issue and suggested working with Mr. Scott regarding zoning
and code issues that might affect this type of idea.
Action Items:
1. Mr. Radich moved to approve bills for the period. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous.
2. Ms. James moves to accept letter of resignation from Della Cowall from the Lansdowne Arts
Board. Ms. English seconded. Vote: unanimous.
3. Ms. James moved to adopt Ordinance 1295. Mr. Radich seconded. Discussion: Mr. Aubrey
noted there was no description regarding the type of signs in the current proposed graphics and felt
that the ordinance should be revised to include these types of signs. Additionally, Mr. Aubrey
commented that the current definition of temporary commercial promotion signs (as in sandwich
boards) only allows 30 days for advertising and felt this time restriction would hurt borough
businesses. Mr. Aubrey wanted to withdraw the motion pending further review by the Codes
4 of 5
Lansdowne Borough Council
General Meeting
April 15, 2015
Department. Mr. Scott noted that sandwich boards are a separate category under the existing
ordinance and any changes in this regard would have to be sent to the County before adoption. Mr.
Scott suggested proceeding with the action item and make any proposed changes at a later date. Mr.
Aubrey moved to withdraw the motion and bring it back for revision. There was no second and
the motion died. Mr. Scott outlined the existing sandwich board regulations. President Schleigh was
satisfied with the ordinance as presented, noting that these types of signs are dealt with in a more
specific portion of the existing ordinance. The motion to adopt Ordinance 1295 carried with a
voice vote with Mr. Aubrey stating "nay".
Executive Session: Mr. Aubrey moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss personnel matters. Ms.
Byrne seconded. Vote: unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Public Session: No public motions were made upon reconvening to Public Session.
Adjourn – Mr. Radich moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Aubrey seconded. Vote: unanimous. The
meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary
5 of 5