COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 2, 2009
www.bellefonte.net
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Bellefonte Borough Council was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
by Council Vice-President Vana Dainty in the Bellefonte Borough Municipal Building.
Pledge of Allegiance:
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Council remained standing for a moment of silence.
ROLL CALL
Members Present:
Brown, Dainty, Taylor, Hay, Aikens, Beigle, DeCusati, Heidt,
Members Excused:
Halderman
Officials Present:
Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager;
Mayor Stanley Goldman;
Don Holderman, Assistant Borough Manager
Staff Present:
Officer Shawn Weaver
Guests:
Officer Andrew Berry, Officer Robert Argirio
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Heidt made a motion to approve the minutes of the Bellefonte Borough Council
meeting of February 16, 2009. Mr. Taylor seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous
to approve the minutes as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
WRITTEN
- An invitation from the Bellefonte Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to attend a
banquet in Honor of those who served in the past and present. The banquet will be held on
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Moose on 125 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. The Social Hour
begins at 5:00 PM and the dinner begins at 6:00 PM. There will be a guest speaker with an
awards ceremony following that. Council members must RSVP by March 13, 2009.
- A letter from Catherine Dupuis, Artistic Director and President, Jazz PA requesting
permission to close High Street from Allegheny Street to Spring Street from 6:00 AM to 8:00
PM on Saturday, July 25, 2009 to allow for an outdoor stage. The request also includes the use
of the Gazebo at Talleyrand Park and a waiver of permit fees.
1
Mr. DeCusati made a motion to approve the closing of a section of High Street, use of the
Gazebo at Talleyrand Park, and the waiver of permit fees. Mrs. Brown seconded the motion. A
voice vote was unanimous.
- A letter from Sarah J. Wetzel, President, Unit 33 Ladies Auxiliary, Bellefonte
American Legion requesting the use of Talleyrand Park on Sunday, April 5th, with a rain date of
Saturday, April 11th, for a children’s Easter egg hunt.
Mr. Beigle made a motion to approve the use of Talleyrand Park for an Easter egg hunt
and to waive the permit fee. Mrs. Brown seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
ORAL
- Mrs. Brown received a telephone call from a lady that nearly hit two pedestrians on
Friday evening, one on the corner of Howard Street and Allegheny Street and the other at the
crosswalk by the Undines. The lady requested that brighter streetlights be installed. It was
suggested that a reflective paint could be used to paint the crosswalks. When discussing the cost
of things, Ms. Brown stated the lady asked how much a life costs.
Mr. Beigle would like to suggest to people that are walking or running in the downtown
area that they should place something reflective on their clothing.
Officer Weaver feels people need to be educated with pedestrian awareness.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Mr. Beigle attended the Spring Creek Watershed Commission. It was a very
Informative meeting.
Mr. Giddings discussed an ordinance for municipal water-well
construction and bore holes. Mr. Giddings is going to develop a model ordinance. It is
suggested that those holes that are bored be lined so lawn chemicals do not get into the water.
They have developed a sub-committee which is called Green Watershed Sustainability Initiative.
There was a presentation by Bob Donaldson on the Spring Creek Canyon. He mentioned that the
water in that area eventually travels to the Big Spring.
- Mr. Holderman reported a Shared Services meeting was held on Wednesday,
February 25th. The Emergency Services Agreement that is being developed was discussed and
negotiations are ongoing. In regard to Kepler Pool, the Borough is waiting to hear from Benner
Township, Spring Township, and Walker Township regarding their financial commitment for the
2009 season. The Virginia Graham Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was discussed regarding the
impact it has on Kepler Pool and what needs done. It is hopeful that a local grant will be
obtained to make required changes to the pool.
Ms. Dainty reported that there was positive interaction with the various municipalities at
the meeting.
MAYOR’S REPORT
- Mayor Goldman relinquished the floor to Chief Weaver. Chief Weaver introduced
Mr. Andrew Berry and Mr. Robert Argirio, the two new officers hired for the Bellefonte Police
Department. Mr. Berry is a full-time officer and is completing his field training. Mr. Argirio
2
will begin as soon as required certifications are received. Both officers have experience in police
work. Council members welcomed the men to the police force.
Chief Weaver informed Council that the Central Booking project is a huge success and it
has the highest fingerprints rate in the state. Chief Weaver feels it is nice to be able to arrest
someone and then take them to the Central Booking Center and drop them off. It helps with
officer safety and saves hundreds of man hours per year.
Chief Weaver reported on the SRO (School Resource Officer) program. He received
some statistics and will share them at a later date. He did inform Council that reported crime is
down in the schools. Officer Brower is an excellent officer in the schools and he truly believes
in what he is doing.
Mayor Goldman received two telephone calls regarding school busses speeding on
Howard Street. He would like the police officers to monitor the speed in the area of the
cemetery on Howard Street.
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
- The Planning Commission has made a recommendation for a Sign Ordinance
Amendment for LED free-standing signs in the Highway Commercial District. The Rite Aid and
the Bellefonte Area School District have both requested permission to install LED signs. The
signs would be similar to the sign at the Bald Eagle High School. The words on the sign would
stop every few seconds and therefore would not be considered streaming. If Council does not
adopt this amendment, another option for Rite Aid and the School District would be to try to
obtain a variance. Mr. Aikens made a motion to approve the amendment to the Bellefonte
Borough Sign Ordinance: SECTION 4. SPECIFIC SIGN USES: 4.3. Ground-Pole Signs by
adding 4.3 (A) LED/LCD Freestanding Signs. Mr. Beigle seconded the motion. The Planning
Commission recommends the sign be no larger than 75 square feet on each side. Mrs. Brown
would like to approve each sign on a case by case basis rather than making a sign amendment.
Council members questioned why the amendment states the sign cannot change more than once
every thirty (30) minutes, except displays of time and temperature.
Mr. Heidt made an amendment to the motion to remove the thirty (30) minute time limit
but leaving in the no streaming. Mr. Beigle seconded the amendment. Mr. Beigle would like the
speed limit reduced to 25 mph in that area because of safety issues with people reading the signs.
He recognizes this is a State Highway and that is unlikely to occur.
A voice vote was taken on the amendment to the motion. The amendment to the motion
passed with Mrs. Brown voting no.
A voice vote was taken on the sign ordinance amendment as amended by Council. The
motion passed with Mrs. Brown and Mr. DeCusati voting no.
CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS
-
There weren’t any applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.
COMMITTEES
Building & Property – Mrs. Brown had nothing to report.
3
Work is progressing on the old concrete block building at the Landfill. Drywall is
currently being completed. The electrical work is nearly completed at the landfill.
The wall by the Big Spring will be redone after the paving is completed on Water Street.
Finance – Mr. Heidt made a motion to pay an invoice to Tracey G. Benson in the amount
of $391.00 for work performed during the month of January 2009. Mr. Hay seconded the
motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
Park & Recreation – Mr. Taylor had nothing to report.
Mr. Holderman informed Council that the application for the Growing Greener II Grant
was filed with the County. The grant would be used for a complete upgrade of the Parkview
Heights Park. The amount applied for was $77,000.00. The total grant amount will be
$154,000.00.
A backhoe was in the new section of Talleyrand Park because there was a water leak at
the flange coming out of the Big Spring pump house and a “T” needed to be installed. There is
also work being done behind the spillway. Concrete pillars were taken out in preparation for the
bridge that will be installed.
Mrs. Brown informed Council that CDBG funds may be used to purchase cameras for
Talleyrand Park.
Personnel – Mr. Hay made a motion accept the Public Works contract as negotiated and
described in the Executive meeting. It was ratified by the union. Mr. Heidt seconded the
motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
Mr. Hay made a motion to make an amendment to the ordinance for the Retirement Fund
and to reduce the period for employee vestment period from twelve (12) years to seven (7)
years.. Mr. Heidt seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
Mr. Hay reported that the Police Contract Arbitration will be held May 12 th – May 14th,
2009.
Mr. Holderman reported that period for submitting applications for the administrative
assistant job ended today, March 2nd. There were approximately 50 applications received.
Safety – Mr. Aikens reported there will be a Fire Executive Committee Meeting on
Thursday at 6:00 PM at the Borough Building. The Fire Department Ordinance No. 242 will be
reviewed and recommendations will be made to Council.
Water/Sanitation – Mr. Beigle reported that a valve at the airport stuck open and that
resulted in a large amount of antifreeze traveling to the wastewater treatment plant. That
problem has been corrected. DEP will determine whether the airport will receive a fine.
Construction is continuing at the wastewater treatment plant.
There are a few meters that still need to be installed with the meter project. The goal is to
have the project completed by the end of summer.
There was a water break fixed today on the High Street Bridge. There should be working
fountains on the bridge this year.
Streets – There was no report.
4
Mr. Beigle has been approached by four citizens who do not like the bump-outs in the
Streetscape project. In the winter the snow is not properly cleaned off of them. Mr. Stewart
reminded Council that the reason for the bump-outs was pedestrian safety.
The gravel and cinders that are placed on the streets in the winter are not recycled
because it is full of various debris.
Technology – There was no report.
OLD BUSINESS
- Mr. Heidt made a motion to approve the Commercial Truck Prohibition Ordinance
Amendment. Mr. DeCusati seconded the motion. The ordinance will not go into effect until
June 1, 2009. A voice vote was unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS
-
Mr. Holderman reminded Council to turn in their Statement of Financial Interest
Form.
-
A Happy Belated Birthday was wished to Mayor Goldman.
EXONERATIONS
-
There were no ticket exonerations.
POLICE REPORT
-
There was no police report.
ADJOURNMENT
- With no other business to come before Council Mr. Heidt made a motion to adjourn
the meeting of March 2, 2009 at 8:50 PM. Mr. DeCusati seconded the motion. A voice vote was
unanimous.
5