COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 6, 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 President Frank Halderman 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, Beigle, Heidt, Halderman
Members Excused:
Aikens, DeCusati,
Officials Present:
Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager;
Mayor Stanley Goldman;
Don Holderman, Assistant Borough Manager
Staff Present:
Guests:
Randy Brachbill; Matthew T. Johnston
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Beigle made a motion to approve the minutes of the Bellefonte Borough Council
meeting of June 15, 2009. Ms. Dainty seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous to
approve the minutes as presented.
COMMUNICATIONS
WRITTEN
- Information from PennDOT regarding Dot Grants Electronic application and
resolution #07-06-09. Ms. Dainty made a motion to approve resolution #07-06-09, an agreement
to use the DOT Grants Electronic system for PennDOT. Mr. Taylor seconded the motion. A
voice vote was unanimous.
- A thank you letter to Chief Shawn Weaver and one to Officer Jason Brower from Roy
J. Stewart, Instructors, Protective Services Program, The Central Pennsylvania Institute of
Science and Technology thanking them for their assistance serving as an evaluator for the
NOCTI examinations in Criminal Justice.
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- A letter from Molly Danko praising the Police Department for their services over the
past ten years.
- A letter from Robert D. Lynch, DPS, General Chairman and Dolores C. Lynch,
ACSW, Secretary/Treasurer, The Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bellefonte,
requesting the use of ten parking spaces in the municipal lot by CVS and the Train Station the
weekend of August 21st through August 23rd. Mr. Beigle made a motion to approve the request
for the use of ten parking spaces in the municipal lot August 21st through August 23rd for the
150th Anniversary Celebration. Ms. Dainty seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
- A letter from Centre County PAWS thanking Council for their gift of $112.00 in
memory of Skip Stewart. Mr. Stewart thanked everyone for their donation and prayers.
- A letter from Keith E. Gabage, Senior Director, Corporate Development Aqua
Pennsylvania, Inc. questioning whether the Borough is interested in selling the water system.
- Information regarding activities held at the Bellefonte Community Children’s Garden.
The Bellefonte Garden Club is very involved and has a lot of activities.
- A letter from David Capperella, Board President, Bellefonte Intervalley Area
Chamber of Commerce and a letter from the Bellefonte Railroad Association in support of
recording surveillance cameras in Talleyrand Park to lessen the vandalism that is taking place
around the Train Station.
ORAL
- Ms. Dainty informed Council that Paul DeCusati stopped at a downtown business to
inquire about the success of the vending cart. The store owner stated Mr. DeCusati, Ms. Dainty
and Mr. Halderman are the only Council members that have ever visited her store. She wanted
Mr. DeCusati thanked for his concern about her vending business.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
- Mr. Beigle attended the Springcreek Watershed Commission meeting. Mr. Giddings
is working on a model ordinance regarding geo-thermal for the municipalities.
- Mr. Halderman attended the MPO meeting Tuesday, June 30th, at the Howard Fire
Hall regarding the I-99 interchange and the local interchange. He gives credit to the people from
Howard because they were very civil in a difficult meeting.
- Ms. Dainty reported that the Shared Services Committee meeting was held on June
24 . The meeting was a public meeting that discussed how to handle a task force to explore the
fire departments. There were many people in attendance from the fire companies and several
staff members, but very few residents. Ms. Dainty was disappointed that more Council members
did not attend the meeting. The meeting was held at the Bellefonte Middle School.
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- Ms. Brown reported that if you go to www.youtube and type in Bellefonte City there
are several videos of Bellefonte.
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Bellefonte was named as the best place to fish in Pennsylvania in the newspaper.
MAYOR’S REPORT
- Mayor Goldman commends the Bellefonte Police force for the job they do. He
reminded the residents that the police cannot be everywhere at the same time so be patient and
also they will find the culprits that are doing the painting and vandalism in town.
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
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Notification was received that a grant was approved.
CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS
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None.
COMMITTEES
Building & Property – Mrs. Brown made a motion to approve signage in Talleyrand Park
that directs people to the restroom. Mr. Heidt seconded the motion. A voice vote was
unanimous.
Mr. Holderman established a meeting with a gentleman regarding surveillance cameras
and prices will be obtained to see if it will be feasible to install cameras on the Train Station.
Information is being gathered regarding the possibility of placing smoking urns in the
downtown area.
There is a wooden door on two buildings that is in terrible condition. The door in on
Charles Herlocher’s building near the former Heilig Meyer location.
People defecated on the floors and urinals of the restrooms in Talleyrand Park over the
weekend.
Mr. Stewart, Mr. Holderman and Mr. McMath went to the State College Borough
Compost Facility to examine their process for composting. The process at Musser Lane will be
gradually upgraded to produce compost. Branches and grass clippings may only dropped at
Musser Lane by Bellefonte Borough residents. Currently the person must show their driver’s
license as proof that they are a resident.
Mrs. Brown heard negative feedback from the trash hauler’s and public works crew.
They feel alienated because they were moved to the site at the landfill. She feels they need an
explanation as to why they were moved there.
The post office switched out their post office box on Blanchard Street and rather than
install the new box on the concrete spot they placed it on the other side of the fire hydrant, which
was too close because it was not possible to open the fire hydrant if it was needed. Mr. Bruno
talked with the post office and asked them to move the box. Again they did not move it to the
original site, but rather moved it down the street further. Mrs. Brown requested a letter be sent to
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the post office requesting them to install the box in the original spot. The new location for the
box is on two concrete slabs that will interfere with plowing in the winter.
Finance – Ms. Dainty made a motion that the Borough advertise surplus equipment for
sale by bid. Mr. Heidt seconded the motion. Council agreed to advertise the items online. A
voice vote was unanimous.
Park & Recreation – Mr. Taylor reported that the Teener League Field at Parkview
Heights received a grant from DCNR (Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources) in the amount of $77,000.00. The grant is a matching grant with the matching funds
coming from the Teener League.
The work for the bridge at Talleyrand Park is in process. Test boring of the ground has
been completed and permits need to be acquired. It will be at least late fall before any request
for proposals are sent out for the project.
Mrs. Brown was approached by the residents that attend the concerts. They have a
petition circulating that they will present to Council requesting no smoking in Talleyrand Park at
all rather than within 50’ feet of the Gazebo or Train Station. Mr. Taylor received a phone call
regarding the same matter also. Mrs. Brown made a motion to make a no-smoking ban in
Talleyrand Park. Mr. Hay seconded the motion. There currently is an ordinance written and
advertised stating no smoking within 50’ of the Train Station, Gazebo or restrooms. A roll-call
vote was taken: Brown-yes; Dainty-yes; Taylor-no; Hay-yes; Beigle-yes; Heidt-no; Haldermanyes. The motion passed 5-2.
Personnel – Mr. Hay reported that PA Career Link supplied a team of six young adults
for six weeks to help out. They have been doing painting and will do some work around the
parks.
Mr. Holderman reported that Russell Shuey, the Building Code Inspector passed the
accessibility test for ADA and ANSI and continues to take the necessary training for BCO
certifications.
Safety – Mr. Heidt received a complaint regarding the Alley beside the Undines going
toward Allegheny Street. There is a compact car parking stall that makes it difficult to see when
you are making a left turn going onto Bishop Street. Mr. Heidt made a motion to have that
parking stall removed. Ms. Dainty seconded the motion. A voice vote was unanimous.
Mrs. Brown feels the parking space where you turn right onto Bishop Street from Spring
Street is a hindrance because of people turning into Snappy’s.
Water/Sanitation – Mr. Beigle had nothing to report.
Mr. Stewart reported that at the July 20th Council meeting Council members will have a
tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
There were two days in the last month where Bellefonte used under 2,000,000 gallons of
water.
Streets – Any constituents that would like to have a tree planted (in the Borough Rightof-Way), please have them contact Don Holderman. The Borough is in the process of compiling
a list of property owners interested in having a tree planted on their property this fall planting
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season. If more than 20 residents are interested, then the list will carryover in the Spring
planting season. Names will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
PennDOT provided authorization that the Streetscape Project is complete.
A meeting was held with PennDOT regarding the intersection of Howard Street and
Wilson Street. Pete Filo, PennDOT Safety Manager, explained how they assess an intersection
to determine whether a four-way stop sign is warranted. There must be five reportable accidents
in the last year that are correctible by the installation of stop signs. They will do evaluations in
the fall to see how busy Wilson Street is and they also will do speed evaluations. At the meeting
there was some discussion regarding the fire trucks backing in and out of the station. PennDOT
will decide whether they would approve the installation of a traffic light, which would be costly.
Blinking lights could be installed, but they would need to be approved and a permitting process
would need to be followed. PennDOT will do core drilling on West Linn Street next week.
There will be a detour while this work is in progress.
Mr. Beigle made a recommendation that a portion of Shady Lane be called Shady Lane
Extension to address a problem with 911. Ms. Dainty seconded the motion. A voice vote was
unanimous.
Technology & Efficiency – Mr. Heidt questioned whether Council members should be
given the option to purchase their laptop when they leave their Council positions. Mr.
Halderman reported that the laptops are Borough property and would need to be put out to public
bid.
OLD BUSINESS
- The Workplace Safety Committee recommends that Council make it mandatory that
all Borough employees receive AED/CPR Training. Council would like to obtain prices from
various sources that conduct the classes before it decides who should take the classes.
- T-Shirt order forms are in the packets for Council members to review. Everyone will
pay for their own shirt.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Stewart discussed the Keystone Energy Street Lighting Program’s generating charge. They
pull together municipalities and shop the generation charge around to get the best price. It is a
no-risk situation. If a good price is not obtained then the Borough would not be obligated to
switch over.
Mr. Beigle made a motion to do this. Mr. Hay seconded the motion. The motion was
passed with Mrs. Brown voting no.
EXONERATIONS
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There were no ticket exonerations.
POLICE REPORT
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There was no police report.
ADJOURNMENT
- With no other business to come before Council Mr. Heidt made a motion to
adjourn the meeting of July 6, 2009 at 8:55 PM. Ms. Dainty seconded the motion. A voice vote
was unanimous.
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