Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH
Regular Meeting of Borough Council
January 14, 2003

7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Geraldine Delevich, Ed Duffy, Jake Fell, Randy Flager, Sandra Trappen, Manager John Tegley and Solicitor Colin Jenei.

ABSENT:
Mayor Larry Keller

CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting of the New Hope Borough regular Council was called to order at 7:30 P.M.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES:
President Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve the minutes from December 14, 2002 with corrections. Randy Flager made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

MAYOR'S REPORT:

Richard Hirschfield commended Chief Pasqualini on the New Hope Police Department 2002 Annual Report.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Franco Schnitzler a resident of Buttonwood feels the Ordinance #2003-2 is not fair to the residents of Buttonwood.

Richard Hirschfield replied that this is just a temporary measure and the Borough can't afford to take all the meters out right now.

Gretchen Jacobs asked if the placards are removable and also mentioned that there are a lot of senior citizens in the area that will need more assistance as time goes on which will require caregivers to park in these areas.

Richard Hirschfield replied that all a resident has to do is call the police and let them know on the day what vehicle will be there.

A resident made the suggestion that this issue should be revisited in six months.

Richard Hirschfield said that would be fine. Council can revisit it at any time.

Geradline Delevich mentioned that she agrees that the Parking Permit issue should be revisited in six months.

Bob Gerenser,a resident, asked if there has been a study of how many people do not have parking in the Borough.

Richard Hirschfield answered that, 28 people expressed an interest in it at this time and signed up for a spot.

Randy Flager mentioned that if this is tabled, it would leave a more onerous Ordinance in effect.

Sharyn Keiser agrees that this issue should be revisited in six months and it will not effect the tourists during the summer months.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve Ordinance #2003-2 as amended per licensed driver and to revisit in six months. Randy Flager made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve Resolution #2003-1, (which goes with Ordinance #2003-2.) This motion includes the modification and Randy Flager made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion for Resolution #2003-2 which sets the fees for the alarms. This was added to the agenda that evening.

• 3 false alarms will result in a $25.00, (fourth violation)
• 5 false alarms will result in a $50.00 fine and $50.00, (fifth violation.)
• 6 false alarms will result in a $100.00 fine, (sixth violation and any additional.)

Randy Flager made the motion for approval and Jake Fell seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve Ordinance #2003-3. This will upgrade and modernize our current standard codes, and allow us more enforcement power. This Ordinance was also amended to include the International Plumbing Code. Jake Fell made the motion and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion for approval of the Ordinance #2003-4, (snow removal). This Ordinance was also amended to include that the fine be raised from $15.00 to $25.00. Colin Jenei added that the Ordinance does not have to be rewritten for the fine increase and that it can be a Borough Council decision. Sharyn Keiser made the motion to approve and Randy Flager seconded. The motion was passed by the following
vote.

MANAGER'S REPORT

John Tegley requested approval of the Borough Payroll for December 24, 2002 in the amount of $38,945.26.

John Tegley requested approval of the Borough Payroll for January 8, 2003 in the amount of $34,724.28.

John Tegley requested approval of the Accounts Payable for January 14, 2003 in the amount of $87,788.44.

Randy Flager made the motion to approve all three recommendations and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

PLANNING AND ZONING

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to accept the recommendation from the Planning Commission to classify the application of the Delaware Canal State Park to Rehabilitate Lock 11 including construction of the Wicket House as a Minor Land Development Plan subject to incorporation of the recommendations of the Borough Engineer. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Susan Taylor, Executive Director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal mentioned that this would restore the Lock to working order and it will revitalize the Southern end of town.

HARB

Sharyn Keiser made a motion to approve the recommendation for the appointment of Chuck Tarr to the HARB Board expiring December 31, 2005. Ed Duffy seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Sharyn Keiser made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for Phase 1 of the Borough's East Ferry Street Project. Geraldine Delevich seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Sharyn Keiser made a motion to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for the Rehabilitation of Lock 11 by the Delaware State Park. Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to advertise an Ordinance to cause New Hope Borough to claim its 1% Earned Income Tax as a result of it's adoption by The New Hope Solebury School District. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Jake Fell seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to recommend a change in the level of compensation for the Borough Solicitor to $125.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2003. Randy Flager made the motion and Jake fell seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

Geraldine Delevich announced the Winter Festival, which will take place February 7th, 8th, and 9th.

Geraldine Delevich made a motion to approve installation of a banner for Sal Savioni's Fashion Show this summer. It will be placed across Bridge Street opposite the Starbucks building from April 17th-May 20th. The Show is May 17 and a Certificate of Insurance will be provided. Randy Flager seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote.

Geraldine Delevich announced that the Board of Directors, Board of Governors and staff of the Human Rights Campaign is presenting New Hope with the 2003 Human Rights Campaign Award during a special dinner Saturday, March 1st, 2003 at the Philadelphia Marriott's Crystal Tea Room. Tickets are $165.00 each.

Richard Hirschfield announced that the Track 2002 project will hold a dinner at the Jerico Country Club on Sunday February 9, 2003 and tickets are $75.00 each.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

Colin Jenei announced that he is currently working on an Ordinance to enforce traffic in Riverwoods and Village II. He met with the Chief of Police and has drafted the Ordinance but it is not in final form. He is still waiting for information from these citizens and groups with the final result asking for basic speeding and traffic control.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

Elaine McNealy of 45 North Main Street congratulated Council for the success of the Discrimination Ordinance but feels it should be a continued effort.

Randy Flager mentioned that he has received correspondence concerning the treatment of the horses in the summer being used to pull the carriages during 90 degree and above weather. He brought a copy of the Ordinance from Philadelphia and would be happy to work with the solicitor on this. Richard Hirschfield recommended letting the solicitor review it and he would get back to the Council on his comments.

ADJOURNMENT: