Meeting Minutes

NEW HOPE BOROUGH
Regular meeting of Borough Council
February 11, 2003

7:30 P.M.

AFTER THE PLEDGE: Richard Hirschfield asked everyone to please stand in silence to remember the crew of the Columbia.

PRESENT:
Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Mayor Larry Keller, Edward Duffy, Geraldine Delevich, Manager John Tegley and Solicitor Colin Jenei.

ABSENT:
Randall Flager, Sandra Trappen, and Jake Fell

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 for the approval of the minutes for January 14, 2003. Sharyn Keiser made the motion to approve the minutes and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote

MAYORS REPORT:
Mayor Keller addressed the Annual Report the Police Department put out this year and wanted to add a few more issues because so many changes have occurred in the past year. New Hope has a D.A.R.E. Officer now and the chain of command in the Department now includes a Sergeant and two Corporals. The Police Department has a holding cell which for an officer on duty alone at night, is safer. The Chief has rescheduled the parking enforcement policy and this includes an additional "golf cart". He is always seen walking around and overall there is more police presence in the town. The Department joined the Strategic Emergency Response Team, which would help us in a hostage situation, a crisis at the school or even in town. These people are a group of trained professionals who will come out and respond for us and since the Department is a member we would not receive a $10,000 to $20,000 bill. There are less "sick-outs" this year and the incident reports are immediately logged in the computer and updated so the following day all information is available. Mayor Keller also thanked President Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Council and the Chief for his professionalism to make the New Hope Borough Police Department the best it can be.

President Hirschfield announced Peter Augenblick of Augenblick and Company to discuss the American Cancer Society's run/walk on Sunday, September 7, 2003 starting at 10 A.M. The goal is to raise $20,000 and they have already raised $10,000. He would like to use the town of New Hope for an hour. At 10:00 A.M. the walk around event will begin on Kiltie Drive and at 10:30 A.M. there will be a race down 179 on South Main, on Ferry Street, and by the ruins and back up. President Hirschfield asked for the details to be given to the Police Department and the Borough prior to the event.

PRESIDENTS REPORT:

President Hirschfield announced a public hearing on Ordinance #2003-1. This will impose a tax effective July 1, 2003, at the rate of one percent (1%) per annum. This is for general revenue purposes on salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, incentive payments, fees, tips, and other compensation and on the net profits received from businesses, professions or other activities requiring the filing of declarations and returns and the giving of information by employers and by those subject to the tax. As well as imposing on employers the duty of collecting the tax at source; providing for the administration and enforcement of the ordinance; and, imposing penalties for the violation thereof. Ed Duffy made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield announced that there would be a public Hearing on the budget for 2004 where there will be a discussion on the impact of the 1-% tax. The hearing will be scheduled in August or September 2003.

President Hirschfield made a recommendation to designate Berkheimer Associates as Tax Collector for the Earned Income Tax. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Geraldine Delevich seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield announced that the Borough would ask Berkheimer to come in and address the public and residents' questions in early May 2003.

President Hirschfield made a recommendation for the adoption of Resolution #2003-2A amending Resolution #2003-2 by clarifying language in Section 102 for fees for false alarms. Ed Duffy made the motion and Geraldine Delevich seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield made a recommendation for the adoption of Resolution 2003-3 for the Borough of New Hope's Open Records Policy. There is a cost per copy and notice is required. Geraldine Delevich made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield made a recommendation to appoint Gordon Nieburg of 122 Riverwoods Drive to a six- (6) year term on the Civil Service Commission ending December 31, 2008. Gordon Neiburg is replacing Joe Knox. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Geraldine Delevich seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

MANAGER'S REPORT:
John Tegley requested approval of the Borough Payroll for January 22, 2003 in the amount of $41,481.94. Geraldine Delevich made the motion and Sharyn Keiser seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

John Tegley requested approval of the Borough Payroll for February 5, 2003 in the amount of $35,742.84. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Geraldine Delevich seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield recommended awarding a bid for a 2001 used Police Car in the amount of $14,500 as bid by Covington Sales of Ottsville PA. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

President Hirschfield recommended the sale of a 1994 Police Car in the amount of $2,000 to Covington Sales of Ottsville PA. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

John Tegley requested approval of the Accounts Payable for February 11, 2003 in the amount of $57,867.77. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The
motion was passed by the following vote.

REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE:

Sharyn Keiser described the efforts of the Revitalization Committee over the last three years. The Parking lot has been accomplished and the Back Door into that area, the Visitors Center and a plan for the West Side of the canal. Sharyn Keiser identified Earl and June Bierman, Roy Ziegler, Geri and others. There will be a historical walking tour path from the parking lot down to the Canal Barn and by the historical Steam Engine. The Flood House will be pointed out along with, The Logan Inn, Parry Mansion, and will continue down to the Lock Tenders House where the new lock is being restored, (Lock 11.) From the partnership with the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Commission there were funds provided for signage which will take people along the West Side of the canal. When the residents of New Hope use the East Side of the canal it will be attractive including landscaping.

Sharyn Keiser introduced Rob Loughery to continue the discussion on the various projects involving the Revitalization Committee. Rob Loughery presented plans of the projects Sharyn Keiser announced.

Joe Balderson asked if this T-Grant a matching grant from the Borough.

Rob Loughery answered that the Borough will take care of the soft cost $65,000-$75,000. Total coast of the project is $280,000. The balance the $316,000 does not cover will come out of the Borough Open Space Money.

Rob Loughery announced the Visitors Center project, which involves adding a handicap ramp to the building. Bathrooms will be renovated and all of the remaining work will be to the exterior of the building.

President Hirschfield made a recommendation for the acceptance of the Architect and Project Committee's recommendation to award the bid for the Visitor's Center Renovation to Twining Construction Co. in the amount of $66,877.00. Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Geraldine Delevich seconded.

The motion was passed by the following vote.

Joe Balderson asked what the other bids were.

President Hirschfield answered the highest bid was $84,865.00 following with #2 which was $81,464.00 and lastly the lowest bidder was Twining Contraction at $66,877.00.

PLANNING & ZONING:

Ed Duffy announced that the Planning Commission has moved their regular meeting to the first and fourth Monday of each month. The fourth Monday will still remain strictly a Board decision.

HARB:

Sharyn Keiser announced the change of an Ordinance for the amendment of Chapter 1, Administration and Government, Part four (4) Section 403, Membership of the Review Board. The amendment to be advertised for the Council Agenda of March 11, 2003.

President Hirschfield announced that with the amendment they would include if someone leaves the Borough that Council has the option to replace them or not to replace them and this will be all in the change.

HARB:

Sharyn Keiser recommended the a Certificate of Appropriateness for:
1)160 South Main Street
2)Waterview Development, 400 South Main Street
3)10, 12,14 & 16 East Randolph Street
4)25 North Main Street
5)Visitor's Center
6)10 West Mechanic Street

Sharyn Keiser made the motion for all the locations and Ed Duffy seconded the motion for all locations. All the motions past by the following vote.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

Geraldine Delevich announced the Visitor's Center progress for the month of January:

• Number of Visitors-934
• Number of incoming calls-288
• Number of brochures handed out-47
• Donations-$195.00
• Sales-$36.00

Geraldine Delevich announced the Shad Festival, which will take place April 26 & 27. There will be many events and activities that day with numerous stands to purchase a variety of different Shad dishes.

Geraldine Delevich announced that the Jerico Country Club race will take place the first week in March. It will be a 5K run starting at 10 A.M. Registration is between 8:30 A.M. and 9:45 A.M.

POLICE:

Richard Hirschfield made a recommendation for the purchase of a 2003 Club Car under State Contract, for the Police Department's meter enforcement in the amount of $8,504.
Sharyn Keiser made the motion and Ed Duffy seconded. The motion was passed by the following vote.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS: Sharyn Keiser made an announcement to publicly thank the Public Works Department for their tremendous and efficient effort in clearing the snow in new Hope during the storm.

ADJOURNMENT: