NEW HOPE BOROUGH
Regular Meeting of Borough Council
SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
7:30 P.M.

MINUTES

Council President Richard Hirschfield called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M.

Richard Hirschfield asked everyone to remain standing after the Pledge for a moment of silence in memory of the victims of 911.

PRESENT: Richard Hirschfield, Sharyn Keiser, Ed Duffy, Geraldine Delevich, Randy Flager, Jake Fell, Rey Velasco, Solicitor Colin Jenei, and Manager John Burke.

ABSENT: None.

Approval of the August 10, 2004 minutes: Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2004 meeting.

Sharyn Keiser motioned to approve the minutes of August 10, 2004 and Jake Fell seconded.

Geraldine Delevich asked for a clarification.

Mayor Larry Keller joined the meeting at this time.

Geraldine Delevich directed her question to the Mayor, and asked why, after the training of the new part-time police officers, would they be assigned to ride in police cars? She understood that these new officers would be assigned to foot patrol duties.

Mayor Larry Keller answered that Geri was correct, that on Friday and Saturday nights the part-time police officers would be on foot patrol only.

Richard Hirschfield asked if there were any other additions or corrections.

The motion passed by the following vote: 5 to 2

MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Keller announced Patricia Villerele, who was a good ticket enforcement officer, has taken a job with the County. Two new part-time officers are working out very well with good presence and enforcement on Main Street, and biker activity is quieter.

Mayor Keller encouraged anyone who has a question about the Police Department or the Borough to contact him and he would be happy to address their question and meet with them.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Richard Hirschfield announced that there was an Executive Session before the Council meeting this evening regarding a personnel matter.

Richard Hirschfield announced that item 6-E has been deleted from tonight’s agenda regarding 73 New Street.

Richard Hirschfield announced the item on the agenda to make an appointment to the Shade Street Commission was removed. There is one member of the Shade Tree Commission so far and one application. There are two more spaces available on that Commission but it will not be voted on tonight, since it is not on the agenda. He encouraged anyone who would like to apply to do so at Borough Hall.

Richard Hirschfield asked for consideration of approving an extension for the agreement between the Borough and Union Square, L.P., for lease of the Borough-owned parking lot.

Sharyn Keiser motioned to approve an extension of the agreement between the Borough and Union Square, L.P., for lease of the Borough-owned parking lot, and Randy Flager seconded the motion.

Richard Hirschfield commented that it is a two-year lease beginning on November 30, 2004 and ending November 30, 2006. The Borough will be paid $25,000 a year on a monthly basis. The lease may be renewed, but there is no requirement that it be renewed and this depends upon who else is interested in it at that time. The lot is leased from 6 P.M. Friday to 6 A.M. Monday weekends only, and during the week the lot is used in accordance with the development agreement for the Union Square development. The lease allows up to two public events a year, with the approval of Borough Council and Union Square, L.P., at least three months in advance of the event. Union Square will be responsible for maintenance of the landscaping, replacement of any landscaping that is damaged or dies, and snow and ice removal. Union Square has agreed to actively promote the use of the lot through additional signage and has to comply with the requirements of New Hope, Solebury and the Commonwealth for the additional signs. The Borough of New Hope is indemnified and held harmless. The lot may not be sublet and if there is a breach of contract, the Borough is entitled to repossession.

Bob Gerenser of 22 South Main Street congratulated the Council for incorporating all of the public comments that have been made about the Union Square lease. He also asked if we could get a sign placed farther West on the 202 Spur, before the break off and before people go over the bridge, showing where the Borough parking is and how to get there.

Richard Hirschfield answered that this is a very appropriate time to make that comment because he and the Borough Manager are meeting with Solebury about a future streetscape project with Solebury, concerning Routes 202 and 179, and there is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 15, 2004 where signage will be one of the topics that will be discussed. Richard Hirschfield thanked Bob Gerenser for the comment.

The motion passed unanimously.

MANAGER’S REPORT

John Burke asked for consideration to approve payment of accounts payable for September 14, 2004 in the amount of $149,845.31; of payroll for August 18, 2004 in the amount of $41,043.91; and the payroll for September 1, 2004, in the amount of $41,024.07. Mr. Burke also mentioned that there is one correction on the bill list. Where the bill list reads Block Communications for a check in the amount of $423.00, it should be $220.50.

Richard Hirschfield asked what the total would be so the vote could be made on the exact amount.

John Burke answered that the total payable amount of $149,845.31 is decreased by the amount of $202.50.

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion.

Sharyn Keiser motioned to approve the payments for all the accounts and Rey Velasco seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

John Burke presented the annual certification of the minimum municipal pension obligations for the two employee pension plans. The actuary prepares the minimum municipal obligations and the amounts must be recorded in the minutes of a public meeting in September of each year. For 2005, the actuary has projected the minimum municipal obligation to the police pension fund at $83,318.00 and to the non-uniform pension fund at $9,302.00. Those amounts will be offset to some extent by state aid and by employee contributions, where applicable.

Richard Hirschfield commented in November the preliminary budget will be presented and there will be a better estimate of what the contribution of the Borough will be. At this point it will probably be roughly $20,000-$25.000 and that is not definite until we find out what the state will give us and who actually provides that contribution is still to be determined. At this point the total gross obligation is about $92,000.

John Burke commented that the Borough can reasonably expect to receive somewhere in the range of $60,000 to $70,000 in state aid next year, but this is a projection based upon past state allocations. The allocation for 2004 has not been set by the state.

PLANNING, ZONING AND HARB

Randy Flager motioned to consider adoption of Ordinance #2004-11, amending the table of uses in the Zoning Ordinance by establishing certain uses as conditional uses and special exceptions. The Bucks County Planning Commission has recommended these changes. The changes allow the Zoning Hearing Board and Borough Council to have better control and more community input for certain types of land uses. For example, cultural facilities would be changed from a permitted use by right use to a conditional use in certain districts; the restaurant sit down use would be changed from a special exception to a conditional use; and the public entertainment use would be changed from a special exception to a conditional use. We are proposing that these changes be adopted at this time, before the new Zoning Ordinance is adopted later in the year. The changes are already part of the draft Zoning Ordinance.

Richard Hirschfield asked if there is a second to the motion, and then asked for public comment.

Ed Duffy seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Randy Flager announced that Havana has requested a permit for a temporary banner.

Richard Hirschfield asked if there was any public comment on this.

Randy Flager asked Ginny Ranieri-Sumerfield, who was representing Havana, where the sign would be located?

Ginny answered that it would be placed against the old portion of the building in the front dining room area for one month.

The banner was accepted by consensus of the Council.

Randy Flager motioned to approve the request of the New Hope Historical Society for permission to erect a temporary tent in the back yard of the Parry Mansion for the Recreation Board’s dedication of the Ferry Landing and East Randolph Street parks on Saturday, October 2, 2004. Jake Fell seconded.

Richard Hirschfield asked for public comment and mentioned that this event will be discussed later under Community Affairs.

The motion passed unanimously.

Randy Flager motioned to approve a request by the Gay Caucus of the Bucks County Convention Visitor’s Bureau to place a banner sign announcing “Somewhere over the Rainbow, New Hope Celebrates," scheduled for October 22nd through the 24th and to include the waiving of all applicable permit fees.

Geraldine Delevich commented that the October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th event, which is being organized by Dan Brooks, will have a theme called “Somewhere over the Rainbow, New Hope Celebrates”. It is a gay pride festival and everyone in New Hope is welcome to attend. They are bringing back the old Halloween train ride on the first night and a lot of kick-offs and activities are planned.

Randy Flager added that the banner will be at the north and south corners of Main & Bridge Streets and is about 12 feet in length.

Richard Hirschfield asked when will the banner be placed and taken down.

Richard Hirschfield recommended that the banner be placed on the 4th or 5th of October through the 24th and asked if they had insurance.

Randy Flager commented that they need a PENNDOT permit and insurance.

Geraldine Delevich answered yes and the insurance is through the Chamber.

Frank Deluca recommended that the banner have vents so that it doesn’t act like a sail.

Geraldine Delevich seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Geraldine Delevich announced that Roy Ziegler will be giving a personal tour of New Hope. Randy Roberts is coming in from Key West and tickets are available at the Raven, Triumph Brewery and the Visitor’s Center.

REVITALIZATION

Sharyn Keiser motioned to approve a fund raising event by the Recreation Board to celebrate the grand opening of the Ferry Landing Park on October 2, 2004. The park is being utilized and is very attractive and appealing and all are encouraged to go to the East Randolph Street Park as well. The money raised by the Park and Recreation Board will help maintain the parks. Following the ribbon cutting there will be a cocktail party reception at the Parry Mansion.

Randy Flager seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Jim McGinniss tickets will be available at Borough Hall and at the Visitor’s Center and are $35.00 each for the Parry Mansion reception.

COMMUNITY AFFAIRS

Geraldine Delevich announced the Arts Festival for the weekend of October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Richard Hirschfield added that this will be the first time that the Borough is actually closing North Main Street from Saturday morning until Sunday evening and only residents can go in and out. The event will be in the area of the Parry Street lot and down to Bridge Street.

Geraldine Delevich announced the Visitors Center report for the month of August as follows:

Visitors-5,060
Calls-529
Donations-$860.00
Sales-$118.00

Geraldine Delevich announced the Aids Walk will take place on September 26th, 2004 and it will benefit F.A.C.T. of Bucks County. Registration is at 9:00 A.M. and the walk begins at 10:00 A.M. One of the sponsors is 97.5 PST and this is a very successful event that helps people in our community and the surrounding area.

Geraldine Delevich motioned to appoint four delegates and one elected official of the Borough, herself, to attend the Bucks County Summit on Aging on May 25, 2005 at Bucks County Community College. There is also going to be a meeting scheduled for November. The goal of this summit is to focus on the positive aspects of an aging society and to also use intergenerational groups and learn what other communities are doing to assist the elderly. The purpose of this event is to utilize one of our greatest natural resources and that is the older people in our community. The volunteers are: Hans and Betty Radelow, Ruth Farthing, and Trudy Doyon.

Geraldine Delevich motioned to appoint Hans & Betty Radelow, Ruth Farthing, and Trudy Doyon as delegates and herself as the elected official. Rey Valesco seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Rey Velasco congratulated Havana on going to a smoke free restaurant.

Rey Velasco announced that this Saturday, September 18, 2004, the Triumph Brewery Company, Guitar Center and Comcast Spotlight are proud to announce the first ever New Hope Music Festival at the Fire House starting at 1:00 P.M. The tickets are $20.00 and four groups will be performing there: More Than I, James Harvey Band, Star Gazer Lily, and the Latin Band Del Sole.

Rey Velasco announced that we will be having a “Meet Ben Franklin in New Hope” show, which will be held on Tuesday, at 7 P.M., on September 28th, 2004, sponsored by the New Hope Historical Society and the New Hope Solebury High School Social Studies Department. Tickets can be purchased by telephone at 215 862 5652 and the cost of the tickets is $25.00. After the meeting Rey mentioned he would be glad to answer any questions.

Rey Velasco announced that New Hope’s Partners in Progress will hold the second annual Hoe Down on October 14, 2004 at the New Hope Eagle Fire House starting at 6:00 P.M. The catering is by Fish Catering and will include complementary beverages and cash bars. The cost of the tickets is $30.00 each.

Rey Velasco announced receiving a letter from Susan Taylor, who is the Executive Director of Friends of the Delaware Canal, stating that they are having their 17th annual Delaware Canal Walk. It begins on Oct 2, 2004 at the River Front Park in Bristol Borough at 9:00 A.M. and will continue every Saturday for the month of October at a different location. You may call 215 862 2021 with any questions.

PUBLIC WORKS

Jake Fell announced that the summer went real well and that he is looking forward to the snow.

Rey Velasco announced that he likes the glacier green colored Fire Hydrants, and that the color is necessary to indicate the available water supply. If the hydrants were painted a dark green, you would not be able to see it at night.

POLICE

Richard Hirschfield asked for a motion to Ordinance 2004-12, amending and updating the Code of Ordinances with respect to speed limits and stop intersection designations.

Sharyn Keiser motioned for the adoption of Ordinance 2004-12. Ed Duffy seconded.

Richard Hirschfield commented that the purpose of this is to include streets that were missing to allow enforcement and to generally update the Code. He then asked for public comment.

The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

John Burke announced that the corrected amount of the Bill List this evening was $149,642.81

NEW BUSINESS

Sharyn Keiser motioned to appoint Clair Shaw of South Main Street as a member of the Shade Tree Commission for the longest available term. Randy Flager seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Bob Gerenser commented that the annual Monroe Crossing will be coming up the second Saturday in December.

Richard Hirschfield recommended that Bob Gerenser talk to John Burke to get on a future agenda.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 P.M.