July 19, 2005 Minutes

July 19, 2005

Mayor Susan R. Griffith opened the meeting with a moment of silence and salute to the flag.

She then stated, “In accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board designed for that purpose and notice was mailed to the official newspaper provided by Resolution adopted January 5, 2005”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Haven, Wyman, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the June 21^st meeting was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All were in favor with the exception of Councilman Hamburger who abstained from voting.

Mayor Griffith asked Mary Fama, a recent Haddon Heights High School graduate to come up front to receive a Certificate of Achievement. Mary received a $1,000 check from Comcast as part of their Comcast Leaders of Tomorrow Award. The Mayor said she was proud of her and wished her well in the future. Mary received a well-deserved round of applause.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven reporting for the Construction Department said she did not have an update on permits to present at this time. She then advised everyone that our Construction Official’s wife recently received a heart transplant and he has been doing his job in between going back and forth to the hospital. She reported that Mrs. Mengste Thomas El was improving with the possibility of going home soon and wished her well in her recovery.

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Public Safety said that interviews will be continued in an effort to fill the empty police officer position. He also said he is working on contracts for the Chief and Captain.

Council President Trish Sheilds reporting for Finance announced that the budget will come before council for adoption tonight. She thanked her committee for their hard work.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman reporting for Public Works said the tree takedown list is ready to be put on the website. She then thanked Councilwoman Sheilds for her hard work on the budget.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese reporting for Administration thanked the 4^th of July Committee for a wonderful 3-day 4^th of July celebration, noting that she has been told that the fireworks were the best ever! She said the committee will be recognized for their efforts at the August meeting.

Mayor Susan R. Griffith announced the meeting dates for the balance of the year.

With no further reports to be made, the Mayor called for remarks from the public on agenda items.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace wanted Council to amend the minutes from the June 21^st meeting, stating that the Mayor requested that the Treasurer seek bids for banking services. Discussion followed. Solicitor John Kearney responded to Mr. Ragonese saying that we have not had money to invest in some time and that we are in compliance with the Cash Management Plan and will not be amending the minutes.

Old Business:

Public hearings and final adoptions of Ordinances 2005-1192, 1193 and 1194.

Ordinance 2005-1192 – 2005 Capital Items. (Computer upgrades, improvements to recreation facilities, library roof replacement, computer equipment for various departments, leafer for DPW, signs, elimination of Kings Highway pump station, road improvements, Fire Department roof, boiler replacement for municipal building, 7^th Avenue Elementary School pedestrian safety improvements, and construction of handicap access ramps on Station Avenue.

Hearing or seeing no comments, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005-1192 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2005-1193 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights. (Various changes to police testing requirements.)

Hearing or seeing no comments, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005-1193 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members were in favor.

Ordinance 2005-1194 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2003-1160 Entitled an Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2003-2004. (Assessor salary amended to $12,000.)

Hearing or seeing no comments, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005-1194 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2005-1195 and 1196. Public hearings and final adoptions scheduled for August 16^th, at 8:00pm.

Ordinance 2005-1195 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 213 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Fees. (Amends required fee for State fingerprint investigation, increases fees for certified copies of birth, marriage, domestic partnership, and death certificates and eliminates fee for Zoning Varience Guide Book.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1195 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2005-1196 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages, or Compensation to be Paid to the Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2005. (2% increase for all but the Police Chief and Captain (4%).)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1196 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:107 – Resolution Appointing Richard Kinkler to the position of Sergeant with the Haddon Heights Police Department. (Replaces a sergeant who retired.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:107 was made by Councilwoman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members of council voted yes. At this point, Mayor Griffith asked Sgt. Richard Kinkler to come forward to be sworn in. He was joined by his wife, son and daughter along with Chief Ronald Shute and Director of Public Safety Donald Witzig. After the oath was issued he received a round of applause by his fellow officers, council, coworkers and family members. Kinkler scored the highest among the 10 people took the sergeant’s exam.

Resolution 2005:108 – Resolution Authorizing the Use of Borough Purchase Orders for Accommodations at Conferences When CEUs are Being Offered. (This will allow Department Heads to use purchase orders to pay for room accommodations when attending conferences, conventions or educational sessions when CEUs are being offered. Most Department Heads are required by the State to obtain a certain amount of CEUs in order to keep their license. The Department Heads are required by the Borough to pay for their accommodations, using a purchase order will allow them to save payment of taxes. The Department Head will be required to reimburse the Borough within 10 days of completion of the event.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:108 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:109 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign an Interlocal Services Agreement With the County of Camden. (For Geographical Information System (GIS) data sharing. There will be no cost to the Borough.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:109 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:110 – Resolution Opposing Verizon’s Attempt to Pass Legislation Regarding Statewide Franchise for Services that Would Compete with Comcast.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:110 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:111 – Resolution Approving 2004 Audit Corrective Action Plan

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:111 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:112 – Resolution Amending Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual in Regards to Page 20, Employee Appreciation Awards. (American Express Gift card to be eliminated and replaced with “Gift Card”. Also, a statement saying, “This is a fringe benefit subject to withholding taxes” will be added. During the caucus meeting prior to this meeting, everyone agreed to add a new section to the Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual regarding an Exit Interview upon retirement.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:112 as amended was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:113 – Resolution Approving Raffle License for St. Rose of Lima PTA. (Car and 50/50.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:113 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:114 – Resolution Canceling Reserves. (Escrow deposits made for various zoning cases and street opening permits. Once the job was complete and money was left in the escrow, an attempt was made to contact the applicant and advise them of the refund due to them. No response was made from the applicant; therefore the balances are put into the Current Fund as Misc. Revenue Not Anticipated ($940.00).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:114 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:115 – Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2005:73. (Resolution was done in error.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:115 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:116 – Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks. ($747.97, standard bookkeeping practice.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:116 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:117 – Resolution Approving the Payment of Bills and Claims for July.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:117 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:118 – Resolution Canceling a Reserve. (Reserve for Master Plan is no longer need and the Master Plan update is completed. $62.35 will be transferred to the Current Fund Revenue.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:118 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:119 – Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Purchase of Copy Paper and Envelopes to Office Basics, Inc., Paper Mart, Inc. and Central Lewmar as Part of the Camden County Cooperative Pricing System Identifier #57-CCCPS. (We belong to the Camden County Cooperative Pricing System along with most of the Camden County municipalities. The County, as lead agency, accepted bids on our behalf for copy paper and envelopes. The 3 vendors awarded a contract are the 3 that met the needs of the Cooperative members.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:119 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:120 – Resolution Amending the 2005 Municipal Budget. (Needed to add the $250,000 aid received.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:120 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:55 - 2005 Municipal Budget. (Budget was introduced in March, a public hearing was held in April with the final adoption tabled until word was received about Discretionary Aid. We were informed last week that we will be getting $200,000 in Discretionary Aid and $50,000 from the Homeland Security Program. This reduces the local rate from 18 cents to 10.8 cents per $100 of assessed value.)

Motion to bring Resolution 2005:55 back to the table was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all were in favor. Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:55, as amended, was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:121 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Remington & Vernick for the Completion of a Master Plan for the Soccer fields Located on Devon Avenue at the Joseph I. McCullough Complex in the Amount of $3,500. (Funding is available in the Capital account for this purpose.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:121 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

With no further business to come before council Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street said he was presenting a program called “Adopt a Spot”, where volunteers would pick a spot, and maintain it. He said the program would instill pride in the youth and enhance the town. Mr. Rayser said he feels that the business area needs improvement and loving care, noting it is not “kept up”. Mayor Griffith said that DPW maintains the business area and informed Mr. Rayser that we used to have an active Decoration Committee. He said that no money will be needed from the town and that he hopes to get gloves and trash bags from Lowe’s. Council President Trish Sheilds volunteered her services. Rayser said he has about 6 families ready to start and that he would spearhead the program. Someone mentioned the Business Association and Rayser didn’t seem to feel they were doing anything to help the situation. Councilwoman Sheilds asked Mr. Rayser to give her information so she could put it on Channel 19.

Mr. Rayser asked for an explanation on the Verizon resolution. The Solicitor explained that Verizon is trying to go over towns and directly to the State regarding Cable TV services, thereby eliminating franchise fees paid to the towns.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace said that at the last meeting the Mayor instructed the Treasurer to get 3 quotes for banking services in order to be in compliance with the Cash Management Plan adopted in January and asked if that was done. Solicitor Kearney said that according to the Treasurer, the Plan does not state that quotes have to be sought for regular services, just when excess funds are available for investment, noting we have not had extra funds available for that purpose in a long while. Mr. Ragonese said, “Isn’t it a good idea to get a quote”? Councilwoman Cortese said she believes he misunderstands and said that for 10 years we have not had money to invest…Mr. Ragonese repeated his idea of getting quotes from 3 banks for banking services. In closing Mayor Griffith said we will review our resolution. She noted that Commerce Bank has been good to the town and has provided excellent services. Mr. Ragonese questioned if it is worth it in view of the recent bribery charges against Commerce executives? No other comments by council were made at this time.

With no further comments to be presented, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Cortese seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members were in favor.

_________________________________ 8:55pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk