Workshop Meeting September 3, 2013
Municipal Building 94thCouncil
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Bodish. In attendance were Burker, Groller, Leiner, Luckenbach, Royer, and Sodlas well as Mayor Bundra, PWD Pavelko,Police Chief Genovese, Interim Fire Chief Buskaritz and EMA Coordinator Keller. Pres.Bodish led pledge of allegiance.
Hearing of persons present:
Frank Dickman, 3 N 5th St., stating Ann and I moved to Coplay 58 years ago on Saylor Drive, worked at Bethlehem Steel for 5 years and then as postal carrier in Coplay Post Office, six years later made Postmaster in Coplay. My wish for all council members is that you are able to walk away from work and enjoy twenty-six years of retirement as I have had as of today, anniversary of my retirement.
Mel Procanyn, 7 S 8th St., expects council will be looking at 2014 budget, will there be report regarding new health insurance laws and how it affects borough coverage and borough employees. Will there be an increase in taxes paid by residents for this coverage? Groller responded, meeting with insurance agency later next week to discuss these issues. Pres. Bodish stated last year did not receive any information until mid-November. Procanyn stated October 1 is start of this program.
EMA Coordinator Keller reported Previstar training went well, will be training Secretary Gyecsek on same as well. Received information from Mayor Bundra on upcoming training, plan to attend three day training in November on dirty bombs, chemical situations, etc.
PWD Pavelkoreported most work this month related to Community Days and parkway including cutting and repaving low areas along parkway walking path, finishing light poles and PA system, normal community days set up and clean up, and trimming of trees in parkway; approximately 3 tons of cold patch for potholes and other street opening repairs; prepping for Protective Safety Systems training which begins next week; cleared downed trees across IRT; pool shut down, pulled pumps with both failing at end of season. Sodl questioned cost of pumps. PWD Pavelko responded approximately $1,500 in parts ordered for pump repair and approximately $2,000 in motor replacements for total of $3,500.00. Pres. Bodish thanked public works for help with set up and clean up of Community Days; questioned status of boiler in borough building. PWD Pavelko stated beginning work on boiler next week.
Chief Genovese reported 37 traffic arrests with 8 written warnings for traffic violations, and 8 written warnings for equipment violations with 40 parking tickets issued. There were 220 incidents for August, 2013 with 2 arrests. New vehicle here and in service, would like to thank Roy Bigley of borough work crew for building unit to store equipment on his own time for in new vehicle. No incidents at Community Days. Multi-jurisdictional response to incident this weekend with North Catasauqua, Whitehall, Coplay Police Departments, Coplay Fire Department, Cetronia Ambulance and County MERT unit. Thanked residents in area for staying in homes as asked and onlookers staying beyond barricades; also thanks to resident in area who at end of situation came around with water for police and fire personnel as conditions were very hot and humid; thankfully incident was resolved safely for all parties.
Interim Fire Chief Buskaritz reported 8 calls for August, 2013; all vehicles in good working condition; attending ropes and rigging training next month; scheduled yard sale with small bake sale on Saturday, September 21; also planning events for Fire Prevention week and Haunted Fire Station in October. PWD Pavelko stated replaced CO2 detectors in building, call if any issues; also, checked generator after receiving call regarding running loudly, diagnostic went well, could have been issue of water in line, will top off fuel tank which should take care of issue. Pres. Bodish thanked fire department for work during Sunday’s police incident.
Secretary reported reviewed savings on change in electricity provider for street lighting, bill at end of July showed savings of $330 and end of August additional savings of $173, expect monthly savings of $500. Minimum municipal obligations for all pension plans for 2014 were completed according to information from actuarial, Beyer-Barber Company, police pension plan obligation has returned to $0; teamsters will increase to $1.70/hour as agreed upon with contract and MetLife stays at 6%, motion needed at regular meeting. No questions by members. Regarding meeting on September 12 at 7 pm at Whitehall High School sponsored by LVEDC, if attending office can RSVP.
Discussion of any problems/matters:
Trick or Treat Night – Friday, October 25, 2013 from 6 to 8 pm with rain date of Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 6 to 8 pm. No questions by members, motion at regular meeting.
Request for donation received from Greater Lehigh Valley Visiting Nurses Association (in 2011 and 2012 donation of $50 given). No questions by members, motion at regular meeting.
Workshop Meeting September 3, 2013
Mayor Bundra reported joint safety committee met on August 28, continued discussion on storage issues in garage, reviewed pre trip vehicle inspections and tool repair procedures, working on individual sections of garage every month to clean and organize working out well, committee is reviewing need for additional security in borough office with installation of second door, still in preliminary discussion will update as debate continues. Regarding September 12 meeting, encourages all members to attend this important meeting if able. Communities That Care car magnets distributed, give to a family with children you know to encourage participation, additional meeting sometime this month has not yet been announced. Sodl asked that Mayor bring up recent discussion with Coplay Recreation & Welfare. Mayor reported organization purchased holiday lighting that is street wide and can no longer be hung due to energizing and pole support issues. Spoke with contacts who are working on these issues and possibility of having lighting hung and working by holiday season.
Reports of Officers and Standing Committees:
Sodl thanked Fire Department for ongoing work. Police department, residents should be more aware of what police are doing and the type of calls they are answering on a daily and monthly basis, especially calls like this past Sunday and thank them for the job they do. Mayor Bundra added, Chief Genovese takes time to prepare and state monthly report, thanked Sodl for recognizing Chief’s efforts. Sodl stated important to recognize people around us and the work they do for residents.
Royer reported Library Board has received request from deceased patron’s family to install memorial bench in front of library which would replace old bench. Old bench could be repaired and relocated, maybe around tot lot area. Board also looking into who has keys for building, may have need to change locks, recommending inventory of keys at this time as no current problems, committee will discuss. Sodl added board attempting to put in place procedure and policy guidelines. Royer continued report, thanking Holencik roofing for work and materials to repair soffit, faschia and some roof shingles, all labor and materials were donated. Leiner commented as reorganization continues at library, good idea to keep track of keys. Pres. Bodish suggested committee look at coded key pad like what was installed at fire department building, keeps track of who is coming and going, each person has their own code number, also as bench will be memorial believes council should vote as motion at regular meeting same as when tree was planted and make sure current bench is not a memorial as well. No questions by members, motion at regular meeting.
Burker reported overall summer weather was not good for pool season, final numbers should be available next week. Requests Sodl set up concession stand agreement again with Milander’s Market for 2014 season as he did for this season. Park & Recreation committee will meet to discuss additions and changes for 2014 season. Thanked pool employees and office staff for help during season. Thanked council, Mayor, Chief Genovese, office staff and public works for support and dedication during Coplay Community Days festival. Sodl thanked Burker and Mr. Schreiner for the effort and excellent festival.
Groller requested all department chairs prepare preliminary 2014 budgets and submit by October workshop meeting.
Bodish reported pitch machine will be delivered tomorrow. Electronics recycling is scheduled on Wednesday September 18 and metal collection on Thursday, September 19 contact the borough office to schedule pick ups. From Engineer Stewart received approval to release final amount for Chestnut and Ruch Street Storm Sewer Project with change order in amount of $2,643.00 for additional road paving and sidewalk replacement work. No questions by members, motion at regular meeting.
Hearing of persons present: None.
AT REGULAR MEETING:
Vote on Minimum Municipal Obligations for all pension plans for 2014.
Vote on date for trick or treat night.
Vote on donation to Greater Lehigh Valley Visiting Nurses Association.
As there was no further business, motion to adjourn by Leiner, second by Sodl. Next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday,September 10, 2013 at 7 PM.
Borough Secretary