This presentation began at 6:00 p.m. and the report can be read here.
At 7:00 p.m. the meeting officially began, and following the pledge, came a presentation by the Nazareth Citizens Action Committee. The presentation was made by an architect they hired to renovate the 30 Belvidere facility. You can read about this segment of the meeting here.
Public comment mostly fell into the proposal questions, though one made it to the general business meeting:
- In the paper a lot of people were quoted as being from Upper Nazareth and Bushkill who attended the Skate Park meeting, what if any support do we have from these communities?
- Councilman Jack Herbst replied that a tally of those in attendance indicated 17 from the Borough, 10 each from Bushkill and Upper Nazareth and the remaining 5 from other places.
The minutes of the Treasurer's report and payment of bills was approved.
Councilman Bowers read the emergency management and ambulance reports and both were approved.
The Zoning and Code Enforcement Reports were approved.
Councilwoman Werner noted that the recreation program is now finished and there is one more week of the concert and movie program. Of comment she noted that while in New Hope over the weekend the town has a long Main Street with many shops and businesses in the center of which is a municipal building.
Werner then made a motion to approve an amendment to the Culture and Arts Commission allowing members not from the borough, but from the school district to serve. A question by Bowers regarding a minumum number of non-residents was asked. The answer was that there was no minimum, however, Council makes all appointments and thereby controls the count. The motion was approved (Councilman Matz was absent all others approved).
A motion for Council to consider other location options other than Hall Park for administration and police was made by Werner and seconded by Herbst.
Councilman Stoudt argued that the motion infringed on the work of the committee. Councilman Davis stated he was unclear as to the motion. Werner revised the wording to clarify it for him.
There was more discussion, and a further clarification Davis noted he was unsure on what he was voting in light of word changes. Werner tabled the motion.
Werner then made a motion to preserve Hall Park from any further construction except for ADA compliance requirements. It was again seconded by Herbst. Stoudt again noted it infringed on the committee, Davis noted that he had assured Councilman Matz that there would be no vote tonight and felt it was wrong to have a vote. The voice vote did not carry and failed.
Herbst made motions related to approving the police pension plan, vacating the unused portion of Green Street, which were both approved, before making one regarding the Skate Park.
The motion regarding the Skate Park was to allocate $30,000 portion of the Borough's Recreation Fees (fees collected for developments and subdivisions over the last three years which now total $58,435.59) to the Skate Park project. Werner seconded the motion, but questions if final costs were known and/or who else would participate in paying.
Herbst noted another meeting was being held on August 8 at Council Chambers to look at funding from private sources as well as donated services to off-set development costs. Councilman Kopach asked what the final cost would be. Herbst replied that $20,000 got Pen Argyl a resurfacing, fecning, and a piece of equipment - to do it right would probably cost $60,000. Davis noted he supported the project, but felt it should be a part of the budget process not a seperate discussion. He also noted agreement on using the money before it was lost (Borough must spend money within three years of receiving it).
The motion did not pass with only Herbst and Werner voting in favor.
Councilman Samus provided the recycling and garbage report, which was approved. He also noted that a position on the Shade Tree Commission was open due to the resignation (a member moved out of the borough) and it would be advertised. The position expires in 2009.
Samus also noted as a comment regarding the building project that for 3 years they tried to have a community service day. It was to take some of the work from employees and let people show their pride by helping. Eight people participated in three years. Saw one here tonight. If you are going to talk about community pride, walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk.
Bowers provided the fire report, which was approved and made a request to move the date of the Fireman's/Kiwanis Carnival at the Borough Park to June 20 through June 23, 2007. Following a clarification regarding the use of the stand (since the pool would be open), the motion was approved.
Stoudt made a motion for a handicapped spot which was approved (38a East Center Street), and made motions to advertise a loading zone and no parking zone on 56 South Street and the corner of Spruce and Center Streets respectively. Both motions were approved.
Stoudt also noted that the bid received on the police car was not being accepted, the committee would decline the bid and readvertise sale of 2 police cars.
Kopach provided the Highway report which was approved. Herbst asked if any further consideration had been given to sub-contracting grass cutting - none had. A question arose regarding cleaning up debris from storms, and it was noted that the borough cleans the street and the property owner is responsible from curb back. Kopach also announced that the bid for the roller was declined and would be rebid along with the police cars.
Finally, Kopach noted that he did like the comment Stoudt made about him in public at the last meeting and felt if he wanted to make any comment it should be in private outside, not in front of everyone. Stoudt replied, "Sorry, if you can't take a joke." Kopach staed it wasn't a joke, and added you've been around long enough to know you take it outside and talk, you don't say it publicly.
Davis made a motion to approve the use of the Park on Sunday, September 10, 2006 by the CF Martin Company for their annual employee picnic. The motion was seconded, but Werner questioned the motion stating her husband, an employee of the company, told her the event was being held elsewhere. There was no further talk and the motion was approved (background: it is my recollection from past meetings that Davis received a letter from a martin enthusiast group that wanted to use the park for its annual gathering. They would go to the plant, have a softball game at the park etc).
Davis also supported the Mayor's comment to have someone, maybe from the high school, serve as webmaster for the borough site as most organizations have this role filled.
Mayor Keller noted there were 54 crimes, 8 criminal with 23 traffic and 20 accidents. He did not have details as Chief Ruch was on vacation. Kopach questioned the very low number of traffic violations.
Engineer noted that the bridgework at the Park was complete.
Chiavaroli noted that there would be an executive session for real estate.
The meeting adjourned.
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