Thanks to Becky Butz for forwarding to me her notes from last night's Council Workshop Meeting:
Public Comment:
Question was raised regarding the process of the transition committee and why it isn't open to the public. It was up to Bowers as head of the committee and he chose to keep the meetings closed.
As a result Councilman Herbst announced that he would be making a motion on Monday for all meetings to be open to the public as a "rule of procedure". Executive sessions to discuss personnel, litigation, etc.will remain closed. All committee meetings will be open.
Clarification on who on Council was up for re-election next year and their party affiliation. This is an unusual year because of appointments - 6 positions will be open.
Question was raised (by Becky who provided the notes) regarding the $26,000 that the architect (of the Council Chamber's Hall Park expansion plans), Robert Furst, is charging the Borough for the work he did this summer. It turned out that no one really authorized the expenditure. Furst was going to charge between $80 and $100 dollars per hour, but there were additional charges above that.
A committee person for the Main Street Initiative asked if there could be some consideration for office space in the new administrative building for the Main Street Manager. Council president Chiavaroli said there has already been some discusion on it. The Committee was directed to send a letter of request to Councilperson Bowers.
Fire Department Report - Currently exploring different options to service vehicles
Finance Committee will seek a motion for approval of the budget with no tax increase (there was no discussioin of the budget).
Economic Development Committee will make a moiton to hire the co-directors of the summer recreation program. It was also reported that the Main Street Program is moving forward. There will be a meeing in January with John Bry, from the state organization. At this point the Committee is seeking people to serve on the Board of Directors.
Law Committee will make a motion Monday regarding a "rule of procedure" that all meetings are to be open (excepting those noted above). Also to remove the 5 minute time limit in front of Koehler's and vacate Meadow Lane.
Police pension suit going to court 12/14
Recycling - Councilman Samus attended a presentation on a software program so the borough could do their own garbage billing. On 12/3 - no more men at the compost center.
Public Property - NCC architectural class might be interested in work at the park (the roof, band shell, etc. 30 Belvidere leaks have been repaired. The transition to Lafayette Bank building - 90% complete for temporary placement. Working on the final layout, window for the public to do business, security, transition of existing phone system, minor revovations, signage, and are targeting 3/31/07 to move in.
Streets: Councilman Stoudt proposed switching stop signs at Walnut and Green Streets. Currently stop is on Green; should be on Walnut.
Councilman Matz will make a resolution so the borough can apply for a block grant in 2007 to address the storm water problems on E. Prospect Street. This could increase property value and decrease insurance payout for damage.
Councilman Chiavaroli noted the Council of Governments 2030 is still organizing, developing emergency management system, suggested a cooperative program for health care
benefits (larger groups have reduced rates).
Secretary-Treasurer - we have a new assessment will will mean additional income
Engineers Report - Working on Street Scape at Main and Easton Road;
Essroc soccer field should be ready in March or April
Thanks again to Becky for forwarding her notes from the meeting last night!
3 comments:
Regarding the invoice for the design of the Borough building on the park site -- Architects do not provide design work without being sought out. Architects do not come to secret committee meetings unless asked. Someone from the Borough (Don Keller?) came to the Architech and asked for work to be completed. If the work was completed, the Borough should pay the bill. It appears no one at the Borough level wants to admit they asked for the design work. The Architect should not be sucked into the mess made by Borough Council.
As I recall it was the committee that made the request for the plans and after they were presented and the public hearing was made the committee asked the architect to make modifications based on feedback.
The question then becomes is a committee authorized to incur expenses without the Council voting?
I would think a motion/resolution would have had to have been passed authorizing the committee to have plans created at an anticipated expense or with a not to exceed x amount.
I also recall the committee was formed in January, if so the motion/resolution, if it exists, would have to have been made this year.
The Borough Engineer may have made the request, but it would have been done because the Committee directed it to be done. I don't think you can blame the engineer or the architect on this. As you say it is Council that needs to figure out who authorized it and if it was appropriate/properly done, but this doesn't negate the fact they have a bill to pay.
Yes I agree that the Council must be at fault. The Architect did what he was directed by the Engineer and the Committee. The committee may not have been authorized to make a decision to incur expenses but they did.
Since no Committee Member wants to admit to directing the Architect without Council approval (violation of the sunshine law), they all play dumb and let the Architect go without payment. To approve the invoice now could be considered an admission of violating the sunshine law.
Even though the committee may not have been authorized to direct the Architect to design the building, the work was done, now pay the bill. Go after the committee members not the poor sap who got mixed up with the Borough mess.
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