Council Workshop 5-31-07

I was a half hour late for the Workshop meeting and arrived in time for the report on the discussion to merge the Nazareth and Upper Nazareth police departments into a single regional force.

I'll make a separate post on that issue.

Recreation noted that the Borough Pool will be open June 9 & 10, closed 11, 12, & 13, and then opened again from the 14th on. Also noted the summer rec program had about the same number of participants as last year.

Law Committee had several items:

• Policies and procedures for the Park Manager to ensure her safety when tending to Park matters.
• Skate Park rules need to be added to Park regulations and must be approved by Council (a draft was distributed)
• Discussion within the Skate Park rules first raised by Councilman Bowers on the difference between "Refrain" and "No" when beginning the sentence "use of profanity". Then in regard to who the "Borough" was in the context the Borough reserved the right to close the Skate Park at any time for any period of time as deemed necessary (my summary, not actual wording). Ultimately Council President Chivarolli noted the Park Manager ought to inform Police to close and if serious incident Public Works Committee should determine the length of closure. It was later agreed after more discussion that the "Borough" was adequate for the rule and procedure could determine those eligible to do so.
• Needed 3 executive sessions for litigation.
• Monday would be making a motion to make Gary Asteak special counsel for litigation.
• There would be a police pension motion.
• Transient Business (street entertainers) resolution if not ordinance for Monday.

Ecology, noted continuing to pursue the garbage billing process. Looking at software for own billing and would be able to also handle sewer authority. Committee will be recommending Software System Inc in Greensburg. They have tentative numbers, not a package price.

Also noted the Shade Tree Commission project for a Gateway Beautification at 248 and South Main (corner of American Furniture) had sought an easement and were offered a $1 lease for 10 years that renews annually thereafter for the needed land. The offer gives property owner Bruce Orwig the ability to cancel the lease with 60 day notice, but if the lease is broken their is a repayment schedule to offset the costs to the borough. The project will cost $11,000, of which $6000 was a grant. Orwig will pay money back in amounts based on year of the lease.

And the Essroc Advisory Committee had one resident in attendance and the discussion was on truck traffic in the borough. Essroc sent a letter first week of May to all its suppliers requesting they forward information to all drivers and subcontractors which included maps and directions for entering the three plants.

Public Works reviewed the lighting plan parking lot, the Bandshell is completed, getting prices on the grandstand bleachers.

It was noted how impressive it was that so many people came to the Memorial Day ceremonies at Hall Park. While difficult to count one estimate was 800 people.

Police Committee noted a motion for a handicapped parking spot and an executive session for litigation.

Mayor Keller gave a fairly lengthy overview of the police coverage situation. Officers are back on regular duty (not two to a car to save on the cost of gas). They will be asked to stop at the Park once an hour on their shift when the Park is open. Encouraged to get out and walk at the Park. They will try to be around the school during closing Bell. Recommended a part time officer for the Parks, meaning the borough park and all neighborhood parks. This also raised a pretty long conversation that ended with the decision to put a part time officer at no more than 32 hours on the borough park for one month. The scheduel would shift according to anticipated need.

Engineer noted:

• preconstruction meeting for the new alarm system was held and it should be installed end of June/early July.
• Skate Park fence should be in mid-June and up and running by Nazareth Day.
• Zoning, Planning Commission reports given.
• E. Prospect Storm Water design being done.
• Bandshell project done.

Closing discussion on moving schedules from current facility to new building in a way that least disrupts staff. Don't believe there was a resolution on that matter.

Meeting ended about 9:30 p.m.