Penbrook Borough Council Meeting Minutes January 6, 2025 1. Call to order A. On January 6, 2025 President Deardorff called the Borough Council to order at 6:30 pm followed by a salute to the flag and a moment of B. Roll call was performed. All were present except for the Mayor. Burdine attended by phone. Solicitor Kern and Manager Hogarth were silence. in attendance as well. 2. 3. Citizen comments on agenda items: Jason Seaman of2706 Boas regarding New Business C deferred his comments until that agenda item was discussed. Consent Agenda: Armbruster asked that item G Resolution 2025-4b be considered separately. Deardorfmotioned and Newcomer seconded the approval ofall other items except for G. There was no further discussion. Passed unanimously. Items listed were December 2 minutes, December 16 minutes, December 2024 Treasurer's report, Approval ofbills to be paid, Resolutions 2025- 1,2,3,5and 6. For Resolution 2025-4 approving the appointment of] Dauphin County by Tax Collector Pace, Armbruster believed this was not necessary. Hogarth said it has been done each year past. Kern commented that it wasn'tnecessary but wasn't harmful. Moore asked why we do it. Hogarth said it was done historically therefore he included it on the agenda. Council agreed ifit wasn'tnecessary then its shouldn't be done. Armbruster made the motion to reject the resolution. Moore seconded. Carried unanimously. 4. Reports A. ChiefHogarth provided Council with the December 2024 Police report. B. Manager: There are two agenda items calling for action to accept two grants that were recently awarded. The borough will be presenting our grant application to the gaming board on Monday January 13th. This funding will be to finance the master plan for Community Park. Officer Tritt is requesting the use oft the Community Room on April 5th to host a party celebrating his parents 50th wedding anniversary. Council agreed to the use and the waiver ofthe rental fee but will require the security deposit. C.S Solicitor: The proposed ordinance on tonight's agenda has been properly advertised and can be acted upon. D. STEMS-N/A. E. Fire Chief-N/A F. Committees i.Codes - Burdine reviewed the monthly codes activity report. ii. Public Safety - N/A iii. Parks and Property - Newcomer announced that prior to Wednesday's Committee meeting will be the first planning session for the 2025 Summer Program. Newcomer asked Hogarth to provide an update on the piece of play equipment at Little Valley that is not part iv. Public Works - Shaw reviewed the monthly activities performed by the public works staff. There will be a committee meeting on 1/22 ofthe main area recently installed. V. Personnel - No report vi. Community and Government - Moore reviewed upcoming events. Deardorff asked for clarification on what might be needed. Moore described the events as informational only. Kern advised that given that, damage/injury waivers are not needed. Adults working with juveniles will need to provide child clearance reports. Moore said those that will be in attendance work for the school district and Moore will forward their clearances to the borough office. Hogarth was asked about the sign-up app. He said the IT contractor reported there are dozens of apps but didn't favor one over the other. vii. Budget - Armbruster advised there are several action items on tonight's agenda regarding grant awards and encourages everyone to viii. Authority - Dry reported on several issues including delinquent tax collection will continue with CGA Law, and the Authority vote in favor of accepting them. continues to work on the draft MOU. ix. Planning Commission - Stokes reported that the Commission's goal for 2025 is to complete the Comprehensive Plan. 5. New Business A. A motion is needed to accept the DEP 902 Grant in the amount of $196,164 for the purchase ofa backhoe and woodchipper. Armbruster made a motion to accept and Moore seconded. No further discussion. Carried unanimously. B. Ai motion is needed to accept the PPCD Medical Marijuana Grant in the amount of $250,000.00. Armbruster made a motion to approve and Shaw C.Amotion is needed to approve ordinance 2025-01 amending Chapter 73, abolishing all wards and providing for the election of seven members of council-at-large. Shaw made a motion to reject the Ordinance and Moore Jason and Patty Seaman, 2706 Boas, do not support the proposal and believe it's important to maintain the ward representation. Jason commented he would be interested in running for Council in the next election. Deardorff's concern was the inability in the past to fill open Council seats but would support keeping the wards if others felti it was beneficial. Shaw believes more oft the community should have a voice as to what happens with the wards. Hogarth asked if such a question could be put on a future ballot as a referendum since community involvement by other means doesn't often happen. Kern said she'd have to research seconded. The motion passed unanimously. seconded. Discussion: that question. Deardorff asked for a rollcall vote. Armbruster abstained from voting. All other members voted for the motion to reject the ordinance as proposed. D.Ifnecessary, a motion to approve Resolution 2025-7 adopting a Borough Newsletter Policy. Stokes made a motion to approve. Armbruster seconded. Carried unanimously. E. A motion is needed to approve advertising of proposed Ordinance 2025- 02 Adjusting Tax Collector Compensation. Shaw made a motion to More information is needed before Council can consider the compensation method. Kern advised that it can either be set at a percentage collected or a flat dollar amount per invoice set. It was asked what happens ift the Ordinance isn't updated. Kern advised the old compensation rate would remain in effect. Newcomer asked Hogarth to provide Council with numbers to consider at the January Caucus meeting. The motion to postpone carried unanimously. postpone and Armbruster seconded. Discussion: 6. Citizen Comments: N/A 7. Council comments: A. Moore wished everyone a happy New Year and is looking forward to working with everyone in 2025. 8. Armbruster made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 pm. Shaw seconded. Carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted and attested, %442 Joseph Hogarth Borough Manager and Municipal Secretary