Penbrook Borough Caucus Meeting Minutes January 21, 2025 6:30 PM 1. Call to order and roll call: President Deardorff called the public meeting to order at 6:30 pm. All elected officials were present. The Mayor arrived ate 6:37. Kern and Hogarth were also present. 2. Citizen Comments on Agenda Items - N/A 3. Discussion and Action Items A. Senator Kim and her staff had to cancel and wish to reschedule possibly at the B. Hogarth provided collection data SO Council could consider setting the tax collector fee at a percentage or fixed dollar amount. Newcomer made a motion to set the fixed dollar amount at $2.00 and added toi the motion that the proposed ordinance should be advertised by the Solicitor. Moore seconded the motion and it carried C. There was much discussion on creating content for the new newsletter format which will be handled by Hometown Press. Hogarth to research acceptable files for submission and publication dates. Shaw and Newcomer to work on a spreadsheet that creates categories to ensure content is being created. Some main topic heading would include: storm water, parks, community and government, emergency management, public works/trash and recycling and planning commission. D. The current copy of the Council Bylaws, adopted in May 2023, was sent to each elected official to review for changes. Burdine suggested it be sent out each January toe ensure that it's reviewed and is given to anyone newly elected. Armbruster asked about the public participation section, specifically requiring ai fixed time limit for comments. Deardorff said he'dr rather not include that specificity, that the language allows him to stop comments that are not reasonable but still allows for the opportunity to be heard if comments take longer than an arbitrary time limit. E. Council was presented with the proposed changes tot the MOU recommended by the Storm Water Authority outlining the business relationship between the two bodies. Armbruster referenced Section 3 commenting that it doesn't specifically address the Manager's pay. Currently the Manager is paid 3% of his total salary by the Authority. This, Armbruster believes, should be memorialized int the MOU. There was further discussion about required review on a yearly basis. Hogarth pointed out that the two different fiscal cycles may cause budget planning issues and suggests it be March Caucus Meeting. unanimously. No changes were proposed to the policy. addressed when either body needs to address it. F. Hogarth needs Council to consider and act on engaging with the Cohen Law Group, along with other CapCOG members, to renegotiate the franchise agreement with Verizon. Kern recommends allowing the CLG to negotiate on behalf of the Borough because the firm specializes int this work. Hogarth mentioned that COG member participation is currently at the threshold of a 10% discount and does have the potential to increase to 15% with more members signing on. Stokes made a motion to engage with the Cohen Law Group to negotiate on behalf of the Borough for the upcoming Verizon Franchise Agreement as presented in the engagement letter by the CLG. Moore seconded and the motion carried G. Hogarth presented Council with the CRW 2025 rate increase for treatment and conveyance asking Council to consider, as they did last year, to continue to pay the 2023 rate and place the balance into escrow with the Solicitor's firm. The municipal partner group, made up of the surrounding suburban municipalities that utilize CRW's treatment and conveyance services, have been in dispute with CRW's rate proposals insisting that they are based on services not used by the partner's. Hogarth suggested an action item be placed on the consent agenda fori the February unanimously. Council meeting agenda. 4. Citizen Comments - N/A 5. Council Comments A. Moore discussed several upcoming events hosted by the Community and Government committee. Discussion was had about a sign-up app. Moore suggested using Mobilize because she is familiar with the features which provide what is needed. Deardorff said because it requires spending money it needs to be added to an upcoming meeting agenda. Hogarth will add to the Feb 3 agenda. B. Newcomer reported that the proposed dates for this year's Summer Program are June 17 through July 17 and asked if there were any concerns. No one had any that would require these dates to change. 6. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, 2 Joseph Borough Secretary