President Thomas E. Stinnett called the Zoom regular meeting of the Riegelsville Borough Council to order at 7:03 p.m. January 13, 2021. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call was taken. PRESENT: Thomas Stinnett, Ed Bartosiewicz, Kate Brandes, Ann P. Moyer and Rodney Scott. ABSENT: Mayor Stokes.
K.Brandes motioned to approve the December 9, 2020 Council minutes. E. Bartosiewicz Seconded. Unanimous.
CORRESPONDENCE: None to report
REPORTS:
President: T. Stinnett- Borough Council received a resignation from Michael Klimpl, Riegelsville Zoning Board Solicitor effective 12/31/2020. Upon receiving the resignation of the ZHB solicitor, the Council per Borough Code is responsible for appointing a new solicitor. We received and reviewed resumes and recommendations. The choice of “Grim, Biehn & Thatcher” –William Oetinger (Lead Attorney), Peter Nelson (Backup Attorney) is based on the fact that they are highly recommended by all stakeholders and are confident that they fill the criteria. During essential business. T. Stinnett asked Allen Madnick- Secretary of the ZHB if he had anything to add. A. Madnick stated he reached out to 3 candidates that where recommended but the Borough office never received that information. William Dudeck, Borough Solicitor also contacted the candidates.
Mayor: Absent
COMMENTS OF CITIZENS: Please state your name, you have 3 minutes to speak.
5-Borough residents present on Zoom.
Robert Ryan, Borough resident stated that he sees on the agenda there is a check received from Ed Bartosiewicz for $330.00, 110 slates at $3.00 each. This question is for Kate Brandes as Finance Chair. T. Stinnett stated we are going to discuss that during essential business. K. Brandes stated she is fully informed and will let T. Stinnett read the statement during the essential business.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: No meetings due to the Holidays.
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS: If anyone has any questions please comment prior to the vote.
Approval of the “2020 Exoneration list for Per Capita tax”. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of “2020 Unpaid Per Capita tax to be filed with Berkheimer Tax Administration”. K. Brandes motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval Tax Collector’s 2020 Municipal Liens filed with Bucks County Tax Claim. R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Resolution R-01-21, Salary $2,610.00 per year for Elected Tax Collector 4 year term 2022-2025. A. Moyer motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of Resolution R-02-21, authorizing the Borough Tax Collector to increase the certification fee
$35.00 per tax Parcel. K. Brandes motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of pay request #2 (Library renovations) recommendations from Cowan Associates $45,680.00 to Pro-Com. Balance will be pain when they finish plus retainage is $3,500.00- in warmer weather. A. Moyer asked is this in figure is in the contract. T. Stinnett stated yes that is in the contract. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of change order #3 (Spring Hill Rd water project) recommendations from Cowan Associates $448.00 (will be added to the final payment below) to Passerini & Sons. (Restoration of residential driveway within waterline easement.) R. Scott motioned to approve, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous.
Approval of final payment request (Spring Hill water project) recommended from Cowan Associates $5,473.85 to Passerini & Sons. K. Brandes motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Approval Annual engagement letter for Auditor to perform 2020 DCED audit. K. Brandes motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
Appointment of the firm Grim, Biehn & Thatcher with William Oetinger (Lead Attorney), Peter Nelson(Backup Attorney) as the new Zoning Hearing Board solicitor. A. Moyer motioned to approve, E. Bartosiewicz seconded. Unanimous.
T. Stinnett reported it has come to Borough Council’s attention that during the November 13, 2019 council meeting there was an oversight that council did not receive Ed’s check or invoice and no formal vote was taken. This information was presented that night by our Borough Solicitor William Dudeck. Tonight we will formally vote. A. Moyer asked what we are voting on. T. Stinnett said we are voting on a check that should have been voted on by what William Dudeck stated that E. Bartosiewicz would do because of the unintended consequences at that time.
Approval of check received from Ed Bartosiewicz for $330 (110 slates, $3.00 each) R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. E. Bartosiewicz abstained (since it was his check). A. Moyer abstained (not satisfied with the amount of information she received, she does not agree).
Motion approved 3 to 0, 2 abstentions.
Approval to purchase a replacement for the damaged Stihl pole saw cost $399.95. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, R. Scott seconded. Unanimous.
Approval to purchase the bollards & split rail fencing for trail entrances approx. $2,128.00, plus additional proposal is needed for 6 cement pads. Amber Campbell, Borough resident asked what the 6 cement pads will be used for. T. Stinnett stated that is for mounting the bollards. E. Bartosiewicz motioned to approve, A. Moyer seconded. Unanimous. We will reach out to the Borough Engineer and Zoning officer to see if anything else is needed.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
Approval to pay Ed Bartosiewicz $450.00 check for the invoice (Worked on Borough roof 6/19/17 & 10/25/19). R. Scott motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. E. Bartosiewicz abstained (his invoice). A. Moyer abstained (does not agree with the delay of the invoice submittal of 2017 work presented in 2019 and its 2021). Motion approved 3 to 0, 2 abstentions.
Approval of remaining list of bills A. Moyer motioned to approve, K. Brandes seconded. Unanimous.
Meeting adjourned 7:35 PM.
Borough office closed Monday January 18, 2021 “Martin Luther King Jr. Day”.
Next Council meeting February 10, 2021 at 7:00pm
Sherry Masteller
Borough Secretary
Zoom recording link:
Password: 5b*^&WT2