January 7, 2008
First meeting in January - Minutes
The Duncansville Borough Council held its first meeting in January on the 7th. of January 2008, at the Borough Building, at 7:30PM.

The meeting was opened by the President Donald Rabenstein, with the pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
The Secretary called the roll showing: Council-member Michael Jackson – Council-member Herman Beyer – Council-member David Shaw – Council-member Joshua Jackson – Council-member Cynthia Blontz – President Donald Rabenstein – Former Mayor David Skurnick – Newly Elected Mayor Kenneth L. Davis, II, as all present.
Others in attendance were: Barbara G. Haines, Secty. Treas. –Solicitor Michael Emerick – Engineer Theodore Koch – Visitor Anthony Luther – Newsreporter Kay Stephens.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to approve the minutes of the first council-meeting held on December 10, 2007. Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to accept the minutes of the regular meeting s of the Duncansville Municipal Authority, held on November 1, 2007 and a postponed meeting held on December 13, 2007. Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to accept the Chief of Police’s report for the month of December and his report for the year 2007. Council-member David Shaw seconded the motion, all in favor motion carried.
Council- member Herman Beyer made a motion to accept the Water & Sewer Operators report for the months of November & December. Council-member David Shaw seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to exonerate from paying their 2007 Per Capita Taxes due to Under Age – Non –Resident- Duplicate Name -Or Deceased. (List given to council by the Tax Collector) . Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to turn over the list of delinquent per capita tax payers to the Berkheimer Tax Collection Agency for collection. Council-member Michael Jackson seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Anthony Luther was present, he lives at 1143 6th. Ave. and wanted to be appointed as a council-member for the two year term, that is vacant because Bradley Bert is not seeking re-election. But it was determined he has not lived in the Borough long enough, according to the law, you have to have been a resident of the Borough for one year & be a registered voter in the place you live in.
Out going Mayor David Skurnick, Thanked Council for opportunity to serve as Mayor and was thankful for the good relationship he had with Chief Ott. He stated that we have a pro-active police department. He Thanked the Police Department & Chief Ott . He said the Borough has real challenges ahead, we need to have business opportunities by attracting new businesses. He told Council to act in the best interest of the residents of the Borough.
President Donald Rabenstein closed the 2006-2007 session of Borough Council, Sine-Die
Meeting was turned over to Mayor Kenneth L. Davis, II to conduct the swearing in of all newly & re-elected council-members. Mayor Davis swore Michael Jackson- David Shaw – Joshua Jackson in as Council-members. All of them were elected for four year terms.
Mayor Davis asked for nominations for President.
Council-member Michael Jackson nominated Donald Rabenstein to be President for the ensuing two years. Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to close the nomination. Secty. called the roll that showed all council-members voting in favor, of Donald A. Rabenstein, being re-elected as President.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to nominate Cynthia Blontz as Vice-President. Secty. called the roll that showed all council-members but one voted yes that one Council-member being Cynthia Blontz. Council-member David Shaw made a motion to appoint Michael Jackson as Vice-President , no vote was taken due to the prior vote being in favor of Cynthia Blontz for Vice-President.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to appoint Michael Jackson as President Pro-Tem. Secty. called the roll showing all voting in favor of Michael Jackson being Chairman Pro-Tem.
Mayor Kenneth L. Davis II, closed the election and turned the gavel back over to President Donald Rabenstein.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion, to retain the First Commonwealth Bank as our Depository for the year 2008. Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Herman Beyer made a motion to re-adopt the Resolutions from the years 2006-2007. Council-member Michael Jackson, seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to re-adopt the existing By-Laws & Rules & Regulations of the Council of the Borough of Duncansville for an ensuing two years. Council-member Michael Jackson, seconded the motion, all in favor motion carried.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to adopt Rules & Regulations of Employment- Job Descriptions & all policies for employees. Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, All in favor, motion was carried.
Discussion was held on the newly prepared Police Manual. Solicitor said he had recommended some changes in the manual that the Chief has been putting together. So he didn’t think we were prepared to take action on it yet.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to adopt Resolution # 1-08-02:
WHEREAS, THE Duncansville Borough Council,, is desirous of appointing the following Borough Officials, to carry out their various duties and,
WHEREAS, THE Duncansville Borough Council appoints: Barbara G. Haines as Borough Secretary-Treasurer for the ensuing two years and,
WHEREAS, the Duncansville Borough Council appoints: R. Charlene Davis as Borough Assistant Secretary-Treasurer for the ensuing two years and,
WHEREAS, the Duncansville Borough Council appoints: Michael Emerick as the Borough Solicitor for the ensuing two years and,
WHEREAS, the Duncansville Borough Council appoints: Theodore Koch as the Borough Engineer for the ensuing two years and,
WHEREAS, the Duncansville Borough Council appoints: Thomas Levine as Project Engineer for the term of the housing development project.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that these appointments stand as resolved.
BE IT RESOLVED THIS 7th. day OF JANUARY 2008.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, Resolution #1-08-2 was adopted.
Council-member Herman Beyer made a motion to adopt Resolution #1-08-4
WHEREAS, the Duncansville Borough Council is desirous of appointing the Vacancy Board Chairman, for the year of 2006 and
WHEREAS, THE Duncansville Borough Council appoints Borough Resident E. Lynn DeLozier of 1324 7th. Ave., to serve in that capacity for the ensuing year.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this appointment stands as resolved.
BE IT RESOLVED THIS 7TH. DAY OF JANUARY 2008.
Council-member David Shaw seconded the motion, All in favor, Resolution #1-08-04 was adopted.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to adopt Resolution #1-08-3: Employees Work Week Schedule.
WHEREAS, THE FAIR LABOR STANDARD ACT REQUIRES BOROUGH COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A WORK WEEK TO BE WORKED BY BOROUGH EMPLOYEES AND TO ABIDE BY OTHER RULES & REGULATIONS.
NOW THEREFOREBE IT RESOLVED, BY COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF DUNCANSVILLE THAT THE WORK WEEK FOR ALL BOROUGH EMPLOYEES WILL START SATURDAY AT 7:00 A.M., AND THAT THE BOROUGH WILL ABIDE BY ALL RULES & REGULATIONS SET FORTH FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES BY THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT.
This Resolution covers each & every employee of the Borough of Duncansville. Council-member David Shaw seconded the motion and with all but one Council-member voting in favor, Resolution #1-08-3 was adopted. President Donald Rabenstein voted against the Resolution.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to appoint Donald Rabenstein to serve a five year term on the Duncansville Municipal Authority. Council-member Joshua Jackson seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Solicitor presented his new fee agreement for the year 2008.
Council-member Herman Beyer made a motion to accept Attorney Michael Emericks new fee schedule, which is $200.00 for each monthly council meeting and $80.00 per hour for the firm’s services. Any out of pocket expenses directly attributable to Client’s matter will be charged to Client at cost, in addition to the firms fees. Council-member Michael Jackson seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Attorney Emerick Thanked Council for re-appointing him.
Council-member Michael Jackson made a motion to accept Ted Koch’s new Engineering Service Agreement at a cost of $90.00 per month for attendance at each regularly scheduled meeting of the Client or the Duncansville Planning Commission. The Engineer shall be compensated in accordance with item “A” above for attendance at any other meetings as may be requested or required by the Client. He also has a schedule of rates and charges for engineering services through 12/31/2009, which are spelled out in his Schedule of Rates. Council-member Herman Beyer seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Ted Koch Thanked Council for re-appointing him.
Discussion was held on Gregg Wertstil of 1504 3rd. Avenue failure to comply with obtaining any permits for work that he has done to his building for over a year.
Council-member Herman Beyer made a motion to have the Solicitor investigate with Commonwealth Code to see what they are doing about all of Gregg Werstil violations. Council-member Michael Jackson seconded the motion. Page 4
Ted discussed Phase II of the CDBG money from the county for an estimated $52,000.00, extending the storm sewer project, which we are already supposed to be
getting money from Phase I $67,000.00 last years money to do the 15th. street part of the project. This would entail doing 13th. Street & 5th. Avenue to the Firehall.
Council-member David Shaw made a motion to authorize Ted Koch to move forward with getting the project application done so he can get it to the Blair County Planning Commission, Craig Soyster on time. Council-member Cynthia Blontz seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Chief Ott reported that a man had backed into the front of the Police Car, to the tune of $1,400.00 & some dollars. Chief Ott had Mike Divelys Auto repair shop fix it and the other mans insurance company paid for it.
He also asked council to appoint Tyler Burchfield to the Duncansville Auxiliary Police. Which will bring the police auxiliary members to ten.
President Donald Rabenstein stated he was leaving the Committees the same except Josh will be chairman of the Fire Committee.
Council-member Cynthia Blontz made a motion to pay the bills for the month and to accept the financial report subject to future audit.
Council-member David Shaw seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
We went into executive session at 8:20PM: The Discussion was on upcoming Litigation. The session was over by 8:30PM.
Council meeting resumed only with no other business to attend to.
President Donald Rabenstein adjourned the meeting was adjourned at 8:35PM.

Sincerely,
Barbara G. Haines
Borough Secty. Treas.