A work session of the Swarthmore Borough Council was called to order on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Present were: President Smythe, Vice-President Jacobs, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Goldfield, Mr. Grove, Ms. Knapp, and Ms. Lewicki. Mayor Lowe was absent. Ms. Jane Billings, Borough Manager, and Mr. Robert Scott, Borough Solicitor, were also present.

PUBLIC COMMENT (FIRST SESSION):

There were no comments from the public.

PRESIDENT:

President Smythe announced that there will be no Work Sessions in July and August; the Legislative Sessions will be held on July 6 and August 9.

ENVIRONMENT:

Ms. Lewicki’s motion to appoint Mr. Don Kennedy to fill the unexpired term of Ms. Julie Hagelin on the Environmental Advisory Council, expiring on January 1, 2013, was seconded by Ms. Knapp and passed unanimously be Borough Council.

FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:

Mr. Jefferson reported that the Committee discussed the following items in May:
• Distribution of excess 2010 pension contribution
• Preliminary spending increases for 2011, including the need to establish a policy on maintenance of an adequate unrestricted Fund Balance
• Tax bases and tax rates

GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES:

Mr. Goldfield noted that the General Government is working with the Finance Committee to develop a strategic plan for future asset allocation in the Non-Uniformed Employee Pension Plan.

PLANNING AND ZONING:

Ms. Knapp reported that the Planning Commission is continuing its discussion of how best to preserve the built character of the Town Center.

PUBLIC SAFETY:

Mr. Jacobs reviewed the following pending ordinances:
• Elimination of Parking on the south side of Dartmouth Avenue between Columbia and Swarthmore Avenues
• Establishment of Procedures and Permitting Processes for Mobility-Impaired On-Street Parking

Mr. Jacobs asked each Council Committee to review the recommendations of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force to see what action items might be feasible. Ms. Knapp asked Council to consider increasing parking meter revenue to help fund some of the proposed improvements.

PUBLIC WORKS, PARKS AND RECREATION:

Mr. Grove reported that the Committee will review the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force recommendations at their next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT (SECOND SESSION):

There were no comments from the public.

EXECUTIVE SESSION/ADJOURNMENT:

The Borough adjourned into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. to discuss personnel issues. The Council meeting resumed at 10:10 a.m. to take the following actions:

Mr. Jefferson’s motion to hire Mr. Pat Harvey and Mr. John McLaughlin from the firm of Ballard Spahr at rates as shown on the attached documents to act as labor counsel for the Borough was seconded by Mr. Goldfield and passed unanimously by Borough Council.

Ms. Lewicki’s motion to hire the HayGroup for the following actuarial studies was seconded by Mr. Jacobs and passed unanimously by Borough Council:

• $1,650 for an updated GASB 43/45 Other Post-Employment Benefit (OPEB) Study.
• $1,550 to determine the cost to the Borough for increased post-retirement medical benefits as requested in the most recent Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Collective Bargaining Agreement proposal.
• $3,600 to determine the cost of reducing the retirement age from 55 to 50, and each year in-between, also as requested in the FOP proposal.



The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.

________________________
Jane C. Billings
Borough Manager