For the upcoming Mayor & Council meeting on October 12th at 7pm, we're watching several items that are on the agenda released Saturday evening.

For public hearings, residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions prior to the adoption of these ordinances. Council meetings take place at Borough Hall at 325 N Main Street at 7pm.

Things we're watching Monday:

Re-introduction of Failed Rustic Mall Bond Ordinance First Read

At the last meeting, a bond ordinance, #2026-1349, was introduced to "AUTHORIZE THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY (BY PURCHASE OR EMINENT DOMAIN) FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES" in the amount of $1,025,000. The vote failed on introduction, which we covered here. This item is being reintroduced on Monday.

Ordinance Public Hearings & Final Adoptions

The last council meeting introduced several bond ordinances totaling $1,207,500. They are recapped below, and public hearings will take place Monday prior to a final vote.

Delayed public hearings that were originally scheduled for the last meeting, but were moved to October 12th, include an Ordinance authorizing the borough to acquire 4.0738 acres of the Rustic Mall using various methods of acquisition. The other delayed public hearing involves rental registration fees.

Rustic Mall

Ordinance #2026-1345 is regarding the Rustic Mall. The ordinance is to authorize the Borough being "desirous of developing new public facilities" to acquire 4.0738 acres of the former Rustic Mall area for "a public purpose".

The ordinance outlines that the method of acquisition may be through "good faith negotiations with the owner of the Property" or via condemnation.

The Borough hired an appraiser who appraised the 4.0738 acres they wish to acquire in the amount of $1,018,450.

4.0738 acres is roughly one-third of the Rustic Mall property. We covered this ordinance in detail here.

Rental Registration Fees

Ordinance #2026-1346 is in regard to rental registration fees. This ordinance will change the fee structure charged to property owners who rent apartments or homes. The fees are changing from $150 for the first rental and $50 for each additional unit in a building to a flat rate of $150 per rental, per building. This will be an increase of $100 per unit for each rental unit after the first one.

Capital Ordinance

Ordinance 2026-1352 - Appropriates $280,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to support the Borough's 2026 Capital Plan.

This ordinance uses existing capital in the Borough's budget, and the funding is already allocated. It does not create any additional bonds or debts.

$15,000: "A. Police Equipment including tasers, vests, radar and related equipment"
$60,000: "B. Buildings & Grounds Annual Major Building Repairs"
$30,000: "C. Department of Public Works Equipment and supplies"
$150,000: "D. Engineering Engineering work related to various road projects"
$25,000: "E. Recreation Memorial pool bathroom/ roof repairs; Lincoln Park baseball field lighting, other park improvements"

Bond Ordinance Public Hearings & Final Adoptions

There are three bond ordinances with a total of $1,207,500 for public hearing and final adoption on Monday. In simple terms, a bond is a loan that the borough will use for a specific purpose. Here are the bond ordinances being presented for final adoption:

#2026-1348: $549,000

"THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES, INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT"

This bond ordinance is broad, and covers several items. From police weapons to purchasing vehicles, to DPW acquiring a new leaf truck, to paving various lots in town, this ordinance would cover the expenditures of various items needed by the Borough.

#2026-1350: $260,000

"AUTHORIZE THE UNDERTAKING OF STREAM BANK STABILIZATION AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS ALONG THE ROYCE BROOK DUE TO DAMAGE FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA"

This bond ordinance will cover costs associated with two grants targeting Colorado Avenue and the American Legion. These additional costs appear to be associated with awarded FEMA grants for damages caused by Hurricane Ida in these two areas which have not yet been repaired.

#2026-1351: $398,500

"AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS"

This bond ordinance would authorize the additional costs associated with a grant to install an ADA ramp at Vermont Avenue and 13th Avenue. This is the “slope” of land at the end of Vermont avenue which is frequently used by children walking to school to go from the lower level of the Southside and cross at the railroad tracks at 13th Avenue. ($37,500)

This bond will also cover costs associated with a grant to improve pedestrian safety on 13th Avenue, as well as some stormwater improvements. ($261,000)

This bond will also cover the installation of speed humps and radar speed signs, with the locations currently unknown. ($100,000)

What's Next?

Residents with concerns regarding the final adoption of the Rustic Mall acquisition ordinance, rental registration ordinance, bond ordinances, or capital plan ordinance should attend the council meeting on Monday at 7pm to ask questions and voice concerns that they may have.

It is unclear why the failed Rustic Mall $1.025M bond ordinance is being reintroduced for first read, as it failed at the last meeting. If the first read were to pass on this second attempt, it is presumed the public hearing would be on November 9th.

ManvilleToday will report what the final votes are on these ordinances, as well if the Rustic Mall bond ordinance passes first read on a second attempt.