Financial Advisory Committee Minutes

May 24th, 7:30 PM

NBB Admin Office (45 Keeley Ave)

Call to Order

• The meeting was begun at 7:35PM.

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

• Members Present: Frank Lombardo (Committee Chair), Joseph Borek, John Wolff
• Members Not Present: Lara La Sala, Art Conover
• Others Present: Sam Bryant (Borough Manager/Treasurer, Committee Secretary), Jeffrey Gilmore (Council Liaison)

Minutes Approval

• Mr. Wolff motioned to approve the April 2016 Minutes.  Mr. Borek seconded the motion.  The motion passed, with all members present voting in favor.

Unfinished Business – Committee Outreach

• Mr. Bryant noted that there had been outreach at this point to every Borough Committee, except Parks, which had been assigned to Ms. La Sala.  Mr. Gilmore volunteered to meet with the Parks Committee.  Mr. Lombardo noted he was working to find a time to meet with the Borough Camp Director to discuss his capital needs.
• Mr. Bryant provided the Committee with the capital plan information from the Police Chief and noted he would input it into the draft 5 Year Strategic Plan.
• In reviewing the Draft Plan, it was recommended Mr. Bryant create a reference page to help explain any legal background on each line item, such as that Earned Income Tax is capped for the municipality at 0.5%.  Mr. Bryant was also asked by Mr. Borek to clarify any acronyms in the budget.
• Mr. Bryant stated he would make the requested changes, and asked the other members to start getting actual numbers from their respective Boards/Committees.

Unfinished Business – Grant Opportunities and Corporate Sponsorship

• Mr. Bryant noted that many groups in the Borough had expressed interest in a capital campaign, including the Civic Association and Community and Business Committee.  The Bird Town Committee had just sent out a donation request letter to Borough businesses.
• Mr. Gilmore gave an overview of the strategy for the Civic Association Capital Campaign.  Mr. Lombardo asked if a consultant was being used, to which Mr. Gilmore replied he had reached out to someone who works with the Doylestown Hospital system in that function.
• Mr. Borek noted that any capital campaign done in the Borough should be done in partnership with other initiatives, to avoid resident and business fatigue.
• Sponsorship opportunities, such as the Civic Association events, the 4th of July Parade, and other municipal initiatives were discussed.  Mr. Wolff advised against trying rent the meeting room, as he has had many maintenance issues in Hatfield Township.  In addition, cell towers, utility programs and single hauler trash collectors were discussed.  Mr. Lombardo noted he could look into finding a sponsor for the Business Incubator.
• Mr. Bryant noted the Borough did not receive the CDBG grant it applied for Phase 2 of Burkart Hall.  The Borough is working on grant applications for Sewage Facilities for the 537 Plan and a TreeVitalize Grant for the parks, but neither would have matches that would negatively impact the budget.  The Borough is also researching the RACP grant program.

Unfinished Business – 2017 Budget

• Mr. Bryant noted that he had lunch with Mr. Conover the week prior, and that he was interested in updating the chart of accounts.

New Business – Tax Collector

• Mr. Bryant noted issues the Borough has had with the Elected Tax Collector, such as late reports, resident complaints, and a millage calculation problem.
• Mr. Bryant sent information to the Borough Solicitor to check the legality of hiring a private collection firm.
• Mr. Wolff motioned that the Financial Advisory Committee send a letter to Borough Council supporting the hire of a private collection firm, if it is found legally acceptable.  Mr. Borek seconded the motion. The motion passed with all members present voting in favor.

Adjournment

• Having no further business, Mr. Borek made a motion to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Wolff.  The motion passed with all members present voting in favor.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:14PM.