City Council

BOROUGH OF CLARKS SUMMIT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MAY 3, 2023 The May 2023 Borough Meeting was conducted on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 7:00 P.M. The meeting is usually held in Borough Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, 304 South State Street, Borough of Clarks Summit, County of Lackawanna and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Council members in attendance were Ms. Gerrie Carey, Mr. Frank Besten, Ms. Roni Lopez, Ms. Kathleen Simrell, Mr. Robert Sheils, Mr. David Jenkins, Mr. Joshua Mitchell, Mayor Harry Kelly, Solicitor Hayes, and Borough Manager Ms. Virginia Kehoe. MEDITATION: President Carey PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: President Carey PROCLAMATION: Officer Mike Frezzolini Mayor Kelly Mike Frezzolini was recognized for his retirement from the Clarks Summit as a part timer. CLARKS SUMMIT FIRE CO. – Mike Lukas re: EMA President Carey 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: President Carey Roni Lopez made the first motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Kathleen Simrell, vote was 7-0. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: President Carey N/A 3. PUBLIC COMMENT & INPUT: President Carey 4. POLICE REPORT: Mayor Kelly 5. BIDS & QUOTATIONS: President Carey Vote on paving bid: David Jenkins made the first motion to award the paving bid, seconded by Roni Lopez, vote was 7-0. Open trash bids: The only bid received was from J.P. Mascaro. Ms. Kehoe stated that that there will be a town hall later in the month where questions can be discussed and answered. Ms. Kehoe reviewed the bid and the options with council. The vote is scheduled for May 31, 2023. Sam Augustine from J.P. Mascaro spoke to council. He stated that they have served Clarks Summit for many years. Covid caused a tremendous disruption. Very difficult keeping workers to pick up the garbage. The prices were stable from 2010-2019. Labor pricing has gone through the roof. The increase in the cost is due to the price of keeping the workers paid more than ever. The landfill costs also went up. Page 1 of 3  Council went into an executive session Council came back from an executive session. Joe O’Brien stated that the borough has a police officer against whom there are at least 2 legal proceedings pending; based on the current status and communications he would recommend that council consider a motion continuing the suspension against him (Nelson Morales) until the legal proceedings are over. David Jenkins made a motion to the above statement, seconded by Roni Lopez, the vote was 7-0. 6. BOROUGH TREASURER’S REPORT: April 2023 President Carey Josh Mitchell made the first motion to approve the treasurer’s report, seconded by David Jenkins, vote was 7-0. 7. VENDOR PAYMENTS TO BE RATIFIED: April 2023 President Carey Josh Mitchell made the first motion to pay the bills, seconded by David Jenkins, vote was 7-0. 8. OLD BUSINESS: President Carey Sewer Report – April CDBG Monies: There is support for the Community center; Hillside Park or handicapped accessible bleachers for Abington Heights football field. Council discussed a building in the borough that has been empty and has become an issue. Josh Mitchell thinks they should explore the needs of the community center at Hillside Park. LNG Opinion: David Jenkins made the first motion to approve the letter, seconded by Roni Lopez, vote was 6-0-1, with Bob Sheils abstaining. The amended statement includes not using the Clarks Summit Borough as the letterhead, change the wording. 9. NEW BUSINESS: President Carey • Re 10. SOLICITORS REPORT 11. CORRESPONDENCE: • PennDOT – parking along N State St: Ms. Kehoe stated that PennDOT is asking for a part of North State Street, particularly in front of 315 North State Street to be a no parking area, there is a lot of damage to the road in that area. We would need to amend our ordinance with Solicitor Hayes to reflect no parking in that area. Josh Mitchell asked why this part of the road is in such Page 2 of 3  disrepair? Ms. Kehoe would ask the engineer to look at this. This is a state road, but the borough controls the parking ordinance. • Parlo: A resident called asking to take a look into the borough’s budget. Ms. Kehoe asked if council is comfortable with the budget being put on our website. Ms. Kehoe stated that she would look into a company that would provide services for the website. Bob Sheils made the first motion to put this information on the website including the budget, minutes, agendas for the last 12 months, seconded by David Jenkins, vote was 7-0. Ms. Kehoe stated that the county would like to see the stormwater controls consolidated through a regional organization rather than each municipality handling it separately. This was initiated by Scranton. They feel that there is a cost savings for each participant. They are requesting to come to the worksession. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS: President Carey • Prior- April 26, 2023 Contracts • During- N/A – Personnel executive session during the meeting • Subsequent- May 31, 2023 Contracts ADJOURN RECESS (Reconvene 5/31 for vote on trash contract before Work Session): President Carey Page 3 of 3