City Council

The Regular Monthly Meeting of Dupont Borough Council was called to order at 7:00pm on Tuesday evening, August 8, 2023 by President of Council Stanley Knick Jr. Pledge of Allegiance ROLL CALL: Mr. Knick – Present Mr. Kowalczyk – Present Mr. Karkut – Present Mr. Price – Present Mr. Jones – Present Mayor Elaine Lello - Present MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 11, 2023 REGULAR MEETING AND PLACE ON FILE Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF TWO ADVERTISED SPECIAL MEETINGS AND PLACE ON FILE: (1) Dupont/Pittston Twp. QH Meeting Held June 29th and (2) Dupont/Hughestown Meeting Held July 5th Motion: Mr. Karkut Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CORRESPONDENCE PRESENTED. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE BILLS FOR PAYMENT Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPOINT THE PART TIME POLICE OFFICERS FROM AUGUST 8, 2023 TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WITH NO GUARANTEE OF WORK: Bryan Besecker, Duane Saunders, Jennifer Polemitis, Christopher Fargione, Michael Sniscak, Thomas Ruschak, John Tamburello. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Price Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. REPORTS: Treasurer’s Report: submitted by Albert B. Melone Co., Business Consultants General Fund - $178,129.06 Payroll Fund - $ 2,717.29 ARPA Fund - $104,697.28 Computer Grant - $ 99,861.00 Refuse Fund - $129,138.04 Sewer Maintenance Fund - $352,017.40 Liquid Fuels - $241,559.89 Police Pension Fund - $1.109,295.74 Special Fund - $127,437.63 Tax Collector’s Report: submitted by Susan Gregory, Tax Collector Month of July Balance Collectable Beginning of Month - $24,962.70 Less Face Collections for the Month - $2,774.35 Balance Collectable End of Month - $22,188.35 Plus Penalties - $277.43 Check received $3051.78 and deposited into General Fund. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Elaine Lello reminded residents of the monthly food drive and the need for volunteers. Also hopes that we can solve all our problems here tonight. Police Report: Chief Doran reported the following for July: criminal arrests-2; traffic citations issued-28; appearances in county court-3; appearances in magisterial court-5; motor vehicle accidents-12; assist to ems/fire-7; assist to other police dept. – 13; alarms-1; thefts-1; disorderly conduct-3; domestic reports-2; suspicious activity-2; assault/harassment-5; drug offense-1; miscellaneous calls-27; building checks-72; code enforcement notice-25; vehicle mileage: car 1-F150 (46,189); Car #2 Explorer (18,099); Car #3 Explorer (15,874); Magistrate Fines Collected $812.43. Solicitor’s Report: None Engineer’s Report: Bob Naegele reported the following: (1) Florence/Heidi Collins Creek Bank Stabilization - A while back we met with residents and a representative from DEP and borough officials about bank stabilization on Collins Creek and we have received two prices back. Arena and Stell. The low price was from Stell. Stell is working with the Growing Greener Grant on the other side of town. We emailed DEP who is administering that grant to see if they would do a change order to cover those costs. We did not hear back yet. As far as the Growing Greener work they are making good progress. We have had a few rain days that slowed them down. They are still waiting for the inlet boxes, once they are in they will flop over to the inlet work if the channel has too much water. (2) LSA Playground Grant – Motion tonight. The contractor George Ely Associates did work in Township and Patty and Stan toured the project and discussed issues they had; (3) H20 Grant Multiscape – Waiting on Multiscape to wrap things up. They have been quiet lately and I spoke with Patty about putting pressure on them to finish. They are owed a substantial amount of money so I am not sure why they are not working. (4) Quail Hill project bids is being opened tonight. Code Enforcement Report: Joey Jones gave the report from Officer Tamburello as follows: 25 Notice of Violations were issued this month, 1 Stop Work Order for no permit displayed or unsafe work, 6 Citations were filed at the magistrate. There are 27 open cases with time given at this time. Unfit for Habitation stickers came in this month. So any ambulance or fire departments called and feel the house is unsafe to live in, we have the stickers now. The rental inspections will start to pick up again this week. We will send reminder letters out to those that did not respond to the first letter they received. If they don’t respond, they will be cited. Joey reminded residents the box is out in the foyer for residents to submit code enforcement complaints. The email for the officer is listed on the form and he works Thursdays and Fridays. Lou Posly asked for a report on who was cited. Stan and Joey noted no names or addresses can be discussed. What about the amount of penalty involved with this. Joey stated there are six citations. People are cleaning up. Residents are complying and overall residents like what is being done. Lou asked why the code enforcement officer is not here and when will he be here. Stan said it is not necessary for him to come in, we have his report. Crime Watch Report - July meeting included discussion on what is happening in town with the officer that was present. The next meeting is August 29th and the speaker will be Representative James Haddock to talk about the State and what his part is in Harrisburg. Bob hopes for good attendance. Council President’s Report: Trash – 62.68 tons, Comingle – 5.4 tons; Cardboard – 9.37 tons. Compost meeting will be held September 6th at 6 pm. The F550 is back at City Line for repairs. Stan advised we will be putting the old packer out for bid and open bids next meeting. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS. Motion: Mr. Karkut Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO OPEN, READ AND AWARD THE BIDS FOR THE QUAIL HILL PAVING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT THROUGH PENNDOT MULTIMODAL GRANT Before the vote: Lou Posly asked where this goes from Avoca down to Rt. 11. Stan stated all the streets in Dupont and Pittston Township in Quail Hill that have already been developed. Lou asked where is it from. Stan said it has nothing to do with Avoca. Lou said Avoca and Dupont is together there. Stan said ok it is from the Avoca line. Lou said he doesn’t know what is there. Patty referred to the drawings in the back of the room on the table. Mark and Pina explained it is quail hill road, Cambridge drive, Ivy and Whitman. Lou stated there are roads in Dupont that need to be done too is what he is trying to get at. Stan stated that is the next thing going out for bids in Dupont. One step at a time. There are two projects, one is quail hill and the other is the streets in Dupont. Bob Naegele explained Quail Hill does not have any ADA Ramps. The grant for Borough streets includes ADA ramps. Mark stated this grant is specific to Quail Hill. We are working on the other streets. Motion: Mr. Price Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. American Asphalt - $ 476,650.00 Addendum #1 acknowledged Bid Bond Present Pennsy Supply - $624,054.00 Addendum #1 acknowledged Bid Bond Present Pina asked if these bids are for the roads and some of the swales. Stan said a couple of the swales. Roads will be same width just getting fixed. Pina asked if this is for the whole development? Bob Naegele explained full pave for the whole development, base repair where deteriorated pave, leveling course and 1 ½ top. So 3 inches. Fix bad spots. Cleaning ditches from undeveloped area at the intersection all the way done, because they were not maintained. Installing new pipes, new inlets, new under drains, new ditches, in certain flat areas. Tom Titton asked if Center Street is going to be paved. Stan explained that is under the other grant. There are two grants, this one is specific to quail hill, the other one is for borough streets. Lou Posly asked how much were each of the grants. Patty stated $716,000 for quail hill and $763,000 for borough streets. Keith Baran asked if the $716,000 is not used what happens. Stan explained we can request a change order to see if other streets can be done. But it is not guaranteed. We at first thought we would have to put money into the project in addition to the grant funds. MOTION TO AWARD THE QH PROJECT TO AMERICAN ASPHALT PER BID AMOUNT $476,650.00 AFTER REVIEW BY ENGINEER AND CONTINGENT ON PENNDOT SIGNING OFF Motion: Mr. Karkut Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE $5,000 DONATION TOWARD VETERAN MONUMENT PROJECT FOR BOROUGH LAWN (funds from Class Action Suit Revenue) Motion: Mr. Price Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION APPROVING GEORGE ELY ASSOCIATES FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND PRM INSTALLATION (Costars) FOR PLAYGROUND GRANT $45,875 Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION APPROVING SUBMITTAL OF FORMAL LETTER TO DCED/CFA REQUESTING CHANGE OF SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE VETERAN MONUMENT GRANT $15,000 Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. Lou Posly asked what is the motion about. Stan explained the Veteran Monument Project. Mark explained the grant was for $15,000 for a permanent monument engraved with the names of the Veterans from Dupont who made the ultimate sacrifice. The project includes moving existing monuments. I’m working on setting a paver ribbon with engraved bricks for all Veterans. It is a DCED grant and Patty had to rewrite it because they are specific on dates, suppliers etc. Lou asked who is designing the monument. The monument shop has a plan. Stan added about the pavers for all Veterans. Mark said 12 x 12 square, $150 for paver and engraving and installation. There will be more lighting around the monuments. The monument will have the names of those that were on the white crosses. MOTION APPROVING 2024 MMO AMOUNT $2340 AND STANLEY KNICK COUNCIL PRESIDENT, CAO FOR THE NON UNIFORM PENSION PLAN Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Price Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION APPROVING 2024 MMO AMOUNT $0 AND STANLEY KNICK COUNCIL PRESIDENT, CAO FOR POLICE PENSION PLAN Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Price Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. MOTION TO APPROVE THE FINAL PAYMENT TO PIONEER CONSTRUCTION FOR THE ADA RAMP PROEJCT $16,858.80 ($8,231.30 OCD Grant and $8,627.50 ARPA Fund) Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, yes; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 5/0. Matters from Residents: Keith Baran – Asking for a waiver for code enforcement fees for 327 McLean Street and 401 McLean Street. My wife and I just sold two properties. The closing should be September 15th. They were told as is. The contractor told me not to do any work. They will do all the repairs. He has been trying to meet with code enforcement officer and understands he is on duty tomorrow. The code officer is telling him to make repairs, the contractor is telling him not to. Stan advised Ketih to meet the code enforcement officer and update him on what is going on. Pina Hansen – Missed last meeting, can you explain the meeting with Hughestown and Dupont with regard to emergency services proposal. Stan talked about the meeting and asked Joey to explain. Joey stated basically it is a trail period for the months of November and December. Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm we lack volunteers due to other obligations. This would be one week we would have a paid driver in Dupont 8 to 4 and the next week Hughestown 8 to 4. It will not be a full time position. One week they will use Dupont apparatus to cover calls in Dupont and Hughestown and the other week Hughestown apparatus. One week Dupont will pay, the other Hughestown will pay. If it works out it will be for the year in 2024 costing the borough approximately $20,000. Pina asked if this was what Chief Don Hudzinski was discussing. Stan explained that was for more than one town, but we will start small and see how it goes. Joey added they will also be helping with rental inspections. Secondly, Pina asked the engineer to explain the project in quail hill again – Bob explained digout and replace base, level course of 1 to 2 inches of blacktop, then smooth coat, top coat 1.5 inches. Some areas are mill and repave. Pina stated the main artery of the development is quail hill. That will get most of the work. Secondly, with regard to code enforcement, does he go by complaints only? Joey stated no he patrols. Pina asked that he not forget quail hill. Third, with regard to the swales in quail hill why are the builders not being help responsible for cleaning them up as part of the stormwater drainage plan that is handed to them. Bob Naegle address the one on Ivy Lane, which Pina referred to as her house. it is filled with topsoil that eroded from the property and filled in the swale. That one should be cleaned out by the developer or the home builder. Part of it is they are under a NPDES permit with DEP and the Conservation District. Patty and Bob discussed this. He feels the enforcement should come from DEP because they have more jurisdiction and authority. If we get a letter from those guys, and Pina noted she calls them monthly, including DEP, EPA, Matt Cartwright and Mr. Haddock. Pina said the builder needs to be held responsible. He needs to fix the drainage issues. Bob added they will not be able to closeout their permit. Each property owner had to sign on that permit. They should not be able to closeout the permit. DEP is strictly erosion control. Pina is waiting three years. Bob can certainly assist in drafting a letter if Council wants to. They are responsible for restoring what is there. They have pictures of what was there. Lou Posly – Asked if Stan called Mike Carroll about the jake brakes for Interstate 81. Stan stated he has a call into him but Mike did not get back to him. Lou stated from last meeting it sounded like you have a direct line to him. Stan stated he is busy with the collapse in Philadelphia, but he will get back to me. Lou asked Stan what exactly he will ask Mike Carroll. Stan said he will tell Mike Carroll that Lou wants something done because the jake brakes are too loud on 81 by his house. Lou said not only me, other people were here. Lou said he did complain to Mike Carroll. Stan talked about the noise study that was done. Lou noted he called Rep. Haddock. Noise is a problematic issue with health concerns. There are studies done about noise and how it affects the human body. Mayor Elaine addressed Mr. Posly – Somethings cannot be corrected. You live by a major highway, I live by a major highway. You are closer. We live by an airport. How are we going to stop this noise. Do you think the jake brake issue is Harrisburgs’ biggest concern right now. You have construction going through Dunmore.. Lou is asking are you telling me my concerns do not matter. Elaine stated it is not that it doesn’t matter it is just not on top of the list. Stan said he lives right near the train tracks. We will look into this. Keith Baran- You are upgrading the roads in quail hill are there lots for sale in quail hill. Pina noted not in the first phase. The development is for sale for phases 2 and 3. Stan said the roads will be the problems of whoever buys the development. Keith asked if that is in Dupont. Stan said some are in Dupont, some in Pittston Township. Keith was concerned that we are paving roads that will help the developer sell the lots for more. Pina said the developer is no longer is responsible or in charge of the development anymore. A judge is. Pina Hansen – Asked who is responsible to put something on the ballot for the election requesting something be done in town. Is it a resident or does the resident bring it to council and council brings it to Luzerne County. Stan said that is a good question, he has no answer. Erik said he would have to look into it. Pina said for the next election she feels it should be on the ballet asking residents whether they want to pay their taxes at the borough or down at the county. Keith said you may need a petition with so many signatures. Stan said he will look into it. Pina stated she received a copy of the audit. She requested a copy of the audit for the tax collector. Stan has no knowledge. She will call the election bureau. Matters from Council: Mark Kowalczyk - Lock your cars. It has been a problem, but it seems to be more often. There was a lot of cars broken into in his neighborhood. It seems it is on an increase. Chief Doran discussed this issue. With no other business or comments, the meeting adjourned at 8 pm. Respectfully submitted, Approved Patricia McDonald Stanley Knick, Jr. Secretary Council President