City Council

The Regular Monthly Meeting of Dupont Borough Council was called to order at 6:00pm on Tuesday evening, March 14, 2024 by President of Council Stanley Knick. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call: Mr. Knick, Present Mr. Kowalczyk, Present Mr. Karkut, Present Mr. Price, arrived at 6:30pm Mr. Jones, Present Mayor Lello, Present (Note: no tape for first half of meeting) MOTION TO ADOPT THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 9, 2024 REGULAR MEETING AND PLACE ON FILE. Motion: Mr. Karkut Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CORRESPONDENCE. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. 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, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO APPOINT THE PART TIME POLICE OFFICERS FROM MARCH 12, 2024 TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL WITH NO GUARANTEE OF WORK: Bryan Besecker, Duane Saunders, Jennifer Polemitis, Christopher Fargione, Michael Sniscak. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. REPORTS: Treasurer’s Report: General Fund - $64,232.65 Payroll Fund - $$8,495.49 ARPA Fund - $96,186.16 Admin Debit Card - $ 132.77 Police Debit Card - $243.93 Refuse Fund - $181,185.30 Sewer Maintenance Fund - $328,470.56 Liquid Fuels - $282,525.97 Police Pension Fund - $1,082,758.23 Special Fund - $128,002.98 Patty also noted a motion on the floor tonight regarding closing out the Multiscape and Stell projects using funds from the ARPA account and the Special Fund account. Once those projects are closed out, the following balances will remain: Current ARPA is 96,186.16 Multiscape is $45,000 pmt and Stell is $31,186.16 LEAVING A BALANCE OF $20,000. Current Special Fund is $128,002.98 Multiscape is $23,320.27 and Stell is $26,407.84 for growing greener project and a previously approved budget for paving everhart and almond of $30,000 leaving a balance of $48,274.87. Tax Collector’s Report: Check deposited into the general fund in the amount of $34,918.66 as part of the February report. Balance collectable beginning of month was 244,418.43 and end of month – 208,787.15. Mayor’s Report: Addressed the issue of the refuse bags being too heavy. She was just told that the glass bottles can be put out in a separate box or bin on Mondays alongside the refuse bag, rather than be included in the bag which adds to the weight. Police Report: Chief Doran read the February statistical report as follows: Criminal arrests-2, traffic citations issued-67, non traffic citations issued-2, appearances in county court- 12, appearances in magisterial court-14, motor vehicle accidents-9, assist to ems/fire-15, assist to other police dept-14, thefts-5, vandalism-4, disorderly conduct-3, pfa violations-2, domestic reports-9, suspicious activity-10, drug offense-1, miscellaneous calls-46, building checks-35, code enforcement notice-12. Vehicle Mileage: F150-54,077; Car #2 23,700; Car # 3 – 21,744. Magistrate Fines - $1,825.58. Fire Department Report: Chief Don Hudzinski read the following report for February: Total incidents-11; Paid staff responses-1; Volunteer responses-10; Fire alarm-3, motor vehicle accident-5, rubbish fire-1, EMS Assist-1, Investigation-1. Jurisdiction: Dupont-4; Hughestown-4, Avoca-2, PA Turnpike-1. Solicitor’s Report: None Engineer’s Report: Bob provided a set of preliminary drawings for council review of the paving project. Also noted prior to the meeting he met on Gill Street and Walnut Street with residents and Council member Mark Kowalczyk to discuss drainage issues. Noted the Multiscape and Stell projects are complete and ready to be closed out. The growing greener project still needs DEP approval. As far as the Quail Hill project, a meeting is suggested between Pittston Township and Dupont to discuss the remaining funds and work on the shoulders as per concerns of the residents at a prior council meeting. There are minimal punch list items to be addressed once weather permits, nothing to do with paving. The issue with paving is the plant opening. Usually the plants open around April 15th for Penndot approved material. As far as adding streets to the borough paving grant project, Bob and Mike reviewed the additional Patty sent and feel it should be a separate project, the quantities warrant a separate project through liquid fuels. Code Enforcement: Joseph Jones reported the following: 12 notice of violations, 7 rental inspections, 1 unfit for habitation, 2 cases closed due to compliance, our officer has had several court cases which resulted in extensions to get things done. The rental inspections will increase this month with the fire department helping out. Council President: Trash – 59.82 tons; 5.64 comingle; paper 10.10 tons. Bucket Truck – 1091 miles Wednesday it goes in for recall on the strobe light. 6500 – 545 miles Mack Dump Truck – 4,865 need appointment for recall notice Mack Packer – 4,226 – need appointment for recall notice Backhoe – 785.3 hours Roller – 348 hours 3500 Dump – 9,714 miles Recycler – 42,564 miles Green Pickup – 7,695 miles F550 – Down at Key Ford, Cat converter is 350% full, should be replaced over 200%. They will try to clean out 2-3 hours labor – They called back that it still is 200% full and the filter needs to be replaced. Total estimate is $8500. We will have to fix it and then decide whether to keep it or trade it on something else. MOTION TO ACCEPT THE REPORTS. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION APPROVING BELARSKI ALLEY FOR ALLEY NAME BETWEEN EVERHART AND LACKAWANNA FROM WALNUT TO SPRUCE (Mark asked the history of it, Joe Karkut suggested alley not Belarski Street due to GPS) Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION APPROVING CLOSING OUT GROWING GREENER AND H20 GRANTS TO STELL AND MULTISCAPE OUTSIDE THE GRANT BALANCES USING SPECIAL FUND AND ARPA FUND AS LISTED ON ATTACHED SPREADSHEET Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION APPROVING NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER SIGN ON BRIDGE STREET WITH INSTERSECTION OF MAIN STREET Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION APPROVING DMG DESIGN MGT. GROUP AND NICHOLAS REUTHER, PE FOR HOSE COMPANY PROJECT PER THEIR PROPOSAL AND PROCEED WITH BIDDING OUT PROJECT Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO PREPARE BID SPECS FOR POLE BUILDING PROJECT AND ADVERTISE. Lou Posly asked questions about size and cost. Discussion on cost, size, location, what it includes and the grant amount were asked and answered. Mark talked about recessing it into the hill and the cost for excavation and retaining wall, electric, plumbing for bathroom. Stan noted it will be used by DPW employees instead of using the borough building for bathroom, and in the building while police have someone downstairs. Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Jones Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO PREPARE BID SPECS FOR PAVING PROJECT AND ADVERTISE. Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BID SPECS FOR BASEKETBALL COURT AND POCKETPARK PROJECT AS WELL AS WALK TRAIL PROJECT Motion: Mr. Kowalczyk Second: Mr. Karkut Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. MOTION TO AMEND RESOLUTION 10 OF 2023 TO LSA STATEWIDE GRANT AND SUBMIT TO CFA Motion: Mr. Jones Second: Mr. Kowalczyk Roll Call Vote: Mr. Knick, yes; Mr. Kowalczyk, yes; Mr. Karkut, yes; Mr. Price, Absent; Mr. Jones, yes. Motion Carried 4/0. Matters from Residents: Lou Posly – Last month brought up safety of town with immigrants. Police Chief said it is under control. Secondly, paving of Lidy Road area to Hill Street. Donna – Requested Council place signs in the field behind the highrise where she resides reminding pet owners of the leash law and to clean up after their pets. Also Donna noted she picks up trash around the neighborhood and was told by the housing she cannot put it in their dumpster. She was told she can dispose of it in the dumpster at the little league or behind the borough building. Mr. Morganson, Everhart Street - Nuisance and health concerns due to the church bells ringing every hour. He will provide Council with the information he obtained from the State. Matters from Mayor and Council: Mark Kowalczyk - Lions Club Park Cleanup March 16th and March 23rd. He has been at the park getting it ready for the new mulch. There were several areas that needed leveling and tree root removal. Asked residents to be patient until it is ready to open, noting that the weather is getting nicer but the park has to be cleaned and set for the new mulch for safety reasons before it can open. It will be open before Easter. Bob Price - Noted the cleanup on the 16th and 23rd starts at 9 am. Volunteers are needed to spread the new mulch. Bring rakes and come out to help get the park ready. Also noted the next meeting of the Crime Watch is March 26th at 7 pm here in the chambers. Joe Karkut - Happy Easter. Mayor Lello - Food drive this month is being held a week earlier due to the holiday. It will be March 21st at 11:00am. As far as the cleanup, mentioned that residents should bring their children or grandchildren to be involved in the cleanup. Donna noted she will be there. Bob Price – Also mentioned anyone looking to get community service hours for school or confirmation can show up and bring their paperwork. He will sign the papers noting the amount of hours spent on community service. Mark Kowalczyk – Agreed that grandchildren should participate in the cleanup event. Lunch will be provided. Stan Knick – noted several inquiries received about the park being closed with the nicer weather days, but stressed in its current condition it is a liability. With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm. Unanimous vote. Respectfully submitted, Adopted and Approved Patricia McDonald Stanley Knick Borough Secretary Council Preisdent