City Council

Forty Fort Borough Council Meeting Minutes December 5, 2016 Call to Order The gavel strike of President of Council, Jeffrey McLaughlin, called tonight’s meeting to order. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance Reverend Lukish led those present in prayer and Mayor Andy Tuzinski led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call President Jeffrey McLaughlin ordered Roll Call. Members in attendance were: President, Jeffrey McLaughlin, Dominic Butchko, Deborah Troy, Amy Craig, Tom Murray, Rick Kamus and Frank Michaels. Borough Mayor, Andy Tuzinski, Chief of Police Daniel Hunsinger, Borough Manager, Bonnie Arnone, Borough Secretary Brandy Fuller, Borough Solicitor, Jack Haley and Borough Engineer Representative of Quad 3, Rich Kresge. Visitors numbered 10, and two members of the press were present. President McLaughlin confirmed a quorum. Consent Agenda for Administrative Issues Matters listed within the Consent Agenda have been referred to members of the Borough Council for reading and study, are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion of the Council. If separate discussion is desired, the item may be removed from the Consent Agenda by Council action. The Resolutions listed below were submitted to the Borough Council for review and will be adopted by one motion. 1. Motion to approve the minutes so the regular council meeting of November 7, 2016 2. Motion to approve the minutes of the work session of November 21, 2016 3. Motion to approve the October 2016 Treasurer’s report 4. Motion to pay all bills 5. Motion to accept the minutes and reports of the following: A. Police Department B. Kingston Fire Department C. Forty Fort Fire Chief D. Civil Service Commission meeting minutes E. Manager’s time sheets – 11/9/16, 11/23/16, 12/7/16 F. WVSA meeting minutes G. Code Enforcement Report H. Shade Tree commission meeting minutes Correspondence: 1. Atty. Coslett letter – Dana elementary Center parking issues 2. David Sieminski letter of interest for council position 3. EPCAMR letter 4. Luzerne County letter 5. PENDOT letter re: Dennison and Murray Sts. Stop sign request 6. Phil Mertz letter of interest for council position 7. Robert Swaback letter of interest for council position 8. SWIF letter of saving 5% off WC policy A motion was made by Rick Kamus to accept the Consent Agenda and seconded by Tom Murray. All were in Favor. Motion passed. Report of Chief of Police and Mayor The Chief of Police stated that an application for a Part time Police Officer was submitted by Kim Byczek. He feels that hiring her would bring the Part time officers up to par, being the compliment is 5 and we now have 4. A motion was made by Rick Kamus to accept the hire of Kim Byczek for Part time Police Officer. Frank Michaels seconded. All were in favor. Motion passed. The Chief reported that they conducted a roving check point patrol, and there were no DUI’s. The Police Department is also assisting the Back Mountain Association by collecting gently worn Coats. The Bin is located in the hallway of the Borough Building. The Mayor would like to report that Forty Fort Borough found unclaimed funds from 1997 which totaled approximately $3800. We are also under budget for the government building expenses by approximately $7000. The Boroughs’ Christmas decorations can be paid for by the new found money, and be of no expense to taxpayers. Students from the Career Tech Center will be delivering the new 2017 Recycle Calendars. Looking towards the future in replacing the Crown Vic Police Car, the Mayor requested Donating the Crown Vic to the West Side Tech Law enforcement program, due to most likely not making a profit if sold. A motion was made by Tom Murray to donate the Crown Vic Police Car to the West Side Tech Law enforcement program. Deborah Troy seconded. All were in favor. Motion passed. Families of Forty Fort Park donated the money to buy the Menorah for the park. A lighting ceremony will be held on December 24th. The Pavilion in the park is $15,000 short for concrete padding. Ed Kopec from the Kingston Rotary is working on grants for this project. The 3rd annual Turkey Trot went well, and the idea of having a Pavilion Run to raise money to finish the Pavilion are in discussion. Sunday December 11, 2016 from 1-3 PM is the West Side Santa Parade. The Parade will run from the Forty Fort Airport to the Park, where pictures with Santa can be taken. Also, cookies and Hot Chocolate will be served. Report of Borough Manager There was no report for the Borough Manager this month. Report of Borough Engineer Streetscape Project for Rutter Avenue (Possibly to include River Street) A project narrative and schematic layout was forwarded to Mr. Robert Kretschmer at PennDOT for his review and in hope of him setting up a meeting with the Department to further review this project for general acceptability. We received a message back that he will discuss the project and the reduction of lane widths with his District Executive within the next few weeks. When he meets again with him. Richard Kresge also met with Bonnie to develop a project narrative and benefits write up to include with the LSA grant application. No parking zone posting on River Street As discussed previously, a provision within PennDOT Publication 46, permits the characterization of this section of road as meeting local roadway criteria, exempting the Borough from having to perform the sturdy as originally anticipated. Forty Fort Borough was to request a meeting with PennDOT representatives to determine the path forward, in order to determine if a speed limit study and H.O.P. revisions will be necessary. A meeting date has not yet been established. Paving Project Work The project is complete with exception of completing closeout punch list items and the completion of East Turner Street, which was added to the project due to available remaining funds. At this time, East Turner Street has been excavated with final paving scheduled for the coming week, weather permitting. Note soft spots in the sub base have been revealed upon removal of the existing pavement surface. Quad 3 will recommend over excavation and structural backfill for these unsuitable areas. Wesley Street Wesley Street has been constructed, and an application for payment has been received from the Contractor in the amount of 100% of the contract amount. The application has been authorized and forwarded to Forty Fort. A simultaneous substantial and final inspection was completed on Wednesday, November 16 with representatives of the Borough, the Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority, Quad 3 and the Contractor (Pennsy Supply, Inc.). Remaining construction items include removal of paving debris from stormwater inlets and filling of their utility valve boxes at the Wyoming Avenue intersection. Welles Street Right-of-way Sanitary Sewer Lateral locations Quad 3 investigated the ownership of Welles Street, we believe it to be Forty Fort Borough owned, although it’s supposedly a Federal aid highway. The right-of-way width is 50’ wide at least on either end (Wyoming Avenue and Rutter Avenue ends). Our review of the sanitary sewer video indicated no lateral exists at the vacant lot where a new residential structure is being considered for development. A lateral connection exists for the parent tract however. Residents and Taxpayers Comments and Petitions Rob Swabeck of 15 Susquehanna Ave voiced his concerns over the gateway project on Rutter Ave. He feels narrowing the road would not be safe, due to a few accidents that has happened recently. He also questioned the no parking signs on River Street. He was advised that the Borough is awaiting the report from PennDOT. Sheri Cruz of 1142 Wyoming Ave voiced her concerns over her new business she is trying to get up and running, Sip and Silk. She just wanted the Borough to know that she is doing everything that she is supposed to do, and working with the Borough in whatever way is needed. She understands there are neighbors blocking her, and has applied for a variance. General Business Consent Agenda 1. 2017 Tax Ordinance and Sewer Ordinance Amendment There are no changes 2. Wesley St. paving – pay request #1 for $140,000.00 A motion was made to approve the General Business Consent Agenda by Rick Kamus and seconded by Frank Michaels. All were in favor. Motion passed. General Business Agenda 1. 2017 Budget The 2017 Budget has been advertised. A motion was made by Tom Murray to pass the Budget. Frank Michaels seconded. All were in favor. Motion passed. 2. Resignation of Joseph Lynch from Civil Service Commission Frank Michaels made a motion to accept the resignation of Joe Lynch from the Civil Service Commission. Deborah Troy seconded. All were in favor. Motion passed. 3. Donation request from the FF Business and Professional Assoc. A motion to donate $200.00 to the FF Business and Professional Assoc. was made by Frank Michaels. Seconded by Rick Kamus. Dominic Butchko stated, no. The rest of council were in favor. Motion passed 6-1. 4. Resignation of Rick Kamus from Council Motion was passed by Frank Michaels to accept the resignation from Council of Rick Kamus effective 1/1/2017. Seconded by Deborah Troy. All were in favor. Motion passed. New Business and Open Discussion 1. Phone Quotes – Frontier- Pure Edge –Verizon More information will be coming for next month’s meeting. 2. Health Ins. Premiums New premiums will be contingent upon approval of the bargaining units. 3. Forty Fort Lions Club helping the needy Forty Fort Lions Club are packing food baskets on the Saturday before Christmas. If anyone would like to help, contact Theo’s Metro. Executive Session The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM to go into Executive Session to discuss: 1. Personnel issues The meeting reconvened at 9:30 PM. Motion by Mr. Michaels to approve the employment agreement for the working supervisor of the Department of Public Works between Forty Fort Borough and Charles Rick Kamus effective January 1, 2017. Second by Mr. Murray. Roll call vote showed the following: YES: Ms. Troy, Ms. Craig, Mr. Murray & Mr. McLaughlin NO: Mr. Butchko **Note** Mr. Kamus was not present for the executive session or the vote of this motion. Mr. Butcko asked that it be noted that the reason for his NO vote was because of last minute negotiations on the employment agreement. Motion passed 4-1 Motion by Mr. Michaels to accept the health insurance quotes from One Source contingent on the acceptance of the bargaining units. Second by Mr. Murray. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Troy and seconded by Mr. Butchko at 9:36 PM. All were in favor. The next meeting will be a work session held on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted by, Brandy Fuller Secretary/Treasurer