City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 5, 2017 The June meeting of the Forty Fort Borough council was held on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Forty Fort Borough Bldg., 1271 Wyoming Ave., with President Jeff McLaughlin presiding. President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following council members present: Deborah Troy, Amy Craig, Thomas Murray, Ted Ritsick and David Sieminski. Dominic Butchko was absent. Also present were Atty. William Finnegan, Mayor Andy Tuzinski, Chief Dan Hunsinger, DPW Supervisor, Rick Kamus and Manager, Bonnie Arnone. Reverend Lukish began with an invocation which was followed by the pledge of allegiance to the Flag. RESIDENTS AND TAXPAYERS COMMENTS AND PETITIONS: Brian Thomas, 1124 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort asked about the progress of the pool renovations. He stated that council should consider doing a capital campaign to raise funds for the restoration rather than have the cost borne by the residents. Mr. McLaughlin stated that the engineers were currently working on preparing bed specs for the renovations which will be completed with a $200,000.00 grant received through LSA. Chris Decker, 69 E. Pettebone St., Forty Fort spoke to council about an ongoing problem on their street in which a nearby neighbor has opened his home to undesirable individuals. Over the past weekend, a drug overdose occurred in a vehicle in front of this home. He feels certain that there is drug activity going on at this home. Bob Stanley, 58 E. Pettebone St., Forty Fort echoed the same statements as Mr. Decker saying that while the owner of the home was a good neighbor, the people staying with him and visiting him were bring a bad element to the otherwise, quiet neighborhood. Donald Ide, 40 E. Pettebone St., Forty Fort stated that there has been increased police activity over the past few months at this home and they fear for the safety of nearby residents. Mr. Ide also asked about the recent increased LCTA bus activity on their street. Mayor Tuzinski stated that he will speak with their director to discuss that matter. Jim Gates, 52 E. Pettebone St., Forty Fort is the owner of the property in question. Mr. Gates stated that he does take in homeless individuals and people down on their luck, thinking that he is doing the right thing. He stated that after these recent situations, he has advised these individuals that they are no longer welcome in his home. Mayor Tuzinski and Chief Hunsinger both implored the neighbors to call 9-1-1 whenever they see anything remotely suspicious and have an officer report to the location. Chief Hunsinger stated that he has instructed his force to make several random visits to this area as well. CONSENT AGENDA FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES: Motion by Mr. Ritsick to approve and accept the consent agenda which includes the following minutes and reports. Second by Mr. Sieminski. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Approve the minutes of the May 1, 2017 council meeting. Approve the minutes of the May 15, 2017 council work session. Approve the April 2017 Treasurer’s report. Approve payment of all bills as presented. Approve the minutes and reports of the following: Police Dept. Report, Kingston Fire Chief Report, Forty Fort Volunteer Fire Chief Report, Code Enforcement Report, Engineer’s Report, Borough Manager Time Sheets, Safety Committee meeting minutes, Shade Tree Commission meeting minutes, Civil Service Commission Meeting Minutes, WVSA Meeting minutes. Correspondence from Luzerne County regarding levee repairs. A thank you letter from West Side Technical School for the donation of our old police cruiser. MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF: Chief Hunsinger reported that the new police cruiser purchased with the 2016 LSA Grant had arrived. This vehicle is equipped with the Registration recognition system which will be used to verify vehicles registration status. He would like to have a story done once the vehicle goes into operation with council present for a photo. He reported that they have received two applications for the position of police officer with interviews forthcoming. Mayor Tuzinski stated that he has received positive feedback on the paving projects that our street department has undertaken. Currently, paving is being started on West Pettebone St. where milling began today. Residents will be asked to cooperate with the moving of their vehicles once paving begins. A tentative date of Thursday, June 8th, 2017 is set for that. BOROUGH MANAGER REPORT: Manager, Bonnie Arnone, reported that the pool had it’s opening day on Saturday, June 3, 2017 with a closure on Sunday due to inclement weather. The hours for the pool will be reduced for the next two weeks due to lifeguard availability. Finance committee members, Tom Murray, Jeff McLaughlin & Ted Ritsick were reminded of the budget seminar in Clarks Summit on Thursday, June 8th, 2017 beginning at 8:30 AM. A DCED multi modal grant will be applied for with plans for the completion of the River St. curbing and lighting work along with the Rutter Ave. Gateway project work that had been submitted but denied for a 2016 LSA Grant. The award of $350,000.00 for the River St. curbing work will be used as a match for this Multi Modal Grant. With regards to the pool, it has been determined that the borough is currently expending more than $500.00 each day to run the pool due to water & chemical loss through a leak that cannot be detected. Council discussed at great length this situation and made a difficult decision to close the pool at this time to investigate the problem. Originally, the pool renovations were due to begin at the close of the 2017 season. This development may see the project begin sooner. Council will be kept updated on this situation. Motion by Mr. Ritsick to close the Forty Fort Pool upon determination of the examination of the leak. Second by Mr. Sieminski. All council was in favor of this situation. Motion passed. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS: Motion by Amy Craig to hire the following additional lifeguards for the 2017 season: Olivia Grozio, Ana Maria Pac, Alisa Kuhar and Emily Feifer. Second by Mr. Murray. On the question: These lifeguards were hired since the May meeting where the rest of the lifeguards were voted upon for hire. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Sieminski to adopt Ordinance #3 of 2017, the Shade Tree Ordinance Amendment. Second by Ms. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Troy to adopt Ordinance #4 of 2017 approving the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement with WVSA for creation and implementation of a storm water management program. Second by Mr. Sieminski. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Murray to adopt Ordinance #5 of 2017 adopting and approving an amendment to the articles of incorporation of WVSA to provide a storm water program. Second by Ms. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Ritsick to advertise the Forty Fort Borough Rental Ordinance. Second by Ms. Craig. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. McLaughlin stated that he spoke with Mr. DeReemer form WVW school district about the possibility of the borough applying for an LSA Grant on behalf of the school District and in particular the Dana Elementary Center to construct a drop off and pick up area in the lot across from the Dana Elementary School. This will benefit the residents, and improve the safety of students and teachers alike. A letter was received from DCNR regarding the placement of the borough DPW Salt Shed on the property which had previously received federal monies for park rehabilitation following the 1972 Agnes Flood. The letter will be given to Atty. Finnegan for examination. At this time, 8:18 PM, council adjourned to Executive Session to discuss the following: - Possible litigation regarding contractor performance on the USDA Paving Project - Fire Department personnel issues with regard to Civil Service Council re-convened from Executive Session at 9:15 PM. With no further business to discuss, motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Craig and seconded by Mr. Murray. The next meeting will be a work session on Monday, June 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone, Manager