City Council

FORTY FORT BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2020 The June meeting of the Forty Fort Borough council was held on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the Forty Fort Borough Bldg., 1271 Wyoming Ave., with council president, Jeff McLaughlin, presiding. President McLaughlin called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the following council members present: Phil Mertz, Kristy Dadurka, Tom Murray, David Sieminski & Cara Devine. Also present were Solicitor William Finnegan, Mayor Andy Tuzinski, Chief Dan Hunsinger, DPW Foreman, Rick Kamus, Code Officer, Tom Craig & Manager, Bonnie Arnone. Rev. Lukish began with a prayer followed by the pledge of allegiance to the flag led by Mayor Tuzinski. CONSENT AGENDA: A motion to approve the prior month’s minutes and reports was made by Mr. Sieminski and seconded by Mr. Mazza: 5/4/2020 Council meeting minutes April 2020 Code Office report April 2020 Forty Fort Fire Chief Report April 2020 Kingston Fire Chief Report April 2020 Police Chief Report April 2020 Tax Collector Report April 2020 Manager’s Time Sheets 2/18/2020 WVSA meeting minutes April 2020 Treasurer’s Report On the question: Mayor Tuzinski asked Atty. Finnegan to explain what the borough is getting for his $500.00 per month retainer. Atty. Finnegan stated that when he was engaged by the borough for the position of solicitor, council had chosen the higher retainer and lower hourly rate. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion carried. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Police & Fire Committee reported that the police contract negotiations are proceeding well and that a meeting will be held with the police bargaining unit prior to the end of June. The Recreation Committee members reported that they met and have provided council with a list of recommendations for the opening of the pool for the 2020 season with alterations due to COVID 19. Those recommendations are attached herewith as Addendum “A”. COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS: A motion was made by Ms. Devine to pay all bills as presented to council. Second by Ms. Dadurka. President McLaughlin abstained from a vote on the GBM & Kingston Borough bills. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Devine & second by Mr. Mertz to hire the following individuals as lifeguards for the 2020 pool season: Alisa Kuhar, Emma Brown, Leah Dettore, Sophia Ginocchetti, Kenley Golanoski, Olivia Grozio, Hannah Kern, Angelo Lombardo, Olivia Orlando, Greta Walting, Zach Konopke at 8.50 per hr. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Devine and second by Ms. Dadurka to request the Civil Service Commission to update the Civil Service List for Police Officers. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Devine and second by Mr. Murray to supply the Police Department, DPW & Borough Manager & Code Officer with a phone from AT & T’s Fire Net System. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Sieminski and second by Ms. Devine to engage the services of Ameristar, the lowest bidder, for the cleaning and sanitizing of the Borough Bldg. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Motion by Ms. Dadurka and second by Mr. Mertz to run a half page ad in the 6/4/2020 edition of the Citizens Voice newspaper at a cost of $200.00 to announce the re-opening of the Borough Bldg. & other items of interest. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. A letter of interest for a position as an alternate on the Zoning Hearing Board has been received from Debra Craig. After some discussion, council advised that this position should be advertised to seek any resident who may be interested in the position. Council was advised that due to COVID 19 and the fact that the pool’s snack bar will be closed this year, Superior Vending Machine will bring machines in with drinks and snacks. Council opted for taking the commission on each item sold. The machines will be at the pool during that season and then moved out to the park. Council was advised that a shredding event will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020 at a time TBA. This is an event that will be paid for by the Luzerne County Recycling office up to $2,000.00. Residents will be restricted to 3 boxes per person. OLD BUSINESS: The subject of engaging in another one year agreement with West Wyoming Borough DPW activities was tabled to discuss a possible increase in the yearly price. More information will be forthcoming on this topic. Mr. Kamus reported that he has begun the process of treating the softball fields and that the league from Plains, Pa is anxious to begin using it. He also asked for permission to remove a dead tree at the Betty Mascelli park near the Borough garage. He noted that the ADA ramps will be done on Elizabeth St. Mayor Tuzinski reported that due to the recent riots, he is concerned that his department does not have any riot gear. He will obtain a quote for items that he feels would be a good compliment to his department. Mayor Tuzinski asked council to waive the rental fees for the pavilion at the Recreation Fields for the West Side Tech Graduation ceremony on Friday, June 19, 2020. A motion to waive these fees was made by Mr. Mazza and seconded by Ms. Devine. All council was in favor of this motion. Motion passed. Ms. Arnone reported that there is a term deadline approaching for a position on the Planning Commission on July 1, 2020. A letter of interest for this position has been received by a Jeff Oprin. There will be a lifeguard meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 4:00 PM. The 2017 Police Cruiser has been paid off as of this month. Jerry LeMark has reported that he will begin once again soliciting for donations for the Forty Fort park upgrades. Mr. Mertz asked about the Frisbie Golf League to which Mr. Kamus replied that the future of that course is in question due to the fact that the FAA has mandated that the county remove much of the wooded area where the course would have gone due to the proximity of the Forty Fort Airport. With there being no further business to discuss, a motion to adjourn was made by Ms. Devine and seconded by Mr. Murray at 9:00 PM. The next meeting will be a work session which will be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 7:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie Arnone, Borough Manager