Regular Session of Council

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF GREENVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2006 at 6:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order Council President Longiotti called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Invocation: Rev. David Dobi, First Presbyterian Church Flag Salute 3. Roll Call: Pete Longiotti, Council President David Henderson, Council Vice President Pamela S. Auchter, Councilor Henry M. Mueller, Councilor Theodore E. Jones, Councilor Richard H. Miller, Mayor Robin Douglas, Councilor – absent Jasson Urey, Councilor - excused Also present were Vance E. Oakes, Borough Manager, Joe Joseph, Borough Solicitor 4. Public Comments / Public Participation Resident Kate Yasgur wanted to know the procedures the public can take to vote on the potential sale of the water/sewer system. Solicitor Joseph explained that if council chooses to sell the water/sewer system, they must pass an ordinance. During the time period before the ordinance goes into effect, Mr. Joseph stated that he believed 10% of the registered voters would have to sign a petition asking it be placed on the ballot, and then it gets placed on a referendum for voting. Mayor Miller passed out a copy of the Record Argus edition that showed a picture from the Greenville Christmas parade in 1953. Mr. Ed Loreno spoke about the picture and a brief discussion followed regarding more involvement is needed to work with the Greenville Chamber of Commerce to help plan next year’s Christmas parade. 5. Approval of Minutes Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter that the minutes of the December 13, 2005 regular meeting, and the minutes of the January 3, 2006 re-organizational meeting be accepted as written. Motion approved. 6. Budget Report Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to accept the Budget Report – Fund 01 as presented. Motion approved. 1 7. Mayor’s Correspondence Mayor Miller elaborated on the poor attendance of this past years Christmas parade and hope to get more groups involved in the planning and organization of next years parade. Mayor Miller distributed an article from the Oil City Derrick that explained how the Oil City Code Enforcement office plans to launch a new effort to help property owners “stay on top” of code issues and suggested the Borough Code Enforcement Office do the same type of thing. 8. Council and Mayor’s Report Councilor Urey moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to accept the monthly reports as written. Motion approved. a. Mayor and Police report for December 2005 & yearly report b. Fire Chief’s report for December 2005 c. Treasurer’s report for December 2005 The following reports were placed of file: a. Code Enforcement report for December 2005 & yearly report b. Public Works report for December 2005 c. GALSA minutes for December 12, 2005 9. Reports from Council Committees Council President Longiotti announced and distributed the Council committee appointments. President Longiotti read his committee report from the Greenville Planning Commission meeting he attended on January 6, 2006. He stated that the Planning Commission would like some direction from Borough Council regarding their study of the zoning overlay district. President Longiotti also discussed the Planning Commissions future use of an electronic bulletin board and the possibility of the Borough Council utilizing the same system. Vance Oakes volunteered to do some research through the Borough’s Association to find out what other communities use a bulletin board system and get copies of their rules & regulations for posting items to a bulletin board. Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve the Greenville Planning Commission request to proceed with their study of the zoning overlay district. 2 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Council discussions on the bid proposals for the potential sale of the water/sewer system. Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to table this item to the February 9th work session. Motion approved. President Longiotti suggested the Finance Committee gather information before the February work session. b. Discuss D&L Energy’s request for a natural gas pipeline right of way Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to approve the request from D&L Energy for a natural gas pipeline right of way in Riverside Park. Motion approved. c. Ordinance 1451 – Approving penalty, interest, and attorney fee schedule for work in collecting delinquent accounts Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to authorize the Borough Solicitor to advertise Ordinance 1451 – Approving penalty, interest, and attorney fee schedule for work in collecting delinquent accounts, for adoption at the February 14, 2006 council meeting. Motion approved. 11. NEW BUSINESS a. Kurtanich Engineers & Associates, Inc. recommendation for approval of Change Order 2004-1 #1 for the South High Street Reconstruction Project Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve Kurtanich Engineers recommendation of Change Order 2004-1 #1 for the South High Street Reconstruction Project. Motion approved. b. Kurtanich Engineers & Associates, Inc. recommendation for payment to Combine Construction for the South High Street Reconstruction Project Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve payment to Combine Construction in the amount of $5,472.58 for the South High Street Reconstruction Project. A roll call vote was taken. Councilor Jones No Councilor Auchter Yes Council Vice President Henderson Yes Councilor Mueller Yes Council President Longiotti Yes Motion approved 4-1 3  c. Approval of Housing Rehabilitation Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve Housing Rehabilitation case 06-01 in the amount of $20,540.00. Motion approved. d. Resolution 2006-01 – Tax Anticipation Note with First National Bank Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Jones to adopt Resolution 2006-01 – Tax Anticipation Note with First National Bank in the amount of $250,000.00. Motion approved. e. Approval of a one year contract extension with Reeves Information Technology Councilor Jones moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve a one year extension with Reeves Information Technology for computer/IT support at the existing rate of $900 per month. Motion approved. f. Advertise for a new police cruiser Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to authorize Borough Manager, Vance Oakes to advertise for bids for a new police cruiser. Motion approved. g. 2006 Mercer County Regional Council of Governments joint purchasing Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve the list of the 2006 Mercer Co. Regional Council of Governments joint purchasing of materials and supplies. Motion approved. h. Appointment of Ms. Roberta Leonard to the Greenville Sanitary Authority Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to appoint Ms. Roberta Leonard to the Greenville Sanitary Authority, filling the seat vacated by John Ischo whose term will expire on June 30, 2006. Motion approved. i. Appointment of Mr. Corey Sechler to the Greenville Planning Commission Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to appoint Mr. Corey Sechler to the Greenville Planning Commission for a 4 year term. Motion approved. j. Appointment of Mr. Corey Sechler to the Code Board of Appeals Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to appoint Mr. Corey Sechler to the Code Board of Appeals for a 5 year term. Motion approved. k. Appointment of Mr. Jason Dibble as an alternate on the Greenville Zoning Hearing Board Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to appoint Mr. Jason Dibble to be an alternate on the Greenville Zoning Hearing Board for a 3 year term. Motion approved. 4  l. Re-appoint Mr. Keith Martin to the Zoning Hearing Board Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to re-appoint Mr. Keith Martin to the Zoning Hearing Board for a 3 year term. Motion approved. m. Appoint Ms. Kate Yasgur as Chairperson of the Vacancy Board Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to appoint Ms. Kate Yasgur as Chairperson to the Borough of Greenville Vacancy Board. Motion approved. n. Appoint Mrs. Joanne Price to the Civil Service Commission Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to appoint Mrs. Joanne Price to the Civil Service Commission for a 4 year term. Motion approved. o. Re-appoint Dr. George Criswell to the Civil Service Commission Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to re-appoint Dr. George Criswell to the Civil Service Commission for a 6 year term. Motion approved. p. Per Capita Duplicate exoneration Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve the Greenville Tax Office request for permanent exonerations to Greenville’s Per Capita Duplicate in the amount of $5.00 Motion approved. 12. Council Comments Councilor Jones requested The Record Argus publish the recent council committee appointments. Mr. Jones informed the council that he is planning on putting “something” in the Record Argus on his opinion of the state of the Borough of Greenville and things that have transpired in the past year. Councilor Auchter feels the Council if off to a good start in this New Year and wanted to stress to the public that council will not make any rash decisions on the sale of the water/sewer system and the public will be kept informed during the process. Vice President Henderson congratulated George Pangas on his “victory” on the garbage problem at 134 Plum Street. Mr. Henderson asked what the status was on the newest fire truck. Chief Thompson reported on the repairs. He does not know if the repairs will be more than the truck is worth. There is a possibility the truck may need to go to Canada to be repaired. Chief Thompson said once he gets something in writing, he will provide that information to council. Mr. Henderson questioned the structure at 36 West Main Street and the court order from District Justice Fagley. Vance Oakes asked Solicitor Joseph explain the court order and the ramifications of it. Mr. Joseph stated that the order allows the Borough to raze the building, however the property owner has 30 days to appeal to the Court of Common Pleas. He confirmed nothing can 5 be done until after February 4th. Mr. Joseph said the Borough can lien the property for the cost of razing. A lengthy discussion followed. Council President Longiotti asked for a motion to solicit quotes for the demolition of the structure located at 36 West Main Street. Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to solicit quotes for the demolition of the building located at 36 West Main Street for the February 9th work session. Motion approved. 13. Borough Manager’s Comments Mr. Oakes informed the Council that the Mercer Co. Borough’s Association will be holding their winter meeting on January 26th, reservations due by January 13th. Mr. Oakes asked Council if they wanted to make any adjustment to the 2006 sewer rates due to the Water Authority increasing their rates. Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to approve the Borough Solicitor to draw up and advertise an amendment to Ordinance No. 1449 – Sewer Rental Rates for 2006. Motion approved. Mr. Oakes stated Hempfield Twp. failed to raise their sewer rates effective January 1, 2006 and wishes to negotiate with the Greenville Sanitary Authority for a new intermunicipal agreement to accept and treat their sewage. Hempfield Twp. proposed an agreement over a year ago that the Borough Council rejected. Mr. Oakes stated that this subject will be discussed at the January 18th Greenville Sanitary Authority meeting. 14. Bills for Approval Borough Manager, Vance Oakes, read the bill report for January 10, 2006 Payroll $116,762.64 Traffic Lights $ 633.56 Administration 7,157.75 Street Lights 7,226.09 Tax Expense 2,137.92 Airports 1,550.26 Douglas & Joseph 1,000.00 Park Utilities 3,521.18 Borough Building 2,932.05 Parks Operating 2,322.26 Police Department 19,518.55 Bank Payments 53,847.75 Fire Department 9,436.11 Liability/Comp/Emp. Bond 28,492.55 Code/Zoning/COG 2,276.76 Parking 14.65 Sewer Employee Ben 4,425.47 Ladder Truck 800.00 Street/Pub Works 27,763.86 Sewer Sys. Operating Fund 40,909.39 Total $332,728.80 Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter that the bills be paid as presented. Motion approved. 6 15. Adjournment Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. Motion approved. 16. Press Time Respectfully submitted, Vance E. Oakes Borough Manager/Secretary Borough of Greenville 7