Regular Session of Council

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF GREENVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 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. Aland Smith, Hillside Presbyterian Church Flag Salute 3. Roll Call: Pete Longiotti, Council President David Henderson, Council Vice President Pamela Auchter, Councilor Robin Douglas, Councilor Henry M. Mueller, Councilor Theodore E. Jones, Councilor Richard H. Miller, Mayor Jasson Urey, Councilor - absent Also present was Joe Joseph, Borough Solicitor, Ryan T. Eggleston, Borough Manager 4. Public Comments / Public Participation Mr. John McDonald questioned when the Borough would have Tri-County figures he requested. The Borough Manager stated he has been in contact with Tri-County and is waiting for clarification on some items, he would get Mr. McDonald his information as soon as he could. Mr. Ray Bartolo spoke on the Greenville Memorial swimming pool and their future expenses. He presented council members with a listing of items totaling approximately $50,000 that he feels should be considered in the 2007 budget. He understands that GALSA does not have the extra funds and is hoping the Borough will provide the money. Council President Longiotti stated these items would be taken under advisement. Mr. Clifford Harriger thanked the Borough for placing “cross walk” signs on Columbia Avenue in front of East Elementary. 5. Approval of Minutes Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller that the minutes of the August 8, 2006 regular meeting and the August 21, 2006 special meeting be accepted as written. Motion approved. 1  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 6. Budget Report Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to accept the Budget Report – Fund 01 as presented. Motion approved. 7. Mayor’s items Mayor Miller questioned why the Borough was discontinuing mailing out quarterly invoices for parking permits. After a brief explanation by Councilor Douglas, and a suggestion from Councilor Mueller that possibly a yearly invoice could be sent, with the prospect of increasing the cost of a parking permit, it was decided to revisit the subject at the next Street committee meeting. Mayor Miller questioned if the firefighter’s arbitration issue was over, is Borough Council going to consider an ambulance service stressing there are no locally based ambulance services in the borough. He feels if it was run right, it could make revenue for the borough. Council President Longiotti stated even though the arbitration was completed, he will be calling an executive session tonight to discuss further action on the part of the borough. 8. Council reports Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Jones to accept the monthly reports as written. Motion approved. a. Police report for August 2006 b. Fire Chief’s report for August 2006 c. Treasurer’s report for August 2006 The following reports were placed of file: a. Code Enforcement report for August 2006 b. Public Works report for August 2006 c. Department Head meeting report for September 1, 2006 9. Reports from Council Committees Councilor Jones verbally reported the Library Board will begin meetings again, there is a meeting scheduled later in the month. Councilor Auchter verbally reported that the past Water Authority meeting she attended did not have a quorum and no action was taken. Council Vice President Henderson verbally reported on the GALSA meeting. He confirmed the pool is drained and the mowing contracts are not finished yet. No major issues to report. He will submit Mr. Bartolo’s listing of pool needs to the Finance Committee for budget consideration. 2  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 Council President Longiotti verbally reported the Finance Committee met to discuss Streetscape Phase II funds. The Personnel Committee met with representatives from the Greenville/West Salem Police Officers Association and representatives from AFSCME regarding wage re-openers for 2007. The Personnel Committee also discussed Junior Council member appointments. Councilor Mueller verbally reported on the Street Committee. Street Superintendent Paul Boyer questioned the status of the Borough maintenance garage and the status of the guard rail to be placed on South Park Blvd. Mr. Mueller asked the status of the easements for two properties on Davidson Avenue. Borough Manager Eggleston stated he had delivered the easements to the property owners and was waiting for their approval and signatures. Mr. Eggleston had not prepared the easements for the property on Wilbur Street yet. Mr. Mueller reported on the deplorable condition of the Hudson Drive Bridge, pictures were circulated among the council members. After a brief discussion on ownership, Mr. Mueller stated he spoke with Mr. Hittle from Hempfield Twp. who said the bridge is not theirs. Mr. Boyer went to the county courthouse and looked through the road docket and found no information on the bridge. Solicitor Joseph stated the borough could temporally close the bridge if it is going to pose an immediate threat to someone. Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Aucther to close the bridge. Motion approved. No other council committee reports. 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Appointment of 2 Junior Council members Council President Longiotti asked for nominations. Councilor Jones nominated Landis Erwin to be appointed to a 2 year term as a Junior Council member, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson. Motion approved. Councilor Auchter nominated Andrew Woodley to be appointed to a 1 year term as a Junior Council member, seconded by Councilor Mueller. Motion approved. Mayor Miller conducted the swearing in of the Junior Council members. b. Streetscape Phase II Council President Longiotti asked for a special meeting to discuss some new developments. The date and time will be set later in the meeting. 3  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 11. NEW BUSINESS a. Ordinance 1456 – Burning ordinance Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Jones for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1456 – Prohibiting general open burning and allowing certain open burning within the Borough of Greenville. Motion approved. Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Councilor Douglas to adopt Ordinance 1456 – Prohibiting general open burning and allowing certain open burning within the Borough of Greenville. Motion approved. b. Ordinance 1457 – Change in sewer rental rates amending Ordinance 1452 Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to table the first and final reading of Ordinance 1457. Motion approved. Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Vice President Henderson to authorize the Borough Solicitor to develop and advertise and ordinance raising all rates by 5% for adoption at their October 12th meeting. A roll call vote was taken. Councilor Jones No Councilor Auchter Yes Council Vice President Henderson Yes Councilor Douglas Yes Councilor Mueller Yes Council President Longiotti Yes Motion approved 5-1 c. 2007 Minimum Municipal Obligations (MMO’s) for pension plans. Councilor Douglas moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve the Minimum Municipal Obligations for 2007 to the pension plans as presented in the memos by the Borough Manager. Motion approved. d. Transfer of Liquid Fuels funds Councilor Auchter moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve the transfer of $64,356.70 from the Liquid Fuels Fund to the General Fund to reimburse for salt, antiskid, and street light expense. Motion approved. 4  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 e. Taser Use of Force Policy Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve the “Taser Use of Force Policy” as submitted by Chief Stephens of the Greenville/West Salem Police Department. Motion approved. f. Appointment of Ryan T. Eggleston as an alternate voting member of the Shenango Valley MPO Coordinating Committee. Councilor Mueller moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to appoint Ryan T. Eggleston, Borough Manager, as an alternate voting member of the Shenango Valley MPO Coordinating Committee. Motion approved. g. Greenville Tax office request for permanent exonerations to the Per Capita Duplicate Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve the request from the Greenville Tax office for permanent exonerations to the Per Capita duplicate in the amount of $370.00. Motion approved. h. Approve the hiring of a part time crossing guard Councilor Douglas moved, seconded by Council Vice President Henderson to approve the hiring of Angela Small as a part time crossing guard for the Borough contingent upon receiving her approved clearances from the state. Once these clearances are received, she may begin to work. i. Wage re-opener agreement with Greenville/West Salem Police Officers Association and ASFCME. Councilor Douglas moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to approve to ratify the agreement with the Greenville/West Salem Police Officers Association and the American Federal Association of State, County, and Municipal Employees (ASFCME). Effective January 1, 2007, wages shall be increased by the lesser of the CPI for the period of November 2005 to November 2006 or 3% in accordance with Article 164 of the Act 47 Recovery Plan. Motion approved. 5  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 j. Set a date and time for a special council meeting Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to set Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. as the date for a special council meeting. Items for discussion include:  Streetscape Phase II  Bracken Alley  Refuse contract  E.G.&G. agreement for professional services  Keystone Municipal Collections contract renewal Motion approved. 12. Council Comments Council Jones read from a prepared statement regarding the Jr. Council program. After months of preparation, he is delighted to have it come to fruition. He thanked a number of people who helped him establish this program. Council Vice President Henderson welcomed the Ms. Erwin and Mr. Woodley to their new appointment as Jr. Council Persons. Councilor Douglas thanked Councilor Jones for his work in developing the Jr. Council program and asked for clarification on the topics for discussion at the special council meeting. Councilor Mueller thanked Councilor Jones for his work in bringing the Jr. Council program to reality, “job well done” President Longiotti asked the council to study the final report from HRG that was included in their packets regarding the bid proposals for the Borough’s sewer system and water system. He asked the members to be ready to discuss this at the October 5th work session. President Longiotti asked for a motion to accept request from the Greenville Flower & Garden committee to take care of the watering of the flowers and trees on Main Street. Councilor Jones moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller. Motion approved. Newly appointed Jr. Council members wanted to thank the Council for this opportunity to serve their community in this capacity. 13. Borough Manager’s comments Mr. Eggleston welcomed Ms. Erwin & Mr. Woodley to Borough Council. Mr. Eggleston asked the press to please print in their respective papers that a pre-final inspection of Main Street will be on September 22nd and if the public has any complaints or comments to make them known in writing to the Borough office no later than September 20, 2006. 6  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 14. Bills for Approval Borough Manager, Ryan T. Eggleston, read the bill report for September 12, 2006. Payroll $110,988.15 Traffic Lights $ 625.22 Administration 6,083.63 Street Lights 7,029.71 Tax Expense 1,873.74 Airports 874.48 Douglas & Joseph 1,000.00 Park Utilities 1,807.15 Borough Building 891.80 Parks Expense 2,845.79 Police Department 14,919.33 Bank Payments 698.94 Fire Department 10,136.01 Liability/Comp/Emp. Bond 15,211.39 Code/Zoning/COG 4,206.34 Sewer Sys. Operating Fund 94,519.43 Sewer Employee Ben 5,218.33 Parking permit refund 75.00 Street/Pub Works 18,091.85 Railroad Park 32.96 Capital Fund Projects 26,121.45 Total $323,250.70 Councilor Jones moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller that the bills be paid as presented. Motion approved. Councilor Douglas abstained from the vote. 15. Adjournment to Executive Session Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to adjourn the regular meeting to an executive session. Motion approved. 16. Return to Regular meeting Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to return to the regular meeting. Motion approved. President Longiotti asked for a motion regarding the firefighter’s arbitration award. Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller, to pursue the arbitration award to the Common Pleas level. Motion approved. Borough Manager Eggleston wanted to inform the members of a meeting he attended with Penn Dot officials regarding Phase II of the Streetscape Project. During the meeting, Solicitor Joseph questioned whether Phase II needed to be put out to bid or be considered a “change order” as Don Hall, Penn Dot official suggested. Solicitor Joseph felt a $1.7 million project needed to be put out to bid and requested a letter from the State confirming a “change order” was proper. Mr. Eggleston received a call from Mr. Hall this afternoon stating the State would not provide such letter to the Borough. After a lengthily discussion, and some clarification by Solicitor Joseph, President Longiotti confirmed the Borough will obligate the monies at their special meeting on September 26th as well as sign an amended agreement with E.G.&G. for professional services. 7  Greenville Borough Council Meeting minutes of 9-12-06 17. Adjournment Council Vice President Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Auchter to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. Motion approved 18. Press Time Respectfully submitted, Ryan T. Eggleston Borough Secretary Borough of Greenville vh 8