Regular Session of Council

Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 12.08.09 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOROUGH OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 6:30pm 1. Call to Order Council President Longiotti called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Council President Longiotti requested a moment of silence for former Councilor Richard S. Houpt, recently deceased. 2. Invocation: Rev. David Dobi, First Presbyterian Church Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call: Pete Longiotti, Council President Pamela S. Auchter, Vice President David P. Henderson, Councilor Henry M. Mueller, Councilor - excused Alfred L. Peden, Councilor Brian W. Shipley, Councilor Jasson W. Urey, Councilor Richard H. Miller, Mayor Also present: Department Heads: Joe Joseph, Borough Solicitor Dennis Stephens, Police Chief Tracey Vale, Treasurer/Interim Borough Secretary Steve Thompson, Fire Chief Nancy Little, Secretary Scott Graubard, Public Service Director Paul Boyer Diana Miller Pete Candela John Rusnak Anthony D’Alfonso Don Shaw Tom D’Alfonso Frank Vanderslice Ted Jones Kate Yasgur Kris Kantz Steve May Media: John McDonald Caleb Stright, Record-Argus Becky McFadden 4. Public Comments Paul Boyer, 16 Hittle Avenue, asked who is running the day to day borough operations. Council President Longiotti replied Tracey Vale and himself as a liaison between borough employees and council. Mr. Boyer asked why council is denying paying him 2010 vacation time. Council President Longiotti replied Mr. Boyer must submit his request in writing and follow proper procedures in pursuit of this claim. Mr. Boyer requested a copy of the employee handbook. Council President Longiotti again recommended Mr. Boyer follow proper procedures and contact the Personnel Committee. Kate Yasgur, Clinton Street, said two new businesses are opening in the downtown area. Greenville was very fortunate to employ former borough manager Ryan Eggleston. Mrs. Yasgur stated some folks in wheelchairs are using streets instead of the sidewalks. Chief Stephens replied it is not permitted and to call the police station with complaints. Mrs. Yasgur said our local businessman, Mayor Miller and outgoing council members will be missed and thanked them for their service. Becky McFadden, 205 Lynwood Drive, spoke on the community garden project slated for completion in 2010. Mrs. McFadden suggested council go to the Pennsylvania Conservancy website to view other gardens for background on the program. Currently the Women’s Action Group cares for about a dozen small gardens in the downtown area. The Conservancy Greenville contact was former borough manager Ryan Eggleston, as the borough needs to prepare the two proposed areas for the project. The project requires $6,000 over three years. Councilor Auchter remarked this is the first time she heard about needing money. The Pennsylvania Conservancy will direct initial fundraising efforts and no monies will be required from Greenville’s general fund budget. Council President Longiotti asked about the 1 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 12.08.09 time table to sign an agreement with the Conservancy. Mrs. McFadden replied about the time of ground breaking in the spring. Council President Longiotti suggested deferring to the new council in 2010. Councilor Shipley stated in previous action by council the Women’s Action Group would not be displaced in the project. Council Auchter added council recommends Scott Graubard, Public Services Director, be the Greenville contact for the group. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Henderson, that the minutes of the November 10 regular meeting and the November 24, 2009 special meeting be approved. Motion carried. 6. Budget Report Council President Longiotti gave an overview of the budget report. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Urey, to approve the budget report. Motion carried. 7. Mayor’s items Mayor Miller summarized a report of his tenure as mayor. He commented these are different times in town now and it’s not going to get any easier. Local people are collecting pensions and their children have left the area. We need to stay alert. One disturbing trend is the number of borough employees that don’t live in town. About 2/3 of them live outside the borough and that’s not good. At the first elections held 400-500 years before the birth of Christ officials were selected using a basket of feathers. Mayor Miller stated he respects elections and their results, adding it was a pleasure to work with council and Pete Longiotti in particular. The mayor found over time they both are interested in the same thing and lauded Council President Longiotti’s dedication and time put into the borough. 8. Council reports A. Treasurer report for November 2009 B. Fire report for November 2009 C. Public Works report for November 2009 D. Code/Zoning Officer report for November 2009 E. GALSA meeting agenda for December 7, 2009 Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Shipley, to accept the monthly reports as presented. Motion carried. 9. Unfinished Business A. Motion by Councilor Henderson, seconded by Councilor Urey, for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1486 regarding sewer rental rates. Motion carried. B. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Henderson, to enact Ordinance 1486 to amend sewer rental rates commencing January 1, 2010. Motion carried. C. Motion by Councilor Henderson, seconded by Councilor Urey, for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1487 regarding the 2010 General Purposes Tax Rate. Motion carried. D. Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to enact Ordinance 1487 establishing the 2010 General Purposes Tax Rate. Motion carried. E. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Shipley, for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1488 regarding the 2010 General Tax Rate for Indebtedness. Motion carried. F. Motion by Councilor Shipley, seconded by Councilor Henderson, to enact Ordinance 1488 establishing the 2010 General Tax Rate for Indebtedness. Motion carried. G. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Shipley, for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1489 regarding the 2010 Earned Income Tax Rate. Motion carried. 2 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 12.08.09 H. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to enact Ordinance 1489 establishing the 2010 Earned Income Tax Rate. Motion carried. I. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Peden, to award the apparent low bid of $33,876.50 for a snow removal equipment building at the Greenville Municipal Airport to Mark Saeler Construction of Grove City to be paid with grant and airport monies and authorize the Borough Council President to sign a letter of agreement. Motion carried. 10. New Business A. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Urey, to authorize the Police Department to apply for a stimulus grant (with no match) up to $50,000 to reimburse part time officer wages per the recommendation of the ACT 47 coordinator. Motion carried. B. Motion by Councilor Shipley, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the tax collector’s report of 15 additions to the Per Capita roll and 2 exonerations in the amount of $10.00 from the Greenville Tax office. Motion carried. C. Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Auchter, on the recommendation from the Borough Treasurer to transfer $115,700.61 from the PA Liquid Fuels account to the general fund. Motion carried. D. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Henderson, to transfer balance of any and all monies in the general fund checking account over $350,000 (Internal Tan) to the capital fund account as of the end of December. Motion carried. E. Motion by Councilor Shipley, seconded by Councilor Urey, authorizing the Borough Council President to sign Paparone, Stillwaggon & McGill 2009 audit agreement. Motion carried. F. There was discussion on the recommendation by the ACT 47 coordinator to use the Accufund accounting software to facilitate all 2009 borough audits. Councilor Auchter stated the Finance Committee agreed to go live with the new software system on January 1, 2010 and use information recorded in Peachtree for 2009. G. Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Urey, to eliminate one full time position in the Street Department effective at the end of the workday on December 31, 2009. Motion carried. H. Motion by Councilor Shipley, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to approve final agreement to settle Petricini case. Motion carried. I. Motion by Councilor Shipley, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to send a letter of support for Northwest Commission’s application for DCED’s Broadband Outreach and Aggregation Fund. Motion carried. J. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to advertise the 2010 council reorganizational meeting for Monday, January 4, 2010 at 6:30p with the January Work Session to follow. Motion carried. 11. Council Comments Councilor Shipley extended best wishes to Mayor Miller and councilors exiting, adding the mayor encouraged him to run for council. Councilor Auchter thanked all exiting councilors and commented the new council people will have big shoes to fill. The Code Committee met last evening and a brief report was submitted to council. On file. Councilor Henderson advocated paying Mr. Boyer and thanked Tracey Vale for a great job. He said Council President Longiotti’s wisdom, knowledge and background of Greenville was extensive and even when they disagreed on an issue Council President Longiotti’s heart was 3 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 12.08.09 in the right place. Councilor Henderson also enjoyed serving with former councilors Houpt, Scott Forbes and Preston Snyder. He closed by commending department heads for adapting to computer use and working together on the budget. Councilor Peden praised council for getting along better and has enjoyed knowing exiting council members. Councilor Urey thanked exiting council members for their service and is looking forward to working with the new members of council. He also thanked borough employees for their service. Council President Longiotti thanked the people of Greenville for electing him and thanked his peers on council for electing him president. Mayor Miller announced Council President Longiotti attended 85 council meetings and never missed one meeting. Mrs. Little led a round of applause. 12. Bills for Approval Payroll $125,877.64 Administration/Buildings 8,586.62 Tax Expense 8,460.72 Douglas and Joseph 1,250.00 Police 15,213.02 Fire 12,552.14 Code, Zoning & COG Department 1,158.19 Streets/Public Works 18,643.40 Streetscape II 23,417.63 Airport 1,218.52 Park 4,453.09 Bond Administration Fee 750.00 Sewer System Operating Fund 21,651.78 Capital Fund Project 64,633.58 Total $307,866.33 Motion by Councilor Henderson, seconded by Councilor Urey, that the bills be paid as presented. Motion carried. 13. Adjournment Having no other business before council, motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Peden, to adjourn at 7:16pm. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Vale Interim Borough Secretary 4