Regular Session of Council

Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 BOROUGH OF GREENVILLE www.greenvilleborough.com MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOROUGH OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Council President Shipley called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Invocation: Pastor Jim Chapin, Living Word Christian Center Flag Salute 3. Roll Call: Brian W. Shipley, Council President Pamela S. Auchter, Council Vice President Thomas D’Alfonso Jr., Councilor Theodore Jones, Councilor Pete Longiotti, Councilor Alfred L. Peden, Councilor Jasson W. Urey, Councilor Peter A. Candela, Mayor James Douglas, Solicitor Also present: Gary Beatty Frank Vanderslice, Tax Collector Becky Candela Dick Craig Staff: Anthony D’Alfonso Steve Thompson, Fire Chief Lucia D’Alfonso Tracey Vale, Treasurer Gail Fay Scott Graubard, Public Services Director Bob Perrotti Don Patterson, Code Officer Joanne Price Nancy Little, Borough Secretary Don Shaw Media: Caleb Stright, Record-Argus Monica Pryts, Herald 4. Public Comments/Public Participation Lucia D’Alfonso, 124 West Main Street, referenced open records requests for information, noting the borough secretary received a raise in January 2011. Council President Shipley responded Ms. D’Alfonso has received correspondence on this issue from the borough solicitor and wages are set by the Finance Committee for inclusion in the proposed budget, which was approved by council. Ms. D’Alfonso replied ‘I’m not understanding what you’re saying to me’. Council President Shipley repeated his response and invited Finance Committee members to 1 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 share their views. Councilor Auchter said historically step increases are written into the budget. Councilor Urey added the borough secretary at hiring was at 80% of the previous secretary wages. Councilor Longiotti, who was chair of the Personnel Committee at the time of hiring, said the borough secretary has also assumed additional responsibilities. Bob Perrotti, 70 Columbia Avenue, suggests Greenville landlords form a group to do their own rental inspections and avoid using the code officer’s time. Council President Shipley responded the Code Committee will consider the proposal. Joanne Price, 76 College Avenue, asked about quarterly financial reports from the borough and YMCA. Council President Shipley responded both the YMCA and the borough have not been forthcoming in producing the reports, noting the YMCA has no issue with information not being provided. The borough solicitor has advised completing one year of the contract and then revisit the contract language if needed. Council President Shipley added an open record request has been fulfilled and it’s up to them if they will accept it. Mrs. Price suggests disregarding the ACT 47 recommendations and tabling the budget so the police and fire personnel wages include a raise. Council President Shipley responded the budget has not been finalized and in order to exit ACT 47 approximately ½ million dollars must be saved. Wages and benefits are a driving force in any budget and salaries are determined through collective bargaining. Gary Beatty, 65 Donation Road, apologized to council for his remarks at last Thursday’s Council Work Session. He thanked council for generously allowing public comments. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion by Councilor Jones, seconded by Councilor Urey, that the September 8, 13, & 28 2011 minutes be approved as written. Motion carried. 6. Budget Report Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to approve the budget report. Motion carried. 7. Bills for Approval Payroll $113,959.20 Administration/Buildings 5,762.76 Tax expense 2,324.55 Douglas and Joseph 1,250.00 Police 21,445.54 Fire 11,747.50 Code, Zoning & COG Department 11,038.30 Streets/Public Works 18,494.46 Airport 1,171.32 Park 3,138.36 Sewer 31,934.49 Total $222,266.48 2 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 Motion by Councilor Longiotti, seconded by Councilor Auchter, that the bills be paid as presented. Motion carried. 8. Mayor’s items Mayor Candela presented council with a copy of a letter he sent to DCED protesting the borough secretary’s wages. 9. September monthly department and staff reports A. Treasurer B. Fire C. Public Works D. Code/Zoning E. Borough Secretary F. YMCA Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the monthly reports as presented. Motion carried. 10. Reports from Council Committees Councilor Jones reported attending both Greenville Area Public Library and Strayhaven meetings. The Library is looking into an electronic sign. Our new Junior Councilor is being installed this evening and a meeting of Farm Market vendors has been scheduled following the season in council chambers on Monday, November 14th from 12-1:30. Councilor Longiotti attended the Canal Museum meeting and the Chamber of Commerce meeting. The Chamber is considering resurrecting the Downtown Merchants Association. Time Warner Access Channel 9 has been off for several weeks but is undergoing repair. A large tree has been donated for Central Park at Christmastime. Councilor Auchter reported the Code Committee has agenda items. Councilor D’Alfonso attended the Railroad Park & Greenville Water Authority meetings. The east side pipe replacement project is in progress. Councilor Peden reported the Street Committee has agenda items. Councilor Urey reported the airport has received the materials for their new roof on the main building and are addressing some minor repairs. Councilor D’Alfonso asked the solicitor about the status of the sale of the old public works garage. Mr. Douglas replied the bidder has not signed the sales contract and he has been given 60 days to respond, with about 40 days passed now. 11. Unfinished Business 3 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 A. Motion by Councilor Jones, seconded by Councilor Urey, to appoint Corey Douglas as junior councilor for 2011-2012. Motion carried. Mayor Candela issued the oath of office. B. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Urey, for a first and final reading of Ordinance 1507 on International Property Maintenance Code. Motion carried. Council President Shipley read the ordinance. C. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Longiotti, to enact Ordinance 1507 on International Property Maintenance Code. Motion carried. D. Motion by Councilor Longiotti, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to enact Resolution 2011-14 on Repeat Offender Violations. Motion carried. E. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Peden, to advertise Code Committee meeting with Greenville Landlords on Thursday, October 27th at 6:00p. Councilor Auchter said council chambers space will not be adequate and requested the meeting be limited to landlords only. Motion carried. 12. New Business A. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the Tax Collector’s report of twelve (12) additions to the Per Capita roll and sixty-six (66) exonerations in the amount of $330.00. Motion carried. B. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Longiotti, to advertise the following board open seats which will expire December 31, 2011: Civil Service Commission – 6 year term Code Appeals Board – 5 year term Greenville Planning Commission – 2 seats – 4 year term Greenville Water Authority – 5 year term Zoning Hearing Board – 3 year term Motion carried. C. Motion by Councilor Longiotti, seconded by Councilor Peden, to accept the recommendation from Street Committee to sell the backhoe. Councilor D’Alfonso asked where the backhoe is now. Mr. Graubard answered at the repair shop owned by Terry Kahle in Knox, PA. Motion carried. D. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Urey, to accept the recommendation from Street Committee to sell the S10 truck. Motion carried. E. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the recommendation from Street Committee to sell old downtown Christmas wreath decorations. Motion carried. F. Motion by Councilor Urey, seconded by Councilor Peden, to enact Resolution 2011- 13 to enter into an Agility Agreement with PennDOT. Motion carried. 4 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 G. Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Jones, to grant the request to plant a tree in memory of Carol Lee Reigleman in Riverside Park. Motion carried. H. There was discussion on reinstituting the Greenville Shade Tree Commission and advertise vacancies. Councilor Urey made the motion, there was no second and he rescinded the motion. Council President Shipley said Mercer Borough Shade Tree Commission has outlived its usefulness and no longer exists. Councilor Auchter thoroughly read the Borough Code. She commented if residents think rental inspections are intrusive, a Shade Tree Commission is endowed with many powers, including denying removal of a diseased tree and approval of planting a new one. The Shade Tree Commission has much control plus costs for studies and/or expenses are paid by the borough. The borough solicitor advises to either dissolve the committee or appoint board members. Councilor Longiotti suggested tabling the matter and defer to incoming council in January. No action taken. I. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Urey, to accept with regret the resignation of Borough Treasurer Tracey Vale effective October 17, 2011. Motion carried. J. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Longiotti, to appoint Tracey Vale as part time Borough Treasurer effective October 18, 2011 and to continue as Interim Borough Secretary. Mayor Candela asked her hourly wage and the reply was $17.30. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor D’Alfonso voting no. K. A motion to accept the recommendation from the Greenville Planning Commission to advertise for suggestions to name West Main Hill gardens was postponed. L. Motion by Councilor Longiotti, seconded by Councilor Urey, to move the next regular council meeting from Tuesday, November 8 to Wednesday, November 9 at 6:30p. Motion carried. M. Council President Shipley announced a Haunted Hayride in Riverside Park on October 27, 28 & 30 to benefit Greenville Memorial Swimming Pool. 13. Council Comments Councilor Jones welcomed Corey as Junior Councilor. Councilors Longiotti thanked Mrs. Vale for her years of service. Councilor Auchter expressed thanks to Mrs. Vale for her hard work. There is pressure to get out of ACT 47, with hard decisions for council. Salary freezes may be harsh, but the alternative is to raise taxes. Councilor Auchter encouraged residents to look at the big picture as council makes tough choices. Questions about the recovery plan should be directed to the ACT 47 coordinator. Councilor Peden wished Mrs. Vale luck and welcomed Corey as Junior Councilor. He agreed with Councilor Auchter, some tough choices are coming, but has to be done. 5 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 10.11.11 Councilor Urey welcomed Corey and thanked Mrs. Vale, a true asset that will be missed. At Thursday’s Work Session it was implied the Public Services Director did not respond to two requests for a meeting. Councilor Urey looked into it and found neither resident left a voice message. One resident was contacted and the problem resolved. The other resident communicated through email that she would make contact with the Public Services Director. Councilor Urey encouraged residents to leave messages for busy borough employees. Council President Shipley welcomed Corey and said Mrs. Vale’s service to the borough has been invaluable. She has seen a lot of changes in the borough, had 4 different borough managers and been responsive to council and the Finance Committee. Council President Shipley reminded council that the 2011 budget was in compliance with ACT 47 recommendations. Changes were with the coordinator’s approval and consent. 14. Adjournment to Executive Session Having no other business before council, motion by Councilor Longiotti, seconded by Councilor Jones, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Tracey Vale Interim Borough Secretary 6