Regular Session of Council

Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 BOROUGH OF GREENVILLE www.greenvilleborough.com MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOROUGH OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS Tuesday, July 09, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Brian W. Shipley, Council President 2. Invocation: Pastor Jim Chapin, Living Word Christian Center Flag Salute led by Councilor Alfred Peden 3. Roll Call: Brian W. Shipley, Council President Pamela S. Auchter, Council Vice President Theodore E. Jones, Council President Pro Tempore Anthony D’Alfonso, Councilor Kateri Linn, Councilor Alfred L. Peden, Councilor Donald B. Shaw, Councilor Joshua Stephens, Mayor Jasson W. Urey, Borough Manager James E. Douglas, J. D., Esquire, Douglas, Joseph & Olson, Solicitor – excused Also present: Frank Vanderslice Amy Hollowell Audra Amos Robert Stuver Vicki McClimans Linda Zuschlag Erin Gaspari Tracy Mohr Janet Truay Beth Schuffert Deb Barwell Mary Ann Reeher Philip Moore Amber Poteet Vivian Gearhart Becky Candela Peter Candela Laura Leskovac Josh Leskovac Joanne Price Michael McLaughlin Paul Molton Pete Longiotti Staff: Media: Steve Thompson, Fire Chief Caleb Stright, Record-Argus David Hetrick, Financial Assistant Megan Heathcote, Administrative Assistant Lyle Huffman, Director of Public Services Denny Stephens, Police Chief 1 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 4. Public Comments Joanne Price, College Avenue, spoke on the minutes not having enough information. She also spoke on the Public Safety Director position. Becky Candella, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Gary Gearhart, N. Race Street, said the fireworks and Heritage Days were the best Greenville has ever seen. He also spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Susan Fry, Wilbur Street, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Linda Zuschlag, Lancaster Avenue, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Peter Candella, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Mike Curtisson, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Laura Leskovac, E. Greenville Drive, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Josh Leskovac, E. Greenville Drive, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Vivian Gearhart, N. Race Street, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Amy Hollowell, Ridgeway Avenue, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Beth Schuffert, N. Maysville Road, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Chad Sankey, Alhambra Place, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position and the fire truck. Erin Gaspari, N. Main Street, spoke on matters concerning the Public Safety Director position. Audra Amos, E. Craig, spoke on matters concerning the fire truck. 5. Approval of Minutes Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Shaw, that the June 11, 2013 minutes be approved as written. Motion carried. 6. Approval of Budget Report Motion by Councilor Jones, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to approve the monthly budget report. Mr. Urey pointed out that we usually make two bond payments every year; one in May and one in December. Since we refunded the bond we only have to make one payment at the end 2 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 of December. Mr. Hetrick has encumbered that payment so that it does not throw the monthly budget reports off. Motion carried. 7. Bills for Approval Payroll $131,661.13 Administration 67,910.97 Police 16,237.55 Fire 11,009.45 Code 2,562.67 Public Works 13,402.57 Park 5,003.48 Sewer 56,737.17 Total $304,524.99 Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried. 8. Approval of department and staff reports A. Code – June B. Financials – June C. Police – May D. Fire – June Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the monthly reports as presented. Motion carried. 9. Mayor report Mayor Stephens thanked everyone involved this weekend with the fireworks and Heritage Days. He was glad that it brought people back to town from out of state. 10. Council Committee reports Councilor Jones reported that Strayhaven had a successful fundraiser at Tractor Supply. The Farmers Market is starting to attract more vendors and the farm market manager replaced their sign that was stolen at no cost to the Borough. Councilor Shaw reported that the Water Authority is still working on the east side line replacement project. They have used 33,000’ of pipe except for 120’ on Plum Street, which is all underground and should be done relatively soon. He added that there was a sinkhole on Third Avenue which was a result of a water leak; SET has fixed the line and the sink hole. Councilor Shaw said that it was a defective joint not a defective pipe so there was no added cost to the Authority. He said that the line up S. Main Street and up Third Avenue to the pump station will be hooked up tomorrow. Councilor Shaw said that they are still working on lawn repairs and damaged sidewalks and that they are making progress. Councilor Auchter reported that the Sanitary Authority meeting this month has been canceled. 3 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 Councilor D’Alfonso reported that he received another resume for the Junior Councilor program so there will be three applicants to choose from next month. 11. Unfinished Business A. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Jones, to appoint Linda Zuschlag to the Water Authority Board to fill the vacant seat that expires on December 31, 2016. Motion carried. B. Motion by Councilor Jones, seconded by Councilor D’Alfonso, to accept the recommendation from the Borough Manager on utilization of the Baughman Trust bequest for tree maintenance at Riverside Park. Motion carried. 12. New Business A. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Linn, to accept the Tax Collector’s report of forty eight (48) additions to the Per Capita roll and six (6) permanent exonerations in the amount of $30.00 from the Greenville tax office. Motion carried. B. Motion by Councilor D’Alfonso, seconded by Councilor Peden, to approve the request from the Greenville Railroad Park to build an addition on to the current gift ship contingent on their compliance with all applicable building requirements. Motion carried. C. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor Shaw, to authorize Borough Council President to sign agreement with the Municipal Authority for settlement of outstanding sewer fees owed by Thiel College. Motion carried. D. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Peden, to accept the recommendation from the Finance Committee to pay the remaining balance owed on the street sweeper in the amount of $51,754.95 from the Capital Reserve Fund. Motion carried. E. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to accept the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to create the position of Public Safety Director and adopt the job description in accordance with the Act 47 Recovery Plan. Councilor Jones said that he is opposed to the position and that it is like mixing apples with oranges. He added that it’s not possible with one person. Councilor Jones said that he is in favor of saving money but not at the cost of public safety. Councilor D’Alfonso said he will be voting no on the position, adding he doesn’t see how one person can run both departments. He added that public safety should not be looked at monetarily. Councilor Peden agreed with what Councilor Jones and Councilor D’Alfonso were saying but he said that Council is not hiring anyone. He added that all we are doing is looking at it and in six months it might get thrown out the window. Mayor Stephens said that he has heard everyone’s comments. He added that Council is not firing anyone, but just exploring their options. Councilor Auchter said that it is not uncommon to throw a new position out there, fishing for capabilities to see what’s realistic, adding that there will be more discussion in time when they make a decision. Councilor Shaw said that you need to ask a question to get an answer if it is practical. He said they need to get the information, read about it, and see what is available. 4 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 Councilor Jones added that we may be extremely lucky to get a fully qualified candidate one time but when they leave, we probably won’t be so lucky two times in a row. A roll call vote was taken: Councilor Jones No Councilor Shaw Yes Councilor Auchter Yes Councilor Linn No Councilor Peden Yes Councilor D’Alfonso No Council President Shipley Yes Motion carried, 4-3. F. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to advertise the Public Safety Director position. A roll call vote was taken: Councilor Jones No Councilor Shaw Yes Councilor Auchter Yes Councilor Linn No Councilor Peden Yes Councilor D’Alfonso No Council President Shipley Yes Motion carried, 4-3. G. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Jones, to send a letter to DCED requesting technical assistance to complete a regional fire study at no cost to the borough. Motion carried. H. Motion by Councilor Peden, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to terminate Code Enforcement Officer, Don Patterson’s employment with the Borough effective June 19, 2013. Motion carried. I. Motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to approve the job description of the Code Enforcement Officer. Motion carried. J. Motion by Councilor Auchter, seconded by Councilor D’Alfonso, to advertise the vacant Code Enforcement Officer position. Motion carried. 13. Council Comments Councilor Jones stated that he was glad the fireworks and Heritage Days went well and that he is proud of Greenville. He added that Mayor Stephens and Megan Heathcote look good on TV. Councilor Shaw applauded the 175th Anniversary and the Heritage Days Committees for all their time and efforts. Councilor Auchter stated that the past weekend was a job well done and that she saw a lot of out of state plates over the weekend. 5 Borough of Greenville Council Minutes 07-09-13 Councilor Peden stated that several people said that the past weekend made Greenville look good. He added that they are not going to fire anyone and that everything will be explained before it happens in reference to the Public Safety Director position. 14. Mayor’s Comments Mayor Stephens thanked Council and the Borough for their donation towards the fireworks. He added that Greenville has the best police and fire department around. Mayor Stephens also added that what we need to do is make cuts to the budget. 15. Council President Comments President Shipley had no comments. 16. Borough Manager Comments Mr. Urey had no comments. 17. Adjournment to Executive Session Having no other business before council, motion by Councilor Jones, seconded by Councilor Auchter, to adjourn the meeting to executive session to discuss personnel matters at 8:31pm. Motion carried. 18. Adjournment from Executive Session Motion by Councilor Aucther, seconded by Councilor Linn, to adjourn from executive session at 9:10pm. Motion carried. 19. Adjournment Having no other business before council, motion by Councilor Shaw, seconded by Councilor Peden, to adjourn the meeting at 9:11pm. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Jasson W. Urey Borough Manager/Secretary 6