Special Session of Council

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF GREENVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Council President Longiotti called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Flag Salute: 3. Roll Call: Pete Longiotti, Council President David Henderson, Vice President Pamela Auchter, Councilor Theodore Jones, Councilor Henry Mueller, Councilor Joanne Price, Councilor Jasson Urey, Councilor Landis Erwin, Jr. Councilor - absent James Ingley, Jr. Councilor – absent Richard H. Miller, Mayor Also present was Ryan T. Eggleston, Borough Manager 4. Public Comments/Public Participation Robert Perrotti asked the councilors how much of a financial loss was there because of no one knowing about the fund balance account. He believes that money could have been used for things in the past 2-3 years. John McDonald referred to an article in the Record Argus about the fund balance account and asked each councilor to explain how they individually contributed to the accumulated $1.1 million fund balance. Mr. McDonald expressed he wanted to give credit where credit was due. A resident asked where the street sweeper has been and would like her street swept. Borough Manager Eggleston asked to speak to her after the meeting to get her address and follow up on her request. 1  Greenville Borough Council Meeting Minutes – December 27, 2007 5. New Business a. Discuss and act on the following tax ordinances:  Ordinance 1474 – Tax rate for General Purposes for 2008  Ordinance 1475 – Tax rate for Indebtedness for 2008 President Longiotti stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss and act on the two tax ordinances. Mr. Longiotti explained the first and final reading of these ordinances was done at the regular meeting of December 11, 2007 and unanimously adopted at that time. Mayor Miller sent the Borough Manager and members of council a veto message on December 20, 2007 and are now required to again discuss and act on them. Councilor Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Mueller to override the Mayor veto on Ordinance 1474 and Ordinance 1475. Mayor Miller asked to speak to the motion. He read from Section 1007 of the borough code, Subsection C. Mr. Miller stressed his veto message be entered into the minutes of this meeting and mentioned Councilor Jones never received a copy of his veto message. As Mr. Miller passed out a copy of his veto message to the councilors, he declared his “testimony” and even attendance at the special council meeting of November 20, 2007 was not mentioned in the minutes of that meeting. This was an incorrect statement when in fact the approved minutes of that meeting showed his attendance as well as his statement to the council on his budget objections. Mayor Miller read his full veto message to all in attendance. (The full veto message is attached) Councilor Jones read a prepared statement recommending a “no” vote on adopting the two tax ordinances. He believes the finance committee, for the past few years, concocted and orchestrated budgets that were not realistic. He addressed those serving on council, who are proud of the $1.1 million surplus, and asked if they are also proud, in his opinion, this was mainly accomplished on the backs of Greenville Borough taxpayers. Councilor Price had a few comments on the Mayor’s veto message. She felt his statement of “the ordinances were the result of a flawed process” was erroneous. Mrs. Price asked why the full text of Section 102 (b) (1) (i) was not included in his message, just a portion of it. She also asked for an explanation of his comment that stated “the current regime grabbed power”. Finally, she made note of his words of “wasted two years as Mayor . . . “ Mayor Miller addressed her comments including reading the full text of Section 102 (b) (1) (i) to her as she requested. 2  Greenville Borough Council Meeting Minutes – December 27, 2007 Councilor Henderson asked the Mayor if his position at his company is to help financially stressed companies out if their situation, why did it come as a surprise to him that the borough had a surplus. Mr. Henderson stated if the Mayor was wasting his time for the past 2 years, why didn’t he look at the financial reports since that is his profession. Councilor Henderson believes the Mayor could have helped the council and made the situation better. Mr. Henderson feels the finance committee and the council as a whole have done a wonderful job and reminded the Mayor he was also given monthly finance reports along with audit reports showing the fund balance. Mayor Miller stated he, like everyone else, skipped over it but said he is willing to admit it unlike everyone else. Councilor Auchter called for a vote. A motion was on the floor to override the Mayor veto of Ordinance 1474 and Ordinance 1475. A roll call vote was taken. Councilor Jones No Councilor Auchter Yes Councilor Henderson Yes Councilor Price Yes Councilor Urey Yes Councilor Mueller Yes Council President Longiotti Yes Motion approved 6-1 6. Adjournment Councilor Henderson moved, seconded by Councilor Price to adjourn the meeting. Motion approved. 7. Press time Respectfully submitted, Ryan T. Eggleston Borough Secretary Borough of Greenville vdh 3