Work Session of Council

Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 11/08/23 www.greenvilleborough.com MINUTES OF A WORK SESSION MEETING OF THE TOWN OF GREENVILLE COUNCIL HELD IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS WEDNESDAY, November 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. 1. Call to Order Paul Hamill, Mayor If you are a visitor to council, we ask you, to please sign in at the door and turn off all cellular telephones. 2. Invocation: Rev. Sean Hall, Hillside Presbyterian Church Flag Salute led by Councilor Evan Hereford 3. Roll Call: Paul Hamill, Mayor Linda Zuschlag, Deputy Mayor Tracy Beil, Councilor Anne Butcher, Councilor Jean Carr, Councilor Sean Hall, Councilor Evan Hereford, Councilor Jasson W. Urey, Town Manager Solicitor, Douglas, Joseph & Olson Also present: Frank Vanderslice Michelle Mueller Gary Mueller Joel Rinella John Ganiens Dan Robinson Kelley Coey Hailey McClain Rod Wilt Dr. MaryJane Hirt – via Teams Staff: Media: Amy Hollowell, Administrative Assistant Caleb Stright, Record-Argus Rosalynn Reagle – Assistant Manager Matt Breedlove – Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Dave Hetrick – Financial Assistant 4. Public Comments (5-minute time limit) Page 1 of 2 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 11/08/23 Residents: Mr. Joel Rinella asked if a fire truck was purchased this year and what the cost was. Mr. Urey said we did and that it was in better shape and cost less that the one council had discussed purchasing earlier this year. Non-Residents: Ms. Kelly Coey, Mr. Dan Robinson, and Mr. John Ganiens provided an update on the School House Commons development. Mr. Rod Wilt provided input on the Countywide Comprehensive Plan and how the School House Commons project is meeting a plan need. He also spoke on item L in New Business. 5. New Business – Discussion held on Budgets and Tax Rates: Councilor Hereford led a discussion against raising the Earned Income Tas (EIT), adding additional administrative personnel. He stated we are only two years into Home Rule, we have added new staff, and he feels it is too much to hire additional staff causing the EIT to almost be capped out. He suggested working with what we have for a year and re-evaluating with the bond is paid off. Councilor Beil feels the EIT is a big ask. She understands the “why”, but feels the timing is off and we need to take a deep breath. Councilor Butcher feels we do not have the time to let the dust settle. The Redevelopment Authority needs support now to avoid a delay when they are ready to take off. Mayor Hamill asked those opposed how we will pay for the contract agreements already passed if we do not pass the proposed rate increases. Mr. Urey updated council on the need for the additional staff, as staff has uncovered a whole new list of issues, we need to figure out how to address, including code violations on properties of deceased owners. The properties are being taken over by family members who cannot be held responsible for the violations, as they are not the owners. We are trying to figure out how to assist these family members in opening estates. We have had a considerable uptick in Community Development Block Grant applications due to the work of the code office. The Redevelopment Authority would like to address items, but there are not enough staff to assist. Once the authority gets going, the workload will increase very fast. He also reminded council the ¼ percent balances the budget, without providing for capital improvements and Redevelopment assistance. You will stay where you are. Councilor Carr said we cannot turn our heads and hope everything falls in line. This additional staff member can do the research that our current staff has not had time to do. Mayor Hamill reminded council that Redevelopment Authority is volunteer board, with members working 40 plus hours a week, so either they hire staff, or we do it. We need to change the trajectory of the town. This is needed to make it happen. Councilor Beil inquired on how much longer until the indebtedness ends. (June 2025). Councilor Hall stated we have been reactive too long. He would like us to take the opportunity to be proactive and this is the appropriate time to do so. Page 2 of 2 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 11/08/23 5. Public Comments (Related to agenda items – 5 minutes time limit) Mr. Joel Rinella agreed that council should hold off on raising EIT. He also stated council should be paid for their service. He also commented on the price of the fire department roof. He requested documents such as the budget should be provided to the public to view prior to the work sessions. Mr. Gary Muller thanked council for the debate tonight. He also questioned ratifying contracts. 6. Council Comments Councilor Hall is excited about the update from Hudson tonight and the ACT 47 exit tomorrow. He also thanked the code department, stating, “Greenville is a place people want to live.” Councilor Butcher reminded everyone redevelopment is much needed as the needs of residents are changing due to remote working options. Councilor Beil is glad to see things happening in Greenville. She feels she was elected to ask the questions and be the checks & balances representation to the voters. She said she is serving voluntarily and that is the way it should be. Stipends should not be offered to council. Councilor Hereford appreciates all the staff does and does not doubt the staff works hard to make the town better, he just needed to make his opinion heard. Councilor Zuschlag said council was paid a stipend when she was first elected. It was later voted away and she is still here serving. She was just reelected and will continue to serve. The argument that we should be paid is just unnecessary. People will continue to volunteer. Councilor Carr congratulated Councilor Zuschlag, Mr. Chad Bromley, and Mr. Brian Shipley for winning council seats in yesterday's election. She also stated when she comes to council, she sets her personal situation aside and looks at what is the best for the community to thrive. The EIT increase is needed to keep momentum going. We cannot continue to ask the staff to work so much outside of office hours. We must care about the town as much as we care about us! 7. Mayor’s Comments – Strategic Management Committee has been working on vision for the community. The main goal is long term stability. We have taken great strides, let’s not take our foot off the gas now and lose momentum. We will become stagnant. 8. Town Manager’s Comments – Reminded council the staff is not looking for pity on us, we like working here. At the end of the day, we are not demanding more pay or else. Things are not like they were years ago; they keep changing and government never gets easier. We need to create long-term stability for the future of this town. 9. ACT 47 Coordinator’s Comments – Community development requires specialized technical knowledge and cannot just be spread between various staff. It needs a dedicated person. Invest in the person who is going to take you where we need to go. In regard to ACT 47 exit, don’t undercut the work already done to handicap yourself in the future. 10. Adjournment – This session adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Page 3 of 2 Town of Greenville Work Session Minutes 11/08/23 Respectfully submitted, Jasson W. Urey Town Manager/Secretary Page 4 of 2