City Council

November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING was held on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, in the Millersville Borough Public Meeting Room located at 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Council President Carrie Smith followed by the pledge to the flag and a moment of silence was then observed. President Smith announced that the public meeting is being audio recorded. COUNCIL MEMBERS Carrie L. Smith David T. Aichele, Mayor Lauren E. Hauck Brooke G. Magni (absent) Linda L. Bellile Mary Ann Gerber Daniel P. Ostrowski Lynn M. Miller (via teleconference) OTHERS PRESENT John D. Rochat, Borough Manager & Millersville Borough Chief of Police Lieutenant Jeffrey Margevich, Millersville Borough Police Department Jessie L. Ebersole, Millersville Borough Finance Officer Bob May, Lancaster EMS Bill Murry, Murry Development Corporation David Bitner, RGS Associates Inc. W. David Sykes, 344 Valley Road, Millersville Stephanie Hersh, 72 Blue Rock Road, Millersville Dorothy Imel, 1902 Blue Ridge Drive, Lancaster Jere Martin, 149 East Cottage Avenue, Millersville Elizabeth and Paul West, 3 Chamberlain Lane, Millersville Richard Dumas, 3 Chamberlain Lane, Millersville Kim Taylor, 22 Wabank Road, Millersville Roy Reider, 22 Wabank Road, Millersville CITIZENS’ REQUESTS OR CONCERNS Mr. Reider and Ms. Taylor of 22 Wabank Road voiced their concern for aggressive dogs and their continuous barking. He asked Council to please take action with the owner the resides at 30 Wabank Road. Lt. Margevich explained that a portion of this issue falls under the excessive barking ordinance and the other portion requires that the Police receive former complaints. Further complications to enforcement is that the adjacent properties are in Lancaster Township. Mr. Martin of 149 East Cottage Avenue inquired on the permitted parking on Herr Avenue. His property is located on the corner. He asked if he could have free parking on Herr. Lt. Margevich replied that the restrictive parking is due to the locality to the High School and that he could call the Police Secretary for details on obtaining temporary and/or visitor permits. 1 of 6  November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Mr. May from Lancaster EMS asked if there were any decisions on the request to increase Borough support for 2022 emergency services. President Smith stated the proposed 2022 budget, which Council will consider advertising tonight, shows the same $2500 contribution. She acknowledged the telephone conversation with Mr. May earlier and re-stated that the Borough very much appreciates the services provided. She went on to state that the Borough’s hands are really tied and that there is just no room to increase next year. Mr. May appreciates the sincerity and thanked President Smith for her time on the phone. He went on to say that because of this, he wants to put Borough residents on notice that they will most likely be scaling back on services. He does not have specifics yet but believes 24/7 service will be scaled back. He stated the Borough will still get ambulance services, but it may come from outside the Borough boundaries resulting in higher response time. He went on to state that EMS is in crisis and hard decisions will need to be made. Ms. Bellile, as the Borough representative on the Blue Rock Regional Fire District had prepared comments for the public. She stated the Blue Rock Fire provides an EMS Quick Response unit, which is dispatched to all major medical calls, Class 1, and Class 2 (Class 1 are the most serious and life threatening. Class 2 are the less then life threatening). The fire apparatus also gets dispatched to all life-threatening calls and has trained responders. She acknowledged that Blue Rock Fire does not have transport capabilities but by County policy, the closest Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit is dispatched to all major medical calls. She stated there are other EMS agencies in the area, like the new Life Lion units from Hershey Medical Center. President Smith commented that this is more than a municipality issue but rather a County-wide funding issue. Mr. May did not disagree. Mr. Ostrowski voiced his support and appreciation to Lancaster EMS. He believes the funding model for emergency services is broken and hopes Mr. May keeps up the good fight. MINUTES None REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS Ms. Hauck reported on the Planning Commission meeting where they reviewed the Crossgates Phase II Preliminary Subdivision and Land Development Plan. Based on the Planning Commission’s recommendations, Ms. Hauck made a motion to approve #6, 8, 13, and 14 waivers/modifications as stated in the letter dated October 11, 2021. President Smith seconded the motion. [Reference the letter for details.] 6. Modification of 315-37.B.A.2 – Interior Basin Side Slopes (Requested 317-37.B.A.2) (Stormwater Management Ordinance), 8.Modification of 325-26.B.1 – Centerline Radius, 13. Modification of 325-27.B.3 – Sidewalk Location, and 14. Modification of 325-33.A – Street Tree Replacement. Mr. Bitner from RGS Associates provided a brief overview of the development and the requested waivers/modifications. With no further discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Ms. Hauck made a motion, seconded by President Smith to conditionally approve #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 waivers/modifications as stated in the letter dated October 11, 2021. [Reference the letter for details.] 1. Modification of 325-14.B – Plan Scale (SALDO), 2. Modification of 325-20.C – Double Frontage Lots (SALDO), 3. Modification of 325-26.D.1 – Street Width (SALDO), 4. Modification of 320-34.C.1 – Street Width (Street & Sidewalk Ordinance), 5. Modification of 315-32.A.2.c – Loading Ratios (Stormwater Management Ordinance), 7. Modification of 315-39.A.a.1 – Pipe Material (Stormwater Management 2 of 6  November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Ordinance), 9. Modification of 325-26.E.2 – Cul-de-Sac Length, 10. Modification of 325- 26.E.3 – Cul-de-Sac Diameter, 11. Modification of 325-27.A.5 – Vertical Curb and 12. Modification of 325-27.B.4 – Sidewalk Material. Chief Rochat voiced his concern that further consideration was necessary for #11. An amendment to the motion to pull #11 was made by Ms. Hauck and seconded by President Smith. With no further discussions the amended motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Ms. Hauck made a motion, seconded by President Smith to approve the Crossgates Phase II Preliminary Subdivision and Land Development Plan with the condition to defer all outstanding comments in the Borough’s Engineer letter dated October 11, 2021 to the final plan submission. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Ms. Hauck announced the special Planning Commission meetings to discuss the Comprehensive Plan have been advertised for the remainder of this calendar year. Those meetings will be held November 4th and December 2nd starting at 7 p.m. PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT In the absence of Mrs. Magni, Ms. Bellile presented the motions out of committee. The first motion out of committee is to approve the employment contract with John D. Rochat as Police Chief effective 1/1/2022. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Ms. Bellile made a motion out of committee to reappoint Michael J. Weidinger to the Planning Commission with the term of office expiring on October 31, 2025. With no discussions the motion passed by a 5 to 1 voice vote, with Mr. Ostrowski opposed. RESOLUTION BOOK RESOLUTION NO. 2021-13 Ms. Bellile made a motion out of committee to appoint W. David Sykes to fill the alternate member vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board with the term of office expiring on December 31, 2023. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. RESOLUTION BOOK RESOLUTION NO. 2021-14 Ms. Bellile made a motion out of committee to appoint Joseph Little to fill the vacancy on the Park Commission with the term of office expiring on December 31, 2023. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. RESOLUTION BOOK RESOLUTION NO. 2021-15 Ms. Bellile made a motion to approve the Non-Uniform union request to change the 2021 Christmas holidays from December 23rd and 24th which is Thursday and Friday, to December 24th and 27th, which is Friday and Monday. Mrs. Gerber seconded the motion. Mr. Ostrowski stated since this is a contracted item and the contract was open last year, and that it was a very contentious negotiation, he will not support this request. Mrs. Gerber stated that Mr. Ostrowski 3 of 6  November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES has a good point and rescinded her second to the motion. After further discussions, President Smith tabled the action until Borough Code could be researched. PUBLIC WELFARE AND PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT Ms. Hauck made a motion to approve the ordinance to add a new Article VII, Small Wireless Facilities Deployment to Chapter 320, Streets and Sidewalks. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. ORDINANCE BOOK ORDINANCE NO. 2021-02 Ms. Hauck made a motion to approve changes to ramp configurations and the number of crossings, according to the Lafayette Place Plan dated 8/5/2021 and revised 9/28/2021. Mr. Ostrowski seconded the motion. It was noted that these changes have not been taken to the Borough’s Planning Commission for recommendations due to the desire to expedite construction. This will address the current safety issues of the sidewalks and ramps. With no further discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. FINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT Mrs. Gerber made a motion to approve the September 2021 monthly financial statements. Ms. Hauck seconded the motion. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Mrs. Gerber made a motion to approve releasing payment of the 2021 budgeted Community Services contributions as follows: Contributions to the County Library in the amount of $2500. Contributions to Millersville Meals on Wheels in the amount of $500. Contributions to Lancaster EMS in the amount of $2500. Contributions to the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard in the amount of $200 contingent on the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard’s participation to the Borough’s upcoming Veterans Day ceremony on November 11th. Ms. Hauck seconded the motion. With no discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Mrs. Gerber made a motion to approve the Blue Rock Regional Fire District 2022 Proposed Budget. President Smith seconded the motion. Mrs. Gerber mentioned a concern was discussed regarding the Fire District’s financials not being audited, other than the Foreign Fire Insurance fund which is audited by the State, and possibly sending a letter to request an audit. Ms. Bellile explained that the Blue Rock Regional Fire Commission Board has discussed audits but has chosen not to pay for an outside audit for several reasons. She also stated there is no direct access to the financials by a district employee. With no further discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Mrs. Gerber mentioned the Borough is fortunate to be receiving money from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Borough will be receiving over $800,000, half this year and half next year. In the 2022 proposed budget the Borough has a large project in the amount of 1.2 million for a sewer main and line replacement which will be funded by the Sewer Capital Reserve Fund. Mrs. Gerber made a motion for the allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act funds to make necessary investments in Borough’s sewer infrastructure. President Smith seconded the motion. Mr. Ostrowski stated his concern for the Act and the federally allocated funds. With no further discussions the motion passed by a 5 to 1 voice vote, with Mr. Ostrowski opposed. 4 of 6  November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Mrs. Gerber presented the 2022 Annual Budget Proposal and stated it includes a .3 millage increase, going from 5.5 to 5.8 mills and the remaining deficit ($279,300) will be covered by the General Operating fund balance reserve. She reminded everyone that the Borough did not have a tax increase last year. She mentioned the millage increase calculation for the new average residential homeowner ($165,300) will be approximately $75 more per year. She also mentioned that the Sewer services will remain the same at $110 per quarter. She pointed out that there has been no raise in the sewer services for fourteen years, however the Trash Collection and Recycling services are proposed to increase from $60 to $65 per quarter. Mrs. Gerber made a motion to advertise the 2022 tax millage ordinance, budget inspection, and noted that the final budget will be considered for adoption at the November 23rd Council meeting. Ms. Bellile seconded the motion. With no further discussions the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Aichele thanked everyone involved with the annual Millersville Community Parade. He then asked Lt. Margevich to give the September monthly Police Report. The following breakdown was provided. 299 Calls for Service, 9 ordinance complaints, 1 Disruptive Conduct Report issued, 14 criminal arrests, 10 were adults, 4 were juveniles, 1 Part I Offenses, none cleared, 23 Part II Offenses with 16 cleared for a clearance rate of 69.6%. Total traffic violations were 20, 1 speeding and 19 other traffic violations, 12 vehicle accidents, 162 parking tickets issued, patrolled over 3,000 miles by vehicle and 12 miles on bicycle. He and the detective took on three additional investigations, a burglary, a vehicle theft, and vandalism at the Borough Park. Chief Rochat mentioned that four Officers are out on Heart and Lung due to testing positive to COVID. MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY REPORT None PENN MANOR REPORT None PRESIDENT'S REPORT President Smith mentioned that Mamie Covell has officially stepped down as Millersville University Student Representative. She offered her heartfelt thanks for her outstanding service and wished her well on her new endeavor. She mentioned the process to find a replacement will begin. Mayor Aichele read a certificate of appreciation for the public service she performed and expressed their gratitude for her valued service to the community. BOROUGH MANAGER REPORT Chief Rochat announced trick or treat is being held in the Borough on Friday, October 29th from 6 to 8 p.m. and the Borough’s Veterans Day Ceremony is Thursday, November 11th starting at 10:30 a.m. 5 of 6  November 23, 2021 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES NEW BUSINESS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None EXECUTIVE SESSION Council broke for an executive session at 8:30 p.m. to discuss contract negotiations with the Police Association. She mentioned there will be no action coming out of the executive session. ADJOURNMENT At 8:42 p.m. Council came out of the executive session. Upon reconvening the meeting, Mr. Ostrowski made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Bellile. The motion passed by unanimous voice vote. Respectfully submitted, John D. Rochat Borough Secretary JDR/jle 6 of 6