City Council

October 22, 2024 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in the Millersville Borough Public Meeting Room located at 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Council President (CP) Joseph Lane. The meeting began with a pledge to the flag as well as an observed moment of silence. COUNCIL MEMBERS Marianne Kerlavage – absent David T. Aichele, Mayor Phyllis Giberson Darlene Eager Mary Ann Gerber Joseph Lane Linda Bellile Michael Kaufhold OTHERS PRESENT Dorothy Imel, 1902 Blue Ridge Drive, Lancaster Steve Giberson, 332 Manor Avenue, Millersville Sam Bigler, 17 Wabank Road, Millersville Richard Frantz, 55 North Duke Street, Millersville Ed Hersh, 72 Blue Rock Road, Millersville Joe Willcox, 102 Municipal Drive, Millersville David Sykes, 344 Valley Road, Millersville Phil Gerber, 122 Village Drive, Millersville Mike Weidinger, 146 Victoria Road, Millersville Valeria Febo, address unknown Brady Breneman, Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Member Landon Smith, Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Member Dr. Victor DeSantis, VP of External Affairs and Chief of Staff, Millersville University Jeff Margevich, Millersville Chief of Police Emma Danae Droz, Borough Part-Time Administrative Coordinator Rebecca DeSantis-Randall, Borough Manager SWEARING IN OF PENN MANOR STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Aichele conducted the swearing in of Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Members Brady Breneman and Landon Smith. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council Member (CM) Giberson made a motion to approve the October 8, 2024 minutes. CM Eager seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. CITIZEN REQUESTS OR CONCERNS: Mike Weidinger, of 146 Victoria Road and chair of the Planning Commission, spoke of his concerns relating to the Borough’s sign ordinance and an abundance of political signs present along Charlotte Street, Cottage Avenue, Millersville Pike, Wabank Road, and Landis Avenue, 1 of 5  October 22, 2024 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES among others. He further informed Council of an anonymous letter he had received accusing him of taking money from a developer in the Borough. He informed Council that due the letter, he would likely step down from his role on the Planning Commission, and Council encouraged him to ignore the letter. Joe Willcox, of 102 Municipal Drive, shared his concerns relating to increased foot traffic occurring on and between his property and the Borough Office. Manager DeSantis-Randall asked him to speak with her further after the meeting. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS BLUE ROCK REGIONAL FIRE COMMISSION CP Lane brought forward the Proposed 2025 Blue Rock Regional Fire District Budget in the amount of $128,728. Council inquired into the absence of District Secretary Duane Hagelgans and Chairman Allan Herr, and Manager DeSantis-Randall noted that a representative planned to attend the November 12th meeting. Council discussed the District’s increased budget request, noting it was the first time an increase was related to a budget deficit rather than increased property assessments. After discussion, CM Gerber made a motion to amend the Proposed 2025 Blue Rock Regional Fire District Budget as presented to an amount of $120,096. CM Eager seconded the motion. This motion passed with five in favor and one against (CM Bellile). CM Bellile reported on the Blue Rock Regional Fire Commission’s meeting held on October 3rd. In the meeting, the Commission reviewed the financial report, and discussion focused on potential grant and fundraising opportunities to support the new building. The Commission reported 86 calls in August, 10 of which were false calls originating from the Borough due to the return of Millersville University (MU) students. The Commission further reported on various past and upcoming events in September and October, including a blood drive, a Lions and Kiwanis Clubs’ fundraiser, and Trunk or Treat. There were 7 new members for October. The Commission also noted plans for the upcoming archeological study and a new map of the district. Council asked about the high number of false alarms being attributed to MU students, which CM Bellile noted was typical for the start of the school year. COUNCIL COMMITTEE ITEMS FOR ACTION FINANCE COMMITTEE CP Lane brought forward the Borough’s proposed 2025 Budget Contributions (Community Donations), noting an increased from $3000 to $5000 for both the Lancaster Public Library and Lancaster EMS. CM Gerber made a motion to approve the 2025 community donations as presented in the proposed budget. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. This item was out of committee. CP Lane brought forward proposed changes to the Borough Fee Schedule. Manager DeSantis-Randall highlighted key items, noting that the changes were due to increased administrative costs for the Borough to provide services. CP Lane made a 2 of 5  October 22, 2024 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES motion to accept the proposed changes to the Millersville Borough Fee Schedule and request a draft resolution to be crafted for Council to approve at an upcoming meeting. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. This item was out of committee. CP Lane brought forward the final item, which was consideration of millage rate scenarios for 2025 and approval of request for draft ordinance. CP Lane noted the existing deficit in the 2025 budget and the necessity for a millage rate increase to decrease the reliance on the Borough’s Fund Balance. Council discussed the various scenarios, with an overall preference for the 6.3 and 6.55 millage rates. Council also discussed the possibility of increasing by a small amount over multiple years. After discussion, CP Lane made a motion to request a draft ordinance be prepared to reflect a 6.55 millage rate in Millersville Borough effective on January 1, 2025 and for that draft ordinance to be reviewed for advertising by Council at an upcoming meeting. CM Giberson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was conducted: CM Kaufhold – Yes CM Eager – Yes CM Gerber – No CM Giberson – Yes CM Bellile – No CM Lane – Yes This motion passed. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE CM Eager brought forward consideration and approval of agreement with Crossing Guard Services LLC for Borough crossing guard services. CM Gerber inquired into Penn Manor School District’s signature of the agreement; Manager DeSantis-Randall noted that Penn Manor could not sign as it would not be party to the contract, but that the Borough would continue to be protected as set forth in the Borough Code. CM Eager made a motion to accept the Crossing Guard Services LLC proposal and agreement as presented with an agreement end date of 12/31/2025 and authorize the Borough Manager to prepare the agreement for execution. There was further discussion on whether Crossing Guard Services LLC would have child abuse clearances, which Manager DeSantis-Randall and Chief Jeff Margevich confirmed they would. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. This item was out of committee. CM Eager then brought forward reappointment of Lauren Hauck to the Planning Commission. CM Bellile made a motion to accept the reappointment of Lauren Hauck to the Planning Commission for another four-year term ending on 10/31/28. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. This item was out of committee. PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE CM Giberson brought forward Consideration and approval to advertise the Limited Commercial Overlay District Ordinance draft for future adoption by Council. CM Giberson made a motion to motion to advertise the draft “ORDINANCE TO AMEND 3 of 5  October 22, 2024 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES THE MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH ZONING ORDINANCE TO CREATE A NEW LCO LIMITED COMMERCIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT THAT WOULD APPLY GENERALLY ALONG PORTIONS OF THE EAST SIDE OF GEORGE ST. NORTH OF JAMES STREET TO INCLUDE THREE LOTS NORTH OF NORMAL STREET, AND TO INCLUDE ADJACENT LOTS ALONG BOTH SIDES OF E. FREDERICK ST” for future adoption by Council. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. This item was out of committee. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Aichele reminded those present of the upcoming Veteran’s Day ceremony to be held in the Borough’s Freedom Memorial Park on Monday, November 11th at 10:30 a.m. Chief Margevich then presented the September police report in which there were 419 calls for service. MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY REPORT: Dr. Victor DeSantis, Vice President for University Relations & Strategic Initiatives at Millersville University, presented the MU report. Dr. DeSantis gave a mid-semester update, noting that enrollment had remained strong. He reported on MU’s upcoming arts and athletics events, as well as winter commencement on Saturday, December 14th. He finally reported that MU had been awarded a $1.2 million grant to address the teacher shortage and teacher recruitment. PENN MANOR REPORT: Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Members Brady Breneman and Landon Smith presented the Penn Manor report. Mr. Breneman reported that motivational speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez had visited Penn Manor, and the school was still talking about his message to be “All In.” He further reported that Penn Manor had been emphasizing “Real Life” training for juniors and seniors. Mr. Smith reported on Penn Manor’s Link Crew orientation for incoming freshman, which was held for a week in the summer and was planning an additional activity in the winter. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Manager DeSantis-Randall thanked Council for their efforts to move the budget process forward. She also asked those present to attend the upcoming Veteran’s Day ceremony. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: CP Lane briefly reminded Council that they had written a letter of support for the Loft Community Partnership to receive a grant earlier in 2024. He informed Council that the grant had been denied, but that a new grant application, the PA Local Shares Account – Statewide, was available for which the Borough could apply on the Loft’s behalf. CP Lane would keep Council updated on the opportunity. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None 4 of 5  October 22, 2024 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES ADJOURNMENT CP Lane made a motion to adjourn. CM Giberson seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Rebecca DeSantis-Randall Borough Secretary RADR/edd 5 of 5