City Council

March 25, 2025 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in the Millersville Borough Public Meeting Room located at 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville, Pennsylvania. COUNCIL MEMBERS Marianne Kerlavage David T. Aichele, Mayor Phyllis Giberson Darlene Eager – absent Mary Ann Gerber Joseph Lane Linda Bellile Michael Kaufhold OTHERS PRESENT Sam Bigler, 17 Wabank Road, Millersville Dorothy Imel, 1902 Blue Ridge Drive, Lancaster Dave Rhodes, 25 Wabank Road, Millersville Steve Giberson, 332 Manor Avenue, Millersville Richard Frantz, 55 North Duke Street, Millersville David and Linda Chalfant, 128 Landis Avenue, Millersville Stephanie Hersh, 72 Blue Rock Road, Millersville Phil Gerber, 122 Village Drive, Millersville Abby Norman, Millersville University Student Representative Dr. Victor DeSantis, VP of External Affairs and Chief of Staff, Millersville University Brady Breneman, Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Member Kyle Miller, Borough Streets Superintendent Les McMullen, Borough Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Emma Danae Droz, Borough Part-Time Administrative Coordinator Rebecca DeSantis-Randall, Borough Manager PUBLIC HEARINGS: Before the start of the Millersville Borough Council Meeting, two public hearings were held. The first public hearing began at 7:00 PM relating to an Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances to Add a New Chapter 110, Alarm Systems. During public comment, Richard Frantz, 55 N. Duke Street, stated that he believed there should be fees for the first and second infractions under the Ordinance, as the current Fee Schedule only began assessing fees after the third false alarm. He believed this was unfair to Blue Rock Fire Rescue. Council noted that the current fee schedule was recommended by Blue Rock Fire Rescue. With no further public comment, and no discussion from Council, Council President (CP) Joseph Lane made a motion to approve the Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances to Add a New Chapter 110, Alarm Systems. Council Member (CM) Bellile seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03 Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances to Add a New Chapter 110, Alarm Systems 1 of 5  March 25, 2025 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES The second public hearing began at 7:04 PM relating to an Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances, Chapter 350, Vehicles and Traffic, To Revise Parking Regulations on East Frederick Ave. With no public comment and no discussion from Council, CP Lane made a motion to approve the Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances, Chapter 350, Vehicles and Traffic, To Revise Parking Regulations on East Frederick Ave. CM Giberson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ORDINANCE NO. 2025-04 Ordinance to Amend the Millersville Borough Code of Ordinances, Chapter 350, Vehicles and Traffic, To Revise Parking Regulations on East Frederick Ave CALL TO ORDER The MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING was then called to order at 7:06 PM by CP Lane. The meeting began with a pledge to the flag as well as an observed moment of silence. APPROVAL OF MINUTES CP Lane made a motion to approve the March 11, 2025, minutes. CM Kerlavage seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZEN REQUESTS OR CONCERNS: None PRESENTATION ON FREEDOM MEMORIAL PARK MASTER PLAN FINALIZATION AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR DCNR GRANT FUNDING Manager DeSantis-Randall presented the new Freedom Memorial Park Master Plan revised by Barry Isett & Associates. She then reported on a meeting held with a DCNR Representative to review the site plan and discuss grant funding phases, noting the Borough is seeking funding for the first phase of the project, at $373,210 with an equal match provided by the Borough for a total of $746,420. The first phase would go towards a new restroom and new playground equipment. She noted that a second grant would be applied for through DCED in order to help cover part or all of the Borough’s match. In discussion with Council, Manager DeSantis-Randall noted that only the cost of the grant applications and some minor engineering was included in the 2025 budget, and that all major costs would begin in 2026 if grants were awarded. She further noted that the Borough would have the flexibility to decline any DCNR grant if the DCED grant was not awarded. CM Gerber then made a motion to approve the Resolution to Apply for Grant Funding from the PA Department of Conservation and National Resources to Undertake the Project “Freedom Memorial Park Recreation and Accessibility Improvements – Phase I.” CM Kerlavage seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. CM Kaufhold noted that the new plaque honoring John Herr would be installed in the Freedom Memorial Park Pavilion A soon and thanked Phil Gerber for his efforts on the project. 2 of 5  March 25, 2025 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS BLUE ROCK REGIONAL FIRE COMMISSION CM Bellile reported on the Blue Rock Regional Fire Commission meeting held on March 6, 2025. During the meeting, the Commission reviewed the financial reports, in which there was a year-to-date gain of $4,928.89 in interest. February saw a total of 78 calls. The Commission is expecting to receive a $40,000 state grant for the new fire station, and work continues on developing a fundraising campaign. Several major vehicle maintenance issues are expected on the April financial report. Additionally, there is a mice problem at Station 905 (Millersville) which is being addressed by an exterminator. The new building work is progressing, with approval from the archaeologist, and paperwork provided to the state indicating the station should receive free internet, equaling savings of $12,000 a year. Finally, the Commission has arranged a meeting with Senator Scott Martin to discuss proposed legislation that would provide additional funding to towns with state universities. COUNCIL COMMITTEE ITEMS FOR ACTION FINANCE COMMITTEE CP Lane made a motion to accept the February Financial Report and authorize staff to satisfy the ordinary and routine obligations incurred by the Borough for this month. The motion passed unanimously. This item was out of committee. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE CM Bellile made a motion to approve the advertising of the Ordinance to Dissolve the Educational Service Agency and the scheduling of the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. This item was out of committee. PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC WELFARE COMMITTEE CM Giberson made a motion to approve the Resolution Concerning Administration of Chapter 110, Alarm Systems, of the Code of Ordinances and Establishment of False Alarm Fees. CM Kerlavage seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. This item was out of committee. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Aichele noted that the February police report had been distributed, in which there were 237 calls for service. He then reported that he and Manager DeSantis-Randall had attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony the week prior for the dedication of the new LEMSA location on Millersville University Campus. 3 of 5  March 25, 2025 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY REPORT: Abby Norman, Millersville University Student Representative, and Dr. Victor DeSantis, VP of External Affairs and Chief of Staff at Millersville University, delivered the MU report. Ms. Norman reported that the new Chick-fil-A on campus was now open to both students and the public. Ms. Norman then reported on upcoming events, including the Made in Millersville Conference coming up on April 8th, in which students would showcase research, creative work, and other scholarship. She encouraged Council Members to attend and volunteer as judges for student presentations. The 40th Holocaust & Genocide Conference – The Children of Survivors of the Holocaust and Genocide: Remembrance and Reflection would be held on April 1st with keynote speaker Yossi Klein Halevi. Upcoming arts events at MU included The Vanishing Elephant and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana: Quinto Elemento. The Spring Job & Internship Fair would also be held on April 1st. Finally, Ms. Norman reported on student athletics, noting student athletes Darian Hauf, Sarah Hessler, and Megan Malecki were named as 2024 US Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Honorees for the second consecutive year. CM Kaufhold asked how student and public relations were going in connection with the new Chick-fil-A, and Ms. Norman stated there were long lines but that no issues had come up; Dr. DeSantis added that as part of the soft roll-out there would be additional hours and breakfast in the coming months. Dr. DeSantis then reported that MU would be hosting an AI & Local Government Training on May 21st, and he personally invited Council to attend for hands-on experience with artificial intelligence. PENN MANOR REPORT: Penn Manor Student Advisory Council Member Brady Breneman presented the Penn Manor report. Mr. Breneman reported spring sports were going well at Penn Manor. He noted FFA held Drive Your Tractor to School Day to promote connection with the Lancaster farming community. The FFA Banquet was held and nine students earned their Keystone Degrees, the highest degree an FFA member can attain in Pennsylvania. He reported that chorus was also going very well, with seven students attending the Region V Chorus Festival. Five of those students qualified for All State, which was the most kids from any one school in all of Pennsylvania. BOROUGH MANAGER’S REPORT Manager DeSantis-Randall brought forward discussion and approval to award contract to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. (NESL) for summer paving of Cottage Avenue, Herr Avenue, and Circle Road for $154,900. She noted the Bid Opening took place on March 19th, and that NESL’s bid came in approximately $15,000 under the Borough’s budgeted amount. CM Gerber made a motion to award the paving of Cottage Avenue, Herr Avenue, and Circle Road to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. for the contract price of $154,900. CP Lane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Manager DeSantis-Randall then brought forward discussion of a Waste-Activated Sludge Incident at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Les McMullen, Borough Wastewater Treatment Superintendent, explained the details of the incident and answered various questions from Council 4 of 5  March 25, 2025 MILLERSVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES relating to cleanup efforts, future prevention, and anticipated fines from PA DEP and the PA Fish and Boat Commission. He noted that the faulty valve, which failed to trigger an alarm, will be under careful manual monitoring for at least a month and is not running automatically at night as a precaution. He and Manager DeSantis-Randall noted that the company responsible for programming the alarm is taking the incident seriously, and that they are in discussions with the Borough solicitor should there be a fine. Mayor Aichele then thanked Mr. McMullen and the sewer team for their efforts to address the incident and presented them with a formal Letter of Appreciation for their hard work. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None EXECUTIVE SESSION: None ADJOURNMENT CM Kerlavage made a motion to adjourn. CM Giberson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM. Rebecca DeSantis-Randall Borough Secretary RADR/edd 5 of 5