City Council

April 1, 2024 The regular meeting of the Montoursville Borough Council held in the John Dorin Municipal Building was called to order by Council President Eric Greenway at 7:00 PM with the following answering roll call: Tina Kline, Eric Greenway, Robert Brown, and Chris Lucas. Misty Emick arrived at 7:03. Absent – Mark Tillson The Pledge of Allegiance was observed. The March 4, 2024 minutes were approved on a motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mrs. Kline. The motion carried. VISITORS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEMS – Nothing at this time. TREASURERS REPORT/BOROUGH BILLS – Motion by Mr. Lucas to approve the March 2024 treasurer’s report, second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. NEW BUSINESS – REVIEW—2023 MUNICIPAL AUDIT & FINANCIAL REPORT- Council President, Mr. Greenway presented the 2023 Municipal Audit & Financial Report for review. Motion by Mr. Greenway to accept the 2023 Municipal Audit & Financial Report as presented; second by Mrs. Emick. The motion carried. COMMUNITY YARD SALE—MAY 31ST & JUNE 1ST, 2024 - Council President, Mr. Greenway presented the request for the Community Yard Sale to be held May 31st & June 1st, 2024 for review. Motion by Mr. Lucas to approve the Annual Community Yard Sale on May 31st & June 1st, 2024; second by Mrs. Kline. Council member, Mrs. Emick noted the parking and safety issues that took place during last years community yard sale due to school still being in session. Chief Gyurina agreed with Council member Emick and commented on yard sales causing parking/safety issues with school still being in session. At this time, Council member, Mr. Lucas amended his motion to table the request for the community yard sale until the next council meeting, May 6th, second by Mrs. Kline. The motion carried. RESIGNATION ANNOUCEMENT – RECREATION BOARD MEMBER – RENEE’CAREY – Motion by Mrs. Emick to accept and approve the resignation of Recreation Board Member, Ms. Renee` Carey as presented; second by Mrs. Kline. Council publicly thanked Ms. Carey for her years of service. The motion carried. APPLICATION FOR COUNTY AID – Council President, Mr. Greenway presented Application for County Aid for review. Motion by Mr. Greenway to approve Application for County Aid as presented; second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. AUTHORIZATION LETTER—911 MEMORIAL COALITION RIDE– Council President, Mr. Greenway presented an Authorization Letter for the 911 Memorial Coalition Ride for review. Motion by Mr. Lucas to approve the Authorization Letter for the 911 Memorial Coalition Ride as presented; second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. PLANNING & ZONING – Central Keystone COG Reports March 2024. RECREATION – Council member, Mr. Lucas reviewed and explained Event Permits 2024-05, 2024-06, 2024-07, 2024-08, 2024-10 and 2024-11. Motion by Mr. Lucas to approve Event Permits 2024-05, 2024-06, 2024-07, 2024-08, 2024-10 and 2024-11, second by Mrs. Emick. The motion carried. Council member, Mr. Lucas questioned the official opening date of the new Page 2 April 1, 2024 playground. It was shared that some of the benches need adjustment, once the adjustments are completed the project will need to be inspected. STREETS/WATER – Street and Project Coordinator, Mr. Hoffman announced that the Brush Recycling Area and Mill Street are open, however the water is not yet turned on for the season at Mill Street. MAYOR – Mayor Bagwell shared that he agrees with Chief Gyurina regarding the Annual Community Yard Sale, noting the dates should be changed due to safety issues. He stated drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings, with school still being in session making for a bigger safety concern. POLICE CHIEF – Chief Gyurina reviewed the March 2024 police report. He updated the status of the newly implemented electronic filing system and the purchase of new laptops sharing he is waiting on the software to be installed. He also thanked Council Vice President, Mr. Brown, and wife Deb Brown for their recent donation of an animal chip reader, like the one used at the SPCA, so that the borough police can locate the owners of lost pets in the borough. COUNCIL PERSONS – Nothing at this time. SOLICITOR – Nothing at this time. COUNCIL PRESIDENT – Nothing at this time. PENDING MATTERS – Nothing at this time. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – The next Council meeting will be held Monday May 6th, 2024. Council President, Mr. Greenway announced an executive session will be held immediately following this meeting to discuss legal matters and Council will not be reconvening. VISITOR AND PUBLIC COMMENTS - Resident, Mr. Thaddeus Trafford, 328 Tule St., requested Borough Council to postpone and/or amend the curb ordinance. He stated curbs are only to push water down the storm drains and they are just fine in his opinion. He also sited that this project is an economical burden on the homeowner in this current economy. After other visitors had opportunity to comment, Mr. Trafford stated the curb ordinance only requires a 30-day notice needs to be changed and/or amended because it is crazy. Resident, Ms. Kim Meyers,1127 Elm St., stated she agreed with Mr. Trafford that the curbs are fine. She explained she is on a fixed income and thinks it is ridiculous that she is asked to come up with $10,000.00 in the next sixty days to pay for new curbs. She does not understand where all her tax dollars are going and why other communities do not have to pay for curbs. Resident, Mr. Lyndon Mink, 1126 Elm Street, stated he was surprised to receive a letter explaining that he was responsible for the curbs. He stated he previously received a letter to repair his sidewalk. He also subsequently discussed falling and breaking his neck on a sidewalk in the borough, which was a property owner’s responsibility. Resident, Ms. Annette Baker, 1133 Broad St, provided pictures of her curbs and understands the need, however, does not think it is fair that she cannot choose which contractor can repair her curbs. She stated she is upset at the cost of $10,000.00 for the curbs, noting the cost will take away trips she could take to Florida to see her only grandchild. Ms. Baker also stated when the curbs were being marked that she was told by the employee marking the curbs that she would not be responsible for replacing them, so getting the curb letter in the mail was a shock to her. Willing Hand Hose Fire Chief, Mr. Scott Konkle gave an update on the 115 calls last month for the fire department. Council President, Mr. Greenway, explained previous issues with residents choosing their own contractors to replace the curbs, noting the delays in project completion, higher prices and quality control that arose in previous projects. He also explained that the ordinances are there to help and support the residents, not hinder, or hurt them. Secretary/Treasurer Ms. Gardner read the letter that was sent out to all residents affected by the curb/paving project.. Borough Engineer. Todd Pysher joined Page 3 April 1, 2024 the meeting via speaker phone to answer general resident questions. Mr. Pysher explained curb joints and reasons why different sections of the curb were chosen to be replaced and why others were not, all the while keeping in consideration the cost/expense to homeowner. Mr. Pysher agreed to inspect the curbs of the addresses of residents that have a dispute or questions about their curbs and why they were chosen. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM on a motion by Mrs. Emick, second by Mr. Greenway. The motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Ginny Gardner, Borough Secretary