City Council

May 6, 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 7:20 PM with the following answering roll call: Tina Kline, Misty Emick, Eric Greenway, and Robert Brown.. Absent: Mark Tillson and Christopher Lucas The Pledge of Allegiance was observed. The April 6, 2024 minutes were approved on a motion by Mr. Brown, second by Mrs. Kline. The motion carried. VISITORS AND PUBLIC COMMENT FOR AGENDA ITEMS – Borough Engineer, Mr. Todd Pysher stated he is attending in order to answer questions regarding the current street improvement project. He shared that he and Street & Water Project Coordinator, Mr. Cliff Hoffman had inspected all the curbs within the project. He explained that Mr. Hoffman had done an excellent job in determining curbs that needed to replaced and that in one instance he had decreased the lineal footage of curbing for one property however there were several that he had increased the lineal footage required to be replaced. TREASURERS REPORT/BOROUGH BILLS – Motion by Mr. Brown to approve the April 2024 treasurer’s report, second by Mrs. Emick. The motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION – FFY 2024 – SEDA-COG – Council President, Mr. Greenway recessed the Council meeting at 7:17 PM and opened the Public Hearing. Ms. Tanya Collins /SEDA COG discussed and reviewed the CDBG Block Grant Application FFY 2024. Ms. Collins discussed the program’s history and the anticipated allocation of $102,902.00 for FFY 2024. Ms. Collins reviewed and discussed eligible activities, the national objectives and fundability requirements, the County’s Fair Housing Notice, Anti displacement Plan, Section 504 Outreach and Section 3 Preference. She reviewed the application schedule and stated project finalization should occur at the Borough Council meeting in July with the Lycoming County Commissioner’s final Public Hearing taking place September 5, 2024. She reviewed the prior projects completed in the Borough including the removal of architectural barriers to the John Dorin Municipal building restroom project, Homes in Need project, and curb cuts project. Ms. Collins continued to discuss possible projects for consideration including curb cuts, curbs, and pathways in Indian Park. At this time, Ms. Collins requested any other public comments. Hearing no further comments, Ms. Collins closed the FFY 2024 CDBG application process and concluded the public hearing at 7:38PM. Council President, Mr. Greenway reconvened the council meeting at 7:38 PM. NEW BUSINESS – COMMUNITY YARD SALE REQUEST -JUNE 1st & JUNE 2nd, 2024 -Council President, Mr. Greenway presented the request for the Montoursville Borough Community Yard Sale to be held June 1st & June 2nd, 2024. He shared the reason for the request to change the date was the concern for the safety of children still attending school. Motion by Mrs. Emick to approve the Annual Montoursville Community Yard Sale on June 1st & June 2nd, 2024; second by Mr. Greenway. The motion carried. EMPLOYMENT—FULL TIME NON-LICENSED OPERATOR –DEREK UMSTEAD – Council President, Mr. Greenway presented Employment –Full Time Non-Licenses Operator –Derek Umstead for review. Motion by Mr. Greenway to approve the employment of Derek Umstead for the position of Full-Time Non-Licensed Operator, second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. SRO AGREEMENT & EXTENSION LETTER – Council President, Mr. Greenway presented the SRO Agreement and extension letter for review. Motion by Mrs. Emick to approve SRO Agreement & Extension Letter as presented, second by Mrs. Kline. Council Page 2 May 6, 2024 member, Mrs. Emick expressed her thanks and appreciation to SRO Officer, Marc Storms for all the work that he does. The motion carried. BOROUGH OF MONTOURSVILLE PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL AMENDMENT-A18. FUNCTIONAL CAPCITY EXAM - RESOLUTION 2024-01 – Council President, Mr. Greenway presented Montoursville Personnel Policy Manual amendment A18. Functional Capacity Exam – Resolution 2024-01 for review. Borough Solicitor, Mr. Christopher Kenyon clarified this amendment is a written version of the policy the Borough has followed for years. Motion by Mr. Brown to approve the Borough of Montoursville Personnel Policy Manual amendment, Section A18 Functional Capacity Exam – Resolution 2024-01 as presented; second by Mr. Greenway. The motion carried. AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR RFP PACKAGE AS PREPARED BY BOROUGH SOLICITOR FOR THE DEMOLITION OF 416 SPRUCE ST– Council President, Mr. Greenway presented Authorization to Solicit Bids for RFP Package as Prepared by Borough Solicitor for the Demolition of 416 Spruce St. for review. Motion by Mrs. Kline to approve the authorization to solicit bids for RFP Package as prepared by Borough Solicitor for the Demolition of 416 Spruce St. as presented; second by Mr. Greenway. Borough Solicitor, Mr. Kenyon shared there is a timeline that requires the demolition to be completed by August 31st, 2024 and also ensures the safety as long as people stay out of the structure. The motion carried. FASTBRIDGE FIBER EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR TELECOM CABINET AT 900 ELM ST – Council President, Mr. Greenway presented an easement agreement with Fastbridge Fiber for a telecom cabinet at 900 Elm St. for review. Motion by Mr. Greenway to approve an easement agreement for Fastbridge Fiber for a telecom cabinet located at 900 Elm St. as presented; second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. PLANNING & ZONING – Central Keystone COG Reports April 2024. RECREATION – Council member, Mrs. Emick reviewed and explained Event permits 2024-03- amended, 2024-12 and 2024-13 as presented. Motion by Mrs. Emick to approve Event permit 2024-03 -amended, 2024-12 and 2024-13 as presented, second by Mrs. Kline. The motion carried. Council member, Mrs. Kline extended a thank you to the Kiwanis Club and all that helped with the clean-up of the park STREETS/WATER – Street and Water Project Coordinator, Mr. Hoffman shared the construction of the new playground is completed. It was noted the Borough is now waiting on documents to submit to DCNR,. Once those documents are submitted DCNR will need to complete an inspection prior to public use of the playground. Council member, Mrs. Kline thanked Council member, Mrs. Emick for her efforts towards completion of the playground. MAYOR – Mayor Bagwell stated he does not agree with the current process of assessing the property owner for their curb replacement. His reasoning is that some residents do not have any curb, some streets are more heavily traveled therefore the curb is in worse shape and needs to be replaced more often. POLICE CHIEF – Chief Gyurina reviewed the April 2024 police report. He stated that this past week has been the craziest week in the history of his employment here with several incidents. He elaborated on some of the incidents. He also shared the Little League Parade was well attended, new computers were installed in the police cars for the e-file system, the new police tasers arrived and that his is waiting on the equipment to outfit the new police car. COUNCIL PERSONS – Council Vice President, Mr. Brown announced last week he had administered a civil service test for which there was only one applicant. He is hoping to have a certified list by July 2024. SOLICITOR – Nothing at this time Page 3 May 6, 2024 COUNCIL PRESIDENT – Nothing at this time. PENDING MATTERS – Nothing at this time. CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS – The next Council meeting will be held Monday June 3rd, 2024. VISITOR AND PUBLIC COMMENTS – Fire Chief, Mr. Scott Konkle gave an update on the fire department calls, noting the lightning strike that was caught on a neighbor’s “RING” doorbell camera on Cherry Street. He also shared the Memorial Garden cleanup will be held May 18th, 2024 at 9:00AM. Borough Engineer, Mr. Todd Pysher, shared he attended the Street and Water Committee meeting prior to this meeting where he explained and discussed the Street Improvement Project and curb replacement requirements. Resident, Ms. Kim Myers,, 1127 Elm St, agreed with Mayor Bagwell’s comments about the curbs and questioned why her tax dollars are not being better budgeted to pay for the curbs and paving. Council Vice President, Mr. Brown responded by stating that the curbs need to be paid for by the property owners or taxes will need to be raised yearly. Council President, Mr. Greenway stated currently and since he has been on council, taxes have only been raised every five years. Resident, Mr. Richard Boyles, 407 Tule St, questioned curbing issues with trough in street and wanted to know who put the curbing/trough in. A discussion took place regarding the responsible party for the installation. Borough Engineer, Mr. Todd Pysher shared that he did not know when the installation took place however he knows they had to be installed prior to 2003, which is when he had been appointed as the borough engineer. Some of the residents in attendance were complaining about having to replace curbs that they feel are not in need of being replaced. Borough Engineer, Mr. Todd Pysher explained to the residents that the curbs may give the appearance of being okay, but from an engineering perspective they need to be replaced. Resident, Ms. Annette Baker,1133 Broad St, stated if the borough did not repair the street, residents would not need to replace their curbs. Council President Mr. Greenway and Borough Engineer, Mr. Pysher both stated that repaving the street is not a want, but a need. Resident, Ms. Brenda Holdren, 806 Weldon St, discussed chips versus cracks in the curbing, questioned which ordinance addresses curbing and questioned prior years cost for curbing Council President, Mr. Greenway shared prior cost for curbing. It was also confirmed that curbs are addressed in the borough code of Montoursville. Council President, Mr. Greenway addressed the curb issue and questioned the residents in the audience as to how much if their current tax bill goes to the Borough. None of the residents in attendance knew. He continued to explain that a house assessed at $100,000.00 would only pay $450.00 at the current 4.5 mils a year to the Borough. Council Vice President, Mr. Brown shared those $ 450.00 pays for a 24/7 Police Department, Recreation and Streets Departments within the Borough. He shared that he is the Chairman of the Finance Committee which is charge of putting together the budget, along with Council members, Mrs. Kline and Mrs. Emick noting he takes tax increases very seriously and only when needed. A lengthy discussion ensued with multiple unannounced residents concerning curb costs, replacement criteria, policy criticisms and possible solutions regarding the Street Improvement project. Borough Engineer, Mr. Pysher shared that the Borough receives state funding that is to be used to pave streets in the borough and cannot be used to pay for curbing. At this time, Mayor Bagwell stated the Borough hires the engineer for his expertise. He explained the Borough will take the advice of the expert over the advice of a lay person, so as to address any attacks and criticisms of the Borough Engineers evaluation of residents’ curbing. He also stated the bottom line is that the Street Improvement project will be going forward regardless, and it is the Borough residents’ responsibility for their curbs this year, as it has been in past years, whether they agree with it or not. Council member, Mrs. Kline stated that she appreciated everyone coming and expressing their concerns.. She said possibly in the future a paving schedule could be posted ahead of time. Council President, Mr. Greenway closed by commenting that he was glad for everyone who took the time to attend the council meeting. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM on a motion by Mr. Greenway, second by Mr. Brown. The motion carried. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Ginny Gardner, Borough Secretary