City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 19, 2002 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by the President, Michael J. Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael J. Kovach Jeffrey Wright Albert Gornik Thomas Acri MaryJo Szada Michael Albert Jeffery Wrightstone George Hartwick, III, Mayor David A. Wion, Solicitor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Schedule of Bills as presented. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Community Development, Finance, Fire and Ambulance, Personnel, Police, Public Works, Code Enforcement, and Senior Center Departmental Reports for July, as presented. Mayor Hartwick said that all of his concerns are on the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Barbara Barksdale, President, Friends of Midland – Requesting the borough of Steelton to jointly sponsor a Memorial Day parade next year. Ms. Barksdale was not present to discuss this. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 Paula Sviben, Community Development Coordinator – Informing Council of the Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 8:00 p.m., on the Municipal Building Steps. Ms. Sviben said that Mayor Hartwick will not be able to attend due to a conflict in his schedule and asked Mr. Kovach to speak in his place. She said that Representative Buxton has expressed an interest in speaking, the Steel High Band and chorus will participate; the VFW would like to have a 21-gun salute, but that is not confirmed yet. Ms. Sviben said that the Police and Fire Departments will be there in dress uniform and Lisa Wiedeman will be there with the bracelets. Paul Wintergrass, IV, Superintendent of Water, Filtration & Lab – Providing Council with Certificates of Completion for Himself and Daniel Scheitrum. Mr. Wintergrass added that Randy Keller just completed his correspondence course, Jack Kutz completed Volume 2, and Dan Scheitrum will receive a Class A License on December 31, 2002. On a motion by Mr. Acri, Seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to place the Certificates of Completion in Mr. Wintergrass’ and Mr. Scheitrum’s personnel file. Adams Street Resident – Letter of complaint in regards to cars not moving during street sweeping on Adams Street and suggesting tickets be over $50.00, and that the vehicles be towed on the third offense. Chief Lenker said he believes $10.00, is sufficient and he would prefer not to tow for a street sweeping offense. Mr. Acri asked if these are repeat offenders. Chief Lenker said some are. Mayor Hartwick said he agrees with the Chief. Mr. Kovach said the purpose is to get the street cleaned. He said he would like the committee to look at this to see if there are repeat offenders and discuss including them. Mr. Musser – Providing the Mayor and Council with copies of the minutes from the construction job conference on June 28, 2002, in regards to the Municipal, East end and Cottage Hill Parks Project. There were no comments. York Waste Disposal, Inc. – Letter informing the Borough that they must make a modest rate increase due to rising expenses and due to House Bill (HB) 2044. Mr. Wion said that the legislature passed a bill on Solid Waste Disposal fees. He said they imposed a fee for everybody who is a transport hauler to help to defer the costs of the legislation to regulate and gives the hauler the right to pass it on to the customer. Mr. Acri asked if York Waste is going to notify the customers. Mr. Wion said he thinks they indicate the content of that letter would be about what I just explained. Mayor Hartwick suggested that, for public information purposes, we should include this in the next newsletter and encourage residents to contact the legislature.  Ina Alcendor, 109 Conestoga Street, Steelton – Providing Council with her letter of resignation from the Steelton Planning commission, effective August 18, 2002. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wrightstone, Council Members voted unanimously to accept Ms. Alcendor’s resignation, as presented. Mayor Hartwick asked Mr. Musser to send her a letter thanking her for services to the Borough. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 Robert Houser & Lorraine Singer, 444 South Second Street – Requesting Council to appoint them to the Steelton Borough Planning Commission upon a vacancy. Mr. Musser noted that there are now two vacancies since Ms. Alcendor and Mrs. Phillips resigned. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to appoint Robert Houser and Lorraine Singer to fill the two vacancies on the Planning Commission. Troy P. Elhajj, Steelton Borough Police Officer – requesting an extension be given to him for the up-coming physical agility test for the promotion of Corporal due to his work related injury. Chief Lenker said we will submit this to the Civil Service Commission. He added that if the Borough hires three (3) sergeants, this will be a moot point. Robert E. Watkins, Jr., Vice-President, Pa Steel Technologies, Inc. – Letter in response to the Code Violation letter dated June 11, 2002. Mayor Hartwick said they are telling us that they will not comply with the codes because of funds. Mr. Kovach said he told codes to continue to enforce the violation and if need be, we will trim their woods and bill them. He said they aren’t any different from any other citizen. Mr. Acri agreed that they should be treated the same. All Members of Council concurred. New Baldwin Corridor Coalition (NBCC) – Providing Council with the minutes from the July 16, 2002 meeting and other information. There were no comments. David and Judy Venturo, Steelton – Requesting the Borough investigate specific alleys surrounding their home. Mr. Musser said that he and Mr. Wion will research this and report at the next meeting. Jesse M. Evans, Jr., 2640 South 3rd Street and Geraldine G. Evans, 36 south Harrisburg Street – Letter in regards crime and deterioration that is happening to the neighborhood around 36 South Harrisburg Street. Chief Lenker said he agrees with them. He said we have had extra men on patrol and Council just authorized hiring two part-time officers to improve the quality of life. He said we received nine (9) applications and we will be setting up interviews. Mr. Acri said he agrees with the Chief, that we need to increase the patrols and crack down on these kids. Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs – Invitation to the Fall Leadership Conference, October 25-27, 2002, at the Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Kovach said that anyone who wishes to attend should contact Mr. Musser. Ms. Czeiner - Providing Council with a copy of the newly revised Code Enforcement Letter for repeat offenders. Mr. Kovach asked Council Members to review the letter and if there are any questions, they should direct them to Ms. Czeiner. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Ms. Czeiner – Requesting final approval of the Land Development Plans for a proposed Laundromat at 256 North Front Street, Steelton. Ms. Czeiner said the plan has been approved by the County and Steelton Planning Commissions and they went through a zoning hearing and it was approved. She said the only thing we need from the owner is a letter of intent. Ms. Czeiner presented the plans for Council’s review. She said the Laundromat would be located at the corner of Trewick and North Front Street. Mr. Wion said that Dauphin County and Steelton Planning Commission approved them pending all of their comments being met. He asked if they have been met. Ms. Czeiner said yes. Mr. Wion said there are some public improvements and normally there has to be an improvement guarantee. He said the owner posts 110% of the value of the submission of the improvements and the owner will have his engineer supply the information, it will be reviewed by the Borough’s engineers. Mr. Wion said his recommendation is if Council wants to approve this, it should be on the condition of the improvement guarantee and the financial security based on the engineer’s indications. Mr. Wion informed Council that the variance before the Zoning Hearing Board was on July 15th, so the thirty (30) days for appeal has passed. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Land Development Plan submitted, contingent on the owners signing the original plan, having it notarized and submitting the improvement guarantee and the financial security based on the engineer’s indications, and having it recorded. It was noted that the owner has agreed to these conditions. RESOLUTION 2002-R-13, A Resolution establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Izola Robinson of 144 Lincoln Street, was presented for Council’s consideration. Mr. Musser said he still needs the neighbor to give permission for the additional space. On motion by Mr. Wrightstone, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2002-R-13 as presented, contingent upon receipt of neighbor’s permission to use additional space.  RESOLUTION 2002-R-14 – a Resolution establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for John & Donna Kyler of 26 North Third Street was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wrightstone, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2002-R-14 as presented. Chief Lenker – Providing Council with the Traffic Survey for River Alley. Chief Lenker said this is a result of a letter received at last month’s council meeting. He said that under PennDOT guidelines, we can legally prohibit parking on that section of River Alley. He said it is also a safety issue. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Gornik, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Traffic Survey as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the bids received for Bailey Street and Poplar Street Playgrounds. Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 Mr. Musser said Rogele, Inc., was the lowest bidder at $177,997.00. He said after the alternate deducts, the bid is reduced to $142,300.00. Mr. Musser said that $90,000 to $92,000, is available in CDBG Funds to do these parks, without General Fund dollars. He listed some of the options available to the Borough. Mr. Musser said that the Borough can do one total park or part of each or wait until additional funds become available. Mayor Hartwick asked if it affects the bid since Rogele is already doing some of the other parks and their equipment is here. Mr. Musser said it does. Mayor Hartwick reminded Council that we made a commitment to do the parks and recommended we do Bailey Street Playground this year and do Poplar Street Playground next year, noting that the Bailey Street Playground is about $108,000. Mrs. Handley was excused at 7:10 p.m. Mr. Kovach said Rogele, Inc. is currently doing the work on the other parks. Mr. Kovach asked what the total cost to do Bailey Street Park would be. Mr. Musser said $124,000. Mr. Acri said that leaves us about $35,000 short. Mayor Hartwick asked if we do both parks this year could we use next year’s CDBG funds to reimburse ourselves for the work? Mr. Musser said this is not permitted under the program. Mr. Musser said there is not much more that can be deducted from the project after the alternates are taken away. Mr. Acri said he was afraid of running into the same problem that we had with Municipal Park at Bailey Street when we redo the Basketball Courts. Mayor Hartwick asked if we could do the basketball courts in the future. Mr. Musser said we could do this as second phase of the project in the upcoming years with CDBG funds. Mr. Kovach suggested that Council reject the bids, because of the cost and re-bid the projects next year. Mayor Hartwick said because of the future projects that are to be funded from CDBG funds like the Lincoln Street waterline project we can either do what we can this year or borrow money next year to do these parks. Mayor Hartwick said he is not in favor of putting the projects on the back burner. Mr. Acri said he is in favor of doing what we can this year, but not in favor of borrowing money to do playgrounds. Mr. Albert said we should wait until next year. Mayor Hartwick said the problem with that is that we are getting a good bid from Rogele, Inc., now, because they have their equipment on site. Mr. Musser said one of the problems is the cost estimates done by Marcel Mileo are under estimated by about $70,000 and that is one reason we do not have enough CDBG funds at this time. Mr. Kovach and Mr. Gornik said if we don’t do it this year we won’t do it next year. Mr. Kovach said we promised the public we would do all the playgrounds and it is not fair to do 3 and not the other 2. Mr. Kovach said there must be something we can work out here. Mr. Musser said one of the main problems at Poplar Street is the liability with the retaining wall collapsing there if we don’t do the project this year. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to award the bid to Rogele, Inc., and only do the Playground at Bailey Street and all of Poplar Street at this time. Mr. Kovach said the basketball courts at Bailey Street will be done in the upcoming years. Mr. Navarro – Providing Council with an update on the Swatara Street Retaining Wall. Mr. Musser said the report he received from Mr. Navarro states that the cracks at the Swatara Street wall were due to settlement and that the wall is stable. Council agreed that, if there are any problems with the wall in regards to repairs, and it has only been a year since the wall was built, Mr. Navarro should pay for the repairs. Mr. Musser said the report does not say that repairs are needed, it is only a cost estimate if anything would need done, but Mr. Navarro does not believe anything will need to be done. Mr. Musser – Requesting Permission to set a date to interview for the position of Part- Time Police Officer in the Borough of Steelton. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 Mr. Kovach said a date can be picked after the meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Susan J. Hoff, Dauphin County Maintenance, PennDOT – Requesting the Borough Execute the Winter Traffic Agreement #087306, for Fiscal Year 2002-2003, as presented. There were no comments. Mayor Hartwick – requesting council approve a Resolution in support of the regional Asset District (“RAD”). Mayor Hartwick said he is doing more research on this matter and does not request Council to take any action on this matter until he is more confident on his recommendation. Mayor Hartwick – Discussion in regards to the New Year’s Eve Celebration. Mayor Hartwick said he has received a lot of public support for a New Year’s Eve Celebration and thinks it would fit nicely into the Main Street Program. Mayor Hartwick said he would suggest dropping a Schmidt’s Sausage into a Belgrade Roll. Mayor Hartwick said this is a unique idea, but he would like to hear other ideas. Mayor Hartwick said it is up to Council. Mr. Wright said this item should be placed in committee. Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the need to compensate Mrs. Ethel Brookins for her job as Administrative Assistant to the Mrs. Penica in the Steelton Senior Center. Mr. Musser explained the duties Mrs. Brookins’ performs as a volunteer. Mr. Musser said it is the recommendation of the Senior Center Advisory Committee to request Council appoint Mrs. Brookins as an Administrative Assistant to Mrs. Penica at a salary of $200.00 a month. Mr. Musser said she will be an appointed employee of the Borough, but the Steelton Community Development Foundation, Inc., will pay all of the costs associated with her position. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council members present voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Ethel Brookins as Administrative Assistant to the Senior Center Coordinator at a salary of $200.00 a month effective immediately. Mr. Musser – Informing Council that Special Purpose Parking Applications have been received from Anthony Bernardo, 28 North Second Street and Stanley Edwards of 32 North Second Street. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2002-R-15, establishing a special purpose parking space for Stanley Edwards of 32 North Second Street. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2002-R-16, establishing a special purpose parking space for Anthony Bernardo of 28 North Second Street. Mr. Musser noted that the space is located beside his property. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting August 19, 2002 Shelia Walker of Bright Future Day Care said the Borough painted parking lines on their property for public parking and the Day Care did not authorize it. Mr. Musser said that is true. Mr. Musser said Mr. Watkins from Bethlehem Steel believed it was their property and gave the Borough permission. Mr. Musser said we later found out that it was not the mill’s property and was in fact Bright Future’s property. Mr. Kovach said he would have signs posted and make sure the lines are painted over. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Musser presented RESOLUTION 2002-R-17, eliminating a special purpose parking space for Pauline M. Crist of 608 North Second Street. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2002-R-17, eliminating the special purpose parking space for Pauline M. Crist of 608 North Second Street. Mr. Musser presented Change Order #1 for the Municipal Park Project. Mr. Musser said this change order has to do with all of the erosion and wash out that was discovered when the Basketball Courts at Municipal Park were dug up. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to approve Change Order #1 payable to Rogele, Inc., in the amount of $16,244.64, as presented. Mayor Hartwick asked Council to consider changing the zoning of the Cibort Park property from light industrial to recreational. Mayor Hartwick – Requesting an Executive Session to Discuss the Bethlehem Steel Tax Appeal Issue. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted to recess into executive session to discuss the Bethlehem Steel Tax Appeal Mrs. Handley returned during the executive session The meeting reconvened at 9:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting immediately adjourned. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary