City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 24, 2003 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by the Council-President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Hartwick invited Reverend Hearst to give the invocation. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach Michael Albert Jeffrey Wright Jeffrey Wrightstone Thomas Acri Albert Gornik Maryjo Szada Mayor George Hartwick, III David A. Wion, Solicitor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary Mr. Kovach deviated from the Agenda to allow Mayor Hartwick to swear in Mark Daniel to the Borough Fire Police and Victor Brubacher as Battalion Chief in the Steelton Fire Department Mayor Hartwick said that he appreciates thos individuals who volunteer for public service, in particular to the Fire Department and applauds them for their efforts. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2003 and the February 3, 2003, Council Meetings, as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time. Mr. Acri noted that at the February 3, 2003 meeting, Council voted to accept Ms. Czeiner’s resignation, effective March 3, 2003, but did not vote on the recommendation to pay her through March 14, 2003, and he would like to do that at this time. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council members present voted unanimously to pay Ms. Czeiner through March 14, 2003. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Schedule of Bills, requisitions and change orders as presented. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS:  On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Community Development, Finance, Fire and Ambulance, Personnel, Police, Public Works, Code Enforcement, and Senior Center Departmental Reports for January, as presented. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Hartwick said that while there is a lot going on, at this time he wanted to commend the Public Works Department for all the extra hours and hard work during the recent snow storm. He commended Mr. Conjar and all of his men. He said they take pride in their work and it shows. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Paula J. Sviben – Providing Council with an update on the Pre-Independence Day Parade & Festival and requesting permission to pursue the possibility of using Second Street from Pine Street to Adams Street for the event. Ms. Sviben said that we will have to limit the Festival to one (1) day instead of trying it for three days, because of the uncertainty of the Bethlehem Steel lot, which we used last year. Mayor Hartwick suggested that the Community Development Committee discuss this and make a recommendation to Council at the next meeting. It was the consensus of Council Members present to accept the Mayor’s recommendation. Mr. Musser said he had one addition which didn’t appear on the agenda: Chief Lenker – Certificate of Completion presented to John N. King and Kenneth A. Lenker for Law Enforcement Officers Flying armed Program. On a Motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to place the certificates in the Officer’s personnel files. Mr. Musser – Providing Council and the Mayor with information regarding Downtown Development Courses. Mr. Kovach asked that anyone who wishes to attend please contact Mr. Musser Shirley Neal – Thank you note to Mayor Hartwick, Council & the Borough Staff for the gift honoring her for 26 years of service with the Borough. There were no comments. Kenneth Lenker, Police Chief – Providing Council with an update regarding impounded vehicles. There were no comments. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the CDBG Projects. Mr. Musser said that the Municipal Parking Lot does not qualify as a project and the income surveys have not been completed for the Municipal Park, due to the snow. He said that the Borough, as a whole, may qualify but the 2000 census data hasn’t been completed yet. Mr. Musser presented Council with the following recommendations for the FY 2003 CDBG Projects. 1) Spot Clearance/Land Acquisition – $160,000; 2) Update of the Land Development/Subdivision Ordinance - $17,560; 3) Bailey Street Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 Playground/Basketball Court - $40,000. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the FY 2003 CDBG Projects as recommended by Mr. Musser. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the Police Pension Plan. Mr. Musser informed Council that he and Mr. Wion met with Tom Zimmerman from Conrad Siegel to discuss the investment performance over the last few years in the Police Pension Plan. Mr. Musser noted that the Police Pension Plan was over-funded, but now it is even because investments have done poorly, not just in the Pension Fund, but most investments have been affected. Mr. Musser said that the MMO for 2003 is $28,000.00, and we will have sufficient State Aid for that; in 2004 the MMO will be $40,000 and we should get enough state aid for that also; in 2005 the MMO will be $140,000, and the officers will have to start contributing to the Plan. He said we will have to look at investment rates and actuarial planning and we may be able to reduce that. Mr. Musser said that the member contributions would be five (5%) per cent. He said that Council is obligated to fund the Pension Plans. Mr. Musser said that we will have some time to work on this, but he just wanted to make Council aware of the situation as it exists right now. South Central Assembly for Effective Governance – Providing the Borough with a report on Brownfield’s in South Central PA. There were no comments. Dauphin County Commissioners – Letter informing Mayor Hartwick that he has been reappointed to the Dauphin County Economic Development Advisory Board. There were no comments. New Baldwin Corridor Coalition (NBCC) – Providing Council with Minutes from the January 21, 2003 meeting. There were no comments. David E. Black, CREDC – Requesting the Borough to pass a Resolution which serves as notice to the State that the Borough has publicly acknowledged the Enterprise Zone Designation. Mr. Musser recommended that Council pass the RESOLUTION 2003-R-12, because it will not cost the Borough any money, it entitles the area to low-interest loans and does not provide for tax abatements. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members presented voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-12, which serves as notice to the State that the Borough has publicly acknowledged the Enterprise Zone Designation, as presented. Paul Wintergrass – Informing Council that he and Dan Scheitrum have successfully completed the Maintenance Management Workshop for Water Treatment and Pumping Facilities. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the Certificates placed in their personnel files. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Dennis Heefner, Steelton Planning Commission – Requesting Permission to address Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 Council on behalf of the Planning Commission regarding the proposed ordinance on the Regulations for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities. Mr. Heefner noted that the Planning Commission forwarded a copy of the Swatara Township Ordinance as a guide for adoption in the Borough, but he noted that there is no wording for the residential areas and wondered if the Council should try to work something into the ordinance including the residential areas in the Borough. Mr. Musser suggested that once the Swatara Township Ordinance is amended to the Borough’s specifications, Council could adopt it so that we have some regulations in place and then when we have the wording for the residential areas ready, we can amend the Ordinance to include that. Mr. Wion said that the Swatara Township Planning Commission had about five or six meetings and they had a lot of different literature on the subject and had five or six Cellular Providers address them. He said then they came up with the provision before Council, but Council has to look at this Community to see if all the wording is applicable. Mr. Wion said that it would be a zoning change, so when the Planning Commission sends Council their recommendations, Council should advertise it, hold a public hearing, then send it to the Tri-County Planning Commission. Mr. Wion said that as long as there are no gaps in service, they can’t make Council put something up. He also noted that there are no longer any health concerns with the towers, according to the Federal Government. Mr. Heefner thanked everyone for their comments. Tri-County Regional Planning Commission – Requesting Borough Council to indicate if they should or should not adopt the South Central Pennsylvania Principles of Intergovernmental Cooperation. Mayor Hartwick said the he is in full support of this since it benefits the community without loosing the Community’s identity. On motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council members present voted unanimously to approve the Principles of Intergovernmental Cooperation.  Mr. Musser – Reminding Council that a Committee should be established to review the proposed Bloodborne Pathogens Policy. Dr. Szada said that we have to have a policy in place for our employees and volunteers, but we have to determine the wording in the policy. Mr. Kovach and Mr. Acri volunteered to serve on the Committee with Dr. Szada as the Chairperson. Mr. Musser – Informing Council four applications were received for the position of Part- Time Police Officer. Mr. Musser asked Council the set a meeting date and time to interview the four (4) applicants. Ralph Amato, Municipal Manager, York Waste Disposal, Inc. – Letter confirming the Borough of Steelton’s Spring Clean-Up for Saturday, April 26, 2003. Mr. Acri asked if the residents have to take their items to the dumpsters. Mr. Musser said that they would or the Fire Department will again be picking up items for a donation. He noted York Waste’s prices for Borough-Wide Bulk Pickup was too high. Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 ADDITIONS: Chief Lenker – Presenting Officer Shaub’s Traffic Survey for the 0-100 block of North Second Street, to establish fifteen (15) minute parking in that area. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept the Traffic Survey Recommendations of Officer Shaub, as presented. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2003-R-8 – A Resolution supporting the petition of the Executive Director of the Capital Tax Collection Bureau to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-8, as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-9 – A Resolution of the Borough of Steelton, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Authorizing the Borough of Steelton to enter into Agreement No. 08799s with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-9, as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-10 – A Resolution removing the Special Purpose Parking Space for Cheryl A. Jones of 26 Kennedy Lane, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-10, as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-11 – A Resolution establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Annie Mae Hunter of 26 Kennedy Lane, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-11, as presented, contingent upon the Dauphin County Housing Authority giving permission for the space. Mr. Musser – Requesting Council approve the following bids for the Borough of Steelton’s excess vehicles. Mr. Musser informed Council Members that we advertised for the sale of five (5) Borough vehicles. He presented the following bids and requested Council’s approval: 97 Ford Crown Victoria - Grace Quality Used Cars bid $3,805.00 96 Ford Crown Victoria - Police Cars Unlimited bid $1,440.00 94 Ford Crown Victoria - Ritchie’s Towing, Inc. bid $500.00 83 GMC Box Truck - Ritchie’s Towing, Inc. bid $750.00 On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept the bids as presented. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 Mr. Musser said that there were no bids received for the 5-ton dump truck, so he will re-advertise. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Acri - Requesting an executive session to discuss Police Personnel Matters in regards to Officer Gaither. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Reverend Hearst, Sr., 2nd & Adams Street - wanted to thank the Borough for the snow removal. Sherri Summerfield, 20 S. Harrisburg Street - said she is new to the Borough and wanted to know if the Borough had a snow removal plan. She said that, like everywhere else, there is so much snow and they don’t know where to put it. Mr. Kovach explained that when we have a snow storm of this magnitude we open all the primary roads first, then the secondary roads and the alleys. He said there were a few times that we hauled snow away, when we had several storms in a row. Mr. Kovach said that Council decided not to do that this year, because of budget constraints. He agreed that it is a difficult situation. Mayor Hartwick said that if neighbors move the cars when the men are out plowing, they try to help by moving the snow, but with this much snow, it makes it difficult because it makes the piles at the end of the street very high. Dr. Szada wondered if it would be possible to take one of the Borough dump trucks to a neighborhood and have the neighbors shovel the snow into the dump truck. Mr. Kovach said that is a good idea, but Mr. Conjar said that we don’t really have any place to dump the snow. He also noted that we have had some mechanical problems with some of the vehicles. Jean Barr, 346 B Locust Street – asked Chief Lenker if someone gets subpoenaed to go to a hearing, but at the time you get there you’re not needed, if you leave would you get arrested. Chief Lenker said that it is up to the Judge to determine, it is not a police matter. Ms. Barr also commented that she wished some of the neighbors would try to reduce some of the piles of snow, especially at the corners. Chief Lenker – Requested Mr. Wion to review our snow emergency plan. Mr. Acri agreed that Council needs to address that. Mr. Kovach said that Chief Vance also has some suggestions for when we activate our Emergency Operations Center. Mr. Kovach said that when we get 26 inches of snow it makes things difficult. He said we will meet with the Departments to discuss the Snow Emergency Plan. Mr. Acri said that we have a highway crew that we can be proud of. Mr. Musser noted that when the snow emergency was declared it specified that it was for vehicle travel on the streets, not the parking. Mr. Acri said that he likes the idea of moving the cars and have Public Works move the snow. Ina Alcindor – 109 Conestoga Street – Asked if it would be possible for Council to contact the business, for permission to have the people park on the least used parts of their lots, so the men could plow the streets. Mr. Wright said that we will try to have a plan. Mayor Hartwick noted that we have TMI drills through the Emergency Management Agency, but we need to have drills and assignments for snow and floods. Mr. Kovach stated that these were all good ideas. Chief Lenker said that some people did park on business lots and did not move the cars for days and the police had to get involved in having them moved. Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting February 24, 2003 Mr. Kovach – Said that he is pleased to announce that Mr. Mike Stone has agreed to remain on the Civil Service Commission. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: There was nothing additional at this time. On motion by Mr. Acri seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss Police Personnel matters, regarding Officer Gaither, at 7:42 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m., and there being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Acri, the meeting was immediately adjourned.  Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary ____________________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Assistant Secretary