City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 3, 2002 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by the President Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach Thomas Acri Jeffrey Wright Jeffrey Wrightstone Albert Gornik Mayor, George P. Hartwick, III MaryJo Szada Michael Albert David A. Wion, Solicitor Michael G. Musser, II , Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT: On Agenda Items Only There were no comments. PRESENTATION: Craig W. Bachik, Brinjac Engineering, Inc. – Presentation on the Bailey Street & Poplar Street Park System Renovations. Mr. Bachik reviewed the planned improvements and alterations to the Bailey Street Basketball Courts and Tot Lot and the Poplar Street Playground and retaining wall. Mr. Bachik said that the plans and bid documents are ready for the Solicitor’s review and to advertise. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to Authorize Mr. Bachik to present the documents for the Solicitor’s review and, if there are no changes, put the project out for bid. Mr. Gornik asked when the project would be completed. Mr. Bachik said that it would probably be completed in September. Mr. Kovach deviated from the Agenda to allow Mr. Paul Navarro, of Navarro, & Wright Engineering to discuss the report from Advantage Engineering on the Swatara Street Retaining Wall Review. Mr. Navarro said that Council has a copy of the report. Mr. Navarro discussed the wall and the possible reasons for its present condition.. He said that he agreed with the assessment and recommendations in the report prepared by Mr. Balsavage, Managing Partner with Advantage Engineering. Mr. Wion referred to the mention of the daily field reports in the report and asked if these were the Navarro & Wright or Rogele reports. Mr. Navarro said they are referring to Navarro & Wright reports. Dr. Szada asked if part of the wall has to be replaced, how much would be replaced and how much would it cost. Mr. Navarro said he would like some time to respond to that question. He said he would confer with Mr. Balsavage and report back to Council within the month. Mr. Kovach said that it was the consensus of the Council members present to have Navarro & Wright monitor the wall, as recommended, to determine if there is any additional rotation, or if this was due to Settlement, then proceed with remedies from that point. Mr. Kovach informed Mr. Navarro that the next Scheduled Council meeting would be on July 15, 2002. He also asked Mr. Navarro to contact Dr. Szada Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting June 3, 2002 As soon as the information that she requested is available. COMMUNICATIONS: Commissioner John D. Payne, HATS Secretary – Informing the borough of the next meetings of the HATS Technical and Coordinating Committee on Friday, June 7th and Friday June 21st at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Kovach asked that anyone who wishes to attend, please contact Mr. Musser. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with the June 2002 Borough Calendar. There were no comments. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with information from the New Baldwin corridor Coalition Community Workshop. There were no comments. Jesse M. Evans, Jr., 2640 South Third Street – Informing council of a trash complaint. Mr. Musser informed Council members that Mr. Wright discussed this with Ms. Czeiner and it has been addressed. Boyer & Ritter, CPA’s – Invitation to an Evening with the Harrisburg Senators on City Island on June 22, 2002. Mr. Kovach noted that this is the same day as our Pre-Independence Day Parade and Festival. Ron Jones, PennDOT, District 8 – Providing council and the Mayor with an update on the Route 230 Safety Project. Mr. Musser said that we should hear in July that the project is approved. He said that the bid specs and agreements should be completed no later than August, 2002, and then we will be able to go out to bid. Mr. Musser said that if we aren’t in time to get good prices, we will wait for winter to bid. Mr. Musser also noted that once the funds are approved, PennDOT will encumber them, so we are in no danger of losing the funding.  Dick Miller, Chairman of the Board, CAT – Invitations to a Breakfast Meeting on Tuesday, June 25th at 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 A.M., at the Radisson Hotel, Camp Hill, Pa. Mr. Kovach said that anyone who wishes to attend, should contact Mr. Musser. George W. Gekas, 17th District, U.s. Congressman – Providing council with information on the Safety and Security of the Three Mile Island. There were no comments. Cathy Long, Corresponding Secretary, Capital City Chapter – Requesting a meeting to discuss pedestrian safety issues regarding individuals who are visually impaired and who live in the Borough. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting June 3, 2002 There were no comments. Larry G. Williamson, Director, DCNR – Invitation to the DCNR Regional Stakeholder meeting on Thursday, June 13, 2002, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Capital Union Building, Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, Pa. Mr. Musser recommended that someone from the Borough attend, but said that he will be unable to attend, because he will be at a conference. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Musser - Requesting Council to award the bid for 313-317 North Front to Donald Donley, in the amount of $35,000 and to authorize Mr. Wion to prepare the Agreement of Sale. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council members present voted 4 to 1 to award the bid to Mr. Donley in the amount of $35,000, and to authorize Mr. Wion to proceed with necessary agreements to complete the sale. Dr. Szada cast the dissenting vote. Resolution 2002-R-11 – A Resolution Designating a Special Purpose Parking Space for Jill M. Perez, 232 Elm Street, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2002-R-10 as presented. Daniel S. Cohen – Providing Council with copies of the Resolution approving the Change of Control and Internal reorganization along with the Certificate of Acceptance. Mr. Musser informed council members that Mr. Wion reviewed these documents and has no changes or concerns. These are just for council’s information and will be placed on the July agenda for adoption.  Mr. Musser – Requesting Council to approve the Agreement regarding the increase of $.50 an hour for Charles L. Miller, Jr., retroactive to May 7, 2002, to compensate him for his position as Assistant Highway Foreman. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to approve the Agreement for an increase of $.50 an hour for Charles L. Miller, Jr., retroactive to May 7, 2002, as compensation for his position as Assistant Highway Foreman. NEW BUSINESS: Richard J. Thompson, 153 Lincoln Street – Submission of Special Purpose Parking Space Application. Mr. Musser said this is for Council’s information. Robert J. Murphy, CPA, Partner, Boyer & Ritter – Providing Council with a Letter of Understanding of the Arrangements for the Services to be provided to the Borough of Steelton for the year ending December 31, 2002. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting June 3, 2002 On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to execute the Letter of Understanding with Boyer & Ritter, as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with the bids for the Borough of Steelton Trash & Recycling Contract. Mr. Musser said that Mr. Ralph Amatto, from York Waste Disposal was present in the audience. He informed Council that the bids were received for the trash contract and red allowed for the public, today, June 3, 2002, at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Musser said the Mr. Wion reviewed them at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Musser said that in all instances, the lowest bidder was York Waster. He also noted that there was a problem with Waste Management’s documents – they were not dated or signed. Mr. Musser informed Council that the present contract expires at the end of June. He then explained that there were six alternate bids. After review of the six alternates, on motion by Mr. Gornik, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council members present voted 4 to 1, to accept the bid alternate for 5 years, at a rate of 36.75 per quarter, in the first year. Dr. Szada cast the dissenting vote. Mr. Musser noted that the current cost per quarter is 29.72, plus the $1.00 administration charge, equaling an increase of $7.00 for the first year. Mr. Musser said that this option was the least costly of the six alternates. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council members present voted to keep the Administrative Fee at $1.00 per quarter. Mr. Kovach asked Mr. Musser to send a letter to the residents, informing them of the new contract. Mr. Kovach said that two items were overlooked on the Agenda. Mr. Musser – Providing council with an update to the Steelton Borough council regarding the potential borrowing proposal. Mr. Musser said that he would like to contact the Finance Committee to arrange an advertised meeting to discuss the proposal, then make a recommendation to the full Council. Ms. Czeiner – Providing council with an Amendment to Chapter 94, Subsection 20 of the Code of the Borough of Steelton. It was the consensus of Council members to table this matter. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Acri – Requesting an executive session to discuss personnel matters concerning Sylvie Stoner and Wendy Penica. Mr. Musser said that in Mr. Acri’s absence, he was requesting the executive session to discuss the personnel matters concerning Sylvie Stoner and Wendy Penica. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Saeek Salomon, Owner of 175 S. Front St. Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting June 3, 2002 Mr. Salomon said that Ms. Czeiner said that Council was going to discuss this tonight, so he wanted to attend the meeting. He said that he would like to have two or three tables out on the sidewalk, in front of his restaurant located at 175 S. Front St., from around 5:00 to 10:00 in the evening. Mr. Kovach said this is the matter that was just tabled, but since Mr. Salomon was present, Council agreed to discuss the Amendment to chapter 94, Subsection 20. Mr. Wion said that the Borough now allows displays on sidewalks, but they must allow so many feet free. Mr. Wion said that the ordinance refers to ‘goods’ and Ms. Czeiner would like to change the ordinance to allow for tables and dinning. He said that Ms. Czeiner has to discuss that with all of Council. Mr. Wion said council must decide what they want these owners to be able to do. He said that whatever Council does, they want to have a minimum width, no matter what is permitted. After further discussion, on motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Wion to prepare and advertise the amendment, as presented, and allow Mr. ??? to do this on a trial basis and the amendment will be considered at the July Meeting. Mr. Kovach told Mr. Salomon that Ms. Czeiner would be informed of Council’s actions and be in touch with him.  On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding Sylvie Stoner and Wendy Penica, at 8:00 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:26 p.m. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Gornik, Council members present voted unanimously to increase the salary for Wendy Penica to $15,000 a year, effective July 1, 2002. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Gornik, Council members present voted unanimously not to change Sylvie Stoner’s duties, or to increase her wages. At the request of Mr. Wright, Mr. Kovach took over the Chairmanship of the Community Development Committee, and appointed Mr. Wright as Chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Wright will remain a member of the Community Development Committee and Mr. Kovach will continue to be a member of the Finance Committee. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Gornik, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________________ ____________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary