City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2003 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by the President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach MaryJo Szada Jeffrey Wright Thomas Acri Michael Albert Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner George P. 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 an executive session was held today at 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters in the Public Works and Police Departments. The following were in attendance: Mr. Kovach, Mr. Wright, Mr. Acri, Mr. Albert, Mr. Heefner, Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Mr. Conjar, Mr. Musser and Mrs. Handley. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: South Central Assembly for Effective Governance – Invitation to the ‘Back to Prosperity: A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania” on Wednesday, December 10th from 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM at the Harrisburg Hilton & Towers Downtown. Mr. Kovach said that anyone who wishes to attend should contact Mr. Musser. Daniel S. Robinson, Director, Dauphin County Office of Community & Economic Development – Informing the Borough that at the October 28, 2003 Dauphin County’s Board of Commissioners’ meeting the FY 2004 Annual Action Plan for the FY 2004 CDBG Funds was approved for the Steelton Projects. There were no comments.  Mr. Musser & Mr. Heefner – Providing council with information on proposed legislation in regards to a Municipal Public Service and Safety Fee and a Gaming Initiative. There were no comments. Marcus Kohl, Environmental Advocate, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting December 1, 2003 Protection – Informing the Borough of the opportunity to provide input on the application for an Amendment to Plan Approval 22-05007A from the Harrisburg Authority on December 2, 2003, at 7 PM at the Community Life Building, 1119 South Cameron Street. There were no comments. Thomas L. Zimmerman, F. S. A., Consulting Actuary, Conrad Siegel – Providing the Borough with a copy of the Borough of Steelton Police Pension Plan, January 1, 2003, Actuarial Valuation. There were no comments. Cathy J. Sprenger, Non-Credit Outreach Program Manager, Shippensburg University – Providing Mr. Musser with a Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of his dedication and support on the 2002-2003 Advisory Board for the Institute for Municipal Secretaries, Clerks and Administrators. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the Certificate of Appreciation in Mr. Musser’s personnel file. Mr. & Mrs. David M. Dolfi, 352 South 7th Street, Steelton, PA – Letter informing Mrs. Sviben that she is doing a wonderful job and to keep up the good work. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the letter placed in Ms. Sviben’s personnel file. Herman Himes, ISG Employee – Letter requesting the traffic light at South Front and Swatara Streets, and South Front and Locust Streets have a different sensor installed. This is for Council’s information. ADDITION: George P. Hartwick, III – Letter of Resignation as Mayor of the Borough of Steelton, effective December 31, 2003 since he was elected to a County Commissioner’s seat. Members of Council offered their congratulations and best wishes to Mayor Hartwick. Mayor Hartwick addressed the Council and spoke of things accomplished and those that remained to be done. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Mayor Hartwick’s resignation, effective December 31, 2003. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2003-R-46, adopting the 2004 Borough of Steelton Sewer Budget, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-46, as presented. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting December 1, 2003 RESOLUTION 2003-R-47 - A Resolution adopting the 2004 Borough of Steelton General Fund Budget was presented for consideration. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-47 as presented. ORDINANCE 2003-8, - An Ordinance Fixing the Tax Rates for 2004 was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, council Members present voted unanimously to adopt ORDINANCE 2003-8 as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-48 – A Resolution adopting the Discounts & Penalties for 2004 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-48 as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-49 – A Resolution establishing a Special Purpose Parking Zone for Helen T. Case of 344 Locust Street was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-49 as presented. RESOLUTION 2003-R-50 – A Resolution establishing a “No Parking” Zone on Woodbine Street from Catherine Street to Primrose alley on the East and West Side, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-50 as presented. Ordinance 2003-9 – An Ordinance to Amend the Code of the borough of Steelton, Chapter 90 Thereof Entitled ‘Sewers’ to Change the Rents and Charges for Sewer Usage and the Effective Date of Such Changes of Rents and Charges. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt ORDINANCE 2003-9 as presented. Carrie Troutman, Actuarial Analyst, Mockenhaupt Benefits Group – Providing the Borough with an Actuarial Study as of January 1, 2003, to estimate the cost of an Ad Hoc Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) equal to a 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% Monthly Benefit Increase for the current retirees of the Non-Uniform Pension Plan, effective January 2004. On a motion by Mr. Acri, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment. RESOLUTION 2003-R-52 – A Resolution establishing a 3% Cost of Living increase for the Non-Uniform Pension Plan effective January 2004, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-52 as presented. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting December 1, 2003 Mr. Musser – Providing council with a Breakdown of the Banking RFP’s received and request approval to name Citizens Bank as the Bank to handle all of the Borough’s daily banking and investments. RESOLUTION 2003-R-53, a Resolution designating Citizens Bank to handle all of the Borough’s daily banking and investments 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-53 as presented. Chief Lenker – Providing Council with his recommendations in regards to the Special Purpose Parking Place at 15 Jefferson Street and the Request from 470 North Second Street. Mr. Acri noted that Chief Lenker was not able to attend the meeting this evening, but explained that Mr. Zuvich was at the Council Meeting last month with his son and the Chief was asked to check out the situation. Mr. Zuvich has a Special Purpose Parking space on the side of his property and he would like to have it place in front of his home. Mr. Acri said that it was necessary to get permission from Mr. Zuvich’s next door neighbor to do that, since there wasn’t sufficient space directly in front of his home to do this, but permission was not given. Mr. Acri added that Mr. Zuvich has off-street parking and the Borough Codes says that if there is off-street parking, the borough doesn’t have to grant a parking space. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar said that she spoke with Mr. Zuvich this afternoon and he is requesting that we keep the space on Jefferson. Mr. Musser added that this space is for the designated vehicle only. Mr. Albert asked about the 15 Jefferson Street situation – the Handicapped Parking Space is too close to the alley. Mr. Heefner said it is only on an alley. Mayor Hartwick said it would be his recommendation to allow Mr. Zuvich to keep the current Handicap Parking Location. Mr. Wright concurred and asked Mr. Musser to send him a letter that Council will allow the parking space, but he cannot park the vehicle any-where else. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to allow the parking space to remain on Jefferson Street and have Mr. Musser send Mr. Zuvich a letter telling him that he may not park anywhere else. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update from the Joint Municipal Meeting in regards to Harrisburg City Sewer Rate Increase and to provide a recommendation on the next step for Council to consider. Mr. Musser said this should not be on the agenda. Mr. Musser – Presenting Council with a draft of the Rates, Rules & Regulations for the Borough Sewer System. Mr. Musser said that these are the changes to be made, for Council’s information. Mr. Wintergrass – Providing Council with a Memorandum in regards to the Procedure for Working Vacation Days, Sick Days, WCI Days & Personal Days. Mr. Acri asked Council if they were in agreement with the Sick Day Policy provided by Mr. Wintergrass. Mr. Kovach noted that the operators all signed it. Mr. Acri said that as the Personnel Chairperson, he would look into it. Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting December 1, 2003 NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2003-R-51 – A Resolution of the Borough of Steelton Granting an Extension of the Cable Franchise held by Comcast of Southeast Pennsylvania, Inc. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2003-R-51 as presented. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an executive session to discuss Personnel matters and Police Contract Negotiations. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Donna Althouse, 48 S. Harrisburg Street – stated that she does not live at this address, but her daughter does. She said that she received a call from Codes Officer Acri stating that 32 S. Harrisburg Street is having problems with their sewer backing up. He told her that each homeowner would be responsible for $300.00 to have the problem fixed. Mr. Acri stated that since it is a shared line, each homeowner is responsible for a portion of the cost. Ms. Althouse said that Ed Chambers completed the work, and upon completion it was learned that the problem was at 32 S. Harrisburg Street, not the shared line. She stated that she believes it is unfair to make all of the homeowners pay when the problem was really at 32 S. Harrisburg Street.  Mr. Kovach stated that the engineers looked at the problem and concluded that it was not the Borough’s problem. The houses in that area share a line, with laterals coming out of each property to go into that line. Although the problem was not directly affecting your home, in the near future it would have. Therefore, it needed to be fixed anyway. Mr. Kovach apologized for Mr. Ron Acri. Ms. Althouse stated that the problem was caused by the wall collapse at 32 S. Harrisburg Street, and doesn’t understand why the other homeowners would be responsible for the problems caused by it. Ada Schmeidel, 46 S. Harrisburg Street – said that we all used our washers and commodes and had no problem. Mrs. Schmeidel stated that she had to give him money to do this and they aren’t rich. Geraldine Evans – 36 S. Harrisburg Street – said that she did not think the cost was fair. Maria Marcinko, 2704 South Second Street - Mrs. Marcinko said that Saturday was the worst and it is very frustrating to sit in my home and make calls with all of the noise. She stated that she called Dauphin County Dispatch four times. Ron Powell, 402 Pine Street – said that the noise and exhausts from the traffic are bad and requested the police to do a detail to enforce the noise ordinance. He said they could check any day from 9 PM to 11 PM. Mr. Powell said he thinks if they are stopped and warned it should work. He said he hasn’t called the police because the offenders would be gone until the police get there. Mayor Hartwick said he will contact the Chief about running a detail. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Acri – thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting December 1, 2003 Mr. Wright – said he will look into these complaints personally. Mr. Albert – wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – wished everyone Happy Holidays and noted that the borough Tree Lighting Ceremony will be tomorrow at 6:30 PM. She also told Ms. Althouse and Ms. Marcinko that Council will work on their problems. Mr. Kovach – wished everyone Happy Holidays and told Mayor Hartwick that it has been a privilege to work with him. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss the Police contract Negotiations and Personnel issues. at 7:49 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:10 p.m., and on a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, immediately adjourned. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary _____________________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Assistant Borough Secretary