City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 21, 2004 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:34p.m. by the President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach Jeffrey Wright David Wion, Solicitor MaryJo Szada Michael Albert Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner Stephen Shaver Michael G. Musser, II , Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary PRESENTATION: Dauphin County Commissioner George P. Hartwick, III will present a check to the Borough for their CDBG Funds. Commissioner Hartwick said he made a pledge to the Council and residents to bring more resources to the Borough and was pleased to present Council with a check in the amount of $276,000 for the Fiscal Year 2005, which is an increase of approximately $60,000.00, from FY 2004. He also presented a check to Council in the amount of $8,900.00, for the Steelton Senior Center Intergenerational Program. Council President Kovach presented Commissioner Hartwick with a Borough pin in appreciation of his efforts on behalf of the Borough. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the May 17, 2004, the June 9, 2004 minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report other than what was recorded in the minutes. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED; On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members voted unanimously to approve the schedules of billings, requisitions and change orders as presented. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS; Reports for Community Development, Finance, Fire and Ambulance, Personnel, Police, Public works, and Code Enforcement for May, were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council members voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for May as presented. Mayor Acri said he has nothing to report at this time. Steelton Borough June 21, 2004 Council Meeting June 21, 2004 PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Robert E. Watkins, Jr., Dura-Bond – Requesting permission to discuss the Notice of Intent to Remediate at the Dura-Bond Mill facility in the Borough. Mr. Watkins noted that the Borough received notification of their intent to remediate the property according to Act 2, the Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act. Mr. Watkins informed Council that there has been a lot of renovations done inside the buildings, and the company now employees 30 people and hope to increase that to 85 by the end of the year. He added that if the company is successful they hope to eventually add more. Mr. Watkins then asked Mr. Nachlas, the Project Director with Alliance Environmental Services, Inc., to address the Council. Mr. Nachlas informed Council that he is an independent environmental consultant and discussed the background of Act 2. He explained that the Act provides that when a site is a Special Industrial Area or is being remediated to a Site Specific Standard, the municipality is afforded a 30-day comment period, which begins tonight with our notification to the Borough. Mr. Nachlas said that the Phase I and Phase II testing was very exhaustive and they are developing a remedial plan to address those issues. He said there are two standards under the Act that we are going to which we are going clean this property. The Cite Specific Standard, which is the Special Industrial. Mr. Nachlas added that he and Mr. Watkins will answer any questions Council may have. Mr. Acri asked when they will start and when they expect to finish. Mr. Nachlas said they will submit the reports and DEP will have ninety (90) days to review them, but we don’t believe it will take that long, then once we have their approval we will select a contractor. Nr, Nachlas said he hopes to be done by the end of this year. Dr. Szada asked Mr. Nachlas if he could explain to Council the differences between the standards in the Site Specific Industrial site and those in a residential cite. Mr. Nachlas said there are four (4) standards, three (3) of which are for residential and non-residential properties. He said in this case we are dealing with cite specific standard which is cognizant of the site’s actual use. Mr. Nachlas said the objectives of this standard are: to create a setting there that is protective of the environment; of the workers, based on the assumption of their activities and their exposures at that site. That remediation would be different in a residential neighborhood. Dr. Szada asked what the levels of arsenic and lead permitted in each of those levels, and what is the pollution allotted to ground water, and what is allowed to be leached into the river. Dr. Szada said that Council cannot comment on this because they don’t have any numbers or figures. Mr. Nachlas said that they don’t have any numbers at this time. Dr. Szada stated that Council has thirty (30) days to respond, but they have nothing to respond to. Mr. Nachlas responded that the ground water is not contaminated and is not leaching lead or arsenic to the River. He added that the larger issue is the surface materials that someone will come in direct contact with, and eliminating the possibility of someone coming in contact with those materials. Mr. Watkins reiterated that they are remediating the property because it is an enterprise zone, to a special industrial category, which is totally permitted under the act, which includes institutional controls that will probably include deed restrictions that the property could never be sold for anything other than industrial use. He said they will remediate to the intended and future use of the property. Mr. Kovach verified that Dura Bond will meet all State and Federal Guidelines required for their use. Mr. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting June 21, 2004 Watkins confirmed that they are. Mr. Watkins noted that under the provisions, they are required to notify the Borough, not to seek the Borough’s permission. Mr. Watkins said the Borough can ask for public involvement, but he doesn’t believe that is required, because they intend to use it for industrial use, to improve the site, and they have clear data, which is public record and obtainable through DEP, which shows that ground water is not contaminated. He said there are areas on the property which are contaminated with arsenic and lead at levels that are slightly higher than the State contact limits and they are protecting the workers from that contact. Mr. Watkins added that they have clear data that the lead and arsenic are not leaching into the soil and is not being transported to the ground water. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar asked if this remediation pose any hazardous threats to the residents in the surrounding area. Mr. Watkins said it would not. Mr. Shaver asked if there is a plan. Mr. Nachlas responded that the remediation plan is yet to be developed. Mr. Watkins said the first step is to notify DEP and the Borough of the intent to remediate and publish it in the Patriot New, second is for Alliance to put together a plan for remediation, it must be approved by DEP, then CREDEC, Dura-Bond and DEP enter into an agreement, which is a legally enforceable document, which says that we will implement the plan to remediate, they must hire a contractor to implement the plan, and once the remediation is completed, the agreement is satisfied and we are given the actual release of liability for that property. Mr. Watkins added that Council could elect to be involved in the process and described the steps the Borough must take in order to do that. Mr. Musser asked, if the Council didn’t vote to participate, would Dura-Bond be willing to share any plans with the Council? Mr. Watkins said the results of the tests are on file at DEP, it occupies five (5) full file drawers in his office and he isn’t sure if they are on the internet. He said they will be happy to share the plan as it develops and share any feed-back from DEP. Mr. Watkins assured Council that they intend this to be an open process. He said that DEP has funded the Phase I and Phase II environmental assessment using tax dollars, so it is a public document. Dr. Szada said she is concerned that the thirty (30) day period to comment on this will soon expire and there isn’t a plan to comment on. Mr. Nachlas said right now the intent is to find out how involved the Borough wants to be with the plan and the only point of the thirty (30) day period is to decide to what extend Council wants to be involved. Mr. Shaver suggested that since it is a health and safety issue it should be referred to committee for review. He said Council would like to be involved as far as at least being aware of what is in the plan on some level. Mr. Watkins said the plan will be much shorter than the assessment. Mr. Kovach agreed that Council should have some knowledge of the plan in order to answer any questions that the residents may have. Mr. Watkins assured Council that he will keep the Borough informed. Evelyn J. Sanchez, Summer Parks and Recreation Coordinator – Providing Council with an update on the Summer Parks and Recreation Program as well as the Summer Program at the Boys & Girls Club. Ms. Sanchez distributed copies of reports and reviewed the report. There was a discussion on the need for additional personnel and limiting the number of participants. Ms. Sviben informed Council that Susquehanna Employment Corporation can supply us with one teenager to work at the parks, and asked Council to seriously consider capping the enrollment at 80 children. Mr. Shaver said Council will discuss this matter in executive session. It was the consensus of Council Members to cap the enrollment at 80 children. Mrs. Lisa M. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Community Revitalization Committee Chairperson & Eileen J. Emanuel, Jump Street. – Permission to discuss the Mariposa Project and request the Borough to participate the program. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting June 21, 2004 Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar supplied Council with a rough proposal and asked them if this is something they would like the Community Revitalization Committee to pursue. Ms. Emanuel explained the program noting that it is something like the cow project, but on a smaller scale and more economical. Mr. Acri asked if it has to be butterflies. Ms. Emanuel said it doesn’t, it generally relates to the communities. Mr. Kovach asked if there was a deadline for Council. Ms. Emanuel aid that there is some funding available for projects like these and the deadline for application for the funding is August 1, 2004, but she would like to have a decision by the end of July if possible. Mr. Kovach assured her that Council would make a decision as soon as possible, but they would like to review the particulars a little more closely. Deborah A. Pogasic, 330 Spruce Street, Steelton, PA – Requesting permission to close off Woodbine Street from Spruce Street to the Steelton-Highspire Football Field for a High School graduation party. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the request to close the street from 10:00 a.m., to 10:00 p.m., on June 26, as requested. Shelley Baum, Director of Marketing, Pa Retailer’s Association – Providing the Borough with information in regards to their Main Street Partners Program. There was no comment. Mr. Musser – Providing a copy of a memo to all departments requesting submission of 2005 budget requests by August 2, 2004. There were no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mrs. Lisa M. Wiedeman-Krosnar & Christina Fackler – Discussion in regards to the Home Town Streets Program & Safe Routes to School Program. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar informed Council that there is another grant opportunity the Borough may be eligible for. She said the deadline to apply is August 1, 2004 with a 20% match, which can be made with CDBG or DCED funds. Mr. Shaver asked if Ms. Sviben will be working with this. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar said that she and Ms. Fackler can. Mr. Shaver asked Mrs. Wiedeman- Krosnar have Ms. Sviben pursue this. Mr. Musser – Providing Council and the Mayor with various updates and reminders. Mr. Musser gave the following updates: the Personnel Committee will meet in executive session on Thursday evening to discuss positions in the Borough that may be available; Council will meet with Kairos to review the Main Street and the Streetscape, on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.; the trip to Homestead is scheduled for July 24, 2004 at 7:00 a.m. to review the Community Revitalization of the Mill area; Mr. Musser will give Council an update on the Senior Center acquisition in executive session; Mr. Heefner and Mr. Musser updated Council on the possible development on the 9.7 acre area between Cole Crest and Hempt Brothers, based on information on the County Economic Department, we will keep you updated; there was some vandalism at Bailey Street Park and the Mohn Street Tennis Courts ; we will meet with the Departments to discuss packets for new residents; Mr. Heefner and Mr. Ron Acri are working on ordinances for rental and property inspections; we are working on signs for the parks – the committee Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting June 21, 2004 recommended we name the Bailey Street Park Hygienic Park and leave room on the plaque for names of those who were involved with the community. Mr. Musser noted that Mr. Heefner is very familiar with the Swatara Street Project and asked him to give an update. Mr. Heefner said the project is a little ahead of schedule and Third Street may be open by the weekend. He said they had a problem with the Fourth and Swatara Street catch basin. Mr. Heefner said it won’t fit because of utility lines there. He added that they are checking to see if they can eliminate that. Mr. Kovach noted that Mr. Heefner is working on the Code Office to promote this Housing update and if anyone on Council has any ideas, please get together with Mr. Heefner because this is something Council needs to look at and put together and pass. He added that we need to encourage a yes vote for that. RESOLUTION 2004-R-17, GRANTING AN EXTENSION OF THE CABLE FRANCHISE HELD BY COMCAST OF SOUTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA, INC., was presented for Council’s consideration. Mr. Shaver asked why it is for (6-1/2) years. Mr. Musser said that is what the group came up with. He added that this is just a formality, since Council approved the Resolution last year, but the name was listed incorrectly and they are asking us to adopt it with the correction. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-R-17 as presented. RESOLUTION 2004-R-18, TO ADOPT THE HAZARD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION PLAN FOR STEELTON BOROUGH, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-R-18, as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-19, A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL PURPOSE PARKING ZONE FOR EDWARD TERRY OF 217 LINCOLN STREET, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-19, as presented. Mr. Musser – Requesting Council approve the Agreement between Dauphin County and Mullin & Lonergan, to provide the Borough with technical assistance during the Adams Street revitalization efforts. Mr. Musser gave a brief explanation for the need for these services. Mr. Heefner asked if the Borough will be billed for each report. Mr. Shaver said it looks like we will be billed for each report. He added that it looks like we will approve the three (3) items and if there is anything else, we would come before Council. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Agreement as presented and authorize the County to execute the Agreement with Mullin & Lonergan. Mr. Musser – Discussion regarding the Zoning & Planning vacancies. Mr. Musser said there is a vacancy on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board is currently complete, but Mr. O’Keefe would like to step down when we get a replacement. Mr. Musser said that there is a resident who has expressed interested and will give his name to the Committee for review. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting June 21, 2004 Mr. Musser recommended that Council try to get residents with professional expertise in areas where the vacancies exist. Mr. Musser asked that if anyone on Council has recommendations, they present them to Mr. Wright and his Committee for them to interview and make recommendations to Council. Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the Agreement with Saul Ewing to represent the PP&L Public Lighting User Group (PLUG). Mr. Musser said that the Borough’s contribution would be $3,000, but before Council votes to execute the Memorandum of Understanding, Mr. Musser recommended that Mr. Wion review it to be sure that we are capped at $3,000.00. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by MR. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Agreement with Saul Ewing, contingent upon Mr. Wion’s review and approval, and verification that the Borough’s contribution amount would be capped at $3,000.00. NEW BUSINESS:  Mr. Musser- Informing council that a Special Purpose Parking Application has been submitted by Lisa H. Leinninger, 133 South Fourth Street, Steelton, PA. There were no comments. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss police personnel matters and land acquisitions. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Sherri Sucec, Pine St - said that about a week ago she was standing in front of Turkey Hill before the Parade, holding a scripture sign and Officer Basonic came by and made a ridiculous mocking face at her. Ms. Sucec said she believes that behavior is very unprofessional and immature for someone in a public position of great responsibility. She said that she came to Council because she can’t go Chief Lenker with this. Ms. Sucec added that at the end of the parade and traffic allowed back on the road, Officer Basonic came up behind her and beeped his horn and frightened her and someone needs to know about this behavior and something needs to be done and she wasn’t sure who to talk to about it. Mayor Acri said he wasn’t aware of this and he will speak with Chief Lenker and they will talk to Officer Basonic about it. Mr. Kovach thanked Ms. Sucec for brining the incident to their attention and assured her that they would look into the situation. Jeanne Barr, 349 South Fourth Street – Last night was a really nice time at the Fire House and the parade was very nice. She informed Council that at the parade at Mohn Street, there were some firemen there, she didn’t know who they were or where they were from, but they were yelling things at the people in the parade and the people watching the parade and they were very vulgar and rude to her mother. Mayor Acri asked her if anyone called the police. Ms. Barr responded that she didn’t think so. Ms. Barr asked if there will be an Independence parade. Mayor Acri said there would not be one this year, but there would be a festival this Saturday, starting at 1:00 p.m., and the Polka Quads will be playing. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Shaver – Thanked Evelyn Sanchez and Paula Sviben for putting the parks program together, Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting June 21, 2004 for the kids. Mr. Shaver also commended Rogele for the great job they are doing on Swatara Street. Mr. Wright – said he would like to apologize to Ms. Sucec, on behalf of the Borough, for what happed to her and he will speak with the Mayor about. He added the Ms. Sucec has a right to her opinion. Ms. Sucec said she was hesitant to mention anything because she and her husband have been discriminately treated and she doesn’t know what will happen to them as a result of her coming to Council. Mr. Heefner – asked if Mr. Conjar could measure the line to get a price of putting a line in there. Mr. Kovach agreed that it makes sense to check the rest of the line to see what shape it is in and what it would cost to put a liner in the rest of the storm sewer, while everything is still open. It was the consensus of Council Members to get a price. Mr. Kovach - said that the direction sign for Steelton that was located at Eisenhower Blvd., and Rte. 230 was missing and he would like it replaced. Mr. Musser said that he has a meeting with PennDot and he will address that then. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss Police personnel matters and Land Acquisition, at 7:54 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:35 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to limit the number of children attending the summer playground program to eighty (80) as recommended by Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Sviben, and to authorize Mr. Musser to hire an additional playground leader, not to exceed an amount of $2,000.00, in wages for the remainder of the summer program. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary