City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting July 6, 2004 The Special Council Meeting was called to order at 6:30p.m. by the President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar MaryJo Szada Jeffrey Wright Michael Albert David Wion, Solicitor Dennis Heefner Stephen Shaver Michael G. Musser, II , Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVE HIRING CHRISTINA E. FACKLER AS THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON’S MAIN STREET MANAGER: Mr. Shaver stated that the Personnel Committee interviewed for the position of Main Street Manager for the Borough of Steelton and he recommended Christina E. Fackler for the position, starting at $40,000.00, per year. Mr. Shaver said Council would like her to start on July 8, 2004, noting that he believes she will be a great addition to the existing staff as the Borough moves forward on the Main Street and Elm Street Projects. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to hire Christina E. Fackler at the Borough of Steelton’s Main Street Manager, beginning July 8, 2004, at a starting salary of $40,000.00 per year. APPROVAL OF THE MAIN STREET FAÇADE GRANT GUIDELINES: Ms. Sviben informed Council that she, Mrs. Fackler, Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, and Mr. Musser reviewed and revised the guidelines. She indicated that one of the changes was to remove the requirement that business must be in existence for eighteen (18) months, there is no minimum now. Ms. Sviben said that signs were eliminated from the façade program and will be a separate program. She said the requirements will be brought before the Planning and Zoning commissions and then to Council. Ms. Sviben added that meeting the Borough Codes have been included. Ms. Sviben said they hope to have the applications out on August 2, 2004 and they have to be in by September 10, 2004. She noted that the projects have to be completed and the funds expended by June 30, 2005, so they will have less than a year, since we are beginning late. Ms. Sviben said that future projects in subsequent years will have a full year. Dr. Szada asked if this includes residential properties. Ms. Sviben said that it would, noting that the grants will be awarded on a points system and properties in the core area will get five (5) points so we can focus on that area first. She explained that the core business area is between the Municipal Building and Sun Bank. Dr. Szada asked if she could submit applications for two (2) grants. Ms. Sviben said that she could apply for a grant for each property she wants to improve. Ms. Sviben cautioned that if it is a rental property, she must have the owner’s permission to make improvements. Mr. Heefner asked if the Zoning requirements should be in place before the Grant Applications are distributed. Mr. Kovach asked all of the committees to bring any recommendations they have to Council so that they can be included, and the process can move quickly. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting July 6, 2004 Mr. Shaver asked if the conditions that exist are grandfathered. Mr. Musser said that if they want to make any changes or improvements, then they must comply with the new regulations, but if they don’t make any changes the requirements don’t apply. Ms. Sviben said that signs will be separate and they will contact sign companies to see if discounts are available. Mr. Musser cautioned her to be sure to give several names of sign contractors to the businesses, since we can’t endorse one company. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Main Street Façade Grant Guidelines as presented. RESOLUTION 2004-R-20, AUTHORIZING THE STEELTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO MAKE APPLICATION FOR A GRANT-IN-AID FOR AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATIVE PROJECT TO PROVIDE A QUALITY SUMMER RECREATIONAL PROGRAM FOR THE YOUTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ALLOCATE MUNICIPAL RESOURCES IN THE AMONT OF $12,500.00, TO SAID PROJECT, was presented for Council’s consideration. Ms. Sviben said that, since the Summer Parks and Recreation Program was so successful, and Council hired an additional playground leader, the Borough is applying for an intergovernmental grant, through DCED, in the amount of $12,500.00, to cover some of these additional expenses. She explained that this is possible, since the program is funded by both the Borough and the School District. Mr. Shaver asked if the School District was going to contribute to the additional person. Ms. Sviben said they were not. Mr. Musser noted that he believed the current budget had enough flexibility to accommodate that addition. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-R-20, as presented. RATIFY HIRING OF ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND LEADER. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to ratify the hiring of Eddie Albert on June 28, 2004, at the rate of $7.00 per hour, as playground leader. Mr. Michael Albert abstained, due to conflict of interest. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Heefner informed council that the contractor ran into shale while digging on the new storm sewer line, so the process has slowed down and the cost has gone up. Mr. Musser added that Mr. Conjar said we are about sixty (60’) feet from the manhole. Mr. Heefner said Council received a request to use a quiet pump up at 6th and Swatara Streets, but that size is not available in a quiet pump. He added that they were able put a quiet pump in at 4th and Swatara Streets. Mr. Kovach asked about the status of using the camera in the rest of the line. Mr. Heefner said that Mr. Handley said they did that about a year ago and asked if they wanted them to do it again. It was the consensus of Council Members present to re-run the camera in the rest of the line and to get a price to line it. Mr. Heefner reported that the smell in the police station has not been resolved. Mr. Heefner said they think it may have something to do with the bathroom on the third floor. He said that Mr. Moore has done everything he can do except blow smoke through the system. Mr. Heefner said the Mr. Moore said some of the pipes are not capped. It was the consensus to run the water in that bathroom daily to see if that corrects the problem. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting July 6, 2004 Mr. Shaver said that when he was visiting the Dauphin County home and hospital, a lady asked him about Steelton and told him that two or three of our police officers visit her. Mr. Shaver said he thought that was commendable and he asked the Mayor to check to see who the officers were. Mayor Acri welcomed Mrs. Fackler and said he believes she will be an asset to the team and said he is looking forward to working with her. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, the meeting adjourned into executive session to discuss land acquisition. At 7:00 p.m. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:45 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Dr. Szada, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary