City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 18, 2004 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by the Vice-President, Jeffrey Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Albert Michael Kovach Jeffrey Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Stephen Shaver Thomas Acri, Mayor David A. Wion, Solicitor Michael G. Musser, II , Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council members present voted unanimously to approve the October 6, 2004, Budget Meeting minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he hand nothing to report other than what is stated in the minutes. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED; On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council members voted unanimously to approve the schedules of bills , 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 June, 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 June as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Conjar – Presenting Council with a Certificate of Completion for a course on Values: Operation and Maintenance. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the Certificate place in Mr. Conjar’s personnel file. Delmar Madden, 219 ‘D’ Avenue, Steelton – Requesting the installation of a street light at Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting October 18, 2004 219 ‘D’ Avenue. Mr. Musser said that he will contact P P & L tomorrow to meet with them at that address, since there is no pole there. C.L. Meeler, 157 Ridge Street, 1st floor, Steelton, PA – Letter requesting more street lighting in her neighborhood and more police patrols. Mr. Wright noted that Mr. Musser will look into the street lighting and Mayor Acri and Chief Lenker will address the police patrols. Justin Ferrante – Letter of Resignation from the position of Part-Time Police Officer with the Borough of Steelton, effective October 7, 2004. Chief Lenker stated that Mr. Ferrante was an excellent Patrolman, but he received a promotion at his full-time position and is no longer able to give the Borough the hours needed. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Mr. Ferrante’s letter of resignation, effective October 7, 2004. Mr. Shaver asked Chief Lenker to send Mr. Ferrante a letter thanking him for his service to the Borough. Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste – Letter informing Mr. Musser that he has been appointed to the Dauphin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the letter placed in Mr. Musser’s personnel file. Senator Jeffrey Piccola – Invitation to a Business Advisory Committee event at HIA on Wednesday, October 20th from 7:15 a.m., until 9:00 a.m. Mr. Wright said that anyone who wishes to attend should notify Mr. Musser. Tri-County Regional Planning commission – Providing the Borough with a copy of their most recent Newsletter. There were no comments. Mrs. Mary Beth Jorich – Letter of Thanks to the Steelton Fire Department for their kindness and generosity shown on July 24, 2004. There were no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:  Mayor Acri – Providing council with copies of the Borough of Middletown and the Borough of Columbia’s Ordinances in regards to residential rental units. Mayor Acri said that copies were in the Council Members packets, and he would like the Community Development Committee to discuss where the Borough wants to go on that. Mr. Wright said the Committee will meet on the first Monday of November to work on that. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting October 18, 2004 Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the Hometown Streets Application. Mr. Musser informed Council Members that the Borough submitted the application to the HATS Board and out of the five (5) projects submitted, the Borough was rated 1st in Dauphin county. Mr. Musser said that there are three (3) other submitted from other counties and the next meeting will be on October 22nd. He said that if that is approved, we will have about $539,000 in construction money for the downtown. Mr. Wright commended Mr. Musser, Mrs. Fackler, Mrs. Wiedeman- Krosnar and Ms. Sviben for their work on the project. Mr. Musser - Informing Council Members that the CDBG Public Hearing to reallocate the CDBG funds for Municipal Park to Bailey Street Park will take Place on Wednesday, October 20, 2004. There was some discussion about allocating the money to Bailey Street, because of the high incidence of vandalism at the existing facilities. Mr. Musser noted that the area needs recreation opportunities and hopefully we can cut down on the vandalism. He added that if Council wants to put permanent restrooms at Municipal Park, they will have the opportunity in future funding.. Matthew D. Cichy, HRG. Inc., - Requesting approval to advertise the Swatara Storm Sewer Project from Sixth Street to South Fourth Street. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve advertising the request for bids for the project. Erik Genga, Mullin & Lonergan Associates – Providing the Borough with a copy of the existing Land Use and Conditions Report “Blight Analysis” for the Adams Street Redevelopment Area. There were no comments. NEW BUSINESS: James M. Close, Director, Department of Public Works, City of Harrisburg – Providing the Borough with their Annual Report and Budget for 2005, which reflects a 12.5% increase in rates. There were no comments. Kim L. Moreland, Executive Director, Humane Society of Greater Harrisburg – Requesting the Borough execute the 2005 Animal Protection Service Agreement. Mr. Musser said that Chief Lenker will attend the meeting and suggested that he discuss establishing a procedure where Mr. Musser or Chief Lenker must give approval for taking an animal there, for us to pay for it. Mr. Musser said that if an individual brings an animal to the shelter, they should pay for it. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the execution of the Agreement, as presented. Mr. Wion – Discussion in regards to the unopened part of Columbia Street. Mr. Wion said this matter comes before Council through his office, since the attorney for the people who live on the Swatara Township side have requested the Township to vacate the unopened street, thereby Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting October 18, 2004 giving them twenty feet (20’). He said that would entitle the people who on the Borough’s side, Annie Mae Wansley and Doris A. Robinson, 599 Bessemer Street to the twenty feet (20’), in the Borough. Mr. Wion said he prepared RESOLUTION R-2004-35, STRIKING A PORTION OF COLUMBIA STREET FROM THE GENERAL PLAN OF STREETS OF THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON, for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve RESOLUTION R-2004-35, as presented. Mr. Shaver – Discussion in regards to WiFi Internet Access being proposed by Mr. Marty Schoffstall. Mr. Shaver said he and Mr. Musser met with Mr. Schoffstall to discuss his proposal for a wireless internet facility, and noted that Mr. Schoffstall’s letter explaining the proposal was in Council’s packets. There was additional discussion on the proposal. Mr. Shaver said that Mr. Wion would review any proposed agreements that Council wanted to consider. He added that this is just for Council’s information and consideration at the present time. Mr. Ronald J. Acri, Code Enforcement Officer – Discussion in regards to the Advisory Council and Appeals Board for the New Uniform Construction Code. Mr. Acri informed Council that in the last six (6) months, Municipalities have been discussing a joint appeals Board and Council has a copy of the first draft in their packets. He said they will be meeting again on this. Mr. Wion noted that one of the problems they would face is that the people who are on the Board are the ones involved in the appeal. Mr. Acri said that in that case, the person involved would not sit on the Board for that appeal. Mr. Wion said that the Board Members have to have certain qualifications and they are difficult to find, which is why the municipalities are looking to join for this. He added that they don’t have to be a resident – they should be but don’t have to. Mr. Shaver thanked Mr. Acri for bringing this forward and asked him to work through the Community Development committee then present it to the Solicitor, and keep Council advised on the situation. OTHER BUSINESS:  Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Emmuel Powell, 321 Lebanon Street – asked if the Borough has an Ordinance for what time the kids can ride bicycles. Mayor Acri said they have to abide by the curfew at 10:00 p.m., and cannot be ridding on the sidewalks. Mr. Musser said that according to Mr. Wion, that comes under the Vehicle Code and if they ride in the dark they must have lights that project 500 feet. Chief added that they must ride with the flow of traffic, stop at stop signs and must have lights and reflectors to ride at night. He encouraged Mr. Powell to call if he is having an problems with kids riding their bicycles. Mr. Powell also asked where he could get the signs for children that he sees in other towns. Chief Lenker said he has two ‘Watch Children’ signs available, and asked where he would like them, if Council approves. Mr. Powell said around the 200 block of Lincoln Street going up and the 400 block of Ridge going up. Mayor Acri asked Mr. Powell if he was referring to the ‘slow down’ signs. Mr. Powell said he was. Mr. Wion said that Swatara Township got them through their Police Department and gave them out through their commissioners. He noted that they have no legal impact. Mayor Acri asked Chief Lenker to Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting October 18, 2004 check with Swatara Township Police Department to find out where they got the signs. Mr. Heefner said that one of the ‘Watch Children’ signs was supposed to be put on Swatara Street. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Dr. Szada – she wanted to publicly thank the Borough’s Public Works employees, Police Officers and Fire Department for their tireless assistance during the flood. She said they helped the residents day and night. Mr. Wright – thanked everyone for coming to the Council meeting and asked them to continue to come to the meetings and to support the Borough. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions at 7:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:34 p.m. RESOLUTION R-2004-36 ACCEPTING THE REAL PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 24, 26 AND 28 NORTH SECOND STREET, BOROUGH OF STEELTON, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS A GIFT TO THE BOROUGH, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION R-2004-36 as presented. ADJOURNMENT:  There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary