City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 6, 2004 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the President, Michael J. Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Albert MaryJo Szada Jeffrey Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Stephen Shaver Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary PRESENTATION: Check presentation by the Dauphin County Commissioners to the Borough of Steelton and the Borough of Highspire for an Intergovernmental Grant to purchase Code Enforcement software and hardware for the respective Boroughs. Mr. Kovach announced that the presentation has been postponed and will be made at the December 20th meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Connie Acri – Letter informing the Borough that she will be unable to assist with the 125th Anniversary Celebration. There were no comments. Lisa Chacon – Letter of Resignation from the Steelton Community Development Foundation, Inc., due to overwhelming personal commitments. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Lisa Chacon’s resignation as presented. Mr. Shaver asked Mr. Musser to send a letter to Ms. Chacon, on behalf of the Borough, thanking her for her work on the foundation Mr. Musser – Providing Council with a list of Public Meetings for 2005. There were no comments.  Barry G. Hoffman, P.E., District Executive, Penn DOT District 8 – Letter in response to Senator Piccola’s letter in regards to paving Front Street in the Borough. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting December 6, 2004 There were no comments. Lori Keiffer Yeich, Recreation & Parks Advisor, DCNR – Letter informing the Borough that it has passed the site inspections and that we are able to apply for final Closeout. Mr. Kovach stated that Mr. Musser will begin the final closeout process. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Craig W. Bachik & Renee M. Regal, Kairos Design Group. – Providing Borough Council with the Final Design Guidelines for Façade and Streetscape Improvements along with the Final Streetscape Master Plan. Mr. Bachik informed Council that the cost of the Master Plan Improvements between Gibson and Mohn Street are estimated at almost $6,000,000. Mr. Bachik said he is looking at the 2005 construction season to begin the improvements between Cranberry Alley and Pine Street. Mr. Kovach thanked Mr. Bachik and Ms. Regal for their outstanding work they did for the Borough. Mr. Kovach said that there is a lot of excitement about the project and the Borough wants to do it right the first time, because the Borough may not get another chance. Mr. Musser also commended Mr. Bachik and Ms. Regal on the entire process and the great working relationship they had with the Borough. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt the Streetscape Master Plan as presented. RESOLUTION 2004-R-41, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING A BUSINESS IN OUR SITES PLANNING GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $175,000.00, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-R-42, as presented. RESOLUTION 2004-R-42-A RESOLUTION AMENDING DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN JOINDER AGREEMENT FOR THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON NON-UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES PENSION PLAN, SECTION IV, “RETIREMENT BENEFITS”, PART iv- 1(4.01)(b)(vii) BY PROVIDING FOR A 4,000 PERCENT COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OVER AND ABOVE THE CURRENT BENEFIT PAYMENT FOR CURRENTLY RETIRED FORMER BOROUGH EMPLOYEES, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2004-R-42, as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing council with an update on the Airport Authority Lease, the Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting December 6, 2004 PP&L light repairs, Swatara Street Storm Sewer Project and the Adams Street Project. Mr. Musser Mr. Musser said that Mr. Wion did review the SARA Lease for the Boat Dock and he made some pertinent comments which we would like to have incorporated in the lease. Mr. Musser said he will contact the SARA Board to see if we could get those changes made before it is brought before Council. Mr. Musser he received a report from Ed Ellinger, adding that he Mr. Heefner and Mr. Conjar will meet with Ed on Tuesday Morning at Swatara Street. Mr. Musser said his intentions are to have the project done by the end of this year or the beginning of 2005. Mr. Musser said that three (3) of the four (4) homes have settled and everyone seems to be very satisfied with the project. Mr. Musser noted that it is a three-fold project: 1) fill old storm sewer from 4th to Front Street with concrete; 2) coating the existing liner from 6th Street to Front Street; 3) install a new manhole at 5th Street. Mr. Musser informed Council that, since the Swatara Street costs were lower than the estimates, he would like Council to consider do the Storm Sewer on Pine Street between 4th Street and Front Street. Mr. Musser said that would be brought to Council as a change order if the quantities and costs meet what we have left from the Swatara Street Project. Mr. Musser said that the Borough is acquiring some property on Adams Street. He informed Council that representatives from Mullin & Lonergan Associates attended the Planning Commission meeting on December 1, 2004, to explain the process of declaring the site as a blighted area. He noted that that has taken place, and thought the Borough is acquiring property which is mostly land, but the process will take some time. Mr. Musser said the Planning commission approved a Resolution declaring the area as a blighted area. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to House Bill 197 and having a special meeting on December 29, 2004. Mr. Musser informed Council Members that the State Legislature passed the Emergency and Municipal services tax which allows municipalities to charge a tax, to a maximum of $52.00, on the wages of those who work in the municipality. He noted that it was previously referred to as the occupational privilege tax, which was $10.00, a year. Mr. Musser recommended that the Borough enact this tax, noting that it only affects those who work in the Borough. Mr. Musser said if council decides to do this, it will be necessary to enact the tax and amend the budget to reflect the revenues and offsetting expenses. He added that this will have to be done a special meeting on December 29th, to allow for preparation, and advertising of the amended budget and the new tax. Mr. Shaver asked how much additional revenue this would bring in. Mr. Musser said the total budget figure is $62,400. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to: change the Ordinance to reflect an increase in the tax from $10.00, a year to $52.00, a year and have Mr. Musser to: advertise the Ordinance reflecting the change; authorize Mr. Musser to make the necessary changes to the budget, advertise the 2005 Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting December 6, 2004 General fund Budget and place it before the public; and to advertise a special meeting to adopt the 2005 General Fund Budget. Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the position of Borough Engineer. Mr. Musser recommended that Council consider appointing HRG, Inc., as the Borough Engineer. Mr. Musser said he would suggest that this would not be an exclusive position, noting that he would like to be able to be able to allocate work to engineers as Council wishes. Mr. Musser said, with Council’s permission he would work with Mr. Wion to word the appointment to allow the Borough to have the flexibility. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and personnel matters in regards to the custodian position, Luz Pabon, Mr. Wrightstone, Mr. Wierzbic and Mr. Anderson and contract issues in regards to Shoffstall Net. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner– said that some business owners are parking for several hours in front of signs that specify 30-minute parking. Mayor Acri said the meter person should be taking care of that. Mr. Shaver asked if they are legal signs or just courtesy signs. Mayor Acri said he believes they are legal. Mr. Kovach said if they aren’t supposed to be there, then they should be removed.  Mr. Shaver – said that Kairos did a great job and he learned a lot through this process. Mr. Shaver added that they went above and beyond the scope of services and asked that a letter be sent to thank them. Mr. Kovach – requested Borough officials and employees, to register with the do not call registry for cell phones, so that the Borough doesn’t have to pay for the additional minutes. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:12 p.m., to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters, and contract issues as stated previously.. The meeting reconvened at 7:17 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Mr. Gary L. Wrightstone’s resignation, effective February 1st, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting December 6, 2004 unanimously to increase Mr. James Anderson’s and Mr. Robert Wierzbic’s wages by $1.00, an hour, effective January 1, 2005.. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to terminate Herman Dawson’s employment with the Borough, effective December 3, 2004. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to hire William Scott to fill the Custodian vacancy, at the rate of $10.00 an hour, effective December 13, 2004. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to advertise to hire a laborer at the rate of $10.00, an hour. Mr. Musser stated reported that an executive session was held on Sunday, November 28, 2004, at 8:00 p.m. Those present were: Mayor Acri, Stephen Shaver, Dennis Heefner, Mike Kovach and Mr. Musser to discuss personnel matters regarding Christina E. Fackler and Ronald J. Acri. He said the executive session ended at 9:34 p.m. ADJOURNMENT:  There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary