City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance Michael Kovach : Absent: Stephen Shaver Jeffrey Wright Michael Albert Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the January 18, 2005 Council Meeting minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED; On a motion by Mr. Wright, 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, Main Street, Finance, Fire and Ambulance, Personnel, Police, Public Works, and Code Enforcement for January as well as the annual reports, were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for January, as presented. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Acri said he had nothing new to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 Gayle Sherrid, 354 Locust Street , a volunteer EMT - asked if she could hear more about the ambulance service. She said she would like to comment on it, but she doesn’t know what is proposed. Mr. Kovach said there have been several meetings to discuss the options for ambulance service. He added that there have been meetings with Life Team and they submitted a proposal which Council will vote on tonight. Milt Carnes, 434 Spruce Street, a paid full-time EMT – stated that they are staffing from 7:00 a.m., to 7:00 p.m. and agreed that it is not economically feasible to keep a full time paid ambulance crew, but noted that the Borough Ambulance crews have to cover for Life Team since they don’t have enough to cover the city. Vic Brubacher – asked how much the Borough was subsidizing the Ambulance Service. Mr. Musser said that the Borough paid $12,000 the first year, $24,000 the second year, $40,000 the third year and $60,000 this year. He said that Life Team will come in for $18,000. Gayle Sherrid asked what amount of money was coming in and going out. Dr. Szada said she doesn’t know because she has repeatedly requested figures, but never received them. She read an excerpt from the Life Team Operational Plan. Dr. Szada that a ten (10) minute response time is unacceptable in an emergency and that is what they say may be the response time. Gayle Sherrid asked how Council knows if the Borough can make a go of it if they don’t have the figures. She added that Life Team doesn’t have enough staff or vehicles to cover what they have now. Dr. Szada said if Council votes to hire Life Team for our Ambulance Service, the Steelton Ambulance will cease to exist. She said Life Team will not allow our EMT’s to work with them. She emphasized that this is not a merger, it is not a consolidation. Dr. Szada said she is prepared to make a proposal later in the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS: Janet Bush, Resident – Letter in regards to her broken waterline. Mr. Musser said this has been taken care of. He added that Mr. Miller said the line was already leaking before the Borough turned her water off. Officer Dennis Basonic – Letter requesting permission for Officer Elhajj, Officer Conjar and himself to attend a Ceremony during National Police Week (May 15, 2005 to May 21, 2005) when President Bush is speaking and to use a Police Unit for the trip. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members voted unanimously to approve Officer Basonic’s request. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 Yusumit Pacheco, Student – Letter thanking Chief Lenker and Officer Basonic for the opportunity to shadow them during patrols for her graduation project. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to place a copy of the letter in Chief Lenker’s and Officer Basonic’s personnel file. Mrs. Rodgers, 3rd Grade Teacher, Prince of Peace School – Letter thanking Officer Elhajj for taking time to read to the Third Grade Class. On a motion by Mrs. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, council Members voted unanimously to place a copy of the letter in Officer Elhajj’s personnel file. Mr. Musser – Informing Mayor Acri and Council that Grant Application information for the new Boating Facility Grant Program, the 2005 Pa Urban and Community Forestry Grant & Growing Greener Grant have been provided to Ms. Sviben and Mrs. Fackler. There were no comments. Mr. Musser - Updating Council on the hiring of two new police officers. Mayor Acri asked that this mater be tabled until after the executive session. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Craig W. Bachik and Renee M. Regal, Kairos Design Group, LLC – Requesting Council to execute the Proposal for the Streetscape Master Plan for Second Street for the Elm Street Program. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the execution of the agreement as presented.  Craig W. Bachik & Renee M. Regal, Kairos Design Group, LLC – Requesting Council to execute the Proposal for the Steelton Boat Launch Restoration Project. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Proposal for the Steelton Boat Launch Restoration Project as presented. Mr. Musser – Updating Council on the Hours Luz Pabon will be working in various Departments. Mr. Musser noted that Council had a copy of Ms. Pabon’s schedule. There were no comments or questions. Dennis Yablonsky, Chairman – Requesting Council approve the execution of the Letter Accepting the Borough of Steelton’s Business in Our Sites Program (BOS) in the amount of $175,000. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the execution of the letter as presented. Daniel S. Robinson, Director, Dauphin County Office of Community & Economic Development – Letter requesting the Borough Execute the Agreements for the Borough’s 2005 CDBG Allocation in the amount of $270,000. Mr. Musser said the proposed projects are: $100,000 for Adams Street, $100,000 is the Borough’s Match for the Boat Dock; $40,000 is for the Senior Center; and $30,000 is the Borough’s match for the Elm Street Project. It was the consensus of Council Members to have Mr. Musser forward the necessary documents. RESOLUTION 2005-R-3 – RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SIX (6) SPECIAL PURPOSE PARKING SPACES AT PRINCE OF PEACE CHURCH, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-3, as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-4 – A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL PURPOSE PARKING SPACE A TMONUMENTAL AME CHURCH was presented for Council’s consideration On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-4, as presented.  Mr. Kovach – Requesting Council make a determination regarding the Life Team Proposal to provide ambulance service. Dr. Szada asked Council to vote not to turn the Borough Ambulance Service over to Life Team, since they are not capable of handling what they have let alone adding the Borough of Steelton to their territory. Dr. Szada recommended a six (6) month time frame to see how the Borough does on their on and made the following proposal: One paid person from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; separate the ambulance from the fire department completely with their own Chief who reports directly to Council, their own board, annual dues and an auxiliary made up of members of the community to become involved because it is their ambulance department; apply for grants that are available; take the new $52.00 tax that council passed and put $26, to the Police Department, $13 to the Fire and $13 to the Ambulance; Dr. Szada will make monthly reports to Council; approach all those who have training to see if we can bring them back into the department; continue to offer classes for training. Dr. Szada said she would spearhead the effort for the re-birth of the Ambulance service. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Musser if the $52 tax has been allocated. Mr. Musser said that $10,000 would go to the Ambulance; $25,000 is for streets; and $25,000 for a police vehicle. Mr. Wright asked the ambulance personnel who were present in the audience if they thought they could get Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 additional volunteers. Ms. Sherrid said she thinks it is a good idea to get them back because a lot of them would like to serve. Ms. Sherrid said she thinks if Dr. Szada could spearhead this, it might work, but she didn’t think they could go back to an all volunteer organization. Mr. Brubacher said the volunteers are about spent and most do it now to get paid, but we don’t know what is out there. Mrs. Krosnar asked what methods are used to get volunteers. Mr. Brubacher said they go to the High school job fairs. Mr. Kovach noted that many of those on Council volunteered but times have changed with insurance issues, lawsuits, both parents working and we aren’t the only community with this problem. He noted that most people in the Borough don’t bother to join the Ambulance Association. He said that everyone wants fast ambulance service, but they don’t want to pay for it. Mr. Kovach said he thinks that the Life Team proposal is the best solution on the table. Mr. Kovach said if the Borough chooses the Life Team option, we will loose our license, but he thought if it doesn’t work out, we could apply for another license. Mr. Heefner said he would like to try Dr. Szada’s proposal for six (6) months, noting that the Borough is investing money on the Downtown and the Boat Dock, why not the ambulance. He asked that Dr. Szada please let Council know if it looks like her solution isn’t working, so Council can contact the Life Team. Dr. Szada said she would also recommend several town meetings to inform the public of the situation. There was additional discussion on what would happen to the personnel, the equipment and any money left in the Ambulance Association, as well as who is on the Association. There was also additional discussion on the reasons for the current situation. Mr. Kovach then asked for a motion to accept the Life Team Proposal. Mr. Shaver made a motion to accept the Life Team Proposal and Mr. Albert seconded the motion. Mr. Kovach asked for a roll call vote. Mr. Shaver-Yes; Mr. Albert-Yes; Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – No; Mr. Wright – No; Dr. Szada – No; Mr. Heefner – No; Mr. Kovach – Yes. The motion was defeated by a 4 to 3 vote. Mr. Musser – Discussion regarding the Feasibility Study for the Downtown. Mr. Musser asked that the project not begin until about April 1st, since the grant funds will not be available for about six (6) months. Mr. Wright & Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – Providing council with an Update on the Community Development Meeting and the Determination in regards to the Grant Initiatives through the Main Street Program. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar said they are looking at Grant Initiatives through the Main Street Program. She said the initiatives that they are moving forward on are: a $25,000 Planning Grant which can be used for a downtown parking management study for the Main Street Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 District, as well as signage study needs; Downtown Investment Grants for qualified applicants for up o $250,000 to $300,00 for ready-to-go construction projects; and anchor building grants, which is a Grant-to-Loan Project through DCED to grant the Borough up to $500,000, which we would loan to a designated anchor building owner. Mr. Wright added that the DCED Grants $25,000 Planning Grant could be used to do a Market Study through our Main Street Coordinator, Ms. Fackler, to identify some of the main areas we need to look at for parking areas in the downtown Main Street Area. Mr. Wright reviewed a list of potential buildings with Council. Mr. Musser – Discussion regarding the Police Pension. Mr. Musser informed Council that the police union agreed and Mr. Wion will prepare the proper ordinance for the March meeting.  Mr. Musser – Informing Council of the bid results for the Boat Launch and Bailey Street Recreation Facility and requesting the projects be awarded to the respective low bidders. Mr. Musser informed Council that the low bidder for the Boat Launch was T.R. Stoner, in the amount of $225,713.00. He noted that the alternates 2, 3 and 4, will be eliminated to keep the project under budget. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to award the Boat Launch Project to T.R. Stoner in the amount of $225,713.00, per Mr. Musser’s recommendation. Mr. Musser stated that the low bidder for the Bailey Street Basketball Court was also T.R. Stoner, in the amount of $94,031.00. He noted that this was under budget. He said the DCBG Funds were $110,000 and recommended awarding the bid. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted to award the bid to T.R. Stoner, in the amount of $94,031.00, per Mr. Musser’s recommendation. Mr. Kovach said that he had been approached numerous times to have a three-point line painted at the other basketball courts. Mr. Musser suggested that, since the contractor will be in town to do the Bailey Street Courts, he could ask them to take care of that. Council Members agreed. Mr. Musser – Informing Council of the bid results for the Waterline Project. Mr. Musser said this is a Borough Authority Project, but he was just making Council aware that the low bidder was Rogele, Inc., in the amount of 1,052,600. He noted that $830,030 was budgeted to do that, so a few alternates will be eliminated to come in at budget. NEW BUSINESS: Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 Kenneth A. Lenker, Police Chief – Discussion in regards to Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Preliminary Recruit Examination Memorandum of Understanding. Chief Lenker said that after discussion with Mr. Wion, the Borough Solicitor, he does not recommend this to Council . Edward A. Ellinger, HRG., Inc. – Requesting Council execute the Proposal for Engineering Services regarding Jefferson Street and Pine Street Storm Sewer Investigations. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members voted unanimously authorize the execution of the proposal, pending Mr. Wion’s reeview and approval. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update in regards to the Capital Region Insurance Trust (CRIT) Mr. Musser said that he has been in touch with the CRIT for information. He said that they are a group of 14 to 24 municipalities in the area that shop around for lower insurance rates with no change in coverage. He said he will keep Council informed. Mr. Heefner and Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the Zoning Hearing Board Appointment. Mr. Musser noted that Mr. O’Keefe had informed Council that he wished to resign from the Zoning Hearing Board, so the Community Development Committee interviewed a few candidates and recommend Carl J. Kanaskie, Jr., to fill the vacancy created by Mr. O’Keefe’s resignation. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Carl J. Kanaskie, Jr., to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Musser said that Mr. O’Keefe has offered to stay for a few months, not on the Board, but until Mr. Kanaski familiarizes himself with the proceedings. Mr. Musser also suggested that Council present Mr. O’Keefe with a plaque in appreciation for his service to the Borough. It was the consensus of the Council Members to approve Mr. Musser’s recommendation. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and personnel matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Jeanne Barr, 349 S 4th Street – noted that the Borough is receiving a lot of money to beautify the Borough and asked why the Borough didn’t use some of it for the ambulance Steelton Borough Page (8) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 service. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar explained that the money the Borough receives is specifically for revitalization use and can’t be moved to other projects. She noted that the Borough has to submit proof of use or they will revoke the money. Ms. Barr said that the traffic light at Front and Locust Streets seems to be on red facing Locust Street for an unusually long time. Chief Lenker said he had other people tell him that, but when he checked it, it seemed to be working fine. Mr. Kovach asked that Mr. Musser call PERCS to check it out. Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon Street – asked how many people who work in Steelton live in Steelton. Mr. Kovach said that there are approximately 6,000 people living in Steelton, but he didn’t know how many worked in the Borough. Mr. Powell asked how many pay the $52.00. Mr. Musser said that is for those who work in the Borough and probably less than 85% of residents pay that $52.00. Mr. Powell commented that there are more renters than home owners and he sees this as a problem. Mr. Powell also reported that the manhole at Adams and Harrisburg Street is higher than the street. Mr. Kovach asked Mr. Musser to contact Mr. Conjar about that. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Shaver – said he thinks that Dr. Szada had an honorable vision and he hopes she continues with it, but she needs help. Mr. Shaver recommended the Borough consider looking for a Public Safety consulting firm to evaluate the Borough’s situation. He said that Life Team may not be the answer. Mr. Shaver offered his help but added that mose of council didn’t have the time to do what is required. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – said we are going to need some assistance from the EMT’s on staff to make a plan. She said she would like to see an aggressive plan to approach the legislature. Mr. Wright – reported that Citizens Bank presented the Borough with $24,000 to enhance the facades on Main Street. Dr. Szada – thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and thanked Mr. Shaver for his kind words. She said the Borough is going to need all the help we can get. Dr. Szada said she will spearhead the effort and added that much help will be needed and everyone must pull together to find the money to do this. Mr. Heefner – said he doesn’t believe in quitting if we have another option, but asked Dr. Szada to please let Council know if, in two to three months it looks like it isn’t going to work. Mr. Kovach – said that Council is here to do a job, we make decisions, we look at all the options to make the best decision for the community. He said he likes the way government works and that is why he is involved. Mr. Kovach commended Dr. Szada, saying he admired Steelton Borough Page (9) Council Meeting February 22, 2005 her and her efforts. Mr. Kovach also commended the EMT’s and Ambulance Service. He said he voted his conscience, but the vote was cast and Council will do whatever they can to support Dr. Szada and her efforts to keep the Ambulance Service in the Borough. Mr. Kovach thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. Mayor Acri – said that Mr. Musser wouldn’t have time to devote to the Ambulance situation. Mr. Shaver said that is why he believes we need someone else to help. Mayor Acri noted that that will require more spending. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters, at 8:12 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:38 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Shaver seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to authorize Chief Lenker to hire two (2) part-time officers, pending successful background checks. Council requested Mr. Musser to bring the Certified Civil Service List for full time police officers to the next Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary