City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting March 7, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:38 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 Mr. Kovach noted, for the record, that Mr. Mark Moseley of Tri-County HDC, LTD to discuss housing rehabilitation in the Borough. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Albert seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar., Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the February 22, 2005 Council Meeting minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time, other that what is in the minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There was no public comment. COMMUNICATIONS: Jack Lotwick, Dauphin County Sheriff – Letter of thanks to Chief Lenker and the Steelton Police Department for their assistance on Tuesday, February 15, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to place a copy of the letter in Chief Lenker’s personnel file. Sgt. David M. Crawford, Steelton Police Department – A Letter requesting the Borough to contribute $1,200.00, to the 4.0 Program. Chief Lenker noted that Council has contributed $1,000, for the past several years and that is the amount designated in the budget. He recommended that Council contribute the budgeted amount of $1,000. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting March 7, 2005 After some discuss, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to contribute the budgeted amount of $1,000.00, noting that Officer Crawford should inform Chief Lenker of his request at the time the Budget is being prepared. Council also expressed their appreciation to Sgt. Crawford for his work on this project. Frane & Kata Krpan, landlords in the Borough of Steelton Borough – Letter expressing their displeasure with the new Residential Rental Unit Inspection Ordinance. There were no comments. PSAB – Invitation to the 94th Annual Conference and Exhibition June 19-22, 2005 at the Hershey Lodge. Mr. Kovach said anyone who is interested in attending should contact Mr. Musser. Gerald E. Schmidt, Jr., 27 South 3rd Street, Steelton, PA – Requesting Council eliminate the “No Parking” Restriction on a Section of Poplar Street. Chief Lenker said he will ask Officer Shaub to do a traffic study and report back to Council. Mr. Heefner – Providing Council with an update in regards to the Swatara Street Storm Sewer Lining Project. Mr. Heefner informed Council that the smell is still there. He said the contractor, Spinello, was up there last week and they cut out a piece of the pipe to the manufacturer. Mr. Heefner said they are going to set up a scrubber again and fill the pipes with water. Mr. Heefner said when he shut the fan off on Sunday, the smell started going into the two corner properties Mr. Kovach asked if the contractor has been paid. Mr. Musser said that they will not be paid until it is done to our satisfaction. Mr. Musser added that they won’t be paid the full amount because the Borough has incurred many expenses which will be deducted from the final payment. Eula Huston, Steelton resident – Letter of complaint during a Steel-High basketball game. Mayor Acri said this was the first e-mail he received. The Mayor said that Ms. Huston thought that he was in charge of the school, like Mayor Reed. The Mayor said he informed Ms Huston that she should contact the School Superintendent and the Swatara Township Police Department. ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Musser noted the following communications received after the Agenda was prepared and distributed to Council prior to this meeting: Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting March 7, 2005 Kerri Meyers – Steelton Elementary School Teacher – Letter of thanks to Officer Rupert for changing her tire during a recent snow storm. Mayor Acri said he spoke with Ms. Meyers and she was truly grateful. The Mayor said this is the way we want our officers to treat people in the community and something we should be proud of. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to place a copy of the letter in Officer Rupert’s personnel file. H. Allen Grow, ISG Steelton Inc. – Update on ISG Properties that are for sale. Mr. Musser said he would like to discuss this in executive session. Mark S. Stewart, Esq. – Confidential e-mail regarding hiring process. Mr. Musser said he would like to discuss that in executive session. John L. Krajsa, Jr., JD LLM – Information on Reverse Mortgages. Mr. Musser said he would like to discuss this at the end of the meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the CDBG Funds allocated for the Proposed Steelton Parking Lot. Mr. Musser said this is something Council should consider as we go along. He noted that Council allocated about $124,000 for the parking lot and plaza across from the Municipal Building, but things changed, so the funds can be re-allocated for other projects. Mr. Musser said if this is Council’s decision to re-allocate the funds, a public notice must be advertised. Mr. Musser briefly reviewed a few possible alternative projects.  Mr. Musser – Requesting Council to authorize Mr. Kovach to execute the Agreement for the 3rd Year of the Main Street Program. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Kovach to execute the Agreement as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with the top three (3) names provided by the Civil Service Commission as Certified for the hiring of full-time police officers. Mayor Acri requested Council to recess into executive session to discuss this. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to recess into executive session at 6:50 p.m. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting March 7, 2005 The meeting reconvened at 7:08 p.m. Mr. Musser presented the following top three names provided by the Steelton Civil Service Commission as Certified for hiring for the position of Full-Time Police Officers: Mark Giza, Scott Rupert, and Nicholas Zarra. Mr. Musser noted that Mr. Giza was a veteran. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members voted unanimously to hire Mark Giza as a Full-Time Steelton Police Officer. Mr. Musser presented the following top three names provided by the Steelton Civil Service Commission as Certified for hiring for the position of Full-Time Police Officers: Scott Rupert, Nicholas Zarra and Jenny Jenkins. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to hire Scott Rupert as a full-time police officer, at the 2nd year level for pay purposes only, as provided in the police contract and recommended by Chief Lenker. Chief Lenker recommended hiring Justin Chortanoff as a part-time police officer. He noted that Mr. Chortanoff passed the background check and is taking his MOPEC test on the 10th of March. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Musser to offer Justin Chortanoff the position of part-time officer, contingent upon a successful background check and his passing the MOPEC test. Chief Lenker informed Council that Officer Rupert will start as a full-time officer on March 13th in the 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift. He noted that since officer Giza was hired first, he will have first choice of available shifts, when he reports for duty, and seniority over Officer Rupert. There was a discussion on expanded patrols through town and zoned patrols, since there will now be three officers and vehicles on each shift. Council stressed the need for high visibility in the community. Chief Lenker said he will try to do that depending on the number of calls during a shift. Mr. Kovach requested that if the officers are in their cars doing reports that they do it at the playgrounds or high crime area, so they are visible to the public. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with copies of the HRG, Inc., report in regards to Jefferson and Pine Street Storm Sewer Lines. Mr. Musser said that the estimates are in council’s packets and probably reflect the worse-case scenario. He said that Representative Buxton will be working with the Borough on this. Mr. Musser noted that the priority project would be Pine Street, since that line is very deep. He added that if we should run low on funds, the Borough employees may be able to do the Jefferson Street Line because it is shallow. Mr. Heefner asked how much of the bond funds are left. Mr. Musser said between $300,000 and $400,000 remains, but he will check on the exact amount. Mr. Musser cautioned Council that depending on the Grants Representative Buxton can get, we may need some of that money as a match. NEW BUSINESS: Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting March 7, 2005 Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the Redevelopment Area Plan & the Redevelopment Plan Proposal for Adams Street. Mr. Musser said that he and Mr. Heefner are going to work on this and will bring it before the Planning Commission and then get back to Council. Mr. Musser gave a brief update on the project. . OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and Labor Contract Negotiations. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Dr. Szada - said she would like to discuss personnel matters in executive session. Mr. Heefner – said asked Council Members to refer any questions on the Tenant- Landlord Ordinance to one of the members of the Community Development Committee or give them his phone number and he will be happy to explain it since he is familiar with the intent and requirements of the Ordinance. He said there have been questions and comments on the fees and he has done some research on the fees in other areas. Mr. Heefner said these fees will be for the first year start-up and may be amended for the following year. Mr. Kovach commented that there are always growing pains with a new project and we will work them out. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions, contract negotiations and personnel matters, at 7:25 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:51 p.m. It was the consensus of the Mayor and Council Members to mail the Ambulance flyer. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary