City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting March 21, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the Vice-President, Jeffrey Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance Absent: Michael Kovach (arrived 6:40 p.m.) MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Michael Albert Jeffrey Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor (arrived 6:45 p.m.) Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Wright noted that he was present at the February 7, 2005 meeting. Noting the correction, on a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the February 7, 2005 and March 7, 2005 Council Meeting minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time, other than what was 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 present 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 February were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Mr.Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for February, 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 March 21, 2005 There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Robert G. Reid, Mayor, Borough of Middletown – Invitation to Mayor Acri to participate in the Middletown Parade to Celebrate their 250th Anniversary. There were no comments. Eugene Vance, III, Fire Chief – Providing Council with information in regards to Group Purchasing Initiative & Minutes from the last Regional Fire Meeting. There were no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Officer William J. Shaub – Providing Council with a Traffic Survey in regards to the “No Parking” restrictions in the 200 block of Poplar Street. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Officer Shaub’s recommendation to remove the ‘No-Parking” sign from the 200 block of Poplar Street and request Mr. Wion to prepare the necessary Ordinance. ORDINANCE 2005-2, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON, CHAPTER 16, “PENSIONS”, ARTICLE III, ENTITLED “POLICE PENSION PLAN AND FUND”, BY AMENDING AND RESTATING THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON POLICE PENSION PLAN AND FUND IN ITS ENTIRETY, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt ORDINANCE 2005-2, as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on Health Insurance Costs. Mr. Musser noted that earlier in the year we switched to Benecom as consultants for our Health Care benefits and requested Council’s approval to move into the Capital Area group effective May 1, 2005. Mr. Musser said that both of the unions reviewed it and concur that there is no reduction in benefits and there is actually an increase in dental benefits. Mr. Musser added that the Borough will probably save about $12,000 On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve Mr. Musser’s request. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the RFP for the Land Development Ordinance Review and Zoning Ordinance Update. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting March 21, 2005 Mr. Musser said the RFP will probably be advertised next week, since there were some minor changes made by Mrs. Fackler and Mr. Wion. Mr. Musser noted that those changes have been incorporated, but are not reflected in the copy that Council Members have.. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the Uniform Construction Code and its effects on our Sewer Ordinance. Mr. Musser said the review will take place on Monday, March 28th, at 1:30 p.m. Mr. Musser said that he, Mr. Heefner, Mr. Ron Acri, if he is available, and Mr. Wion will be in attendance. Mr. Wion noted that several months ago the Code Officer, Mr. Acri, mentioned the issue of the Appeals Board under the UCC. Mr. Wion said he had meetings with about seven other solicitors from other municipalities who are intending to structure a joint council which will create this Appeals Board which will be utilized by the municipalities involved. Mr. Wion said they have another meeting on April 1st and are attempting to get through an agreement, the ordinances and some supplemental documents in regard to the agreement. He added that the original material provided by the State, while somewhat helpful, left a lot to be desired, because we don’t only want to deal with the UCC which the State has adopted, but we also want this Appeals Board to perhaps be able to take appeals for example from the codes that aren’t covered by the UCC rather than have to have Borough Council sit as an Appeals Board on those codes. Mr. Wion said that the new Appeals Board will be able to take the appeals related to building codes and other codes beyond the UCC and hear those appeals also. Mr. Wion said he will continue to report to Council and added that they are attempting to come to some final stage of those documents to get them approved by all the municipalities. Mr. Heefner asked if the Borough does adopt that Code where would the appeals go now until that Board is in place. Mr. Wion indicated that nothing would happen until a Board is established. Mr. Shaver asked if Council is required to take any action on the updates as far as the UCC regarding the Sewer Mr. Wion said the UCC has certain lateral line connection regulations and we have to look at what they have in regard to what we adopted last year for the sewer lines and lateral connections. He reminded Council that they recently revised the whole sewer ordinance. Mr. Wion noted that our Sewer Engineers are looking at the UCC to see if the Borough’s new Ordinance meets what the UCC requires or if it is more stringent. Mr. Wion said the Borough would then inform Labor and Industry if our Ordinance is more stringent and that we want that to remain in effect. Mr. Wion said we have asked HRG to review that so that we can see where we are and that is what this meeting next Monday is about. Mr. Kovach arrived at 6:40 p.m. NEW BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2005-R-5, A RESOLUTION REQUESTING PRESIDENT BUSH NOT TO ELIMINATE THE CDBG FUNDS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S FY 06 BUDGET. Mr. Musser noted that he went to Washington last week to address this, and when he returned on Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting March 21, 2005 Thursday, Congress did act to restore the CDBG funding, but he wasn’t sure in what form. Mr. Musser recommended that Council pass this Resolution, so that it is a matter of record. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-5, as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with the Intergovernmental Cooperation & Technology License Agreement. Mr. Musser said that Mr. Wion did review the agreement. Mr. Wion said he received a copy of this agreement and he hasn’t had a chance to discuss it with Mr. Musser. He said there are a few things he thinks should be discussed with the County, however, the basic format of utilizing the County’s GIS system data is something that we want to do. He noted that the questions he had deal somewhat with the limitations of the use of license and some clarification. Mr. Wion said the agreement has provisions about not including the right to license or create derivative works with that material or any right to distribute the GIS data and any distribution of data is prohibited; or any right to sublease to any engineers, consultants, those kinds of things. Mr. Wion said that he just wants to make sure that when the Borough uses it to implement some of our other documents and give it to HRG, to use it to look at the NPDES function, which we have to do to incorporate that in the plan that they have to develop for the water and sewer, that somehow that is not a violation of the licensing provisions. Mr. Wion said he thinks that this means that we can’t license them to do that or we can’t sell what we get from them. Mr. Wion said he thinks that is the intent of this language, but he just wanted to verify that if the Council passes the Resolution it is with Council’s understanding that it is only re-licensing a third party or selling the license to a third party which is prohibited, that we clarify what the language of this license is, and that it also requires the Borough, if we have any GIS data now, to make that available to the County as well as to assure them that we have the right to let them use that without any problem with our licensing. Mr. Wion said he just wanted to mention those items, since that is what he believes they mean to limit the Borough with that language. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Wion if Council should table the vote on the Resolution until the questions were resolved. Mr. Wion said that Council can act on it, but he wants the record to reflect that that is our interpretation of what we are signing here. Mr. Wion said that he hasn’t really had a chance to discuss it with the County, but the Resolution adopts the Agreement in that particular format. He added that there is a right to cancel if we determine that our interpretation isn’t accurate. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-6, APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AND TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON AND THE COUNTY OF DAUPHIN, as presented, with the stipulations made by the Solicitor, Mayor Acri arrived at 6:45 p.m. . Paula Sviben – Requesting approval to begin the hiring process for the Summer Parks Program. Ms. Sviben said she would like to get an early start to hire the Summer Parks personnel. She informed Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting March 21, 2005 Council that she would like to hire three Park Leaders, three Park Assistants and three at-will or on-call Park Employees, who will be called in the event someone calls off, so that there are always two adults at the park. Mr. Wright asked Ms. Sviben to update Council Members on the parks that will be used in the program. Ms. Sviben said that last year, there was a low enrollment for East End Park and by the end of the season, there were only three children attending, so they entered into a partnership with Highspire Borough to use Highspire’s Memorial Park instead of East End Park. She added that as part of the partnership, Highspire will take care of all of the Maintenance at the Parks, the Port-O-Potties and will make a monetary contribution, as does the School District. Ms. Sviben said she is hoping for about seventy-five (75) children at each park, which is equal to last year. She said we did enter into an agreement with the Boys and Girls Club again and the programs will be at Municipal Park, Cottage Hill Park and Highspire’s Memorial Park. Mr. Heefner asked when Highspire would making their contribution. Ms. Sviben said they would be invoiced April 1st and May 1st. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to authorize Ms. Sviben to begin the hiring process for three (3) park leaders, three (3) park assistants and three (3) on-call park employees. Mr. Musser – Requesting approval to start the hiring process for the summer. Mr. Musser asked permission to hire three (3) to five (5) summer employees which are paid from the General Fund, the Water and Sewer funds. Mr. Musser added that he will first contact those who worked for the Borough last year On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Musser to advertise the summer positions. Mr. Shaver said that Council can determine the number to be hired when the applications are received. Mr. Musser – Providing an update on the Swatara Street, Jefferson Street & Pine Street Storm Sewer Lines along with an update on the Adams Street Plan & CDBG funds. Mr. Musser noted that he did give Council an update on the CDBG funds earlier. He said the Jefferson and Pine Streets proposals were sent to Representative Buxton and has been transferred to other Departments they will be talking with myself and probably Mr. Heefner to discuss some of the other funding avenues available for the storm sewer lines. They are looking at different funds through PENNVEST in the form of grants instead of loans and he will provide Council with updates when he has something more concrete. We had a meeting on the Adams Street Plans and we discussed a few of those items in executive session for land acquisition, but Mr. Wion has prepared a few Resolutions for Council’s consideration tonight. Mr. Musser asked Mr. Heefner when the Planning Commission would review the Redevelopment Plan and the Redevelopment Proposal from Mullin and Lonergan. Mr. Heefner said they would be able to review them at the April 6th Planning Commission meeting. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting March 21, 2005  RESOLUTION 2005-R-7, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 113, 113 ½, 115 AND 115 ½ ADAMS STREET, BOROUGH OF STEELTON, DAUHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS A PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE ADAMS STREET REDEVELOMENT AREA, was presented for Council’s consideration Mr. Wion said this authorizes the Agreement of Sale, paying the fair market value of the property. Mr. Musser said it should also be noted that the acquisition of these properties is being done with Federal Grant Funds On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-7, as presented RESOLUTION 2005-R-8, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 127 ADAMS STREET, BOROUGH OF STEELTON, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS A PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE ADAMS STREET REDEVELOPMENT AREA, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-8, as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-9, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF THE REAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 22 NORTH SECOND STREET, BOROUGH OF STEELTON, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, was presented for Council’s consideration. Mr. Wion noted that this property, along with three other properties were severely damaged by fire and the other three properties have already been deeded to the Borough. Mr. Wion added that this property is being acquired from Michael P., and Patricia J. McCauley, for the sum of $5,200. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-9, as presented. Mr. Wright thanked Mr. Musser, Mr. Heefner and Mr. Wion for all of their work to acquire these properties. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition and personnel matters in regards to Water Filtration Plant Operators and Code Office Staff and Labor Contract negotiations. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Marie Krpan, 1381 Norton Road, Steelton – said her Comments and concerns are regarding Chapter 84 of the Borough Code, as it pertains to residential rental inspections. Ms. Krpan asked what the inspection, which was estimated to be two (2) hours and then another two (2) hours to re-inspect if there Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting March 21, 2005 were any deficiencies, there are administrative costs and start up costs as well as the Rental Certificate. Mr. Heefner said that if next year it is determined that the fees exceed our expenses, then they will be scaled back and if they do not cover our expenses, then they will be increased Ms. Krpan said that the Borough’s fees were higher than surrounding areas. Mr. Heefner noted that each municipality is different and costs vary. Ms. Krpan asked when the law will take affect and when the inspections will be done. Mr. Heefner said it takes affect April 1st and it is up to the owner to make an appointment with the Code Enforcement Officer. Greg Runkle, 109 South Front Street – said he believes the $125.00, fee is too high. He said he checked with other areas also and they aren’t as high as Steelton’s. Mr. Runkle said his properties were inspected by the former Code Officer and he has the certificates. Mr. Runkle added that his properties have to be brought up to code but a privately owned property next door doesn’t have to and he didn’t think that was fair. Mr. Runkle pointed out that that Harrisburg charges $75.00, and Philadelphia charges $30.00, for one time and they don’t go back unless there are violations. He said it is getting more expensive to maintain properties in Steelton than anywhere else. Mr. Runkle agreed that licensing and inspections are a good thing, but the Code Officer knows who is maintaining their properties and who are not. Mr. Runkle asked if the Redevelopment projects will be inspected and will they pay the same fee. Mr. Heefner said they would. Mr. Runkle said that the Code Officer is already being paid a salary and didn’t understand why his time has to be taken into consideration for the fees. Chief Lenker – said he checked the traffic light at the intersection of Front and Locust Streets and there may be a problem with the sensors. Chief Lenker said he has a report for Council. He noted that the Borough may be required to put new sensors since it is a State Highway. Mr. Musser sad he will send a letter to the State. He said the inexpensive way is to put it on a timer but we have to get permission. Paula Sviben – said the Roller victory parade is planned for Saturday, April 2nd, starting at 12:00 noon at the Highspire Municipal Building and end at the Steelton Municipal Building. Ms. Sviben said there will be vehicles available if Council Members wish to ride in the parade. The parade will begin to form at 11:00 a.m. Ms. Sviben listed dignitaries who will participate and speak at the Steelton Municipal Building following the parade. ADDITIONS: Mr. Musser said that he has the Arrangement Letters from Boyer & Ritter for the 2005 Audit and requested Council to approve the execution of the Letters of Arrangement. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to authorize the execution of the Arrangement Letters for Boyer and Ritter for the 2005 Audit as presented. Mr. Kovach apologized for being late for the meeting. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS Mr. Shaver thanked everyone for coming to the meeting tonight. Steelton Borough Page (8) Council Meeting March 21, 2005  Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and commended Mr. Musser for his efforts during his trip to Washington to lobby to keep the CDBG Funds in the Budget. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar noted that the Borough Depends on the CDBG funding each year. Mr. Kovach said he would also like to thank Mr. Musser and the staff for working very hard in solving some of these issues and thanked Mr. Wion for expediting some of the issues we had relating to the housing. Mr. Wright said he wanted to again thank Mr. Musser and Mr. Wion for their work to acquire those properties Mayor Acri wished everyone a very blessed Easter. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters in regards to the Water Filtration Plant Operators and Code Office Staff, and Labor Contract Negotiations at 7:12 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:39 p.m. RESOLUTION 2005-R-10, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON AND AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-10, as presented. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to switch the location of the Main Street Office and the Community Development Office. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to authorize Mr. Musser to send a letter to Mr. Ronald Acri, Code Enforcement Officer, to notify him that at a time to be determined, he will be given a three (3) day suspension without pay for insubordination. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the meeting recessed into executive session at 8:41 p.m., to discuss additional personnel issues. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar was excused at 8:47 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:48 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Steelton Borough Page (9) Council Meeting March 21, 2005 Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary