City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting April 4, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:35p.m. by the President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance Absent: Michael Kovach : Michael Albert Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Jeffrey Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar (Arrived 7:20 p.m.) 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. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the March 21, 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 is in the minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There was no public comment. COMMUNICATIONS: Richard Hankerson, Chief Antler, I.B.P.O.E. of W. Central Pa – Invitation to the Community Awards Banquet to honor Officer Robert Gaither and Frank S. Brown. Mayor Acri said that he had some family commitments for that date, but would make every effort to attend. Mr. Shaver said he would be attending. Mr. Kovach said that all Council Members are invited. Ronald James Thomas Acri – Providing Steelton Borough Council with his Letter of Resignation as the Borough of Steelton’s Code/Zoning/Planning Officer effective March 25, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present, voted unanimously to accept Mr. Acri’s resignation as presented. Mr. Musser informed Council Members that the position has been advertised in the Sunday Patriot News and will continue to be advertised in the Sunday edition until April 10th, with a deadline for submitting applications set for April 15, 2005. Mr. Musser requested Council to appoint a Committee to review the applications to select candidates to be interviewed, conduct the interviews, make an offer and council can ratify the action at the following Council Meeting. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting April 4, 2005 Mr. Musser noted that all of this could not be done before the April 18th meeting and Council didn’t want to delay the process until the May meeting. Mr. Shaver suggested that the Personnel Committee, Mayor Acri, Mr. Wright, Mr. Albert and himself, review the applications and select the applicants to be interviewed by the entire Council. He said he would like the entire Council to make the final decision. Mr. Heefner said that he would like to be involved in the selection process, since he has been very involved in the Code Office and has some building expertise. Mayor Acri suggested that Mr. Heefner sit on the Committee in his place. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar & Mr. Wion – Discussion in regards to liability issues for the 11” Bar Mill Parking Lot. Mr. Wion recommended that this be discussed in executive session since it is a legal issue. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Discussion on the Special Purpose Parking Space for Charles Westbrook of 213 Swatara Street, Steelton, Pa Mr. Musser said that, after review, it is the Committee’s recommendation to deny this request. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to deny the request, as recommended by the Committee. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the Special Purpose Parking Space for New Hope Living Baptist Church at 395 South Second Street, Steelton, Pa. Mr. Musser said that this has been done for other churches in the Borough, noting that anyone with an HP License can park there. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the request and authorize Mr. Wion to prepare the Resolution. Mr. Musser – Discussion in regards to the Special Purpose Parking Space for Carol Gonzalez of 311 Swatara Street, Steelton, Pa Mr. Musser said this is for Council’s information. It will be sent to Committee for a review and recommendation. Mr. Musser – Special Purpose Parking Space for Jean E. Bowen of 158 South Second Street, Steelton, Pa. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting April 4, 2005 Mr. Musser said this is for Council’s information and will be sent to Committee for review and recommendations. Mr. Shaver noted that the application doesn’t have a written statement from the physician. Mr. Musser thanked Mr. Shaver and said he will return it to Ms. Bowen. Mr. Kovach said that Mrs. Jacoby said that Council promised her something when they denied her request for a Special Purpose Parking Space, which hasn’t been done and asked Mr. Musser if he was aware what that was. Mr. Musser noted that the request was denied because she had off-street parking. Mr. Musser said he would check the minutes to see what she was referring to. . OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition matters, Labor Contract Negotiations, and various personnel issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Chief Vance – asked about the plans to make the repairs at the Fire House. Mr. Musser said he reminded Mr. Conjar about making the repairs. Mr. Kovach said they will begin as soon as time permits. There was also a discussion on needed repairs to the Fire House Roof. Mr. Musser said that will have to put out for bid. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner - informed Council Members that the next Intergovernmental Meeting will be held on June 23, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the Borough of Highspire. Mr. Heefner also noted that Governor Rendell will be discussing Act 72 at 5:00 p.m., on April 5th on Channel 33 and encouraged Council Members to watch the program.  Mr. Kovach – said the event at the high school for the State Champion Basketball team was well done. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions, labor contract negotiations, personnel matters, and 11” bar mill parking lot, at 7:05 p.m. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar arrived during the executive session, at 7:20 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:20 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Shaver seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to increase Christina Fackler’s salary by $1,600, retroactive to March 3, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to increase Paula Sviben’s salary by 3% or the amount the percentage increase received by the other department heads, effective April 1, 2005. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting April 4, 2005 On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to hire Theresa Sviben, as a part-time employee in the Code Department for a maximum of twenty-five (25) hours per week, at a rate of $10.00 per hour, until the Code Office is situated. Mr. Shaver referred to an e-mail Council received from Mr. Musser regarding the River Front Communities desire for Steelton to be the Redevelopment Tour for Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. and suggested that Mr. Musser and/or Ms. Fackler be the spokesperson in order to maintain the theme Council wishes to promote. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary