City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting May 16, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by President, Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance Absent: Michael Kovach MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Jeffrey Wright Michael Albert 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: There were no minutes submitted. 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. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, 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 April were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for April, as presented. Mr. Heefner noted that due to the number of concerns expressed by landlords, a committee has been formed to review the rental inspections issues, such as the fees and the frequency of the inspections. Mr. Heefner said that the committee has met once and will continue to meet until they have a consensus for recommendations to Council. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Acri said Tim Layman is interested in filling the Emergency Management Coordinator Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting May 16, 2005 vacancy, created by Mr. Houser’s resignation. The Mayor added that Mr. Layman must submit an application letter to Council which will be forwarded to The County for approval and a background check. Mayor Acri noted that Mr. Houser has offered to assist with training his replacement. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Eugene Vance, III, Fire Chief – Providing the Mayor and Council with a written update from the May 1, 2005 Fire Department Round Table Meeting. There were no comments. George H. Connor, Community Development Coordinator - Letter informing the Borough that $24,480.00, in CDBG Funds have been reallocated from the North Front Street Parking Lot Projcect to the South Second Street Revitalization, Planning and Infrastructure Improvements to Demolish 22, 24, 26 and 28 North Second Street and informing the Borough that the sale of these properties will not constitute Program income. There were no comments. Mayor Reed & Chief Keller of the City of Harrisburg – Providing Officer Troy P. Elhajj with a Merit Award for his significant arrest of a drug dealer on March 4, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to have a copy of the award placed in Officer Elhajj’s personnel file. Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Center for Local Government Services – Informing the Borough of the upcoming Planning and Zoning for Downtowns Seminar. Mr. Kovach said that those who wish to attend should contact Mr. Musser. Daniel R. Soulier, Deputy Chief, Harrisburg Bureau of Fire – Invitation to a meeting to discuss Regional Fire issues on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. There were no comments. Eugene Vance, III, Fire Chief – Requesting Mike Houser and Joseph A. Miller be added to the Fire Department’s Driver’s list. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to add Mike Houser and Joseph A. Miller to the Fire Department’s Driver’s list, as requested. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting May 16, 2005 Officer William J. Shaub – Providing Council with a Traffic Study on South Front Street from Wood Street to the Borough Line. Mayor Acri explained that there were some complaints received about tractor trailers parking along that stretch of Rte. 230. Mr. Wion said he will prepare the required Resolution for the next Council meeting for Council’s consideration. ORDINANCE 2005-4, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING STEELTON BOROUGH TO JOIN WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AS A MEMBER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL HEALTH INSURANCE COOPERATIVE (PMHIC), TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF JOINING THE PMHIC AND TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER OF THE PMHIC, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt ORDINANCE 2005-4, as presented. ORDINANCE 2005-5, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING STEELTON BOROUGH, DAUPHIN COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, TO JOIN WITH OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS AS A MEMBER OF THE CAPITAL REGION INSURANCE TRST, TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF JOINING THE TRUST, AND TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER OF THE TRUST., 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 2005-5, as presented. Mr. Shaver thanked Mr. Musser for his work on this process, noting that it has saved the Borough a considerable amount of money. Mr. Kovach echoed Mr. Shaver’s sentiments, on behalf of Council. RESOLUTION 2005-R-17, A RESOLUTION STRIKING BRIDGE STREET FROM THE GENERAL PLAN OF STREETS OF THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON, 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-17 as presented. Mr. Musser – Requesting Council to approve the hiring of Anthony J Miller, Greg Yetter, Joshua R. Bosak and John L. Kuduk, Jr. as summertime per diem Highway Laborers at a pay rate of $8.00n hour, effective May 31, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to hire the four applicants as requested. Mr. Musser said he has a fifth applicant in mind and asked Council if he would be permitted to hire a fifth person if Mr. Conjar says he could use another employee for summer part-time per diem. It was Mr. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting May 16, 2005 Shaver’s recommendation, and the Council’s consensus, to hire the fifth person if Mr. Conjar could use a fifth person for the summer. Ms. Paula Sviben – Requesting Council approve the hiring of the list of Summer Recreation Positions as presented. Ms. Sviben noted that Council had the list of applicants. She stated that the three (3) Playground Assistants: Zach Neubaum, Brooke Conjar and Nick Pogasic will receive $6.50 an hour; the Playground Leaders: Jerel Lewis, Adrianne Kable and Dwight Proctor will receive $7.00 an hour and the Supervisor/Coordinator: Evelyn Sanchez will receive $9.00 an hour. Ms. Sviben noted that Ms. Sanchez will only be working part-time this year, since her duties at the Boys and Girls Club have increased. Ms. Sviben said that there is currently one applicant for Playground On-Call Staff: Tory Pogasic, at the rate of $6.50 an hour and asked Council to for permission to hire an additional on-call person if additional applications are submitted. Mr. Shaver asked Ms. Sviben if she did background checks on the applicants. Ms. Sviben said that all but two (2) worked last year and asked if those background checks could be used. Mr. Shaver and all Council Members present said new background checks should be done for all the applicants. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Summer Recreation Playground applicants as presented, at the rates indicated, pending successful background checks by Chief Lenker and authorize Ms. Sviben to hire a few additional on-call staff. Mr. Shaver thanked Ms Sviben for the really great package she put together. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Informing Council that a Special Purpose Parking Space has been submitted by Loretta Wilbern of 340 Locust Street and Charles H. Evans of 326 Lincoln Street. There were no comments. Mr. Musser – Reminding Council of the Vacancy on the Borough Planning Commission, the two (2) vacancies for the alternates on the Zoning Hearing Board and the Vacancy on the Vacancy and Civil Service Commission that will be created by Mr. Stone’s resignation. There were no comments. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting an Executive Session to discuss land acquisition, personnel matters in regards to Water Filtration Plant Operators, potential litigation and health care contract issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting May 16, 2005  Marie Krpan, 1381 Norton Road, Steelton – asked Mr. Heefner who is on the Committee reviewing the rental inspection issue. Mr. Heefner responded that he, Mr. Shaver, Mr. Musser and the Solicitor, Mr. Wion comprise the Committee. Ms. Krpan asked if he knew when any decisions will be made. Mr. Heefner said he doesn’t know, they have had one meeting to date, but the landlords will be notified as soon as any decisions are made. Pauline Douglas, 423 Bessemer St. – asked if the Borough has a new code Officer yet. Mr. Heefner responded that Council is planning to hire a part-time inspector to replace Ms. Stoner, since she was promoted to the full time Code Officer Position. Mrs. Douglas said that at the rear of 435 Lincoln, there are four (4) trash bags lying out there and some have burst open. Ms. Stoner said she will check it out. Mrs. Douglas asked about the grass and weeds. Ms. Stoner said that currently she is trying to address that on Wednesday, since that is the only open day she has at this time. Mr. Shaver encouraged Mrs. Douglas to call the office if she sees violations. Mrs. Douglas said they have some new pit bulls running the yard at 443 Lincoln Street, which is not secure. Mayor Acri said he will inform the police. Linda Grady, 921 Ebenezer Road, Middletown – questioned the fees and some of the requirements for the rental inspections, such as GFI’s and placement of smoke detectors and stated that she is unable to contribute to the community due to the fees and taxes that she pays on her properties in the Borough. She also asked why a property across the street from one of her properties, sits boarded up with very high grass and weeds. Mr. Kovach assured Mrs. Grady that the Borough is trying to take care of situations like that. He said that the Borough is trying to improve the housing stock and the rental units are a starting point, not the only one, adding that it does take time and a system to accomplish goals. Mr. Heefner said that out of 159 inspections, only 4 had no violations. He noted that this is a learning process for the Borough and the committee has been formed to look at some of the issues brought to us by the landlords. After further discussion, Mrs. Grady asked if there were any landlords on the committee and if those meetings were open to the public. Mr. Heefner said there were no landlords on the committee. Mr. Wion responded that the committee was formed by Council to look at matters that have arisen, and make recommendations to Council. Mr. Wion added that it is not a public forum and will not be a public forum, but if there are any changes it will be advertised for consideration at a public meeting where the public can comment on it. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS Mr. Shaver – commended Ms. Sviben for the packages sent to the schools for the Recreation Program. Mr. Heefner – asked what Council was doing with the Ambulance situation. He said that several residents have asked him about not receiving the membership letter. Mr. Kovach noted that Dr. Szada isn’t present to answer the questions or give a report. Chief Vance said that the meeting on the 25th will address a lot of questions and lay the whole program out. Mr. Heefner said he doesn’t want to drag this out and is concerned about residents not being able to pay for ambulance services, if they don’t have a current membership. Mayor Acri suggested contacting Dr. Kambic to get the information. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting May 16, 2005 Mrs. Douglas said she has a membership that is supposed to take care of the Steelton and Life Team Ambulances. Mayor Acri told Mrs. Douglas that she is covered by Steelton’s Basic Life Support but not for the Advanced life support, because that membership has expired. There was additional discussion on meeting with Life Team and doing a membership mailing. Mayor Acri again asked Council to meet with Dr. Kambic before making any decisions. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar - reminded everyone about the 125th Anniversary parade on May 28th, beginning at 1:25 p.m., and the Ethnic Market and Bingo will be on the ISG Lot from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. She said there are 15 to 18 vendors, and there will be entertainment after the parade. Mr. Kovach – said the playground equipment should be checked and the parks grounds should be weeded and cleaned up for the Summer Parks Program. Mr. Kovach said he is sure Mr. Conjar has this on his schedule, but asked Mr. Musser to check with Mr. Conjar to be sure the playgrounds are ready for the Summer Parks Program. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters in regards to the Water Filtration Plant Operators, potential litigation and health care contract issues at 7:15 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Musser – recommended that Council approve the Execution of the Scope of Work for Engineering Services, by HRG, Inc., in association with Hometown Streets Grant Project. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Execution of the Scope of Work for Engineering Services, by HRG, Inc., as presented by Mr. Musser. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mrs. Krosnar, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary