City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 3, 2005 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30p.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 Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Jeffrey Wright MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There was no public comment. COMMUNICATIONS: James M. Close, Director, Public Works, City of Harrisburg – Providing the Borough of Steelton with the Consulting Engineers’ Annual Report and Budget for 2006 pertaining to the Sewage conveyance System, and informing the Borough that there will be no rate increase for 2006. There were no comments. Mahmoud Taiel, Owner, Al Madina, LLC, 441 South Front Street, Steelton, PA – letter requesting a 30-minute parking sign to be placed in front of 441 South Front Street. Mr. Heefner said he thought Council should consider granting Mr. Taiel’s request, since other businesses have these signs. He said that Mr. Taiel has a problem with Highspire Auto parking the very large trucks directly in front of his business, which blocks the window. Mr. Shaver said that his concern would be that he has off-street parking and he didn’t want to set a precedent. Mr. Wright noted that those businesses who have these signs do not have off-street parking. Mr. Wion informed Council that if they are considering this the police will have to do a traffic survey. Mr. Musser suggested that someone speak with Mr. Mumma to see if his employees Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting October 3, 2005 could park the large trucks beside Mr. Mumma’s property along Mohn Street, but not blocking vision of cars coming down Mohn Street. It was the consensus of Council that Mr. Musser and Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar would discuss this with Mr. Earl Mumma. Bruce L. Coder, 43 South Fourth Street, Steelton, PA – Submission of a Special Purpose Parking Request. There were no comments. Joyce Simms, resident – Letter requesting permission to hold a neighborhood yard sale on Saturday, October 8, 2005, and to block Conestoga Street from Bailey Street to Third Street.. Mayor Acri recommended that Council approve this request. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve Ms. Simms’ request. Annie Hunter, 21 Kennedy Lane, Steelton Pa – Letter requesting that her Special Purpose Parking sign be moved from 21 Kennedy Lane to 901 Cumbler Street, during the renovation of her apartment at 21 Kennedy Lane. Mr. Musser informed Council that Mr. Wion advised that it is not necessary to take official action on this since it is a temporary change, and as long as the Housing Authority approves that change. Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association – Invitation to the next meeting on October 25, 2005 at Alfred’s Victorian Restaurant, 38 North Union Street, Middletown at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Kovach asked that those who wish to attend should contact Mr. Musser. Steelton Resident – Letter indicating there is drug activity in certain areas of town and also a problem with children loitering. Mr. Kovach said that Mayor Acri and Chief Lenker have been informed of this situation and they will follow up on it. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an Agreement between the Borough of Steelton and ISG Steelton, LLC for Sale of the Property known as the 11 Inch Bar Mill Parking Lot. Mr. Musser said he and Mr. Wion are very pleased to present to council an Agreement between ISG and the Borough of Steelton to purchase what is known as the 11 inch Bar Mill. Mr. Musser Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting October 3, 2005 noted that ISG agreed to all of the Borough’s terms except the environmental liability issue. Mr. Musser said they reached a compromise on the issue by agreeing to keep the wording as it was regarding the sale of the property. However, if the Borough leases the property to someone, the lessee will not be responsible for any environmental liability. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Agreement as presented. Mr. Kovach and Mr. Wright commended everyone who worked on the Agreement. Mr. Kovach added that he believes this is an important step to the revitalization of the downtown. Mr. Musser – Requesting permission to formally terminate the Crossgates Contract and to assign the Contract to various groups. Mr. Musser noted that this is being done because two of Crossgates’ employees who were an integral part of the Boroughs programs, have left the group. Mr. Musser asked Council’s approval for he and Mr. Wion to prepare an agreement with Mr. Powers. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Agreement Termination and Assignment of Subcontracts and to authorize Mr. Musser and Mr. Wion to prepare and Agreement with Mr. Powers. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Shaver – Discussion regarding the hiring of John Trish as the new Assistant Part-Time Code Officer and the acceptance of Ken Brady’s resignation as the part-time Code Officer for the Borough of Steelton. Mr. Shaver said that the Personnel Committee interviewed Mr. John Trish and Chief Lenker did a background check and he recommended that the Council hire Mr. Trish as a Part-Time Code Enforcement Officer, at the rate of $11.00 an hour, effective October 11, 2005. Mr.Heefner added that Mr. Trish will start at an hourly rate of $11.00 and after a satisfactory probation period, that rate will increase to $12.00 an hour. Dr. Szada asked if this is going to be a permanent part-time position or will it be expanded to a full-time position. Mr. Heefner said he would like it to become a full-time position sometime in the future. There was additional discussion on Code work and revenues. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to hire Mr. John Trish, as an at-will employee for the position of Assistant Part-Time code Officer, at the hourly rate of $11.00, effective October 11, 2005. Mr. Shaver asked Council to accept Mr. Kenneth Brady’s Resignation ad the Part-Time Code Officer effective October 3, 2005. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to accept Mr. Brady’s resignation effective October 3, 2005. . Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting October 3, 2005 Mr. Musser – Requesting Council approve the execution of the Municipal Winter Traffic Services Agreements between the Borough of Steelton and PennDOT. Mr. Musser noted that this is annual agreement and the Borough will receive $6,060.32, which a slight increase from last year. Mr. Musser requested Council to approve the execution of the Agreement and the accompanying RESOLUTION 2005-R-32, AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BOROUGH OF STEELTON AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to execute the Agreement and approve RESOLUTION 2005-R-32, as presented. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with an update on the Brownfield’s Conference. Mr. Musser said he and Mr. Heefner attended the Conference and it was very informative. Mr. Musser said they wanted to market Steelton and they were fortunate to meet a developer from Philadelphia and they took him to see some of the mill sites. Mr. Musser said that he heard from one of the engineering firms as well as an attorney who represents a company from New Jersey who may be interested in one of the sites. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting permission for an executive session to discuss land acquisition matters and personnel matters.  Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – Presenting Design Guidelines for Façade and Streetscape Improvements for the Second Street Revitalization Plan. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar said the Design Guidelines have to be approved at this meeting. She apologized for the short notice, and informed Council Members that they should review the guidelines and bring any questions or amendments to the next Council Meeting. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the Design Guidelines as presented. Mr. Musser – reminded Mr. Wright, Mr. Albert, Mr. Shaver, Mrs. Wiedeman- Krosnar and Mayor Acri that they will be interviewing for the Main Street Manager position on October 11th and October 19th at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Musser said that on October 11, 2005 Mr. Heefner has a meeting for the Comprehensive Ordinance Review, at 6:00 p.m., in the 3rd Floor Senior Center Community room, and those Council Members not involved in the interviews are invited to participate in that review. Mr. Musser also reminded the Finance Committee that the budget meeting with the Department Heads will be on October 6, 2005 beginning at 4:00 p.m., and asked all Council Members to check the e-mail he sent regarding the scheduled Budget Meetings. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting October 3, 2005 There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner – asked if it was possible to get the web site updated. He said the contact information was not accurate. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar said that some of the Council Members haven’t submitted their information. Mr. Heefner also said that it would be nice to have the evacuation route on the website. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar asked if it is available electronically. She said that these things can be done but right now Ms. Sviben is busy with the Gala. Mr. Kovach – said he would like to once again thank everyone involved with the Agreement for Sale of the 11 Inch Bar Mill. He also informed Council Members that due to his work schedule he probably wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting from October 16th through the Thanksgiving Holidays. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – reminded Council Members that they were given ten (10) tickets to sell for the Gala. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members voted unanimously to recess into executive session at 7:05 p.m., to discuss Land Acquisition and Personnel matters. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:20 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary