City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 5, 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 an invocation by Mayor Acri. In Attendance Absent: Michael Kovach Jeffrey Wright Michael Albert Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the November 21, 2005 Council Meeting as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser said he had nothing to report other than what is in the minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There was no public comment. BUSINESS IN OUR SITES FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE: Mr. Tartline - said there has been discussion on prioritizing sites for redevelopment based on a number of factors such as underused buildings, current use and architectural character. He said there is also on-going discussion about the commuter rail adding that he believed it important to consider building a station in Steelton. Mr. Tartline said they have to do some initial development scenarios based on a number of factors. Ms. Riegel - presented some drawings for Council to review noting that they are conceptual with the information they are gathering. Ms. Riegel noted that they want to balance the office, retail and residential uses. Mr. Tartline informed council that DCED usually funds office parks, which is Business in Our sites Program. He noted that the Borough wants to have a strong mix of retail and residential, because without the residents in the area, the Borough wouldn’t get the evening business. There was additional discussion on the progress of the program. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting December 5, 2005 COMMUNICATIONS: Paul R. Cronin, Principal, Steelton-Highspire School District – Letter of thanks to the Borough for its support of the Steelton-Highspire School District. There were no comments. West Shore Council of governments – reminder of the West Shore COG’s Annual meeting and dinner on Monday, January 16, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and convention Center. For Council’s information, there were no comments. Paula Kostick & Joseph R. Deerin – Letters of Congratulation to Mr. Musser for being named to the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal’s forty under Forty list. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members voted unanimously to place the letters in Mr. Musser’s personnel file. Todd S. Lawson, Owner, 180 North Front Street, Pa 17113 – Letter requesting permission to use the Mittal parking lot for parking. Mr. Musser informed Council that he spoke with Todd’s father Charles and told him that the Borough does not yet own the parking lot, so if others are using the parking lot, they may have an agreement with Mittal Steel. Mr. Musser expressed his disappointment with some of his son’s comments and inferences for which Mr. Lawson apologized. Mr. Musser assured Mr. Lawson that when the Borough does acquire the parking lot they can discuss parking. James R. Hernjak, Safety/Environment Administrator, ISG Steelton, LLC – Letter informing the Borough that ISG is submitting to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection an application for Plan Approval to install a new 650 HP Boiler. Mr. Shaver said it appears that there may be something missing from the application. Mr. Shaver said he doesn’t see the emissions on the application and asked Mr. Musser to contact Mr. Hernjak to determine if there is more to the application  Dennis f. Lee – Division of Technical & financial Assistance, DEP – Letter of congratulations for the Boroughs recent award of a loan from the PENNVEST. Mr. Musser said that unfortunately the Borough will have to put the project on hold until we do more research. Mr. Musser explained that this loan would go against the borough’s borrowing power. He said that the Finance committee will review the matter and make recommendations. John F. Goshert, Chief county Detective, Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division – Letter of thanks to the Borough for assigning personnel to the Dauphin County Drug Task Force and supplying the Borough with a third quarter report on the activity of the Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting December 5, 2005 task force. There were no comments. Mr. Musser – Update on the Information Request and the Review of the Right-Of- Way Ordinance in regards to Verizon. Mr. Musser said that Verizon is entering the markets and we are looking at the right-of- ways. Mr. Musser said he passed it on to Mr. Wion who hasn’t had sufficient time to review it, but when he does, he will pass it on to the West Shore COG. Mr. Shaver asked how the West Shore COG selected this law firm. Mr. Musser said that Mr. Cohen is an expert in that field. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2005-R-36, A RESOLUTION ADOPTIONG THE 2006 BOROUGH OF STEELTON SEWER BUDGET was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-36 as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-37, A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 2004-R-31, INCREASING THE CHARGE FOR SEWERAGE BASED ON WATER USAGE OF GREATER THAN 10,0001 GALLONS PER QUARTER. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-37, as presented. ORDINANCE 2005-9, AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE TAX RATES FOR 2006, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt ORDINANCE 2005-9, as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-39, A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE DISCOUNTS & PENALTIES FOR 2006 was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman –Krosnar, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-39, as presented. RESOLUTION 2005-R-40, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING CAPITAL TAX COLLECTION BUREAU TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE THE BOROUGH OCCUPATION TAX, was presented On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2005-R-40, as presented. Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting December 5, 2005 Mr. Musser – Providing an update of the purchase of new fire apparatus. Mr. Musser noted that included in Council’s packets was an update provided by Mr. Handley. Mr. Musser said that the borough received a grant for approximately $330,000, and the Fire Department is looking at options to finance the balance on the apparatus. Mr. Musser said that the loan will be split between the Borough and the Fire Department and the borough’s share will be budgeted. Mr. Shaver asked what the value of the new apparatus would be. Mr. Musser said between $650,000 and $750,000. Mayor Acri said the apparatus is currently in Boston and cost a little over 4700,000. The Mayor said that the Fire Department will have the new truck for about two (2) months to be sure it is exactly what we want. Mayor Acri said that the Volunteer Fire Department can apply for a low interest loan through the State, so the title will be in the Department’s name. He commended Mr. Handley and his team for doing an excellent job. The Mayor said they looked at nine (9) different trucks and saved money by selecting a demo. Mr. Musser added that the title will revert to the Borough once the loan is paid in full. Mr. Wion – Providing Council with an update on the proposed Civil Service Rules Changes. Mr. Wion said the Civil Service Commission looked at their rules and regulations and they wanted to review them and attempt to bring them up to date. He said that Mr. Steward reviewed them, made his recommendations and returned them to the Civil Service Commission. The Commission reviewed them and made changes and returned them to him. Mr. Wion said he reviewed the latest changes and sent his proposed changes to Mr. . Mr. Wion said he called Mr. and asked about the status and he said he didn’t have time to review them yet. Mr. said he hoped to do that this weekend and he will give them to the civil Service Commission who will submit the final draft to council hopefully by the beginning of the new year, for approval. NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting permission for an executive session to discuss land acquisition matters and personnel matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: John Long, 352 South Second Street, Steelton - COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner said that at the next Community Development Committee meeting, he would like to discuss the possibility of having the Street Sweeper changed to begin running on a schedule earlier in the year and to continue running on the schedule later in the year. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Dr. Szada, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Borough Secretary