City Council

Steelton Borough Special Council Meeting March 6, 2006 The Special Council Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m., by Council Vice-President, Stephen Shaver. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach (Arrived 6:10 p.m.) Stephen Shaver Mary Jo Szada Jeffrey Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner Michael Albert Thomas Acri, Mayor (Arrived 6:25 p.m.) David A. Wion, Solicitor (Arrived 6:25 p.m.) Michael G. Musser, II, Borough Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary PRESENTATION: Mr. Shaver stated that the Special Council Meeting was advertised for the purpose of hearing a presentation on a program called Rebuilding Together of Greater Harrisburg. Sue Gebhart, the Program Director, said the program goals are to help improve the community and is available to low-income, elderly and families with at-risk children. Mrs. Gebhart distributed literature and explained the programs and policies. She noted that they are funded by donations from business and individuals. Mr. Shaver asked who decides which applicants get the help and what happens to the funds the Borough may contribute to the program. Mrs. Gebhart said that they have a selection process and the funds would go into the program for use in the Borough. Mr. Shaver said he is glad the selection process is in place because he didn’t want the Council to be involved in that. Mr. Heefner said that the Borough would have an additional program called SHIP or Steelton Home Improvement Program. Mr. Heefner said the applications would be given out from the Code Office and that office would have a say in how the Borough’s donation amount was used. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar asked about liability. Mrs. Gebhart said that everyone who volunteers to work, or has work done on their property must sign a waiver form. She added that they do have liability insurance. Mrs. Wiedeman- Krosnar asked if the Borough would be required to sign an agreement. Mrs. Gebhart said they would not. Dr. Szada asked if the homeowner has to contribute. Mrs. Gebhart answered that typically they do not, there have been a few occasions when the need exceeds the resources available and the homeowner pays part of the repairs. Dr. Szada asked how often the Borough would be asked to contribute. Mrs. Gebhart said that the Program has helped residents in the Borough without an Borough contributions. Mr. Heefner said that the Borough contributions are designated for additional assistance to Borough residents only. He added that when those funds are gone, the SHIP Program, Steelton Home Improvement Program is done for the year. Mr. Heefner said he hoped to increase the amount of the contribution each year by private donations. Ms. Gebhart reiterated that Rebuilding Together would have their money in addition to the money in the Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting March 6, 2006 SHIP Program. Dr. Szada asked if Rebuilding Together was a not profit organization and if their books are available for review. Mrs. Gebhart said they were a non- profit and their books are available for review. Mr. Davidson, Dauphin County CDBG Coordinator and Home Funds Specialist, said that the Borough can designate the $5,000 for the Rebuilding Together projects in the Borough, but Rebuilding Together would have to buy the supplies and submit the bill to him for payment, he wouldn’t be able to give the $5,000 to the program outright. Mr. Davidson also cautioned that if the amount would go over the $5,000, then it would exceed discretionary funding and then would have to comply with the Davis Bacon rules for federal wage rates and this would also apply if the program were a recurring one. Mr. Davidson said the Borough doesn’t currently have Home Funds, so they would have to apply for Home Funds through the County. Mr. Davidson recommended that the Borough allocate $5,000 of the CDBG funds to see if they like the program. Mr. Wright said that it is his understanding that the Borough would try the program for one year and then make a decision on the future of the program. Mr. Wright also asked for a copy of the by-laws of Rebuilding Together for Council’s review. Ms. Gebhart said she would send a copy to Council for their review. On a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Special Council Meeting was closed at 6:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ ____________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Secretary