City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 2, 2006 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach Michael Albert Jeffery Wright Stephen Shaver Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary Jennifer Brown-Sweeney, Administrative Assistant COMMUNICATIONS: Christine Bailey, 350 South Third Street, Steelton, PA – Letter requesting permission to discuss with Council the letter from the Codes Office in regards to the repairs to her sidewalk. Mr. Musser stated that Ms. Bailey received a letter from the Codes Office at the beginning of September in regards to repairing her brick sidewalk. Ms. Bailey is requesting permission to discuss with Council the fact that she doesn’t believe her sidewalk is in disrepair. She stated that there aren’t any broken bricks, it’s just wavy. She also stated that it gives her home character and she puts a lot of work into her home. Mr. Kovach stated that he spoke to Codes Officer Stoner and the Ordinance only allows for certain things. He stated that since the Borough is undertaking a beautification project, he directed Sylvie to research Ordinances from neighboring communities. Mr. Kovach granted Ms. Bailey an extension until May to give Council time to overhaul the Ordinance. He stated that in the mean time, any broken bricks or tripping hazards must be fixed. Paula Sviben, Community Development Coordinator – Discussion in regards to Sponsorships for the Lady Rollers. Ms. Sviben stated that in past years the Borough has sponsored one thing at Steelton-Highspire High School and one thing at Prince of Peace. Ms. Sviben asked Council how they would like to proceed this year. After much discussion, Council turned the matter over to the Community Development Committee. Mike Kovach, Council President – Informing Council that Dr. Szada is the new Doctor for Bishop McDeviitt High School. This is for Council’s information. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 2, 2006 James M. Close, Director, Department of Water Filtration & Lab – Providing Council with copy of the Consulting Engineers’ Annual Report and Budget for 2007 as it pertains to the Harrisburg’s Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and Sewage Conveyance System and Informing the Borough that a rate increase will not be necessary for 2007. This is for Council’s information. Daniel Scheitrum, Superintendent of Water Filtration & Lab – Providing Council with a copy of a certificate stating that he has successfully completed the “Controlling and Maintaining Chlorine Residuals” PA DEP #1811. Dr. Szada motioned, and Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar seconded, to place the DEP certificate in his personnel file. Motion approved unanimously. Daniel J. Robinson, 402 Ridge Street, Steelton, PA – Letter requesting his property be extended to include half of the Ridge and Reading Street Dead End Area and for Reading Street to be extended to match his property line. Mr. Musser requested that this matter be tabled to allow him time to gather more information. Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association – Invitation to the November 1, 2006 Meeting at the Palmyra VFW, 232 East Main Street, Palmyra, PA. Mr. Musser asked that anyone interested in attending contact him. Rebuilding Together Greater Harrisburg – Providing the Borough with a Certificate of Appreciation for their kind contribution 2005-2006. Mr. Heefner stated that he went to a luncheon with Rebuilding Together where they gave him the Borough’s Certificate of Appreciation for helping the elderly maintain their homes. He stated that Rep. Buxton is planning on giving the Borough $10,000 for the SHIP program. Mr. Heefner stated that eight homes have been done since the program began in April. He stated that he is looking into getting banks to donate money and is asking Council if they can extend the program to single parents with children. Mr. Kovach asked Mr. Musser to make sure Rep. Buxton gets a thank-you letter. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar – Discussion in regards to Trick or Treat in the Borough. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar stated that the Chiefs of Police Association set Trick or Treat for October 26th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM this year. She stated that she’d like to discuss changing Trick or Treat to Saturday during the day. Mayor Acri stated that he is not against changing it, but the Fire House has already invested money and advertised for their Haunted House that will be held on October 26th. He asked that the Borough do a survey of the residents for next year. After much discussion, Council reached a consensus to do a survey for next year. - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 2, 2006 Mr. Musser – Update on the Grant Proposal for the Stormwater Project in Steelton Borough Mr. Musser stated that there will be a new meeting scheduled on October 26th to approve the proposal for a DEP grant. RESOLUTION 2006-R-45 – Resolution approving the Shade Tree Commission Recommendation of the List of Shade Trees which may be planted on the public highway right-of-ways of the Borough of Steelton. Mr. Kovach stated that the Downtown Planners have already reviewed the list. Mr. Musser stated that there are certain trees for certain areas, and that shade trees are for people’s yard also. He stated that the Shade Tree Ordinance requires a list, and that Council can always go back and fine tune it. Mr. Heefner motioned to approve Resolution 2006-R-45, as presented, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion approved unanimously. RESOLUTION 2006-R-46 –Resolution to Establish a “No Parking Zone” on the Northeast and Southwest Intersection of South Second Street and Swatara Street. Council reviewed the proposed Resolution and asked that it be reviewed further. Mayor Acri stated that this would take away a lot of the parking in that area. Council also discussed using different colors to paint the curbs and better enforcement of “No Parking Zones.” Mr. Heefner motioned to take Resolution 2006-R-46 off of the table, pending further review, seconded by Dr. Szada. Motion approved unanimously. Patrick J. Gehrlein, Main Street Manager – Providing Council with the Final Memorial Park Naming Policy. Mr. Gehrlein stated that this policy has been in process for awhile. He asked Council to review the policy and look for approval at the next meeting. Mr. Kovach stated that if there are any concerns or changes, to contact Mr. Gehrlein. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Informing Council that a Special Purpose Parking Application has been submitted by Joyce Nicholson of 44 South Second Street. Mr. Musser stated that this was for Council’s information. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Terry Lynn Brown of 226 North Second Street, Steelton, PA – stated that there was a drug bust at 232 North Second Street a couple of months ago and new tenants have now moved in. She thanked Council for getting them out and asked them to please keep an eye on that property because the new residents seem suspicious. She asked Council and the Police Department to look out for the long-time residents and requested that more patrols be done. - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 2, 2006 Mr. Kovach thanked her for coming to the meeting and assured her that Chief Lenker will keep an eye on the problem. He asked her to call the Police anytime she sees suspicious behavior. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar stated that there are Community Crime Watch Programs in place, and to get in touch with Chief Lenker for more information. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Wright – asked Police to use discretion when giving parking tickets at the football games. He said that a lot of time people are just dropping their kids off and traffic is still moving. Mr. Wright stated that on October 16 at 6:00 PM there will be a dedication for Fred Douglas. He hoped everyone could attend. Mr. Heefner- asked if Codes Officer Stoner could send out letters asking the residents to call instead of giving them 30 days. Solicitor Wion stated that it is a requirement to have that information in the violation letter. Mr. Musser stated that it may be better to cite the law and information the residents need, instead of stating the year. He said that a lot of problems may come of that. Dr. Szada –commended Ms. Sviben and Mr. Gehrlein for the Summer Movie Theater. She said that it was a wonderful idea and hopes they do it again next year. Mayor Acri– stated that Fire Prevention Week is coming up and there will be a lot of town activities. He said that the Fire Department will be visiting Prince of Peace and Steelton Elementary School. Mayor Acri stated that Tim Lehman, EMA Coordinator, will have the TMI drill on 2/13, 2/20, or 3/20. The time is not set yet. He stated that some employees and Council still need to complete their NIMS testing. Mr. Lehman stated that all of the tests are online and are multiple choice. He stated that the testing needs to be completed as soon as possible. Mr. Musser stated that there are a lot of people that have not done it. He stated that it needs to be done so our funding is not at risk. Mr. Musser said that compliance with NIMS is a requirement to receive disaster funding. Mayor Acri asked the Borough staff to set it up so everyone gets it done. Mr. Wion stated that there are different requirements for different levels, depending upon your position and what you do. He stated that elected officials have one level. He said that the Borough cannot afford to not do it, flood insurance and everything is affected by it. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar asked if Mr. Lehman could head up the project and work with Ms. Sviben. Mr. Kovach stated that he’d like to have everyone done by the end of the month. He then asked to have a memo sent out clarifying the requirements for all employees. - 4 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 2, 2006 Mr. Lehman stated that there is a minimal amount of time and effort involved. Mr. Kovach – commended everyone on the dedication of the fire apparatus. He said that as a fellow firefighter he found it touching and moving. He stated that everyone did an excellent job and he was glad to be a part of it. He stated that according to the program handed out there were only six aerial trucks that have been in service since the Fire Department began. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary - 5 -