City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 16, 2006 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 Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Jeffery Wright Michael Albert Dennis Heefner Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary Jennifer Brown-Sweeney, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the January 3, 2006, August 21, 2006, September 18, 2006, September 21, 2006, and October 9, 2006 Council Meeting Minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser stated that there was nothing else to report besides what was stated in the Minutes. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED; On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Heefner, 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 June, were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for September, as presented. MAYOR’S REPORT: Nothing to report. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no public comments on agenda items. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 16, 2006 COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Musser – Reminding Council of the Following Meetings: October 17th at 6 PM Budget Sessions, October 19th at 6PM Joint Meeting of Council & the Authority, October 23rd at 6 PM Budget Session, October 24th at 6 PM Part-Time Police Interviews, and October 30th at 6 PM Budget Session. Mr. Musser stated that a meeting may also be held on November 16th, but may not be necessary. Mayor Acri – Swearing in of Teresa Sviben as Fire Police in the Borough of Steelton. Mayor Acri gave the oath to Teresa Sviben, making her a member of the Steelton Fire Police. Council congratulated her. Gene Vance, Fire Chief – Letter informing the Borough that Emergency Vehicles would not be able to access a fire hydrant at South Third Street and D Avenue due to a Special Purpose Parking Space. Council recommended turning this matter over to Chief Lenker for a traffic survey. Scott Wible, Water Filtration Plant Operator – Providing the Borough with a Copy of his Class C License Mr. Wright motioned, and Mr. Heefner seconded, placing the certificate in Mr. Wible’s personnel file. Motion approved unanimously. Chief Lenker and Paula Sviben – Informing Council on the status of the NIMS testing and asking Council for a motion to place the completed certificates in their respective personnel files. Dr. Szada motioned, and Mr. Wright motioned to place the NIMS certificates in the personnel files. Motion approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2006-R-46 – A Resolution Establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Joyce Nicholson of 44 South Second Street, Steelton, PA. Mr. Kovach requested the matter be tabled until it can be looked into further. Pat Gehrlein – Providing Council with the Final Draft of the Park Naming Guidelines. Mr. Gehrlein stated that Council received the final draft at the previous meeting, and asked that Council approve it if there are no further questions or comments. Mr. Wright stated that they have been reviewed by the Community Development Committee. Mr. Wright motioned, seconded by Dr. Szada to approve the Park Naming Guidelines. Motion approved unanimously. - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 16, 2006 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Colleen Carnes owner of 516 N. Front Street-stated she received a letter from John Trish regarding paving out back of her property for parking. She stated that the letter said that she had 30 days to do it. She stated that the road behind Million Dollar Row belongs to the residents, not the Borough, and that many residents cannot afford to pave it. She stated that she has paperwork showing the land was subdivided into sixteen 14’ X 70’ lots, and is now owned by the residents. Theresa Dicken of 510 N. Front Street-stated that she was speaking on behalf of 11 people on the 500 block of N. Front Street. She stated that some people received letters and others did not. She also asked for clarification on the zoning, the codes, and on who owns the street behind the houses. Victoria Smith of 470 N. Front Street-stated that there is no place to put all four of her cars out front. She said that she cannot afford to pave it, and asked if she could put cement blocks in. She stated that she does not believe it is safe to park out front of her house because of the high incidence of car accidents there. Keith Szada of 518 A North Front Street-stated that he was not notified of this, and he had a trailer parked there. Nancy Hammaker of 532 North Front Street-stated that she would like a copy of the new ordinance. She then asked Council if they were picking on her because they want her property. Jean Barr of 349 South Fourth Street-stated that Fall Fest was very cold outside. She also questioned who was paying for The New Steelton development. She then stated that Rachel Slade still needed people to go to the football game. Don Looker of 522 N. Front Street- stated that the Codes Office told him he couldn’t have an outdoor table and chair set on his deck. Mr. Kovach stated that Council would look into it. Tammy Coy of 518 N. Front Street – stated that one of her neighbors received a letter to remove items after a couple of days and another one of her neighbors has had stuff on her porch for months. She questioned the inconsistency and asked Council to review the matter. Ms. Sviben stated that letters were sent out in East End and along Front and Second Streets as well, for the same issue. She stated that the Codes Office is giving extensions to those who need them and that if the space is not being used for parking, it does not need to be paved, and would not have received a letter. Ms. Sviben stated that the Codes Office will try to work with everyone. Council addressed the residents by clearly stating that the Borough has no interest in the property back there. Council then stated that the new BOCA Code has minimum standards for building and construction that must be followed. After much discussion by all Council Members, Mayor Acri, and Borough Employees, Mr. Kovach stated that the laws have to be followed but the Borough would review the matter to try to give homeowners more options other than concrete. Mr. Kovach stated that this matter will still have to comply with federal and state laws. He said that the Borough would also try to find out who owns the land. Council decided to turn this project over to the Community Development Committee. - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 16, 2006 Council stated that interested residents should contact the Codes Office and ask for an extension, so they are not fined, until this matter is reviewed. Dr. Szada suggested that interested residents attend future Council Meeting to stay abreast of the situation. Mr. Kovach stated that he would have a letter sent to the residents when a decision is reached. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner- stated that the blocks on the three foot retaining wall owned by Mr. Hart fell down. Mr. Kovach asked him to contact Mr. Hart. Dr. Szada –complimented the residents for coming out and thanked them for cleaning up their area. Mr. Kovach- asked if anyone had heard from Mr. Navarro regarding the Swatara Street Wall. Mr. Heefner stated that he did not get the report back. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters, at 7:43 PM. The meeting reconvened at 9:00 PM. Mr. Musser stated that he received a letter from the Steelton Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors requesting a change to the current House Rules. Dr. Szada motioned to approve the changes to the Fire Department House Rules, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Musser stated that there would be a Special Council Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:00 PM. Mr. Wright motioned, seconded by Mr. Heefner to amend the Engineer’s contract for the Pine Street Project to include a fee increase of $15,600. Motion approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting adjourned at 9:04 PM. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary - 4 -