City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 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 Jeffery Wright Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Michael Albert Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary PRESENTATION: Mayor Acri and Councilman Shaver stated that Timothy Lehman, EMA Coordinator, has received his basic EMA certification from PEMA making him a certified EMA Coordinator. Mr. Shaver stated that he’d like to see Mr. Lehman go on for his advanced and perhaps his professional certification in the future. Mr. Shaver thanked Mr. Lehman on behalf of the Borough Council and on behalf of the Dauphin County EMA. Mayor Acri stated that he appreciates Mr. Lehman for all of his hard work. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motioned by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, to approve the Minutes from the October 2, 2006 Council Meeting as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Motioned by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, to approve the Minutes to the November 20, 2006 Community Development Meeting as presented. Motion approved unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser stated that there was nothing else to report besides what was stated in the Minutes. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 2006 APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, 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, were presented for Council’s approval. On a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for December, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no public comments on agenda items. COMMUNICATIONS: Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs – Invitation to the PSAB Spring Legislative Conference March 18-20, 2007 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey in Grantville. Mr. Musser stated that he would like anyone wishing to attend to contact him. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: RESOLUTION 2006-R-58 – Requesting the Borough Execute the Federal- Aid Reimbursement Agreement Between the Borough of Steelton and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the Steelton Hometown Streets Program in the Amount of $537,438.00. Motioned by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, to approve RESOLUTION 2006-R-58t as presented. Motion approved unanimously. ORDINANCE 2006-8 – An Ordinance Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Borough of Highspire to Appoint Steelton Volunteer Fire Company as the Fire Protection and Emergency Service Provider for the Borough of Highspire, Pursuant to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Law. - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 2006 Mr. Shaver motioned to adopt Ordinance 2006-8, as presented, seconded by Mr. Heefner. Motion approved unanimously. RESOLUTION 2006-R-55 – Requesting Council Approve 1.1% Contributions from the Steelton Police Officers for the Year of 2007. Dr. Szada motioned to adopt Resolution 2006-R-55, as presented, seconded by Mr. Heefner. Motion approved unanimously. RESOLUTION 2006-R-56 – Approving the Special Purpose Parking Space for Joyce Nicholson of 44 South Second Street. Dr. Szada motioned to adopt Resolution 2006-R-56, as presented, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar. Motion approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Informing Council that a Special Purpose Parking Application has been submitted by Lewis Wright of 152 Conestoga Street. Mr. Musser stated that this was for Council’s information. Mr. Heefner – Requesting Approval for the Installation of a New Air Conditioning Unit in Council’s Chambers. Mr. Heefner stated that he was approached earlier this year about replacing the Air Conditioning Unit. Mr. Heefner stated that Mr. Donley did an estimate on a low voltage fan where the compressor is outside. He stated that the system will be mounted on brackets and it cools and heats, and can be operated by a remote control. Mr. Shaver requested a more detailed estimate, in an effort to gain more information before the matter is more thoroughly discussed. Mr. Kovach asked for an additional two more estimates. Mr. Heefner, Chairman of the Steelton Planning Commission – Requesting Council Approve the Home Occupation Request of Ms. Ernestine Crankfield of 214 Harrisburg Street. Mr. Heefner, Chairman of the Planning Commission, stated that the Planning Commission had a meeting on the first Wednesday of the month to hear Ms. Crankfield’s request for a Home Occupation. Mr. Heefner stated that she doesn’t fall into the parking regulations; however it is a low-impact business. Mr. Heefner stated that Ms. Crankfield will be selling baked goods out of her house and delivering them on her own. He stated that Codes Officer Stoner recommended the property be listed as a - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 2006 Home Based Business with low impact and the Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve that recommendation with a six month probationary period. He stated that Ms. Crankfield will have to have no complaints about parking or traffic for six months, before the property listing will be finalized. Mr. Shaver motioned to approve the recommendation of the Planning Commission, seconded by Mr. Albert. Motion approved unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Requesting Permission for an Executive Session to Discuss Personnel and Land Acquisitions Matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Pauline Douglas of 433 Bessemer Street – asked what time contractors are allowed to start work in the morning. Codes Officer Stoner stated that the Noise Ordinance falls under the Police and she would find out from them and let her know. Ms. Douglas asked Council what would occupy the old Hill-Mar. Mr. Musser stated that a Community Services group will occupy the building and it will be funded through Dauphin County. He stated that it will be a fourteen bay facility to treat persons with depression. Ms. Douglas asked Council if there was anybody in town to pick up old appliances in the yard. She stated that 101 Lincoln Street has a refrigerator in the yard. Codes Officer Stoner stated that she would talk to the Police about this matter. Emuel Powell of Lebanon Street – stated that there are unnecessary vehicles, such as a trailer parked on the corner of Lincoln and Reading Streets, parked on the street taking up needed parking spaces. Codes Officer Stoner stated that the police are aware of the problem and are working to fix it. Mr. Powell stated there is also junk in the trailer and other junk in the truck. Codes Officer Stoner stated that she will look into it. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner – wished everyone a Merry Christmas and stated that the Storm Water Project is running very smoothly and should be off of Pine Street within the next week. - 4 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 2006 Dr. Szada – wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. She asked Chief Vance to remind his firemen that when responding to a call they must still obey traffic laws. Mr. Shaver – thanked everyone for coming out and thanked Mr. Lehman for all that he does for the Borough. He also wanted to publicly recognize, as Chairman of the Personnel Committee, all of the Department Heads and other employees for their hard work which has enabled the Borough to stave off a tax increase in recent years. He also wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar- commended the staff for their hard work throughout the year. She then wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar also Ms. Crankfield luck at her new business. Mr. Albert – wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Mayor Acri – wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He then asked if Pine Street would be completely reopened by next week. Mr. Musser stated that Pine Street below the Fourth Street access will still be closed. Mr. Kovach- stated that it has been a pleasure serving on Council with the men and women that are in their current positions, and with the staff. He stated that we got a lot of things accomplished this year. Mr. Kovach stated that the waterline project is going smoothly and he hopes the weather cooperates so that the project can be completed soon. He stated that he will be looking into committees soon. Mr. Kovach then thanked the Department Heads for controlling their budgets, and therefore holding the line on Borough taxes, and the staff. He then wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. ADDITIONS: RESOLUTION 2006-R-57 – adopting the Police Contract for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Motioned by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, to adopt Resolution 2006-R-57, as presented. Motion carried with Mr. Heefner dissenting. RESOLUTION 2006-R-59 – authorizing PennDOT to fix the agreed upon manholes along RT 230 during the upcoming paving project, with the cost to be shared equally between PennDOT and the Borough of Steelton. Mr. Kovach stated that he had spoken with Mr. Conjar about some manholes that needed fixed. He stated that they need to be fixed and this is a pretty good deal. - 5 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 18, 2006 Mr. Heefner motioned to adopt Resolution 2006-R-59, as presented, seconded by Mr. Albert. Motion approved unanimously. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss land acquisitions and personnel matters, at 7:05 PM. The meeting reconvened at 7:40PM Dr. Szada motioned to fund the Economic Development Corporation by funding their budget $150,000 a year for ten years, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar. Motion approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:41PM. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary - 6 -