City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President Michael Kovach, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Michael Kovach MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Michael Albert Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Jeffery Wright Dennis Heefner 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 FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS: There were no minutes presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Musser stated that there was nothing to report other than what was stated in the Minutes. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, 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 Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the Department Reports for January, as presented. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 Mayor Acri stated that the Fire Department is scheduling training at the Borough- owned properties on Adams Street. He said that he received this information in an email from Chief Vance. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no public comments on agenda items. COMMUNICATIONS: Lisa M. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Wiedeman Funeral Home, Inc. – Letter of Thanks to Officer Minium for his professionalism of February 8, 2007. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar stated that Officer Minium was very courteous, sympathetic, and professional in his mannerisms while dealing with the family of the deceased. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council voted unanimously to place the letter of thanks into Officer Minium’s personnel file. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Kovach – Providing Council with an update on the problem with flat tires caused by debris on Franklin Street. Mr. Kovach stated that he was contacted several years ago about this problem. He stated that he spoke to Mr. Musser who set up a meeting with the Steel Mill. It was decided that a magnet would be ordered. He stated that somewhere down the line that decision was not followed through on. Mayor Acri stated that he would like to have a follow up meeting with Brian Handley and Tommy Cleckner. Chief Lenker stated that the Police Department is patrolling the area more frequently, trying to get the drivers to act more accountable for the loose metal. He also suggested that the Mill put rumble strips in the scrap yard, to help shake off the loose debris from the trucks leaving the facility. Chief Lenker stated that he believes Mittal Steel is cooperating very well on the matter. Chief Lenker also said Mr. Musser gave the approval to order the magnets at the November and December Department Heads Meetings. Mr. Kovach stated that he would like to set up a meeting with the Department Heads to address the need for better communications. He stated that he understands where the Highway and Water Guys are coming from and agrees that the problem needs resolved. He stated that the guys showed solidarity in their original attempt to get their attention, - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 however he disagreed with the way they continued their attempts because he believed the matter had been resolved. He then asked Mr. Wion about Resolution 98-R-36, regarding the Borough Building’s parking lot. Mr. Kovach wanted to know what the Borough needs to do in order to make it enforceable, or if it was already enforceable. Mr. Wion suggested that Council decide exactly what they want changed, then draft a new resolution. Mr. Heefner asked if it would be possible to create a new entrance for the Steel trucks. Mr. Kovach responded that the matter would have to be looked into in greater detail. Mr. Shaver commented that the truck details are excellent and asked Chief Lenker to continue running the details. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Discussion in Regards to 25 Year Employee Awards. Mr. Musser stated that the Borough currently has four employees who fall into this category. He stated that once the awards are purchased, they will be awarded at a Council meeting. Mr. Musser – Update in Regards to Special Purpose Parking Requests. Mr. Musser stated that he is waiting for the measurements from Mr. Conjar. Mr. Musser – Discussion in Regards to the Trash Contract. Mr. Musser stated that Trash Committee members need to set up a meeting to go over the figures for the trash contract and prepare it to go out to bid. Mayor Acri requested that Council approve the addition of one bulk item to the contract. Mr. Musser stated that the Committee will review the contract and bring it before Council. ORDINANCE 2007-2 – Amending the Code of the Borough of Steelton, by Adding a New Chapter 68 to be Entitled “Graffiti”, which Provides for the Removal of Graffiti from Property Located in the Borough of Steelton and Providing Penalties for Violation of the Chapter. Ms. Stoner stated that this Ordinance will require private owners to clean the graffiti off of their properties. - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 Mr. Wright stated that this Ordinance is based on the recommendation of the Community Development Committee. After much discussion on the definition of graffiti, Mr. Wion stated that graffiti is usually defined as defacing another person’s property. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, to authorize the advertisement of Ordinance 2007-2, as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Musser – Providing Council with Draft Renderings of the Second Phase of the Steelton Canal Project. Mr. Musser stated that this matter still has to go before Community Development Committee. Once they’ve reviewed it, it will be brought back before Council. Chief Lenker – Providing Council with a Copy of the Traffic Survey in Regards to Posting Sweetbriar Alley One Way. Chief Lenker stated that there is currently only one sign on the street, and new people moving into town are unaware that it’s posted. He stated that currently there is no ordinance on the books to make it a one way street. After much discussion, Council stated that Mr. Wion and Chief Lenker will have to investigate this matter further. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar motioned, seconded by Mr., Wright, to approve posting Sweetbriar Alley One Way, contingent upon Chief Lenker getting the appropriate information to Solicitor Wion. Motion approved unanimously. RESOLUTION 2007-R-4 – Resolution adopting NIMS System as our Standard Incident Management System. Mr. Musser stated that the Borough Emergency Management Coordinator recommended this Resolution for adoption. Mr. Shaver motioned to adopt Resolution 2007-R-4 as presented, seconded by Mr. Wright. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Musser – Discussing the Proposed Supermarket on Front Street. Mr. Musser stated that Mickey Rizk and Tina Fackler conducted a presentation to the Community Development Committee on their plans for a new Supermarket at Front and Trewick Streets. Mr. Musser added that Council received a letter from Mr. Rizk asking that alley and this area be vacated. - 4 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 Mr. Wion stated that the basic procedure is for the Borough to receive a metes and bounds description of the prescriptive easement in the nature of an alley that runs behind the properties. He stated that Council has already received that description. Mr. Wion then stated that in order for that alley to be removed, because it crosses an area where the developer is going to put a structure, it is necessary for Council to vacate that area because the public has an interest in that alley. That is done by adopting an Ordinance that describes and indicates that area as being vacated. The Ordinance would not take effect for forty days and notice of that Ordinance is given to all abutting property owners. If there is an old plan that shows more than the abutting property owners, and shows that alley on it, then they would have to get notice of the adoption of the Ordinance also. The property owners would then have thirty days of the forty days, in which to ask for a hearing. If they were to ask for a hearing, Council would have to schedule and hold the hearing. If nobody asks for a hearing, after the forty days, the Ordinance would be adopted and the effected area would be vacated. We would then post the area that was vacated with a notice that the property is vacated, and then do some filings with the court, particularly in the road docket. Mr. Wion said that one of the matters that has to occur before any of these things takes effect is that since this will no longer be a public easement back there, and it is going to be replaced by the developer running an alley directly across from the Advance Auto Parts tract over to Trewick Street, at the back of the property next to the railroad tracks, there is going to have to be deeded, as an easement, some roadway improved there, so there will be an alley for the public to use. Mr. Wion noted that the development plan for Mr. Rizk shows this, but he has to agree to put that alley into the Borough’s specs, and dedicate it to the Borough, which should be shown in his plan. He said that the Borough would then get a deed of dedication for that. Mr. Wion stated that he will be speaking to Mr. Rizk’s attorney to develop the procedure so the Borough can move forward with developing the Ordinance, and get it advertised. But, at the same time, get a written easement from them to replace the alley until such time as the new dedicated street or alley is formally tendered. Mr. Wion said that if Council is prepared to vacate the road, then the Borough should begin proceedings by advertising the Ordinance and following the other proceeds as outlined. Mr. Wright questioned whether Mr. Rizk is clear that the taxpayers are not paying for the road. Mr. Wion stated yes. Mr. Shaver questioned whether Mr. Rizk is aware of the pipe on Lincoln Alley. Mr. Kovach requested that Mr. Musser contact the engineers and have them look at it. OTHER BUSINESS: - 5 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 Mr. Musser – Requesting Permission for an Executive Session to Discuss Potential Litigation Issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Shaver – commended the Public Works guys for the excellent job removing snow with the last snowstorm. Mr. Heefner – stated that he went to the West Shore COG meeting the previous night. He said they talked about Trick-or-Treat, and would like to know what night our preference is. Mr. Shaver requested that Chief Lenker find out what night the Police Chiefs Association is doing it, and to let them know that the West Shore COG is now involved. Chief Lenker stated that the Police Chiefs Association always holds Trick-or- Treat on the last Thursday of the month. Mayor Acri- stated that the Highway guys did an excellent job. Mr. Kovach- stated that he emailed Mr. Musser to pass his commendations on to the Highway Department. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting recessed into executive session to discuss potential litigation issues, at 7:32 PM. The meeting reconvened at 7:50 PM Motioned by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, to approve the expenditure of $661.00 for Steelton Borough’s portion of the cost of the appraisal for the Steelton Moose. Motion approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, - 6 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 20, 2007 _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary - 7 -