City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 18, 2007 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 Stephen Shaver Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Michael Albert Kathleen D. Handley MaryJo Szada Jeffery Wright Dennis Heefner Thomas Acri, Mayor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor Jennifer Brown-Sweeney, Executive Assistant PRESENTATION TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL: Mayor Acri spoke about the Swatara Township Bowling Alley Fire and how we were fortunate that no lives were lost. He commended the emergency responders for their quick thinking, bravery, time, and effort. He then presented the following awards: Gallantry Medal – Fire Chief Gene Vance Distinguished Service Medal – Lt. Milt Carnes and Charles Miller, Jr. Merit Unit Citation Award – Fire Chief Gene Vance, Assistant Chief Brian Handley, Lt. Milt Carnes, Charles Miller, Jr., Armand Williams, and EMT Samantha Weaver. Special Recognition Award – Bruce Elliot APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS, AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: Motioned by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, to approve the schedules of bills, requisitions, and change orders as presented. Motion approved unanimously. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Mr. Albert requested an update from Community Development on the Summer Parks Program. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 18, 2007 Ms. Sviben stated that the program is running from 9 AM to 2 PM. There are approximately 20 children there each day. She stated that there will be one week where two playground leaders will be on vacation. She requested permission to hire Adrienne Kable to cover during this time. Ms. Kable was previously employed in this program. On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, to hire Adrienne Kable as a temporary employee at a rate of $7.25. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Albert requested Ms. Sviben discuss the happenings at the Summer Basketball League. Ms. Sviben stated that Mr. Davis never provided the insurance documents for the basketball program. Mr. Albert recommended that Mr. Davis not be allowed to continue with his program until he provides proof of insurance. He stated that selling on Borough property is not allowed. Mr. Albert requested that Ms. Sviben follow up with Mr. Davis on this information. Mayor Acri stated that the new Dodge Charger is in. He said that the car was supposed to be Black and White, but came in as all black. The company is reimbursing the Borough to have it painted at Nick’s. Dr. Szada motioned, seconded by Mr. Albert, to approve the department reports as presented. Motion approved unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Eric Brinser, Rettew Associates – Submitting the Preliminary/Final Subdivision & Land Development Plan for the Steelton Terminals Project. Mr. Brinser and Mr. Arnold explained the Steelton Terminals Project. Mr. Arnold stated that he purchased 138 acres from the Steel Mill and will only be using a small portion of that land. He said that the site is being designed so that it will not be seen. There will be trees in all of the sight lines. Mr. Brinser stated that renewable fuels require a different type of infrastructure He stated that it will provide renewable fuels to the community, by way of a pipeline to their Eisenhower Blvd. location. Mr. Heefner, Chairman of the Steelton Planning Commission, stated that the Dauphin County Planning Commission passed the plans with certain conditions that must be met. Mr. Kovach stated that the Planning Commission met at least four times with them. He said that different Council members were present at every meeting. - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 18, 2007 Mr. Wion asked if the Land Development Plan had been submitted to Dauphin County. Mr. Brinser stated that it had, and comments were made. Mr. Wion stated that those comments are in the record. He said that Dauphin County still needed to review the revision to the Plan and get their information to Steelton today. Mr. Heefner stated that the information was received today. Mr. Brinser said that they revised their plan to include a 1.5 acre subdivision for the Water Authority to create a lot for the proposed water tank. He said that this was resubmitted to both the Borough and the County. HRG and the County had no further comments. Mr. Heefner stated that the Steelton Planning Commission is recommending conditional approval in regard to certain conditions being met. Mr. Wion stated that the Plan has not been signed by all parties. Mr. Brinser stated that they are seeking a conditional plan approval. He said that they will be requesting conditional plan approvals for Swatara Township and Lower Swatara Township also. Mr. Brinser stated that once all three municipalities give their conditional approvals, and once all comments have been addressed, they will then sign the plans and bring them to each municipality. Mr. Wion stated that most municipalities require the plans to be signed, but that can be made as one of the comments to the conditional approval. Mr. Wion stated that the Borough’s Engineer has made multiple comments on the Plans. He then asked if Mr. Brinser had asked for any waivers to the Plan. Mr. Brinser stated that he is asking for a waiver so that the Preliminary and the Final Subdivision and Land Development Plan would be considered at the same time. Mr. Shaver motioned, seconded by Mr. Albert, to approve the waiver and allow Steelton Terminals Corporation to submit the Preliminary and the Final Subdivision and Land Development Plans for consideration at the same time. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Brinser then discussed the comments that the Borough’s engineer placed on the plans. These comments were outlined in a letter from HRG, Inc. dated June 5, 2007. Mr. Wion stated that the Steelton Planning Commission also requested written permission for the Borough to use their access road to secure access to the retention pond. Mr. Brinser stated that this will be included in the stormwater easement. Mr. Arnold then stated that he understood that he will have to provide an improvement guarantee and provide security equal to 110% of the estimated cost of the improvements. He said that typically they will provide a letter of credit in the amount that is approved by the Borough’s engineer. When asked by Mr. Musser, Mr. Brinser stated that the total investment to the community will be approximately $10 - $15 million dollars. He said that construction should begin within the next two years. - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 18, 2007 Mr. Shaver motioned, seconded by Mr. Heefner, to approve the Preliminary and the Final Subdivision and Land Development Plans for Steelton Terminals Corporation, subject to the conditions listed as well as the additional condition of the engineer signing off on the plan and the condition that the other municipalities sign off on the plan. Motion approved unanimously. Ronald S. Marsico, State Representative – Letter Explaining the Dauphin County Heroes Grove Project, Requesting Financial Support of the Project, and Informing the Borough of the First Fundraising Event on June 28th and June 29th. This is for Council’s information. Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association – Invitation to the Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association Meeting on July 31, 2007. Mr. Shaver asked Mr. Musser to let them know that three people will be attending. Paula Sviben – Presenting a Request from New Hope Baptist Church Requesting Permission to Use the Mohn Street Tennis Courts for Bible Camp July 23-27 from 6 PM to 8 PM. Mr. Shaver asked Ms. Sviben to get the request in writing. Mr. Shaver motioned, seconded by Mr. Albert, to allow New Hope Baptist Church to use the Mohn Street Tennis Courts for Bible Camp. Motion approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Resolution 2007-R-14 – Resolution Authorizing the Borough to File a Proposal of Funds With the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) in the Amount of $505,000.00 Through the Housing and Redevelopment Assistance Program. Motioned by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert to approve Resolution 2007-R-14 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Resolution 2007-R-15 – Resolution Establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Paul E. Wintergrass, Jr. of 531 South Front Street, Steelton, PA - 4 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 18, 2007 Mr. Musser stated that this was preliminarily approved. Motioned by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, to approve Resolution 2007-R-15 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Resolution 2007-R-16 – Resolution Establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Dorothea Jimmink of 722 South Second Street, Steelton, PA Mr. Musser asked for Council’s conditional approval, because the owner’s approval has not yet been given. Motioned by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, to conditionally approve Resolution 2007-R-16 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Resolution 2007-R-17 – Resolution Establishing a Special Purpose Parking Space for Richard Handley of 359 Locust Street, Steelton, PA Motioned by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, to approve Resolution 2007-R-17 as presented. Motion approved unanimously Mr. Musser – Requesting Council Ratify the Execution of the Contract Between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Borough of Steelton for a $10,000 Grant Through the Local Government Municipal Resources and Development Program to Help Fund the SHIP Program. Mr. Musser stated that we were notified that there shouldn’t be any problem with this grant. Motioned by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, to execute the contract between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Borough of Steelton to help fund the SHIP Program. Motion approved unanimously. NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance No. 2007- 4 – An Ordinance of Steelton Borough, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Amending the Code of the Borough of Steelton, Pennsylvania, Section 102, “Taxation”, Article III, “Realty Transfer Tax”, Section 102-16, Steelton Borough - 5 -  Council Meeting June 18, 2007 Establishing the Methodology for the Imposition of Interest When the Tax is Not Paid When Due and Section 102-213, Authorizing the Department of Revenue of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Determine, Collect and Enforce the Tax Interest and Penalties if the Correct Amount of the Tax is Not Paid by the Last Date for Timely Payment. Mr. Wion stated that there are two taxes paid when a property is transferred. A 1% local tax and a 1% state tax. He said that the Borough currently has an ordinance that deals with these transfer taxes. In 2005, a new bill allowed the Department of Revenue to collect unpaid taxes plus any interest and penalties. To implement that, we have to amend our ordinance to allow the State to collect that tax, including the penalty. Mr. Wion stated that this is a summary of the first section. Mr. Wion stated that the second section deals with allowing the Department of Revenue to collect the Realty Transfer Tax in the same fashion on behalf of the Borough. Motioned by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, to adopt Ordinance No. 2007-4 as presented. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Musser stated that this was for Council’s information only. Mr. Musser - Informing Council that a Special Purpose Parking Application has been Submitted on Behalf of John P. Lagyak, Jr. of 524 Spruce Street, Steelton, PA. This is for Council’s information. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Informing Council that an Executive Session is Needed to Discuss Personnel Matters. Mr. Musser – Discussing a letter from Kairos Design in Regards to the Locust Street Steps Improvement. Steelton Borough Council Meeting - 6 -  June 18, 2007 Mr. Musser stated that in order to keep the project within the budget guidelines, he would recommend that Council approve the award of the bid to Doug Lamb Construction Company Inc., with a base bid of $92,180.00 and also include Alternates A, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, and P. This would bring the bid price down to $228,955.00. Motioned by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, to award the bid to Doug Lamb Construction, Inc. with alternates A, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, and P for an amount of $228,955. Motion approved unanimously. Mr. Musser – Discussing Department Heads Meetings. Mr. Musser stated that Minutes are now being kept for the Department Heads Meetings. He said that the meetings are held every Monday. He requested that Council email him any concerns by Sunday, for discussion at the Monday meetings. He also requested that Council and Department Heads only address new items at the Monday meeting, which will give each Department Head a week to get the items done. Mr. Kovach asked members of Council to keep an eye on all of the projects going on, and if they have any concerns, to send it to Mike as soon as possible. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Mr. Evans of 230 Jefferson Street, Steelton, PA – stated that he applied for a handicapped parking space. He was then denied the parking space. He said that the Borough Office knew that he had off-street parking when he applied for the space, but the Borough took his money anyway. He stated that he doesn’t understand why he cannot have a parking space. Mr. Musser stated that Mr. Evans did not talk to him until the application was already submitted. Mr. Musser read an excerpt from the application, highlighting the area where it states that the application will not be approved if off-street parking is available. Mary Ann Poust of 301 N. Third Street, Steelton, PA – stated that she received a letter from the Codes Office telling her she has to clean the graffiti off of her garage. She stated that she did not spray paint it. She asked Council to find out who did it and make them clean it up. She then said that she receives other notices about her property that she doesn’t think are problems. Her last concern was about increasing the trash bag limit to four bags. She said that she is a single person and does not need four bags, why should she have to pay for other people’s trash. Mr. Kovach explained the bidding process and pricing. Mr. Musser stated that it would actually cost more if each bag were priced individually. Steelton Borough Council Meeting - 7 -  June 18, 2007 Linda Hamilton of 404 N. Third Street – stated that she moved to Conestoga and N. 3rd Street in September of last year. She said that a lot of children play there and that a three year old almost got hit there. She requested a stop sign be placed there. Chief Lenker stated that there have been no accidents there. He stated that he will do a study. Mr. Shaver stated that there is a process involved, and Chief Lenker will let you know how the study works out. Mr. Wright motioned to approve a traffic study at the intersection of Conestoga and North Third Street, seconded by Mr. Albert. Motion approved unanimously. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Shaver – stated that he would like to publicly recognize all of those involved with the plan for Steelton Terminals Corporation, including the staff, the Planning Commission, and the Codes Office. He said that they have put a lot of work into this. He then thanked Mr. Wion for his guidance through the process, to make sure we cover all of the bases. Mr. Shaver also thanked Mr. Arnold for working with the Borough in installing enhancements for the Borough. He said that this is probably the largest project in the Borough in a long time. Mr. Shaver then thanked the Emergency Responders for all of their work, not just the times that they get recognized. Mr. Heefner – stated that the new Department Head procedure is a great idea. It gives Council an idea of what is going on. He also applauded the Fire Company for doing a good job and being very active. Dr. Szada – stated that as a resident on Front Street, she shares some of the other residents concerns. One of which is the Codes situation. She said that people are getting letters for minor items, yet there are buildings in town that are an absolute disgrace. Dr. Szada said that we really need to take a serious look at taking care of the big items, before hounding people over minor issues. She then said that she sympathizes with the lady with graffiti. Dr. Szada said that the street cleaner has not come for two weeks. Mayor Acri – stated that John Sviben is in the Hershey Medical Center. He asked everyone to keep him in their prayers. Mr. Kovach – said that sometimes it is challenging to sit on Council with the public and all of the projects the Borough is undertaking. He then said that he is very proud of everyone that is affiliated with these projects and of what they are doing. He said that everyone is spending a lot of time and effort behind the scenes to make this town a Steelton Borough Council Meeting - 8 -  June 18, 2007 better place. He then thanked the Committees and the Fire and EMS Personnel. Mr. Kovach said that our Fire Department is outstanding and that it takes special people to get out of bed at 2 AM to devote their lives to saving people they may not know. Motioned by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, to recess into executive session at 7:52 PM. The meeting reconvened at 8:29 PM. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Borough Secretary - 9 -