City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 4, 2008 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 Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Stephen Shaver Jeffery Wright Jeffery Wright Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Michael Albert Thomas Acri, Mayor Kathleen D. Handley, Asst. Secretary David A. Wion, Solicitor Michael G. Musser, II, Secretary PUBLIC COMMENT: (Agenda Items only.) There were no comments COMMUNICATIONS: Brownfields 2008 – Invitation to the Brownfields 2008 Conference a “Roadmap to Revitalization” May 5-7. 2008. Mr. Kovach said that anyone who wanted to attend should contact Mr. Musser. Deborah A. Ealer, Township Manager, North Middleton Township – Invitation to a workshop to discuss the collection of local taxes, primarily the Earned Income Tax (EIT). Mr. Musser stated that Mr. Wright was appointed as the Borough’s representative. Mr. Musser said he will try to attend the next meeting. Mr. Wright stated that he attended a previous meeting. He briefly reviewed the items discussed and said that he will have additional information about the Earned Income Tax after the next scheduled meeting. Shippensburg University & PLGSA – Invitation to 2008 Institute for Municipal Secretaries, Clerks & Administrators & Master Municipal Clerk Academy for the Spring & Fall. - 1 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 4, 2008 Mr. Musser encouraged Council Members to send Mr. Gehrlein and Mrs. Brown- Sweeney to these events. He stated that the information given will be very beneficial to both of them in the future. Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB) – Invitation to the PSAB Spring Legislative Conference March 30-April 1, 2008 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey in Grantville. Anyone wishing to attend was asked to contact Mr. Musser. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Perry Albert, Executive Director, Capital Region Council of Governments – Requesting the Borough Join the Potential Legal Challenge to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. After some discussion from Mr. Musser, Mr. Heefner stated that he did some research on this. He does not feel that this would be in the Borough’s best interest to join at this time. He also noted that the City of Harrisburg is not signing on. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to refrain from getting involved with the Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. Mayor Acri – Discussion in regards to Special Purpose Parking Spaces. Mayor Acri stated that a few months ago, Mr. Lagyak submitted an application for a Special Purpose Parking space. At the previous meeting, the matter was tabled to revise the requirements. Mr. Shaver requested that this be further tabled until it has been reviewed by legal counsel. Mr. Wion stated that the statute allows Borough Council to provide the space but, it is up to Council’s discretion. Mr. Kovach requested that a copy of the requirements be sent to the Community Development Committee to review and send to Mr. Wion for review and modifications, if needed. Mr. Musser – Reminding Council of the Public Hearing in regards to the vacation of Trewick Street. Mr. Musser stated that the hearing will be held on Friday, February 8th at 5:00 p.m. due to advertising requirements. He asked all Council Members to attend. Mr. Musser said he will send a reminder email tomorrow. - 2 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 4, 2008 NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance No. 2008-2 – An Ordinance to amend the Code of the Borough of Steelton Chapter 110 thereof entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” to designate an additional Borough approved storage garage, and fix towing and storage charges. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2008-2, as presented. Mayor Acri – Requesting Borough Council approve the hosting of the July 2008 Dauphin-Lebanon Boroughs Association Meeting. Mayor Acri stated that he and Mr. Wright attended the last meeting and he would like to hold it at the Steelton Boat Dock. It will be held on the third Tuesday and he will organize the event. On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve of the Borough hosting the July 2008 Dauphin-Lebanon Boroughs Association Meeting. Mike Runkle, 321 Swatara Street – Submitted a letter of resignation from the Steelton Planning Committee, effective February 1, 2008. Mr. Kovach thanked Mr. Runkle for the time that he served the community. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Mr. Runkle’s letter of resignation. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Musser – Informing Council that an Executive Session is needed to discuss personnel matters and land acquisition matters. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: - 3 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 4, 2008 Mr. Wright – Reminded Council Members that the Dauphin-Lebanon Boroughs Association increase will be coming up in 2010. He also reminded everyone that the Intergovernmental Meeting with the Borough of Steelton, Steelton-Highspire School District, and the Borough of Highspire is scheduled for January 31st. One of the concerns is the current elementary school. Mr. Wright stated that he would like to work more closely with the school. He also talked about the new dress code to be implemented in the school district. He discussed buses parking on Route 230 and speeding on Swatara Street. Mr. Wright also announced the grand opening of the new elementary school on February 2, from 2-4 p.m. There will be a school walk through. Mr. Heefner – Stated that there was recently a sign erected at Front and Pine Streets for Midland Cemetery. However no signs have been taken down. There are signs that need to be taken down. Mr. Kovach stated that he will talk to Mr. Conjar in regards to those signs. Mr. Heefner then talked about drivers leaving the steel mill at Front and Locust Streets and running over the posts. Mr. Kovach said he will speak to Chief Lenker about having a police officer stationed there. Mr. Heefner discussed amending an ordinance regarding the Planning Commission. Currently, the ordinance states that 15 calendar days are needed to schedule a meeting, which includes weekends and holidays. Mr. Heefner requested the ordinance to require 20 working days. Mr. Wion stated that a 90 day clock begins to run, from the previous Planning Commission meeting. After much discussion, on motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to change the ordinance to 15 working days. Mr. Heefner stated that he spoke to Mr. Gehrlein about the process of payment for the engineers. Mr. Gehrlein said the engineers’ fees are not determined at the time of application. Mr. Heefner said he would like to create an escrow account for money to be put in, with the ability to withdraw payments. Mr. Kovach asked Mr. Wion to obtain a copy of Swatara Township’s agreement regarding this for Council’s review. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members voted unanimously to recess into executive session at 7:20 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept, with regret, the resignation of Mr. Musser, effective April 6, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. - 4 -  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 4, 2008 On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to appoint Mr. Gehrlein as Borough Secretary/Treasurer, effective April 7, 2008, at an annual salary of $60,000.00. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Brown-Sweeney as Neighborhood and Economic Development Director, effective April 7, 2008 at a $45,000 annual salary. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council Members present voted unanimously to execute a contract with Community Networking Resources as a consultant for one year, effective April 7, 2008, with an automatic renewal and a 90 –day release clause. On a motion made by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to hire Dennise Hill as Executive Assistant effective March 3, 2008 at $14.90 per hour. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to appoint Mrs. Brown-Sweeney to the Steelton Community Development Foundation. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ ______________________________ Michael G. Musser, II Kathleen D. Handley Borough Secretary Assistant Secretary - 5 -