City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting April 7, 2008 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: Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Jeffrey Wright Stephen Shaver Michael Kovach Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Michael Albert Thomas Acri, Mayor David A. Wion, Solicitor Patrick Gehrlein, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the December 1, 2003 meetings were presented for approval. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: Mr. Gehrlein said he had nothing to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Mahmoud and Lynn Taiel; 441 South Front Street; Steelton, PA – Letter requesting that Council consider their request for a 15 minute parking space in front of their business. Mr. Shaver asked if a traffic study would be necessary to approve this request. Mayor Acri said that he would talk to Chief Lenker for that information. Steelton Borough Page (2) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 Scott Ellis; 241 South 2nd Street; Steelton, PA – Letter requesting Council to address his concerns about the traffic and speeding taking place on South 3rd Street. Mayor Acri will discuss this matter with Chief Lenker. George Wolfe, Lower Paxton Township Manager – Letter informing Council that the Central Dauphin School Board (CDSB) will entertain presentations for EIT collection services on Wednesday, April 16th at 6PM at 626 Rutherford Road, Central Dauphin East High Lecture Hall. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Mr. Gehrlein. Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association – Letter informing Council of the next dinner meeting of the Association on April 29, 2008 at 6:30 PM at Hummelstown Fire Department; 249 East Main St. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Mr. Gehrlein. Barbara Barksdale; Friends of Midland Cemetery – Letter requesting Council consider an annual contribution of $500.00 for ongoing maintenance to the cemetery grounds. Per Mr. Wright, the Community Development committee will review this matter. He stated that Ms. Barksdale has been granted this contribution for the last 5 or 6 years. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, this matter will go to the Community Development committee. Kelly Wolfe; Dauphin County Recycling Coordinator – Letter informing Council of the Dauphin County Community Recycling Day on Saturday, May 17th at Harrisburg Area Community College from 9-1 PM. There were no comments. Sgt. Richard Brandt; Lower Swatara Township Police Department – Letter commending Community Service Officer Luz Pabon for her service in assisting the Lower Swatara Township Police Department with a routine traffic stop. Chief Lenker requests that this letter be placed in Ms. Pabon’s personnel file. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to have the letter placed in Ms. Pabon’s personnel file. Steelton Borough Page (3) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 Dauphin County District Attorney Edward M. Marsico, Jr. – Letter awarding the Steelton Borough Police Department $25,000 in restricted use funding Through the Dauphin County Drug Task Force forfeiture funds. Mayor Acri asked Mr. Gehrlein to send a letter of thanks to Ed Marsico. Jimmie Carter; Monumental AME Church – Letter requesting a sign for Monumental AME Church be installed on North Front and Locust Street. Mr. Wright asked for clarification, as he thought the request was for Second Street. This matter was clarified. Mr. Shaver asked for an artist to compose a rendition of the requested sign. He wanted to ensure that all the signs along Front Street are uniform. Mr. Heefner asked if Council still wanted to eliminate signs on Front Street. He stated that Council needs to draw boundaries on where signs should and should not be. Mr. Albert stated that Council should also discuss limiting what types of organizations are permitted to have a sign (i.e. – churches and schools). Mr. Gehrlein asked Mr. Carter to contact the code enforcement office for guidelines that the sign needs to be within. Alta M. Drayton; Da’onah Watts-Smith Fire Safety Foundation – Letter informing Council of the 2nd Annual Da’onah Watts-Smith Fire Safety Day event held at the Steelton-Highspire High School grounds on Saturday, April 19, 2008 from 1-4:00 PM. Mr. Wright stated that he will suggest that Ms. Drayton consider holding the event at the Boat Dock next year. Mayor Acri asked why it will not be held at the park again this year. Mr. Wright stated that the location was changed due to parking issues. Mayor Acri stated that the Boat Dock may not be a good idea due to having small children too close to the water. He also wanted to make sure a line is drawn in regards to the amount of support Council gives foundations within the community. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Gehrlein – Discussion of potential locations for a Habitat for Humanity Builder’s Blitz Project in Steelton. Mr. Gehrlein stated that Adams Street is not a fitting site for the Habitat for Humanity homes to be built. However, he found other sites which are located at: 511, 515, 625, 631, and 633 North Front Street. Mr. Wion asked what will happen to the Steelton Borough Page (4) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 buildings after they are built and who will be responsible for them. Mr. Gehrlein stated that the land will be donated to Habitat for Humanity so that the houses can be built. Mr. Heefner agreed to move forward with the houses on Front Street, as opposed to Adams Street. He questioned the space for off-street parking for the houses to be within Steelton ordinances. Mr. Kovach stated that the locations have access to an alley in the back of the houses for parking. Consensus was received from Council to move forward and have Mr. Wion gather additional information. Mr. Gehrlein – Discussion of the Farmer’s Market/Eco Village Initiative being proposed by Ngozi, Inc. Mr. Kovach stated that the tennis courts on Mohn Street are a good option for a site for the Farmer’s Market. Mayor Acri brought up concerns about the fact that it is Swatara Township land and the construction of senior living homes. Mr. Albert stated that the construction will not be extended down to the courts. Mr. Gehrlein will speak to a Ngozi, Inc. representative to find out how many electrical outlets will be needed to run the market and if access to water is needed. The issue will be taken to Mr. Wright’s Community Development Committee to discuss. Mr. Gehrlein – Recommending that Council approve the hourly rate Contract with the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs (PSAB). Mr. Gehrlein stated that the hourly rate is $35 per hour. A contract will be written up and Mr. Wion requested to review it upon completion. On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to authorize the appropriate officials to sign the contract with PSAB. NEW BUSINESS: Chief Lenker/Mayor Acri – Informing Council of the Part-Time Police Officer interviews scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2008 starting at 6:00 PM. Mayor Acri also stated that the current Civil Service list will be obsolete after the end of May and must be updated after that point. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to have Mr. Gehrlein advertise the Civil Service test to update the Borough’s Civil Service list for full time officers. Steelton Borough Page (5) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 ADDITION: RESOLUTION 2008-R-7, A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING STEELTON BOROUGH PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO THE PENNSYLVANIA ETHICS ACT AND SUPPORTING REGULATIONS, was presented for Council’s consideration. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 2008-R-7, as presented. Mr. Gehrlein reminded everyone that that the forms are due by May 1st. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Gehrlein – Informing Council That an Executive Session is Needed to Discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Land Acquisition Matters. There were no comments. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Lynn Taiel – 441 South Front Street; Steelton, PA She requested that a 15 minute parking sign be placed in front of her business to prevent large trucks from parking there for extended periods of time therefore blocking her business. Mr. Kovach stated that he will go to the Community Development Committee meeting on Monday night to discuss this matter. Also, he will review it with Council’s attorney. As soon as a determination is made, Ms. Taiel will be notified. Ms. Taiel also asked about the progress of the grocery store. Mr. Kovach stated that Council is working diligently to open the grocery store and progress is being made. On a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council members voted unanimously to recess into executive session at 7:12 p.m., to discuss personnel matters, pending litigation and land acquisition matters. The meeting reconvened at 7:50 p.m. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present authorized Mr. Gehrlein to represent the Borough and produce documents at the Human Relations Commission Hearing in the case of Mr. Evans. Steelton Borough Page (6) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner – Asked Mr. Gehrlein to have Mr. Ellinger look at the Swatara Street Wall. Mr. Heefner also informed Council that Becker’s would like to have chairs and tables outside of the restaurant for customers, but it is too narrow out front, so he would like to put them on the Locust Street side of the restaurant. The matter was referred to the Community Development Committee. Mr. Albert – Said he would like the police officers to get more involved with the youth of the Borough. Mr. Kovach – said that he Mayor Acri and Mr. Gehrlein had a nice meeting with the department heads and employees. Mr. Kovach said that if the Department Heads have any questions or problems, they should first contact the Chairman of the Committee that oversees their Department; if they can’t get an answer or a resolution to the situation then to contact Mr. Gehrlein, and if it still isn’t resolved then they should contact him. Mr. Kovach said that is the proper chain of command to follow. Mr. Wion also advised that it is not a good idea for each Council person to call Department Heads; they should call whoever is in charge of that Committee first. Mr. Kovach said if it is emergency or needs addressed immediately, Council should call Mr. Gehrlein. Mr. Wright – concurred with Mr. Wion, saying that there is a chain of command and we should use it. Mr. Wright also said that he would like to have quarterly Finance Committee meetings. Mr. Kovach – said that Mrs. Zell contacted him about a problem with the roof and she has some estimates. Mr. Kovach noted that this must be addressed, but requires further discussion. Mr. Gehrlein – informed Council that there will be further discussion with the Community Development Committee, regarding the Parks Program. Mr. Gehrlein noted that the Senior Center Director, Susan Klein’s resignation is effective April 30, 2008 and asked Council if they would want him to ask her if she is willing to stay on until the Borough can explore some Senior Center merger options that have recently been presented. Steelton Borough Page (7) Council Meeting April 7, 2008 It was the consensus of Council Members present to ask Ms. Kline if she would be willing to stay on as the Senior Center Director until these issues are resolved. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Assistant Secretary ______________________________ Denise Hill Executive Administrative Assistant