City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting September 2, 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 Stephen Shaver Jeffery Wright MaryJo Szada Michael Kovach Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Michael Albert Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Patrick Gehrlein, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the July 7, 2008 meeting were presented for approval. On a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary Gehrlein): Mr. Gehrlein said he had nothing to report at this time. Mr. Heefner requested an Executive Session be held to discuss a personnel issue. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISTIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the schedules, as presented. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Community Development Finance Fire and Ambulance Personnel Police Public Works Code Enforcement -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting September 2, 2008 On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the June department reports as presented. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Acri stated that he attended a meeting which included representatives from the Steelton Fire Department and Steelton-Highspire School District regarding the old elementary school located on Fourth and Walnut Streets. The building was not secured and Steelton Police were called to an incident that occurred there. Upon a tour and review of the site, it was found that: • The fire alarms were not activated • The sprinkler system was not activated • The building was not locked • No “Call Down” list was distributed to get a hold of proper officials in the event of an incident As a result of the meeting, a list will be established and given to Chief Lenker and Dauphin County officials. The building was locked and will be chained. A key will be given to the Steelton Police Department. The fire alarms and sprinkler system were both activated. Mayor Acri also stated that the school district is working with Bethel Steel Company to sell the building. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATIONS: Eugenia D. Tyler – Letter requesting the permission to block off Mohn Street to Swatara Street along South Third Street to hold a Community Picnic on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM. There was some discussion on Eugenia D. Tyler’s request to block off South Third Street for a Community Picnic. It was the consensus of Council Members present to have Mr. Gehrlein contact Ms. Tyler to get a more specific explanation of the event that she has planned. Council also agreed to reduce the area to be blocked off. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve Eugenia D. Tyler’s request to block of South Third Street, from Chestnut Street to Strawberry Alley, on September 27, 2008 between 12:00 noon and 8:00 p.m., for a Community Picnic. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting September 2, 2008 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Gehrlein – Providing Council with updates to various projects within the Borough currently and planned. Mr. Gehrlein gave the following updates: • 101 Locust Street has been obtained by the Borough of Steelton. • Locust Street Steps Revitalization is still underway. • Adams Street Revitalization is in the planning stage. • Elementary School Revitalization (Fourth & Walnut): there is a trading title issue that is being rectified. • Economic Development: SEDC, current businesses within the Borough, and businesses that are interested in moving to the Borough. • KOZ Zones: Potential incentive to businesses. • Shur Fine Grocery Store Project: A 25 point conditional approval document has been sent to Mr. Rizk. On October 6th, a formalized letter requesting the status of the conditions will be sent. • Brownfields: This project is in the last stage of property inventory. It will next move to a public phase to request feedback from the general public. • Mellon Bank: An architectural firm is interested in moving their corporate headquarters to the building. • Boat Launch: Updates are being planned to include a pavilion and other semi-permanent structures. The PA Turnpike may be donating a parcel of land back to the Borough. • Zoning Ordinance Adoption: This has been finished and will be presented to Council. • Downtown Camera Project: The Borough will be receiving money from the Department of Justice to complete this project. Mr. Kovach asked if the crosswalks at Front and Pine Streets will be addressed in the spring. Mr. Gehrlein stated yes. Mr. Heefner added that the Front Street crosswalks at Pine and Locust streets will need to be raised. Also, Mr. Kovach asked if Mr. Holden’s office sent paperwork for the camera program. Mr. Gehrlein stated it was sent last week however, another packet is forthcoming. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Gehrlein – Presenting Council with a contract from United Parcel Services requesting the lease of the Pennsylvania Canal Parking lot between October 2009 and December 2008 for truck staging during the holiday season for a flat $4,000 rate. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting September 2, 2008 Mr. Wion stated that this contract is the same as one signed by Council in previous years. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present unanimously voted to accept the contract from United Parcel Services. 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: Michelle Krehling, 19 S. Second Street – Stated that the property next to hers, 23 S. Second Street is abandoned. She has called the owner and complained to the Codes Office about several annoyances, including ticks entering her bedroom window. Mr. Kovach stated that unfortunately for Ms. Krehling, the situation is being handled correctly by the Codes Office in the proper manner. However, she has the right to explore options of filing a civil suit against the property owner. Emanuel Powell, 321 Lebanon Street – Asked if Council has any options to prevent people from buying multiple properties in the Borough and being absentee landlords. Mr. Kovach stated as long as an individual meets minimum state requirements for a property, they cannot be prohibited from renting them out to others. However, the Codes Office and Council do their best to ensure that all landlords abide by state laws and Borough ordinances. Claude Beaden, 423 Ridge St. – Thanked Council for all their efforts to grant his wife a special purpose parking permit. Diane Jefferson, 258 Lincoln St. – Thanked Council for installing trash receptacles at Lincoln and Harrisburg Streets. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner: Stated that the sewer truck has been fixed. He also went to Penn DOT to look into information for Borough signs. He was told that the Borough will have to buy a new sign machine which will cost approximately $8,000. Mr. Heefner asked Mr. Conjar to do some additional research on the machine needed. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting September 2, 2008 Mr. Wright: Suggested that Mr. Heefner or Mr. Conjar contact Co-Star regarding a new sign machine. He also stated that he appreciated everyone for attending tonight’s meeting. Mayor Acri: Welcomed Mr. Wright back after his leave of absence. Mr. Kovach: Also welcomed Mr. Wright back. Mr. Kovach thanked everyone for attending tonight’s meeting. Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar: Had no comment. Mr. Albert: Had no comment. On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:00 pm to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation. The Council meeting reconvened at 7:31 p.m. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to pay Joseph W. Edge for the four (4) day’s of work he performed in the Highway Department, and to notify him that his services are no longer needed. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Dennise Hill Assistant Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant -5-