City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 20, 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: Dennis Heefner Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Jeffery Wright Stephen Shaver Michael Kovach Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Michael Albert MaryJo Szada Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Patrick Gehrlein, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes from the October 13, 2008 meeting were presented for approval. Mr. Shaver asked that the minutes be modified. Paragraph one on page 4 is a duplication. On a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary Gehrlein): Mr. Gehrlein said he had nothing to report at this time. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISTIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, 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 October 20, 2008 On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Dr. Szada, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the June department reports as presented. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Acri had nothing to report. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATION: James R. Zimmerman; 2932 Banks Street; Harrisburg, PA – A letter thanking the Steelton Police Department and specifically Officer Folk for his assistance in August 2008. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to place this letter into Officer Folk’s personnel file. YMCA-Greater Harrisburg – A letter acknowledging the Outstanding Work in Domestic Violence Cases presented to Officer Tony Minium (October 2008). On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to place this letter into Officer Minium’s personnel file. Mr. Wion– A letter sent to Satyn Geary in response to her letter sent to Borough Council on September 23, 2008. Mr. Albert stated that he called Ms. Geary about this situation. He vouched that this could not have been Mr. Wion, due to his calm demeanor. Mr. Shaver asked that Mayor Acri called Ms. Geary to notify her that Steelton Borough does not oversee the school district. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Joseph Pilsitz; Steelton Midget Baseball Association – Letter requesting the use of office space, either Council Chambers or Senior Center, to conduct business meetings from November 2008 – August 2009. Mr. Gehrlein stated that this issue was tabled on October 6, 2008 to verify if the requested dates conflict with previously scheduled meetings. Only one date conflicts. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 20, 2008 Accommodations can be made to hold the Midget Baseball Association meeting in the Steelton Senior Center on that particular date. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to allow the association to use office space to conduct business meetings from November 2008 – August 2009. NEW BUSINESS: Amy Kaunas; Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc. – Presenting Council with a copy of the 2009 Municipality Domestic Animal Protective Services Agreement for their consideration. Mr. Wion stated that this agreement is the same as the agreement presented and accepted last year. The only exception is that the fee has changed. Mr. Wion gave a letter to Mr. Musser at the beginning of the year to request that fees be paid on a monthly basis. Mr. Wion recommended accepting the agreement to be paid on a monthly basis. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept the agreement as presented and modified by Mr. Wion. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Gehrlein to call the Humane Society to make sure the reports are sent every month. Ordinance No. 2008-5 – Ordinance of Steelton Borough Authorizing the execution of a Cable Franchise Agreement between the Borough and Verizon, Pennsylvania, Inc.. Mr. Wion asked Mr. Chris Brennan from Verizon to bring the executed agreement to Mr. Gehrlein to be signed. Mr. Brennan stated that he will do so at his earliest convenience. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 2008-4 as presented. Ordinance No. 2008-6 – An Ordinance amending the code of the Borough of Steelton, Pennsylvania, Chapter 90 “Sewers”, Section 90-1 “Definitions”, Section 90- 6 “Power to prohibit connections and certain discharges”, Section 90-45 “Waste water discharge permits”, Section 90-90 “Public notification”. This Ordinance states that the Borough will comply with EPA’s regulations on sewers and waste water. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 20, 2008 On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 2008-6, as presented. Mr. Gehrlein – Presenting Council with a Municipality Right-of-Way Agreement between the Borough and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation for work to be performed in conjunction with the proposed Steelton Shur-Fine Project. Mr. Shaver asked if Mr. Wion has seen the agreement. Mr. Wion stated that he has and he is satisfied with it. Mr. Heefner asked Mr. Gehrlein if he has spoken to PPL regarding the new buildings to be built on Front Street being fed underground by the proposed electric poles. Mr. Gehrlein stated that he has. Mr. Heefner also asked him if HRG and Navarro & Wright (engineering firms) are clear on what precautions need to be taken so this is done in coordination with the existing storm water line. Mr. Gehrlein said he will verify this information. 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: Emuel Powell; 321 Lebanon Street – Asked when the grocery store project will be started and/or finished. He recalled a meeting at the VFW that he attended. It was stated that the project would be done by Fall 2008. Mr. Gehrlein stated that when the project was presented to the public, Mr. Rizk had not completed the land development phase of the project. Council has completed the necessary process on their end. Mr. Rizk is currently in the process of meeting 25 conditions. The Grand Opening is scheduled for November 2009. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Dr. Szada: Had no comment. Mr. Albert: Had no comment. Mr. Shaver: Received information on a PLCM Economic Revitalization seminar. He hopes that Mr. Gehrlein will review the budget to see if a staff member will be able to attend this seminar to gather useful information. He also reminded everyone of the Bond Referendum (November 4th) that Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar previously mentioned that -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 20, 2008 offers an additional $400 million from the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Shaver hopes that everyone will get out and vote. Mr. Wright: Concurred with Mr. Shaver about the PLCM Economic Revitalization seminar. He thinks that it will be beneficial for Mrs. Brown-Sweeney to attend. Mr. Heefner: Received a public safety complaint. He is, along with Mr. Gehrlein and Mr. Conjar, trying to repair and maintain the street lights throughout the Borough, especially in high crime areas. There is a light out at 5th and Swatara Streets that has been out since July. It has been reported to PPL however, they do not come to fix it. Mr. Wion suggested that a complaint be filed with PUC. Mr. Shaver also suggested that Mr. Heefner contact Jim Nolten at PPL. Mr. Shaver will send Mr. Nolten’s contact information at his earliest convenience. Mr. Heefner notified everyone that the Public Works Department is taking down the banners on Front Street and caulking the front steps of the Borough building. Lastly, he reminded everyone of the Turnpike Commission land donation ceremony taking place next Wednesday. Mayor Acri: Had no comment. Mr. Wion: Spoke about the November 5th private agreement between the Borough of Steelton and Mr. William Grace. Mr. Wion recommended that Council ratify the execution of agreement. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present voted unanimously to ratify the execution of the agreement. Mr. Gehrlein: Stated that he will send out a reminder email about the Turnpike Commission land dedication ceremony. On a motion made by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Wright, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:15 pm to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation. The Council meeting reconvened at 7:47 p.m. Mr. Gehrlein announced that there is a special Council meeting for budget discussion scheduled for November 4, 2008 that has been advertised. He would like to know if it should be rescheduled due to Election Day. The consensus of the Council Members present was to reschedule the meeting for November 6, 2008 at 6:30 pm. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. -5-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 20, 2008 Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Dennise Hill Assistant Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant -6-