City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2008 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:35 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 Michael Albert MaryJo Szada Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Patrick Gehrlein, Secretary Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no minutes of previous meeting presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary Gehrlein): Mr. Gehrlein said he had nothing to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATION: CareerTrack; 9757 Metcalf Ave; Overland Park, KS – Presenting a Certificate of Attendance to Officer John Fry for completing the Managing Emotions Under Pressure course on November 21, 2008. On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to place this letter into Officer Fry’s personnel file. R. Scott Christie, District Executive, Penn DOT – Presenting Council a letter announcing the latest resurfacing project starting in the spring of 2009. The project begins at the intersection of Mohn Street and Front Street and travels north along Mohn Street to its intersection with Monroe Street. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2008 Mr. Heefner asked Mr. Gehrlein to call for a specific date and to see if Pine Street can be included in this project. Mr. Gehrlein will also change the contact name from Mr. Musser to himself. Allen D. Biehler; Secretary of Transportation; PA Department of Transportation – Letter to Council informing the Borough that a payment of $2,277 will be sent to the Borough for our share of the State Police Fines and Penalties. There were no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Gehrlein – Providing Council with a copy of the draft of the proposed amendment to the current Zoning Ordinance for their review. Mr. Gehrlein suggested having a meeting of the Zoning Board and Council before holding a public meeting. Mr. Shaver asked that the amendment be turned over to Mr. Wright and the Community Development Committee for the first part of the vetting portion. Mr. Wion recommended that after Council receives a copy of the amendment that he and Borough staff finalize, they read it and make sure they thoroughly understand its contents in order to be able to answer any questions the public may ask in a public meeting. He also suggested that no more than three Council members sit down with Mr. Gehrlein, Navarro & Wright, and himself to get a good understanding of the ordinance. He advised that these meetings will be lengthy and may extend to 2 hours. Mr. Kovach asked that everyone read it. Anyone with questions was asked to e-mail Mr. Gehrlein and copy Mr. Wright for those issues to be discussed at the Community Development Committee meeting. Councilman Wright – Providing an update to Council on the recent meeting of the Community Development Committee with the Steelton Senior Center. Mr. Wright stated that there was a special meeting held on November 20, 2008 at 6:00 pm regarding the future of the Steelton Senior Center. A proposed new location was offered. The new site is Prince of Peace Catholic Church located on South Second Street on the second floor. No date has been given for relocation; however, it is expected to occur in January 2009. Mr. Wright stressed that the Borough will support the Steelton Senior Center in their move but, the Borough is not responsible for the move. Mr. Kovach stated that he attended the meeting, which went very well thanks to Mr. Wright’s guidance. He added that Ms. Kline went with Councilwoman Wiedeman- Krosnar to view the potential site and was very happy with it. At the end of the meeting, things were positive. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2008 Mr. Wright then stressed that funding will not come from the Borough but, from the Foundation. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, all Council Members present unanimously voted to support the move of the Steelton Senior Center. This is contingent upon an agreement between the Steelton Senior Center, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and the Steelton Community Development Foundation. NEW BUSINESS: Ordinance 2008 – Ordinance amending the Code of the Borough of Steelton, PA, Chapter 69, “Inspection Licenses,” Section 69.3 “Duties Of Owners and/or Managers or Property” Subsection A (2) relating to scheduling of Inspections; Section 69-5 “Licensing,” Subsection A, “Application for Licenses” (3) To provide for inspections every two years; Subsection B, “Issuance of License” to provide for inspection periods to begin January 1; and Subsection E “Reinstatement of Inspection Licenses” to allow compliant inspection to permit two-year inspection period, was presented for Council’s consideration. Mr. Gehrlein stated that this item is proposed to change inspection periods to run on a calendar year and to change inspections to every two years, unless a violation is found. If there is a violation, the inspection will occur on an annual basis until the property goes one full year without any violations. He noted that this has not yet been advertised. Mr. Heefner stated that he thought the language would be stronger to explicitly spell out what is now required and the repercussions so that landlords cannot interpret the ordinance in their own manner. Mr. Wion stated that a violation of trash, water, and sewer cannot be set under this ordinance because there are currently specific ordinances for those things. After much discussion, Mr. Heefner stated that he will present a list to Mrs. Zell on Monday to compile a check list and it will be presented to Council on December 15, 2008. Mr. Gehrlein - Ordinance of the Borough of Steelton, County of Dauphin and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, fixing tax rates for Fiscal Year 2009. Mr. Gehrlein noted that Council Members were given a copy of the proposed Ordinance which will be advertised for consideration at the next Council Meeting. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2008 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: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Dr. Szada: Had no comment. Mr. Albert: said that the Welcome to Steelton signs look very nice and thanked everyone who decorated them. Mr. Shaver: Also thanked those who decorated the Welcome to Steelton signs. Mr. Wright: Assured Council Members that they will be kept informed of upcoming meetings and issues. Mr. Heefner: Stated that by 2015, all sign posts must be a breakaway post. Mr. Cleckner will verify if existing poles will be grandfathered into this requirement. He also stated that, as of February, all workers on the road must wear reflective strips for added visibility. Lastly, he spoke about the street signs. He stated that there is no regulation regarding the color and asked Council to think about whether they want blue or green. Harrisburg currently has 9 inch signs with white border. He also asked Council to consider if they would like one sign with the street name on both sides, or two plates attached to the pole with the street name on each plate. Mayor Acri: Asked that someone take a picture of the Welcome to Steelton signs and send them to Mr. Hinkle’s wife. Mayor also reminded everyone of the upcoming Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3rd at 6:00 pm. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:30 pm to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:24 p.m. ADJOURNMENT: -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 1, 2008 There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Dr. Szada, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Dennise Hill Assistant Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant -5-