City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 2, 2009 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by President, Jeffery L. Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Dennis Heefner Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Michael Albert MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Jeffery Wright Michael Kovach Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathleen D. Handley, Secretary APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mr. Wion stated there are a few changes that need to be made to the December 15, 2008 minutes. On page 6, it should read Mr. Kovach will submit a letter of RESIGNATION. Also, on page 6, Mr. Shaver asked Mr. Kovach to reconsider his POTENTIAL resignation. Lastly, Mr. Wion specified that Mr. Kovach made a motion to have a FORENSIC audit conducted. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Kovach, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the December 15, 2008 minutes, with the proposed changes. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary Handley): Mrs. Handley said she had nothing to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATION: Adrienne Vicari, PE, Herbert Rowland & Grubic, Inc. – Letters informing the Borough of the applications for H20 PA and Penn Vest Financing on behalf of the Harrisburg Authority and requesting letters of support. A letter has been prepared for Mr. Wright’s signature. August Memmi, Deputy Director, Dauphin Office of Community & Economic Development – Letters informing the Borough that the Board of Commissioners approved the FY 2009 Annual Action Plan and funds for the CDBG Program. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 2, 2009 Mr. Wright asked that a letter be sent to the Dauphin County Commissioners thanking them for awarding the CDBG Funds to the Borough. Susan Kline, Director Steelton Senior Center – Memo informing the Foundation Members that the Senior Center will not be receiving additional grant money. Mr. Wright asked to have Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar contact Ms. Kline for clarification on this issue. Mr. Musser stated that he received an email on this topic. He said no additional funds will be received for the Steelton Senior Center. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Edward A. Ellinger, PE, HRG, Inc. – Update on Penn Vest Assistance. Mr. Ellinger stated that Penn Vest is encouraging the Borough to complete the entire East End separation project, as opposed to only completing T Street. However, T Street is the only street that must be done. R Street and Felton Street are not under regulation. Regarding stimulus money from the Obama administration, Mr. Ellinger said there is no estimated time when that money will be given out. He also stated that the Borough cannot apply for Penn Vest money until the engineering plans are completed for the project. Mr. Ellinger stated that he will have a price later in the week for additional engineering costs. Edward A. Ellinger, P.E., HRG, Inc. – Proposal for financial Services – Penn Vest Assistance. Mr. Wion stated that at the previous Council Meeting, Council Members approved the HRG proposal with some conditions. However, the standard conditions were not attached. Mr. Ellinger stated that he would send those conditions to Mr. Wion. The contract will proceed. Christopher D. Anderson, CEBS, Actuarial Analyst, Mockenhaupt Benefits Group – Presenting Council with several options for the Non-Uniform Pension Plan COLA. Mrs. Handley stated that $150,000 was budgeted to be received. Last year’s amount was $154,000. Mr. Musser stated that the Cost of Living Adjustment increase will not come out of the General Fund. On a motion made by Mr. Kovach, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve a 3% Cost of Living Adjustment increase to the Non- Uniform Pension Plan. Mr. Wion will prepare the Resolution for consideration. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 2, 2009 Eugene Vance, Fire Chief – Discussion on the Ambulance finances. Chief Vance stated that there will be a Round Table discussion next Sunday. He said he will discuss the finances of the ambulance with the department. Chief Vance will then come back to Council with a report on March 17, 2009. Mr. Heefner and Mr. Kovach said they will attend the meeting. NEW BUSINESS: Brenda K. Wick, P.E., HRG, Inc. – Final Sub-Division Plan for Louis Rozman. Ms. Wick stated that the plans were submitted and reviewed by Dauphin County. The plans have been revised but, there are still some revisions to be made. The plans are currently not up for consideration. Mr. Wright stated that Council will hear from Mrs. Zell but, no action would be taken on this matter. Mrs. Zell said there was a planning meeting held on January 8, 2009. There are still a few items that need to be corrected. It was the recommendation of the Planning Committee to conditionally approve the plan to subdivide Lot 4 into 2 parcels. Mr. Wion stated that he received the plan with signatures from Navarro & Wright only. The Rozmans have not signed them. He said that the lot size needs to be corrected on the cover page and a waiver needs to be signed. He said if the Rozmans and a representative from Navarro & Wright are present tonight, the plans could be signed additionally and approved. If both are not present, this could be tabled until the next Council Meeting. Mr. Wion reminded everyone that the 90 day extension runs out on March 18, 2009. Mr. Heefner said that Council should consider conditionally approving this tonight. It has been held up for a long time. Mr. Paul Navarro stated that he is not authorized to sign on Mr. Rozman’s behalf. Mr. Michael Rozman needs to show power of attorney. Mr. Navarro stated that he can sign the plans with the condition that Mr. Rozman will have the final determination. Mr. Navarro said the property at 3rd and Brewster Streets are to be divided into two parcels called 4a and 4b. Mr. Wion asked Mr. Navarro if the plans were sent to Dauphin County Planning Commission and the Steelton Borough Planning Commission. Mr. Navarro stated that they were. Mr. Navarro requested relief from Chapter 99-12. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the request for relief of Chapter 99-12. Preliminary Plat Submission. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 2, 2009 Mr. Navarro also requested a waiver of Chapter 99-42.a.1, requiring sidewalks at these properties. Mr. Heefner suggested that the waiver be granted to maintain the continuity and beautification of the land since no sidewalk is currently there. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the request to waive Chapter 99-42a1. Regarding Chapter 99-12.a.2.i.20, there is an issue with the restoration detail due to utility work that needs to be done. Council needs to know who is responsible for digging the trench. Mr. Navarro said that a request for this information was sent to HRG but, no response has been given at this time. Mr. Navarro stated that all signature blocks will be signed, Chapter 99-12.2h will be taken care of and the trench restoration details will be provided. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to conditionally approve the subdivision plans. Kenneth Lenker, Police Chief – Request to increase the Charges on Parking Tickets. Mayor Acri stated this matter came up during the last Police Committee meeting. Mayor Acri suggested that the parking tickets be increased from $10 to $15. He asked that fire hydrants tickets be increased from $10 to $25. These changes will make us compatible with surrounding municipalities. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to have Mr. Wion to prepare an Ordinance to accept the new prices. Jennifer Brown-Sweeney – Letter of Resignation effective January 27, 2009. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present voted unanimously to accept Mrs. Brown-Sweeney’s resignation. Scott D. Washinger, Collections Officer – Request to waive sewer bill for foreclosed property at 145-147 North Front Street. Mrs. Handley stated that this request was brought before the Steelton Water Authority. It was denied. Mr. Washinger has appealed. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present unanimously voted to deny Mr. Washinger’s request to waive his sewer bill. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 2, 2009 OTHER BUSINESS: Mrs. Handley – Informing Council that an Executive Session is needed to discuss personnel matters and land acquisition matters. There were no comments. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: There were no comments. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Kovach: suggested that Mr. Rizk be given two weeks to set up a meeting to come before Council with completed plans for the Shur-Fine grocery store. Mr. Kovach also asked if a Resolution is needed to enact the Ethics Forms that were recently distributed. Mr. Wion said that in April of each year, a Resolution will be drafted and filed by May 1st. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:32 pm to discuss personnel matters and land acquisition. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council the Council meeting reconvened at 8:42 p.m. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Kovach, Council Members present voted unanimously to draft a new bond that is effective from June – July. The amount of the bond will be for the maximum amount of money that is in the General Fund at one time to establish the bond price for the Borough Secretary Treasurer. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to enter an agreement to transfer all funds to Mid-Penn Bank. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Kovach, the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ Kathleen D. Handley Dennise Hill Borough Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant -5-