City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by Vice-President, Stephen Shaver with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Mr. Wright stated for the record that Mr. Shaver will run the meeting due to Mr. Wright’s sickness. Mr. Wright stated that he attended the meeting to ensure there was a quorum. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery L. Wright MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Stephen Shaver Maria R. Marcinko Michael Albert Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar John M. DeSanto, Jr., Secretary Treasurer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathleen D. Handley, Assistant Secretary Treasurer Dennise Hill, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mrs. Marcinko stated that she was not listed as present at the October 20, 2009 budget meeting. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mrs. Marcinko, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the October 19, 2009 Council meeting minutes as presented and the October 20, 2009 Budget meeting minutes, as amended. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary DeSanto): Mr. DeSanto said he had nothing to report at this time. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. STORM SEWER PRESENTATION: Brandon Meyers, HRG; Environmental Scientist II – Presentation on the MS4 Permit which is a required DEP permit for all Municipalities with “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems.” 1  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 Mr. Meyers stated that the current 7 year permit has been extended to 8 years. He stated that the Borough is in compliance with this endeavor and the Borough has a link on the DEP website. The Borough has been disseminating information to homeowners and information has been put in the quarterly newsletter. There will be a news advertisement released that will run during the months of November and December. Council has also held public meetings to give information to residents. Additionally, HRG looks at two outfalls each year. The water is tested to see if hazardous material is in the water. If proof of this is found, HRG follows the water upstream to find the source of the problem. Mr. Meyers stated that HRG made sure all appropriate Borough staff is trained on the proper standards of DEP. The new deadline is September 2011. COMMUNICATION: Michael T. Yanich, Director of Public Works; City of Harrisburg – Letter informing Council that there may be a sewer rate increase in 2010, pending completion of a rate study. Mr. Wright asked that staff reach out to the Harrisburg Public Works Department to make sure all updated information is communicated to Steelton Borough Council in a timely and efficient manner. Michael J. Kovach – Resignation from the Planning Commission effective October 26, 2009. On a motion made by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to accept the resignation of Mr. Kovach, effective October 26, 2009. Council asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr. Kovach for his service to the Planning Commission. Mr. James R. Hernjak, Mgr. Environmental ArcelorMittal Steelton – Letter of notification – Plan approval application to construct and operate new natural gas fired boiler and ingot heaters at Steelton facilities. This was submitted for Council’s information. Mrs. Jeanne Gray, Resident – Letter explaining to Council and the Mayor an appeal for help with respect to changing her mailing address. Mrs. Gray stated that she gave this some thought since originally sending the letter to Council. Mrs. Gray said that she does not think changing the digits will resolve this situation. She asked if the street name can be changed. Mr. Shaver said that this issue occurs elsewhere in the Borough. It poses problems especially for the Post Office, the Fire Department, and EMS. River Alley was changed two years ago to include North vs. 2  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 South for emergency purposes. Mr. Shaver said that this matter will be looked into. Mrs. Gray suggested that the name of the street be changed to Ryan Mohn Lane since the Ryan Lee Mohn Park is located near her house. She said that she has called surrounding municipalities and verified that no streets have the same name. Mr. Shaver said that this will be sent to the Neighborhood and Economic Development Committee for a decision. Councilman Shaver – Notes from the Dauphin-Lebanon Borough’s Association Meeting on October 28, 2009. This was submitted for Council’s information. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was no unfinished business to be discussed. NEW BUSINESS: Joshua Vecchio, Esq., Executive Director Capital Tax Collection Bureau – Requesting Borough Council to adopt a Resolution allowing Capital Area Tax Collection Bureau to deduct their Local Services Tax Commission from the quarterly distribution of the Local Services Tax to the Borough. Mr. Shaver stated that there has been a Resolution prepared for Council’s consideration if there are no questions from Council. There were no questions or comments. Mr. Wion, Solicitor – Resolution 2009-R-34, allowing the Capital Area Tax Collection Bureau to deduct their commission from the quarterly distribution of the Local Services Tax to the Borough. Mr. Heefner asked if a commission for Capital Area Tax Collection Bureau will come out of the Borough’s profit. Mr. Wion stated that a report and invoice will be sent to the Borough after the data is collected and the Borough will then send Capital Area a check. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, Council Members present unanimously to adopt Resolution 2009-R-34, as presented. Mr. Wion, Solicitor – Resolution 2009-R-35, authorizing the acquisition of real property at 162, 166, 168, and 170 Adams Street. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2009-R-35. 3  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 Shirley Neal – Letter of thanks for her retirement festivities and the time she spent working at the Borough. This was submitted for Council’s information. Mr. Wion, Solicitor – Discussion of the agreement between the Borough of Steelton and Swatara Township Authority for rates charged to Swatara Township. Mr. Wion stated that a question was raised during the last budget session regarding the agreement between the Borough and Swatara Township Authority. Mr. Wion cited two agreements: 1) between the City of Harrisburg and the Borough of Steelton (February 1975) and 2) between Swatara Township and the Borough of Steelton (February 1958). In these original agreements, a formula was derived to show how fees are calculated and charged to Swatara Township. This formula shows the fixed methodologies of costs. Mr. Wion stated that he wanted to report this information to Council for clarification. Mr. Shaver thanked Mr. Wion for looking into this. He said the question arose to make sure the Borough is being adequately compensated and it appears that the Borough is. Mr. Wright asked if changes are made to the contract, and who should get copies of it. Mr. Wion stated that originals are always sent to the Borough and a copy is filed at Mr. Wion’s office. Mr. Wion also stated that $3,605 was paid up until 1991 to pay for the upkeep of the system. This was paid for by Swatara Township. He said that all fees for operational maintenance and administrative purposes must be set forth in the budget. Mr. Wright asked that Borough staff make sure copies of the budgets are on file in the Borough office, so that they will be at Council’s disposal, as needed. Mr. Shaver asked Staff to look at this matter in depth to assess the correct payments with regard to upgrades made to Borough pumping stations. OTHER BUSINESS: Secretary Treasurer DeSanto – Requesting Council recess into Executive Session to discuss real estate and personnel matters. There were no comments. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Troy Page, 162 N 2nd Street Mr. Page asked for Council’s input about a parking situation he is having at a property he is in the process of selling. He said there is a rental property with multiple units on Front 4  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 Street and the tenants park in front of 162 N. 2nd St., due to lack of parking on Front Street and River Alley. Mr. Page said he has had 37 showings, it has been totally renovated, people love the house but, parking has been an issue and he cannot sell the property. He also said that the property on Front Street has approximately12 dogs which are a nuisance. Mr. Shaver suggested that Mr. Page call the non-emergency police phone number to report the nuisance. Mr. DeSanto said he drafted a letter to the landlord and submitted it to Mr. Wion. The letter requests that the landlord ask the tenants to be considerate of neighbors. Mr. Shaver asked that this matter go before the Neighborhood and Economic Development Committee for review and be brought back before Council. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar: commended the individuals that volunteered for Trick or Treat to assist children crossing the street at major intersections. Chief Spangler said that the individuals were from the Masonic Hall Paxton Lodge. Council asked that a letter of thanks be sent to the Masonic Hall Paxton Lodge. Mr. Wright: thanked everyone for attending the meeting tonight. He stated that Council meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month and the Borough website lists all other committee meeting dates. Mr. Shaver: thanked everyone for attending the meeting tonight. Chief Spangler: received a letter from MOPEC stating that all funding has been removed for training. The decision was made retroactive, effective July 1st. Chief Spangler said he knows that some Steelton Police Officers have attended the training after July 1, 2009. There is a possibility that the funding will be reinstated. However, Chief Spangler has budgeted 2010 money for the training. Chief Spangler also received a letter from the Blue Knights for allowing them to have a motorcycle ride within the Borough. A letter was sent to the Steelton Police Department from Swatara Township commending Officer Anthony Minium. On October 10, 2009, Swatara Township assisted Steelton Police Department at the VFW. There was a party of approximately 200 teens and there was a report of a hand gun. Officer Minium took control of the situation and cleared it without incident. A hand gun was recovered. On a motion made by Mrs. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to have this letter placed in Officer Minium’s personnel file. 5  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 Chief Spangler stated that he attended the 100 Men Reading Program at Steelton- Highspire Elementary School, where he read books to three different classes. He received a letter of thanks from Jan Baumgardner, program coordinator. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Wright, Council Members present unanimously voted to have this letter placed in Chief Spangler’s personnel file. Chief Spangler reported that the Dauphin County Drug Task Force sent the Steelton Police Department a check for $15,000 and a letter of thanks for the work the Department has done over the last year. The was a portion of money that was seized. Lastly, Chief Spangler updated Council on the Steelton Highspire Initiative. This is a program of approximately 40 Dauphin County organizations that are working together to decrease crime in Steelton and the surrounding areas. Mr. Shaver asked Chief Spangler to continue to keep Council informed on the progress of this project. On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mrs. Wiedeman-Krosnar, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:28 p.m., to discuss personnel and real estate matters. The regular Council meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m. Mr. DeSanto gave a report on the auction that was held at the former Bic’s Garage and informed Council that a Board of View meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2009 There was also a discussion on a pavilion for the Boat Dock. It was noted that if the cost is over $10,000, then it will have to be bid. Mr. Shaver said there are contractors on Costars and asked Mr. DeSanto to look into that. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting immediately adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 6  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 2, 2009 _____________________________ _______________________________ John DeSanto, Jr. Dennise Hill Borough Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant 7