City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery L. Wright MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar Stephen Shaver Maria R. Marcinko Michael Albert 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: Mr. Wion stated that on page four, second item, second paragraph of the November 2, 2009 minutes, the sentence should read: “…maintenance and administrative purposes must be set forth in the BUDGET.” Mr. Shaver stated that on page three, first item, his name is spelled incorrectly. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the November 2, 2009 Council minutes, as amended and the May 18, 2009 Council Meeting, May 18, 2009 Special Council Meeting, and the November 10, 2009 Council Budget Meeting minutes, as presented. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: (Secretary DeSanto): Mr. DeSanto said he had nothing to report at this time. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the schedules, as presented. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Neighborhood & Economic Development: Mr. Wright asked that, going forward, the minutes from each Neighborhood & Economic Development meeting be included in the Council packets for Council’s review. 1  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 Fire and Ambulance Personnel Police: Chief Spangler stated that the Civil Service meeting needs to be re- scheduled. Chief Spangler suggested that the current list not be cancelled. Public Works: Mr. Heefner stated that an estimate was just received from Snyder’s for approximately $3,000. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the work if it will remain around the price of the estimate. Code Enforcement On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to approve the Department Reports, as presented. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Acri reminded everyone that the Tree Lighting ceremony will be held on December 1, 2009 at 6pm. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. COMMUNICATION: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC – Invitation to all Borough Council to attend “Meet Your Elected Officials” reception on Tuesday, December 8th at Chamber & CREDC office 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Anyone who wishes to attend should contact Mr. DeSanto. Humane Society of Harrisburg Area – Letter announcing 2010 Municipality Domestic Animal Protective Services Agreement for 2010. Mrs. Marcinko stated that she went over this contract intensely and she would like the opportunity to look into other alternatives and she also suggested contacting the Humane Society for possible renegotiation. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present unanimously voted to have Mr. Wion and Mr. DeSanto investigate this matter further and report back at the next Council Meeting. Mr. Heefner asked if a breakdown can be provided to show the amount of animals that are taken to the Humane Society. Mr. Wion stated that Council should be receiving a monthly report from them. 2  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 Tri County Regional Planning Commission – Nomination of two (2) individuals to act as voting members of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Heefner stated that he has previously participated on this board and he expressed an interest to participate again. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mrs. Marcinko, Council Members present unanimously voted to nominate Mr. Heefner to act as a voting member of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. DeSanto, Borough Secretary Treasurer – Resolution 2009-R-36 to change Mr. and Mrs. Gray’s address from 240 Woodbine Avenue to 240 Cottagehill Lane. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to adopt Resolution 2009-R-36. Mr. Shaver asked Mr. DeSanto to send notification to the county for EMS purposes, as well as the Harrisburg and Steelton Post Offices. Mr. DeSanto, Borough Secretary Treasurer – Discuss results from the Borough Auction held October 31, 2009 and next steps. Mr. DeSanto stated that all the vehicles were sold and all items inside the building were sold for scraps. The auction yielded $33,000 before fees and expenses. Another $4200 was received for three Borough vehicles that were sold. Mr. Edward Ellinger, P.E., HRG Inc. – Present Adams Street Land Development Proposal. Mr. Ellinger stated that there was some discussion of the Adams Street Land Development during the September 21, 2009 Council meeting. Mr. Wion was not present at that meeting. The agreement was accepted and executed pending Mr. Wion’s changes. Mr. Wion recommended a few changes to the agreement. Mr. Ellinger has made those changes and asked Mr. Wright to initial the corrections to fully execute the agreement. There were two maps with the same date but a different amount of parcels listed. The most current and accurate map will be updated to eliminate confusion. Mr. Ellinger stated that there may be some geotechnical investigation that will need to be done. That cost will be incurred by the buyer of the Adams Street lots. On the south end of the property, near Monumental church, there may be an underground stream. 3  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 Mr. Wright asked how much space is between Monumental Church and the Borough’s property line. Mr. Ellinger stated that there is approximately 25 feet. An additional matter that Mr. Ellinger discussed was the collapsed storm sewer at Blueberry Alley. Mr. Ellinger prepared a proposal and gave a copy to Mr. DeSanto and a copy to Mr. Wright for review. The cost of engineering is $23,400. The cost of construction is: $115,000. It will take approximately 6-8 weeks to have the site ready to begin the bidding process. Mr. DeSanto will distribute copies of the proposal to Mr. Wion and the rest of Council. NEW BUSINESS: Matthew Cichy, P.E. HRG, Inc. – Resolution 2009-R-37, authorizing the President of Borough Council to sign the Norfolk Southern Railway Company “License Agreement” for the East End Sewer Separation Project. Mr. Cichy stated that HRG is in the process of obtaining all the necessary permits for this project. The aforementioned Resolution was submitted to Mr. Wion and Mr. DeSanto for review. Mr. Wion stated he reviewed the agreement between the Borough and Norfolk Southern. He suggested a few changes however; the agreement has already been approved by the PUC. At this point, Mr. Wion said not much can be done about the concerns he presented. On a motion made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Shaver, Council Members present unanimously to adopt Resolution 2009-R-37. Matthew Cichy, P.E. HRG, Inc. – Resolution 2009-R-38, authorizing the President of Borough Council to sign the National Railroad Passenger Corporation “License Agreement” for the East End Sewer Separation Project. Mr. Cichy stated that Resolution 2009-R-38 will be attached to an agreement with Amtrak. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously to adopt Resolution 2009-R-38, as presented. Mr. Heefner asked Mr. Cichy if a spare pipe will be needed. Mr. Cichy said that no spare pipe will be needed. Since this is a storm sewer pipe, Amtrak and Norfolk Southern will allow a steel pipe to be used in order to protect it from conditions of being in a corrosive environment. 4  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 Mrs. Marcinko asked when progress will be seen in East End. Mr. Cichy said that there is a meeting between HRG and Mr. DeSanto on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. The project will be ready to move to the bidding phase very soon. Mr. Wright encouraged any Council Member that can attend the November 19th meeting to do so. Mr. Heefner added that there will be a meeting on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12 p.m. to finalize a punch list with Rogele, regarding the Front and Locust Streets crosswalks. OTHER BUSINESS: Secretary Treasurer DeSanto – Requesting Council recess into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. There were no comments. Secretary Treasurer DeSanto – Discussion of the Conservation Works Grant. Mr. DeSanto reported that he received notification at 4:50 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2009 that the Borough has been awarded with the Conservation Works Grant for $249,998. Mr. DeSanto acknowledged Mr. Musser for his hard work in preparing the grant. This grant will help to upgrade the water filter plant, thus making it more energy efficient. Councilman Shaver – Discussion of the Steelton Borough Boat Dock. Mr. Shaver asked if Council can pay for the work to be completed at the Boat Dock under the current contract. Mr. DeSanto stated that he has not yet had a chance to look into that matter. Mr. Musser gave an update of the money that has already been spent at the Boat Dock. He stated that the Borough received a grant for $100,000. Only $90,000 has been drawn down. The final check, in the amount of $10,000 is expected in January 2010. He said another $450,000 was spent: $150,000 came from the Community Block grant; and $150,000 came from the Fist and Boat grant. Mr. Musser said an additional $150,000 is to be reimbursed in January. Mr. Musser would like to ensure that the money is spent correctly and is acceptable by the auditors. Mr. Craig Bachik added that he received information on the Boat Dock pavilion. The cost breakdown is as follows: 5  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 Pavilion: $37,000 Four grills: $420 Relocation of lights on poles: $1,500 Electrical work: $3,800 Labor: $15,000 Installation of pavilion: $8,000 The total for the project is just below $66,000. Mr. Heefner asked Mr. Bachik if anything can be done about the ongoing problem of trucks running over the bollards at Front and Locust Streets. Mr. Bachik stated that they can be filled with concrete. He will look into this option. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Pauline Douglass; 433 Bessemer Street Mrs. Douglass asked Mr. Heefner if the bump outs at Locust Street (Front and Second Streets) can be moved back. She thinks they are out too far. Mr. Heefner stated that a lot of money was spent on them and they can not be altered at this point. Mrs. Douglass also asked if the money that is being used for the Boat Dock could be used for other areas in the Borough that will be used more often. Mr. Albert stated that the money spent on the Boat Dock was received through a grant and is strictly allocated for that project. Lastly, Mrs. Douglass asked if Council is working with the Steelton-Highspire School District to implement projects, such as the midnight basketball league. Mr. Wright said that Council meets with the school board, as well as the Highspire Borough Council, at a quarterly intergovernmental meeting. Emuel Powell; 321 Lebanon Street Mr. Powell discussed the fact that the streets are very narrow, especially in his neighborhood. It is becoming increasingly harder to travel up and down the streets. Mayor Acri stated that when the Borough was designed and built, it was built for households with one (or no) cars. Now, there is an average of three or four vehicles per household. Parking on one side of the street is not feasible since parking is a very difficult matter, presently. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mrs. Marcinko: met with the PA Parole Board and has invited Ebony Anderson to address Council at the December 6, 2009 Council Meeting. She will talk about the ex- offenders program that the Parole Board offers. These individuals are skilled laborers. Mrs. Marcinko also spoke with Juanita Grant, who also works with ex-offenders. These 6  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 individuals will talk to and mentor youths in areas of concern, such as Lincoln Street. All liability is covered by the Commonwealth. Mr. Heefner: has been approached by his neighbors again about several issues. There is still a major concern about the speed of vehicles on Swatara Street. Also, Mr. Heefner said he has been trying to get the following three properties addressed on Swatara Street since May. 355 Swatara Street: the porch is rotting away and the tenant is afraid to address this with the landlord for fear of retaliation. 331 Swatara: the grass has not been tended to in months and is now turning into hay. 325 Swatara Street: still has no recycling can. Mr. Wright instructed Mrs. Zell to follow the proper protocol. She will continue to cite them and the Public Works Department will go clean the yard at 331 Swatara Street. Mr. Shaver: thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He also thanked HRG, Mr. Musser, and Mr. Bachik for the hard work and continued support of the Borough’s endeavors. Chief Spangler: discussed the speed on Swatara Street. He said that five speed details were run and no one was cited for speeding. A vehicle must be clocked traveling at least 36 miles per hour to be cited. Chief Spangler also notified Council that Sgt. Crawford’s brother, Kenny, is very ill and Chief Spangler asked everyone to keep the family in their thoughts. Mr. Albert: congratulated Ryan Hill, brother of Miss Dennise Hill, for receiving and accepting a full scholarship to attend and play basketball at Bucknell University. Mr. Wright: thanked everyone for attending the meeting. He also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Finally, he thanked everyone who voted for him in the recent election. He looks forward to another four years of serving on Council. On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, Council Members present unanimously voted to recess into Executive Session at 7:53 p.m. Mr. Albert was excused. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:29 p.m. 7  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 16, 2009 ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting immediately adjourned. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ John DeSanto, Jr. Dennise Hill Borough Secretary Executive Administrative Assistant 8