City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 2, 2010 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Dennis Heefner Michael Albert Jeffery Wright MaryJo Szada Maria Marcinko Stephen Shaver Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor John M. DeSanto, Jr. Secretary/Treasurer Kathy I. Sosnowski, Administrative Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes from July 19, 2010, as presented. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only There were no comments. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Dennis Heefner – Met with Mr. Wion and Patriot Energy this week. We could have saved approx. $35,000 this year. He has also been in contact with Constellation Energy and thinks we should lock in on a 30-day month-to-month agreement with one of them. We can then opt-out if the savings don’t pan out. Ms. Marcinko asked about Gexa’s charges and them being involved and Mr. Wion stated that they are not. Mr. Wion also recommended that the borough check on PPL’s rates on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Spencer stated that he didn’t think any other provider could beat PPL’s price, but that Patriot seems more like a broker to him. Mr. Heefner added that Constellation Energy is more directly in contact with Con Edison, PPL, etc. Mr. Shaver suggested that we could give Patriot Energy a “test-drive”. Mr. Shaver made a motion to have Mr. Wion draw up an electric sales agreement for electric power via Patriot Energy with Con Edison as supplier and authorize Mr. Wright to sign the agreement. The motion was seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved by all present. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 2, 2010 Scott Spangler – Will discuss issue during/after executive session. NEW BUSINESS: 1) David Wion – Resolution No. 2010-R-22 (County Emergency Operations Plan) Motion: Ms. Marcinko; Second: Mr. Spencer; Mr. Shaver abstained, but the vote still passed by 4. 2) David Wion – Resolution No. 2010-R-23 (Municipal Winter Services Agreement) Motion: Mr. Shaver; Second: Mr. Heefner; approved by all present. 3) Jeffery Wright – Ratify Expenditure Policy (Complete policy on page 5) Motion: Mr. Shaver; Second: Mr. Spencer; approved by all present. 4) John M. DeSanto, Jr. – Dan Scheitrum (Certificate Addition to Personnel File) Motion: Ms. Marcinko; Second: Mr. Shaver; approved by all present. 5) John M. DeSanto, Jr. – Gregory Shea (Certificate Addition to Personnel File) Motion: Mr. Shaver; Second: Ms. Marcinko; approved by all present. Mr. Shaver informed everyone that the Federal Department of Environmental Protection is keeping a close watch on wastewater plants – i.e., keeping operators updated on certifications, etc. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. DeSanto – Informed Council that an Executive Session is needed to discuss Personnel Matters, Pending Litigation and Land Acquisition Matters. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 2, 2010 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Ms. Veronica Supan, 2604 S. 4th St., Steelton – Commended the Code Enforcement Department for doing a great job in keeping the borough cleaner than it has been over the years. On a separate note, she is concerned that they won’t get sufficient notice during the East End Sewer Separation Project. They have an active garage in use behind their house (Third Alley) and want to make sure they don’t get stuck not being able to leave. She was assured that would not happen; Mr. Heefner gave her his card just in case and Ms. Marcinko reminded her that she lives close by (to call or stop by). Chief Spangler reminded everyone of National Night Out tomorrow at the Fire House. Mr. Heefner asked if the Crime Watch meeting would still be held at 6PM; it won’t because of the other activities. In regards to complaints of timelines, Mr. DeSanto reminded everyone that Representative Buxton’s office provided the grant money for the boat dock/pavilion and we had to await its progress through the system. Also, Kairos Design Group could not give their design until they provided a purchase order to the manufacturer who would then release the structure drawings/specs to Mr. Bachik to use in his design/plans. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner – Requested from Mr. DeSanto/staff the date that the Swatara Street wall was built; never received a response. Mr. Wright asked that Mr. DeSanto provide the information by the end of the day tomorrow. Also complained about not being able to use the pavilion at the boat dock area until mid-September; didn’t think it would take so long to get the project completed. Mr. Wright interjected that part of the problems lately is lack of communication. If he authorizes things to move forward, they should. If a contractor has problems, they should call him directly. Mr. Wright – Concerned with lack of cooperation between department heads, secretary/treasurer and some council members to get things done. Regrets having to possibly suggest that department heads be abolished and that council and the mayor run the borough if council lacks confidence in them to do the job they were hired for. This was stated to make a point. Mr. Shaver – Has no concerns at this time. Mr. Spencer – Pointed out that contractors are known to overbook and under staff; also that they are notorious for missing deadlines. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 2, 2010 Ms. Marcinko – Noted that EESSP started making test holes in the borough last week. She immediately contacted Mr. DeSanto, Mr. Heefner and Mr. Conjar and a memo was created and distributed to residents within 24 hours to inform them. Ms. Marcinko also reminded everyone of the Back-to-School Bash on August 21st from 2:00-8:00pm from Locust to Walnut St. (In conjunction with that event, the borough is having another rabies/distemper clinic that day from 10:00-12:00 at 1 N. Front St... They will also again sell dog licenses.) Mayor Acri – In reference to Mr. Wright’s comments, the mayor stated that the department heads need to keep up with activities in their respective areas and report problems to council as needed. On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:18p.m.to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:45p.m. Mr. Wright suggested that in the future, maybe all department heads should attend council meetings quarterly to give a verbal report, address needs, concerns, etc. Communication is the key. Motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner to advertise for a part-time public works employee; approved by all present. Motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner to ratify the Marroquin agreement dated May 19, 2010; approved by all present. Motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner to ratify the BIK agreement dated July 27, 2010; approved by all present. Motion by Mr. Shaver to replace parking meters as mentioned in Chief Spangler’s memorandum of July 28, 2010. Approval to issue a purchase order seconded by Ms. Marcinko; approved by all present. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting August 2, 2010 ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ John M. DeSanto, Jr. Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Secretary/Treasurer Executive Administrative Assistant STEELTON EXPENDITURES POLICY The Borough Council of the Borough of Steelton has determined that in order to provide for the efficient and timely daily operations of the Borough, it is necessary that certain monetary expenditures be made by the Borough Secretary/Treasurer and the Borough Department Heads. It shall be the policy of the Borough that the Borough Secretary/Treasurer may make expenditures up to the amount of $3,999.00 without conferring with the Finance Committee of the Borough Council or with the Borough Council. The Borough Department Heads may make expenditures up to the sum of $1,000.00 from the budget for that Department without securing authorization from the Borough Secretary/Treasurer or the Borough Council person appointed and acting as the Chair of the Borough Council Committee relating to that Department. The aforesaid notwithstanding, appropriate invoices and records of expenditures made pursuant to this policy shall be kept by the Borough Secretary/Treasurer and/or the Department Heads and provided in the monthly report of expenditures to be approved by Borough Council. -5-