City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting January 18, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery Wright Michael Albert Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Dennis Heefner Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Ed Ellinger, P.E. (HRG) Joshua Fox, P.E. (HRG) John M. DeSanto, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: January 3, 2011 Minutes Motion to Approve: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Spencer Approved by All APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: Motion to Approve: Mr. Heefner Second: Mr. Shaver Approved by All APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Neighborhood & Economic Development (Dennise Hill) Fire & Ambulance (Gene Vance) Personnel Police (Chief Spangler) Public Works (Joe Conjar) – Mr. Heefner state that the Public Works Committee did not have a meeting this week, but that they have discussed the possibility of hiring part-time workers to assist with snow plowing during busy time (so that our full-time employees won’t have to work 15-18 hours in a row). They suggested hiring interested volunteer firemen (ex.: Steve Brubacher, Josh Houser, Gene Vance) at a pay of $13.50 an hour. Mr. Shaver was concerned about contract coverage. Mr. Wion recommended that Mr. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting January 18, 2011 Heefner contact Mike Miller to see if there could be AFSCME contract issues. If not, Mr. Miller should send the Borough a letter agreeing to payment of $13.50 in wages to part-time temporary employees. Mr. Shaver made a motion to approve; Mr. Spencer seconded; approved by all. Informed Council that Arcelor Mittal recently had a broken pipe in their basement and the Fire Department helped them clean up and dry out; in return they sent a monetary donation to the department. Code Enforcement (Sylvie Zell) Mayor’s Report (Mayor Acri) – reminded all that there will be a special ambulance report/meeting at the next Borough Council meeting on February 7, 2010; could Mr. DeSanto and staff make sure this is first on the agenda. Motion to approve all department reports: Mr. Heefner Second: Mr. Shaver Approved by All PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only NEW BUSINESS: Ed Ellinger, P.E. and Joshua Fox, P.E. (HRG, Inc.) – presented reports on Adams Street Land Redevelopment & EESSP & PennVest Reimbursement for Payment #7. EESSP is on and/or ahead of schedule – project is 60% complete; viable to meet the June 14, 2011 ending date. They are, however, waiting for warmer weather to finish the sewers on Route 230. This will not hamper the project’s progress. Mr. Ellinger requested approval of PennVest payment in the amount of $20,843.75. Motion to approve payment: Mr. Heefner Second: Mr. Spencer Approved by All There were eleven (11) bids for the Adams Street retaining wall project. HRG’s target amount to spend was $230,000 (per DCED funding). The project includes the 300 ft. retaining wall, 600 ft. sewer replacement and sanitary sewer including laterals for the ten (10) new town homes, and grading and clearing of the hill. He was happy to report that Rogele’s bid came in at $218,681.00; he also reminded Council that these DCED funds must be spent by June 30, 2011. Both HRG and Mr. Wion support this proposal. Motion to send Rogele a Notice of Intent to Award Bid at $218,681.00: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Heefner Approved by All Mr. Ellinger then recommended that to speed up the process, the Borough should also issue a notice to proceed with the project. Motion to issue a Notice to Proceed with the project to Rogele: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Heefner Approved by All -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting January 18, 2011 Mr. Heefner then suggested that a border be created around the project for the privacy of residents with any remaining funds above the existing project costs as bid. Mr. Heefner mentioned engineering costs related to a 60’ line that parallels Front Street (Locust to Trewick St.). Mr. Ellinger gave an approximate range of $100,000. A survey would take 60-90 days because of permit applications, etc. Mr. DeSanto questioned whether Brownfield money could be used; the Mayor suggested that Kara Allison from Hull Associates be contacted about that. COMMUNICATION: Dauphin County Planning Commission - Memorandum on municipal planning advisory service program. We need to check with Tim Reardon to see if we need to have this signed. It was questioned whether we received an invitation to contract in late November/December; staff will check council meeting minutes. Dauphin-Lebanon County Boroughs Association - invitation to attend a dinner meeting on 1/25/11 at 6:30p.m. Mr. DeSanto will verify that they have reservations for 6 people. Defense Logistics Agency - notice of two No. 4 fuel tanks at the Fairview Township facility (this is a standard annual letter they are required to send out). NEW BUSINESS, CONT.: Mr. Shaver – He presented 2011 Municipal Domestic Animal Protective Service Agreement between the Borough and the Humane Society on Ms. Marcinko’s behalf. He added that the combined efforts of Ms. Marcinko, Mr. DeSanto and Chief Spangler saved the Borough approximately $25,000 last year. Motion to approve the agreement: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Spencer Approved by All Mr. Shaver – He and Mr. DeSanto did a walk-through with a Comcast representative on Friday, January 14, 2011 checking phone and internet connections at 123 N. Front St. and Christian St. properties. No information or a services agreement has been received from Comcast yet. Verizon never contacted the Borough regarding this project. When the Comcast agreement is received, Mr. DeSanto will forward it to Mr. Wion for review. This agreement will provide significant savings to the Borough. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting January 18, 2011 Mr. Wright – reminder of positions to be filled: one on the Vacancy Board and two on the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Heefner asked if Mr. Spencer could fill the Vacancy position after his term expires. Mr. Shaver suggested that this scenario could appear to be political in nature. Mr. Heefner indicated that since we have a republican board, we should appoint someone from the republican committee. Mr. Wright turned the microphone over to Mr. Spencer, who recommended that Ms. Patricia Hindermyer be appointed to the vacancy board. A roll call vote was taken. Mr. Heefner cast a “No” vote. “Yes” votes were cast by Mr. Shaver, Mr. Spencer and Mr. Wright. Ms. Hindermyer was approved by a 3-to-1 vote. Mr. DeSanto and staff will send a letter to her informing her of the appointment. OTHER BUSINESS: John M. DeSanto, Jr. – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: None. On motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:15p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:05p.m. with a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Spencer. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting adjourned at 8:07p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ John M. DeSanto, Jr. Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Secretary/Treasurer Executive Assistant -4-