City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 7, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:35p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery Wright MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Michael Albert Dennis Heefner Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor John M. DeSanto, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: The minutes of the January 18, 2011 meeting were approved with a motion by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved by all present. EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEEETINGS: Mr. DeSanto reported that an executive session was held on January 20, 2011 to discuss personnel matters. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. COMMUNICATION: Storb Environmental Incorporated – A copy of a letter to the Borough Water Authority was presented for Council’s information. Humane Society of Harrisburg Area – the third quarter, 2010 Animal Intake Report was presented. Steelton-Highspire High School Class of 2011 – requested support from the Borough by placing an ad in the 2011 Yearbook. Mr. Wright stated that if anyone wants to contribute, they should use personal funds. Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. – presented the Engineering Activities Report for December 20, 2010 through January 17, 2011. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 7, 2011 PA State Association of Boroughs – presented their “Stand Out” Newsletter for winter of 2011. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Jay Wenger – In regard to the ESCO loan, the lease covers the full extent of the project with a 10-year fixed rate less grant funds. There is no lien required; however, they are asking for a lien on the equipment. Mr. Spencer asked if ESCO was anticipated in the bond issue note; Mr. Wenger said it wasn’t in order to keep fees down. There is a prepayment penalty of 5%. Mr. Wion – An audit of energy consumption for the Borough and Authority was done for the guaranteed savings energy contract. Examples of work to be done - updated lighting, controls at the water treatment plant, etc. The borough’s share is $249,998; the grant is for $504,000. The purchase of equipment will be through a lease with Municipal Capital Corporation; both the Borough and Authority will make payments. Resolution 2011-R-2 was presented for the approval of the Constellation Energy ESCO Contract. Mr. Heefner questioned whether Council was going to see the contract before the vote; Mr. Shaver stated that it is the same document with some attachments. Both Mr. Shaver and Mr. Spencer directed the solicitors to go ahead with the contract. Mr. Heefner asked if it would affect debt service; Mr. Shaver and Mr. Wion indicated that it would not. Motion to approve Resolution 2011-R-2/lease was made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved by all present. Motion to approve a Cooperative Arrangement with the Authority was made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved by all present. Mr. Wright – made a public announcement of the formation of the Handicapped Parking/Safety Committee: Chairman – Mayor Acri, Chief Spangler, Mr. Heefner, Mr. Conjar, Mr. Hayman, Mr. Wion and Dr. Szada (backup is Ms. Marcinko). NEW BUSINESS: Steelton Borough Ambulance Association – Dr. Kambic stated that a financial statement is not available at this time, but in the past there was a joint venture by the Borough and the Ambulance Association, with the Borough usually making up shortfalls. He also noted that Highspire and others pay more than $85,000 a year for other companies’ services to their municipalities. The mayor said he is looking for South Central or Life Team to make an offer. Dr. Kambic reminded him that Life Team is ½ million dollars in the hole to Pinnacle Health System. Mr. Wright asked that the matter be tabled for now, and requested a financial statement from Dr. Kambic. He also requested that someone contact the Life Team administration. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 7, 2011 Mr. Heefner asked if routine transport calls could be done in the middle of the night to save money; Dr. Kambic said no other Borough entities operate this way. It was questioned whether Life Team wants Steelton Borough to join them, or if Pinnacle Health wants this. In closing of the subject, Mr. Wright indicated that the 2012 budget process will be started in August or September. The mayor wants to bring Life Team to the Borough for a quote. Dr. Kambic informed Council that it might be difficult since Life Team’s administration is constantly changing. Mr. Shaver, Council Vice President – presented professional certification to Mr. Timothy J. Lehman as a Municipal Emergency Management Coordinator. Mr. Shaver also reminded everyone that Three Mile Island training/in-service will take place on April 3rd; Tim will be contacting us closer to that date. Chief Spangler – presented a plaque to Mr. Jorge Gonzalez of Lakeside Auto in appreciation of the donation of a vehicle for use by Detective/Sgt. King. Ms. Marcinko – presented a motion to appoint two new patrolmen effective Sunday, February 20, 2011at an annual salary of $48,500. They are: Kevin P. Martin and Dave M. McCahan, Jr. She noted that the Teamsters have made concessions to make this possible. A motion to approve the appointment was made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved by all present. Mayor Acri indicated that the hiring was done without a tax increase; he is very proud of the police department for giving up personal days, etc. so that this could happen. He then proceeded to swear in the two new officers. Mr. Wion, Solicitor – presented Resolution 2011-R-3 to appoint a delegate and alternate delegate to represent the Borough on the Dauphin County Tax Collection Committee. Mr. Wright indicated that he wishes to step down as delegate. He thinks the voting delegate should be designated as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Borough and that the alternate should be designated as the President of Borough Council without listing names. Mr. Heefner questioned whether the representative had to be a Council member; Mr. Wright responded that anybody from the community can be listed. A motion to approve Resolution 2011-R-3 was made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved by all. Mr. Wion, Solicitor – presented the January 17, 2011 letter of arrangement between Boyer & Ritter, Certified Public Accountants and the Borough of Steelton. He stated that he has reviewed the letter and made some corrections. He recommends that we retain Boyer & Ritter as our accountants for the remainder of 2011. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 7, 2011 A motion to approve the letter was made by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved by all present. Mr. DeSanto – presented Resolution 2011-R-4 for approval of the 2011-2012 AFSCME Contract. Mr. Shaver asked if the side letter was attached indicating Council’s approval of the $12.00 per hour wage for temporary highway workers to plow snow. The answer was that it was not. A motion to approve the contract was made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved by all present. Ms. Marcinko – informed all present that 243 cats have been spayed/neutered so far with no use of Borough funds; reminded all that the Steelton Borough Community Cats is a subsidiary of the Foundation. A grant was secured from PetSmart Charities for a total of $32,400 – the first check for $16,200 was received today. The first surgeries are scheduled for March 15, 2011. Capital Region Council of Governments (CAPCOG) – Mr. Wright asked Mr. Heefner if he would consider staying on as the 2011 delegate; he said he would be honored. It was decided that the alternate delegate would be designated as the Code Enforcement Officer. A motion to approve Mr. Heefner as delegate was made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert. Mr. DeSanto – presented a letter of resignation from Ms. Dennise L. Hill from the position of Neighborhood & Economic Development Coordinator effective Friday, February 4, 2011. Mr. Wright requested that all documents pertaining to that position be moved down to the Borough office as soon as possible. He also said that all calls to Ms. Hill should be referred to the Borough Secretary/Treasurer; all e-mails should be forwarded to Mr. DeSanto. A motion to approve the resignation was made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved by all present. OTHER BUSINESS: John M. DeSanto, Jr. – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 7, 2011 COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner – Two responses to request for snow plow operators; Mr. Wright said this would be discussed in executive session. Ms. Marcinko – Indicated that she is proud to be part of a Council that works so well together. Mayor Acri – reminded everyone of the “150 years of the Civil War” with Barbara Barksdale as our representative. He passed a sheet to council members listing different activities that will be held in Harrisburg from February 16 to February 19, 2011. On Friday, February 18th “Abraham Lincoln” will be delivering a speech at Market Square. Mr. Wright – Expressed thanks to all council members for working together. He indicated that he was pleased that two fine officers were hired with no taxes. On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner/Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:37p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:54p.m. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver and seconded by Mr. Spencer to hire part time highway employees at the rate of $12.00 an hour. Resolution 2011-R-5 was presented to reorganize the administrative staff: effective February 14, 2011, Douglas E. Brown is appointed as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Borough at a salary of $55,000 a year, Rosemarie L. Paul is appointed as the Assistant Treasurer and John M. DeSanto, Jr. is appointed as an Executive Assistant. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver and seconded by Ms. Marcinko to adopt Resolution 2011-R-5. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting adjourned at 9:01p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ John M. DeSanto, Jr. Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Secretary/Treasurer Executive Assistant -5-