City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:33p.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 Maria Marcinko Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Ed Ellinger, P.E., HRG Douglas E. Brown, Secretary/Treasurer John M. DeSanto, Jr., Executive Assistant Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: February 7, 2011 Minutes Motion: Mr. Heefner Second: Mr. Spencer Approved by All Present with the following changes: On page 2, Mr. Wion said the third paragraph, third sentence should read: [The contract amount is $504,000. The Authority has received a grant toward the project of $249,998. The purchase of equipment will be through a lease with option to purchase with Municipal Capital Corporation in the amount of $254,723; both the Borough and Authority will make payments.] EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: None. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: No questions/comments on January, 2011 General Fund Financial Report APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Neighborhood & Economic Development Fire and Ambulance Personnel Police Public Works Code Enforcement Mayor’s Report -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2011 PUBLIC WORKS - Mr. Heefner stated that most parking meters are working properly; nine were sent back. Recommends that the meters in front of Bik’s and Lawson’s old places be moved and put on Locust Street. Mr. Conjar reported that the snow blower is running like new (a good investment at $7300 cost for repair). Two part time employees worked last night; regular employees took longer to get to Steelton than expected. 79% of regular time has been used this winter; 34% of overtime. We have enough salt/anti- skid to last until the end of winter. The mandated replacement of street signs will be started soon (the Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is checking into this; he thinks the mandate is ludicrous). Also, the highway department has set up a schedule for maintenance on the small trucks (they’re getting old). Regarding the EESSP – in March they will start flushing, and then lining the 230 macadam – HRG will comment further on this. Also, when we need to notify borough residents about work in East End, the office staff has been using our paper/personnel to deliver fliers; suggested that HRG should be responsible for this. At the Council of Governments (COG) meeting last night it was stated that vehicles and salt purchased through the State are limited. With COG, you can purchase any amount; but conversely, the State is guaranteed not to run out. Mr. DeSanto indicated that Mr. Conjar did submit to COG for this year. Mr. Heefner will check with Mr. Conjar about the salt stock. He will work with Mr. Brown and Mr. Conjar on moving the meters. Motion to approve department reports: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Heefner Approved by All Present MAYOR’S REPORT - The Mayor reported that the meeting scheduled for March 3rd between the Boroughs of Steelton and Highspire and the School District has been cancelled (Highspire is going to the State of the County address.) Also, he attended the roundtable meeting on Sunday regarding the 9/11 Project. There will be no cost to the Borough or the Fire Department. A memorial service will be scheduled for 9/11/11 to dedicate the monument. Motion to approve this endeavor: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Spencer Approved by All Present PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. COMMUNICATION: EMC Insurance Companies, Pa. American Water and The 9-11 Project – no action taken. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2011 ArcelorMittal Steelton Letter – Mr. Shaver requested that Mr. Brown send a copy of the report to the Fire Department. NEW BUSINESS: Ed Ellinger, HRG – Indicated that in the future, the Engineers’ report will be e-mailed to council members the Friday before the council meeting is scheduled. He will then provide paper copies at the meeting. Mr. Shaver suggested that to save paper, if anyone wanted a copy they could print it out themselves. Mr. Shaver then congratulated Mr. Ellinger and HRG as Engineers, since this week is National Engineering Week. Mr. Ellinger then presented an application for payment #4 for work completed to date for the East End Sewer Separation Project (EESSP) in the amount of $623,166.12. Mr. Shaver made a motion to approve payment; Mr. Heefner seconded; approved by all present. Mr. Shaver asked if the change order should be paid for with Authority funds; Mr. Ellinger indicated that the borough should pay since it is part of the EESSP. Mr. Shaver also congratulated the Press & Journal for the nice article last week on the EESSProject. Mr. Ellinger presented Penn Vest payment #8 to Council for payment for costs related to the East End Sewer Separation Project in the amount of $644,386.95. Mr. Shaver made a motion to approve payment; Mr. Spencer seconded; approved by all present. Mr. Ellinger then explained Work Change Directive #10 for the EESSP. The estimate was $230,000. Through working with Mr. Heefner, Mr. Conjar and staff to put the storm sewer down Route 230, the costs have only reached $80,080. Contingency funding is still available. Mr. Spencer asked the percent of completion of the project; it is 70% complete. Work to be done includes lining of trenches, manholes, etc. Mr. Spencer asked if the contingency would get repaid. Mr. Ellinger indicated that the project would close at a lower amount. He also indicated that we could use contingency funds to do more work in East End, possibly the trunk line down “R” Street and connect to Felton St. for the amount left. (The preliminary design is already done.) If they have to prepare another set of drawings, we’ll be back to bidding the job out. Motion to approve Change Work Order #10 for $80,080: Mr. Shaver Second: Mr. Heefner Approved by All Present Mr. Shaver asked if Mr. Ellinger and HRG could look at the possibility of more work that could be done with contingent funds. Mr. Heefner and Mr. Ellinger thought we should wait until the next H2O meeting occurs (it’s now 4 months overdue). This could be discussed at the next council meeting in March. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2011 Mr. Ellinger – A pre-construction meeting with Rogele was held on 2/8/11 regarding the Adams Street Project. They will be on site next week. The DCED Grant was in the amount of $238,000 for the retaining wall. The new project includes 460 ft. of sewer replacement, sanitary sewer and an update of Daron Alley. With these three items added as an update of the project, we need to amend the Professional Services Agreement by $12,400. A motion to approve was made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved by all present. Also, due to the building problems that occurred with the Swatara Street wall, Geotechnical Engineering will look at the sub grade prior to the wall being built. Mr. Spencer questioned who the developer is; Mr. Heefner will meet with Dauphin County Authority to discuss the issue and Mr. Wion stated that he will also be attending to find answers to a few questions. Referring back to the Rt. 230 contractor, Mr. Heefner stated that there is a company in York that makes macadam year-round. However, Penn DOT requires 40-degree temperatures to proceed with laying down the roadway. OTHER BUSINESS: Douglas E. Brown, Secretary/Treasurer – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon St. – lately there has been a major increase in the amount of trash on the street due to the windy conditions. His neighbors are not putting their trash in containers and are adding trash on top of containers. This has caused cats and other animals to dig into the bags and make quite a mess. Mr. Heefner informed everyone that a ticket system will be started to fine code violations starting at $45 each. It was questioned whether the fine was to the tenant or owner; it is to the owner who can then transfer the cost to the tenant. Mr. Powell was also concerned about his recycling cans being abused by York Waste workers. He stated that he has purchased two cans recently and that York Waste broke both of them. Mr. Spencer suggested that the cold temperatures could also play a part in the cans cracking if they are not brought into a garage, shed or other enclosure. Mr. Powell said he does not have that option. The Borough office will contact York Waste about this situation. Michael Coleman, 6454 Taunton Road, Lower Paxton Township, Harrisburg, 17111 (580-8006) who owns seven (7) properties in Steelton – his concern is with the property at 616 N. 2nd St. He pays $150-$160 for tenant background checks and other references to make sure he gets decent tenants. His tenant puts 1 ½ -2 cans worth of garbage out per week. The tenants at the property behind his (faces Front St. and includes three units) routinely put their trash on the back of his property. Lately wind has been an issue, so his tenants are only using bags for now. This has resulted in his receiving a fine -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting February 22, 2011 of $500 and $77 in court costs for these violations. Judge Lenker found him guilty despite his and his tenant’s testimony. He thinks it is unfair for the Borough to fine him for others’ trash and asked if the fine could be waived. Mr. Wright thanked him for coming and said the issue will be discussed with Ms. Zell and then the Borough will contact him. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Brown – Hull & Associates have received the Petroleum & Hazardous Substances Grant. Work will start at this week at 120 N. Front St. Mr. Wright – Thanked everyone for coming. He added that a late addition to the agenda was a letter from the Steel-High cheerleaders requesting a donation. Council members can contribute on their own if they would like. Mr. DeSanto – Invited everyone to attend the Black History Month Essay Contest Presentation at the Steel-High Elementary School on Thursday at 6:00pm. Presenters will be Reverend Tate and Charles Wallace. One hundred, three (103) essays were received from K through 8-graders at both Steel-High and Prince of Peace Schools. There were no other concerns from council members at this time. On motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Dr. Szada, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:23p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:13p.m.with a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Dr. Szada, the meeting adjourned at 8:13p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ Douglas E. Brown Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Secretary/Treasurer Executive Assistant -5-