City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting May 2, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:33 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 Douglas E. Brown, Secretary/Treasurer Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant Michael Musser, Consultant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: The minutes of January 18, 2011 meeting were not ready for approval. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. COMMUNICATION: Federal Communications Commission – letter for narrowbanding deadline. Republic Services – letter for annual tipping fee and contractual rate increase PIRMA – renewal of liability coverage Mockenhaupt Benefits Group – Letter for Act 44 of 2009 procurement procedures resolution and conflict of interest policy. It was noted that the Borough needs to prepare a new resolution. Pa. League of Cities and Municipalities – letter requesting submission of project applications for 2011 Road and Bridge Safety Improvement Awards. Benecon Benefits and Consulting Group – fiscal note for early retiree reinsurance program estimates if the Borough were to enroll in the program. Friends of Midland Cemetery – received a citation in 2010; Buffalo Soldiers were invited to Washington, DC. Inviting Council to the annual memorial ceremony and -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting May 2, 2011 requesting annual contribution. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve a $500 annual contribution, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Heefner – presentation of recommendation from Handicapped Parking and Safety Committee regarding the handicapped parking policy. The committee met last week and reviewed a new application prepared by Chief Spangler, which if approved would allow the special privilege if the resident has a Commonwealth of Pa. disabled license plate. Mr. Shaver thinks the fee of $35 is not enough to cover the costs for the sign, the post and paint for the lines (not including labor). Mr. Heefner said he is in favor of the applicant paying for the sign and post. No final decision was made. A discussion ensued about the number of spaces per block, the average width of spaces, the average number of homes in each block and the clarification that a block is considered from corner to corner, including alleys. Either a limit of 2 spaces or 1/3 of spaces per block was suggested. Mr. Wion reviewed the Special Purpose parking Policy. Measure the distance from intersection to intersection; take 20 feet off each end. That leaves the distance divided by 20 = ________ x 1/3 equals the number of spaces in that block. Mr. Heefner said that this idea looks nice on paper, but the majority of blocks are not large enough to have that many spaces. For example, on Swatara Street the average block is 300 feet. If you reserve four 20-foot spaces for handicapped parking, there wouldn’t be enough parking for the remaining residents. Mr. Wright reminded everyone that this process was introduced for review only; no action is being taken tonight. Mr. Wion added that a PennDOT license plate is required. Mayor Acri also had a concern about limits. If we issue four spaces, and then someone else in that block has a severe stroke, they wouldn’t be able to get a permit. Mr. Wright concluded that each Council member should review the application and refer any concerns or questions to Mr. Heefner. Mr. Wion suggested that we retain the requirement that if your property has off-street parking, you don’t qualify for a special purpose parking permit. Mr. Wright directed Mr. Heefner to set up another meeting. Mr. Brown gave an update on the Veterans Appreciation Parade. The Police Department is closing the streets at 10:00am. Things seem to be coming together nicely. Mr. Wright asked whether Council members were going to speak; Doug assured him that they could. Mayor Acri said that a tree and tombstone have been placed at Veterans Park in memory of Thomas C. Butler who helped with the upkeep of the park. Ms. Sosnowski informed the group that former council member Lisa Wiedeman-Krosnar was an immense help with the ceremony program. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting May 2, 2011 The Mayor informed members that the Intergovernmental meeting with Highspire and the school board is cancelled until further notice (probably September). Mr. Shaver stated that the next Dauphin/Lebanon meeting is scheduled for July 26 at 6:00pm in Jonestown. Steelton will be hosting the meeting in August (or September). Also, the charge will be $10 for each person attending the meetings starting in 2012. He also informed the group that the next Dauphin County Planning Commission meeting will be held on the 20th in Hummelstown. The Tri-County Planning Commission recommends that our flood ordinance be sent to the Dauphin County Conservation District. The MOU (Memo of Understanding) for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission was discussed for planned growth management should adhere to the guidelines of the office. Grant program budget is $35,000 (Steelton/Swatara) divided by 15 = not a lot. Mr. Shaver noted that completion of Gibson Boulevard into Swatara Township going toward Rt. 441 would serve both communities well. Mr. Musser complimented Mr. Brown on an excellent job on the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority documentation. Mayor Acri said 2 of the 8 toilets work in the firehouse; could we use gaming money to repair toilets, stalls, showers, etc. It will cost an estimate of $1,200 to replace the toilets with water savers, remount and replace rings, etc. Replacing the broken toilets immediately was approved. There are also leaks in the back wall (not the roof). During the 9-11 memorial construction, they’re going to try to fix the neighbor’s steps beside the building (that’s where rainwater is leaking in). The engine had to have its pump replaced – they’re trying to separate invoices. They’re also having problems with Highspire Auto Truck Repair; electrical problems are not being fixed. Mayor Acri said trucks with electrical problems used to go to Fleet and small trucks would go to Rick’s Garage. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. OTHER BUSINESS: Douglas E. Brown – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting May 2, 2011 On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:05p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:20p.m. with a motion by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Heefner. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Spencer, the meeting adjourned at 8:31p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ Douglas E. Brown Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Secretary/Treasurer Executive Assistant -4-