City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 3, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery Wright Douglas E. Brown, Borough Stephen Shaver Manager Dennis Heefner Michael Albert Maria Marcinko MaryJo Szada Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve the September 19, 2011 Special Joint Meeting Minutes, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved by all present. Mr. Wion noted two changes: [On page 2, 2nd full paragraph should read: Mr. Wion suggested that we continue billing at the commercial rate unless the property owner provides separate meters.] [On page 3, before Adjournment add: Audience Participation/Public Comment. No residents were in attendance.] A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve the September 19, 2011 regular Council Minutes, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved by all present. Mr. Wion noted several changes: [The corrections of the minutes from September 6 should state – instead of “should read”, it should state “should be amended to include”: for each change made (page 5, 3rd paragraph, 6th paragraph and 7th paragraph and page 6 1st paragraph] [On page 3, 3rd paragraph: Mr. Brown introduced Resolution 2011-R-17; not R-18] EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS None. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Ms. Marcinko – presented a certificate of appreciation to Tom Crowley for the donation of his deceased wife’s Ford Explorer XLT to the Steelton Borough for use by Community Cats. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 3, 2011 Cynthia Witman Daley, PA Housing Alliance – presented an overview of the booklet, “Quick Guide: New Tools to Address Blight and Abandonment” and distributed a packet of information to Council members. She reminded members that this is a guide only; it is not intended to tell the Borough employees how to do their jobs. She also went into further detail about Act 90, Conservatorship, House Bill-1682 (Land Bank-Tax Sale System) and House Bill 1022 (Clear Title Act). Anthony Maydwell, WHTM-TV, ABC 27 – presented a Steelton Marketing proposal for a partnership with them to promote Central Pennsylvania and the available informative and/or enjoyable destinations around the state. The investment would provide on-air advertisements of “One Tank Trips” in the area through vignettes, internet exposure and commercial schedules, etc. The estimated net investment would be $4,250 for 7 months. Mr. Wright informed Mr. Maydwell that he would turn the matter over to the Finance Committee and that Mr. Brown would contact him soon. COMMUNICATION: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission – sent a letter informing the Borough that the Old Steelton High School (Felton Lofts) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 8, 2011. Lower Paxton Township Police Department – sent a letter of appreciation for Officer Etnoyer’s assistance at the county hiring consortium. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to place the letter in Mr. Etnoyer’s personnel file, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Tri-County Regional Planning Commission – sent a letter of official support for the Borough’s 2011-2012 local share assessment grant application. Masons of Pennsylvania, Paxton Lodge– sent an invitation to Councilman Jeffery Wright to attend their 2011 Annual Banquet on Saturday, November 5, 2011. Mr. Brown will be drafting proclamations for those being honored at the event. Joe Conjar– a memo was presented that Mr. Conjar sent to Mr. Brown regarding a problems with the storm sewer pipe at Rt. 230 & L St. Mr. Shaver suggested that this issue be turned over to the Public Works Committee for investigation. It was agreed that Mr. Heefner, Mr. Conjar and Mr. Arnold should discuss the matter and inform Mr. Brown of their findings when he gets back to town. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Wion – presented Ordinance No. 2011-9 amending chapter 85 to provide for registration, maintenance and security of abandoned real property; provides for penalties for violation; and provides for severability, conflicts and an effective date. Mr. Wion -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 3, 2011 explained that the codes staff has difficulty keeping up with deterioration of properties, mortgage defaults and foreclosures. This ordinance would require owners and companies to register, inspect, maintain and secure properties. Mr. Ted Mucellin, representing Federal Property Registration Corporation (FPRC) then spoke to the ordinance and how it might be used to alleviate the problems when a property goes into mortgage default or foreclosure and how FPRC can provide assistance to the Borough Code Enforcement staff in determining which banks and bank employees should be contacted to correct property problems. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve Ordinance No. 2011- 9, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – also presented an agreement between Steelton Borough and Federal Property Registration Corporation (FPRC) to provide services such as an electronic registration process for vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties so that the Borough can properly address violations of the Borough’s property maintenance codes. There is no cost to the Borough for this proposal. However, the FPRC will collect the fee of $200 per applicant to register all mortgagees; then they will remit 50% ($100) of the registration fee to the Borough for reimbursement of Borough costs and expenses. Mr. Wright questioned whether this proposal was discussed at an NEDC Committee meeting; Mr. Wion indicated that it was presented, and then he reviewed and prepared the agreement. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to authorize President Wright to sign the agreement on the condition of change to the word “program”. Ms. Marcinko seconded the motion and approval was made unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – presented the following resolutions establishing special purpose parking zones for: Resolution 2011-R-18 for Darlene Mae Sanderson at 646 S. 2nd St. Motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. Resolution 2011-R-19 for Hara Lewis at 121 S. 4th St. Motion made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present. Resolution 2011-R-20 for Charles Westbrook at 213 Swatara St. Motion made by Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. NEW BUSINESS: Ms. Marcinko – announced police officers that have received certificates of completion for various courses and training exercises. A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to have staff place the certificates in the officers’ personnel files. Mr. Shaver seconded the motion, and all present approved the motion unanimously. Mr. Heefner – initiated a discussion of Adams Street land development options. He recommends shortening the gap between the houses. Mr. Shaver suggested we keep the -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 3, 2011 12-foot space between the first 5 homes and the second 5 homes. The Steelton Planning Commission needs to review the site sketches from Mr. Cichy of HRG. Also, Mr. Cichy will report on the water/spring problem at the next Council meeting. Mr. Shaver then made a motion to keep the space between the two 5-home tracts at 12 feet with the end units (#1, #5, #6 and #10) increased in width to 24 feet. Mr. Heefner seconded the motion, and all present approved the motion unanimously. Mr. Wion - sought approval of the Memo of Understanding (MOU) between the Borough and Dauphin County. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. The letter of protest presented on William Ward’s behalf will be forwarded to the Police Committee for their discussion. Mr. Shaver – made a motion to have Mr. Wion and Borough staff draft documentation and advertising necessary for sale of the building at 107 N. Front Street, Steelton with a minimum price of $80,000, with the option for the Borough to accept or deny any bid offer. Mr. Spencer seconded the motion, and all present approved the motion unanimously. OTHER BUSINESS: Pres. Wright – no executive session was needed. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: There were no concerns presented by present Council members or Mayor Acri. Mr. Wright welcomed Mr. Musser back from his recent medical recovery. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Ms. Marcinko, the meeting adjourned at 7:59p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Kathy I. Sosnowski Executive Assistant -4-