City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Vice President, Stephen Shaver, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Jeffery Wright Michael Albert Stephen Shaver Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Douglas E. Brown, Borough Manager Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve the October 3, 2011 minutes, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS None. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve the schedules of billings, requisitions and change orders, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve department reports, seconded by Mr. Wright and approved unanimously by all present. Neighborhood & Economic Development Fire and Ambulance Personnel Police – Ms. Marcinko congratulated the Chief on low overtime figures -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 Public Works – They did not have an October meeting; they will meet in November before the legislative meeting at 4:30. Thanks to Swatara Township for painting the yellow lines on Swatara Street. Our Public Works Department is working on new street signs. Code Enforcement Mayor’s Report - Trick-or-Treat in Steelton will be October 27th from 6-8:00pm; the “Haunted Firehouse” will be open from 6-9:00pm. The next intergovernmental meeting will be on November 10th. The Borough Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Tuesday, December 6th at 6:30pm, where Santa will hand out gift bags to the children in attendance. He also announced the formation of “Dr. MLK Volunteer Day” by Mr. Welsh/Department of Education, Dr. Audrey Utley of Steel-High Schools and Barbara Barksdale. It would be held each year on January 6th, encouraging school age children to volunteer to help other residents clean up their properties and other areas of town. Ms. Zell is the Borough contact for the event; but the Borough has no responsibility whatsoever. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. CORRESPONDENCE: Dauphin County Office of Commissioners – requesting letters of intent for Bureau of Recovery and Mitigation Hazard Mitigation Grant Program; to Mr. Brown for action. PA State Association of Boroughs – subscription renewal to Borough News. Mr. Brown will order one copy for the Borough. Steelton-Highspire School District – Board Minutes from 7/25 and 8/8 meetings were distributed. Mr. Heefner questioned if we were going to reciprocate with our minutes. PA Department of Environmental Protection – issuance of post-closure permit to Arcelor Mittal for the landfill at its facility located at 215 S. Front Street. City of Harrisburg – 2011 Engineers Report for Wastewater Treatment Facility & Sewer Conveyance System. A rate increase by the City of Harrisburg may be necessary in 2012 for treating the Borough’s waste. Herbert, Rowland & Grubic – letter to Joao & Bradley regarding remaining items related to the East End Sewer Separation Project. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 Mid Penn Bank – notice of payoff of GOB Note Series of 2009. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Brown – presented Zelenkofske Axelrod (ZA) paperwork to provide auditing services for 2011 year end audit. (Quotes had been received from Boyer and Ritter, RSK from Lancaster, and ZA.) He also sought recommendations from other local municipalities; this was also discussed by the Finance Committee. A motion was made by Mr. Wright to approve, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Brown – Shared response to county regarding Adams St. MOU, which was approved. Mr. Wion stated that there are exhibits on the MOU, as well as a site description. The retaining wall is outside of the perimeter. On the second exhibit, sketch #5 the additional five lots should be removed; there is not enough room to achieve the results desired by council. Mr. Brown – Felton Lofts sidewalk improvements were discussed. Mr. Shaver recommended that the issue be referred to Mr. Heefner and the Community & Economic Development Committee. Ms. Marcinko questioned why there were no sidewalks on the Felton Lofts side of the street. Mr. Heefner questioned if they were going to replace the sidewalk on the residents’ side; the engineer for Winn Development (Navarro & Wright) did not change the plans when Penn Rose took over; they will only replace one half. Mr. Heefner and Mr. Brown estimate replacement of ½ pavement macadam to cost approximately $26,244. Mr. Shaver referred the matter back to committee. Mr. Brown – requested approval of the Frontier equipment purchase agreement & services agreement. Mr. Wion indicated that changes came back that were acceptable. Mr. Wion noted that the contract was bid through the National Joint Power Alliance, of which the Borough is now a member. A motion was made by Mr. Spencer to approve the agreements, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. Ed Ellinger, HRG – presented the monthly Engineers Report. A motion was made to accept the report by Mr. Wright, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. He then presented East End Sewer Separation Payment Application #9 to Joao & Bradley in the amount of $512,480.52. A motion was made by Mr. Wright to approve the payment, seconded by Dr. Szada and approved unanimously by all present. The physical work is complete; paperwork still needs to be done. A motion was made by Mr. Spencer to rescind Penn Vest disbursement request #15 from last month in the amount of $29,261.83, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Wion – presented Ordinance No. 2011-11, amending the Police Pension Plan & Fund in order to comply with the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (Heart). A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve Ordinance No. 2011-11, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – presented Ordinance No. 2011-10, for the elimination of specified special purpose parking zones. Seven spaces should not be eliminated as advertised. They are: • Gibson, 2613 S. Second St. • Goodman, 139-1/2 Adams St. • Washington, 443 Lincoln St. • Totten, 519 S. Front St. • Thaug, 615 S. Front St. • Keister, 327 S. Front St. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve elimination of those addresses from the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Wright and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion then suggested that consideration of the ordinance be tabled until the next meeting on November 7th, where an amended ordinance will be presented. Mr. Heefner – led a discussion on land development/subdivision engineering fees. He gave as an example the attempt to bring a grocery store to the Borough; the Borough actually got stuck with the fees associated with this endeavor. Mr. Heefner then suggested that a line item for engineering fees be placed on the application. Mr. Ellinger from HRG estimated the minimum fees would be between $2,000 and $3,000. Mr. Shaver requested that Mr. Brown and staff check on the going rates for engineering fees, development costs and escrow. He suggested surveying the 3-county area. Mr. Wion spoke on behalf of Ms. Zell, Code Enforcement to request a motion to withdraw the Pilsitz subdivision plan and waive the application fee previously approved by Council. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve the withdrawal, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon St. – requested that the Borough office place a note in the next water bill stressing that no parking spaces can be reserved when snow is cleared from a space; any chair or other item can be removed by Borough personnel. He also questioned the integrity of Steelton’s water; the Borough’s water purification system is one of the best systems around. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Shaver – informed everyone present that the Mayor’s wife, Peggy was involved in an accident on the West Shore, which is why the Mayor left in the middle of the meeting; we should have her in our prayers. He also stated that the end date for FEMA/PEMA flood applications is November 14th – residents can either go to the Harrisburg Mall or contact FEMA/PEMA on the internet. Mr. Heefner – none. Ms. Marcinko – As of Friday, Steelton Borough Community Cats handled over 900 cats; 30 cats short of using the first installment of grant money. The second installment of $16,200 is due around the middle of January. Mr. Wright – thanked Mr. Shaver for presiding over the beginning of the meeting in his absence. Mr. Spencer – none. Dr. Szada – none. OTHER BUSINESS: Mr. Wion – requested an executive session to discuss a legal matter in regard to the East End Sewer Separation Project’s payments/issues. On motion by Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:39p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:09p.m. with a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Spencer. Mr. Brown requested that Council award a contract to Motorola through Costars c/o Capital Area Communications for the purchase of narrowband radios for public works, codes and the water department. A motion was made by Dr. Szada to approve the contract, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. -5-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting October 17, 2011 ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the meeting adjourned at 8:09p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ Mr. Douglas E. Brown Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Manager Executive Assistant -6-