City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 7, 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 Stephen Shaver Michael Albert Dennis Heefner MaryJo Szada Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Mayor Thomas Acri David A. Wion, Solicitor Kathy Sosnowski Douglas E. Brown, Borough Manager APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the October 17, 2011 minutes, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously with the following corrections: On page 3, Mr. Shaver noted that Navarro & Wright are the engineers for Penn Rose; and he did not make the motion because he ran the meeting. [After listening to the tape, Ms. Sosnowski believes it was Mr. Spencer.] Also on page 3, Ms. Marcinko indicated that the sidewalks in question are on the opposite side of Fourth Street (there are no sidewalks on the school side). She did not question whether they were on Felton Lofts side. EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS None. PUBLIC COMMENT: None. COMMUNICATION: The letter to Patriot News regarding 2012 meetings was distributed to Council members; Mr. Shaver indicated a committee name change: The Fire, Ambulance and EMS Committee should be the “Fire, Ambulance and EMA Committee”. A letter was received from the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study (HATS) with notification of future HATS meetings. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 7, 2011 A letter was received from the Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority with notification of the local share assessment grant application hearing. A copy of the Hull & Associates Brownfield’s grant quarterly progress report was distributed to Council members for their information. The cover letter from Mockenhaupt regarding the audited financial statement for Non- Uniform Pension Plan for year ending 12/31/09 and 12/31/10 was distributed; Mr. Brown has the documents for Council review upon request. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Brown summarized the Felton Lofts sidewalk replacement; the current scope is the replacement of 5 feet of sidewalk all along 4th St., and the repair/replacement of ADA curb but areas at both ends of that sidewalk. This work costs $22,468 and is the current plan of action. All other options would require an upcharge. Mr. Heefner made a motion to keep the same scope of work, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. Mayor Acri mentioned that Felton Lofts in currently searching for maintenance men and janitors; Mr. Wright indicated that advertising has been in the newspaper. NEW BUSINESS: Mrs. Hughes sent a letter of complaint regarding sewer backup at 518 N. Front St. When it rains one inch or more, sewage comes into the house. Roto-Rooter found nothing wrong, but suggested replacing the sewer back valve which costs $850. She requests reimbursement from the Borough. Mayor Acri questioned whether the problem could be more widespread; Mr. Heefner stated that possible HRG should check into the matter. Mr. Wright requested that Mr. Brown contact HRG and Ms. Hughes and bring the results to Council at the next meeting. Mr. Shaver made a motion to remove this issue from the table for now, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. Mr. Wion presented Ordinance No. 2011-10 for elimination of certain special purpose parking spaces. Ms. Marcinko received clarification that the signs will also be removed; Mr. Heefner wants to make sure the blue lines are blackened and the poles are removed. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve Ordinance No. 2011-10, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. Mr. Wion presented Resolution 2011-R-21 for a handicapped parking space for William A. Ward at 232 Elm St. Mr. Wion indicated that Mr. Ward requested reconsideration and the police approved since another sign will be removed by Ordinance No. 2011-10. Dr. Szada questioned whether it would be easier to keep the old sign up; Mr. Shaver advised that the ordinance states that we have to move the sign down the street. Ms. Marcinko -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 7, 2011 suggested that we recycle the sign and pole. A motion was made to approve Resolution 2011-R-21 by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved unanimously. Mr. Wion presented Resolution 2011-R-22 for a “No Parking Zone” to be designated on both sides of S. 3rd Alley between “S” St. and “T” St. A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve Resolution 2011-R-22, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. Mr. Brown requested a discussion on accepting credit/debit card payments for utility billing. Mr. Wright reminded Council that this issue has been discussed before. Mr. Shaver made a motion for Mr. Brown to proceed checking on bids, not to exceed $1,500, for credit card payment service. The motion was seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. Mr. Brown presented the police request for a new vehicle. Mr. Heefner feels that the Borough should delay purchasing a vehicle at this time to cut back on the amount of a tax increase. Mr. Wright stated that he supports buying police vehicles because we have old cars. He also stated that we could get in a situation where we don’t purchase a car in 2011, but then have to replace one in 2012. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver approving purchase, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. Mr. Brown then requested that money be redesignated to a capital purchase line item in the 2011 police budget. A roll call vote was taken: Dr. Szada – No Mr. Spencer – Yes Mr. Albert – Yes Mr. Wright – Yes Mr. Shaver – Yes Ms. Marcinko – Yes Mr. Heefner - No AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Mr. Robert S.Viguers, 109 Wayne Drive, Harrisburg, 17112 (717-545-2622) – noted that Baldwin Cemetery is in terrible condition and asked if the Borough could find some group(s) to clear debris, reset stones, etc. Ms. Marcinko suggested that volunteers could be used; Mr. Brown will make sure she gets the information needed from Mr. Viguers. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Mr. Heefner - asked if Mr. Brown has heard from the State regarding Pine Street repaving. Mr. Brown stated that he had not, but that he would contact them again. Mr. Heefner also said that he spoke to several Steelton postal workers; they indicated that if -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 7, 2011 the local post office moves to Middletown they would not have a “home”, so the Steelton office could stay. The Mayor interjected that the move to Middletown is imminent and Steelton’s outlook does not look good; he asked that Borough Council and employees not talk too positively and get residents’ hopes up too high. Ms. Marcinko - brought up concerns about mixed-use metering and asked Mr. Brown to check previous minutes to see if residents were authorized to split meters in their home, or at curbs. Ms. Marcinko also asked Mr. Brown to check sewer/water bills. She is concerned that sewer is being charged at a minimum usage rate when it shouldn’t be. On Saturday, December 10 the Steelton Borough Community Cats will hold a rabies/distemper clinic from 10-12:00. For dog licenses, residents should call the treasurer’s office. Mr. Shaver - requested that Mr. Brown check into the CSO fact sheet. He believes an outdated CSO fact sheet went with the 3rd quarter billing. Mr. Brown will check and, if this is correct, send the updated version in the next billing. Mr. Albert - stated that the 6-7 year old and 8-0 championships will be held this weekend. Mr. Spencer – none. Dr. Szada – none. Mr. Wright – stressed that decisions should come through the Borough Manager, not the staff. He also wished everyone good luck on the election tomorrow. Ms. Marcinko – reminded everyone that on Friday, Nov. 11 there will be a 9-11 Memorial dedication at 1:00pm. OTHER BUSINESS: Douglas E. Brown – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Ms. Marcinko, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:22p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 7:50p.m. with a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert. Council then began discussing the switch in ambulance services to Life Team. Mr. Brown stated that Mr. John Logan will be at the November 21, 2011 meeting to answer any questions or concerns that Council may have. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 7, 2011 Mr. Spencer asked if the Borough has recently gone to bid on healthcare because there could be significant saving. Mayor Acri reminded everyone that the Christmas Tree Lighting is on December 6th. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Albert, the meeting adjourned at 8:00p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ Douglas E. Brown Borough Manager -5-