City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 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 Douglas E. Brown, Borough Manager Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS PRESENTED: Mr. Shaver confirmed that there were two “Nay” votes for the police vehicle in the November 7, 2011 minutes; Mr. Wion mentioned that public comment was offered before the adjournment on November 3, 2011. . A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve the November 3, 2011 and November 7, 2011 minutes, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously with the following correction: [November 3rd minutes: page 2, 5th paragraph, 2nd sentence should read: “She also stated that before any full time police officer would be furloughed the part time hours should be cut.”] A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the Finance Committee Budget Meeting minutes of October 13, October 18, October 24 and October 31, 2011. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS None. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED: A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve schedules of billings, requisitions and change orders, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 2011 APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve all departmental reports, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously. NOTES: Fire and Ambulance – Mr. Shaver made a motion to accept the drivers report, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. Public Works – Mr. Heefner stated that the latest meeting was rescheduled due to Mr. Conjar attending a school board meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. CORRESPONDENCE: Mr. Brown presented a letter to the Teamsters Union requesting an agreement to use 2 Part-Time Officers at Full-Time Hours in 2012. A Press Release was received from the Steelton Highspire School District for the MLK Day of Service. A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to place a copy of Officer Scott Rupert’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in his personnel file, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved unanimously. Mr. Brown distributed a letter of support for Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority’s EPA Application. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: John Logan of Pinnacle Life Team was present to discuss the proposal for Pinnacle Community Life Team to provide ambulance service to the Borough. Mr. Logan confirmed for Ms. Marcinko that Pinnacle owns Community Life Team, which is a non- profit subsidiary, who pays ambulance worker salaries. He also stated that there are ambulance units present in four locations: at Brenner Motors lot on Paxton St., 3600 N. Sixth St., as well as in Lykens and Elizabethville. He also stated that if Swatara Township is included in the proposal, they will bring their vehicles, staff and equipment. Mr. Heefner questioned whether a Life Team vehicle could be housed at the Steelton Firehouse. Mr. Spencer said that he thought response time is adequate. Doctor Szada was concerned that response times of 4-6 minutes could be fatal for a heart attack victim, as brain death can occur in that time. She also was concerned about how many units -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 2011 were available at the River Rescue Building; Mr. Logan stated that there are 14 units in the city of Harrisburg and 4 units in Swatara Township, but some are obviously out on calls and each vehicle needs to be serviced on a regular basis. Doctor Szada again expressed her concerns that with citizens in Upper Dauphin, Swatara Township, the City of Harrisburg and Steelton Borough response times could increase. Mr. Logan assured Council that there are an adequate number of ambulances to have efficient response times. Ms. Marcinko questioned the use of “mutual aid”; Chief Vance indicated that the Borough currently uses Life Team and Swatara Township. Mr. Logan also indicated that Life Team currently answers a good deal of Borough calls. New Cumberland, Lower Swatara Township and Middletown are also on hand. The first dispatch is within 3 minutes, with a recall after 3 minutes. Mr. Marcinko supported Mr. Heefner’s suggestion that a vehicle be housed at the Steelton Fire Department and asked Mr. Logan to inform Council of how much extra cost would be incurred. Kara Allison, Hull & Associates presented the Borough Application for an EPA Brownfield Grant to clean up the properties at 120, 140 and 154 N. Front St. Benzene, lead and oils were found to contaminate the areas. The grant of $200,000 would be used to excavate 300 tons of soil down 13 feet and replace it with clean fill. There are also three (3) tanks to be removed. After the work is done, samples will be tested quarterly for a period of one year. Ms. Allison also gave an update on the current Brownfield assessment grants, noting that they are almost completely spent. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Matt Cichy, HRG - presented change order #2 in the amount of $57,772.76 for time and materials claims. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve the change order, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously. Mr. Cichy also presented Penn Vest reimbursement request #16 in the amount of $27,303.23. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the request, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. When Council was asked if they had questions for Mr. Cichy, Mr. Shaver requested a progress report on the seeding and wall questions about the Adams Street Project. Mr. Heefner still has concerns about runoff water going across streets in East End instead of going into the catch basins. Ms. Marcinko indicated that she did see someone working in that area recently. Mr. Wright asked Mr. Brown to make sure all Council concerns are addressed by HRG. Mr. Brown - was asked to follow up on Ms. Hughes (518 N. Front St.) sewer backup issue. Mr. Brian Handley stated that he checked on the situation two weeks ago; the water is backing up from Jefferson St. When asked if the issue at Doctor Kambic’s office was from the same problem, Brian said that was a storm sewer malfunction. Dr. Szada asked why the sump pump at her property on Front St. runs all the time; Brian indicated that the water table has been high since the flooding so most basements will still have -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 2011 water. Mr. Shaver reminded Dr. Szada that Ms. Hughes problem is septic in nature; hers is not. Mr. Brown and Brian reminded Council that if the requested sewer camera is purchased, they’ll be able to check into problems further. Ms. Marcinko suggested that Borough staff make a point to check on the Hughes property the next time it rains one inch or above. Mr. Brown – asked Ms. Nsini Akpan of 742 N. 2nd St. to step up to the microphone to explain the concerns she has with her water and sewer billings. She indicated that there were problems between the inside and outside meters; one malfunctioned. On September 24, 2011 the malfunctioning meter was replaced. Because of the problem the meter readings from January, 2011 to July, 2011 were incorrect. The 8/1/11 bill was then issued incorrectly (a total bill of only $57.24 should have been a “red flag”) but the resident didn’t question it. She now wants relief for excessive charges because nobody caught the problem. Mr. Heefner and Mr. Shaver requested that the staff check into the situation. Mr. Brown said that we have been looking into it; Mr. Shaver told her to wait until she hears from the Borough office before paying the bill. Mr. Shaver requested further discussion on the bus stop & crosswalk at Front and Dupont Sts. He understands that Arcelor Mittal does not want the responsibility for a bus shelter, but requested that Borough staff paint lines and a crosswalk in the spring. Mr. Heefner stated that if the temperature is 50 degrees or warmer, lines can be painted so depending on the weather this could be done sooner. Mr. Shaver requested further discussion on additional ideas for mixed use sewer users. He indicated that many business owners have asked for some type of relief; he asked if we could charge ½ price for Front St. customers already in the Borough for one year. Mr. Heefner still recommended putting separate meters in commercial and residential units. Mr. Shaver said revenues would decrease if owners are not charged the whole amount. Mr. Wright referred the matter to the NEDC; he also asked Mr. Brown to have the staff check the numbers to indicate savings/losses. Ms. Marcinko also asked that another issue be added to the NEDC agenda: the sewer increase is not saving seniors as much as we thought it would. Mr. Handley then reminded everyone that water and sewer rates are not figured in the same way. The NEDC will follow up on the issue. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Brown led a discussion of the traffic study completed on Bowers Ave. Residents are having problems backing out of their driveways because of cars parked in the alley. Officer Shaub’s study concluded that “No Parking” signs should be erected on both sides of the street. Mr. Wion reminded Council that he needs the beginning and ending street names for the ordinance. Mr. Brown shared a proposal from Rogele, Inc. to remove the bollards at Front & Locust Sts. due to repeated damage. Mr. Heefner stated that full sized curbs will need to replace -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 2011 the bollards; that will cost a lot of money. Dr. Szada said that the truck drivers that wreck into them should be held accountable for replacing them; Mr. Heefner said that the security guards at Arcelor won’t get involved/name trucking companies. Ms. Marcinko presented the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area 2012 Municipal Domestic Animal Protective Service Agreement. She noted that we do not owe them for this year’s contract; there was a $3,500 surplus. Mr. Wion indicated that there are some minor changes from last year’s agreement, but that he endorses its acceptance. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve the agreement, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. Mr. Brown sought approval to retain Capital Tax Collection Bureau to collect delinquent taxes for 2011 & years prior. Keystone will collect for 2012 and beyond, but will not go backward. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve keeping CTCB for past amounts, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Ms. Mary Slade, 2750 S. 3rd St. – requests relief from the sewer portion of her bill for the water she used to water her garden; much as the pool owners get relief to top off their pools each year. Mr. Shaver reminded her that the bill is based on water usage. Mr. Spencer stated that her water isn’t going into the sewer just as pool owners’ water. Mr. Wright directed office staff to review the situation and report back to Council. Mr. Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon St. – requested that the street sign at Bessemer and Lebanon Sts. be replaced; it was knocked down during last year’s snow removal. Also, the three yellow posts to protect the fire hydrant at Lebanon and Cameron Sts. need to be fixed and/or replaced. Lastly, because there are no curbs, the water runs into the street. Macadam that was replaced was washed away, so now it needs paved again. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Ms. Marcinko – she thinks that when we passed the resolution making Third Alley “no parking”, we should have notified residents of why the signs were put up. Also, the State Champion sign at Front and T Sts. was damaged by a hit-and-run driver; it needs to be repaired. Mr. Albert – he reported that his team had a record of 15-6, but lost at the Super Bowl. He also wanted to thank Chief Vance and the Fire Department for providing light to the teams during a recent lighting problem at the field. -5-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting November 21, 2011 Mr. Spencer – he indicated that the 9/11 Memorial Display is very tasteful; recommended that everyone stop to see it. He also wished everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving”. Mr. Shaver - he congratulated Mr. Albert and his team. He also wished everyone a “Happy Thanksgiving”. Dr. Szada – “Happy Thanksgiving” Mayor Acri – he also congratulated Mr. Albert and said “Happy Thanksgiving”. OTHER BUSINESS: Douglas E. Brown – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 8:07p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:24p.m. with a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Shaver. A motion was made by Dr. Szada to approve the agreement with Salzman Hughes Attorneys regarding a legal matter, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Dr. Szada, seconded by Mr. Heefner, the meeting adjourned at 8:27p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ Douglas E. Brown Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Manager Executive Assistant -6-