City Council

Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 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 MaryJo Szada Stephen Shaver Michael Albert Dennis Heefner 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. Albert to approve the December 5, 2011 minutes, seconded by Mr. Heefner 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 schedules of billings, requisitions and change orders, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve department reports, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present with the following notes: Fire and Ambulance – it was corrected that the drivers’ list was approved at the last council meeting. Code Enforcement – Ms. Marcinko had concerns about the notation on the year- to-date citation report about the property at 209 Lincoln Street’s failure to remove raw sewage from the basement. Ms. Zell informed her that the property has been condemned; the family from 207 Lincoln Street has been displaced. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 2011 Mayor’s Report – Jim Hernjak from Arcelor Mittal contacted the Mayor regarding a major project that will begin in January and run through 2013. The $22-25 billion project to assemble a furnace will bring many contractors and workers to the Borough. Mr. Hernjak is concerned about locating parking spaces for these workers; one possibility mentioned was to use part of the lot that UPS now rents and shuttle the workers to and from the workplace. Mr. Heefner was concerned that the workers would encroach on parking spaces for public use to visit the Steelton Pharmacy, Turkey Hill and other business on and around Front Street. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver and seconded by Mr. Albert to have Mr. Brown, Mayor Acri, UPS and Arcelor Mittal work together to find a solution fair to all involved. NEW BUSINESS: Matt Cichy, HRG – presented EESSP (East End Sewer Separation Project) Penn Vest Reimbursement Request #17 in the amount of $535,449.34. Mr. Shaver questioned why this figure was different than the amount in application #9 ($512,408.52). Mr. Cichy indicated that the new figure includes additional costs for interest, financing, etc. A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approved Penn Vest Request #17 in the amount of $535,449.34, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Heefner still has concerns about rain water runoff in East End at Second St. Mr. Cichy said that HRG did check on this during a recent rain event and could not see any problems. Mr. Heefner also said he is still concerned about rain water flowing down Mrs. Vorkapich’s driveway. HRG will also have the contractor check into this problem. Finally, Mr. Cichy said he would report on the Adams Street developments at the February meeting. The Felton Lofts traffic study will be finalized in January. There are still questions on the proposal for the Mohn Street Park Project. Mr. Wion stated that the legal format has not changed, but there are potential costs for the future. Mr. Shaver said he hoped for fixed prices and/or reimbursable expenses. Mr. Wright said this project has also been discussed in the NEDC meetings. PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only. None. CORRESPONDENCE: Pennsylvania Borough Councils Association – sent a request for nominations for outstanding councilmember of the year award. Dauphin County DA’s office – sent a press release congratulating Steelton Police Department’s recent arrest stemming from the passing of the new synthetic drug law. -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 2011 West Shore Chamber of Commerce – sent an invitation to Capital Region Council of Governments meeting and dinner. Mr. Heefner usually attends this function. Since Mr. Heefner will continue to serve on the Planning Commission, Mr. Shaver said he should still attend; Mr. Brown will check to make sure the person attending doesn’t have to be a council member. Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities – sent a notice of newly elected officials training occurring in February. Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs – sent a letter requesting nominations for 2nd Vice President of the Association. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture – sent an invitation to attend the 9th annual Farm Show Public Officials Day. Mr. Wright indicated that he and Ms. Marcinko attended this event last year and had a chance to connect with many other government officials and local business people, as well as have great food and drinks at the many sample stations throughout the show. Borough of Steelton – Mr. Brown shared a letter to the United States Department of Commerce requesting a local match waiver to the Economic Development Assistance Grant. The Harrisburg Authority – sent a notice of Harrisburg Resource Recovery Facility gate rates effective January 1, 2012. NEW BUSINESS, CON’T: Mr. Wion - presented Resolution 2011-R-25 adopting the Borough of Steelton Fund Balance Policy to conform to GASB 54 standards. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve Resolution 2011-R-25, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Brown – requested approval to renew the Penn Prime Workers Compensation Insurance Contract for 2012. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the renewal, seconded by Mr. Shaver And approved unanimously by all present. Ms. Marcinko also wanted to say Congratulations to all Borough employees for safety on the job that helped keep costs Down for Workers Insurance. -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 2011 UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-26 adopting 2012 General Fund budget. Mr. Heefner his displeasure with this budget; he thinks we could have held the tax increase to One mil instead of a two mil increase. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve Resolution 2011-R-26, seconded by Mr. Shaver and approved by all council members except Mr. Heefner, who cast a “no” vote. Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-27 adopting 2012 Sewer Fund budget A motion was made by Mr. Heefner to approve Resolution 2011-R-27, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Heefner commended everyone Involved with the Sewer Fund budgeting process; they worked very hard. He also asked Mr. Brown if the new structure is bringing more revenues. Mr. Brown said it is a little Too soon to tell; the staff will check once we head into the next quarter. Mr. Wion – presented Ordinance No. 2011-12 fixing tax rates for 2012. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve Ordinance No. 2011-12, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-28 establishing the rates of discount and penalties on taxes levied under Ordinance No. 2011-12. A motion was made by Mr. Spencer to approve Resolution 2011-R-28, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-29 intersection on S. 3rd Alley, “S” Street and “T” Street. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to Resolution 2011-R-29, seconded by Mr. Shaver And approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-30 to eliminate the handicapped space at 524 N. Second St. formerly occupied by Delphine Gould. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve Resolution 2011-R-30, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 2011 Mr. Wion – presented Resolution 2011-R-31 to eliminate the handicapped space at 49 S. Harrisburg St. formerly occupied by Ada Schmiedel. A motion was made by Mr. Spencer to approve Resolution 2011-R-31, seconded by Mr. Heefner and approved unanimously by all present. Ms. Sylvie Zell was asked by Mr. Heefner to present the plans for final approval of the Subdivision of the Pilsitz residence at 2454 S. 5th St. (Parcel #57-017-013). The Subdivision plan was approved by the Planning Commission Board at the November 2, 2011 meeting. Ms. Zell showed the proposed plans and requested approval with the Following waivers: 1) final instead of preliminary plan (motion: Mr. Shaver/second: Mr. Albert) 2) no installation of sidewalks; other properties in East End don’t have them (motion: Mr. Shaver/second: Mr. Albert) 3) signature block and DEP exemption – Mr. Wion asked if the engineer reviewed this proposal; Ms. Zell said that he did. (motion: Mr. Shaver with conditional approval that signature block and DEP exemption must be received/second: Mr. Spencer); approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Heefner commented that he hoped Mr. Pilsitz understands the waiting period AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: None. COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Ms. Marcinko – commented that the Department of Commerce letter written by Mr. Brown was an excellent piece of correspondence. Congratulated the Chief and the Police Department for the recent drug arrest. Mr. Shaver – wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanked Mr. Heefner for his years of service to the Borough. Commented that this year’s budget was one of the toughest, doing more and more with less and less. Mr. Albert – wished everyone Happy Holidays. Mr. Spencer – commended Mr. Heefner for his dedication and amount of time spent serving the residents of the Borough; has appreciated his input with all projects and his extended knowledge of construction that helped finalize many of the plans. Mayor Acri – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanked Mr. Heefner for this service to the Borough. Thanked the Finance Committee and Budget Committee for their hard work this year; they were torn having to raise taxes (1% land, 1% property). -5-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting December 19, 2011 Mr. Wion – thanked Mr. Heefner for the extra time put into many projects, planning commission, zoning ordinances, meetings; especially his time with the highway department. He also commended Mr. Heefner for his attention to major projects and involvement with engineers on such projects as the East End Sewer Separation Project and the Adams Street Development; what’s best for the citizens of the Borough has always been on his mind. Mr. Brown – has appreciated the guidance Mr. Heefner has given him since he started at the Borough in February. Mr. Wright – reiterated Mr. Wion’s thought that Mr. Heefner always thinks of what’s good for the Borough of Steelton; thanked Mr. Heefner for his support through the years. Mr. Heefner – thanked everyone for their appreciative comments and promised to keep working to make the Borough of Steelton a successful community, possibly by running for representative of the 103rd District (replacing Ron Buxton). EXECUTIVE SESSION: Douglas E. Brown – requested an executive session to discuss personnel matters, land acquisition and potential litigation issues. On motion by Mr. Albert, seconded by Mr. Shaver, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:46p.m.to discuss personnel matters. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:12p.m. with a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Spencer. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to accept the resignation of Justin Hayman, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present; also, the position should be advertised as soon as possible. It was recommended that we keep Mr. Flannery as Uniform Attorney until Mr. Miller is appointed at the January reorganization meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Heefner, seconded by Mr. Spencer, the meeting adjourned at 8:16p.m. Respectfully submitted, ______________________________ ______________________________ Douglas E. Brown Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Manager Executive Assistant -6-