City Council

AGENDA BOROUGH OF STEELTON June 4, 2012 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: President Wright with the Pledge of Allegiance MOMENT OF SILENCE: Thomas F. Acri, Mayor APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AS PRESENTED: EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Neighborhood & Economic Development Fire and Ambulance Personnel Police Public Works Code Enforcement Mayor’s Report (Mayor Acri) PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda items only COMMUNICATION: Steelton-Highspire School Board Minutes from April 10, 2012 and April 19, 2012 meetings. Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC (ZA) Management Representation Letter for the 2012 audit and 2012 Audit Report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Steve Shaver Update on building maintenance at the Fire Station. NEW BUSINESS: Sara Gellatly Discussion on 2013 CDBG Application.  AGENDA BOROUGH OF STEELTON June 4, 2012 Page 2 Maria Marcinko Appointment of Barb Coates to the Steelton Foundation. Mr. Wion Resolution 2012-R-___ approving the reserved parking spot for the Fire Chief during Borough business hours. Mr. Wion Resolution 2012-R-___ approving Council President Jeffery Wight and Borough Manager Sara Gellatly as the authorized individuals on behalf of the Borough to sign the agreement between the Borough of Steelton and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Transportation Enhancements Program. Denae House Discussion of road name change. OTHER BUSINESS: Sara Gellatly Executive Session (if necessary) AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: ADJOURNMENT:  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 6:29p.m. by President, Jeffery Wright, with the pledge of allegiance, followed by a moment of silence. In Attendance: Absent: Stephen Shaver MaryJo Szada Jeffery Wright Mayor Thomas Acri Michael Albert Maria Marcinko Raymond Spencer Denae House David A. Wion, Solicitor Sara Gellatly, Borough Manager Kathy I. Sosnowski, Executive Assistant APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion made by Mr. Albert, seconded by Ms. Marcinko, Council Members present voted unanimously to approve the minutes from May 21, 2012, as presented. APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve the schedules, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the department reports, seconded by Mr. Spencer and approved unanimously by all present. Neighborhood & Economic Development Fire & Ambulance Personnel – Mr. Shaver said an issue would be discussed in executive session. Police Public Works – Ms. Marcinko asked if Mr. Conjar and staff were going to work on the Locust St. steps. Ms. Gellatly stated that she talked to Mr. Conjar and they agreed to hold off until HRG is contacted. Code Enforcement Mayor’s Report PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda Items Only None. -1-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 COMMUNICATION: Steel-High School Board sent the minutes from their 4/10/12 and 4/19/12 meetings. Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC (ZA) sent a management representation letter for the 2012 audit and 2012 audit report. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Steve Shaver updated Council on building maintenance at the fire station. At last night’s Fire Committee meeting it was agreed that the sealant used on the second floor overhang (near the citizen entrance and 9/11 Memorial) did not work properly; they will ask Public Works to look at the overhang and see if they could do the repairs. They also discussed the ongoing problem of the floor leaning inside the building. HRG may have looked at it; there’s a possibility that concrete could be pumped into the empty cavern below. A crack in the side wall of the firehouse can be repaired or caulked by the Public Works Department. There are still major problems with the amount of rainfall and water coming into the rear of the station. Since this would be a larger than normal expenditure, the engineers at HRG should look at the possibilities. Mr. Spencer asked if there was an estimate on potential repairs; Mr. Shaver stated that Public Works had looked at it and tried to fix some problems, but more needs to be done before mold and mildew set in. NEW BUSINESS: Sara Gellatly discussed the 2013 CDBG application. NEDC recommends that the 2013 CDBG grant applications be applied for in the following order: 1) codes enforcement salary funding 2) Adams St. (apply for the balance needed to potentially install the drainage system) 3) Front St. demolition of Borough owned properties A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve the application process, seconded by Ms. House and approved unanimously by all present. Maria Marcinko recommended the appointment of Barbara Coates of the Steelton Senior Center to the Steelton Foundation. A motion was made by Ms. Marcinko to approve the appointment, seconded by Ms. House and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion presented Resolution 2012-R-21 approving the reserved parking spot for the Fire Chief during Borough business hours (7:00am to 4:00pm) on Angle Alley near -2-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 Second St. facing Front St. This was recommended since the Property Maintenance Officer is also the Fire Chief and would make it more efficient if he should get a fire call while working in the office. A motion was made by Mr. Albert to approve Resolution 2012-R-21, seconded by Ms. Marcinko and approved unanimously by all present. Mr. Wion presented Resolution 2012-R-22 approving Jeffery Wright and Sara Gellatly as the authorized individuals on behalf of the Borough to sign the agreement between the Borough of Steelton and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the Transportation Enhancements Program. A motion was made by Mr. Shaver to approve Resolution 2012-R-22, seconded by Mr. Albert and approved unanimously by all present. Denae House initiated a discussion of the name change of Franklin St. to Major H. Winfield Way. Ms. Gellatly stated that the costs for signage, advertising, etc. to other businesses on Franklin St. would be unreasonable. Mr. Shaver suggested that Franklin Street from Front Street to Canal Alley (behind the funeral home) could be changed without affecting other businesses. The Tate/Winfield family was hoping the change could be made in time for Fathers’ Day. Mr. Wright indicated that Council cannot act on this tonight and the issue will go to the NEDC for review. Mr. Shaver also stated that Front St. is a State highway and any changes would affect state maps and other literature. The family said that they were not agreeable to Franklin Street from Front Street to Canal Alley being renamed. The family also mentioned that there is no light from Sycamore St. in Harrisburg to Locust St. in Steelton, which makes Front St. look like a speedway at times. Mr. Shaver stated that the Borough would be responsible for maintenance of the intersection. A motion was made to approve Resolution 2012-R-23 by Mr. Albert, seconded by Ms. House and approved unanimously by all present. This resolution renames only the portion of Franklin St. from Front St. to Canal Alley as Major H. Winfield Way. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms. Gellatly informed Council that an Executive Session is needed to discuss a personnel matter. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: Joe Albert, 228 Elm St. stated his concern about teenagers loitering in the area of Fourth and Elm Sts. near Felton Lofts. There are sometimes 10 to 20 teens hanging out and being very noisy. It is to the point that he is fearful of having his visiting daughter sleep -3-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 in his home because the noise wakes her up as late as midnight and she is scared they could break in the home. He indicated that he has talked to several police officers and the chief who all say that “their hands are tied”. He also asked about ordinances to help with this problem, especially noise and curfew violations. Mr. Wright will ask the Police Committee to check into the laws, ordinances and resolutions that can be upheld to rectify the problem; their next meeting is scheduled for June 27, 2012. Mr. Wright also requested that Mr. Albert give the Borough staff time to make significant changes to find a solution. Mr. Albert also thinks that this area could possibly be worse than the intersection of Harrisburg and Lincoln Sts. Tyler Crosson, 175 Lincoln St. stated his support of the road name change to Winfield Way. He also agreed that the residents of the Borough need to “take the street back” by being proactive in the treatment of violators and help them understand how to act. Emuel Powell, 321 Lebanon St. stated his concern that the water pooling in front of Monumental AME Church on Adams St. is a disgrace to the city. We should be proud that this is the oldest black church around; instead it looks like the ghetto. He also expressed concern about appointing someone from the Senior Center to the Foundation; he thought Council had nothing to do with the seniors. Mr. Shaver said that the Foundation is a separate entity with its own director. Ms. Marcinko indicated that the Senior Center has its own 501-C-3. Lastly, Mr. Powell mentioned that the Neighborhood Watch set up by Lincoln St. residents is working to keep kids from hanging out near the corner store. Mr. Wright suggested that Mr. Albert discuss the Crime Watch program with Mr. Powell. Carl Atwell, 143 Adams St. expressed his concern that when digging began at Adams St. and Daron Alley, he has had water in his basement ever since (8 months). He was upset that as an 83-year old veteran of 3 wars he was treated disrespectfully. When Mr. Wright asked why he waited 8 months to notify us, Mr. Atwell stated that he was told by the Borough to wait until the insurance company could look into the situation. Ms. Marcinko then offered to visit Mr. Atwell with Mr. Conjar tomorrow to review the basement situation. Mr. Spencer was concerned that no work has been done and that the outside wasn’t patched. Jim Deimler, 131 N. 3rd St. stated his concern with the trees/shrubs at Hall & Stone Funeral Home being planted too close to the street at Paxton Alley, which makes it hard to see when pulling out onto Harrisburg St. Mr. Shaver stated that this is a traffic issue and requested that Ms. Gellatly contact them to trim their shrubs more regularly. Mr. Wright added his concern about what he called the “chaos on Fourth St”. He indicated that his 14-15 year old son doesn’t even go outside after school. We all know the noise is there, but residents need to speak up more often. We need residents to come to more meetings, not just when they have an issue. Borough Council needs more community support! Finally, he stated that he will serve only one more term on Council to see some of the progress on projects such as the Adams St. townhouses and the Front St. redevelopment. -4-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: Ms. House thanked everyone, including Mr. Wion for their support in renaming part of Franklin St. as Major H. Winfield Way. She is proud to be a “Steeltonian”. Mr. Shaver reminded everyone that the Borough has a good staff – please call them; they will help in all aspects. Mr. Albert asked everyone to encourage more residents, other than just Mr. Powell and Mr. Walmer of the Patriot News, to come to Council meetings. Ms. Marcinko encouraged the residents that came to support the Winfield family to come back to other meetings as well. She also was happy to hear that the filming of the prom and surrounding activities went well; she was out-of-town the night of the prom. She is also excited that the Borough will receive national attention for being involved in this documentary; the company was amazed at the diversity of the community and students involved. They especially liked the gathering before prom on Lincoln St. On motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Mr. Albert, the Council meeting recessed into executive session at 7:39 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. The Council meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m. Mr. Shaver recommended that Stephen Brubacher be permitted to resign as Property Maintenance Officer. If he does not resign, he will be terminated from the position. ADJOURNMENT: There being no other business before Council, on a motion by Mr. Shaver, seconded by Ms. Marcinko, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________ _______________________________ Sara Gellatly Kathy I. Sosnowski Borough Manager Executive Assistant -5-  Steelton Borough Council Meeting June 4, 2012 -6-