City Council

Page |1 Borough of Steelton Council Agenda November 18, 2013 CALL MEETING TO ORDER: President Wright with the Pledge of Allegiance MOMENT OF SILENCE: Thomas F. Acri, Mayor EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BETWEEN MEETINGS: APPROVAL OF SCHEDULES OF BILLINGS, REQUISITIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS AS PRESENTED APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REPORTS: Fire and Ambulance Police Public Works Code Enforcement Water Filtration Plant Borough Manager’s Report Mayor’s Report PUBLIC COMMENT: Agenda items only PRESENTATION: None COMMUNICATION: Matt Cichy Engineering Activities UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: Borough Manager Approval of Highway Laborer Employee and Part-time Water Distribution Employees AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION: COUNCIL’S CONCERNS: EXECUTIVE SESSION  Page |2 Borough of Steelton Council Agenda November 18, 2013 OTHER BUSINESS: ADJOURNMENT:  Minutes of the Steelton Borough Council November 18, 2013 Meeting Call Meeting to Order: The meeting of Steelton Borough Council, held at the Steelton Borough Municipal Building, was called to order at 6:30 pm by Council President Jeffery L. Wright. Officials Present: Officials Absent: Jeffery L. Wright President Denae House, Councilperson Maria Marcinko Vice President Maryjo Szada, Councilperson Michael Albert Pro Tem Thomas F. Acri, Mayor Steven Shaver Councilperson Raymond Spencer Councilperson David Wion Solicitor Sara Gellatly Borough Manager Scott Spangler Police Chief Matthew Cichy Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic, Inc. . Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council President Jeffery L. Wright. Moment of Silence: Mr. Wright led a moment of silence. Executive Sessions Held Between Meetings: Councilman Wright announced that no Executive Sessions were conducted between Steelton Borough Council meetings. Approval of Meeting Minutes: No minutes were presented to Council for approval at this meeting. Approval of Schedules of Billings, Requisitions and Change Orders as Presented: A motion to approve schedules of billings, requisitions, and change orders as presented was entertained by Mr. Wright. A motion was made by Councilman Albert, seconded by Councilwoman Marcinko and the motion carried. Approval of Department Reports: Councilman Wright opened the floor to Council, the Mayor, and Borough staff present at the meeting to ask any questions or make comments about the Department Reports as presented to Council for approval. The following written or oral reports were presented to Council for consideration: Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 1  • Fire and Ambulance Report- Ms. Gellatly noted that this report is not included due to her being out of the office when the packets for the meeting were being prepared. This report would be available at the next meeting. • Police Report • Public Works Report- Ms. Marcinko stated that Mr. Powell is not present for the meeting but wanted to note that she walked the Angel Avenue area off of Second Street and was not sure what he was indicating because you are able to walk through it. There are no trees over the pathway. Ms. Marcinko said if he does not show up at the meeting then she will knock on his door and address the issue at that time. • Code Enforcement Report • Water Filtration Plant • Borough Manager’s Report- Ms. Gellatly stated that tomorrow evening HRG and the Borough will be presenting the Gaming Presentation to the County. On Friday November 8th, Ms. Gellatly shared that she met with the School District and the County with regards to the Land Bank and gaining their understanding of the MOU. In January the School District will be signing the Land Bank MOU. Ms. Gellatly also shared that on November 8th, she met with Bill from HRG and Fred from Dauphin County Affordable Housing along with Mr. Spencer and Ms. House. They discussed the Adams Street Project and noted that they are moving forward. Another meeting will take place in the future to discuss more details. • Mayor’s Report-Mr. Wright shared that Mayor Acri had to attend a funeral and that is why he is not present to give a report. A motion was made to approve the department reports by Ms. Marcinko and seconded by Mr. Albert. The motion carried. Public Comment on Agenda Items: No members of the public offered comments. Presentations: No presentations were given. Communications: Mr. Matt Cichy, Engineering Activities Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 2 Blueberry Alley Storm Sewer Replacement: Borough public works staff performed a camera investigation; however, there was some blockages in the pipe that prevented the cameras from getting into the area where the pipes intersect. The intersection underground is still unknown at this time. HRG has a meeting with Public Works staff later this week to discuss moving forward. An option which is being considered is, during construction, having the contractor dig up the area and expose it as one of the first steps of the project. Streetscape Phase #2 Project: PennDOT has coordinated with the Borough to award and execute contract documents. The next steps for that project will include a preconstruction meeting with the contractor, the Borough and PennDOT. As previously reported, construction is scheduled to begin in March 2014 and end by the beginning of November 2014. Borough Building Roof Replacement: A preconstruction conference was held on November 6, 2013, with representatives of the contractor, the Borough and HRG present. Per the terms of the contract, the work must be substantially complete by December 20, 2013. The contractor anticipates that the actual work will take approximately 2 weeks. During that time period there will be some parking spaces that will be blocked of for dumpsters, etc. Washington Street Storm Sewer Replacement: Field survey efforts for this project will begin today, November 18, 2013. Once the field survey is completed, base mapping will begin and upon completion of the base mapping, project design will commence. Unfinished Business: At this time in the meeting, Mr. Powell was present and Ms. Marcinko provided the update on Angel Avenue and that there was no blockage. Mr. Powell noted that he wasn’t able to drive, not walk. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Borough would look into it. Mr. Wion, Adoption of the revised 2014 MMO Police Pension Plan Resolution in the amount of $143,450 Mr. Wion stated that last month, Council passed a resolution which had been sent to Council by the actuary indicating a change in the methodology for determining the valuation of the plan and the resolution changed from what had done before the asset smoothing method. As a result, the amount that was previously determined for the 2014 MMO Police Pension Plan was changed and that is why the original figure of $153,000 has been changed to $143,450. The Chief Administrative Officer, Ms. Gellatly, provided Council with the certification notice which specifies the calculation to $143,450. Mr. Wion advised that Council, as performed with the first resolution, accept the revised amount. Mr. Wright entertained a motion to accept the revision, which was made by Mr. Shaver and seconded by Mr. Albert. The motion carried. Mr. Wright announced that there is no further unfinished business. New Business: Borough Manager, Approval of Highway Laborer Employee and Part-time Water Distribution Employees Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 3 Ms. Gellatly stated that there were 35 total applications for the Highway Laborer Position. 8 individuals were interviewed and the Personnel Committee recommends that the Borough hire Mr. William Kegal at $11.50 per hour for the Highway Laborer position and Mr. Nate Handley at $10.50 for the part-time Water Distribution position. Ms. Marcinko noted that the part-time position is temporary while an employee is out on disability. Mr. Wright entertained a motion which was made by Ms. Marcinko, seconded by Mr. Albert, and the motion carried. Audience Participation: Pastor Taylor, New Jerusalem Church 219 Locust Street Pastor Taylor congratulated Council members elected for the upcoming term. Pastor Taylor stated that the Borough has done a good job with providing information to the community but that the website could be updated more quickly with minutes and agendas. Evette Wilson, 234 North Second Street Ms. Wilson indicated that New Jerusalem is going to be honoring her father during Black History Month and she was wondering if notice could be provided in the bulletin that is mailed with the water bill. Ms. Wilson asked if there is a cutoff date for information to be included in the bulletin. Ms. Gellatly stated that the water bills for November were already mailed and another bulletin/water bill will not be mailed until January. Ms. Gellatly stated that the information could be shared via Borough Website. Ms. Marcinko pointed out that Black History Month is celebrated in February and that notice could still be provided. Ms. Wilson stated that she would contact Ms. Gellatly. Emmuel Powell Mr. Powell asked about individuals who rent properties in the Borough who have come before Council to seek assistance with their water bills. Mr. Powell stated that he doesn’t get assistance from the Borough with his water bill. Council informed Mr. Powell that properties, both residential and commercial, need separate meters so they can be billed separately. This was the nature of the complaints heard by Council. Mr. Powell indicated that when he rented property he was accountable for his own water bill. Markis Millberry 349 Spruce Street Apartment 4 Mr. Millberry asked if the Borough uses the boat dock or pays any money towards the boat dock. Mr. Wright indicated that the Borough doesn’t use them and that they are for the public. In addition, Mr. Wright stated that the Borough pays for the maintenance and upkeep but that it is currently closed for the winter. Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 4 Mr. Millberry stated the budget plan stated ‘boat dock, $10,055.00.’ Ms. Marcinko asked what document Mr. Millberry was quoting from and stated the amount budgeted was for maintenance and electrical work. The Borough also had grant money left over and a pavilion that was built. Ms. Gellatly shared that the Borough also has to pay for the presence of a portable toilet facility for most of the year as well as an individual to cut the grass. Mr. Millberry stated that the Adams Street playground has not been touched up, sanitized, or mulched. Ms. Marcinko stated that the playgrounds are regularly maintained. Mr. Millberry stated that the playgrounds probably only have the grass cut and that they could have at least been mulched. Ms. Marcinko stated that Council is required to distribute the revenues by way of a budget and if the monies are not available, Council cannot appropriate dollars for additional items. Ms. Marcinko stated that Public Works staff visits the playground to make sure the water fountains are properly working, etc. However, Ms. Marcinko stated that mulch may not be high on Council’s list of priorities because Public Works is regularly visiting the parks to paint over graffiti that is constantly reappearing. Ms. Marcinko stated that the parks are constantly vandalized and it costs the Borough taxpayer dollars to repair them. Ms. Marcinko encouraged Mr. Millberry to focus his energy into positive efforts. Ms. Marcinko stated that if Mr. Millberry does his research and utilizes what the Borough can provide, his outcomes will be more impactful. Ms. Marcinko reflected on Mr. Millberry’s block cleanup effort which she stated Council supported and noted that she and Mayor Acri were the only ones present for it. Further, Ms. Marcinko stated that although mulch is a good idea, the Borough doesn’t have the money because they have to appropriate money in order to clean up graffiti. Mr. Millberry stated that he understood Ms. Marcinko but that the parks are one of the only resources for the children and that not all of the children contribute to the vandalism. Ms. Marcinko stressed that the Borough is focusing on keeping the parks safe. Mr. Millberry asked about the fence on Swatara Street and Ms. Marcinko stated that it is not owned by the Borough. Further, it is owned by a property owner and it is not the Borough’s responsibility. Ms. Wilson shared that there was graffiti at a park referencing one of her family members and the Borough had it cleaned up within two days. Council Concerns: Ms. Marcinko stated that she was exciting to begin work on the land bank and noted that the Borough was the first to participate. Ms. Marcinko stated that they are working on 344 Lincoln Street where cats are running around. Mr. Albert noted that Peewee and Ponies Football teams won championship games and that Council should recognize them in an upcoming meeting. Mr. Albert also thanked the Fire Department for lighting up a field for the kids to practice which excited the children and provided them with a memorable experience. Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 5 Mr. Wright thanked the audience for their participation and concern about Borough business. Mr. Wright wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Executive Session No executive session took place at this time. Adjournment: Mr. Wright entertained a motion for adjournment which was made by Mr. Albert and seconded by Mr. Shaver. The motion carried and the Council meeting of November 18, 2013, stood adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2013 Page 6