City Council

Page |1 Borough of Steelton Council Agenda May 5, 2014 Call meeting to order: Vice President Maria Marcinko Pledge of allegiance: Vice President Maria Marcinko Moment of silence: Mayor Thomas F. Acri There were no executive sessions held between meetings. Public Comment on Agenda Items Only Presentations: Steelton Italian Club Donation to the Steelton Police Department Barbara Barksdale Steelton Borough History Communication: None Unfinished Business: None New Business: Detective Minium & Dectective Elhajj Approval of the Steelton Highspire Junior Police Academy Mr. Wion Resolution establishing special purpose parking for Ruth Rodirguez-Dejesus on S. 4th Street Mr. Wion Authorization the advertisement of the trash contract  Page |2 Borough of Steelton Council Agenda May 5, 2014 Maria Marcinko Discussion on the possibility of leasing parking spaces at 107 North Front Street Audience Participation Council Concerns Executive Session Other Business Adjournment  P age |1 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 Borough of Steelton Council Agenda May 5, 2014 Members Present: Maria Marcinko, Vice-President Michael Albert, Pro-Tem Steven Shaver, Councilperson Brian Proctor, Councilperson Denae House, Councilperson Maryjo Szada, Councilperson David Wion, Solicitor Sara Gelatly, Manager Members Absent: Jeffery L. Wright, President Call meeting to order: Vice President Maria Marcinko called the Steelton Borough Council Meeting of May 5, 2014, to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Moment of Silence: Mayor Acri led a moment of silence. Executive Sessions between Meetings: Ms. Marcinko announced that there were no executive sessions held between meetings. Public Comment on Agenda Items Only: There were no comments on agenda items only. Presentations: Mayor Acri, Steelton Italian Club Donation to the Steelton Police Department The Mayor indicated that the Steelton Italian Club made a donation to the Steelton Police Department. The Mayor provided information about the Italian Club regarding donations they have made in the past to the high school as well as the Borough. Previous donations were made to fund football startup funds, jackets for sports teams, as well as Veterans Park. The Italian Club is committed to contributing to the community. The President and the Vice President of the Italian Club were present to offer the Club’s donation to the Police Department and shared their appreciation for the work of the Borough’s Police. The amount of the donation to the Police Department was $5,000.  P age |2 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 Detective Minium and Detective Elhajj, Approval of the Steelton Highspire Junior Police Academy Detective Minimum indicated that the Police Department has decided to fund two programs. The first is a CPR class which is free to the first 25 residents of the Borough and will be held on July 26th from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Preregistration for the class is required prior to July 18th. The second program is a Junior Police Academy which will be hosted by the Steelton Borough Police Department and the Highspire Police Department. The program is for youth ages 10-16 years old that are interested in law enforcement or the community. It is a 7 week course, 2 hours a week on Thursdays starting June 26th ending the week of August 6th. The course will include an introduction to law enforcement, a forensics demonstration, a station tour, drug demonstrations, a tour of Dauphin County booking center and the 911 dispatch center, a tour of Dauphin County Courthouse, a canine demonstration, a self-defense demonstration, a firehouse tour with LifeTeam, and a search and rescue demonstration. The program will include graduation and a celebration. The program is funded strictly by donation and by the Department. There is no cost to the Borough or the residents. There was a round of applause. A soup kitchen is another project which will be available every other week funded by donations. Trinity Lutheran Church will also be involved. A Crime Watch meeting will also take place tomorrow May 6th at 6:00 p.m. Ms. Marcinko entertained a motion to approve the Police Academy which was made by Mr. Albert and seconded by Ms. House. The motion carried. Barbara Barksdale, Steelton Borough History Ms. Barksdale shared the obituary of Mr. Fields from 1916 from the Harrisburg Telegraph. Ms. Barksdale shared that a wealth of information was provided in the obituary sharing that Mr. Fields was a slave for 30 years and helped to found the Monumental AME Church in Steelton. Ms. Barksdale stated that as she reviews historical obituaries she is discovering a wealth of history. Ms. Barksdale discussed death certificates kept by the Borough. Unfortunately, the records are beginning to deteriorate. Ms. Barksdale asked what the Borough and community can do to preserve the historical documents and encouraged the participation of the Historical Society. Further, the original historical documents should be properly salvaged not filed like other regular documentation. If the records are not salvaged, they will disintegrate. Ms. Barksdale said that  P age |3 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 the Historical Society of Dauphin County or even the State Museum may be able to provide assistance to the Borough. Ms. Marcinko stated that the issue would be shared with the Neighborhood and Economic Development Committee (NEDC) to ensure that the records are properly preserved. Communication: Ms. Marcinko stated that, although it isn’t on the agenda, she received notice of a 5K Run for Prostate Cancer to be held by Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Ms. Marcinko said that she would turn it over to Chairman Proctor and the NEDC Committee. Unfinished Business: Ms. Marcinko stated that there was no unfinished business. New Business: Mr. Wion, Resolution establishing special purpose parking for Ruth Rodriguez-Dejesus on S.4th Street Mr. Wion stated that Resolution 2014-R-6 provides the completed traffic study and recommendation and authorization of a special purpose parking for Ms. Ruth Rodriquez- Dejesus. Ms. Marcinko entertain a motion which was made by Mr. Albert and seconded by Ms. House. The motion carried. Mr. Proctor stated that there was a home on Lincoln Street, and unfortunately the family had a son who passed away, but the special parking was still be utilized a year after the death of the son. Mr. Proctor stated that how the Borough handles special purpose parking needs to be revisited. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Council rewrote Special Purpose Parking regulations in the last 11- 12 months and clarified that residents need to notify the Police. Mr. Wion, Authorization the advertisement of the trash contract Mr. Wion stated that the Borough is at the end of the 5 year trash contract. The current contract ends June 27th with Republic Services. Mr. Wion stated that Council must move forward rapidly  P age |4 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 due to bidding processes and allowing interested parties to make an analysis and bid. Mr. Wion requested that Council consider the authorization of the advertisement of the trash contract. Mr. Shaver made a motion which was seconded by Mr. Proctor. The motion carried. The NEDC Committee will oversee this. Maria Marcinko, Discussion on the possibility of leasing parking spaces at 107 North Front Street Ms. Marcinko shared that this item was brought to her attention by a resident who lives on the 100 block of Pine Street and asked Council to consider the leasing of parking spaces at 107 North Front Street in order to generate revenue. Ms. Marcinko moved that the issue be taken up by the NEDC Committee for consideration. Audience Participation: Mr. Markis Millberry, 349 Spruce Street Apartment A Mr. Millberry addressed Council to make them aware of a plaque on the Locust Street steps and the fact that it is missing. Ms. Marcinko indicated that Public Works would look into the issue. Mr. Millberry asked about the flower pots on the Locust Street steps and asked if Steelton on the Move could use them to plant flowers. Ms. Marcinko said that the NEDC Committee would discuss it in their next meeting. Mr. Millberry asked about the Community Garden and asked if there would be a resolution generated for approval so that the participating parties could begin digging. Mr. Proctor stated that when the group presents an in-depth plan to the NEDC Committee in their next meeting, the committee will ensure that the plan is fully detailed. Furthter, Mr. Proctor indicated that the group’s original plan wasn’t up to par; however, it was Mr. Proctor’s understanding that the group is revising its plan to make sure all of the committee’s concerns were addressed. Mr. Proctor stated that once those items are addressed, then the garden can get started. Mr. Proctor stated that he had some ideas for Mr. Millberry and shared that raised beds may be a great idea to save money. More discussion on the issue would take place at the NEDC Committee meeting. Ms. Marcinko explained that when the final plans are approved, Mr. Wion would then need to draft some documentation protecting the Borough from liability. Mr. Emmual Powell, 321 Lebanon Street Mr. Powell shared concerns about cats in the summer coming around, especially on the Lincoln Street corner. Further, on Harrisburg and Lincoln Street, Mr. Powell shared concern regarding cars and the children and asked about speed bumps. Mr. Marcinko stated that speed bumps are not permitted  P age |5 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 in that area. Ms. House stated that slow down signs may be of value. Council agreed. Mr. Powell stated that there are already signs however it doesn’t help. Mr. Proctor asked specifically where Mr. Powell would like the speed bumps placed. Mr. Powell confirmed that speed bumps along Bessemer and Lebanon Street would be beneficial. Mr. Marcinko stated that Council would discuss the issue with the Solicitor. Ms. Brenda Hicks, 522 Lincoln Street Ms. Hicks asked Council if there is any action pending or discussions regarding a Code of Conduct for Councilmembers. Ms. Hicks stated that a Council member was not present and recently had a medical practice close down and placed the community at risk. Ms. Hicks asked if the member would remain on Council. Ms. Marcinko explained that it is a private matter, and a business. As far as Council is concerned, there is nothing on the Borough Code that directs Council to do anything in relation to this incident and the specific Council seat. Further, Ms. Marcinko stated that it is Dr. Szada’s decision if she wants to resign from her seat and that it is a private matter within her business. Mr. Proctor stated that, for all the public knows, some members of Council may have the same concerns but that it is Dr. Szada’s duty to reflect upon the issue. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Borough Code provides provisions relating to criminal charges of someone in office and that there are steps that can be taken to remove an individual from office; however, the present issue is personal in nature with a license. Further, Ms. Marcinko stated that the Constitution states that every individual is innocent until proven guilty. The Medical Board has provided a suspension of the license and that the license may be reinstated. Ms. Natasha Woods, 181 South Front Street Ms. Woods asked if there is any ordinance stating that if an elected member does not attend a certain amount of meetings they can be removed. Council informed Ms. Woods that there is no provision in the Borough Code or the Steelton Borough Code requiring meeting attendance. Further, Steelton Borough is limited in their action due to the Borough Code. Mr. Wion stated that boroughs are also bound by the Constitution. Ms. Woods asked about street cleaning and if an individual can get a ticket if the street cleaner does not go down the ticketed street on the particular day the ticket was issued. Ms. Marcinko stated that residents cannot assume that the streetcleaner will not come and that they are required to move cars. Mr. Shaver stated that this is an ordinance and signs are enforceable. Mr. Markis Millberry  P age |6 Steelton Borough Council Meeting 5/5/14 Mr. Millberry asked if the Borough performs power washing to the municipal building or the bricks. Ms. Marcinko stated that Public Works has a full maintenance staff that cleans the building and other areas owned by the Borough on a regular maintenance schedule. Mr. Millberry asked if Council knows when the flags will be pinned up on the post. Ms. Marcinko stated that bunting will be done before Saturday’s parade and will remain until after the 4th of July. Mr. Millberry asked if the property at Front and Pine Streets is still available for sale. Ms. Marcinko stated that it went up for bid and Mr. Wion stated that no bids were received. Further, Ms. Marcinko stated that if there is interest in the building, a letter can be written to the Borough Manager and it will be brought up for discussion. Ms. Barksdale 503 South Second Street Ms. Barksdale asked for an update on the water and the individual that still may or may not receive his pension. Mayor Acri said that Council cannot answer the question at this time because it is under litigation. Ms. Barksdale asked if the information would be available on the website and make it available to the public. Mayor Acri stated that an update will be provided in the upcoming water bill. Ms. Barksdale said that for those individuals who rent property, they may not receive the update and may not get the information. If the information is provided online, it would be available to everyone. Ms. Marcinko stated that the website is being worked on and updates would be provided. Ms. Marcinko stated that the Water Authority is purchasing the Code Red System to assist with alerts. There being no other business before Council, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Shaver, and Mr. Szada. The motion carried unanimously.