City Council

REVISED STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL AGENDA January 19, 2021 Call Meeting to Order: President Proctor Pledge of Allegiance: President Proctor Moment of Silence: Approval of minutes from previous meetings: December 21, 2020 Public Comment on Agenda Items only: Mr. Randy Watts, Engineer, HRG December 2020 Monthly Report Action Item: Approval of HRG Supplement #1 for Easement Acquisition Services New Business: Mr. Wion Review and approval of Engagement Letter and Agreement with Caldwell & Kearns Mr. Proctor Approval to Re-Appoint Carrie Baker to the Zoning Hearing Board Mr. Proctor Approval to Re-Appoint Stephen Shaver Chair of the Vacancy Board Public Comments: Council Concerns: Executive Session: Other Business: Adjournment: Steelton Council Agenda – January 19, 2021 1  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 19, 2021 Present: Brian Proctor, President Maria Marcinko, Mayor Mike Segina, Vice President Dave Wion, Solicitor Keontay Hodge, President Pro Tem Anne Shambaugh, Borough Manager Denae House Randy Watts, Engineer - HRG William Jones Gene Vance, Fire Chief Natasha Woods Aaron Curry, Codes Director Renee Drayton Bowers, Admin. Asst. Absent with Cause: William Krovic, Chief Minium, Thommie Leggett-Robinson, Keith Miller. In compliance with Governor Wolf’s orders regarding Corvid -19, the Steelton Borough Council meeting was held by video/telephone conference. President Proctor opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Marcinko led the group in a Moment of Silent Reflection including special concerns for the families of Steeltonian Jackie Robinson, Senator Dave Arnold and former Steel High History teacher James Woy’s. Concerns were also lifted for Representative Patty Kim, Chief Minium, four Police Officers and the families of the 400 thousand persons who have died from Covid-19. Ms. House moved and Mr. Segina seconded a motion to the December 21, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. No members of the public were present, nor were any emails, letters, or other correspondence received regarding agenda items. President Proctor instructed Randy Watts, Engineer from HRG to move directly to the action item included on the agenda. The action item was a request for approval of HRG Supplement #1 for Easement Acquisition for Skate Park Phase II. Mr. Watts explained that Council had approved the addition of a spectator viewing area and side walk at the Skate Park. Construction of those two items require the acquisition of permanent easement of a 5’x160’ area and a temporary easement for construction. HRG must negotiate with Hummer Enterprises Limited to secure the property needed. Mr. Watts said a December 30, 2020 request was sent in the Council packet; however, he cited an updated letter dated January 14, 2021. The December 30, 2020 communication included an estimated cost of $9,000 for Easement Services. HRG has found that the work needed to complete the task is over and beyond the original work. He presented three areas that required more time and work than anticipated. 1) the acquisition process 2) contract administration and construction observation services 3) processing seven applications for payment vs. the three anticipated, plus three change orders. The original cost of easement services is based on time and materials. The cost for changes #2 and #3 is an additional $6,500. This addition makes the total request for services $ 15, 500. Mr. Segina noted that the updated request was dated January 14, 2021, but the original request was not received until the January 15th. He wondered why the discrepancies in the receipt of the information. He then asked why Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2021 1 the request for $15,500 was not made earlier. Mr. Watts explained that the updated request was not sent to the office until January 15th so probably not sent out because of Borough Covid-19 restrictions. He stated that the HRG had to process three change orders. Also, the contractor was not familiar with building a parking lot so required more consulting, administrative and observation time. Mr. Segina moved and Mr. Jones seconded the motion the Council approve the HRG Supplement #1 for Easement Acquisition for Skate Park Phase II at a cost of $15,500. The motion was unanimously approved. Mr. Watts presented E.K. Services Payment Application #6 for Council approval $ 111,000.00 that he received earlier in the day. Mr. Proctor informed Mr. Watts that Council needs thoroughly review the request before entertaining its approval. Mr. Watts gave an overview of work done toward the demolition of 101 Locust Street. He and Mr. Stoner of the T.R. Stoner Company visited the property. He reported that Mr. Stoner said the building structure appeared to be sound. However, demolition of the building would include the tearing down and removing all wood from the site; placing all bricks, stone and concrete in the basement tapered from the back wall, and placing top soil and seeding the area. The proposed cost of this work exceeds $35,000.00, so would have to be placed out for bid. Mr. Proctor raised the issue that Habitat for Humanities declared the structure unsound so did not continue with the rehabilitation of the property. He asked about the discrepancy between the two opinions. Mr. Watts reported that he had not called in a Structural Engineer to complete an analysis of the building. Mr. Watts named a major concern about demolishing the building as the closure of Second Street. Closing this one-way street not only would present a problem with automobile traffic, but would a negative impact on the Post Office, which is located on the corner of Second and Locust Street, both being one-way streets. Mr. Proctor tabled further discussion. New Business: Mr. Proctor announced the Chief Eugene Vance has been selected 2020 Fireman of the Year. Mr. Wion presented the annual Letter of Engagement and an Agreement Letter from his law firm for his services. Specifically listed legal fees have not increased, but the monthly retainer fee was increased to $5,900.00 per month. Ms. House moved and Ms. Hodge seconded the motion to approve the Letters of Engagement from Caldwell & Kearns PC for legal services. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hodge moved and Mr. Jones seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-R-01 to re- appoint Carrie Baker to the Zoning Hearing Board. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Segina moved and Ms. House seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-R-02 to re- appoint Steven Shaver to the Vacancy Board. The motion passed unanimously. No persons from the public were present. No form of communication from the public for presentation at the Council meeting was received. Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2021 2 The following concerns were expressed by Council Members and Staff: Mr. Jones wishes that persons will continue to stay safe. Ms. House said she looked forward to a year of unity, love and peace with the installation of a new President and Vice President. She congratulated Chief Vance on his award. She said plans for the Easter Egg Hunt are almost finalized. The committee is working to ensure the event is safe but enjoyable. The tentative date for the Easter Egg Hunt is March 27, 2021. Ms. Woods, Mr. Wion, Mr. Curry, and Ms. Drayton-Brown had no comments. Ms. Shambaugh reported that the Borough received a letter from Dauphin County Land Bank Authority asking to be exonerated from taxes on a property. Mr. Segina moved that the Dauphin County Land Bank be granted exoneration from 2019 and 2020 taxes for 548 North Third Street which it has purchased from QA Reality. Ms. Hodge seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Ms. Shambaugh reported the Borough Building is closed to everyone except the Police Department. Staff can work from home and will only be in the building for about an hour, if necessary, in order to perform essential task. She expects staff to return to work, in the building on a staggered schedule beginning February 1, 2021. Mr. Proctor noted that Keith Miller has missed three meeting. Ms. Shambaugh said she thinks he only attends the first meeting of the month. Mr. Proctor instructed her to talk with Mr. Miller, and advise him that he is expected to attend all Council Meetings. Ms. Hodge said she hopes everyone remains healthy and realize that good health should not be taken for granted. She reminded persons that they should use their gifts to provide much needed services to people in the community. Dr. Levine has been tapped for National service, and Ms. Hodge acknowledged she will do a lot to help the country. Ms. Hodge expressed her desire to resume in-person meetings. Support was provided to Ms. Shambaugh for closing the Borough Building since staff and community is a concern. Mayor Marcinko stated that: 1. Four police officers and the Police Chief are ill. In their absence the Department has been able to function without outside assistance. The Mayor, Ms. Shambaugh, Conner Higgins, and Chief Vance confer to discuss any problems that arise. Detective Sergeant Shaub is fielding calls. 2. 225 book bags and school supplies were given out. She expressed thanks for the football team’s involvement and the donations from the Steelton Community Development Foundation and Police Department. 3. A shooting occurred on Second and Locust Streets. There were no witnesses, only shell casings available to assist in the investigation. 4. There is an increase in vandalism in the Borough. Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2021 3  5. Mr. Higgins is gathering information regarding the availability and distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine. The information will be posted on the website when available. 6. Chief Vance is working to get vaccinations for the Fire Department and Dr. Kambric is working to get vaccinations for the Police Department. There is a void of information regarding the availability and distribution of the vaccine. A system for distribution has been developed with persons over 65 categorized as 1A and public officials as 1C. 7. The Pennsylvania Organization for Emergency Health Services Federation has honored several of firefighters and police officers for providing lifesaving pre-EMS services to a Mr. Segina acknowledged the good work Borough staff continues to do despite the difficulties presented by the pandemic. He also stated that he would lift prayers for Ms. Hodge’s mother. Mr. Proctor asked that persons stay safe, and look forward to receiving information from the mayor on where persons can get vaccinated. No further business was handled by the Council. At 7:05 p.m., Ms. House moved and Mr. Segina seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Anne Shambaugh Steelton Borough Council Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2021 4