City Council

STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 Present: Vanessa Bowers, President Ryan Gonder, Solicitor Natashia Woods, Vice President Randy Watts, Engineer Denae House, Councilmember William Shaub, Police Chief Willie Slade, Councilmember Aaron Curry, Codes Director Michael Segina, Councilmember Steve Brubacher, Fire Chief Julianna Paioletti, Councilmember Jeff Baltimore, Public Works Director Ciera Dent, Mayor Kathy McCool, Borough Manager Councilmember(s) Absent: Ms. Vanessa Jenkins Call Meeting to Order: President Bowers called the meeting to order at 6:50 PM. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by President Bowers. Special Presentation(s): None Council Meeting Roll Call: The roll was called by Mrs. McCool. The individuals listed above were present. Mrs. McCool stated that Public Works Director Jeff Baltimore is present but currently checking a pump station. Notice of Executive Session: An Executive Session was held before tonight’s meeting at 5:45 p.m. to discuss legal, personnel, and real estate matters. Public Comments on Agenda Items Only: None Engineers Report: Randy Watts, HRG – Will have more information on the Hoffer Street Pump Station project after Thursday’s job conference. The bid opening for the South 2nd Street paving project was March 6. Council will be voting later on this. 8 bids were received that went from $99K to $161K. The HRG cost estimate was $129K. Got a good response and a good price for that project. The motion to approve the engineer's report was made by Mr. Segina and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Department & Committee Reports: • Fire Department and Ambulance (Written Report) – Brubacher was currently absent • Police Department (Written Report) – Nothing to add • Codes Department (Written Report) – Nothing to add • Public Works (Written Report) – Nothing to add • Events Committee (Upcoming Events) – Next meeting is March 26. Will finalize plans for the Egg Drop & Bunny Hop on April 12 from 12-2p at the Youth Baseball Field. Finalizing Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 1 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 the events ordinance and planning summer events. Exploring grant opportunities to offset Borough costs for events • Borough Manager’s Report – April will be a busy month for events and trainings • Mayor's Report – Received a call from Rep. Madsen regarding the tenant relocation fees and expenses bill. It was passed through the House with bipartisan support. The bill covers negligent property owners and landlords, who will responsible for relocation costs if rental housing is condemned. Tenants get their security deposits and rent refunds if permanently displaced. Displaced renters have the first right to return when repairs are made. Bad landlords are held accountable while protecting responsible property owners. Helps the Borough enforce this and Madsen will also be looking into policies for property owners hiding behind shell companies. Will be having a public meeting about this. The motion to approve the department & committee reports was made by Mr. Slade and seconded by Ms. House. The motion passed unanimously. Old Business: Mrs. McCool presented for Consideration and approval for Resolution 2025-R-4, a Resolution for a handicapped/reserved parking space for Mr. Charles Fuller, 546 N. 2nd St., Steelton, PA 17113, and Kimberly L. Marszalek, 604 S. 2nd St., Steelton, PA 17113. The motion to approve was made by Ms. Paioletti and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for Consideration and approval of Real Estate Appraisal of the Brickyard Park Parcel. The contract is included in the packets. The actual value of the land will count as a match for the DCNR grant received for the park. The motion to approve was made by Vice President Woods and seconded by Ms. House. The motion passed unanimously. New Business: Mrs. McCool presented for consideration to develop a resolution for a handicapped/reserved parking space for Joseph Romano, 26 Chestnut St., Steelton, PA 17113. The motion to approve was made by Ms. House and seconded by Ms. Paioletti. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval of PENNVEST request #13 for $5,694.00 and includes interest costs and engineering fees. This is a reimbursement request. The motion to approve was made by Mr. Slade and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 2 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval of Memorandum of Understanding between Penn State College of Medicine and Steelton Borough regarding the SNAP-Ed Program. This is a free program that will provide cooking classes and nutrition education at the community garden for residents. The motion to approve was made by Ms. House and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval of the bid for the 2nd Street Paving Project by New Enterprise Stone and Lime for $99,141. The motion to approve was made by Mr. Segina and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval to rehire Cory Allwein as an officer of the Steelton Borough Police Department effective 2/25/2025. The motion to approve was made by Mr. Segina and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval to accept Cory Allwein’s resignation as an officer of the Steelton Borough Police Department effective 2/25/2025. The motion to approve was made by Mr. Segina and seconded by Vice President Woods. The motion passed unanimously. Mrs. McCool presented for consideration and approval for personnel action as discussed in Executive Session. There was no action at this time. Administration: Kathy McCool: • Friendship Fire Company is requesting permission to place a banner over Route 230 (Front Street) and Swatara Street to advertise their annual fire company picnic. The funds will be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the picnic grounds at Emeric Cibort Park located in the Borough of Steelton that is used by many organizations and family events. Council will need to pass a Resolution to present to PennDOT to hang the banner. Organization: Friendship Fire Company of Bressler Banner size: 3' x 29' Message and Event: Annual Friendship Fire Company of Bressler Picnic at Emeric Cibort Park, Steelton, PA, on June 8, 2025 Suspension Dates: May 18 - June 10, 2025 • Discussion on cleaning service Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 3 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 o Some concerns lately regarding the quality of the cleaning. Bags of garbage were left in the hallway and it created an odor. McCool may be coming forward with another recommendation to move forward. The company is Urgent Touch. There have also been complaints at the fire department. They apologized for the trash incident. McCool may come forward with another RFP or create a part-time position as a Borough employee. McCool recommends against contracting the service, as they would be required to carry insurance. As an employee, they are covered by the Borough’s insurance. They would put out an advertisement/job ad, as there is nobody in mind already. Shaub asked about CEO and they are expensive. Mrs. McCool stated they won’t start above an employee wage, so approximately $18/hour for 6 hours per week, which would be 1/3 of the current budget. Segina suggested weekend cleaning. Recommend moving forward with the part-time. • Community Service Site Contract o The York County Community Service program asked to consider having individuals who need volunteer hours to assist. Have done it in the past. Could assist with multiple tasks. Mrs. McCool stated that the 2/18/2025 and 3/3/2025 meeting minutes will be on the next agenda. Economic Development: Natashia Woods/Kathy McCool • One-way streets in Steelton o Vice President Woods recommended to change some of the more narrow streets into one-way streets. Vice-President Woods sent a list to Chief Shaub for the public safety committee to discuss, but it needs to be officially asked for traffic studies. Vice President Woods stated that seven different streets were recommended. She stated that she will re-forward the suggestions. Codes: Willie Slade/Aaron Curry • Update on Zoning Ordinance o Mr. Curry stated that he was working on changes. President Bowers asked if the hookah place and the wing spot opened. Mr. Curry said no to both. Mr. Curry mentioned the kitchen in the wing place. He stated that the business hopes to open mid-April, based on inspections. Mr. Curry satated that these were the same owners of Soul Lounge but will have normal hours and will not be an after-hours location. o Mayor Dent asked about the new Dominican restaurant that was Bam’s. There was a discussion about the safety of buildings and keeping businesses open with new ownership turnover. o Mayor Dent spoke to Rep. Madsen about companies owning property and if there was a link. o Vice President Woods asked about a restaurant coming soon near Swatara Street and 179 S Front Street. Public Works: Denae House/Jeff Baltimore Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 4 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 • East End Park o Mr. Baltimore explained that a company found improperly marked underground material. He stated that the repair bill will be the responsibility of the line marking company. Mr. Baltimore informed Council that the 4-foot fence is up, not the 8- foot. He also stated that there have been sabotage of equipment as well, which is costing money too. Mulch will be coming soon this week. o Vice President Woods asked for a roof update on the skate park pavilion. Mr. Baltimore said it is not down but secure. Public Safety: Ciera Dent/Chief Shaub/Steve Brubacher • Bus Stop program o Chief Shaub stated that in conjunction with SHSD, Highspire PD, and Swatara Twp. PD, there is an initiative where a private company has cameras on the buses and gives out citations to vehicles who illegally pass the stop arm and lights. They will review incidents, send information to Cpl. Martin to review violations, and then send a civil citation of $200 fine to the offender, not a traffic citation of $250 fine which would lead to a loss of license for 6 months. Chief Shaub stated that portions of this fine come back to the police department. In the first month, there were 11 citations that patrol officers would not have caught, with 95% being at Harrisburg and Pine with Central Dauphin SD buses. • Street Sweeping o Chief Shaub reminded Council that streetsweeping will begin April 1. Officers are issuing warnings to vehicles. The Steelton PD was not able to hire a parking enforcement officer, so it will be patrol officers issuing violations. If they receive a call for service, they must abandon the ticketing, which will lead to resident frustrations of unfair enforcement. Chief Shaub stated that Steelton had received a grant for a parking officer, but the 2 applicants did not meet the criteria and/or pass background checks to access the police and PennDOT vehicle system. • National Night Out o Chief Shaub announced that National Night Out is the first Tuesday of August – This year it is August 5. Officer Tyrai Anderson will be taking the lead, as this is Shaub’s final year. Chief Shaub stated that he has reached out to SHSD to reserve the concession stand area and vicinity, which should not be an issue passing through the board. Chief Shaub stated that he will start generating letters for vendors and donors. • Fun Times in the Park o Chief Shaub announced that Fun Times in the Park will start at the end of April, led by Officer Anderson, who also expressed interest in a citizens’ police academy for the public sometime in August. The academy will be a 6-week class, one day a week for 2 hours, and cover a range of topics. A flyer will be made. • Mayor Dent acknowledged the mental health incident in the first block of North 4th Street and sent kudos to the officers who responded. Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 5 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 Question from the public regarding the parking violation cost, which is $45 and then $50 if not paid in 10 days. Another question about cars that are out of inspection and expired tags on St Marys Drive. Correspondence: • Invitation to Midland Cemetery Memorial Event o Friends of Midland Annual Memorial honoring veterans on Sat, May 24 at 1pm. Asked to RSVP by April 24. • Notices of Repository Property Sold o One notice is related to the four properties bought by the Borough for the Trewick force main project. The other was for parcel number 63-049-031 located on Mohn Street. • Notice of Intent to Remediate o From the Steelton terminals project. They have 30 days to respond. It was dated January 24, 2025, but it was just received within the last week and a half. • WREP Program letter from Tri-County Regional Planning Commission o Council approved the Borough’s involvement with this stormwater-related program last year. Participated to get points for the MS4 permit. Typically they give a March 31 date, but there is no date set and they are estimating the cost would be around $3,000 for this year. • Letter from Prince of Peace o Thanked the Borough for updating the handicapped parking spaces in front of the church. Other Business: None Public Comments: • Maria Marcinko, 2704 S 2nd St, Steelton, PA 17113 – Asked about the remediation of the Terminals project. McCool stated that specifics were not given. Watts stated it was about the development. Marcinko asked if they received a report from DEP, which the Borough has not yet, but this is the time that Council and the public need to make comments to DEP. Speaking on behalf of the board of directors of the Steelton Fire Department regarding the rumor that fire service will be outsourced to another community. They are aware of the rules of the Fire Department and the Borough. Stated that despite what the Council is being told about longevity, the Fire Department has always been relied upon for service for 146 years. Sent an email on March 7 to be included in the financial side as they have bylaws and articles of incorporation. They say funding will be sent to another organization. In 2012, emergency medical services were outsourced. Right now, the ambulance calls have increased and the fire department will have to start responding to medical assist calls. Volunteerism is low across the country, but they are not other departments. Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 6 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 • Thornton Mills, 3517 Walnut Street, Apt 6 – Thanked Mayor Dent for the proclamation honoring Mr. Powell as a veteran. Newly elected czar rule at the Cyrene Lodge. 717-856- 7369 is his phone number. Trying to open the lodge and fix the problems. Reached out to the Chief about an agreement and accomplishing things for inspection (ID checks, Act 235 not worried about), as he needs to start paying bills. Woods asked about the liquor license, which he said is obtained with insurance. They also have security cameras. Even changed the membership policy, which means all visitors must be accompanied by a Class A member at all times. • Steve Brubacher II, Fire Chief – Echoed Marcinko’s concerns. Has seen an uptick of emergency medical responses over the past few years. Wants to maintain a volunteer department and mutual aid agreements. • Tom Leach, 1903 Wexler Rd, Palmyra, PA – President of the volunteer fire department. He was under the assumption that Brubacher was resigning and asked Steve if that was true. Brubacher said a decision had not been made. • Pat Gordon, 117 N Front St, Steelton, PA 17113 – Said that residents need to be involved if there will be outsourcing of the fire department, as they have personally assisted her. Said that outsourcing is not a good idea and we need these people in our community. Segina stated that no one on the Council has ever brought up outsourcing the fire department and those are simply rumors. • Mayor Ciera Dent – Mentioned the mutual aid agreement and the ability to pull on the resources of partners and surrounding communities. Stated that it is not a sign of being absent, but if another department can respond before Steelton does, that is how the agreements work. Does not see outsourcing as an option. • Kaire Greg, 2112 Penn St, Harrisburg, PA - Lieutenant with the fire department speaking on his personal experience and opinion of the situation. Does not disagree with Chief Brubacher or Marcinko. He was the top call responder and understands that they need to keep up with other departments to be sustainable. Not running calls will lose members. Wants to compromise and have communication down the line of command. Discussion on who reports to who and what entities are responsible for operations and oversight. Will not succeed otherwise. • Maria Marcinko, 2704 S 2nd St, Steelton, PA 17113 – Does not disagree with Brubacher’s actions on the fireground. Stated that fire service must be provided based on the constitution. Bylaws were set when the five fire departments merged into the current station and they run like a corporation. The appointed Chiefs must be members of the department and go through the board. As the financial end of that, there are divides. Will not be another Chief like Vance who was constantly on the street. The Fire Museum will feature the history of Steelton. McCool recommended moving this to another forum. Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 7 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.  STEELTON BOROUGH COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 17, 2025 • Emmanuel Powell, 321 Lebanon St, Steelton, PA 17113 – Said they spend money on everything except Lincoln Street. Spoke on a project that had money moved to Adams Street in the 1990s. Council Comments: • Willie Slade – Thanked attendees and those who expressed opinions. • Michael Segina – Bowers will reform the Fire Committee with set dates and times for meeting in the first week of April, usually first Sunday of the month at 6pm and are open to the public. • Denae House – Thanked Kathy for representing the Borough at Patty Kim’s breakfast and brought up the pedestrian safety issues on 19th Street/Harrisburg Street. Thanked attendees. • Natashia Woods – Thanked attendees and the fire department. Anticipates collaboration in the future. Mentioned the PA food bank study that listed Steelton as the largest food desert in the county. Spoke on the community garden and food initatives. • Julianna Paioletti – Thanked attendees. • Ciera Dent – Thanked attendees and the departments that serve the community. Hoping to continue the conversation with the food bank to help bring a grocery store here. Mentioned the loss of Carl Singleton, a leader in Harrisburg, and led a moment of silence. • Vanessa Bowers – Thanked attendees and stated she appreciates the fire department. Wants to find common ground and looks forward to meeting. Adjournment: With no other business to discuss, a motion was made by Vice President Woods and seconded by Ms. House to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. Steelton Borough Council Workshop Meeting Minutes – Monday, March 17, 2025 Page 8 of 8 The Events, Finance, and Intergovernmental Committees will continue to meet outside of the Council Workshop meetings.