City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting April 11, 2018 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 7:30 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. On Roll Call, Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, No; Councilman Derenick, No; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Praschak, Yes. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. First, Mayor Praschak read a proclamation recognizing the achievements of the following members of Cub Scout Taylor Pack #44 who have earned the Arrow of Light Award: Jason Alexander, Hunter Brown, Logan Conforti, and Blayne Krotz-Lewis. Next, the chairman asked the public if they had any comments or concerns regarding the Agenda. Gene Perna, along with several other Taylor Borough Residents spoke briefly regarding concerns with the Re-Zone. A brief discussion followed. Next, the Chairman stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the March 14, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes and the March 12, 2018 Special Meeting Minutes both were held at the Taylor Municipal Building 122 Union Street Taylor, PA and asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions. There were none. A Motion to accept by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. The meeting minutes were approved as presented. Under Old Business, the Chairman announced to the public that an Executive Session was held on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, immediately following our Work Session held at 7:30 P.M., to discuss personnel matters. Under New Business, the Chairman entertained a motion to adopt Ordinance #1 of 2018, amending the zoning Ordinance and Map of the Borough of Taylor rezone certain parcels of land of, in and around Oak Street, Taylor PA from R-3 General Residential and Community Commercial and C-2A Community Commercial to C-3 Heavy Commercial, all such rezoned lands containing approximately 128 acres, more or less. A motion was made by Councilman DeAngelo to Table and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and all Council members were in favor, Councilman Mickavicz was abstained. The motion was tabled. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to authorize the President of Council to execute a stipulation for the Action to Quiet Title filed by Northeastern Freight Transfer. Solicitor Jones gave a brief description that the President of Council will make sure they have Title to their Land, no Claims, and that the Borough of Taylor Rights need to be protected. With the concurrence of the Solicitor a motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to authorize the President of Council to execute a Grant Agreement with the Scranton Area Community Foundation regarding the approved Taylor Splash Park $5,000.00 Grant. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to Appoint Leonard J. Mickavicz, Jr. to the Taylor Borough Zoning Hearing Board to fulfill the remaining term of Harry Armstrong Jr. term to expire on December 31, 2010. Councilman Digwood stated that Leonard J. Mickavicz Jr. recently decided to remove his name from consideration. Mr. Zeleniak read a resignation letter from David Wilce an alternate of the Taylor Borough Zoning Hearing Board. The Chairman entertained a motion to accept the resignation letter. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The resignation letter was accepted. A motion was made by Councilman Digwood to consider David Wilce to fulfill the remaining term of Harry Armstrong Jr. to expire on December 31, 2010, and seconded by Councilman Fallon. The Chairman asked if anyone from the public had any input regarding the motion made, there were none. On roll call Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Mickavicz, Yes. The motion passed and David Wilce was appointed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a conditional offer of employment to Taylor Lillian Dunn, Nicholas John Strenkoski, Kristen Amber long, and Amber Christine Welsh as Part-Time Police Officers pending obtaining the necessary requirements within no more than 90 days of the date of this approval, including but not limited to Act 120 Certification and MPOETC Certification. All costs 100% to be the responsibility of the applicant. Once this criterion is met, He or She will be hired on an as needed basis with no guarantee of hours and to be paid on an hourly rate. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. On roll call Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Mickavicz, Yes. The motion passed and all four officers were hired on a conditional basis. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion approve the purchase of Taser Training Cartridges and enter into an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc. for a 5 year purchase plan, receiving 50 Cartridges per year, with a total cost of $1,203.50 per year. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all council members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Mr. Zeleniak provided the term that David Wilce resigned from, a 3 year term to expire December 31, 2018. The Chairman asked Council Members if they would like to name anyone to fulfill the term of David Wilce as an alternate on the Taylor Borough Zoning Hearing Board, Councilman DeAngelo made a motion to appoint Karen Pinella for the remaining term and seconded by Councilman Digwood. The Chairman asked if there were any public input, there were none. On roll call Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Mickavicz, Yes. The motion passed and Karen Pinella was appointed. Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Approval of Bills for Payment for March 2018. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices totaling $238,751.19. Next, the chairman entertained a motion to pay the March 2018 Payroll in the amount of $104,465.08 and March Paid Bills in the amount of $28,480.51 and Open Invoices in the amount of $105,805.60 totaling $238,751.19 when funds are available; A motion was made by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. March Payroll $104,465.08 March Paid Invoices $28,480.51 March Open Invoices $105,805.60 Total Expenditures $238,751.19 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for March 2018. The chairman entertained a motion to place the report on file. A motion was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Treasurer’s Report March 2018 Local Service Tax $1,793.13 Real Estate Tax 2018 $226,997.39 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $2,124.32 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $956.24 RE Tax Delinquent 2015 $82.22 Tax Duplicates $3,170.00 RE Transfer Tax $2,151.90 Earned Income Tax $14,677.43 UCC Building Permits $795.75 Zoning Variance/ Permits $30.00 Escrow Accounts $0 Court Fees/Police Fines $2,245.47 TCC $1,719.75 Other Income $308.57 Intergovernmental Revenue $1,250.00 Interest $63.99 Total Revenue $258,366.16 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Financial Report for March 31, 2018. Report placed on file. Financial Report March 31, 2018 General Account Balance $110,281.00 Real Estate Tax Account $174,330.78 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $276,580.03 Splash Park Account $32,294.11 Veteran’s Memorial Account $825.26 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($15,318.68) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($281,505.00) 2017 Disbursement Account Bal $21,312.72 Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $80,000.00 Escrow Account (General) $3,930.30 Police Pension Fund $3,239,285.34 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $443,008.31 Next, Councilman Digwood gave the Recycling Report for March 2018. Report placed on file. Recycling Report March 2018 Pounds Tons Commingle 28,360 14.18 Cardboard 15,480 7.74 Paper (newspaper) 23,140 11.57 Brush 2,020 1.01 E-Cycling 0 0.00 Totaling 69,000 34.50 Next, The Chairman asked if there were any Committee Reports. There were none. Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of March 2018. The Mayor advised that the police department responded to 556 calls for service, 16 Motor Vehicle Accidents Investigated, 4 Parking Tickets issued, 3 were paid, 1 are pending, 21 Traffic Citations were issued, 2 Non- traffic citations issued and 19 Criminal Complaints were filed. Revenues received for the month of March 2018: Magistrate Court Fines 1,567.56; Police Reports $135.00; Judicial Fines $527.91; Parking Tickets $15.00; Totaling $2,245.47. A total of 16 Parking Tickets have been issued since January 2018. The total amount for 21 traffic citations issued in March of 2018 was $6,211.50. 1 Quality of Life Ordinance violation has been issued. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program officers conducted a total of 8 commercial vehicle inspections in March. 3 commercial vehicles were placed out of service. Officer Brian Holland and Officer Eugene Mentz have received their certification as Standard Field Sobriety Test Instructors (SFST). Chief Stephen Derenick had attended Police Supervisor In-Service Training in Northhampton County. Next, the Chairman asked if any Council Members had anything to address or discuss. Councilman DeAngelo informed Council that all the Bricks at Veterans Memorial will be done by Memorial Day. Next, the chairman commended the members of the Cub Scout Taylor Pack #44 who received the Arrow of Light Award on their hard work and dedication. President Mickavicz also extended his commendation to the parents, family, and friends who contribute to support their dedication. Next, Mr. Gerard Hetman, the Lackawanna County Down Valley Municipal Coordinator (Community Relations Coordinator) from Lackawanna County gave a list of upcoming events including Saturday May 11, 2018 Parade Luncheon. Next, the Chairman asked the public for any comment or input. A few residents on Church St. expressed concerns for more Public Safety. A brief discussion followed. Lastly, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Secretary