City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting July 11, 2018 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 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, Yes; Councilman Derenick, No; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Praschak, Yes. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. Before beginning the meeting, President Mickavicz asked for a five minute executive session for two Personnel issues that may require action at tonight’s meeting. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the chairman asked the public if they had any comments or concerns regarding the Agenda. There were none. Next, the Chairman stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the June 13, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes 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 McKeel and seconded by Councilman Tigue. 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 Wednesday, June 13, 2018, Tuesday June 26, 2018, and Tuesday, July 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 issues regarding both Collective Bargaining with the Police Department as well as personnel issues with the Borough Manager and/or the Solicitor. The Chairman announced that there will be an Executive Session immediately to follow the Regular Meeting to discuss personnel matters. Under New Business, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a Letter of Resignation from Office Paul Miller effective immediately. Mr. Zeleniak read the letter of Resignation dated June 14, 2018. A Motion to accept Mr. Miller’s resignation by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a Letter of Resignation from Office Kristen Long effective immediately. Mr. Zeleniak read the Letter of Resignation effective July 1, 2018. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a Letter of Resignation from Danielle Grasso effective July 12, 2018. Mr. Zeleniak read the Letter of Resignation. A Motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. The Chairman, on behalf of Taylor Borough, thanked the two Police Officers and Miss Grasso for their service to the community. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a donation from Walmart to the Taylor Borough Police Department in the amount of $2,500.00. A Motion to accept the donation by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. The Chairman stated that the Chief was instrumental in securing this grant and we thank him. He also advised that the check gets deposited into the Borough General Fund and will be distributed out according to the Finance Committee and what the budget calls for. A motion to accept the donation from Wal Mart by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. Council asked that a Thank You note be sent to Walmart. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to appoint Anthony Adam Telesco, III, as a Part-Time Police Officer, on an as needed basis with no guarantee of hours and with a starting hourly compensation rate and benefits in accordance with the Budget. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Tigue. This is an hourly paid basis. On roll call: Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Mickavicz, Yes. All council members were in favor. Next, Councilman Tigue motioned to terminate employment for William Rosky because he does not currently meet the requirements to serve as part-time police officer. Per Chairman, does anyone from the public have any input or questions on this? This was not on the agenda. It’s a Personnel issue. There was no public input. The motion was seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Councilman Tigue, off the recommendation of Mr. Zeleniak, motioned to hire Kerry Puckett as Part-Time clerical on needed call basis for the replacement of Danielle Grasso and seconded by Councilman Digwood. The Chairman stated the Part-Time Clerical position is $11.33/hour with no benefits or any other compensation. The position is an hourly pay on an as needed basis. Chairman opened to the public for any comment or input since the issue was not on the agenda. We advertised on the website and Scranton Times. We had several applicants, who were interviewed by Borough Manager and it was recommended Mrs. Puckett for the position. Does the public have any comments or questions since it was not on the agenda? There was none. On roll call: Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Mickavicz, Yes. All council members were in favor. Next, Mr. Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for June 2018. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices totaling $351,078.52. Next, the chairman entertained a motion to pay the June 2018 Payroll in the amount of $175,143.06, June Paid Bills in the amount of $39,144.65 and June open Invoices in the amount of $136,790.81, Total Expenditures $351,078.52 when funds are available. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. June Payroll $175,143.06 June Paid Invoices $ 39,144.65 June Open Invoices $136,790.81 Total Expenditures $351,078.52 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for June 2018. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report June 2018 Local Service Tax $ 2,658.50 Real Estate Tax 2018 $ 40,255.53 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $ 3,272.93 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $ 724.11 RE Tax Delinquent 2014 $ 43.29 Tax Duplicates $ 130.00 RE Transfer Tax $ 2,133.82 Earned Income Tax $ 23,778.96 UCC Building Permits $ 64,449.85 Zoning Variance/ Permits $ 475.00 Court Fees/Police Fines $ 3,278.26 TCC $ 1,570.00 Other Income $ 1,040.00 Interest $ 57.52 Total Revenue $143,867.77 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for June 30, 2018. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report June 30, 2018 General Account Balance $591,166.12 Real Estate Tax Account $ 22,714.41  Liquid Fuels Account Balance $250,601.17 Splash Park Account $ 35,738.34 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 925.29 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($ 9,375.99) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($275,991.74) 2017 Disbursement Account Bal $ 21,315.07 Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 80,000.00 Escrow Account (General) $ 5,440.30 Police Pension Fund $3,218,501.02 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 444,834.68 Next, Councilman Digwood read the Recycling Report for June 2018. The Recycling Report was placed on file. Recycling Report June - 2018 Pounds Tons Commingle 41,500 20.75 Cardboard 13,900 6.95 Paper (newspaper) 17,920 8.96 Brush 57,620 28.81 E-Cycling 3,700 1.85 Totaling 134,640 67.32 Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of June 2018. The Mayor advised that the police department responded to 568 calls for service, 5 parking tickets issued 3 were paid 2 are pending, 17 motor vehicle accidents investigated, 23 criminal complaints were filed, 45 traffic citations were issued and 5 non-traffic citations were issued, 12 commercial vehicles were inspected with 4 of those commercial vehicles being places out of service. Bicycle Patrol Unit investigated 14 Quality of Life Violations and 1 Citation was issued. There were 6 abandoned vehicles notified. Revenues received for the month of June 2018: Police Reports, $270.00; Parking Tickets, $60.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $1,771.08; Judicial Court Fines, $492.06; Roving Patrol Reimbursement, $685.12; Totaling - $3,278.26. The Mayor’s report was placed on file. Next, The Chairman asked Council Members if there were any topics that they would like to discuss. Councilman Digwood thanked DPW workers for E- recycling success. (DPW filled 90 skids of electronic equipment. Residents expressed appreciation for this service from the Taylor Borough. Next, The Chairman announced the death of Bruin, the Police Department canine. Retired Officer Froese had to put him down. He was with Taylor for ten years. He served the community well. He will be missed by the community. Another incident mentioned was the shooting at Lincoln Heights, Lucky’s Bar. The Police Department and the Chief together coordinated an effort with video and surveillance and within 2-3 hours had a description of the vehicle which resulted in one suspect in custody and one suspect obtained shortly thereafter. Council commended the Police Department for a fine job with that incident. Next, The Chairman asked if any other Council Members had any topics they would like to discuss. Councilman Fallon asked about the follow up with installation of generators. Mr. Zeleniak announced they have 3-4 contractors interested but no quotes have been submitted as of yet. He will try to have for next meeting. Next, Mr. Gerard Hetman, the Lackawanna County Down Valley Municipal Coordinator (Community Relations Coordinator) from Lackawanna County wanted to thank the Chief, Mayor, the Police Department and everyone on Council for their participation with the Bike Safety Fair. Three Officers, Surridge, Moran and Zuby participated in the event. There is an upcoming special event being held at McDade Park, which is a moving Tribute - Memorial Display Station and testimony of all U.S. forces who lost their lives since the 9-11 attack. This runs from September 7, 2018 thru September 11, 2018. Another event will be a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament organized and run by Rick Notari, which will run on July 27 and July 28. (July 29 will be the rain date if needed). There are also other upcoming events such as Family Fun Day and Art in the Park at the County Parks. Also, we have five dates left for Farmer’s Market Voucher distribution. A few dates are on nights and weekends. Anyone else from the Public? Nothing. Lastly, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. ___________________ _____________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary