City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting August 8, 2018 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 8:45 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. On Roll Call, Councilman DeAngelo, No; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Derenick, No; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Praschak, Yes. The Chairman entertained a motion to recess this Meeting to return back to the Public Hearing. A motion to recess was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. All Council Members were in favor and the meeting was recessed. Taylor Borough Reconvened Regular Monthly Meeting August 8, 2018 The Taylor Borough Council reconvened its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 8:45 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. 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 July 11, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes held at the Taylor Municipal Building 122 Union Street Taylor, PA 18517 and asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions. There were none. 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. The meeting minutes were approved as presented. Under Old Business, the Chairman announced to the public that an Executive Session was held on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 and Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, immediately following our Work Session held at 7:30 P.M., to discuss contractual issues regarding Police Department and DPW with the Borough Manager and/or the Solicitor. Under New Business, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a Letter of Resignation from Office William Davies effective July 15, 2018. Mr. Zeleniak read the letter of Resignation dated July 15, 2018. A Motion to accept Mr. Davies resignation by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Motion passed. Please send a Thank you from the Borough to Mr. Davies for his service to the Community. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to accept a Letter of Resignation from Joseph Reed, a DPW worker, effective immediately. Mr. Zeleniak read the Letter of Resignation effective July 27, 2018. A motion to accept Mr. Reed’s Resignation by Councilman Digwood 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 adopt an Ordinance No. 3 of 2018, Amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map of the Borough of Taylor to Re-zone certain parcels of Land in and around Oak Street, Taylor, PA from C-2A Community Commercial to C-3 Heavy Commercial - All such re-zoned lands containing approximately 90 acres more or less. Solicitor Jones gave a detailed overview. He stated that this was the Ordinance that deals with the change of zones set forth in the Ordinance which shows the buffer area away from Church Street. Council had a Public Hearing on April 11, 2018 where input was received and the Taylor Borough Planning Commission met on April 18, 2018 and took input on retracting the areas in question. There were several exhibits that went through under the NPC with the various notices and postings that went through and were reviewed by our Planning Commission and the Lackawanna County Planning Commission. A Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3 of 2018 was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Fallon. The Chairman then asked for any public comments, questions or input. Multiple residents voiced their concerns and opinions regarding this zone change. Gene Perna and Jason Sheridan both voiced their concerns with truck traffic, safety issues and traffic issues. The Chairman stated that this zone change will allow a hospital or a health care facility, but at this time there are no potential purchasers. A roll call was made - Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The Ordinance was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider Resolution No. 7 of 2018 to exchange used weapons to purchase new police service weapons. Solicitor Jones stated that it provides for the sale and exchange that are identified on the various exhibits that are presented. 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 Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider Resolution No. 8 of 2018 to establish a Taylor Honors Banner Committee. This will establish a committee to start collecting monies. A Motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. The application will be put up on the Taylor Borough Website with information and fees. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider Resolution No. 9 of 2018 to accept donations and set guidelines for an Honors Banner Program. 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 Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider Resolution No. 10 of 2018 authorizing the establishment of a Procedure Governing the Sale of Personal Property Valued at Less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). The Chairman gave a brief overview. A motion by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider Resolution No. 11 of 2018 for the Criteria for volunteer Firefighters Tax Program. The State passed a rebate program and the criteria for Volunteer/Active firefighters who serve for free, to be exempt from the appropriate taxes. A Motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and Councilman Tigue abstained due to being a volunteer firefighter and a direct impact with Taylor Hose No. 1 and Councilman Mickavicz abstained due to being an active member of the Taylor Fire and Rescue. With a majority vote, the Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to approve Lease(s) Agreements with the following Organizations: Triboro American Legion Baseball, Riverside Jr. Vikings, aka Taylor Lions Junior Football League, and Taylor Girls Softball. The chairman stated that, with Council’s permission, he would recommend tabling this item. Motion to table was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion was tabled. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to approve a request from Officer Brandon Bell to be approved for Enforcement Officer Disability Benefits (Heart & Lung) effective July 31, 2018 and a payroll effective date of August 3, 2018. Officer Brandon Bell has applied for and met the criteria for Heart & Lung Benefit Program available to Police Officers. 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. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to appoint Timothy McHale as a Part-time 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 by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Mr. Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for July 2018. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, the chairman entertained a motion to pay the July 2018 Payroll in the amount of $112,334.55, July Paid Bills in the amount of $42,622.22 and July open Invoices in the amount of $81,989.67. Total Expenditures $236,946.44 when funds are available. A motion was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. July Payroll $112,334.55 July Paid Invoices $ 42,622.22 July Open Invoices $ 81,989.67 Total Expenditures $236,946.44 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for July 2018. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report July 2018 Local Service Tax $ 1,466.10 Real Estate Tax 2018 $ 69,350.64 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $ 1,751.22 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $ 4,432.98 RE Tax Delinquent 2015 $ 92.48 RE Tax Delinquent 2014 $ 23.03 Tax Duplicates $ 70.00 RE Transfer Tax $114,040.54 Earned Income Tax $ 19,421.26 UCC Building Permits $ 39,659.49 Zoning Variance/ Permits $ 110.00 Escrow Accounts $ 0 Police Department $ 5,252.37 TCC $ 1,219.00 Other Income $ 2,308.84 Intergovernmental Revenue $ 2,740.30 Waste Management 2nd Quarter $142,587.65 Interest $ 44.80 Total Revenue $404,570.70 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for July 31, 2018. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report July 31, 2018  General Account Balance $629,092.91 Real Estate Tax Account $ 92,065.97 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $250,632.86 Splash Park Account $ 35,738.95 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 925.33 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($ 12,280.18) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($273,861.71) 2017 Disbursement Account Bal $ 21,315.89 Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 80,000.00 Escrow Account (General) $ 4,440.30 Police Pension Fund $3,247,060.02 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 446,253.92 Next, Councilman Digwood read the Recycling Report for July 2018. The Recycling Report was placed on file. Recycling Report July - 2018 Pounds Tons Commingle 33,400 16.70 Cardboard 20,060 10.03 Paper (newspaper) 30,160 15.08 Brush 42,020 21.01 E-Cycling 31,220 15.61 Totaling 156,860 78.43 Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of July 2018. The Mayor advised that the police department responded to 604 calls for service, 3 parking tickets issued 3 were paid, 20 motor vehicle accidents investigated, 20 criminal complaints were filed, 57 traffic citations were issued and 4 non-traffic citations were issued, 20 commercial vehicles were inspections conducted. Revenues received for the month of July 2018: Police Reports, $150.00; Parking Tickets, $45.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $2,202.66; Judicial Court Fines, $354.71; Walmart Donation, $2,500.00; Totaling - $5,252.37. The Mayor’s report was placed on file. Next, the Chairman asked if any other Council Members had any topics they would like to discuss. There were none. Next, Mr. Gerard Hetman, the Lackawanna County Down Valley Municipal Coordinator (Community Relations Coordinator) from Lackawanna County advised that the Lackawanna County Department of Parks and Recreation is now accepting requests to survey for the gypsy moth prevention spraying areas for 2019. If interested, please call Mike at 570-963-6850, Parks and Recreation Specialist. The Department of Conservation and Resources will determine which properties will be sprayed. He also advised that the County will have the Prescription Take Back Program by the DA and our office. They will have drop boxes located in the city and Courthouse. He also mentioned the Remembering Our Fallen Memorial which will be on display at McDade Park from September 7 thru September 11, 2018. The ceremony will be September 8, 2018 during normal park hours. Next, the Chairman appointed Committee Members for The Honors Banner Committee. The members appointed for the committee are: Dick Nezlo, Mayor Ted Praschak, Gene King, Ed Fortuna, Linda Kavulich, Joe Iacovazzi, Ron Breithaupt, Al Vanchieri, James Schiavo, Delphine DeAngelo, and current council members (Fran DeAngelo, Chuck McKeel, Brian Fallon, John Tigue, James Digwood, Edward Derenick, and Kenny Mickavicz). The program is now officially in effect. Next, the Chairman asked for any public input. Resident Steve Rendich asked about reducing the speed limit on S. Keyser Avenue. He asked if PennDOT could reduce the speed from St. Georges Church to Walnut Street. The Chairman informed him that we would reach out to Chris Getts at PennDOT and ask what would be the procedure to petition the speed change and we will look into this further. The Mayor and the Chief will look into heavier enforcement on S. Keyser Avenue. Lastly, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary