City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting September 12, 2018 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 7:30 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. The Chairman first asked for a moment of silence to remember all the victims on the 17th year of the 9/11 tragedy. 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. The chairman asked the public if they had any comments or concerns regarding the Agenda. Mr. Gerard Hetman offered input on the transfer of the assets of the Splash Park from the Borough to Lackawanna County Parks and Recreations Department. He advised that Item L on the agenda, a Resolution authorizing the transfer, is what the County is requiring and will allow the County to move forward with the project. Next, the Chairman stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the August 8, 2018, Public Hearing Minutes, the August 8, 2018, Regular Meeting Minutes and August 28, 2018, Special Meeting Minutes all 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, September 11, 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 Taylor Police Department and DPW with the Borough Manager and/or the Solicitor. Under New Business, the Chairman entertained a motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Taylor Borough and SEIU #668 effective immediately. Solicitor Jones explained CDL need for qualified employees. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. Councilman McKeel abstained due to a family member having SEIU # 668 affiliation. Mr. McKeel presented a signed document explaining his abstaining from voting to avoid a conflict or the appearance of a conflict. A voice vote was called and all Council Members, except for Councilman McKeel who abstained, were in favor. The Motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to appoint Kyle McKeel as a Full- Time employee of the Department of Public Works effective immediately. Salary and Benefits in accordance with the SEIU #668 Collective Bargaining Agreement and Health Insurance to follow Federal Guidelines. A Motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. Councilman McKeel abstained from voting due to Kyle McKeel being his son and avoiding a conflict of interest. A Roll Call vote was called; Councilman DeAngelo – Yes; Councilman Fallon – Yes; Councilman Tigue – Yes; Councilman Digwood – Yes; Councilman McKeel – Abstain; Councilman Mickavicz – Yes. With a majority vote, with one abstention, the motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to appoint Michael Derenick and John J. Harrison as Full-Time employees of the Department of Public Works effective immediately. Salary and benefits in accordance with the SEIU # 668 Collective Bargaining Agreement and Health Insurance to follow Federal Guidelines. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. The three employees have been with the borough for quite some time for the Department of Public Works. Roll call vote was made - Councilman DeAngelo – Yes; Councilman Fallon – Yes; Councilman Tigue – Yes; Councilman Digwood – Yes; Councilman McKeel – Yes; Councilman Mickavicz – Yes. The vote was unanimous. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider an updated Certified Eligibility List of Qualified Applicants for the position of Full time Police Officer from the Taylor Borough Civil Service Commission. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. Eligible names were to expire November 2018. Names are: 1. Robert David Williams, II, 2. Bobby Joe Ann Bendersky, 3. Michael Franklin Zuby, 4. Matthew Stephen Derenick. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a motion to make a conditional offer of employment to ___________as per the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the entry level Position of Police Officer. Salary and Benefits in accordance with TPOA Contract. Per State and Civil Service requirements, it would have to be from the top 3 on the Certified List. A motion to consider Michael Franklin Zuby was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Fallon. The Chairman asked for any public input because the name was not on the agenda – there were none. A roll call vote was called – Councilman DeAngelo – Yes; Councilman Fallon – Yes; Councilman Tigue – Yes; Councilman Digwood – Yes; Councilman McKeel – Yes; Councilman Mickavicz – Yes. A unanimous vote was received. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to make a conditional offer of employment to ___________, as per the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the entry level Position of Police Officer. Salary and benefits in accordance with the TPOA Contract. The list now changes per the State and Local Civil Service Laws. The selection would be Robert David Williams, II, Bobby Joe Ann Bendersky or Matthew Stephen Derenick. A motion to appoint Matthew Stephen Derenick was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. The Chairman asked for any public input because the name was not on the agenda – there were none. A roll call vote was called – Councilman DeAngelo – Yes; Councilman Fallon – Yes; Councilman Tigue – Yes; Councilman Digwood – Yes; Councilman McKeel – Yes; Councilman Mickavicz – Yes. A unanimous vote was received. The motion was passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to authorize the execution of a Lease with Northeastern Childcare Services, Inc. The Solicitor gave a brief overview. A motion to execute Lease was made 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 authorize the execution of a Lease with Tri-Boro American Legion Baseball. The Solicitor gave a brief overview. A Motion to accept the execution of the Lease was made 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 authorize the execution of a Lease with Riverside Jr. Vikings aka Taylor Lions Jr. Football. The Solicitor gave a brief overview. A motion to execute the Lease 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 accept a Resignation from Officer Amber Welch from the Taylor Police Department effective August 21, 2018. Mr. Zeleniak read the Letter of Resignation. 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 consider a Resolution # 13 of 2018, authorizing the Board of Commissioners of Lackawanna County to submit an application for Federal Fiscal Year 2018 Community Development Block Grant Program Funds in the amount of $110,245.00 on behalf of the Borough of Taylor. A motion was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a Resolution # 14 of 2018 authorizing the transfer of Grants for a Splash Park formerly at Derenick Park, now to be located at McDade Park. 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 a Resolution # 15 of 2018, to endorse Marcy’s Law, the Constitutional Amendment supporting greater rights for victims of crime which passed unanimously through the 2018 Pennsylvania Legislature. The solicitor gave a brief overview. 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 a Resolution # 16 of 2018 authorizing the application for a LSA Grant for Street Scrape in conjunction with Riverside School District. This would be for improvements at the Riverside High School Football Stadium (sidewalks, bleachers). 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 Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a Resolution # 17 of 2018 authorizing the filing of an application for a Monroe County LSA Grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for funding of a renovation project at the Taylor Community Center renovation project. Scope of project would be to replace the floor of the gymnasium with Hard Wood floor and also/or air conditioning units and insulate the outside walls. A motion was made by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a Resolution # 18 of 2018 authorizing the filing of an application for a Monroe County LSA Grant from the DCED for funding of the Derenick Park Site Improvement Project. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Fallon. The Grant would be to extend the grassy areas for more parking and fenced in area and relocating the current pavilion. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a motion to accept an anonymous donation of a Bench for in front of the Veterans Memorial. An anonymous person offered to donate a Pennsylvania Blue Stone Bench and would be placed on the Memorial Side of the Community Center. A motion was made by Councilman Tigue 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 consider a motion to authorize the donation of two Samsung Tablets to Taylor Hose Company # 1 - IMEI # 990004903585291 and IMEI # 990004903591273. These were from the Police Department before they upgraded. Our IT Department scrubbed and deleted information from them and made sure nothing was on them. They are the Borough’s Property. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Digwood. Councilman Tigue abstained due to an affiliation with the Taylor Hose Company. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor with one abstaining. The majority carries and the Motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider to authorize the sale of a Sig Sauer .40 caliber, Police Service Weapon to retired Police Chief Stephen Derenick, Jr. Serial # AD 20048 in the amount of $280.50, pursuant to Resolution # 7 of 2018. The Chairman gave a detailed overview. Under the current policy any item worth a value under $1000, the Borough Manager has the authority to dispose of it. Normally firearms are traded in. However under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, we had an upgrade to the service weapons for the Police and the request to purchase from the former Chief. A motion was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. The current chief is Stephen A. Derenick and former chief was Stephen Derenick, Jr. A voice vote was called and all council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider a motion to authorize the purchase of 2,500 Red Recycling Containers (32 Gallon with Lid) from TMF Corporation – Costars # 17 in the amount of $42,500.00 ($25,000.00 Grant to be reimbursed). 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 to consider a motion to authorize the purchase of a John Deere 324G Skidsteer Loader, costars # 4400011436 with Cold Planer and Pickup Broom Attachments. The total purchase price includes trade in deductions for the following items: Bandit Chipper – VIN # S/N 4FMUS 18128R001938 in the amount of $18,000.00, New Holland Skidsteer – VIN # 190461 in the amount of $6,500.00 including backhoe attachment – Serial # 8927000 in the amount of $3,500.00. Total Net Purchase Price $36,726.70 (Machine Gross Cost $64,726.70 before trade ins). A motion by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman Tigue. Councilman Mickavicz Abstained from voting due to his employer having an immediate relative having a financial interest to the CoStar Company the equipment is being purchased from. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor with 1 abstaining vote. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider the authorization to appropriate Borough Officials to present Brogan Perfilio with a Proclamation on September 23, 2018. Councilman McKeel explained Brogan plays on the D team at the Taylor Jr. Vikes. September is Childhood Cancer Month and Brogan is currently fighting Cancer. We felt it more appropriate to attend the game and present Brogan with the Proclamation at the field. 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 August 2018. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, the chairman entertained a motion to pay the August 2018 Payroll in the amount of $108,710.40, August Paid Bills in the amount of $13,885.52 and August open Invoices in the amount of $97,073.19. Total Expenditures $219,669.11 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. August Payroll $108,710.40 August Paid Invoices $ 13,885.52 August Open Invoices $ 97,073.19 Total Expenditures $219,669.11 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for August 2018. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report August 2018 Local Service Tax $ 23,403.47 Real Estate Tax 2018 $ 10,165.97 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $ 18,577.62 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $ 2,879.06 RE Tax Delinquent 2015 $ 360.28 Tax Duplicates $ 1,200.00 RE Transfer Tax $ 4,197.44 Earned Income Tax $ 113,614.23 UCC Building Permits $ 35,165.42 Zoning Variance/ Permits $ 90.00 Escrow Accounts $ 0 Court Fees/Police Fines $ 2,094.97 TCC $ 1,508.14 Other Income $ 2,368.93 Intergovernmental Revenue $ 0 Comcast $ 22,126.57 Interest $ 44.49 Total Revenue $237,796.59 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for August 31, 2018. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report August 31, 2018 General Account Balance $663,499.36 Real Estate Tax Account $102,233.55 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $243,106.33 Splash Park Account $ 35,739.56 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 925.35 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($ 15,866.01) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($271,010.32) 2017 Disbursement Account Bal $ 21,316.69 Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 80,000.00 Escrow Account (General) $ 4,440.30 Police Pension Fund $3,265,464.47 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 446,535.17 Next, Councilman Digwood read the Recycling Report for August 2018. The Recycling Report was placed on file. Recycling Report August - 2018 Pounds Tons Commingle 30,380 15.19 Cardboard 35,720 17.86 Paper (Mixed) 28,460 14.23 Brush 45,660 22.83 E-Cycling 4,940 2.47 Totaling 145,160 72.58 Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of August 2018. The Mayor advised that the police department responded to 565 calls for service, 9 parking tickets issued - 9 were paid, 18 motor vehicle accidents investigated, 16 criminal complaints were filed, 27 traffic citations were issued and 2 non-traffic citations were issued, In July and August of 2018 there were a total of 34 Quality of Life violations identified and addressed - 7 abandoned vehicles were identified, and the appropriate action was taken as per state guidelines, and 1 citation issued for a violation under the Quality of Life Ordinance. Revenues received for the month of August 2018: Police Reports, $135.00; Parking Tickets, $30.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $1,306.39; Judicial Court Fines, $523.58; Quality of Life Violations $100.00; Totaling - $2,094.97. The Police Department has received 25 Glock Gen5 - 9mm pistols. These pistols will be issued to all officers and placed in service after the department’s annual firearms training/qualification. 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 the Senior Health Fair will run on September 14, 2018 from 10am to 1:00pm at the PNC Field and Hero’s Day Public Safety Fair will run on September 22nd from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the PNC field. Parents for Second Time sponsored by Area of Aging on September 23rd at Courthouse Square. (Grandparents who are helping raise children). We have a website and email address at the Visitor’s Center. Lastly, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary