City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting February 13, 2019 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 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. The chairman asked the public if they had any comments or concerns regarding the Agenda. There was none. Chairman Mickavicz announced that Councilman Derenick has been absent from many meetings due to medical issues. He has been ill for quite some time. He does check in with Dan regularly and makes himself available. President Mickavicz stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the January 9, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes which was held at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street Taylor, PA 18517 and asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions. Councilman Tigue advised of a correction to the Real Estate Tax 2018 which read $8,858.41 should be changed to $3,333.47 and a correction to the Interest which read $33.66 should be changed to $33.56. A Motion to accept with corrections by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. 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, January 22, 2019 and Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, immediately following our Work Session held at 7:30 P.M., to discuss Police Contract, which has since expired with Solicitor and Borough Manager. Under New Business, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider adoption of Ordinance # 1 of 2019, updating and establishing a Volunteer Service Credit Program. This will allow the Firefighters to apply in 2020 for the 2019 season. A motion to adopt by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A roll call was made – Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; 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 transfer $9,773.68 from the Taylor Borough Escrow (Taylor Associates – Zamias) Account to the Taylor Borough General Fund as reimbursement. 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 accept a donation of a security DVR to the Taylor Community Center from SNF Polychemie. 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 hire Jeffrey Thomas and Stephanie Puckett for the part time clerk positions at the Taylor Community Center. The required clearances (Act 34, Act 114 and Act 151) have been submitted. The starting hourly rate of pay is $10.93 per hour. The position is on call, as needed with no guarantee of hours. It is also required that they maintain their clearances. A motion to appoint both names by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A roll call was made on both names – Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The motion passed. Next, the Chairman entertained a motion to consider adopting Resolution 1 of 2019, authorizing the application of a Lackawanna County Re-invest Grant in the amount of $8,000.00 on behalf of the Taylor Public Library to construct an appropriate cradle to hold and protect the historic school bell at the Taylor Public Library Grounds. The project includes landscaping, electrical wiring and lighting and the historic plaque. A motion to adopt was made by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, Mr. Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for January 2019. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, the chairman entertained a motion to pay the January 2019 Payroll in the amount of $113,635.70. January Paid Bills in the amount of $117,261.71 and January open Invoices in the amount of $164,803.51. Total Expenditures $395,700.92 when funds are available. 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. January Payroll $113,635.70 January Paid Invoices $117,261.71 January Open Invoices $164,803.51 Total Expenditures $395,700.92 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for January 2019. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report January 2019 Local Service Tax $279.02 2018 Real Estate Tax (Transfer) $21,911.37 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $736.08 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $294.93 Tax Duplicates $100.00 RE Transfer Tax $68,765.37 Earned Income Tax $25,117.56 UCC Building Permits $704.50 Zoning Variance Permits $100.00  Court Fees/Police Fines $3,512.71 TCC $1,960.50 Waste Management 4th Quarter $154,038.78 Waste Management 2018 Colliery Fund $15,791.68 Waste Management 2018 Fire Fund $15,791.68 Waste Management 2018 Gas to Energy $150,000.00 Other Income $1,301.32 Sale of Borough Surplus $2,000.00 Intergovernmental Revenue $25,232.10 Taylor 1 LLC Escrow $50,990.60 Zamias Escrow $10,006.00 Interest $31.48 Total Revenue $548,665.68 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for January 31, 2019. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report January 31, 2019 General Account Balance $523,374.91 Real Estate Tax Account $ 1,000.13 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $190,843.35 Splash Park Account $ 35,742.57 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 1,255.45 Hero’s Banner Account $ 4,271.62 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($ 3,065.98) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($260,332.98) Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 70,004.41 Escrow Account (General) $ 13,760.09 Police Pension Fund $3,130,393.72 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 450,569.50 Next, Councilman Digwood read the Recycling Report for January 2019. The Recycling Report was placed on file. Recycling Report January - 2019 Pounds Tons Commingle 28,680 14.34 Cardboard 22,080 11.04 Paper (Mixed) 30,460 15.23 Brush (Trees) 8,100 4.05  E-Cycling 0.000 0.00 Totaling 89,320 44.66 Public Safety had a meeting tonight and Councilman Tigue announced that the Police Department has extra ammunition from old Police guns. Chief Derenick was able to reach out to the officer’s store and they agreed to buy back ammunition and give a $6,000.00 store credit. This money would be used to purchase ammunition for all 9 mm guns at a cost of $13,610.71 and another plate for 4 rifle carriers which would cost $1,960.00. Councilman Tigue motioned to approve the $6,000.00 buy back for credit and purchase new ammunition for $13,610.71 along with rifle plate carriers in the amount of $1,960.00 and Councilman Digwood seconded. Chairman Mickavicz asked the public for any input since it was not on the Agenda. Chairman Mickavicz asked to have the motion tabled for further discussion and to put the proposal in writing for proper approval. A motion to table by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The issue was tabled. Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of January 2019. The Mayor advised that the Police Department responded to 571 calls for service, 139 parking tickets issued, 14 motor vehicle accidents investigated, 9 criminal complaints were filed, 59 traffic citations were issued and 1 non-traffic citations were issued. Revenues received for the month of January 2019: Police Reports, $105.00; Parking Tickets, $1525.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $1,652.95; Judicial Fines, $229.76; Totaling $3,512.71. Officer Brian Holland, who is a member of the Lackawanna County SWAT Team, traveled to Anne Arundel County, Maryland to receive his certification as a SWAT Operator. Officer Matthew Derenick received tactical shooting training in Harrisburg Area Community College. Officer Brandon Bell attended Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program training in Allentown, PA. Chief Derenick traveled to the Philadelphia area and received training in Police Leadership and Management. Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s Report for the year of 2018. The Mayor advised that the Police Department responded to 6,191 calls for service, 81 parking tickets issued, 207 motor vehicle accidents investigated, 205 criminal complaints were filed, 399 traffic citations were filed and 29 non-traffic citations filed. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Unit (MCSAP) inspected a total of 91 commercial vehicles. 23 vehicles were placed out of service. Revenues received for the year 2018; Police Reports, $3,360.50, Parking Tickets, $755.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $27,018.81; Judicial Fines, $4,809.71; Quality of Life, $100; Donations, $5000.00; Drug Task Force Reimbursement, $1,844.22; Prescription Take Back Reimbursement, $227.64; Roving Patrol Reimbursement, $3,807.91; Buckle-Up PA Reimbursement, $1,650.00; Totaling $48,573.79. 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 announced he spoke with the Economic Development Department regarding Splash Park Grants, which are currently on hold. The transfer from the Taylor Borough to the County must be approved by Commonwealth Finance Board which will be meeting at the end of February. He will keep Taylor updated. Mr. Hetman spoke about upcoming events. Lastly, the Chairman declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary