City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting August 14, 2019 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 7:30 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. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. President Mickavicz asked the Public if they had any comments or concerns regarding the Agenda. There were none. President Mickavicz stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the July 10, 2019 Council Hearing Minutes, July 10, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes, July 16, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes, July 25, 2019 Council Hearing Minutes, and July 25, 2019 Special Meeting Minutes - all of which were held at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street Taylor, PA 18517 and asked if there were any corrections, additions or deletions. None noted. 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 meeting minutes were approved as presented. Under Old Business, President Mickavicz announced to the public that an Executive Session was held on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, immediately following the 7:30 P.M. Work Session to discuss Police/Personnel matters with the Solicitor and Borough Manager. The work session of August 13, 2019 was also recessed to continue on August 20, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 3 of 2019, Dissolving the Recreation Commission of the Borough of Taylor. A Motion was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. President Mickavicz announced the Recreation Commission has been having difficulty and struggling to have meetings over the last several months. If this motion is successful, the Borough Manager would be the direct liaison. A Roll call was made – Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The Ordinance No. 3 of 2019 was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 4 of 2019, Amending Ordinance No. 3 of 2000, and Ordinance No. 6 of 2016, as Amended by Hereby Deleting and Re-adopting New Sections 2.3 Organization of the Commission; 4.5 Oral Examination of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the Borough of Taylor Municipal Civil Service Commission. The passage of this ordinance would come in compliance with the law - Section 2.3 would reorganize in even number years in February and Section 4.5 would open up for more applicants to take the oral interview who receive a 70% or higher on the written examination and then the top 25 applicants would move onto the oral examination. A motion by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A roll call was made - Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The Ordinance No. 4 of 2019 was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to accept the resignation from Officer Brian Bauer effective September 1, 2019. Mr. Zeleniak read the resignation letter dated August 16, 2019 to the public. A motion was made by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 8 of 2019, authorizing the President of Council to execute the Agility Agreement with PennDOT. 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 No. 8 of 2019 was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 9 of 2019 authorizing the return of a $5,000.00 grant received from the Scranton Area Foundation for the Taylor Splash Park. Most of the grants were able to be transferred to the Lackawanna County. However, Scranton Area Foundation asked that the Grant be returned. A motion was made by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all members were in favor. The Resolution No. 9 of 2019 was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 10 of 2019 authorizing appropriate Borough Officials to acknowledge, apply for and accept a grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Office of the Budget in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00); accepting and dispersing the grant if the application is successful for the project known as the “Taylor Industrial Redevelopment Project”. Solicitor Jones gave a brief overview with an amended recommendation. 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 No. 10 of 2019 was adopted with amended recommendation. Next, Mr. Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for July 2019. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to pay the July 2019 Payroll in the amount of $120,415.78. July General Fund Paid Bills in the amount of $69,681.45 and July open Invoices in the amount of $93,182.98. July Liquid Fuels Paid Bills $6,200.19 and July Liquid Fuels Open Invoices in the amount of $9,484.50. Total Expenditures $298,964.90 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. July Payroll $120,415.78 July General Fund Paid Bills $ 69,681.45 July General Fund Open Invoices $ 93,182.98 July Liquid Fuels Paid Bills $ 6,200.19 July Liquid Fuels Open Invoices $ 9,484.50 Total Expenditures $298,964.90 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for July 2019. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report July 2019 Local Service Tax $ 2,177.64 RE Tax Delinquent 2018 $ 3,710.81 RE Tax Delinquent 2017 $3,314.54 RE Tax Delinquent 2016 $ 63.59 Tax Duplicates $ 80.00 RE Transfer Tax $2,123.41 Earned Income Tax $15,045.40 UCC Building Permits $ 8,482.30 Zoning Variance Permits $495.00 Court Fees/Police Fines $3,347.39 TCC $1,715.27 Waste Management 2nd Quarter 2019 $252,836.90 Other Income $13,569.84 Intergovernmental Revenue $11,068.00 Interest $79.69 Total Revenue $318,109.78 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for July 31, 2019. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report July 31, 2019 General Account Balance $644,020.03 Real Estate Tax Account $ 41,180.00 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $317,366.57 Splash Park Account $ 35,746.13 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 1,250.57 Hero’s Banner Account $ 8,529.62 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($ 15,779.85) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($247,193.49) Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 60,239.96 Escrow Account (General) $ 2,255.00 Police Pension Fund $3,198,564.33 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 455,814.22 Next, Councilman Digwood read the Recycling Report for July 2019. The Recycling Report was placed on file. Recycling Report July - 2019 Pounds Tons Commingle 25,680 12.84 Cardboard 23,780 11.89 Paper (Mixed) 13,840 6.92 Brush (Trees) 64,180 32.09 Totaling 127,480 63.74 Next, Mayor Praschak presented the Mayor’s report for the month of July 2019. The Mayor advised that the Police Department responded to 454 calls for service, 11 criminal complaints filed, 46 traffic citations issued, 4 non- traffic citations issued and 12 Parking Tickets Issued. There was a total of 20 motor vehicle accidents investigated. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Unit inspected 8 commercial vehicles in the month of July. Three (3) of the commercial vehicles were placed out of service due to mechanical issues. There were 14 Quality of Life violations investigated. There was 1 abandoned vehicle removed, 1 Quality of Life violation notice issued, and 1 state citation issued. The Police Department has placed into service a new 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. This vehicle was purchased from Municipal Equipment Enterprises in New Jersey. Revenues received for the month of July 2019: Police Reports, $165.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $1,783.46; Judicial Fines, $462.98; Drug Task Force Reimbursement, $630.95; Parking Tickets, $305.00; - Totaling $3,347.39 The Mayor’s report was placed on file. Next, President Mickavicz asked Council if there were any further comments. Councilman Tigue suggested that Sheetz come to next Council Meeting. We can Poll Council and Reilly for date. Next, Mr. Gerard Hetman, the Lackawanna County Down Valley Municipal Coordinator (Community Relations Coordinator) from Lackawanna County spoke of the upcoming events in the Community. President Mickavicz questioned Mr. Hetman on the County’s input on Rain Tax/Stormwater Management Fee and how it affects Taylor. Mr. Hetman suggested that correspondence be sent asking questions. President Mickavicz asked the Public if they had any comments. Christine Snyder, from Mackie Lane, commented on the sewer problem in her yard. A discussion followed. Lastly, the Councilman declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary