City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting July 8, 2020 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 7:00 P.M., via Teleconference due to State of Emergency – COVID-19. On Roll Call: Councilman Naro, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Praschak, Yes. President Mickavicz stated that the teleconference was advertised in a newspaper of general circulation that ran on June 18, 2020, it instructed to the public that the agenda was available online as well as the front window of the Borough Building and that if any resident had any comment or input on any agenda item that they can submit it to the Borough Secretary through email or via phone call. There were none. The legal advertisement which ran on Thursday, June 18, 2020 read as follows and will be part of the minutes: NOTICE is hereby given that the Taylor Borough Council will hold its Regular monthly meeting via teleconference on July 8, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. to conduct general business and to vote on enacting AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING ALL PERSONS, PARTNERSHIPS, BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH PERMITS; SETTING FORTH CERTAIN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AREAS OF THE BOROUGH OF TAYLOR WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FLOODING; AND ESTABLISHING PENALTIES FOR ANY PERSONS WHO FAIL, OR REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH, THE REQUIREMENTS OR PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE. The Press is invited. Public comment can be made on any agenda item by submitting an e-mail to kevans@taylorborough.com or by calling the Borough Building at (570) 562- 1400 x110 up to 4:30 P.M. on the scheduled meeting date. The Meeting Agenda can be viewed online at taylorborough.com and will be posted at the Taylor Borough Building, front door window or by requesting one be sent by email or phone call to the Borough Secretary. A copy of the full text of the proposed Ordinance may be examined online on the Borough website Taylorborough.com or a copy may be obtained electronically via email kevans@taylorborough.com or by contacting the Borough Secretary’s Office at the above referenced Municipal Building, during any business day between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Kristi A. Evans, Secretary. President Mickavicz stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the June 10, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes held via teleconference and asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions. None noted. 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. Next, President Mickavicz announced that an Executive Teleconference was held on June 18, 2020 at 3:30 P.M. to discuss Legal Matters with the Borough Solicitor and other Legal Counsel. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to accept a letter of resignation from Officer Matthew Baux, which was received on June 23, 2020 effective immediately. 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, President Mickavicz entertained a motion adopt Ordinance #4 of 2020, requiring all persons, partnerships, businesses and corporations to obtain a permit for any construction or development; providing for the issuance of such permits; setting forth certain minimum requirements for new construction and development within areas of the Borough of Taylor which are subject to flooding; and establishing penalties for any persons who fail or refuse to comply with the requirements or provisions of this Ordinance. A motion to adopt by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Digwood. Solicitor Jones gave a brief overview. On Roll Call: Councilman Naro, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The Ordinance was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to accept a letter of resignation from Office Michael Zuby as a Full Time Police Officer effective immediately and to authorize the President of Council to execute any and all documents related to this resignation and separation from employment. A motion to accept 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. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to adopt Resolution # 13 of 2020, authorizing the Board of Commissioners of Lackawanna County to submit an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for funding, on behalf of Taylor Borough in the amount of $66,778.00, through the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Program, as part of the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act [P.L. 116-136], and further certifying compliance with the requirements of said program. Mr. Zeleniak gave a brief overview. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. On Roll Call: Councilman Naro, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; Councilman Fallon, Yes; Councilman Tigue, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. The Resolution was adopted. Next, Councilman Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for June 2020. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to pay the June 2020 Payroll in the amount of $116,526.41. June General Fund Paid Bills in the amount of $57,687.78, June General Fund Open Invoices in the amount of $104,796.13 and June Liquid Fuels Open Invoices in the amount of $7,806.93 - Total Expenditures $286,817.25 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. June Payroll $116,526.41 June General Fund Paid Bills $ 57,687.78 June General Fund Open Invoices $104,796.13 June Liquid Fuels Open Invoices $ 7,806.93 Total Expenditures $286,817.25 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for June 2020. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file.  Treasurer’s Report June 2020 Local Service Tax $10,533.29 Real Estate Tax 2020 $101,507.26 RE: Tax Delinquent 2019 $3,028.40 RE: Tax Delinquent 2018 $1,551.63 Earned Income Tax $15,973.03 RE Transfer Tax $685.66 UCC Building Permits $1,073.50 Court Fees/Police Fines $2,026.80 Zoning Permits $290.00 Escrow $1,737.70 Honor Banners $945.00 Other Income $1,274.74 Interest $95.31 Total Revenue $140,722.32 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for June 30, 2020. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report June 30, 2020 General Account Balance $790,056.52 Real Estate Tax Account $ 89,965.00 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $389,644.91 Splash Park Account $ 30,751.82 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 1,005.79 Hero’s Banner Account $ 6,038.94 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($16,716.76)  10 Year General Obligation Note ($222,499.10) Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 60,253.84 Escrow Account (General) $ 3,743.70 Police Pension Fund $3,219,159.20 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $ 464,405.96 Fire Insurance Escrow $11,682.12 Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Recycling Report for June 2020 be placed on file. Recycling Report June 2020 Pounds Tons Commingle 27,580 13.79 Cardboard/Paper 37,120 18.56 Brush/Grass 54,220 27.11 Totaling 118,920 59.46 Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Mayor’s Report for the month of June 2020 be placed on file. The Police Department responded to 554 calls for service, 7 criminal complaints filed, 22 traffic citations issued, 3 non-traffic citations issued, 19 motor vehicle accidents investigated and 15 quality of life violations investigated. Revenues received for the month of June 2020: Police Reports, $300.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $517.53; Parking Tickets, $80.00; Judicial Fines, $902.75 ; Quality of Life (Restitution), $226.52 - Totaling $2,026.80. Next, President Mickavicz asked if anyone on Council had anything they would like to bring up. Councilman Tigue announced that the new Police Silverado has arrived and that the Chiefs vehicle is put back into the fleet as 95-8. Councilman Tigue also stated that he had a request from the Taylor Fire Departments to be reimbursed in the amount of $3,060.00 for the IAM Responding Software for a 5 year term. This will be put on next months agenda. Next, President Mickavicz updated the 2020-2021 Borough Committees as follows: Public Works Committee: James Digwood – Chairman, Robert Naro and Brian Fallon. Public Safety Committee: John Tigue – Chairman, Chuck McKeel and James Digwood. Finance Committee: John Tigue – Chairman, James Digwood and Fran DeAngelo. Personnel Committee: Chuck McKeel – Chairman, James Digwood and Kenneth Mickavicz. Recreation Committee: Chuck McKeel – Chairman, Fran DeAngelo and Robert Naro. Environmental Committee: Fran DeAngelo – Chairman, Brian Fallon and Robert Naro. Lastly, President Mickavicz declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary