City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting September 9, 2020 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 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, No**; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; President Mickavicz, No; Mayor Praschak, Yes. **Councilman Tigue joined at 7:06 P.M. Chairman McKeel stated that the teleconference was advertised in a newspaper of general circulation that ran on Thursday September 3, 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, September 3, 2020 read as follows and will be part of the minutes: MEETING NOTICE - Taylor Borough Council will conduct its Regular monthly meeting via teleconference on September 9, 2020 at 7:00 P.M. for general purposes. 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 on Friday, September 4, 2020 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. The press is invited. Kristi A. Evans, Secretary. Chairman McKeel stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the August 12, 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 DeAngelo 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. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to accept a letter of resignation from Officer Erica Haines, which was received on August 24, 2020 effective immediately. Mr. Zeleniak read the letter of resignation. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to accept a letter of resignation from Officer Vincent Priorielli, which was received on August 24, 2020 effective immediately. Mr. Zeleniak read the letter of resignation. A motion to accept by Councilman Naro and seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to approve a request by Chief Derenick to attend a Police Executive Development training course held by the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute. (Previously approved twice but was cancelled both times) Cost of training is $1,289.00. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Naro. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to adopt Resolution # 18 of 2020, authorizing the Taylor Borough Council to enter into a Cooperation Agreement with the County of Lackawanna for the FFY 2019 CDBG Program Administration and to authorize the President to execute any and all documents pertaining to this agreement. A motion to accept was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Naro. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Resolution was adopted. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to approve the 2021 Non- Uniform Pension Plan MMO in the amount of $30,252.86. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Naro. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to approve the 2021 Police Pension Plan MMO in the amount of $292,107.00. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to award the TCC Roof Bid to the lowest responsible bidder. Mr. Zeleniak stated that the lowest bid was received from TRS Roofing in the amount of $155,800.00. Councilman Digwood made a motion to accept the lowest bid upon the approval of the bond review by the Solicitor and it was seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to award the TCC HVAC Bid to the lowest responsible bidder. Mr. Zeleniak stated that the lowest bid was received from Scranton Electric in the amount of $49,995.00. Councilman Digwood made a motion to accept the lowest bid upon the approval of the bond review by the Solicitor and it was seconded by Councilman Tigue. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion authorize the President to negotiate and execute a Lease Agreement with the Taylor Public Library. A motion to accept by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Naro. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to authorize the President and other Borough Officials to enter into an agreement with Strategic Municipal Group to provide services to Taylor Borough regarding administration of Zoning Applications and Permits, Municipal Codes and Ordinances. Mr. Zeleniak gave a brief overview. A motion to accept by Councilman Fallon and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to appoint Strategic Municipal Group as an alternate Zoning Officer. A motion to accept was made by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman Fallon. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to authorize Tina McGovern to apply for the First Responder Grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation for up to $50,000.00 for the purchase of Police Protective Equipment (new portable radios with digital frequency capability, AED’s, Tasers, Combat Application Tourniquets, Civil Disturbance Equipment) with an amount not to exceed an amount of $150.00. A motion to accept was made by Councilman Tigue and seconded by Councilman Naro. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to appoint Dr. Kenneth Sebastianelli and PrimeMed PC to administer medical/physical examinations for all new probationary hires to the Police Department effective August 13, 2020. 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, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to appoint Dr. John Kuna to administer psychological testing to all new probationary hires to the Police Department effective August 16, 2020. A motion to accept 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, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to appoint and ratify the actions of the Manager, Dan Zeleniak as an assistant Uniformed Construction Code Officer as well as an officer of all other codes. A motion to accept 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, Councilman Tigue read the Approval of Bills for Payment for August 2020. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, Chairman McKeel entertained a motion to pay the August 2020 Payroll in the amount of $116,346.58. August General Fund Paid Bills in the amount of $3,937.73, August General Fund Open Invoices in the amount of $75,372.11 and August Liquid Fuels Open Invoices in the amount of $7,078.56 - Total Expenditures $202,734.98 when funds are available. 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. August Payroll $116,346.58 August General Fund Paid Bills $ 3,937.73 August General Fund Open Invoices $ 75,372.11 August Liquid Fuels Open Invoices $ 7,078.56 Total Expenditures $202,734.98 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for August 2020. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report August 2020 Local Service Tax $19,003.09 RE: Tax Delinquent 2019 $21,529.79 RE: Tax Delinquent 2018 $4,320.74 RE: Tax Delinquent 2017 $485.37 Earned Income Tax $118,386.99 RE Transfer Tax $7,171.13 Tax Duplicates $350.00 UCC Building Permits $1,599.55 Court Fees/Police Fines $2,133.34 Zoning Permits $175.00 TCC $142.50 Comcast $23,644.83 Escrow $909.20 Other Income $1,850.30 Interest $96.72 Total Revenue $201,798.55 Next, Mr. Tigue read the Financial Report for August 31, 2020. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report August 31, 2020 General Account Balance $977,743.30 Real Estate Tax Account $ 25,606.41  Liquid Fuels Account Balance $374,130.95 Splash Park Account $ 30,752.86 Veteran’s Memorial Account $ 1,005.83 Hero’s Banner Account $ 6,416.94 Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($27,017.27) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($217,901.75) Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ 60,254.88 Escrow Account (General) $ 1,589.20 Police Pension Fund $3,391,506.93 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $466,555.02 Fire Insurance Escrow $4,279.00 Next, Chairman McKeel asked that the Recycling Report for August 2020 be placed on file. Recycling Report August 2020 Pounds Tons Commingle 26,780 13.39 Cardboard/Paper 30,220 15.11 Brush/Grass 62,580 31.29 Totaling 119,580 59.79 Next, Chairman McKeel asked that the Mayor’s Report for the month of August 2020 be placed on file. The Police Department responded to 463 calls for service, 3 criminal complaints filed, 4 traffic citations issued, 2 non- traffic citations issued, 3 parking tickets issued and 20 motor vehicle accidents investigated. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program Unit (MCSAP) conducted a total of 5 commercial vehicle inspections. 2 of the vehicles were placed out of service. Revenues received for the month of August 2020: Police Reports, $300.00; Magisterial District Court Fines, $1,012.13; Parking Tickets, $45.00; Judicial Fines, $776.21 - Totaling $2,133.34. Lastly, Chairman McKeel declared the meeting adjourned. __________________________ ____________________________ Kenneth Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Evans, Borough Secretary