City Council

Taylor Borough Regular Monthly Meeting July 13, 2022 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 7:00 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. On Roll Call: Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Tigue, No; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Kavulich Loiselle, Yes. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. Next, President Mickavicz asked the public if they had any comment or input regarding the agenda items. There were none. Next, President Mickavicz stated that everyone had the opportunity to read and review the June 8, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes held at the Taylor Municipal Building at 122 Union Street, Taylor, PA. President Mickavicz asked if there were any corrections, additions, or deletions. None noted. A motion to approve by Councilman Digwood 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. Next, President Mickavicz stated that an Executive Session was also held on Monday, July 11, 2022 immediately following the 7:00 PM Work Session regarding Contractual/Personnel issues with Borough Manager and Solicitor. New Business - Next, Mayor Loiselle requested Council to authorize Officers Strenkoski and McDonald to attend free training on Vehicle Weight and Measures Training through the Pennsylvania State Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Training Unit from August 2nd- August 4th in Doylestown, PA. The Officers were just notified they were accepted into the class. The Officers will need lodging, meals and mileage. Chief Holland and Mayor Loiselle have approved this training. The officers have been waiting for acceptance into the class and the next council meeting isn’t until August and this class is August 2nd. President Mickavicz entertained a motion to amend the Agenda to consider approving and sending the officers to training. A motion to accept by Councilman DeAngelo and seconded by Councilman McKeel. President Mickavicz asked the Public if they had any comments since the item was not on the Agenda. None noted. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to consider approving Officer McDonald and Officer Strenkoski to attend free training on Vehicle Weight and Measures Training through the Pennsylvania State Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Training Unit from August 2nd - August 4th in Doylestown, PA. The Officers were just notified they were accepted into the class. The Officers will need lodging, meals and mileage. A motion to accept by Councilman Maldonato and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to consider to make a conditional officer of employment to David B. Graham, as a part-time Police Officer on an as needed basis with no guarantee of hours and with a starting hourly compensation rate and benefits in accordance with the budget, subject to other applicable Acts including but not limited to ACT 57. A motion to adopt by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. A roll call was made – Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. Having received a unanimous vote, the motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to adopt Resolution # 12 of 2022, authorizing an application to the Lackawanna County Community Re-invest Grant Program in the amount of $5,000 to be used for Holiday lighting, decorations, and beautification projects. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A roll call was made – Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. Having received a unanimous vote, the motion was adopted. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Taylor Borough and the Taylor Police Officer’s Association regarding the retention incentive raises for $1.00 per hour. A motion to accept by Councilman Digwood and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Taylor Borough and the Taylor Police Officer’s Association regarding the changing of a Sergeant’s Salary. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding between Taylor Borough and SEIU 668/DPW regarding changing the starting salary for DPW full-time employees and a retention incentive for all other full-time employees. A motion to accept by Councilman McKeel and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to ratify the retention incentive of $1.00 per hour added to their rate for all Administrative and other non-uniform employees from June 3, 2022 and forward; as well as authorizing all uniformed non-collective bargaining employees a retention incentive of $1.00 per hour at straight time from June 3, 2022, and thereafter added to their hourly rate from July 13, 2022. A motion to accept by Councilman Maldonato and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The Motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to appoint John Harrison, Sr. as a full-time employee of the Department of Public Works effective/start date of July 29, 2022. 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 Digwood and seconded by Councilman McKeel. A roll call was made – Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. Having received a unanimous vote, the motion passed. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to appoint Cord Mickavicz as a full-time employee of the Department of Public Works effective/start date of July 29, 2022. 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 McKeel and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. A roll call was made – Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Abstained. Having received a majority vote, the motion passed. Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Approval of Bills for Payment for June 2022. Attached are the list of paid invoices and open invoices. Next, President Mickavicz entertained a motion to pay the June 2022 Payroll in the amount of $119,257.43. June General Fund Open Invoices in the amount of $82,463.42. June Paid Invoices in the amount of $9,399.43 and June Liquid Fuels Open Invoices in the amount of $7,295.29 - Total Expenditures $218,415.57 when funds are available. A motion was made by Councilman Maldonado and seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called and all Council Members were in favor. The motion passed. June Payroll $119,257.43 June General Fund Open Invoices $ 82,463.42 June Paid Invoices $ 9,399.43 June Liquid Fuels Open Invoices $ 7,295.29 Total Expenditures $218,415.57 Next, Mr. Zeleniak read the Treasurer’s Report for June 2022. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. Treasurer’s Report June 2022 Local Services Tax $ 6,095.06 RE: Tax Delinquent 2021 $909.70 RE: Tax Delinquent 2020 $542.72 RE: Tax Delinquent 2019 $83.21 RE: Tax Delinquent 2018 $88.91 RE: Tax Delinquent 2017 $86.23 RE: Tax Delinquent 2016 $91.48 RE: Tax Delinquent 2014 $84.54 RE Transfer Tax - May $12,914.13 Tax Duplicates $ 340.00 Earned Income Tax $21,117.10 UCC Building Permits $2,788.50 Court Fees/Police Fines $2,603.58 Zoning $160.00 K-9 Donations $11,845.00 Other Income $7,969.40 Interest $44.07 Total Revenue $67,763.63 Next, Councilman Tigue read the Financial Report for June 30, 2022. The Financial Report was placed on file. Financial Report June 30, 2022 General Account Balance $1,372,358.63 Real Estate Tax Account $1,813.08 Liquid Fuels Account Balance $154,567.95 Splash Park Account $30,764.12 Veteran’s Memorial Account $1,206.27 Hero’s Banner Account $6,916.94 ARPA Account $309,604.61 ESL, Inc. Escrow Account $481,901.33 Fire Insurance Escrow $10.00 Escrow Account (General) $6,066.70 Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $60,265.86 Police Pension Fund $3,169,143.74  Open Purchase Orders (PO’s) ($85,609.55) 10 Year General Obligation Note ($165,118.53) Lease Obligations ($204,863.15) 2022 Police Comp/OT Obligations ($32,295.40) Other Police Comp/OT Obligations ($28,892.90) Taylor Police K-9 Fund $20,391.11 Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Recycling Report for June 2022 be placed on file. Recycling Report June 2022 Pounds Tons Commingle 25,040 12.52 Cardboard/Paper 50,220 25.11 Grass/Brush 93,410 46.71 Totaling 168,670 84.34 Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Mayor’s Report for the month of June 2022 be placed on file. During the month of June 2022, the Police Department responded to 453 incidents. There were 17 traffic crashes investigated; 78 traffic stops were conducted resulting in 6 traffic citations issued. Officers made 11 criminal arrests. (Arrest Record – Officer McDonald – 3 arrests; Officer Surridge – 3 arrests; Officer Strenkoski – 2 arrests; Chief Holland – 1 arrest; Officer Palonis – 1 arrest; Officer Moran – 1 arrest) Revenues received for the month of June 2022: State Police Fines, $1,028.44; Magistrate Fines, $925.83; Judicial Fines, $285.91; Police Reports, $270.00; Lackawanna County Drug Take Back, $93.00; Parking Tickets, $15.00; Total: $2,618.18; K-9 Donations, $11,845.00. Next, President Mickavicz asked the Public if they had any comments or questions. None noted. Next, President Mickavicz spoke briefly on Lackawanna County Reassessment and Civil Service Sergeant Examination. The meeting was adjourned. ____________________________ ________________________________ Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President Kristi A. Englehardt, Borough Secretary