Minutes 8/28/12



BOROUGH OF ELIZABETHSeptember 24, 2019Regular Meeting of CouncilMembers Present:Paul Shaner, Chad Rager, Robin Payne-Main, Julius Brown, Gregory Huschak, Cynthia Morris and Andrew MiklosAbsent:Mayor Barry BoucherAlso Attending:Police Chief William Sombo and Solicitor Krisha DiMascio Recorded by:Pamela Sharp, SecretaryOrder/Pledge of AllegianceThe regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:00-PM by Council President Paul Shaner. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Shaner stated that, prior to the Council meeting, Council members met in an executive session to discuss personnel matters. Also, the meeting is being recorded for the purpose of minute-taking. VISITORSRobin Schmidt said that something needs to be done to slow down traffic on 2nd and 3rd Avenues. She said that her daughter and grand-daughter were almost struck by a car right in front of her home while her daughter was reaching into her parked vehicle to lift one of her children out of a car seat. A man who was going far too fast actually hit the open car door, bending the door backwards, and narrowly missing her daughter and her grand-daughter. The parked car was hit so hard that Chad Rager, who was at the fire station, heard the crash and ran to the accident scene. R. Payne-Main agreed that too many drivers speed down 2nd and 3rd Avenues to catch the green lights. Vice President Rager suggested placing the “yield to pedestrians” warning cones in the crosswalks on these streets. They narrow the road and effectively slow down traffic. Police Chief Sombo said that the Borough should also paint the white hash-marks on these streets so that police officers can use a speed timing device. Once drivers are made aware that police are monitoring vehicle speeds on these streets, then the traffic should start to slow down. He added that he spoke with Representative Puskaric three weeks ago about getting one of those digital speed signs. These are the large digital signs that say, “YOUR SPEED IS…” followed by the speed of the vehicle. These are especially effective for slowing traffic. The cost is between $1,900 and $2,200, but they are mobile and can be used at multiple intersections. Robin Schmidt said that, just the other day, she was almost hit by a speeding car while trying to cross 2nd Avenue on foot. She added that she always sees vehicles illegally parked in front of the yellow curb across the street from her house on 2nd Avenue. Police Chief Sombo said that there are only two parking meters on that side of 2nd Avenue, so the Borough would not be losing a large amount of parking meter revenue if Council agreed to make that section of the road a no-parking zone. This would eliminate only about three or four parking places. There were no objections. A. Miklos said that he will go to Lowe’s to purchase the street paint so that the lines can be painted before the cold weather sets in. Bill Boucher, the Chairman of the Planning Commission, said that Cynthia Morris was appointed to serve on the Planning Commission on June 24, 2018, for a one-year term. He said that he was not aware that any of the members had a term of just one year. Her term is now expired, leaving a vacancy. Solicitor DiMascio responded that, since Council started with a clean slate when appointing people to the Planning Commission, they staggered the terms so that all of the terms would not expire at the same time. Once C. Morris is reappointed, she will have a four-year term. Mr. Boucher asked whether Council could appoint somebody tonight since there is a vacancy. Solicitor DiMascio said that she believes that terms for such positions do not expire mid-year, which means that the term for Cynthia Morris will expire on January 1, 2020. She added that she is not 100% certain about this, so she will research this matter before she gives Council a definitive answer. Bill Boucher asked what Council was going to do about appointments to the Zoning Hearing Board. He said that he does not know the last time that they met. The Borough Secretary said that the Zoning Hearing Board held at least two hearings last year, and they are having a hearing next month. According to the Zoning Solicitor, Amy Schrempf, she does not know when the members were appointed, but all three members are still active on the Board. Solicitor DiMascio said that, if Amy Schrempf said that these members are all active, then they are good to go. Council may just need to re-appoint them with staggered terms, but she will look into this further. President Shaner said that he will attend their next meeting and see what he can find out. The Borough Secretary said that next hearing for the Zoning Hearing Board is on October 29th in the Council chambers.Leesa Kassler said that the school busses fly down 2nd Avenue. Just last week, a speeding school bus tore off a rear view mirror from a parked car, and the driver didn’t even stop. Solicitor DiMascio said that Police Chief Sombo should contact the school board to inform them that their bus drivers are driving recklessly here in the Borough.Leesa Kassler said that the tree in front of her shop was recently hit by a car. Not only did this damage the tree, but it also uprooted a portion of the tree. She wanted to know if Council will help her to remove the tree, and whether Council wants to replace the tree. A. Miklos said that Wayne Lewis looked at it, and the tree is rather loose. He said that the Borough can remove the tree, but he does not recommend replacing it. Ms. Kassler said that she will plant flowers in this space next spring.APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the Minutes of the August 27, 2019, regular meeting of Council. All in favor, motion was carried.A motion was made by A. Miklos and seconded by C. Morris to approve the Minutes of the September 5, 2019, special meeting of Council. All in favor, motion was carried.PAYMENT OF BILLS The Borough Secretary stated that the Borough received the 2019 State Volunteer Firefighter Relief aid in the amount of $6,093.59. This amount was electronically deposited into the Borough’s General Fund. The Borough needs to issue a check for this same amount made payable to the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company. In addition, the Borough received the 2019 Pension State Aid income in the amount of $20,481.99, which is significantly higher than the $11,066 that the State had originally calculated. This amount was electronically deposited into the Borough’s General Fund. Having received these funds, the Borough needs to issue a check for the entire amount of its 2019 Pension Plan Minimum Municipal Obligation, which is $37,855, made payable to the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs. Both of these items are on the 9/20/19, Payables Report. Also, the Borough recently received an invoice from Willowbrook Car Wash for car washing expenses during 2018. The Borough has an account with Willowbrook, and this is where the Police Department used to take the police cars for cleaning, especially during the winter months. The original invoice had been given to a police officer who is no longer with the Borough, so it was never properly processed. A. Miklos asked about the expense listed on the payables report for Victor Paving in the amount of $6,591.20. The Borough Secretary said that this was the final invoice for the retention amount on the piggy-back paving project, which is to be paid from the Liquid Fuels account. A. Miklos said that Victor Paving still has some cleaning up to do and he wants to table this expense payment until Victor Paving finishes with the cleanup. President Shaner said that he will ask Mike Zrenchak of the Municipal Authority about this, and he agreed that the final payment should be withheld until the cleanup has been completed. A. Miklos said that he did not see the invoice from Empire Emergency on the payables report for a car battery in the amount of $178.76. The Borough Secretary said that she removed the invoice from the accounting system when she was told to not pay it. A. Miklos said that this invoice can now be paid. A motion was made by A. Miklos and seconded by C. Morris to pay the invoice from Empire Emergency for a police car battery in the amount of $178.76. All in favor, motion was carried.A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C. Morris to release the pass-through funds from the 2019 State Aid Volunteer Fire Relief Association in the amount of $6,093.59, and to authorize the payment of these funds to the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company. All in favor, motion was carried.A motion was made by Vice President Rager and seconded by A. Miklos to authorize the payment of the Borough’s minimum municipal obligation for the police pension plan to the State Association of Boroughs in the amount of $37,855. All in favor, motion was carried.A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G. Huschak to authorize the payment of the bills on the Payables Report dated 9/20/19, with the exception of the final invoice from Victor Paving in the amount of $6,591.20. All in favor, motion was carried. A. Miklos abstained from voting to approve the expense reimbursement to himself in the amount of $41.71. REPORTSMayor ReportNone.President Shaner read the following Treasurer’s Report:08/24/19 - 09/20/19Bank AccountBank BalanceIncomeExpenseEnding BalanceGeneral Fund 119,303.60 52,592.46 76,205.14 95,690.92 Payroll 297.22 26,275.00 26,275.19 297.03 Special Projects 97,496.89 - - 97,496.89 K-9 Fund 1,089.11 - 20.97 1,068.14 Liquid Fuels 22,355.15 4.74 - 22,359.89 Totals 240,541.97 78,872.20 102,501.30 216,912.87 LoansMaturity DateLoan AmountPrincipal PaidBalance OwedFCB - TAN12/31/2019 75,000.00 75,000.00 - PNC - Mortgage3/31/2023 115,000.00 35,045.97 79,954.03 PNC - K-9 Car Loan2/4/2021 55,431.52 32,281.28 23,150.24 First Gov't Lease12/19/2024 170,000.00 - 170,000.00 Totals - 415,431.52 142,327.25 273,104.27 A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C. Morris to accept the Treasurer’s Report dated September 20, 2019. All in favor, motion was carried. The Borough Secretary said that PennDOT notified her that the Borough’s 2020 Liquid Fuels allocation is expected to be $50,610.72.The Borough Secretary said that she was notified by the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs that the Borough’s 2020 Pension Plan Minimum Municipal Obligation will be $13,740. The amount of the 2020 State Aid is expected to be $11,066, leaving a balance of $2,674.The Borough Secretary said that First Commonwealth Bank deposited into the Borough’s Special Projects Fund a $2.31 refund for the Borough’s overpayment of the final TAN payoff. Since the Special Projects Fund is supposed to be used exclusively for the Federal Asset Forfeiture funds, this refund needs to be moved out of this bank account. Since a wire transfer of these funds from the FCB Special Projects Fund to the Borough’s PNC Bank General Fund will exceed $2.31, she would like to transfer this $2.31 refund into the Borough’s only other checking account with First Commonwealth Bank – the Liquid Fuels checking account. A motion was made by Vice President Rager and seconded by G. Huschak to authorize the transfer of $2.31 from the Borough’s Special Projects Fund into the Borough’s Liquid Fuels checking account. All in favor, motion was carried.Solicitor DiMascio said that, once the $2.31 is in the Liquid Fuels checking account, it can easily be reimbursed to the Borough’s General Fund.SolicitorSolicitor DiMascio said that the paperwork on our end is complete for the Farmer’s Bank loan. The Borough Secretary handled getting some of the original documentation to the bank, and there is just one more document that will be needed, which is a second proof of publication from the Mon Valley Independent. Once this is received, the Borough will be good to go. Solicitor DiMascio suggested that Council vote to allow the Borough Secretary to pay the Mon Valley Independent invoice as soon as she receives it so that the newspaper will issue the Borough a legal proof of publication as soon as they receive payment. A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the payment of the Mon Valley Independent invoice for the cost of the newspaper legal notice as soon as it is received by the Borough at an amount not-to-exceed $300, for the second proof of publication as required on the DCED LGUDA loan borrowing notice. All in favor, motion was carried.Building Inspector ReportPresident Shaner said that there was no building inspector report in his meeting packet. The Borough Secretary apologized for not including it, and she said that she will send the August 2019 Building Inspector report to everybody via email tomorrow. Animal ControlPolice Chief Sombo said that, in the next few days, he will send a copy of West Elizabeth’s animal control contract to Solicitor DiMascio for her to MITTEES Finance and BudgetA motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by A. Miklos to authorize the payment of $83,580.21 from the Special Projects Fund to First Government Lease as a partial payment against the $183,580.21 loan for the three 2018 Dodge police vehicles. Those in favor: Vice President Rager, G. Huschak, A.?Miklos, R. Payne-Main, J. Brown, C. Morris, and President Shaner. Those opposed: None. All in favor, motion was carried. A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G. Huschak to authorize the final payment of $100,000 to First Government Lease from the loan proceeds as soon as they become available. Those in favor: Vice President Rager, G. Huschak, A.?Miklos, R.?Payne-Main, J. Brown, C. Morris, and President Shaner. Those opposed: None. All in favor, motion was carried. Vice President Rager said that he does not agree with the concept of foregoing a TAN loan in 2020, as was mentioned at last month’s regular meeting, even though the Borough is taking out the $350,000 loan from Farmer’s Bank. There are many equipment items that need to be purchased, and he would like to have the loan money available for these purchases. Solicitor DiMascio responded that the matter concerning the TAN loan was just an idea that was discussed; it was not voted on by Council. Public SafetyPolice Chief Sombo presented the August/September 2019 Chief’s Report, from August 27 2019, through September 24, 2019. There were a total of 242 calls for service, 9 criminal arrests, 57 traffic stops, 12 traffic citations, 45 traffic warnings, and no drug arrests.Monthly Complaint Report 08/27/19 thru 09/24/19Alarms10?Animal Complaint9?Assault2?Assist EMS18Assist police10?Assist fire4?Assist citizen0?Burglary4Civil Complaint1?Criminal mischief4?Dispute1?Disorderly Conduct1Disabled vehicle4?Details3?Disturbances3?Domestic6DUI6?Harassment5?Hazardous conditions5?Local ordinance2Meetings1?Motor vehicle theft4?Motor vehicle crash15?Ordinances3Other5?Narcotics1?Patrol3?Property4Public drunkenness1?Suspicious person8?Thefts12?Traffic complaints10Traffic stops57?Utility complaint2?Warrants3?Weapons calls2Welfare check10?Fraud3????TOTAL:242Police Chief Sombo commented that the Borough had four motor vehicle thefts this past month, which is an unusually high number. Police Chief Sombo stated that he will be meeting with the media tomorrow to get their assistance in identifying a crime suspect. He said that there is some very good video of the suspect, and he is hoping that a member of the general public will be able to identify him. Police Chief Sombo said that he sold the K-9 insert to the New Florence Police Department for $2,000. The former K-9 vehicle is now a regular patrol vehicle.Police Chief Sombo said that he will soon be losing two part-time police officers – one to the military and one to a full-time position elsewhere. He asked if he could advertise for additional part-time police officers. A motion was made by A. Miklos and seconded by C. Morris to advertise for additional part-time police officers. All in favor, motion was carried.Police Chief Sombo said that he needs to purchase four cases of white road paint for speed monitoring on 2nd and 3rd streets. A. Miklos said that he can purchase the paint at Lowe’s since the Borough has a Lowe’s credit card. A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by R. Payne-Main to authorize the purchase of four cases of white road paint using the Lowe’s credit card at an amount not-to-exceed $150. All in favor, motion was carried.Police Chief Sombo said that he has a personnel matter to discuss with Council during an executive session immediately following the council meeting. Vice President Rager said that the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company applied for and was awarded a $250,000 FEMA GRANT, which is one of the most difficult grants to get. He said that he, Captain Rich Diehl and Safety Officer Wayne Lewis spent over 200 hours putting the grant application together. With the grant money, they were able to purchase 18 SCBA’s, interior personal breathing masks for all of the fire fighters, new rescue tools to replace some of the old equipment that hasn’t been replaced since the 1980’s, a new fire hose for the engine, and an air compressor filling station for the SCBA’s. Council Members congratulated Vice President Rager on this remarkable accomplishment.A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G. Huschak to proceed with having the auditors general do a forensic audit of the police department and K-9 fund. Those in favor: C. Morris, Vice President Rager, G. Huschak, A.?Miklos, R. Payne-Main, J. Brown, and President Shaner. Those opposed: None. All in favor, motion was carried. President Shaner said that, in light of recent news events, residents should be keeping an eye on their neighbors and, if they see something peculiar, they should report it to the Borough Police Department or to the Volunteer Fire Company. Police Chief Sombo reminded everybody that the Borough Police Department participates in the Project Lifesaver program. This program provides bracelets with a unique radio frequency to people who may wander and get lost such as somebody who is autistic, a child with Down syndrome, or an older person with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The bracelet’s radio frequency can be detected up to 12-feet underground or 8-feel under water. R. Payne-Main said that she would like to see a neighborhood watch program implemented in the Borough.Public Works A. Miklos said that the dump truck needs a new starter. He got two estimates for this work: Dravosburg Truck for $540.79, and Ford for $987, which includes a 2-year warranty. A. Miklos said that he would prefer using the local vendor, if possible. A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C. Morris to authorize the starter repairs to the dump truck per the estimate from Dravosburg Truck in the amount of $540.79. All in favor, motion was carried. A. Miklos said that there needs to be additional work on the dump truck to prepare it for winter. It needs spark plugs, a fuel injector system check, and two new rear tires. He will get estimates for these items for next month’s meeting.A. Miklos said that the light pole at the corner of Market and 3rd was struck by a truck and it needs to be replaced. He has an estimate from Mark Moses Electrical Services in the amount of $900 to install a new pole and to replace the wiring. He was told that the existing wiring is a “hot circuit.” The Borough can remove part of the base, remove and replace the wires, and then make an air-tight cover so that water cannot get into the wire box. A. Miklos said that there is a used light pole down at the Borough garage that is being refurbished. Moses Electrical can install the refurbished light pole, and install one of the new LED lights, preferably a “warm” LED light so that it blends in with the other lights in the vicinity. There are a couple of other non-functioning street lights on this street that will also need to be fixed. Council will need to decide on whether to eliminate the lights or to cap them off. A motion was made by Vice President Rager and seconded by G Huschak to have Moses Electrical Services install the Borough’s refurbished light pole and fix the lighting. All in favor, motion was carried.A. Miklos said that the Borough’s pickup truck will be back from the school this weekend. The truck will be towed to the Borough by Nickolich Towing since the truck’s inspection has expired. The cost of the repairs to the truck will be approximately $300, which is a bargain considering the amount of repairs that were done.A. Miklos said that the dead tree on Oak Street has been removed. A. Miklos said that he may have to rent a couple of tools for repairing some potholes. He will need a tamper which rents for $300/day, and a concrete saw which rents for $400/day. They are going to saw-cut the hole on Plum Street and fix it properly, and then they are going to patch multiple potholes throughout the Borough. He will need to rent the tools for one day only. President Shaner said that he has a concrete saw and a tamper that he can borrow. Vice President Rager said that the Fire Department has a tamper, and some other tools as well, that he may borrow.A. Miklos said that they will be installing a handicapped parking space on Plum Street in front of the Masonic Building. President Shaner said that he was under the impression that the handicapped space was going to be on 2nd Avenue because a handicapped parking space on Plum Street will not be available for use during the summer months when Plum Street is closed. Solicitor DiMascio said that the owners of the Masonic building have already agreed to the placement of the handicapped parking space on 2nd Avenue. During the summer months when Plum Street is closed, the Borough agreed to reserve three parking spaces on Lower Plum Street for the Masonic building tenants to use. A. Miklos said that, in light of this information, they will put the handicapped parking space on 2nd Avenue. Vice President Rager said that the Public Works Department desperately needs to get a new truck before winter sets in. He said that, earlier in the year, he had received a quote from a Costars vendor for the cost of a new truck with a plow and a spreader for a little over $41,000. He will ask the vendor to requote this, and he will get back to Council. Vice President Rager said the 2019 budget included monthly loan payments for a new truck, so this is not a new or an unexpected expense. Winter is just around the corner, so Council needs to move quickly on this so that the truck can be ordered. He will get the numbers together to present to Council at the next meeting. A. Miklos added that the Borough is in the midst of fixing up the old Ford truck to give it greater value on a trade-in for a new truck. The original quote did not include a deduction for a trade-in vehicle, and he estimates the trade-in value to be approximately $1,000.A. Miklos said that he and Cindy Morris have been working together on a PA DEP grant to help with the cost of a new front loader. The current Public Works front loader is 25 years old. He said that he would like for Council to authorize the pursuit of this grant which will pay a maximum of 35% of the cost of a new front loader. A. Miklos said that he has obtained an estimate for a new John Deere compact loader and backhoe in the amount of $48,380. The grant deadline is September 30, 2019. A motion was made by Vice President Rager and seconded by G. Huschak to pursue a PA DEP grant which will pay a maximum of 35% of the cost for a new front loader for the Public Works Department. All in favor, motion was carried.A. Miklos said that the Borough will eventually eliminate the hopper spreader from the dump truck and go with a tailgate spreader. They are more economical to maintain and to replace.A. Miklos said that the Borough is going to need to purchase a new plow for the old truck because the current plow is actually rotting, and the braces are cracked in the back which is causing them to bend. He said that he will have two bids to present to Council at the next meeting.Parks and RecreationR. Payne-Main said that she has been working on the grant application paperwork for a 2020 community garden grant. The deadline for this application is October 1, 2019. Ordinance None.PersonnelThis was discussed earlier in the meeting with regard to hiring addition part-time police officers.Economic DevelopmentNone.Planning CommissionNone. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS President Shaner said that Council needs to vote on the Halloween Parade special event application which is being sponsored by the Elizabeth Area Development Corp. and the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company. The event will be held on Monday, October 28, 2019, with a rain date of October 30th. The line-up begins at 6:30-PM at 2nd Avenue and Plum Street, and the parade start time is 7-PM. A motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the Halloween Parade special event application scheduled for Monday, October 28, 2019, with a rain date of October 30, 2019. All in favor, motion was carried.C. Morris said that she and Robin Payne-Main have been working on a few ideas for some new special events in 2020. One of her ideas is holding a “Battle of the Bands” event sometime in mid-September. There are a lot of small bands out there that would welcome the exposure of performing at a public band competition. She said that she has briefly discussed this idea with Jason Berman of EADC about what it will take to put together this type of event. R. Payne-Main was thinking about a fall food event, perhaps a type of a fall harvest festival. C. Morris said that the festival could include things such as bobbing for apples and a pumpkin patch. A. Miklos said that he would like to begin taking down the Veteran banners for the season. Normally, these are on display until after Veterans’ Day, but there are so many banners that are falling down on a weekly basis. He said that he needs to get a count of the banners that are damaged, and he is concerned about how it will be possible to repair some of them. Vice President Rager said that the banners should remain up through Veterans’ Day, but he has no problem with selectively taking down the banners that are damaged. He suggested that the VFW should be contacted to let them know what’s going on with these banners. A.?Miklos said that he will instruct Wayne Lewis to begin taking down the banners that are at risk of further damage. PUBLIC COMMENTSLeesa Kassler thanked Council Member Andy Miklos for replacing all of the batteries in the electric parking meters so that they are all in working condition now.Leesa Kassler said that on November 9th, the Twin Rivers Chamber of Commerce will be holding its 3rd annual “Magical Mystery Tour” throughout the Mid-Mon Valley from 9-AM to 6-PM. Tickets are $40 per person and include morning coffee and a light breakfast, lunch, appetizers, beverages, special promotions, over 14 local specialty retailers and entertainment venues, a “swag bag” with coupons and other items, raffle baskets, 50/50 giveaways and more. Elizabeth Borough is going to be one of the stops for the tour busses, so we will need to find a place where the two busses may park during the Elizabeth Borough portion of the tour. Vice President Rager said that she should contact Joy Shakespeare to help make arrangements for the bus parking. R. Payne-Main said that they are working on getting a Christmas tree for the Borough. She asked Leesa Kassler if she would be able to help out with the annual Christmas tree this year. Ms. Kassler said that she is willing to help, but she was wondering where the Christmas tree will be located. M&M Uniforms used to let the Borough use its lot and its electricity for the tree, but Mr. Mitchell owns that lot now. She asked R. Payne-Main if she should reach out to Mr. Mitchell to see if he will be willing to help us out. President Shaner suggested that they might want to find another location for the tree.GOOD OF THE ORDER Vice President Rager said that the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company will be holding a gun bash fundraiser on Saturday, October 19th, at the BINGO hall.Vice President Rager said that the Elizabeth Borough Volunteer Fire Company will be holding a purse bash fundraiser on Saturday, November 16th, at the BINGO hall. They are planning other fundraisers as well.ADJOURNMENT With no other business before this Council, a motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by G.?Huschak that the meeting be adjourned at 8:52-PM. All in favor, motion was carried.I enter these Minutes into the public record having been duly recorded and accepted at a public meeting.Respectfully submitted,Pamela J. Sharp, Secretary ................
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