NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MAY 29, 2012 AT 7:00PM

Transcription

1 NEWVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MAY 29, 2012 AT 7:00PM The regular monthly meeting of the Newville Borough Council was held on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 7:00PM in the Newville Borough Office, 4 West Street, Newville, Pennsylvania. The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM by Council President William Toth. The invocation was offered by Vice President Ben Sweger, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. On roll call the following members were present: Jody Gilbert, Kim Heckendorn, Clarence Fry, Edward Sinkovitz, Benjamin Sweger and William Toth. Also present were: Dr. Becky L. Barrick, Mayor, Borough Solicitor Marcus A. McKnight, III, Esquire, Fred Potzer, Borough Manager/Secretary, Police Chief Randy Finkey, Captain Bradley Stouffer, Denny Clopper, Code Enforcement Officer. Visitors included: Lucy Jansema, Michelle Keebaugh, Shawn Keebaugh, Robert Markley, Anne Kaiser, Jackie and Camilla Kaltenbaugh, Sharon Keebaugh, David Keebaugh, Charles and Olive Johnson, Helen Wagner, Lisa Negley, Kathy and Robert Darius, Leland Searfoss, R.G. Rinehart, Tiffany Smith, Eldon Bennett, Charles Boyles, David Handshew and Roger Goodyear. Presentation: Mr. Toth and Mayor Barrick presented Certificates of Appreciation to Street Superintendent David Handshew, Asst. Superintendent Charles Boyles, and Maintenance Worker Roger Goodyear for their hard work and dedication as members of the Newville Borough Public Works Department. Citizen Comments: Mr. Toth stated Borough Council understood that residents were in attendance to respond to the recent parking survey. He suggested that one person serve as spokesperson for the group, in order to prevent the duplication of comments. David Keebaugh, 10 East Main Street presented for the group. In response to the proposal to eliminate parking from the south side of Main Street between Corporation Street and West Street, Mr. Keebaugh offered the following comments: The elimination of street parking would lower property values. Widening of the travel lanes would encourage vehicles to travel faster on Main Street. Residents would not be able to park in front of their homes. This would be burdensome for grocery deliveries, while presenting a hazard. The beauty shop at 16 E. Main Street serves many elderly customers who would have nowhere to park. Other small businesses on East Main Street would be adversely affected by the lack of parking, and may close. Mr. Keebaugh suggested a property tax increase to pay for revenues lost by the removal of the parking meters. When surveyed, residents in attendance were overwhelmingly in favor of removal of the parking meters from residential areas, but not the elimination of parking. Anne Kaiser, 19 E. Main Street suggested Newville officials should follow Newburg Borough s lead in taking a more proactive approach toward the elimination of trash truck traffic through Newville. She suggested a town meeting hosted by state officials as the first step toward this goal. Robert Darius noted the problem of over-sized commercial vehicles turning at the red light, despite the turn restriction. He suggested a pole mounted traffic camera at this intersection would assist the police department in dealing with violators. Mr. Darius offered a $200 donation toward the purchase and installation of a new camera at this location. Page 1 of 5

2 Diane Weidner, 54 East Main Street requested increased speed enforcement on Main Street. She requested that the Newville Water and Sewer Authority look into two manhole cover lids that are extremely noisy. A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to suspend further discussion by Borough Council of parking changes on East and West Main Street. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) Leland Searfoss requested that the Public Works Department install crushed stone along the edge of his driveway at 103 Parsonage Street. Resurfacing of Lafayette Street has created an uneven surface between the road and his driveway. Minutes: The minutes of the April 24, 2012 public hearing, and the April 21, 2012 regular monthly meeting of the Newville Borough Council were approved on a motion of Mr. Fry, seconded by Mrs. Gilbert. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) Finances: Payment of the list of bills was approved on a motion of Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mrs. Gilbert. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) The Treasurer s Report was approved on a motion of Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Heckendorn. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) Reports: -Fire Chief: The fire department responded to only one call in the borough for a downed power line during the month of April. The majority of the April calls were to alarms within West Pennsboro Township. Practical examination date for the Firefighter I Academy is approaching. The fire company will be serving breakfast at the Fountain Festival on June 16, The report of Chief Griffie was accepted as presented. -Police; Mayor Barrick: Mayor Barrick invited the Borough Council and public to stop b and view the new police station. Mayor Barrick thanked Corporal Swartz for driving the patrol car in the Memorial Day Parade. Chief Finkey reported that the police department responded to over 120 incidents during the month of April. At the end of May, the department will have responded to over 650 incidents. The department responded to 1,300 incidents during Traffic enforcement for the police department is at a record level. Traffic arrests through April 2012 exceed to total traffic arrests for the year The Chief noted the additional full time officer affords the department the opportunity to provide a normal level of traffic enforcement. Chief Finkey concluded his remarks by thanking the Borough Council for helping to make the new police station possible. The officers and staff are extremely proud of their new station. The report of Chief Finkey was accepted as presented. -Emergency Management Coordinator: There was no report from Director Shively. -Chief Plants Operator: The report of Mr. Lehman was accepted as presented. -Zoning Officer: The report of Mr. Potzer was accepted as presented. -Code Enforcement Officer: The report of Cpl. Swartz was accepted as presented. -Water and Sewer Field Operations: The report of Mr. Page and Mr. Zeigler was accepted as presented. -Street Superintendent: The report of Mr. Handshew was accepted as presented. -WCCOG: Mr. Fry reported that the award of bids for road materials and traffic line painting topped the recent WCCOG agenda. Members also discussed the new Cumberland Emergency Services Consortium. Page 2 of 5

3 -WEMA: Mr. Sinkovitz announced that a major fundraiser for WEMA, the annual Fountain Festival will soon be at hand. WEMA is responsible for coordinating space rentals for the food, craft and public service vendors. -Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator: Trash delinquencies total $1,323.80, representing a total of 14 delinquent accounts. Letters have been sent out to customers requesting payment in full by June 1, 2012, or service will be discontinued. Two street lights have been reported to PPL for repairs. Rental inspections at 63 W. Big Spring Avenue and 58 S. High Street have been completed. A Code Enforcement violation at 26 East Main Street for over-crowding has been addressed. Website visits for April totaled 788. Mr. Clopper served as a guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Newville Lions Club, where he updated the members on current events and activities. One training program was attended sponsored by PSAB regarding rental property inspection. Legal Matters: A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Fry to approve the adoption of Ordinance , An Ordinance of the Borough of Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Establishing a Rental Property Maintenance Code for the Borough of Newville. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mr. Sweger, seconded by Mrs. Gilbert to approve the adoption of Resolution , A Resolution of the Borough of Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania authorizing the execution of an agreement with the PA Department of Transportation for acceptance of a SAFETEA-LU grant in the amount of $302,905. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz, to approve the adoption of Resolution , A Resolution of the Borough of Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania authorizing the submission of an application to the PA Department of Transportation to install, operate and maintain a flashing warning device. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mrs. Gilbert to approve the adoption of Resolution , A Resolution of the Borough of Newville, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania adopting procedures for the selection of professional services associated with the management of pension plans, in accordance with Act 44. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) Solicitor s Report: Mr. McKnight announced that the storm water easement between the Borough of Newville and Mitchell Gray at 46 Vine Street has been completed and recorded at the Cumberland County Courthouse. Mr. McKnight commended the officers of the Friendship Hose Company No. 1, Inc. for taking the initiative to form the Cumberland Emergency Services Consortium. Mr. McKnight is taking steps to properly incorporate the organization as a non-profit entity. Committee Reports: -Finance Committee: Mrs. Gilbert reported that Earned Income Tax receipts were as follows: CAPTAX $5,887.10; Cumberland County Tax Bureau $15, Earned income tax collections are running above normal for the first five months of Personnel Committee: Mr. Sweger announced an Executive Session will be held at the end of the meeting to discuss a six month performance evaluation of Officer Todd Koser. -Public Safety: A motion was made by Mr. Fry, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve the request of a 9,500 lumen high pressure sodium street light on S. High Street, across from the Better Days Animal League store. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A new LED light bar was installed on the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. Page 3 of 5

4 -Recreation: Mr. Sinkovitz reported that the new ceiling in the upper pavilion is nearing completion. A new teeter totter has been installed at the Newville Community Park. -Public Works: Mr. Heckendorn reported a total of ten (10) ton of brush was collected on May 7-8, New traffic signs and poles have been installed on East and West Main Street. Thermoplast crosswalk markings will be installed at key intersections. -Shade Tree Commission: The next meeting is scheduled for June 4, 2012 at 7:00PM. Old Business: A motion was made by Mr. Sweger, seconded by Mr. Fry to issue a notice of intent to award a contract for resurfacing and storm drainage improvements on West Big Spring Avenue to Snoke s Excavating and Paving Inc. at a low bid of $52,088.23, contingent upon the contractor s timely submission of bonds and insurance information. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) New Business: A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mrs. Gilbert to award a proposal to Ron Baker for the repair of the brick planter in front of the municipal building at a cost of $1, All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mr. Sweger, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to authorize the Borough Manager to hire Howard Barrick to make repairs and renovations to the former police office at 23 West Big Spring Avenue on a time and materials basis. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mrs. Gilbert, seconded by Mr. Fry to accept a recommendation from the Newville Borough Planning Commission to approve the site development plan of Laverne Newswanger for an automotive repair garage at 31 North Corporation Street. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) A motion was made by Mr. Sinkovitz, seconded by Mr. Fry to authorize assistance to the Fountain Festival Committee on June 15-16, All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) Correspondence: An invitation was received from the Newville Lions Club for a dinner commemorating the 65 th anniversary of the Newville Lions Club on June 12, 2012 at 6:30PM at the Carriage House. Executive Session: Mr. Toth announced that an Executive Session will be held to discuss a personnel matter. A vote may follow the session. Borough Council adjourned to Executive Session at 8:50PM, and returned to regular session at 9:02PM. A motion was made by Mr. Sweger, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz to approve a $1,500 raise for Officer Todd Koser, based upon a satisfactory six (6) month performance evaluation. Roll Call: Mrs. Gilbert, yes; Mr. Fry, yes; Mr. Heckendorn, yes; Mr. Sweger, yes; Mr. Sinkovitz, yes; Mr. Toth, yes. All were in favor. Motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero (0) Comments by Mayor Barrick: The Mayor thanked everyone who supported the annual Memorial Day Parade and service. She reminded the Council that the Fountain Festival will be held on June 15-16, The Friendship Hose Company No. 1, Inc. Super Raffle will be held on June 23, Council President s Remarks: Mr. Toth had no comments. Page 4 of 5

5 Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the Newville Borough Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02PM on a motion of Mr. Sweger, seconded by Mr. Sinkovitz. All were in favor. The motion was passed with six (6) affirmative and zero ( 0) negative votes. The next meeting of the Newville Borough Council will be held on June 26, 2012 at 7:00PM in the Newville Borough Office. MINUTES RECORDED BY: FRED A. POTZER Borough Manager/ Secretary - Page 5 of 5