Jim Thorpe Borough Council Meeting APRIL 14, 2011 MINUTES Meeting called to order at 6:30 by President McGuire with the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence for the men and women serving our country. Roll Call of Members Joanne Klitsch W. Todd Mason John McGuire Gregory Strubinger Kyle Sheckler Joseph Marzen Justin Yaich Roll Call of Officials Police Chief Schatz Vince Yaich, Water Sup. Kim Mazur, Entech (a) Treasurer Sebelin Ed Gula, Sewer Sup Gene Mulligan, Bldg/Z Fire Chief Diehm (a) Jim Trainer, St. Sup. Solicitor James Nanovic Mayor Michael Sofranko Manager Wesley Johnson Boro Secy McClafferty Mayor s Report Mayor Sofranko said everyone received a copy of the police report for March, this was a busy month for the police dept. Police Chief Schatz and Officer Sannie had a Drug Awareness program last night at the Memorial Park hall. Mayor Sofranko said there are 1200 police depts. and Jim Thorpe is one of the top departments that submits their reports 15 days after the complaints are filed. This is an outstanding job by our administration in the Police Dept. Mayor Sofranko said there will be a dedication at the Jim Thorpe Monument on Saturday, May 20, 2011. The Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame will be installing another statue and they will be putting pavers, doing landscaping etc. and all these improvements will be paid by their organization. They need permission from council to do this work. President McGuire said there will be minor work they would like the borough crew to help them with. General consent of council is to allow the Street dept. to help them do the work at the monument. Mayor Sofranko informed council that he will have the solicitor prepare a Proclamation dedicating July 21, 2011 as the Childhood Cancer Awareness day. Public Comment Judy Baier is present to request permission from council to close 600 block of Spring Street for the Lehigh Street block party that will be held on July 2, 2011. 1
MOTION: Joanne Klitsch second W. Todd Mason to give permission to close 600 block of Spring St on Saturday, July 2, 2011. Louie Hall informed everyone that everything is good with the JT Planning Commission and that the Comp Plan meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month. Bob Marzen, spokesman for the American Legion, they would like to request permission to use the Memorial Park to hold the annual 4 th of July event. They will be doing this 2 days this year on Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2 with the rain date for the fireworks being Sunday, July 3, 2011. MOTION: Justin Yaich second Kyle Sheckler to allow the American Legion to use the Memorial Park for the 4 th of July festival on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, 2011 Comments: Mr. Yaich asked if the percentage will be the same as last year. Bob Marzen said yes. Bill Malatak spoke about the County s parking lot. He asked if the $8,000.00 is for the Police dept.? President McGuire said that is for the Police to patrol the 4 weekends during the Fall Foliage Festival and events that are held by the Chamber of Commerce. This money can be used however the Borough sees fit. MOTION: Gregory Strubinger second W. Todd Mason to authorize Paul Yaich to relocate River Road and that Jim Trainer is to inspect the project and upon completion council will talk to Penn Dot to make sure the Borough will still receive Liquid Fuels money for the road. YES 6 NO 0 ABSTAIN 1 Joanne Klitsch Jim Trainer presented council with $1,000.00 check from the Jim Thorpe Lion s Club for the radio upgrades that are needed in the Borough this is for all the departments. Manager Johnson said Jim Trainer spoke to Mahoning Township about them using their boom mower to cut along the Flagstaff road. MOTION: John McGuire second Justin Yaich to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters. Into executive session at 6:58 pm Back from executive session at 7:48 pm 2
MOTION: Gregory Strubinger second Joanne Klitsch to approve the following items: - Minutes from March 10, 2011 - the expenditures from all funds for March 2011, as Presented, - confirming the 18 month energy contract extension with Constellation Energy expiring October 2012, - the JT Birthday Festival on May 21 & May 22, 2011, - the Greater Hazleton YMCA Anthracite Triathlon Sunday, July 17, 2011, - the Ragnar Relay 200 mile relay race on October 7 & 8, 2011 - the JT Summer Recreation Program to be held in Memorial Park from June 13 to Aug. 5, 2011. - Authorizing the Borough Manager through Entech to execute change order #3 to extebd the contract time of In Line Service, increase their unit cost for meter installs to account for increased cost of materials, add an hourly crew rate and install one 6 and one 4 meter - Authorizing the Borough Manager through Entech to execute change order #2 to provide for computer system upgrades, ARCView GIS licensing, GPS handheld equipment, bill printing equipment, and barcode accessories. - The change order for materials for In line Service and turn it over to the Borough Regular Agenda MOTION: Justin Yaich second W. Todd Mason to approve the exoneration request from Margaret Brown, 708 Pine St., & Judith Romanisko, 1392 Mauch Chunk Lane, Harriet Karper, 19 West 7 th St & Gregory Boyer, 135 Broadview Drive they are all retired. MOTION: Joanne Klitsch second Justin Yaich to approve placing Detective Marzen on the Police Pension finance Board. MOTION: John McGuire second Joanne Klitsch to authorizing the Police Dept. to apply for a technical assistance grant through the Dept. of Community & Economic Development for policy development and dept. organization. MOTION: Joanne Klitsch second Gregory Strubinger to award the boiler replacement at the Phoenix Fire Department to Jim Thorpe Plumbing and Heating $6,400.00 MOTION: W. Todd Mason second Joseph Marzen to Approve the estimate for Packer Hill guiderails from Chemung Supply amount of $6,484.00. MOTION: John McGuire second Joanne Klitsch that Borough Council s disciplinary action relating to Jeff Thomas is to terminate him. 3
MOTION: John McGuire second Joanne Klitsch to authorize the Borough Manager to execute the necessary measures to have the walk-in freezer/cooler at Memorial Hall repaired/replaced as efficiently as possible and in the best interest of the Borough. Administration/Finance/Buildings Committee Report A. Peddling & Soliciting Ordinance. Council suggested the ordinance stay the way it is that the horse & buggy, segways, etc. can not start until 12:00 noon. B. Slaughter House Creek reimbursement received 4/5/11 amount of $63,487.34 MOTION: Justin Yaich second W. Todd Mason to allow the Police Chief, Jim Trainer and manager Johnson to review the loading/visitor s sign for the Molly Maguire s. The owner is to pay for the sign, & installation fees. COMMENTS Council does not wish to lose any money from the parking meters for the sign to be installed. MOTION: Justin Yaich second Joanne Klitsch to allow the Memorial Park Skating Rink be used for a fund raiser for Danielle DeAngelos rate to rent $150.00, they will pay for the set up and staff time. Manager Johnson informed council that we are able to accept payments with credit cards, he will do something to get this publicity on this. The Jim Thorpe Business guide the borough should get the Memorial Hall, Skate Rink, & park advertised in this booklet, get a full page ad. Public Service & Utilities Committee A. Flow monitors have been installed B. Final Sanitary Sewer project (SBR/RR) monthly payments reduced to $895.85, total savings due to the project being under cost is $10,750.20 yearly. C. Lehigh Canal Commission need the path along the canal trimmed back. They also have repairs that are needed along the toe path which is a big job they may need S & E plans for that project. D. Tuesday, April 19 at 10:00 there will be a meeting to discuss the water meter project and the meters that are not reading correctly. Emergency Service Committee Report A. Radio Upgrade request submitted to Carbon County, Officer Marzen is doing a good job with this. B. Ladder truck is at Kovatch for engine related problems. Manager Johnson said the sensor to the fuel tank is Needed, he knows Fire Chief Diehm keeps a handle on the Emergency Service stuff. 4
Solicitor Nanovic informed council that Kim Roberti will be at the next meeting requesting a liquor license transfer for Tom Gorman at 107 Broadway. Adjournment MOTION: W. Todd Mason second Kyle Sheckler to adjourn. Adjourned at 8:22 p.m. Respectfully submitted Louise McClafferty Borough Secretary 5