Jim Thorpe Borough Council Meeting MAY 12, 2011 MINUTES Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by President John McGuire with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence for the men and women serving our country. Roll Call of Members Joseph Marzen Kyle Sheckler John McGuire W. Todd Mason Justin Yaich Gregory Strubinger Joanne Klitsch Roll Call of Officials Vince Yaich, Water Sup. Police Chief Schatz Jerry Hoare, JTPC Ed Gula, Sewer Sup. Treasurer Maria Sebelin Louis Hall, JTPC Jim Trainer, St. Sup. Fire Chief Diehm (a) Solicitor James Nanovic Manager Wesley Johnson Mayor Michael Sofranko Boro. Secy McClafferty Eugene Mulligan, Bldg/Z Mayor s Report Police chief Schatz informed everyone that there was a warrant round up last week. They had 24 warrants and collected $1825.00. He, Detective Marzen, Officer Schrantz, and Officer David made the arrests. Police Chief Schatz spoke about the holding cell and camera quotes, this information will be passed onto council to review. Police Chief Schatz spoke about the Safety Committee that the Borough recently started. We are six months into the program. Paul Pugielli from Brown & Brown Ins. Has been involved with us. We will be going through training in June or July, then we will be evaluated, then in January of 2012 the Borough will see a reduction in the insurance. Police Chief Schatz informed council that they applied for a grant from the Governor s office this grant will bring the policies, etc. up to date Mayor Sofranko said the cross-walk signs have reduced the speeding on North Street, these are through a grant that the Borough received. Public Comment Henry Desrosiers & Bob Marzen were present to request permission from council for the American Legion to hold the annual Memorial Day parade on May 29 & 30, 2011. 1
MOTION: John McGuire second Joanne Klitsch to allow the American Legion Post #304 to hold their annual Memorial Day Parade. Amanda Kattner said she will be getting married and they would like to use Twining Park grounds for their ceremony. MOTION: John McGuire second Justin Yaich to give permission to Amanda Kattner to use Twining Park grounds for their wedding ceremony. Bob Gaudreau, Jim Thorpe Farmer s Market informed the public that this will be starting again on Saturday s starting in June until the end of September. He spoke about the fee that the Borough is charging them for using the Memorial Park grounds. Manager Johnson said they discussed this and came to a rate of $100.00 for 3-4 hours. This will cover the staff hours, clean up, etc. Council discussed this issue for several minutes MOTION: W. Todd Mason second by Justin Yaich that the Jim Thorpe Farmer s Market will be charged $1,000.00 for 2011 season, 17 weeks, same as last year they will open up and clean up the area, this will start June and end the end of September every Saturday morning. John Meckes 1317 North St., said on Mauch Chunk Lane the storm drain pipe tore his macadam to his drive way. Jim Trainer said the repairs will be done. Louis Hall, JTPC said the Comp Plan is being worked on and asked the public to attend. Attorney Roberti is present to discuss the liquor license transfer for Tom Gorman a 107 Broadway. MOTION: John McGuire second Justin Yaich to approve the Liquor license transfer resolution for Thomas Gorman at 107 Broadway. Troop #555 was present they are working on a merit badge. 2
Frank Bradley was present last month about a property that needs to be cleaned up. Mr. Sheckler said that property will be cleaned up by June 12, 2011 Kristy asked council to lift the skateboarding ordinance. She said the kids need a place to skateboard. Council spoke about the skateboarding area for several minutes and informed her the skateboarding ordinance would not be lifted and requested they come to the next building committee meeting with ideas on making skateboarding possible. Consent Agenda MOTION: John McGuire second Justin Yaich to approve the following items: A. Approving the Council Meeting Minutes from April 14, 2011 B. Approving the expenditures from all funds for April 2011, as presented C. Approving the resignation of John Bernhard from the Zoning Hearing Board. D. Approving exoneration request from Joanne McKiernan, 352 Fawn Circle, retired E. Approving the Police Chief & manager to look at the 15 minute request at 529 North St Regular Agenda MOTION: Kyle Sheckler second Justin Yaich to authorize the solicitor to advertise the Resolution amending the Police Pension Fund benefits pursuant to Act 51 of 2009 amending the pre-retirement survivor benefits. MOTION: Justin Yaich second W. Todd Mason to approving Packer Township to join the Joint Board of Appeals for the uniform construction code. Administration/Finance/Buildings Committee Report Manager Johnson said the Benecon Benefits he would suggest they come back to their next committee meeting discuss this again Manager Johnson said the Employee Manual has been presented to the committee to review and he spoke to the supervisor s about the manual. MOTION: Justin Yaich second W. Todd Mason to authorize the solicitor to send a letter to the Fairview Hose company building. 3
Manager Johnson said we have been looking into doing a fund raiser for the Memorial Park with holding a Wing night. We won t be able to do it because of the liquor license problem. Manager Johnson said the Walk-in cooler at the Memorial Park has been started by ABC Refrigeration Company. They will be working with us by providing a temporary refrigerator. Manager Johnson said we have had Community Service Workers in the help clean up the block building and in the park. Emergency Service Committee Report Manager Johnson said the ladder truck is operating it needs repairs but we don t want to have Lehighton & Thorpe s ladder trucks out of service at the same time. Public Service & Utilities Committee Manager Johnson said we are looking into replacing the Billing Software. The current program is dropping some customers. We are now accepting credit card payment for the utilities. MOTION: John McGuire second Gregory Strubinger to go into executive Session to discuss personnel matters. Into executive session at 7:58 pm Back at 8:30 pm MOTION: John McGuire second Kyle Sheckler to uphold the firing of Jeffrey Thomas ROLL CALL VOTE Kyle Sheckler Joanne Klitsch Joseph Marzen John McGuire W. Todd Mason Justin Yaich Gregory Strubinger-lack of rules in place YES 4 NO 3 President McGuire said send a letter to the Teamster s informing them we will move to arbitration. Adjournment MOTION: John McGuire second Joseph Marzen to adjourn 4
Adjourned 8:33 pm Respectfully submitted: Louise McClafferty, Boro. Secy. 5