Borough of East Washington
Council Meeting-Monday, June 2, 2014
Call to Order–President William Adams called meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call- Attendees: William Adams, President, Council, Mary Taufer, Council Member, Lisa Crosier, Vice President, Council, Guy Tucci, Council Member, Tamara Chacko, Council Member, Blake McCandless, Council Member, Absent, Robert Dunn, Council Member Dennis Makel, Solicitor, John Mark Connors, Constable, Michael Gomber, Mayor, Mark Griffith, Police Officer, Motichak, Secretary/Treasurer
Pledge of Allegiance– Lead by President, William Adams
Minutes – It was moved by Lisa Crosier, seconded by Mary Taufer to approve minutes of prior meeting, May 19, 2014. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Current Bills– It was moved by Tamara Chacko seconded by Guy Tucci to approve list of bills dated May 30, 2014 in the amount of $ 6,791.02. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Public Comment: Tom Shade,115 Christman Ave. He is a member of the Zoning Hearing Board and has received an application for special exception to build a new tennis court on Penn Street, W&J College. He had some questions as to the individuals on the zoning hearing board. Also is concerned about the parking problem in the borough on Christman Avenue.
David Posner, 149 South WadeHe appreciates the appointment of the position of Zoning Hearing Board member, however he would prefer to be on the Civil Service Commission Board instead. Mr. Posner would consider staying on the Zoning Hearing Board for recent W&J application and then serve on the Civil Service Commission Board. Solicitor Makel will call W&J’s attorney to re-schedule the zoning hearing board meeting.Also Solicitors recommendation to turn plans over to the Borough Engineer to review the site plan and everything else. The developer also pays for the Borough Engineering Costs. Also Mr. Shade will make a notation about the site location in the application documentation.
Anne Flynn, 689 E. Beau Street. Her concern is the potential development of a paper alley that borders our property and 3 other properties when there is accessibility from the landowner’s yard.
President Adams stated he asked Solicitor Makel to write an explanation regarding paper streets and what a resident can and can’t do with paper streets in the Borough and the process that needs to be followed. Solicitor Makel provided a brief summary of what can occur with a paper street or paper alley.
Officer Griffith – Presented a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Good Citizens Award to Joshua Thomson. On April 13, 2014 Joshua assisted Officer Caldwell in getting a runaway child back to safety and taken back to his parents.
Presentation: Presentation by Ms. Amy Wiles of Mackin Engineering on the proposed joint zoning ordinance. Ms. Wiles presented the Council with copies of current zoning maps and proposed maps of the zoning districts and use table. Discussion continued and she wanted any input as to the proposed changes or questions or concerns council may have. She wanted this review before any real changes are to be implemented and before the draft maps and use tables were given out to the public for review. Council will schedule a working meeting with Ben Brown to discuss the districts conservation, residential, etc., and proposed changes.
Action Items It was moved by Lisa Crosier, seconded by Tamara Chacko to approve Resolution 006 of 2014 to adopt the Roberts Rules of Order for meetings. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
It was moved by Lisa Crosier seconded by Tamara Chacko to approve Resolution 009 of 2014 Schedule of Fees. To amend the schedule of fees that the requestor making application to the Zoning Hearing Board or Conditional Use Hearing Board pay for all transcript fees associated with that application. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
It was moved by Tamara Chacko seconded by Mary Taufer to approve Resolution 007 of 2014 Public Participation at council meetings. All council approved, Guy Tucci, opposed. Motion passed.
It was moved by Mary Taufer seconded by Tamara Chacko to approve Resolution 008 of 2014 How professional services will be chosen –Pension Contracts-Act 44 . Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Discussion and vote on Agility Agreement (boilerplate) with PennDOT and resolution for Agility Agreement. D.Makel/B.Adams. Discussion regarding the operations at the Park & Ride. This is a five year agreement. They will mill and resurface one time. The Borough will have to take a loan out for $80,000 for the Borough to purchase the asphalt. Approximately 4,000 linear feet of paving. We pay for the asphalt, PENNDOT does the milling and the resurfacing with the asphalt the Borough buys. They provide the equipment and the staff to operate the equipment. If we do this ourselves we will be paying the $80,000 plus contract costs. President Adams said this is just the boilerplate agreement and behind it will be the actual work plan which will identify the Borough’s level of effort and manpower and equipment that PENNDOT will provide. Estimated timeframe to be done in 2015.
It was moved by Mary Taufer, seconded by Tamara Chacko, to authorize Solicitor Makel to prepare a Resolution and Agreement with PENNDOT to provide milling and paving services to portions of 7 roads in the Borough in exchange the Borough will continue to provide grass cutting, garbage collection and snow removal and salting at the Park & Ride on Beau Street. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
It was moved by Mary Taufer, seconded by Lisa Crosier, to authorize payment of $1,250.00 to Washington County Redevelopment Authority for development of Land Use Ordinance. Motion passed.
Garage Roof Replacement – Tennis (Warranty 10 Years, Labor 15 Years) It was moved by Mary Taufer, seconded by Lisa Crosier, to approve Tennis for garage roof replacement not to exceed $5,500 with 50 % due upon execution of the agreement and the other 50% due upon and completion to the satisfaction of the borough and funds not to be unreasonably withheld. Any change order to be approved by the Borough before any work continued. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Old Business
Discussion of cleaning of Borough Building –Tamara Chacko– It was moved by Lisa Crosier, seconded by Rob Dunn to authorize Tamara Chacko to interview Pro Quality Cleaning service and any other cleaning service to determine adequate service that is cost efficient. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Discussion of Road Closure ordinance – D. Makel/B. Adams – Solicitor Makel will prepare ordinance. Discussion of Status of Letter to Property Owners using dumpster not using our vendor or not under our contract. – G. Tucci Discussion regarding dumpsters and garbage collection and past due accounts. No action taken.
Discussion of status of 2014 and 2015 budget – R. DunnRob has been checking budget numbers and worked with Sandy. Discussed some line items that are split 4 ways by department. Ex. cleaning, electric, phones, etc. Office, Public Works, Police, and Code Enforcement.
Discussion of status of Reconciliation of books for Jan – March – R. Dunn– Rob Came into the office and went over the reconciliation of the accounts and they were reconciled through the month of April, 2014.
It was moved by Mary Taufer, seconded by Rob Dunn to authorize Kim Sacco and Sandy Motichak to work on Saturdays to provide a list of outstanding garbage invoices for the years 2012, 2013. The list is to be turned over to Portnoff for collection. Roll call vote: Adams-No, Chacko-Yes, Tucci, -No, Dunn-Yes, Crosier-No, Taufer-Yes, Tied Vote. Gomber- Yes Motion Passed.
Executive Session -Meeting Continued at 9:15 pm Discussion of status of meeting with Washington School District and Cypher and Cypher to discussion collection of outstanding Earned Income Taxes – G. Tucci –Guy Tucci will set up a meeting with the, School District, and Cypher & Cypher to determine how to collect outstanding Earned Income Taxes.
Discussion of status of Personnel Manual – T. Chacko Council to review the revised Personnel Policy and make any changes or recommendations and put on next meeting agenda.
Discussion of Implementation of Comprehensive Plan – R. DunnRob will be attending the next meeting to discuss Comprehensive Plan and meet with the Mayor of City of Washington.
New Business Discussion of selling paper streets – D. Makel – Solicitor Makel will draft resolution for the Boroughs position how to deal with paper alley/paper streets in the Borough. Discussion of requirements for paving paper streets – D. Makel/B. AdamsSolicitor Makel will advise council.
Discussion of Petty Cash for office – S.Motichak/M.Taufer – Discussion regarding petty cash in the office. No action taken.
After discussion and recommendation by Solicitor, it was moved by Mary Taufer and seconded by Guy Tucci to authorize Secretary, Sandy Motichak to get necessary Training and to attend classes to be a Notary Public for the Borough. Motion approved by unanimous vote.
Discussion of ordinance to save older structures – D.Makel Discussion of historic district that provides additional protection – It was moved by Mary Taufer, seconded by Rob Dunn to authorize Solicitor Makel to prepare an ordinance to save old structures and provide protection to the historic district. Motion passed.
Executive Session- for discussion of Dryer Death Benefits
Adjournment Next Borough Council Business Meeting is Monday, June 16, 2014 at 6:00 pm.
Respectively submitted, Sandra Motichak, Secretary/Treasurer