JULY 19, 2021

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

VISITORS

MINUTES

BILLS

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. President McNally presiding.

Dennis McNally, President Alfred Noble, Vice President Kathy Lyons

Jeanne Miller Gregg Mitcho Peter Burton Robert “Doc” Orr

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Robert Kremenik, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer

Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

Shirley Hall Larry Russell

David Shelenberger Bev Bible

Deb Rimmer Jim Simonelli Ginger Cinti

Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2021 Council Meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion made by Councilmember Burton to approve the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

Deb Rimmer of 249 Liberty Street spoke to council regarding the sidewalk letter they received in the mail from the borough. She feels that 2020 was a difficult year for everyone and more time should be allotted to make sidewalk repairs. Most of the contractors she has contacted are over booked. Mr. Stubenbort said he has been working with individuals on a case-by-case basis concerning the repairs to their sidewalks. It is a matter of public safety that repairs be done.

Councilmember Lyons explained to Mrs. Rimmer that borough projects were put on hold during 2020 and it is time to resume the work. President McNally reminded Mrs. Rimmer that the ordinance for sidewalks allows thirty days to meet compliance and Council is allowing one hundred twenty days. She still feels this is not enough time. Councilmember Burton said there are allowances for  hardships, but  individuals need to talk with the borough manager and council to come up with a workable plan for both. Mr. Stubenbort thanked Mrs. Rimmer for coming in and speaking.

Dave Shelenberger of 132 Barker Street asked if he could have a private meeting with council concerning a police matter. He said a borough police officer falsified a report and did not follow through with appropriate charges. He has called Chief Rafferty and the  Mayor, and they have not  responded. Chief Rafferty said that after Mr. Shelenberger requested the  meeting, he contacted the Mayor to set up a time. Mayor Kremenik was leaving to attend a conference and agreed to have the meeting after he returned. President McNally told Mr.

Shelenberger the first step is to meet with the Mayor and Chief Rafferty.

ADMIN, FIRE/POLICE PERSONNEL

STREETS &

SIDEWALKS

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

RESOLUTION 1-7-2021

Councilmember Mitcho reported that Dobler Hose is having multi vehicle problems. The car that was acquired from the police department needs a transmission. The Rescue Truck, which recently had $25,000.00 worth of repairs is still having the same issues and the ambulance needs a new chassis at a cost of $94,000.00. As a result, the ambulance is being used a limited amount of time. Councilmember Burton asked if there were results from the Special Party for Special People held at the fire hall. Councilmember Mitcho said that will be discussed at the EACOG Meeting on July 20, 2021.

Councilmember Burton noted residents of the borough have begun repairing their sidewalks.

Councilmember Orr reported the WECEMA Director put in one hundred sixty hours last month toward the action plan and will have a partial activation of the plan during the Edinboro Triathlon. More information is coming on the storm ready designation which will give the organization more publicity. Last month’s storm was more intense than expected, but there were no major problems.

There was a fire at Route 98 and 6N and Washington Township’s storm siren is fixed.

A resolution suspending Chapter 112, Alcoholic Beverages of the Girard Borough Municipal Code during Dan Rice Days on August 5th, 6th and 7th, 2021. Motion made by Councilmember Lyons to approve Resolution 1-7-2021. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Stubenbort said a local business has inquired about setting up a beer wagon in front of their building during the celebration. The PA LCB said it is allowed only if the area is fenced off.

RESOLUTION

2-7-2021                       A resolution authorizing the submittal of state grant applications by the Borough of Girard and the subsequent appropriation of the Borough of Girard funds for a streetscape project. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to approve Resolution 2-7-2021. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

RISK ASSESSMENTS PLAN

 SIDEWALKS

ARPA

AMP

BASKETBALL COURTS

MAIN STREET

FALSE ALARMS

POOL UPDATE

The Risk and Resilience Plan document for the Girard Borough Water System is complete and was submitted on time to the EPA.

Ninety-three certified sidewalk violation letters were mailed out to borough residents. Forty-four of the letters have been received. Seven residents have been reimbursed totaling $660.00.

The ARPA funds money application for Girard Borough is complete with Harrisburg confirming it was received. $304,901.42 will be distributed.

$152,450.71 will be the first installment. The money may arrive as early as August 2021.

Installation of the Girard Borough electric generation project was scheduled to begin July 21, 2021, however, there has been a delay in production of the generation units. The project is still on track to be completed by the end of 2021. John Snyder attended AMP in Columbus, Ohio for his second class in lineman training.

Engineer Mark Corey thought that the milling, resurfacing, painting and hoop installation on the basketball courts would be complete by Dan Rice Days, but the hoops are not available at this time. After a rain there are some spots on the surface where water is pooled. The contractor assured Mr. Corey it will be fixed properly. Bleachers will not be placed until the surface is corrected.

Mr. Stubenbort provided a revised list of seven items that will be discussed with the MPO and PennDOT for the Main Street grants. Councilmember Burton said as a safety concern a sprinkler system should be considered for the area around the monument since there is already a plan to move a water line to the monument.

In council’s packet is the amended False Alarm Ordinance for review. There is an increase in the dollar amount of the fine for a false alarm.

More than 565 passes have been sold for the pool. On average, 250-275 passes are sold. Also, concessions have been doing very well this year.

DEMOLITION

PROJECTS                     The house at 316 Templeton Avenue was demolished at a cost of $6500.00. The house at 200 Oak Tree Drive is being demolished costing $6800.00. Both properties will have a lien by the borough so that expenses can be recovered.

Councilmember Noble asked which contractor did the work. Mr. Stubenbort said Dwyer Excavating was the lowest bidder for both jobs.

PINK BOX                      The Pink Box was removed from the corner of Hathaway Street and Aurora Avenue on July 16, 2021.

ACT 65, 2021

ECBA MEETING

PSAB CONFERENCE

As of August 30, 2021 the borough will be required to post the meeting agenda on the Girard Borough website at least twenty-four hours before the council meeting every month.

The ECBA meeting will be held at Hinkler Park, 3614 Edison Avenue, Wesleyville Borough, on Wednesday July 21, 2021. It begins at 6:30 p.m.

The PSAB Conference will be held at the Bayfront Convention Center October 8- 10, 2021. Girard Borough Solicitor Joseph Yochim will be one of the speakers.

MISC.                          Solicitor Yochim will attend a virtual seminar for legalities concerning municipalities.

Councilmember Burton said the Summer Solstice Block Party was a success. Both the Yellow House and the White House were open for visitors and will be open again for Dan Rice Days. Borough residents have requested that more parties be held, such as a winter festival. Also mentioned was giving Mary Bowen a plaque honoring her service as Girard Borough Tax Collector. This will be given to her during the Dan Rice Days festivities.

Larry Russell and his group of volunteers will be painting the rest of the fire hydrants in the borough.

Councilmember Miller said a food vendor that participated in the Summer Solstice Block Party has sent the Girard/ Lake City Chamber of Commerce a donation. She also mentioned she received a complaint about the business on Main Street, West that has numerous bicycles out front and even more in the back. Chief Rafferty said a letter was already sent. Dan Rice Days flyers were taken to all borough businesses notifying them of the upcoming festivities.

Councilmember Noble suggested submitting future Girard Borough celebrations to the PSAB for publication.

Mr. Stubenbort announced that the borough will receive a $25,000.00 matching grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority – 2021 Community Assets Grant for the basketball courts in Wells Park.

Councilmember Burton said some changes were made to the Renaissance Grants through ECGRA that the borough was not notified of before the grant was submitted. The status of that grant is still unknown.

Motion made by Councilmember Orr to adjourn at 8:09 p.m. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.