October 17, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
VISITORS
MINUTES
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 Jeanne Miller
Gregg Mitcho Robert “Doc” Orr Jim Simonelli Doug Wright
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer
Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
Melissa Hitz Kim Wassong MaryGolmer Jeff Gadley Michael Curran Ginger Cinti
Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the September 19, 2022 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mickey Curran offered to install walking trails at Water Works Pm·lc A council c01mnittee was assigned to work with Mr. Curran and the borough manager to develop the trails.
Mary Gollmer, Lake City Council President, presented a police regionalization plan for Girm·d m1d Lal<.e City tl1at could be implemented in tl1e future.
Kim Wassong, from Pm·mnount Business Development Inc., a business mentoring company explained part of what tl1eir compm1y cm1 do for local businesses. Kim was offered information for ilie Downtown Girard Group to discuss tl1e information in more detail.
ADMINISTRATION FIRE, POLICE AND PERSONNEL
OLD RIDGE ROAD PARKING
MAYOR/POLICE
Councilmember Mitcho said that A. F. Dober Hose and Ladder Company responded to over 900 calls last month. Dobler hosted a corn hole tournament and $566.00 was raised. Dobler will host the community Halloween Party on October 29, 2022. Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that some local municipalities are considering a tax to help the volunteer fire departments. McFire night is a fundraiser for the fire department, it will take place the Girard McDonalds and it is scheduled for October 29, 2022.
Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that on October 11, 2022 he and President McNally and the Borough Manager attended a meeting at the American Legion Post #494 to explain the Old Ridge Road Parking Lot Project and request that the Legion allow for the property involved to have permanent easement by the Fish and Boat Commission. The Legion Board mentioned that this is a board meeting and the issue will come before a regular meeting and a decision may be made at that time.
Mayor Burton said that 150 people attended the Cemetery Walk each night and that the WQLN show about Charlette Battles featuring Dave Shaffer will air on October 20″‘.
Police Chief Kevin Rafferty explained the grant through the Office of Justice Programs of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for updated technology and recruitment has been submitted.
WEST COUNTY
COMUNICATION CENTER Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the West County
Communication Center budget for 2023. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried
WATERWORKS PARK
WATER FLUSHING
LEAF PICKUP
FIRE HYDRANTS
State Forester Steve Laskowski, reported to the Borough Manager, that the Master Plan for the Water Works Park would not be completed until 2023. Mr. Laskowski understands that the borough will most likely move forward with improvements to the park and he agreed to complete his Master Plan for the park as promised.
The Fall water system flushing will continue until October 21, 2022. Although we did have a few complaint<; during the flushing it is still far less than we have had before implementation of the current flushing program.
Remaining Leaf Pick Up Dates ,u-e October 27 as well as November 10 and 24. Only 30-gallon (sold at 33 gallons) clear plastic bags will be picked up.
Nine fire hydrants connections have been installed at Chardonnay Village.
PUBLIC WORKS
HALLOWEEN OBSERVED
WINTER PARKING RULES
TIME CHANGE
SIDEWALK
ELECTION DAY
SANTA ARRIVES
The Public Works area paving project is complete as of 10/11/2022. Paving $179,835.00 Concrete $ 27,888.00 $207,715.00
Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve the payment for the Public Works Paving Project. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried
Trick or Treat night will be observed on Monday, October 31st between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Only houses that display their outside lights are participating.
Parking is prohibited on all borough streets ,and curb lawns between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., November 1st through April 1st.
Parking prohibition during tl1is time period is important so tl1at the streets may be plowed.
The Fall time change begins on November 6th.
The sidewalk in front of tl1e apartment Building on Locust Street needs replaced. This project has been in tl1e works for tl1ree years. Three estimates were requested:
Amendola Construction $19,100.00
Lindy Paving $21,192.00
Beatty Concreate no estimate submitted
Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve tl1e lowest bidder, Amendola Construction for $19,100.00. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried
Voting will take place at tl1e Girard Borough Social Hall from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on November 8, 2022. The borough did receive a $80.00 check from tl1e Erie County Board of Elections for use of tl1e Social Hall.
Santa arrives Friday, November 26th at the covered stage in front of the Girard Borough Building.
ERIE COUNTY GAMING REVENUE AUTHORITY
MAIN STREET PAVING
Melinda Meyer, the Erie County Grant Writer applied for a hotel property park grant on behalf of Downtown Girard Inc. She will request
$50,000.00 on behalf of the Downtown Girard Inc from ECGRA.
According to PennDOT tl1e Main Street paving project will go out to bid tl1is fall and begin in mid-March 2023. The project will begin just past tl1e Rt 20 bridge and end at Wiser Farms.
CHAMBER CHRISTMAS The Chamber of Commerce Christmas event for the local businesses is scheduled for December 10, 2022.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
REGULAR MEETING
2023-2024 PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT
2022 EMPLOYEE RETENTION CARDS
PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR
Council assigned the borough manager to purchase solar crosswalk signs like they have in Fairview to be posted at the Rice Avenue crosswalk at the entrance to the Girard School District. Councilmember Noble gave Council an overview of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Conference. Councilmember Orr suggested that the borough pass a resolution in support of State Representative Brad Roae’s House Bill 2579 House Bill 2579 would require the Pennsylvania Depa1tment of Health to develop and offer a state exa1n for EMTs, EMRs and para1nedics. This would ensure Pennsylva11ia EMTs, EMRs a11d pa1·a1nedics a1·e tested on material that is specifically relevant to their service in the Commonwealth. Councilmember Miller said that the Civil War Monument Restoration Project would take place next week.
Meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
At 9:06 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 10:26 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve a tvvo-year agreement with the Public Works Depa1tment for 2023 and 2024. The agreement ” II allow for a 4.5% raise on hourly pay each yea1·, a flat employee retention adjustment for both years of the contract in the a1nount of 2,300.00 payable to full time employees in December of 2023 and December 2024,, For the elimination of extra pay for carrying the well phone, prima1y electric a11d extra pay for water and sewer work not completed by the licensed principal operator. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion ca1Tied.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to assign the Borough Ma11ager to purchase VISA Gift Cards for each fulltime borough employee in the aJnount of $250.00 for distribution to the employees near the end of the year. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
Council agreed to allow Public Works Supervisor Dennis McDonald to continue to accumulate compensation time for call outs and emergencies.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Simonelli to adjourn at 10:29 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Ma11ager