JULY 20, 2020

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

ABSENT

VISITORS

MINUTES

BILLS

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the social hall. President McNally presiding.

Dennis McNally, President Peter Burton

Jeanne Miller-via phone Gregg Mitcho

Robert “Doc”  Orr Robert Kremenik, Mayor

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Mark Corey, Engineer

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

Alfred Noble, Vice President Kathy Lyons

Sandy Rhodes, WCNJ Bev Bible

Cheryl Newton Nancy Bronstein Shirley Hall Ginger Cinti

David Shelenberger Jim Simonelli

Kathy Simonelli Sheree McConnell

Motion made by Councilmember Burton to approve the minutes from the June 15, 2020 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor.

Motion carried.

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

Cheryl Newton approached council concerning the demolition of the Girard Hotel. She would like to organize a community support team to see if it is salvageable. She is asking council for extra time to get the committee together. President McNally said the property has already been looked at by engineers, architects, the Erie Land Bank, and Preservation Erie and they have determined it is not salvageable. He said that the reports are available for her to look at, but

the process for demolition will continue as planned. Ms. Newton thanked council for their time.

Kathy Simonelli and Sheree McConnell spoke to council about adding a pickleball court when the borough basketball courts are redone. They said many adults around  the community  still gather and play. Council said they will consider her suggestion.

Nancy Bronstein from 60 Dewey Drive, spoke to council about having a sewage back up in her basement. Don Green Sanitation was called, and the manhole was found to be full. Since her house is right next to a storm drain, she asked if Public Works would check on the sewer lines. Mr. Stubenbort said a camera would be used on the main line to see what is happening. Ms. Bronstein thanked council.

Jim Simonelli made council aware that there are pieces of the old Route 20 bridge in the creek with pieces of rebar sticking up. He feels this is dangerous for fishermen. President McNally thanked Mr. Simonelli for the information and reminded him that the responsibility lies with PennDOT.

Dave Shelenberger from 132 Barker St. brought pictures to point out low spots in the parking lots of the borough pool and the American Legion. Public Works Supervisor Dennis McDonald informed him they were fixed. Mr. Shelenberger thanked council.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

MAYOR/ POLICE DEPT

Councilmember Orr mentioned that the new bylaws would better outline who pays for what in an emergency.

Chief Rafferty is requesting to hire two part time officers. Officer Spurgeon submitted his letter of resignation. The new Civil Service test for the borough allows the borough to rehire former employees. Former Borough Officer Ed Podpora has submitted his application and has passed all tests required. Chief Rafferty is requesting council to hire Officer Ed Podpora for a part time position. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to hire Officer Ed Podpora for a part time position. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.

ADA CURB

RAMPS                         The bids for the twenty-one ADA ramps for the Hemlock and Boothby Drive paving project were opened July 16, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Lindy Paving bid

$38,220.00. Empire Snow Mgmt. bid$ 39,375.00. Vavala Concrete bid

$62,874.00. Mr. Stubenbort recommends council to vote in favor of the lowest bidder. Motion made by Councilmember Orr to accept the bid from Lindy Paving in the amount of $38,220.00. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

BOROUGH

POOL                           The borough pool opened July 1, 2020. CDC guidelines and the protocol established by the Pool Committee are being followed. The pool will close on August 22, 2020. The annual “Drool at the Pool” will be August 23, 2020.

BOROUGH

OFFICE                          The HVAC unit at the borough office is 28 years old and in constant need of repair. A call around bid is required and the cost should not exceed $9000.00. Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to proceed with replacing the HVAC system after getting two additional quotes for service. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

ELECTRIC GENERATION PROJECT

DOWNTOWN GROUP

CIVIL SERVICE TEST

PUBLIC WORKS

BOY SCOUT EVENT

DOBLER DAY OPEN HOUSE

The cost of the electric generation project has doubled from the original estimate. AMP will get back to the borough with an explanation.

The Downtown Group, through funding from ECGRA, is currently offering three grants. The Renaissance Block Grant allows up to a $5000.00 matching grant for homeowners that live on Main Street from the Post Office to McQuillens. This grant has seven participants. The Fac;:ade grant, currently in year two of three, allows up to a $10,000.00 matching grant for Main Street business owners to make upgrades to the fac;:ade of their building. This grant has six participants.

The last day applications were accepted for the upcoming Civil Service Test was June 17, 2020. A fifteen-dollar fee was charged for the test. A copy of the results is posted.

Advertising for the Public Works position has been completed. John Snyder completed his first year of electrical training with AMP during the week of July 13, 2020.

The Boy Scouts will host a lunch for the community in Wells Park in front of the borough building on August 1, 2020.

A.F. Dobler Hose Company will host a paper shredding and glass recycling fund raiser along with other family, food and educational activities on August 29, 2020. Councilmember Mitcho explained there will be fire extinguisher and equipment demonstrations. A chicken BBQ will be held August ist and the Sportsmen Spectacular will be on August 15th, 2020. This will be a fun opportunity for the community to support their volunteer first responders by donating toward the purchase of the Lucas Device Automatic CPR Machine.

MISC.                            Councilmember Mitcho stated the roadway at the Water Works park looks nice. The Presbyterian Church had a service at the park. The restrooms looked good; the screens need replaced. A suggestion was made to add walking paths on the outside perimeter of the tennis and basketball courts.

Councilmember Burton suggested the borough investigate adding more parking areas on Commercial Street to accommodate the businesses on Main Street.

Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING

GIRARD HOTEL

ADJOURN

At 8:11 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:02 p.m.

Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to authorize the Borough Manager to advertise and accept bids for the Girard Hotel, after the asbestos report is completed. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Burton and seconded by Councilmember Orr to adjourn at 9:02 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager