JANUARY 18, 2021

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

VISITORS

MINUTES

BILLS

ADMIN FIRE/POLICE PERSONNEL

Council in regular session was called to order via Zoom Meeting at 7:00 p.m. President McNally presiding.

Dennis McNally, President Alfred Noble, Vice President Peter Burton

Kathy Lyons Jeanne Miller Gregg Mitcho 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

Bev  Bible Jim Simonelli

Sandy Rhodes, WCNJ Shirley Hall

Steven Matson Ginger Cinti Larry Russell Chris Byers Dillon Byers

Motion made by Councilmember Noble to approve the minutes from the December 21, 2020 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

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

Councilmember Mitcho reported that$ 1830.00 has been collected for the fire department in the donation box located at the borough office over the past four years. The tentative date for the “Special Party for Special People”, to be held at Dobler Hose, will be the last Saturday in June 2021. Councilmember Noble questioned the police log where Borough police assisted other agencies thirty­ eight times. Chief Rafferty said it was two months’ worth of reports.

MAYOR/POLICE

RESOLUTION 1-1-2021

RESOLUTION 2-1-2020

PSAB MEETING

ECAB MEETING

Chief Rafferty said the officers are completing their annual Act 180 updates. Councilmember Miller asked how soon the officers could receive the Covid 19 vaccine. Chief Rafferty said he has submitted a list to the District Attorney’s office and is waiting to hear.

In accordance with Act 428 of 1968, each individual act of document disposition shall be approved by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard. Tax Collector Mary Bowen has provided a list of documents for disposition. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to approve Resolution 1-1-2021. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

MS-399. Liquid Fuels money for 2021 are estimated to be $112,959.14 to be used for various road surfacing projects. The breakdown is as follows: Liquid Fuels Act 655 money is $100,862.14. Turnback Act 32 money is $2,880.00.

County Liquid Fuels money is $9,217.00. Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve Resolution 2-1-2020. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

The PSAB Annual Conference is scheduled for June 6-9, 2021 at the Hershey Lodge. Keynote speaker is Tom Ridge, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security & former Governor of Pennsylvania. Councilmember Orr said a PSAB Board of Directors meeting will be held next week to determine if the conference will go on for this year.

The Erie County Boroughs Association meeting will be held January 20, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Waterford American Legion.

STATE ETHICS FORMS    The State Ethics forms need to be turned into the borough office. A PDF form can be emailed for convenience.

GIRARD HOTEL

NEW ACTUARY

 CHRISTMAS PROMOTION

The Erie Land Bank has allowed Habitat for Humanity into the Girard Hotel to remove what they can. They will be working in there until the end of February. The hotel should be demolished by late June 2021.

Boetger Retirement Plan Services was acquired by Definiti LLC. Public Works, Police and the Administrative Pensions have been moved. This change was effective December 4, 2020. The borough’s contact for the plan, Katie Gunter, is now with Definiti LLC.

This was the second year for the Hometown Holidays promotion. In 2019, there were 219 receipts totaling $3,859.90. For 2020, there were 268 receipts totaling

$5,100.17. First prize winner was Kim Bacher for $300.00. Second prize winner was Tom Benson for $200.00 and third prize winner was Jen Joint for $100.00. Mr. Stubenbort thanked all of the sponsors and also thanked the Public Works department for putting up all of the Christmas decorations in Wells Park. More

decorations will be purchased from Al’s Melons in Conneaut Lake, PA in the future.

PUBLIC WORKS

GLASS RECYCLING

OFFICE HVAC

COVID 19

TAX COLLECTOR

ZONING HEARING BOARD

The Public Works Department needs a new truck to replace the 2005 GMC. The new truck is budgeted for 2021. The borough is looking to purchase a 2021 Ford F350 with a Fisher Snowplow. The best COSTAR price is $39,981.00 from Bob Ferrando Ford. Councilmember Mitcho asked if the truck would be diesel. Mr.

Stubenbort said it is a gasoline engine. Councilmember Burton asked if the truck could be traded in towards the purchase of the new truck. Mr. Stubenbort  said he will check with Bob Ferrando. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to approve the purchase of the 2021 Ford F350 truck for $39,981.00. Seconded by Councilmember  Burton. All in favor. Motion carried. A new lawn tractor is needed for the WWTP to replace the ten-year-old John Deere. The one budgeted for 2021 is from Miller Bros for $5013.24. Motion made by

Councilmember Mitcho to approve the purchase of a new lawn tractor from

Miller Bros for $5013.24. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Stubenbort also reported that the Federal Government has enacted legislation forming a CDL Clearinghouse. All Borough CDL drivers have signed up and the Borough has performed the mandated limited query. This Clearinghouse will provide CDL drug and alcohol violation information that will be used for new hire employees already carrying a CDL license.

A.F. Dobler Hose will be the location for the glass recycling bin from Prism Glass. This will be for a six-month trial. The bin is expected to be delivered on January 22, 2021. Residents of Girard Township can recycle their glass at the West County Communications Center.

The HVAC unit from Keep Heating is on order. This unit provides heat and air conditioning to the lobby, the administrative office and Chief Rafferty’s office. The price was held over from last year for the borough at $8,950.00.

The Girard Borough office doors are open to the public with regular hours. The Public Works Department is working regular hours while maintaining social distancing and wearing masks.

Mary Bowen, the current tax collector for the borough, will not be running for reelection. Mary has always done an outstanding job for the borough and will be greatly missed. If a resident of Girard Borough would like to run for tax collector, a nomination petition should be picked up at the Bureau of Elections and Notaries Office at the Erie County Courthouse. Councilmember Burton asked if there were any inquiries for the position. Mr. Stubenbort said not yet.

Enclosed is a letter from Shirley Hall requesting to be appointed to the Zoning Hearing Board. Motion made by Councilmember Orr to appoint Mrs. Hall to the Zoning Hearing Board. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in Favor. Motion carried. The Planning Commission is still short one position.

WALNUT TOWER

AMP MEETING

GIRARD POOL

DECLARATION OF DISASTER EMERGENCY

Cernica Engineering has completed the ground core sampling at the Walnut Street Water Tower area and found that no additional in ground supports would be required for the new larger water tower. The cost of services is $7,346.00.

The next step will be for Cernica Engineering to complete structural drawings and specifications for the water tank foundation at a cost of $3,000.00. Mr. Stubenbort said water lines will be replaced if needed during this project.

Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve payment for Cernica Engineering $7,346.00. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

The borough has managed to maintain costs of electricity for several years. A large portion of the portfolio will come due  in  2022.  AMP  will gather information to offer the borough a  competitive  contract.  In addition  to  the diesel generators for peak shaving, the borough is being offered a small amount of solar power. The borough would not own the project, just purchase the   power. The cost for  solar is estimated at $35.00 MWH and would be locked in for twenty-five years. For comparison, the  Freemont Plant power cost is currently $31.00 MWH. AMP is asking if the borough is interested in solar at this time. Once the final costs are determined, Council can decide to participate or not. President McNally said yes, the  borough is interested in learning more about the solar program.

The rates for the Girard Borough Pool should be established so flyers can be made. Council decided to open for the full season but hold the 2020 reduced pricing. Elk Valley is requesting one day free pool passes that can be used for students that are outstanding readers.           ·

Attached to Council’s packet is a renewal of the Disaster Declaration concerning the COVID 19 Pandemic. This declaration has been altered so that it will continue until such time that Council deems it unnecessary. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to accept the renewed Disaster Declaration for the COVID 19 Pandemic. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

MISC.                            Motion made by Councilmember Lyons to appoint Larry Russell to the Girard Borough Planning Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

President McNally said a letter of delegates and alternates needs to be sent to ECOG. Also, he is no longer Chairperson of ECOG.

Councilmember Burton asked about the status of the Laughlin Water Project. Mr. Stubenbort said that the borough is waiting to hear from the DEP to see if a permit is needed.

Councilmember Miller said the Rec Board is accepting resumes for a new Director. The Chamber has an updated map/brochure of the area.

Councilmember Burton said copies will be distributed to various local businesses next month. The Chamber also has a new website with lots of information, including a community  calendar. Councilmember Miller said Chamber information has also been added to the Girard Borough website. Also, the food tent was ordered for Dan Rice Days.

Councilmember Lyons mentioned that elected officials over the age of 64 are eligible for Covid vaccines.

Councilmember Burton said the Historical Society conveyed the area surrounding the Battles’ Yellow and White House to the PA Conservatory, which means there will be no development around the property. It has been a concern to keep hunters off of the Historical Society property. There is only one sign at the entrance to the trail prohibiting hunting. Councilmember  Burton said he would let the Historical Society know that “No Hunting”  signs need placed around the property lines.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING

At 8:25 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:23 p.m. No other issues were discussed.

ADJOURN                    Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Burton to adjourn at 9:23 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager