April 20, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
ABSENT
Council in regular session was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers. President Miller
presiding.
Jeanne Miller, President Doug Wright, Vice President George Drushel
Jeffrey Orr
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Tim Knapp
Leslie “Dee Dee” Green
VISITORS Branden Schultz Delani Ann
Bev Bible Ginger Cinti Tim Stevenson Larry Russell Fred Carlson
Steve Jaracziewski Gregg Mitcho Michael Stafford Simone Welsh Ilya Pribyshcuk Kim Hyde
Tracy Tome (late attendance)
MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the March 16, 2026 council meeting
minutes. Seconded by Councilmember J. Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
Motion by Councilmember J. Orr to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember R. Orr.
All in favor. Motion carried.
Kristen Lockwood was on the agenda but did not attend.
Tim Stevenson, President of the Elk Creek Recreation Board, thanked the Council members for their
continued support.
Greg Mitcho introduced Branden Schultz, the Fire Chief for A.F. Dobler Hose and Kim Hyde, President
of A.F. Dobler Hose. Branden Schultz thanked the Borough Council for their years of service and
their working relationship with the Fire Depmiment. He spoke about the training burn on Church Street, and the
help that Public Works provided. President Miller asked if the clean-up is completed. Mr. Schultz
said any remaining clean-up is up to the Girard Cemetery. He also spoke about the Insurance
Services Office Audit that will be conducted in June.
Simone Welsh, Director of the Girard Art Walk, spoke about the Fifth Annual A11 Walk, being held
Friday June 5, 2026. She made requests regarding lighting, banners, crosswalk signs, and the use of
seating and garbage cans. Details of the Art Walk were discussed fmiher.
COMMITTEES
Councilmember Wright said everything is going well with West County Paramedics. He explained how
issues such as certifications and billing are being resolved. He spoke about the new board for the
West County Emergency Management Communications Center. He said they are working on some issues
with who is going to pay the gas and electric bills due to the percentage change made to the
portion they pay. He spoke about the Communications Center building being in good shape and the
repairs that have been made.
RESOLUTION
1-4-2026 A resolution accepting the gasoline and diesel fuel bids for July 1, 2026 to
June 30, 2029. OPIS = Oil Price Information Services.
Melzers Fuel Service/ Gas and Diesel $0.05 plus OPIS Colonial Oil Industries / No bid
Councilmember Drushel asked what the gas and diesel is used for. Mr. Stubenbort said it is for gas
and diesel for the Public Works and Police Department, and the fire department. Motion by
Councilmember Drushel to approve Resolution 1-4-2026. Seconded by Councilmember J. Orr. All in
favor. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2-4-2026
ROAD RESURFACING
A resolution approving the application for a DCED.parks grant on behalf of Girard School District
to be used for the Tennis / Pickleball courts at the Girard School District. Jacob Hagmaier, the
Director of Finance at Girard School District, spoke at the last council meeting and asked for the
Borough’s support in applying for the grant. Councilmember Drushel asked if Mr. Hagmaier received
approval from the school board to proceed with applying for the grant. He did. Motion by
Councilmember Drushel to approve Resolution 1-2-2026. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in
favor. Motion carried.
The bid opening for the Seal Coating project was March 27, 2026. Suit-Kote is the lowest bid. See
information below:
Suit-Kote
Russell Standard
Mark Corey P.E. put together a bid for over one million square yards, with twenty-six participating
municipalities, for this year.
Councilmember Wright spoke about all the municipalities needing to patticipate in order to get the
best price. Mr. Corey confirmed. Mr.
Stubenbort respectfully requested that Council vote in favor of the lowest bidder, which is
Suit-Kate. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the Suit-Kate seal coating bid. Seconded by
Councilmember R. Orr. Councilmember Drushel asked which streets are being surfaced this year. Mr.
Stubcnbort will have that information ready for the next council meeting. Councilmember Drushel
asked about the total cost, and if that price is standard from year to year. This year is a little
higher because it is the last year of our three year cycle, meaning it is the big year as far as
the volume of square yards that need done. All in favor.
Motion carried.
POOL BID On April 17, 2026, the bid opening for the marcite pool coating was opened and
the results were as follows:
William L. Watson TIP Construction
$180,000.00
$178,000.00
The award request will come before Council in May, after the bid obligations have been reviewed by
the Borough Engineer, Mark Corey. Mark Corey gave details of the bid requirements and
specifications. We are waiting to receive the required information for both bids. Ilya from TIP
Construction explained that although they do not have experience with pool restoration
specifically, they have done similar work with plaster, stucco and cement for building restorations
during the ten years they have been in service. He provided information to Mark Corey about how
they would approach the project and the products they would be using. President Miller asked where
the office for TIP Construction is located. Ilya said their office is located at 2402 State Street
Erie, Pa.
Councilmember Drushel asked if the project bid includes the pool liner and lane lines. Mark Corey
said those are included. Councilmember Wright asked if this is a project being contemplated for
this year. Mr. Stubenbort said yes, it would be completed after the swim season.
Details of the work were discussed further.
CDBG
LEAF PICK-UP
The CDBG grant was awarded to XL Excavation through Erie County Planning. This grant will fund ADA
curb ramps for intersections on Lake Street. No start date is set at this point, because they have
not had the
pre-construction meeting yet. President Miller asked if this grant money is from 2024. It is.
Watse Management leaf collection is scheduled for the following days: May 14, 2026
May 21, 2026
October 15, 2026
October 29, 2026
November 12, 2026
December 3, 2026
75,279 X 1.999
75,279 X 2.730
150,482.72
$205,511.67
ANNUAL FLOWER SALE
WATER JETTER
NEW HIRE
RBCUPDATE
MAYOR /POLICE
Residents can also take leaves to the compost area. The compost area opened at the beginning of
April and will be open until Mid-December, every weekend 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Elk Valley Garden Club will be selling flowers and plants in Wells Park on Friday, May 15, 2026
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday May 16, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Garden Club
is looking for new members. The Elk Valley Garden Club docs a fantastic job caring for our parks.
Please give them your support by attending their flower sale.
Lake City Borough notified the Girard Borough that they will give us their water jetter when their
new jetting unit arrives later this year. This is a generous gift from our neighbors that will get
plenty of use.
Council needs to approve the hiring of our new part time police officer Brandon Drayer, hired March
20, 2026. Motion by Councilmember J. Orr to approve the hiring of the part- time police officer
Brandon Drayer. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. Councilmember R. Orr asked if the Police
Department is happy with this new hire. Mayor Burton said they are happy with him, and he has
started his training. All in favor.
Motion carried.
*RBC 1 Fully operational.
*RBC 2 New bearing. The gear box is currently being worked on. (purchased from AARC)
*RBC 3 New bearing. Fully Operational.
*RBC 4 Waiting for new motor and used gear box. (purchased from AARC, arrived April 20, 2026.)
*Current gear boxes have press fit sleeves. From now on all gear boxes will have tapper lock
sleeves.
*Anew gear box is on back order. Which will be used as a spare.
Councilmember Drushel asked for clarification of what RBC stands for. Mr Stubenbort said it stands
for Rotating Biological Contactor, and explained how they work in the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
Mayor Burton said twenty-eight historical plaques have been ordered for buildings along Main Street,
particularly in the historic district. The landowner has given approval. The plaques are being paid
for by the Girard Downtown Group, they should arrive in May and be put up in June.
Mayor Burton spoke mentioned Chief Raffetty being at a deposition for a domestic violence case and
said his own deposition would be on April 23, 2026. This situation was discussed by Council a
couple of years ago. The case is headed for trial.
He said the Girard Lake City Chamber of Commerce is working on a brochure to have near the
Sunflower Field. The brochure would include history of Girard and some local establishments that
people could visit.
He is still working with Dan Rice’s family to move Dan Rice back to Girard.
Details regarding the sunflower planters along Main Street were discussed. Mayor Burton also said
they had an opportunity to taste the spiced rum made from our Sunflower Field. The name “1898” has
to be approved by the Liquor Board.
There will be a paper shredding day on June 18, 2026 in the Burton Funeral Home parking lot.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Wright asked if we heard anything about the park
project with the forester. He spoke about how the Garden Club helped by pulling some invasive
species of plants, but there is still more that needs removed. He also wanted to know what is
happening with the softball fields, and whether they will remain vacant. Mr. Stubenbort said an
email from Kristen Lockwood was included in Council’s packets regarding her group maintaining and
using the fields for Children’s T-Ball..
He would like the Code Enforcement Officer to look at the sidewalks on Lake Street, between
Hathaway Street and Rice Avenue, because a large p01tion of them need to be replaced.
He also said trees need to be replanted quickly in the areas where the borough has recently removed
trees. He suggested a timeline be established and a type of tree be chosen for replanting.
President Miller asked if it is a requirement to replace a curblawn tree that was taken down in
front of a home. Several Councilmembers said yes.
Councilmember Wright said it would be replaced by a smaller tree. President Miller asked how small
the replacement trees would be. Councilmember Wright suggested it be a tree twenty to twenty-five
feet tall. Mr. Stubenbort said they were originally looking at a Fall planting schedule. And they
were leaning towards an Urban Forest, which is what is currently along Main Street. Those are the
same kind of trees that have been recommended in the past, smaller street trees, and a variety of
trees could be less problematic in the future. Councilmember Wright mentioned Council previously
having three options for replacement trees. He feels those options should be offered to residents
and the borough should pay for those trees, as well as plant them. President Miller brought up the
different widths of curblawns in the borough, meaning not all curblawns should have the same trees.
Councilmember Drushel spoke about needing to discuss which trees would be the right choice for
which areas. Mayor Burton agrees with planting the trees in the Fall.
Councilmember R. Orr asked who will be going to the COG meetings. Councilmember Wright said he will
be going, but he has not been notified of when the meetings are scheduled. Councilmember R. Orr
mentioned a useful map of all the roads in Erie County being put out in previous years by the COG.
He is wondering if they will be trying to put out an updated map. Mr. Stubenbort will make sure
Councilmember Wright gets notification of the COG meeting schedule.
Councilmember Drushel asked if the road near Daily Queen is in Girard Borough. It is not. He asked
if the borough could work with someone to fix the potholes in that road. Councilmember J. Orr said
this issue has been brought up at the Girard Township meetings, but that alley way is privately owned by the
surrounding businesses, so Girard Township is not responsible for fixing it. Ownership of and
responsibility for the alley way was discussed further. Councilmember Drushel would like the
borough to collaborate with Girard Township in regard to this alley way. Collaboration,
responsibility to constituents and taxpayers, and potential issues were discussed. Councilmember
Drushel will work with Girard Township for a resolution.
Councilmember Drushel spoke about the railroad crossing on Olin Avenue needing fixed. Steve
Jaracziewski said there are potholes on Church Street that need attention as well. President Miller
said you have to call the railroad about the crossings. Mr. Stubenbort said there is a phone number
on the sign by the railroad crossings, and when enough people call, they will fix it. Fred Carlson
and Steve Jaracziewski also spoke about sidewalk issues.
Councilmember Drushel talked about the Fishing Derby at the borough park. He said it was a nice
event for the kids.
He asked if our Code Enforcement Officer fielded any calls in the past month. She did not.
Councilmember Drushel would like to see her utilized more.
He spoke about the Spring Cleanup happening on April 25, 2026 starting at 9:00 a.m. Vests, gloves,
and trash bags will be provided for volunteers, as well as lunch.
Councilmember Wright asked about the damaged residential fence on Lake Street that was discussed at
the last Council meeting. This damage was caused by one of our snowplows. Councilmember Wright
asked what portion of the fence was damaged and questioned the cost of
$1,500.00. An estimate was provided by the property owner for the damage to their aluminum fence.
President Miller talked about a committee formed between the American Legion and Girard Borough
regarding the America 250 Celebration.
There have been two meetings so far. President Miller requested that any ideas for the celebration
be given to a member of the committee. Girard Borough is also working with Erie County Gaming
Revenue for a grant available for expenses pertaining to the America250 Celebration.
The American Legion will be in front of the Borough Building on Memorial Day performing a service
before the parade. Wreaths will be placed in front of the Borough building, at each of the
cemeteries, at the Dan Rice Monument, as well as in Lake City and Platea.
On July 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. the church bell will be rung thirteen times for America250,
representing the original thirteen colonies. Lake City Borough may have a kid’s bike parade on July
4, 2026 as well.
She spoke about flags being placed along Main Street. She also spoke about plans to have a banner
on the stage to commemorate Girard’s 180th birthday. Business owners and residents will have the
opportunity to participate in two separate decorating contests, one for business owners and one for
residents. More information will be given regarding prizes, how to enter the contest, and when the
judging will be. There will be fireworks in the field beside the fire department on the Saturday of Dan Rice Days
this year. Expenses will be submitted to Erie County Gaming Revenue for reimbursement through the
America 250 Celebration grant.
Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 7:21 p.m., President Miller asked for an executive session to discuss
personnel and legal matters.
REGULAR
MEETING The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:10 p.m.
No other items were discussed.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember R. Orr and seconded by Councilmember Wright to adjourn at
8:11 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager