April 21, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

Council in regular session was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in council chambers. President Mitcho presiding.

Gregg Mitcho, President Jeanne Miller, Vice President Robert “Doc” Orr

Jim Simonelli Doug Wright George Drushel Tim Knapp

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Kevin Rafferty, Police Chief

ABSENT    Peter Burton, Mayor

VISITORS Shirley Hall Larry Russell

Michael Stafford, WCNJ Jeff Orr

Ginger Cinti Bev Bible Simone Welsh Matthew Moore Dee Dee Greene

MINUTES    Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the March 17, 2025, council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp.

Councilmember Simonelli would like to change the minutes to reflect that he mentioned that the borough should top all locust trees in the curb lawns and not that the borough should just top the locust trees in the curb lawns below the utility wires. Council agreed to the change. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS          Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve payment of the bills.

Seconded by Councilmember Miller. Councilmember Orr asked why the borough is paying Harborcreek Township for seal coat for the borough roads. Harborcreek Township opened bids for the 22 municipalities participating in the Seal Coat bids. Councilmember Miller asked if we received the money from the Erie Community Foundation for the pool furniture grant. Mr. Stubenbort is going to check on whether the borough received the funds expected from ECGRA and the Erie Community Foundation. President Mitcho asked about the bill from Ascendance for truck #4. Dennis McDonald explain that the company Five Star International changed their name to Ascendance. All in favor. Motion carried.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS     Matthew Moore at 318 Main St. East petitioned the council to have 2-3

trees removed from the curb lawn of his property due to an inability to see when exiting the driveway because of blind spots, which causes a safety issue. Mr. Moore offered pictures and a video of the trees and the hazard of exiting the driveway. He also offered to cover the cost of removal. Mr. Moore said he has spoken to his neighbor Joseph Vojtko who is also on board with having the trees removed. President Mitcho said he was able to look at the issue and agrees that it is a safety issue. Mr. Stubenbort quoted resolution 1-4-2010 which says that borough council can by issuance of a permit allow for tree removal by payment of

$200.00 payable to Girard Borough and placed in the Girard Borough general fund. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve removal of the curb lawn trees on either side of the driveway. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. President Mitcho would like to see a different tree be put in place of the removed trees. Councilmember Drushel has a list of trees that would be suitable, and Mr. Moore could choose from that list. All in favor. Motion carried. Council briefly discussed the tree removal and the replacement trees.

Simone Welsh at 14 Main Street updated council about changes for the 2025 Art Walk. Simone petitioned the council to hang the Art Walk banner a week prior to the event, on 05/20/2025. Flyers and maps with punch cards and the updated website are available.

It was mentioned that Simone Welsh, Jeff Orr, and Dee Dee Greene are running for Girard Borough Council.

COMMITTEES      Councilmember Orr said that West County Emergency Management did not have a meeting this month.

Councilmember Wright said that the last West County Paramedics meeting was last month, they did not have a work session this month, and it looks like that work session is going to be permanently cancelled or postponed. They are working on the acquisition of the equipment from Lakeshore and Fairview ambulance services from the fire departments.

They had a meeting on 05/02/2025 relative to details being brought forward to the board meeting which is 05/12/2025, where it will be discussed and voted upon. Councilmember Wright said everything seems to be operating smoothly.

President Mitcho was unable to attend the A.F. Dobler Hose monthly meeting, so he had nothing new to report. He did report last month that the A.F. Dobler Hose purse party is 05/10/2025, and ticket sales are good.

President Mitcho said that the Tree Committee meeting on 04/21/2025 went well, and that Councilmember Drushel had a good report.

President Mitcho said that the minutes for the West County Communications meeting he attended are in the packet. The West County Communication center has its own board of directors, owned by multiple municipalities. Those municipalities send representatives, our Representative is Jeanne Miller, and Greg Mitcho is our alternate representative. Valerie Kuntz from Steadman Law Office was hired to look at the bylaws because the consolidation of the boards for the West County Paramedics and West County Communications Center is being considered.

Councilmember Simonelli suggested that there be a designated leader of each of the committees. President Mitcho said that is something that could be decided during a committee meeting, but a lot of the committee type issues, concerns, and progress are handled by council.

Engineer Mark Corey had nothing to report.

Solicitor Joseph Yochim had nothing to report. President Mitcho asked Mr. Yochim and Mr. Stubenbort about a tree that fell on a fence that the borough may be liable for. The borough is not liable because the tree was not in the curb lawn.

MANAGERS REPORT

ORDINANCE 758

ROAD RESURFACING

An Ordinance referring to Skill Games was discussed. The ordinance would restrict skill games to the C-1 Zoning District. Only establishments that seat 30, serve alcohol and serve food could have up to five skill game machines. The ordinance has been properly advertised and is ready to vote. Motion by Councilmember Wright to pass Ordinance 758. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. Councilmember Knapp opposed, saying he still feels it will stop businesses from coming to Girard Borough. Councilmember Miller said the skills games are being looked at by the state and our governor. Councilmember Miller asked how much the advertisement cost. The cost is not known. Voting in favor are President Mitcho, Vice President Miller, Councilmember Orr, Councilmember Simonelli, Councilmember Wright and Councilmember Drushel. Against, Councilmember Knapp. Motion carried.

The bid openings for the seal coating project was March 27, 2025. Suit-Kote was the lowest bid at $1.90 a square yard. The Russel Standard bid was

$2.13 a square yard.

Suit – Kote Russell Standard

58620 X 1.90

58620 X 2.13

$111,378.00

$124,861.00

The center portion of the borough would be done, from Rice Avenue to the cemetery, and from the railroad out to Walnut Street The Borough Manager requested council vote in favor of the lowest bidder. Motion by

Councilmember Wright to approve the lowest bidder Suit-Kote for seal coating. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. Councilmember Orr requested that the drains be covered when the roads are seal coated. Dennis McDonald stated that the drains have recently been covered during the seal coating. All in favor. Motion carried.

LEAF PICK UP                                  Leaf collection is scheduled for the following dates:

May 15th October 16th October 30th Nov 13th Nov 28th

COMPOST AREA

BUTTERNUT WELL PROJECT

PUBLIC WORKS TRAINING

The Girard Borough Compost Area will be open to Girard Borough residents every Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

The pipes and fittings have been ordered for the chlorine detention line for the Butternut Well. We are waiting on the mega lugs. The lowest project quote came in from Amendola Construction Maintenance at $9,800.00, that work includes the digging, bedding, and laying the 24-inch pipe. Hopefully by the next council meeting the project will be complete.

Tony Difucci and Dillon Baker have their CDL B license. Tony and Dillon are going to attend the AMP linemen training in October. Terry Jackson and Josh Palochak will be attending training in Grove City on May 12th and May 13th, 2025. The training is for electrical meters, proper sizing of meter equipment to measure the load, an electric meter overview, hot sockets, instrument transformers, demand, theft of service, meter testing equipment, and more.

PROJECTS                                           Information concerning 2025 projects:

  • Hotel Park Project entrance sign lighting has been The cost for the gateway lighting is $2,000.00.
  • Working with the Forester Steve Laskowski on the final stage of eradication of invasive plants at Water Works The Borough Manager is waiting for an update from Mr. Laskowski.
  • Lourdes Drive storm drain culvert project restoration is
  • CDBG ADA sidewalks for Lake
  • White Line lamiriate damage
  • Hathaway water storage paint project. Dan from USG Water Solutions is going to give a report on some of the DEP requirement upgrades for the It may need more than an updated ladder.
  • Lead/Copper Rule and Water Meter Replacement We have 48 new meters. The PENNVEST grant for the hydraulic excavator would need to be for a whole project, not just for one piece of equipment. The Lead/Copper Rule will be very expensive for the homeowners and the borough. Anyone who has a galvanized line will be required to change to copper, and the borough will have to change any leaded gooseneck parts.
  • Pump Station Enclosure Project at WWTP VFD’s will be replaced by soft starts and programmable logic controllers.
  • Reed Bed clean out at WWTP (2)
  • RBC bearing failure caused half the RBC’s to be shut New bearings are on order.
  • Watson Pool installed a new pool water filter on March 31,
  • New pool furniture came in April 2,
  • T-Mobile temporary tower equipment That tower should be put up next to the Hathaway Tower within the next couple of weeks.
  • Fishing Derby at Water Works Park Kids This is the last year that Lee Weaver and the Elk Valley Sportsman Club will be able to coordinate the fishing derby. Don Grimshaw and the Lake City Fire Department offered to coordinate the fishing derby going forward.
  • County Executive grant check for $92,000.00 was presented to Girard Borough on April 10, 2025 for the Pine Tree Drive Stmm Water Correction Project. We also applied for a $100,000.00 grant for the greenways through the county for the Hotel Park Project and Water Works Park New LED lighting for the softball fields at Water Works Park is $54,000.00.
  • Girard Borough provided street sweeping for the Girard Township this The pony motor on the street sweeper is out of order now so we will not be doing any street sweeping for a while. We may need to re-evaluate to see ifwe can help Girard Township with street sweeping next year.
  • Town Clock in front of the borough building needs painted. The paint could be purchased from Lake City Paints, cost to be determined. Councilmember Drushel suggested that the clock manufacturer be contacted to see if they would recommend what kind of paint to be Dee Dee Greene offered to paint the clock.
  • Pool recommendations from borough resident Nancy Fuller, included in packet, were turned over to Councilmember Miller and Councilmember Drushel because it does not match up with the summer activities from the Elk Valley Recreation Board. Nancy would like a change to be made because many people have requested to have the pool available for open swim at Noon.

SOCIAL HALL                                                  Social Hall floors are waxed for May Voting Primary.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES                             Borough manager Robert Stubenbort and Engineer Mark Corey

talked about the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program. Eligible projects are water and sewer infrastructure, minimum cost of$30,000.00 and maximum cost of$500,000.00. This would be for the Sunset Drive Water Line Replacement, the Sunset Drive Sanitary Sewer Line Replacement, and for replacement of Quail Ridge sewer lift station. The cost of the three projects would be estimated at $500,000.00. A 15% match is required for each. A total of $434,000.00 would be requested for the grant and the borough would need to match with 15 percent. Each application would be done individually. Authorization was requested from council to make application to match funds if the grant is awarded. The three resolutions are 1-4-2025, 2-4-2025, and 3-4-2025. Motion by Councilmember Wright to authorize the 15 percent match for those projects so the application process can go forward. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. All three resolutions passed.

MAYOR/POLICE

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Police Chief Kevin Rafferty talked about ordinance violations. There will be several letters going out to the residents in the next week for ordinance violations. Chief Rafferty said it is unknown at this time if the Pennsylvania State police will be moving to a new facility. Chief Rafferty also talked about a Lake City Police Officer proposing a regional police plan. He did look at the plan and did not find it feasible. Councilmember Simonelli asked about a conversation concerning repeat offenders for ordinance violations.

This was in reference to Wesleyville looking into a quality-of-life ordinance. With our current ordinances we repeatedly send violation letters and give a time limit to correct the violation, instead a written warning could be given for the first violation and increasing monetary consequences for each recurring violation. Councilmember Simonelli thinks this is a good idea.

Councilmember Knapp talked about ordinance violations. He said that 240 Templeton needs the sidewalk replaced in front, that the house is falling down, and the garage is falling down. He wants to know what can be done. This was addressed last year, but nothing has changed. More information is needed to know who may be responsible for the property at this time.

Councilmember Simonelli is concerned about property value in the borough due to ordinance violations and would like to see our ordinances enforced more. Councilmember Wright suggested a list be made and citations be given to those in violation of the ordinances.

Councilmember Knapp talked about two residents on Hathaway Street that put couches out for Waste Management garbage pick pickup on a Friday when the scheduled day for garbage pickup is Thursdays. The borough does have a 24-hour rule for trash. Police Chief Kevin Rafferty said he had an officer looking into that on April 21, 2025. These violations are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Councilmember Simonelli talked about clogged storm drains needing to be cleaned. The Public Works department had been out earlier that day to work on the clogged storm drains.

Councilmember Simonelli asked if PennDOT had been contacted about the timing of the traffic lights on Rt. 18 and Rt. 20. PennDOT programmed and designed the traffic lights according to the borough’s request to not have cars getting backed up coming eastbound into town. The original concern was snow and diverted traffic from 1-90 into Girard Borough. There is also a delay due to the left turn lanes lights, one going westbound onto Chestnut Street, and one eastbound to Rice Avenue.

Councilmember Simonelli asked if the steel headers had been in contact concerning the millings across from the Water Works Park Pond. Dennis McDonald said yes, they had been in contact with him that day.

Councilmember Drushel talked about the cost of trees being planted to replace ones taken down. He asked if the borough pays for that or the homeowner, and does the homeowner get reimbursed a ce1iain amount. If the trees are in the curb lawn the borough pays to replace the trees with no cost to the homeowner.

Councilmember Drushel asked about Ordinance 759, not allowing apartments on the first floor of C-1 Zoning. The Borough Manager said the ordinance will go to Erie County Planning, then to Girard Borough Planning, and then back to council for a final vote.

Councilmember Miller asked if the netting at the softball field could be taken down and mentioned that the scoreboard is down. Public Works will handle the netting and scoreboard. Councilmember Miller talked about the benches needing to be painted. She also talked about the dumpster being full. The Borough Manager suggested the dumpster be removed. There is also a light that stays on continuously. The suggestion was made to shut the power off since the softball field is not being used. Councilmember Miller asked to have a sign put up at the pool house stating the pool furniture was purchased through grants.

Councilmember Miller said Erie County Planning is on the calendar to have their meeting here on June 12, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Councilmember Miller said the Elk Creek Recreation Board is meeting with the school this week about the pool.

Councilmember Miller talked about the email regarding the statistics for people using the Girard Borough webpage.

Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE

SESSION                                  At 8:07 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

REGULAR

MEETING                                The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:26 p.m.

No other items where discussed.

ADJOURN                                Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Wright to adjourn at 9:28 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager