April 15, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. President Mitcho presiding.
Gregg Mitcho, President Jeanne Miller, Vice President Robert “Doc” Orr
Doug Wright Tim Knapp George Drushel Jim Simonelli
Robe11 Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer
Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
VISITORS Ginger Cinti, Lake City Council Larry Russell
Shirley Hall Laura DiPasqua Bev Bible
Fred Carlson Jeff Orr Simone Welsh Saiail Luthra
MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the March 18, 2024 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Motion by Councilmember Orr to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
None
COMMITTEES Councilmember Wright commented that the WCPA Board discussed the issue it was decided that the non-participating municipalities will pay more for services than members. Councilmember Wright believes the WCPA Board is headed in the right direction.
President Mitcho rep01ted that A. F. Dobler Hose will provide CPR training for four Girard Borough Police Officers. The fire department has ordered new SCBA air units that will be paid with fire tax money received from Girard Township.
MAYOR/POLICE
LOURDES DRIVE CULVERT PROJECT
Mayor Burton mentioned several upcoming events in the borough and explained that the Chamber held a successful Active Shooter Training event that was well attended. The Girard Downtown Group received a Erie County Gaming Revenue Grant in the amount of $150,000.00.
Chief Rafferty said that the new police care is waiting on a few parts but should be on the road soon. Aggressive driving grant has resulted in more traffic stops. Chief Rafferty mentioned that with the newly hired full time officer he is now fully staffed. A meeting with Representative Jake Banta will take place to talk about the State Police barracks consolidation.
Mayor Burton reported that a Letter of Intent is available for Council to vote on to begin the Police Regionalization study. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the Letter oflntend to begin the DCED Police Regionalization study. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried. The Girard Downtown Group received an Erie County Gaming Revenue Grant in the amount of $150,000.00. A grant from the Art Council will be used for the new park and the Art Walk. Councilmember Drushel mentioned that the Cleanup Day collected enough litter to fill a dumpster. Giant Eagle in Girard Township and Country Fair in Girard Borough were cleaned up but continue to be trouble spots. Chief Rafferty said that he would talk with the Store Managers to have them take better care of the area surrounding their buildings.
Engineer Mark Corey explained that the bids for the Lourdes Drive Culvert Project were opened on April 12, 2024 at 11:00 am. There were nine bids for the project:
McLallen Construction $75,060.00
Konzel Construction $124,000.00
Amendola Construction $104,432.00
XL Excavating $165,950.00
Heckman Construction $104,850
Mathews Enterprises $120,345.65
Ray Showman Excavating $91,658.70
- Stewait Excavating $123,410.00
Leach Excavating $72,504.00
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve bid from Leach Excavating. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
2022 AUDIT
ROAD RESURFACING
LEAF PICKUP
ELECTRIC RATES
CODE ENFORCEMENT
ECAB MEETING
CIVIL SERVICE
COUNCIL MEETING TIME CHANGE
The Borough Manager reviewed the Girard Borough DCED Report Audit for 2022 with Council. Maillie Accountants LLP performed the audit with help from our consulting accountant Michael Sultanik.
The bid opening for the Pine Tree Drive mill and pave project was April 12, 2024. Lindy Paving is the lowest bid. See information below:
McCormick $178,625.00 Lindy Paving $116,120.00 Hawbaker $158,298.00
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve bid from Lindy Paving. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
The leaf pickup schedule for 2024 is as follows: April 18th May 16th October 17th October 31th November 14th November 28th
Council discussed Waste Management issues.
The Borough Manager explained a newspaper clipping with proposed Penelec electric rates shows that Girard Borough Electric is an outstanding value. We are not the only provider that is finding constant increases in the cost of doing business and raising prices.
On March 27, 2024 the PSAB offered a class on the legalities of code enforcement. Drew Adair Esq with Deasey, Mahoney & Valentini, LTD lead the conversation. The 4th amendment protects against unreasonable searches. Probable cause in code context allows for legal right to enter property. Consent, exigent (compelling need) circumstances, plain view of doctrine or administrative search warrant are preferred. The Girard Borough has always used the code violation inspection as a health, safety and/or welfare violation. The occupant and or owner are always informed in advance. Drones are not recommended.
The next meeting of the Erie County Association of Boroughs is April 18, 2024 at the Girard American Legion.
The Civil Service Test took place on April 14, 2024. We had one applicant pass the test and they will be placed on the Civil Service List
Change the Council Meeting Time from 7:00 PM to 6:00 PM beginning Mar 20, 2024. Voting in favor were Councilmembers Knapp, Simonelli, Wright, Drushel, Miller and Mitcho. Against Councilmember Orr.
Motion carried.
PROJECTS
ORDIANCES
FREEDOM SYSTEMS
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Information concerning 2024 projects:
- Hathaway and West Gate water storage projects will go out for
- Trickling Panel Project at WWTP is underway. Grade 8 is looking at the current process controls to assure the flow parameters do not change when new equipment is installed. Physical work began April 10, 2024 and should be completed April 15, 2024.
- Working with Forester Steve Laskowski on the final stage of the eradication of invasive plants at Water Works On April 9th Ellery Troyer sprayed herbicide on poison hemlock around Park Drive and the Softball Fields.
- Lourdes Drive storm drain culvert project bid opening April 12th at 11AM and shall be presented to Council at the April 15th Council Meeting.
- CDBG ADA sidewalks for Mechanic Street and Lake Street. Mechanic Street bid will open May 17, 2024 at the County Court
- Softball Field, fixed fence, removed bleachers, garbage and (port-a-potty may be an issue). Mowed field and surrounding area. Council requested a dog poop station be posted at the
- Butternut Well cleaning by Groundwater Resources will take place the week of May 6th.
We have several ordinances outstanding that should be addressed by committee. Trailer/RV, Air B&B, Dog/Cat.
Freedom Systems is the computer software that Girard Borough has been using for Cashiering, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable including Utility Billing and Payroll. We have been informed that Freedom Systems was sold to gWORKS. This will lead to another system changeover as the Freedom Systems software is converted to gWORKS.
Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that our stop signs at Mechanic Street and Miles Avenue need higher visibility. He was driving on Mechanic Street and drove through the stop sign at Miles Avenue.
Discussion followed. Council decided to purchase “stop ahead” signs to be placed on Mechanic Street on the north and south sides of the stop signs.
George Drushel mentioned that the borough should implement a tree ordinance requiring trees be placed in front of every home. Discussion followed and no final determination was made.
Councilmember Miller rep0rted that several events will take place in the near future. The Erie County Association of Boroughs Directories are all distributed. Councilmember Miller said that she will look into a Connect Explorer program to find deed numbers.
Councilmember Orr said he will repair the benches at the softball fields. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
REGULAR MEETING
PERSONNEL
At 9:04 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:26 p.m.
Steven Barge and William Weidler turned down full time, positions with the Public Works Department.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire Owen Borland, full time, for the Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Orr to hire Brian Barchanowicz, part time, until the end of 2024 for the Public Works Department beginning as soon as possible, up to 2 days a week at a pay rate of $77.00. Mr. Markowitz will work on the electric lines and train our Public Works employees on best practices for electric line/ transformer repair, service and replacement Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:38 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager