AUGUST 16, 2021
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
VISITORS
MINUTES
BILLS
COMMUNITY COMMENTS
Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. 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
Shirley Hall Larry Russell Ginger Cinti Bev Bible
David Shelenberger Nancy Bronstein
Motion made by Councilmember Burton to approve the minutes from the July 19, 2021 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor.
Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilmember Lyons to approve the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.
Larry Russell gave council an update regarding the fire hydrant painting
project. He mentioned that there are about thirteen fire hydrants left to paint as of today. He also said it has been really nice because other people are starting
to volunteer to help finish the project. Mr. Russell said all of the hydrants should be done no later than next week.
Mr. Russell said that the second project he and Shirley Hall would like to take on is to paint all of the street posts. After those are completed he would like to paint all of the posts that have signage. Councilmember Noble thinks this is fantastic that Mr. Russell and Mrs. Hall along with several volunteers have taken on these projects. Councilmember Burton said it was a privilege to help Mr. Russell one day. He thanked both Mr. Russell and Shirley Hall for their hard work and dedication. President McNally presented Mr.
Russell and Mrs. Hall with Resolution 1-8-2021 to express their sincere appreciation for the organization and follow through to get the fire hydrants in the borough painted.
ADMINISTRATION FIRE/POLICE PERSONNEL
STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
MAYOR
MANAGERS REPORT
RESOLUTION 1-8-2021
Councilmember Mitcho reported that Dobler Hose sold two days’ worth of chicken dinners in four hours at Dan Rice Days. The community was very supportive and the fire department is grateful. There is a gun raffle fund raiser coming up this Saturday on August 21, 2021. The cost is $20.00. Councilmember Noble mentioned that because the fire department sold out of chicken dinners, they directed people to the American Legions Womens Auxiliary steak fry dinner.
Councilmember Lyons asked Councilmember Mitcho if the car show was as successful as it appeared. Councilmember Mitcho said this was new to them so they will be able to improve upon it next year.
Councilmember Lyons said that on the east side of Walnut Street between Dobler Hose and the property owned by National Fuel there is a section with no sidewalks. The sidewalks at the corner of Locust Street and Walnut Streets are really heaved. President McNally said the area where there is no sidewalk should be done and the owner of the property notified. The sidewalk at Walnut Street will be put on the list for next year.
Councilmember Orr reported that the EMA Director is working on training schedules for the rest of the year. He is asking that all municipalities review their disaster declarations and report the status to the West County EMC.
Mayor Kremenik reported that Chief Rafferty is looking into grants for body cameras. Chief Rafferty reported that the DA’s office provided a grant to send additional officers out for traffic enforcement for aggressive driving. This past month Chief Rafferty put extra officers out on the road. Twenty-two citations were written out.
Council received the amended False Alarm Ordinance 747 which has been properly advertised. Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve Ordinance 747. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Lyons to approve Resolution 1-8-2021 which was presented to Larry Russell and Shirley Hall earlier in the meeting for their civic contribution to the borough. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor.
Motion carried.
SIDEWALKS
ARPA
Mr. Stubenbort reported that 93 sidewalk letters were mailed out to residents for sidewalks that do not meet the borough criteria. Eighty of the certified letters have been officially received. So far there have been 54 total sidewalk squares replaced. The borough has reimbursed for 38 squares for a total of
$1,140.00. This does not include the cement work we have done around the borough building.
The borough did receive $152,450.71 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. In 2022 the borough will receive another $152,450.71. The money we received in July will be put toward the Water Storage Tank Project for Walnut Street. This project is still in the design phase and we also need approval from the DEP.
AMP The installation of the Girard Borough electric generation units began on August 4, 2021 and this phase was completed on August 11, 2021. The project is still on track to be completed by the end of 2021. There will be two more groups coming in to work on the project, but the final group will be the one to actually connect our switchgear and make everything workable. The units have one diesel tank underneath and the tank did pass the pressure test.
BASKETBALL COURTS McCormick Construction did complete the resurfacing of the basketball courts. We have had several hard rains that followed and the surface sheds water very well. Mr. Corey said the back boards, poles and bleachers are still on order. Mr. Corey received an invoice from McCormick Construction. The original contract amount was $63,847.00. They have completed everything under the contract with the exception of the line painting. Mr. Corey recommends payment in the amount of $59,808.00. Motion by Councilmember Burton to pay McCormick Construction $59,808.00. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor.
Motion carried.
PSAB CONFERENCE
PUBLIC WORKS TRUCK FOR SALE
The PSAB Conference will be held in Erie this year at the Bayfront Convention Center October 8-10th• Joe Yochim, Girard Boroughs Solicitor will be one of the speakers. Councilmember Orr’s part of the conference is covered but council agreed to pay the hotel cost for Councilmember Noble.
The bids for the 2005 GMC Sierra Truck were opened on August 11, 2021. We received only one bid in the amount of $50.00. Mr. Stubenbort recommends to council that we do not accept the bid. We can make more money by scraping the truck. Motion by Councilmember Noble to decline the bid for the 2005 GMC Sierra. Seconded by Council member Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.
911 CEREMONY
DROOL AT THE POOL
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
On September 11, 2021the 20th Commemoration Ceremony for the 911 Attacks will be held at the Girard American Legion Post #494 at 1:00 p.m. This ceremony will honor the victims of the attack, the emergency personnel lost attempting rescue services as well as the many American military service members who have died in the battle against terrorism. Mr. Stubenbort will keep council informed if the date and time changes.
On August 23, 2021 the Elk Valley Recreation Board will host the “Drool at the Pool” from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Girard Borough Pool. Kevin Fuller and a few lifeguards will help to host the event and ensure the safety of all involved. The cost for the event is $5.00.
It would be nice to add one more Christmas display tree this year to Wells Park. Councilmember Lyons said that a 20′ multi color tree would cost less than $800.00. John from Al’s Melons would also like to start designing some new Christmas items. If any one has any ideas please let Councilmember Lyons know. Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve up to $800.00 for a new lighted Christmas Tree for Wells Park. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons.
All in favor. Motion carried.
ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT
MASTER PLAN
GIRARD HOTEL
RESOLUTION 2-8-2021
Suit-Kate Corporation began the 2021 seal coating on August 11, 2021. They should be finished before the council meeting on August 16, 2021.
The student survey and formatting should be complete by August 13, 2021. Once that is done the entire draft will be shared with the Downtown Group, and there will be a two week public comment period before finalizing the plan. Everything should be wrapped up by the end of August. The historic boundary work for the Historic Designation has already begun and the status of that should come soon.
The Girard Hotel demolition took place on August 9 & 10, 2021. Some of the bricks were salvaged by the Girard Borough for the hotel marker and some
to be sold at Dan Rice Days next year. Whatever bricks are then left over will be ground up and used as clean fill for the hole left by the hotel basement. The hotel status has been communicated to PennDot. Once the property is released to the borough it can be divided so PennDot can design a turning lane from Main Street on to Rice Avenue.
Resolution 2-8-2021 is the resolution to approve the Financial Statements and Independent Auditors Report of the Erie Area Council of Governments for the Calendar Year Ending December 31, 2020. Motion by Councilmember Noble to accept Resolution 2-8-2021. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor.
Motion carried. Councilmember Orr asked why there was less money in 2020 as opposed to 2019. President McNally said because of grants which pass through the budget.
MISC Councilmember Burton said the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Fall Equinox Party on September 23, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The West County Rangers Band will play and there will be bounce houses for the
kids. Councilmember Lyons asked if council would consider a Farmers Market.
Councilmember Burton said there has been some interest in a Community Garden. He and Councilmember Mitcho have discussed this and it might be possible to use some of the property at the fire hall.
Councilmember Burton sent an email out to council regarding 129 Main St, West. This will be discussed in Executive Session.
Councilmember Miller said the Gate House at the cemetery has just been painted courtesy of the Hazel Kibler Museum.
Councilmember Noble feels we should place a plaque with the artists name next to the framed draft mural artwork the borough has in Council Chambers.
Councilmember Burton said he would provide a plaque.
Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 8:01 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
REGULAR
MEETING The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:33 p.m.
Councilmember Miller asked that the light pole on the west side of the borough building be fixed to provide light or removed.
Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that A.F. Dobler Hose and Ladder has reflective plates with house numbers that are available for a small donation. So far 29 of the reflective plates have been requested.
ADJOURN
Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Burton to adjourn at 8:44 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager