AUGUST 18, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
ABSENT
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 George Drushel Tim Knapp
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Doug Wright
VISITORS Bev Bible
Nancy Bronstein Ginger Cinti Shelly Graves
Fred Carlson
David Shelenberger Karla henry
Jeff Orr Michelle Winnie Bill Burchfield Dee Dee Green Laura DiPasqua
Tom & Nancy Smith Tracie Washek
Dylan & Steph Kuffer Michael Parenti
Michael Stafford, WCNJ Danielle Schadt
MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the July 21, 2025, council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve payment of the bills.
Seconded by Councilmember Miller. Councilmember Orr and Councilmember Miller had questions about the bills. All questions were answered. All in favor. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY COMMENTS Shelley Graves from 227 Pheasant Dr. had complaints and concerns
about the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement. President Mitcho said that Council is aware of these issues and is in the process of a resolution.
Carla Henry from 306 Pheasant Dr. had complaints and concerns about the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement. Councilmember Simonelli said this is an ongoing issue and Council is working on a solution for these issues.
Nancy Smith from 616 Lake St. had complaints and concerns about the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement.
Michael Parenti from 213 sunset Dr. spoke about the proposal he submitted to Council last month concerning the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement. President Mitcho said the presentation was reviewed and discussed. He also said that as of last month there is a specific tree committee that will make suggestions to council based on community concerns. The Borough Manager said Council would be discussing Resolution 2-8-25 which is recommended by the Tree Committee.
Dylan Kuffer from 49 Sunset Dr. had complaints and concerns about the curblawn trees and sidewalk replacement. He spoke about the cost of completing the sidewalk repair himself.
Bill Burchfield from 915 Aurora Drive. spoke about ECODE Ordinance 209-8 Signs and Notices. He wanted to know who took his “Lake Street Sale” yard signs. These signs were in the curb lawn and removed by the Police because of the ordinance. Mr. Burchfield suggested an accommodation for yard sale signs during the Lake Street Sale.
COMMITTEES Councilmember Miller and the Borough Manager spoke about the Tree
Committee’s resolution proposal for the Honey Locust trees. The Borough Manager spoke about the Mimosa Webworm infestation in the Honey Locust trees. He mentioned the Tree Vitalize grant which would assist with the replacement of these trees. Councilmember Miller talked about a letter that could be sent out to residents explaining the situation. The Borough Manager talked about how we are trying to work with as many residents as we can regarding the sidewalk issues. Councilmember Miller and the Borough Manager explained the specifications of the new resolution proposal. Motion by Councilmember Knapp to approve Resolution 2-8-2025. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. Council further discussed the aspects of Resolution 2-8-2025. All in favor.
Motion Carried
Councilmember Simonelli spoke about the Parks Committee, and his previous suggestion to install permanent lights in Wells Park. President
Mitcho said this is being looked into. Councilmember Simonelli suggested working with Simone Welsh on the layout.
President Mitcho spoke about the A.F Dobler Hose fundraisers, events, and training. He also thanked the members of Council and the community that volunteered at this year’s Gun Raffle.
MARK.COREY, ENGINEER
JOSEPH YOCHIM, SOLICITOR
Mark Corey talked about the progress of the Hotel Park. He discussed the details of Change Order #2 and Change Order #3. Councilmember Miller, President Mitcho, and Councilmember Orr had questions about Change Orders. All questions were answered. Mark Corey recommended Council pay Change Order #2 for $3,000.00 and Change Order #3 for $12,750.00. Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve Change Order #2. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve Change Order #3. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. President Mitcho, Councilmember Drushel, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Simonelli, Councilmember Knapp in favor. Councilmember Orr opposed. Motion carried. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Pay Estimate #2 for $8,040.00. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mark Corey talked about the progress of the Westgate Water tank and Hathaway Street Water Tank painting.
President Mitcho spoke about surveying the property on Commercial Street purchased by the Borough that will be used for future parking.
Joseph Yochim also talked about the closing of the property on Commercial Street purchased by the Borough.
MANAGERS REPORT
SPECIAL THANKS
The Public Works Department and Girard Borough Police Department saved the day at the open of Dan Rice Days this year. When a large branch of the tree on the side of the Borough building fell on the food tent the police responded in seconds. The Public Works Department came back in and cleaned up the tree and within an hour the situation was secured. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Thank you for all your dedication to making Girard Borough a great place to live. Thank you to
- F. Dobler Hose for cooking up an employee lunch for us on the Friday of Dan Rice Days. Best chicken ever.
GARBAGE
COLLECTION Resolution 1-8-2025 A Resolution to Approve Waste Management to be
the Garbage/ Refuse contractor of Girard Borough for 2026, 2027, 2028. On August 7, 2025 at 2:30 PM at the Fairview Township Building, the
Erie Area Coalition of Governments opened bids for the collection of Garbage for participating municipalities in Erie County.
Noble
$165.00 Garbage pickup only
$ 22.50 Rental of 90 gallon tote
$150.00 Recycling service
$ 5.25 Hazardous Household Waste
$342.25 PER QUARTER
Waste Management
$ 92.19 Garbage/ Recycling/ Leaf pick up
$ 8.01 Rental of 90 gallon tote
$ 4.50 Hazardous Household Waste
$104.70 PER QUARTER
$ 10.97 Per Bag Service/Leaf pick up
$ 90.00 Purchase 90 gallon tote
The last 5 year contract with WM was $90.96 PER QUARTER.
The Borough Manager recommended that Council vote in favor of Resolution 1-8-2025 to approve Waste Management for the next three years. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Resolution 1-8- 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. Councilmember Drushel had questions about previous issues with Waste Management. Those problems were addressed. All in favor. Motion carried.
SUIT-KOTE
The total cost for sealcoat this year is $117,247.10 With Council approval this invoice will be paid. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to pay the Suit-Kate bill. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
PARKING LINES
SPRINGBROOK
WATER METERS
Pavement Maintenance will restripe the parking lines on Main Street West at no cost to the borough. The lines on Walnut Street will be painted after the Sunflower harvest. Council further discussed the details of this project.
Annual Product Pricing $27,562.50 Estimated Startup Services $77,875.00
The Borough Manager recommended Council’s approval so the conversion can be ready by the beginning of 2026. Councilmember Miller had questions regarding the services from Springbrook. All questions were answered. Motion by Councilmember Knapp to accept Springbrook Software as our new provider. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
Over 91 new water meters have been installed so far in 2025. Our original goal was 80 but it looks like we will go beyond this goal.
POLICE Regionalization
Albion Borough- Notice oflnterest received. Girard Township- Notice oflnterest received. Lake City Borough- Notice oflnterest received. Girard Borough- Notice oflnterest received.
The DCEC has all of the completed letters of interest, and we are awaiting further instruction.
CIVIL SERVICE TEST
SIDEWALK VIOLATIONS
ZONING STENOGRAPHER
POOL
SALT
MAYOR/POLICE
The Civil Service Commission will hold a test August 24, 2025 to replace the exhausted Civil Service List. Part Time Police will be selected from this list. We have three candidates.
To date in 2025 over 350 squares (77 violation letters) have been marked for replacement. Fmiher discussion was had regarding the Sidewalk Violations.
Lisa Leopold has been our Zoning Hearing Board Stenographer for as long as I can remember, and the September Zoning Board Meeting will be her last meeting as she is retiring. The borough will need to find a new stenographer.
Pool pass holders for the 2025 season equals 928 pass holders. We had a second sewer line clog this year at the pool for the lady’s restroom.
Pilewski Plumbing snaked it out and it is working again.
President Mitcho spoke about this year’s upcoming Drool At The Pool. Councilmember Miller said there was 132 people at the Dan Rice Days Movie Night at the pool.
2025-2026 Salt Contract Compass Mineral was awarded the COSTARS Sodium Chloride Contract for 2025-2026 for Erie County. Erie Counties price per ton will be $59.62 which is 3.9% higher than last year which was $56.78.
Mayor Button spoke about the Hagan Sunflower Field. He talked about Dan Laughlin coming to look at the borough pool on 08/20/2025. at 9:00 AM. Jake Toboleski, the new Chemistry teacher at the Girard High School, would like to have someone from the Public Works Depatiment come talk about water treatment.
Chief Raffet1y talked about the Girard Police Depatiment pat1icipating in National Night Out on 08/05/2025 at the Girard High School. The fifty bicycle helmets donated by the Highway Safety Institute were gone within twenty minutes.
ChiefRaffetiy talked about the Second Annual Touch the Truck Event that will be held 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on 08/21/2025 at A.F. Dobler Hose.
ChiefRaffetiy spoke about and handed out information regarding a state law concerning Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. Council discussed this topic further.
President Mitcho asked questions about the Gem City Outdoorsman Club memberships for the Police Officers. All questions were answered. He also asked about arrests made within Girard Borough. All questions were answered.
2024AUDIT Review of the completed 2024 DCED Audit. The budget is
$8,035,952.00, and expenses total $8,025,329.00. Council further discussed the 2024 Audit. The Borough Manager talked about hiring a consultant to help us decide on electricity pricing, due to the rising cost to the borough. He also talked about issues he found regarding the accounting aspect of the General Fund account.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Knapp talked about the condition of the Old Girard
Wrench Factory. Council discussed the situation and possible resolutions. The owner will be contacted about the issue. Further action will be taken if necessary.
Councilmember Knapp asked about purchasing the property across from the Sunflower Field for parking and vendors. This can be looked into.
Councilmember Simonelli suggested that the borough capitalize on the success of the Sunflower Field. Council discussed ways to do this.
Mayor Burton suggested getting an estimate to cut down all of the Locust trees in the borough. The Borough Manager said it would be approximately $675.00 per tree, which would total $185,000.00. Council discussed this matter further.
Councilmember Drushel talked about generating income and promoting downtown by marketing merchandise related to the Sunflowers.
Councilmember Drushel talked about getting a quote for Christmas decorations for downtown and parks in the borough.
Councilmember Drushel asked the Borough Manager what the protocol is for resident complaints. Work Orders are filled out and given to the appropriate department, who then take care of the situation, and contact the resident when necessary. Council further discussed the subject.
Councilmember Drushel asked about the notices sent out to businesses regarding the removal of skills games. The letters were sent out and further action will be taken as necessary. Councilmember Knapp mentioned another business that has skills games. The Borough Manager will look into this.
Councilmember Drushel asked about Bill Burchfield’s complaint regarding his yard sale signs. Mr. Burchfield wasn’t aware that putting signs in the curb lawn isn’t allowed. The Police removed the signs.
Councilmember Drushel gave the names of the trees approved to replace the Locust Trees.
Councilmember Drushel talked about a yellow notice posted on 540 Lake Street.
Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that Michael Stafford’s (West County News Journal) comment in the newspaper about Councilmember Simonelli being negligent for not knowing which trees were on the approved list to replace the Locust Trees.
Councilmember Miller said that more figures and information are being gathered regarding the Girard High School Pool.
Councilmember Miller said there will be a Downtown Girard meeting on 08/28/2025, and spoke about the funds that will be available for grants. Councilmember Miller asked if a plaque was made for Judy Kubeja.
Eff01is will be made to make this plaque.
Councilmember Miller asked if selling bundles of wood from your yard is allowed. This will be discussed in the Executive Session.
Councilmember Miller said she spoke with Dennis McDonald about cleaning up along the railroad and the canal. Councilmember Drushel has a contact at the railroad.
Councilmember Miller spoke about residents being allowed to park RV’s in their side and back yards. Council discussed this matter further.
Councilmember Orr ask the Borough Manager about the $3,798,592.00 left in debt listed in the 2024 DCED Audit. That is what’s left in debt for the Sewage Plant.
Councilmember Simonelli said the Urban Sunset Maple Tree on the approved tree list grow to be 35 ft. tall and 20 ft. in width. Council further discussed the trees on the approved tree list.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 8:55 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 9:17 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire a consultant to review the rates charged by the borough. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:18 p.m. All in favor.
Robeti A. Stubenbort Borough Manager