BOROUGH OF GIRARD
AGENDA
January 16, 2023
CALL TO ORDER………………..REGULAR SESSION………… 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE TO FLAG
ROLL CALL: Mr. Noble, Mr. Simonelli Mr. V.liight Mr. Mitcl10,
Mrs. Mi1le1 Mr. On Mr. McNally
APPROVE MINUTES……… REGULAR MEETING ON December 19, 2022
APPROVE BILLS…………..PAID SINCE LAST MEETING AND TO BE PAID COMMENTS FROM THE GIRARD COMMUNITY
All comments from the community lalw place duni1g this uine.
Cindy Tavernese will report vehicles speeding on Main Street. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
- F. Dobler Hose
- EMS
- Insurance ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
- Mayor/Police ………. Mayor Peter Burton
- Engineer……………………………….. Mark Corey, PE
- Solicitor………………………………… Yochim, Esq.
- MaI1ager……………………………… Robert Srubenbort
- Liquid Fuels Resolution 1-1-2023
- PSAB Meeting
- Committees
- State Ethics Forms
- Office Restrooms
- Girard Pool
- TextMyGov
- Flags
- Cyber Security
- OVR
- Electric Charging
- Water Department
- Race to Remember
- EZ Ice
- COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURN
December 19, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
PRESENT
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 Robert “Doc” Orr
Jeanne Miller Gregg Mitcho Jim Simonelli Doug Wright
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
ABSENT Mark Corey, Engineer
VISITORS
MINUTES
Bev Bible Ginger Cinti Larry Russell Shirley Hall Libby Rosequist
Motion by Council member Orr to approve the November 21, 2022 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Council member Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS Motion by Council member Noble to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Council member Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.
COMMUNITY REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION FIRE, POLICE AND
PERSONNEL Council member Mitcho reported that the donation box in the Borough
Office has generously collected donations from the public for A. F. Dobler Hose. A. F. Dobler Hose has hired a person to conduct the EMS billing. So far this has worked out well. Council member Mitcho also mentioned that glass donations to the Prism Glass container remain strong and that he monitors the donation container and calls for pickup as needed,
INSURANCE The Commercial Package and Workers Compensation insurance quoted
from Wagner Giblin Insurance, total for 2023 is $114,000.00 up from
$103,299.00 or about a 10% increase. A raise in the Workers Compensation cost are the bulk of the increase. Motion by Council member Wright to approve the 2023 insurance coverage from Wagner Giblin. Seconded by Council member Noble. All in favor. Motion carried,
MAYOR/POLICE Mayor Burton said that the Girard Lake City Chamber Christmas event was successful.
Chief Rafferty mentioned that the Girard Borough Police participated in the Shop with a Cop event benefiting underprivileged children.
Motion by Council member Noble to accept the resignation of Police Officer Steven Matson, approve the hiring of a full-time officer from the part time officers and replace a part time officer. Seconded by Council member Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
BOARD APPOINTMENTS The terms for the following board members are up for reappointment by Council.
Zoning Hearing Board
Planning Commission Recreation Board
Richard Conti (3 years)
David Biletnikoff (3 years) Larry Russell (4 years) George Drushel Jr (2 years)
Civil Service DarTen Birkner (6 years) Jacob Blarr (6 years) Alfred Noble (6 years)
Motion by Council member Orr to approve board appointments. Seconded by Council member Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
BUDGET
The proposed budget for 2023, in the amount of $5,837,167.00, has been presented to Council. The 2023 Budget does not require an increase to the present real estate tax of 1.89 mills. The budget also includes a 0.0028 per kWh increase in the electric rate. The residential sewer base rate is increased by $1.00 to $44.00 per month. The residential water base rate is increased by $1.00 to $18.00.00 per month. I respectfully request Council to vote favorably on the 2023 Budget. Motion by Council member Noble to approve the 2023 Budget in the amount of $5,837,167.00. Seconded by Council member Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 1-12-2022
RESOLUTION 2-12-2022
ELECTRIC RATES
WATER/SEWER RATES
CIVIL SERVICE
WATER STORAGE
WATER REGULATIONS
WATER WELLS
Resolution 1-12-2022 was presented to Council. This resolution will set the tax millage at 1.89 for 2023. Motion by Council member Noble to approve Resolution 1-12-2021. Seconded by Council member Orr. All in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Stubenbort mentioned that if the tax millage does not change then council can pass a resolution. This would only become an ordinance if the millage changed.
This resolution reaffirms the borough’s mutual aid agreement with Lake City. Motion made by Council member Orr to approve Resolution 2-12- 2022 reaffirming police mutual aid with Lace City Borough. Seconded by Council member Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
Resolution 3-12-2022 will raise electric rates by $0.0028 kWh each month. This rate change will help to cover cost increases caused by inflation.
Motion by Council member Mitcho to allow a raise in electric rates by
$0.0028 kWh each month. Seconded by Council member Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
Resolution 4-12-2022 raises the water/sewer base rates by $1.00 each per month. Motion by Council member Simonelli to allow water and sewer base rates to increase by $1.00 making the water base rate $18.00 and the sewer base rate $44.00. Seconded by Council member Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Civil Service Test is scheduled for January 7, 2023.
The new estimate to strip, paint and update the Hathaway and Westgate water storage is $800,000.00. The borough did apply to the PA Water Grant to help cover the cost of the updates.
The new Lead and Copper rule is in effect and will require the borough to document the makeup of all water lines coming off the water mains. The list is due by October of 2024. If any lead is seen it must be replaced.
Some of the older homes in the borough may have leaded goose necks and will need to be replaced.
Due to the new SG phone technology our water well alert system must be upgraded. Please find attached a quotation from Sensaphone. The new units would allow the water operator to check the status of any alarm from a remote phone. Motion by Council member Noble to allow the purchase of a Sensaphone call system for each of the three water wells with a 5-year cellular subscription. Seconded by Council member Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
TREE REMOVAL
LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD
CABLE CONTRACT
The following is a list of dead or dying curblawn trees for removal:
228 Macrina Drive, 809 Sunset Drive, 164 Locust Street,1006 Lawrence Court, 923 Dewey Drive, Lot next to 1035 Lake Street, Across from 1041 Lake Street, 640 Pine Tree Drive, 240Templeton Avenue, 312 Wilcox Street, 122 Penn Avenue, 114 Mechanic Street, 533 Rice Avenue, 712 Pine Tree Drive, Lot at Lake Street and Pine Tree Drive. Affected residents have been notified. Motion by Council member Mitcho to allow for the removal of the listed curblawn trees. Seconded by Council member Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Treehouse Tavern has applied to the liquor control board to transfer their liquor license to SANRA LLC.
The Girard Borough is working with the Erie Area Coalition of Governments on the new cable contract. We will be working with at least six other municipalities to get the best contract possible. The Cohen Law group from Pittsburgh will negotiate on behalf of the ECOG group.
HVAC Keep Heating installed the new HVAC Unit in the northern part of the borough building at a cost of $11,750.00.
BECKMAN ROAD BRIDGE
RELCO EMITTER
COUNCIL COMMENTS
A meeting was held on December 15, 2022 to talk about the Beckman Bridge. PennDOT is looking to remove the bridge permanently. Over 40 residents along with Rep. Jake Banta and Senator Dan Laughlin were in attendance. The project will begin in 2027.
Emergency Traffic Systems is the seller of the emitters for tl1e Relco System. The cost per emitter is $1000.00. After tl1e SR 20 project is complete Main Street traffic signals will have the Relco System installed at the expense of PennDOT.
Council member Noble said that he will investigate a louder emergency siren for the borough. Council member Mitcho mentioned tl1at he and his wife, Betsey, served as bell ringers for the Salivation Army again this year. Council member Miller mentioned that Downtown Girard Inc. applied for a $50,00.00 grant through the Erie County Gaming revenue Authority for
the Hotel Park and tl1e award announcement will be January 19, 2023.
The Downtown Girard Inc. also received a $100,000.00 grant. Council member Miller said that the Elk Creek Recreation and Leisure Board hired Tiffany Cramer as tl1e new Director. Holiday Light Up Night for 2023 will be November 24, 2023.
Council member Mitcho mentioned that the borough would benefit from a Food Truck ordinance. Council member Mitcho pointed out that Mayor Burton paid for attendance to the Mayors Conference.
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
REGULAR MEETING
PERSONNEL
At 8:26 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:30 p.m.
Motion by Council member Noble to approve a salary increase for Police Chief Kevin Rafferty. Seconded by Council member Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Council member Mitcho to approve the hiring of Louis Ludwig for a full-time position with the Girard Borough Police Department.
Seconded by Council member Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN
Motion by Council member Orr and seconded by Council member Simonelli to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager