February 17, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

ABSENT VISITORS

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

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor via phone conference Mark Corey, Engineer

Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Tim Knapp

Shirley Hall Larry Russell

Michael Stafford, WCNJ Laura DiPasqua

Fred Carlson Ginger Cinti Jeff Orr

Bev Bible Christopher G. Byers

MINUTES                               Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the Janumy 20, 2025, council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS                                       Motion by Councilmember Miller to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS     None

COMMITTEES                         Councilmember Wright mentioned that the West County Paramedics Association has hired Attorney Mark Wassell to review the “leased employee” situation. The prior board made the decision to allow the leased employees to help the local volunteer fire depmtments. As it turns out the cost of providing leased employees is more than expected and the unemployment compensation insurance is an issue. Dobler is not affected because it does not have leased employees, others have been given 60 notice of termination as the leased employee option will no longer be available. The new WCPA Board and the new Director are working through the legacy issues as they are discovered. The new Director is making needed changes to make the operation run efficiently.

President Mitcho reported that A. F. Dobler will have the annual awards banquet this weekend to honor our fire fighting volunteers. The banquet is funded by donation. The Sportsmen Spectacular Beef Cookout is the largest fund raiser of the year and takes place in August and tickets are on sale now. April 26th is the annual Purse Party which is a fun event and also a big fund raiser for Dobler Hose. Reflective house address signs are still for sale and the forms are available online and at the borough office.

MAYOR/POLICE

ORDINANCE 757

RESOLUTION 1/2/2025

LOURDES DRIVE

SOFTBALL LEAGUE MEETING

Mayor Burton said that Representative Jake Banta will visit the Police Department on February 18th to look at our equipment and see if he can help us with a grant. Chief Rafferty said that our current part time applicant has been decertified by the Civil Service Commission. The current Civil Service list is exhausted, and a new test is needed.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF GIRARD, ERIE COUNTY,PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING THE POLICE PENSION PLAN TO INCLUDE AN ACT 44 RETIREMENT PROGRAM FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT POLICE OFFICERS. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Ordinance 757 which will allow the DROP program to be added to the Police Pension for Non­ Bargaining Unit Police Officers. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

A resolution suspending Chapter 112, Alcoholic Beverages, of the Girard Borough Municipal Code during municipal events and Girard Lake City Chamber of Commerce events during the year of 2025. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve Resolution 1/2/2025 suspending Chapter 112, Alcoholic Beverages, of the Girard Borough Municipal Code during municipal events and Girard Lake City Chamber of Commerce events during the year of 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.

Consideration is being made by Mark Corey P.E. to pay Estimate No. 1 for the Lourdes Drive Culvert Replacement Project in the amount of $61,045.96. The project is not complete, and payment will not be paid until a copy of the pay estimate is signed by Leach Excavating, LLC. Engineer Mark Corey P.E. explained that by retaining 10% of the project cost the borough could pay to have the project finished if needed. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve payment Estimate No. 1 for the Lourdes Drive Culvert Replacement Project in the amount of $61,045.96 contingent upon signature of the pay estimate by Leach Excavating.

Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.

The Park Committee held a meeting with the new softball group on February 12, 2025 to discuss the 2025 season and the agreement with the borough. Ken Mitchell said that the leagues will not play the fields again this year and instead they will organize two tournaments a month starting in May and ending in October. According to Ken the leagues feel as though the fields are not in good enough shape to play regularly. Soil will be provided by the borough to make field improvements. Ken will sign the agreement with the borough and will provide the liability coverage and a 2024 financial statement.

HOTEL PARK

Councilmember Drushel said that the final draft of the Hotel Park is complete. A meeting with Mark Corey to talk about the bid package took place on January 29, 2025. It was discussed at the meeting that the borough could purchase the ornamental lighting which is estimated at $30,000.00 and the park benches at an estimated $12,100.00. Councilmember Wright mentioned that a Girard Township resident said that A. Duchini Inc. would donate brick for the project. Councilmember Drushel said that Mr. Corey could contact A. Duchini about the donation. Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that the Parks Committee was not part of the meetings for the park. President Mitcho said that the Downtown Group was working on the park. Mayor Burton asked how the grant money would work. We have been promised grant money from the Erie Community Foundation, we applied for an art grant and Brenton Davis promised us money. If the borough spends money now, will it be reimbursed? Councilmember Miller said we would include the spending on the grant closeout report. Councilmember Drushel said that if we want the project done by Dan Rice Days we need to start in May. Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve purchase of the ornamental lighting which is estimated at $30,000.00 and the park benches at an estimated $12,100.00. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried. Mr. Corey asked Councilmember Miller if the grants are secured. Councilmember Miller said yes, they are secured. Mr. Stubenbort asked if the T-Mobil grant was secured.

Councilmember Miller said we would not know for another week. Mr. Stubenbort asked Mayor Burton if the grant from the County Executive was secured and Mayor Burton said that he thought so. Councilmember Drushel asked if money had been budgeted for the project. Mr.

Stubenbort said yes. Mayor Burton asked if the park could be complete by Dan Rice Days. Council discussed the completion date. President Mitcho asked if the cornices from the Battles School would be used.

Mayor Burton said that they are available.

PSAB MEETING

STATE ETHICS FORMS

MAY PRIMARY

The PSAB Annual Conference will be held June 1-4, 2025 in Hershey. Councilmember Orr will attend.

Manager Stubenbort requested that Council turn in State Ethics Forms to the borough office.

The May Primary is May 20, 2025 and Election Day is November 4, 2025. Councilmembers Mitcho, Miller, Simonelli and Drushel are up for reelection. Mayor Burton is also up for reelection.

PROJECTS

COUNCIL COMMENTS

A reminder of the projects coming up…

  • CDBG ADA Curb Ramps for Lake
  • Hotel Park Project
  • Hathaway water storage paint A new safety ladder will also be needed for the storage unit.
  • Lead /Copper Rule and Water Meter Replacement Project. Water meter replacement will take place and service line information will be recorded at the time. The meters being installed will be convertible for RF information gathering in the future.
  • Pump Station Enclosure Project at WWTP
  • Reed Bed clean out at WWTP (2)
  • Pool filter and pool water heater replacement project and pool house water heater replacement.

Councilmember Drushel asked about the laminate white parking lines on Main Street breaking up. Mr. Stubenbort said that the contractor has been informed of the defective product and or installation and a product representative will come in the spring to investigate further. PennDOT was also informed that their white lines and turn arrows are breaking up. PennDOT said they would evaluate the product in the spring.

Councilmember Drushel asked that the C-1 Zoning ordinance change to not allow residence on the first floor of businesses be presented to Planning as soon as possible.

Councilmember Miller said that the Rec Board has a web page so registration and payment can be made for all programs. Pool furniture will be paid for by a grant from the Erie Community Foundation. The Edinboro American Legion received a grant for their pool. The borough pool applied for an LSA grant through the DCED for $250,000.00 to have the pool lining replaced. June 12th at 6:00 PM the Erie County Planning will have a meeting in the Girard Borough Social Hall.

President Mitcho said that the Erie Federal Credit Union would host the Chamber Lunch in the Girard Borough Social Hall on March 5th.

Meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE

SESSION                                 At 7:09 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 8:00 p.m.

PUBLIC WORKS PENSION     Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve pension adjustment for

Joshua Olesnanik. Mr. Olesnanik terminated employment, however, he was subsequently rehired by the Borough, his future pension benefit will be based on his aggregate service time (his service time prior to the break-in-service and his subsequent service time upon his rehire date going forward), which in this case, his date of hire would be adjusted to reflect the break-in-service. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve the “Medal of Honor” ride assembly in the Borough Parking lot the morning of June 21, 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.

ADJOURN

Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Simonelli to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager