March 18, 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
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer
Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police Officer Ryan Zuern
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
VISITORS Adam Snider
Ginger Cinti, Lake City Council Larry Russell
Shirley Hall Laura DiPasqua Al Noble
Bev Bible
Ginger Sarnowski Danielle Godfrey Brandon Adams Ken Mitchell Autumn Champion Bobby Hauger Ginger Cinti
Blair Reem Kendra Keyser Tyler Caro Zac Swanson John Sman Sierra Neely
MINUTES Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the February 19, 2024 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. AU in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS
COMMUNITY REPORTS
COMMITTEES
MAYOR/ POLICE
ORDINANCE 756
Motion by Councilmember Orr to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
Alfred Noble explained that he believes the dog park should be in an area other than the softball fields and should be located in and area more accessible to people in the borough. Mr. Noble went on to explain that dog parks need constant attention to cleanliness.
Adam Snider requested that borough council allow the softball league to continue to use the Water Works Park Softball Fields. After listening to Mr. Snider Council President Mitcho said that the council committee would have a meeting with Mr. Snider to review an agreement that would allow the softball league to play for the 2024 season.
Councilmember Orr mentioned that traffic could be a problem during the eclipse on April 8th.
Councilmember Wright commented that Lake City did agree to pay the BLS portion to West County Paramedics Association. After 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 reported that A. F. Dobler Hose ambulance service passed their three-year inspection. In February the ambulance was in service 54% of the time.
Mayor Burton said that the Historic Yellow House will have a farmer market this year. A meeting was held with Carter Mook the Millcreek Police Chief to discuss police coverage. The County Executive will have a police regionalization meeting on March 26 to discuss police coverage in the West County. The Mayor mentioned that he is a strong supporter of the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and its director Perry Wood. Downtown Girard is expecting another grant from ECGRA in the amount of $150,000.00. Councilmember Simonelli asked Mayor Burton if letters were sent to residents being considered for the current grant .
Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that they should take advantage of the grant for sidewalks because they could also receive money from the sidewalk program.
Chief Rafferty asked to meet with Council in executive session. The new license plate readers are very efficient. The reader system can easily scan license plates of the cars going by and report issues in real time.
Ordinance to amend Ordinance 524 and 616 to not allow cetiain animals in the borough.
“It shall be hereafter unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the Borough any cows, fowl, pigs, hogs, horses, ponies, sheep or rabbits.” Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve Ordinance 756 amending Ordinances 524 and 616. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. Voting in favor were Councilmembers Knapp, Simonelli, Wright, Drushel, Miller and Mitcho. Against Councilmember Orr.
Motion carried.
Disaster Resolution 1-3-2024
CIVIL SERVICE
PENSION BID
POOL FILTER BID
WATERWORKS PARK
The West County Emergency Management Agency has requested that members pass a “Declaration of Disaster Emergency” in preparation for the eclipse event. The solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024 at about 3:16 PM for 3 minutes and 42 seconds. The West County Emergency Management Center will be in operation. The estimated crowd for the event in Erie County is 56,000 to 400,000 people. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the “Declaration of Disaster Emergency” in preparation for the eclipse event. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.
The Civil Service Test Scheduled for March 10th was cancelled due to a lack of applications. A new test is scheduled for April 14th. The paper failed to publish our ad for the March test so the ad for the April test will run in its place.
The RFP (Request for Proposal) for the Girard Borough Pension Funds resulted in the following proposals:
Municipal Retirement Trust proposal meets all of the requirements to administer the boroughs pensions.
Motion by Councilmember Orr to approve the RFP form MRT to administer the pension funds for the Girard Borough. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
The RFP (Request for Proposal) for the Girard Borough Pool Filter resulted in the following bids:
William L. Watson Pool $79,895.00
Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the RFP from William L. Watson Pools for the pool filter project. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
A meeting with Steve Laskowski concerning the Water Works Park Tree Master Plan took place on February 20, 2024. The plan was explained, and questions were answered. The first step in the plan is to finish eradication of invasive plants. Issy Lawrie offered to have her group hand pull one type of invasive called Japanese Stillgrass. Forester Laskowski offered to get a price from a local business that does eradication of invasive species to continue the process. The borough will be responsible for the cost of eradication.
LEAF PICK UP
COMPOST AREA
ECAB MEETING
PROJECTS
BUTTERNUT WELL
SOCIAL HALL ARBORVITAE
WATER FLUSHING
Leaf collection is scheduled for the following days – April 18th May 16th October 17th October 31th November 14th November 28th
The Girard Borough Compost Area will be open to Girard Borough residents on April 6, 2024 will then be open every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm through about mid-December.
The next meeting of the Erie County Association of Boroughs is April 18, 2024 at the Girard American Legion.
Information concerning 2024 projects:
- Hathaway and West Gate water storage tank paint projects will go out for bid.
- 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
- Working with Forester Steve Laskowski on the final stage of the eradication of invasive plants at Water Works Park.
- Pine Tree Drive paving project bid opening April 12th at 11AM and present to Council April 15th
- Lourdes Drive storm drain culvert project bid opening April 12th at 11AM and present to Council April 15th
- CDBG ADA sidewalks for Mechanic Street and Lake
- Butternut Well cleaning by Groundwater
Groundwater Resources LLC, Geologist Greg Rademacher will clean the Butternut Well and provide an evaluation of the well for future production.
The Social Hall restroom renovations are complete.
Diane Kaputa, 13 Randall Ave, asked if the borough could plant arborvitae on the property on Randall Ave to block the train tracks. Council decided not to plant arborvitaes on Randall Avenue.
Spring water system flushing begins May 6th and last for three weeks.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that the flashing speed sign should be placed in front of the Kwik Fill on Main Street. Council agreed.
George Drushel mentioned that the community clean up would take place on April 13th from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Councilmember Drushel asked that we hire a Code Enforcement Officer right away.
Councilmember Miller said that The PA Arts Council grant for $6000.00 application is complete. The Erie Community Foundation has an $80,000.00 grant for the hotel park. The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority has pool grants. The Elk Creek Recreation Board has open gym until the end of the month.
President Mitcho mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce will have live active shooter survival training on April 3rd at the Girard Borough Social Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
REGULAR MEETING
PERSONNEL
At 8:55 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:49 p.m.
Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire Steven Barge, full time, for the Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Drushel to hire William Weidler, full time, for the Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Wright to hire Tanner Hughes, full time, for the Police Department beginning April 1, 2024, 5 days a week and 8- hour shifts. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilmember Wright to pay Garry Cooper $14.00 per hour to monitor the compost area. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli.
All in favor. Motion carried.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:56 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager
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