May 18, 2020

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

VISITORS

Council in special meeting 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

Mayor Robert Kremenik

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Joseph Yochim, Solicitor

Mark Corey, Engineer

Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor Mark Corey, Engineer

Ginger Cinti Jim Simonelli

MINUTES                                 Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the minutes from the May 1, 2020 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS                                        Motion by Councilmember Burton to approve the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

ADMINISTRATIVE FIRE/POLICE PERSONNEL

Jim Simonelli mentioned that the new parking lots for local fishing are still in the works.

Councilmember Mitcho mentioned that the A.F. Dobler Hose fund drive is underway  and that our volunteer firefighters are deserving and in need of this monetary help from the community. Borough Manager Stubenbort requested that Council accept the resignation of Brayden Wytecki from the Girard Borough Public Works Department. Motion by Councilmember Burton to approve the resignation of Brayden Wyteki from the Girard Borough Public Works Department. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

MAYOR/POLICE DEPARTMANT Police Chief Kevin Rafferty requested to hire Steven Matson as a full

time Police Officer with the Girard Borough Police Department. Officer Matson is currently a part time officer with the Department. Motion by Councilmember Lyons to approve the hiring of Steven Matson as a full time Police Officer with the Girard Borough Police Department beginning June 1, 2020. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried. A part time officer is also needed to  fill an open position. Chief Rafferty asked for a Civil Service Test because the old Civil Service List has been exhausted.

RESOLUTION 3-5-2020              This resolution authorizes the execution of remaining requirements

energy supply schedule with American Municipal Power beginning January 1, 2023 and ending no later than December 31, 2025. Motion by Councilmember Burton to approve Resolution 3-5-2020. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried,

ROAD RESURFACING                   The bid for milling and paving Hemlock and Boothby has been delayed

by one month and the bid opening will be May 20, 2020.

NEW BASKETBALL COURT

BOROUGH POOL

BOROUGH OFFICE

In order the have all of the issues taken care of for the installation of the new basketball courts I respectfully recommend that the Borough Engineer Mark Corey P.E. be fully involved with the planning, design, bidding and construction of the new basketball courts in Wells Park.

Councilmember Miller mentioned that the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority has a grant that  would  be beneficial  to  this project. Motion by Councilmember Burton to approve Borough Engineer Mark Corey

P.E. be fully involved with the planning and design of the new basketball courts. Once the estimates are ready Council will decide on the feasibility of the project. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. Councilmembers Noble, Lyons, Burton, Mitcho, Miller and  McNally voted in favor. Councilmember Orr voted not  in favor. Motion carried. Jim Simonelli mentioned that the borough may consider asking the public for donations for the basketball courts and erecting a plaque thanking the donors.

The water from the borough pool has been drained. The pool coating is being evaluated. At first glance the amount of coating that has chipped off is more than expected. Watson Pool is being asked to evaluate the pool coating and make recommendations. Also, the pool house floor will be cleaned and then repainted by the Public Works Department. Council decided to reevaluate opening the pool at the June 15, 2020 Council Meeting.

The main hallway and hallway doors of the borough office have a fresh coat of paint. The walls are antique white, and the doors are urban bronze. New cork board will replace the old bulletin boards.

AMERICAN LEGION

COVID 19

ELECTION

MISC.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING

SUNSET WATER PROJECT

ADJOURN

The Girard American Legion Post #494 will have a Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2020. Only vehicles will participate in the parade and drive around the local communities. Kick off will be 1:30 pm.

The state recommends that swimming pools remain closed in the Yellow Phase but parks with trails and open space be open. The borough is currently in line with the state and  county  recommendations. The County Building will open its doors on June 1, 2020. Dennis McDonald the Public works Supervisor mentioned that the restrooms at the Water Works Park have been renovated.

June 2, 2020 voting for the residents of Girard Borough will take place at the Girard Borough Social Hall.

Councilmember Burton mentioned that the Erie County Gaming Revenue sponsored Renaissance Block Grant is now open. The grant was awarded to the Girard Borough through a grant request from the Girard Downtown Group.

Councilmember Miller suggested that the borough consider using zoom meetings to help prevent the spread of the COVID 19 virus.

Councilmember Miller asked that the Girard Borough Council be provided a copy of the per capita tax exemption list for review.

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

At 7:50 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:40 p.m.

After a brief discussion of the effect of the COVID 19 virus on the borough and the economy in general. Council decided to rebid the Sunset Water Project as soon as possible.

Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Burton to adjourn at 8:42 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager