MAY 16, 2022
CALL TO ORDER Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. President McNally presiding.
PRESENT Dennis McNally, President
Alfred Noble, Vice President
Jeanne Miller
Gregg Mitcho
Robert “Doc” Orr
Jim Simonelli
Doug Wright
Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager
Peter Burton, Mayor
Joseph Yochim, Solicitor
Mark Corey, Engineer
Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police
Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor
VISITORS Shirley Hall
Bev Bible
Clay Brocious
Allison Brocious
David Lindenmuth
Carolyn Lindenmuth
MINUTES Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2022, council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
BILLS Motion made by Councilmember Wright to approve the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
ADMIN, FIRE POLICE
PERSONNEL In the Council Package is a letter from Dobler Hose to the Erie County Department of Public Safety which explains there availability. Pool passes will be sold at the next event held by Dobler Hose.
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT Councilmember Orr reported that free smoke alarms are available by calling 814-240-7667.
MAYOR/POLICE DEPT Mayor Burton said there is a Renaissance Main Street Mission Grant meeting on May 25th, 2022. An estimate was given to repair the civil war cannon. Many borough residents have offered different solutions to protect the cannons. He also asked council to review and possibly amend the ordinance on curb lawn trees. Chief Rafferty updated council on the status of the new police cruiser, saying that MobilCom is almost finished with installation of the new equipment. Matching grant money is available for the purchase of body cameras, possibly for next year. Chief Rafferty said the newest part time officer’s training is almost complete.
RESOLUTION
1-5-2022 An Art Walk will take place on June 10th, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A resolution suspending Chapter 112, Alcoholic Beverages, of the Girard Borough Municipal Code during the Art Walk event is requested. Local businesses will host local artists and their artwork. Each location will have snack food and wine or other drink. This is the first year for the event and a request is being made for $300.00 for advertisement. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to adopt Resolution 1-5-2022 and allow for $300.00 to spend on advertisement. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION
2-5-2022 A resolution of the Girard Borough Council hereby agreeing to work with the DCNR Bureau of Forestry and accept offered services for the management of the trees at Water Works Park. State Forester Stephen Laskowski walked Water Works Park again and has the management plan underway. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to adopt Resolution 2-5-2022. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.
WALNUT STREET
WATER STORAGE
TANK Bids for the Walnut Street Water Storage Tower were opened on May 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Konzel Construction bid $560,000.00. Horizon Construction bid $632,200.00. SE Construction bid $597,798.00. Chivers Construction bid $631,210.00. Motion made by Councilmember Simonelli to accept the bid of $560,000.00 from Konzel Construction. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.
CIVIL WAR
MONUMENT On May 4th, 2022, the cannon on the west side of the Civil War Monument was hit. The carriage was severely damaged. The driver of the semi-truck was caught, and their insurance company was notified. At the current time, neither cannon is flanking the monument.
GIRARD HOTEL The Council Committee agreed on the “less is more” rendering of the hotel park design without off street parking, the addition of electric outlets strategically placed and a drinking water fountain with a hose attachment. The committee recommends raising the Rice Avenue sidewalk so the storm water will not cause ponding in the park. Mr. Stubenbort commented that having a parking area would be a benefit to all local businesses. Motion made by Councilmember Wright to proceed with the Council Committee plans for the Girard Hotel Park as recommended by the council committee. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
NATIONAL REGISTER The National Historic Preservation Board will consider the Girard Historic District for nomination on the National Register of Historical Places at 9:00 a.m. on June 7th, 2022, at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum in Lancaster, PA. The public is welcome.
LEAF PICKUP The leaf pickup for 2022 is scheduled for May 19th, October 13th and 27th and November 10th and 25th. The compost area is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
AMERICAN LEGION The Girard American Legion Post #494 will have a Memorial Day Parade starting at 2:00 p.m. on Vine Street, left on Rice Avenue, left on Main Street and left on Church Street. A ceremony will follow at St. Johns Cemetery. Councilmember Noble mentioned the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be escorted through the borough on May 25th. American flags will be put up throughout town the day before. The Memorial Wall will be set up at the Zem Zem Shrine Temple.
COLOR RUN The Girard Wrestlers will have the Color Run on June 4th, 2022, starting at 8:00 a.m. at Elk Valley Elementary School. The race begins at EVES and goes to the High School and then back to EVES. There will be a shorter route for younger participants. The Girard Police will be present to ensure traffic safety.
TAX REBATES Volunteer Fire Fighters that live in Girard Borough will receive tax rebates for the first time. Attached in council’s packet is a list of the volunteers who will receive the tax credit. Motion made by Councilmember Wright to approve the tax rebate for Girard Borough Volunteer Fire Fighters. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.
TEXT MY GOV This is the public communication program discussed in 2021. Borough residents can sign up to receive messages, notices and information via text put out by Girard Borough. The public could also text a question to the number and receive an automatic pre-programmed response and/or provide a link to the Girard Borough website. The agreement is attached in council’s packet for review. Motion made by Councilmember Simonelli to approve the agreement with Text My Gov. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. Voting in favor are Councilmembers Noble, Miller, Simonelli, Wright and Mitcho. Councilmember Orr opposed. Motion carried.
GARDEN CLUB The Garden Club, Public Works Department and the Girard High School Honor Students cleaned up Wells Park and in front of the Borough Building.
BOROUGH BUILDING Both sets of restroom doors for the borough building were ordered and arrived on May 13, 2022, and cost $3571.98 from Plyler Entry Systems. They are ADA Accessible.
MUNICIPAL POOL The Fairview Swim Team will be practicing with the Gators this year due to work being done on the pool at Fairview High School.
MISC. Scheduled on May 18, 2022, First Energy will be working on replacing the pole on Mechanic Street. A power outage is planned, and notices will be sent to affected customers. May 19, 2022 is the scheduled rain date.
The Borough may qualify for grant money up to $100,000.00 from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for ADA Curbing. Application deadline is June 10, 2022. The Borough would work with Mark Corey due to the technical drawings needed with the submission of the application. Council agreed the application should be submitted.
Mr. Stubenbort reiterated that $350,000.00 was budgeted for the new water tank, an extra $210,000.00 will be spent to complete the project.
The Public Works Parking Lot project was budgeted at $80,000.00. At this time, $160,000.00 is the projected project cost. The bid opening is June 16, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
A gas well was found at the Girard United Methodist Church. The DEP and National Fuel were contacted and are aware of it.
Mayor Burton asked if there was any news in Girard Township. Councilmember Wright said talks have resumed about bringing the power line from Canada across Lake Erie into Springfield Township.
Councilmember Noble has inquired about a possible ordinance requiring Girard Township property be mowed and maintained as people drive East into Girard Borough.
Councilmember Orr questioned the Treasurers Report for the West County Paramedics. President McNally suggested to Mr. Stubenbort to clarify the expenditure with the WCPA and get back to Councilmember Orr.
Councilmember Miller wanted clarification that the restoration of the Civil War Monument is scheduled for September 2022, and not before Dan Rice Days. Also questioned was the borough’s ordinance on recreational vehicles. Council agreed to review the current ordinance.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 pm for a five-minute break before going into executive session.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION At 8:32 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.
REGULAR
MEETING The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:32 p.m.
POOL WAGES Motion made by Councilmember Noble to set the hourly wage for lifeguards at the pool to $14.00 and the pool manager at $17.00. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried
MISC. Councilmember Noble mentioned that grass clippings should not be in the road as it causes a safety hazard. Mayor Burton said that he believes that a code enforcement office is needed.
ADJOURN Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Simonelli to adjourn at 9:43 p.m. All in favor.
Robert A. Stubenbort
Borough Manager