May 2025 Girard Borough Council Minutes

May 19, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

ABSENT

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 Tim Knapp

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

VISITORS

MINUTES

Shirley Hall Larry Russell Ginger Sarnowski Nancy Bronstein Ginger Cinti Laura DiPasqua Bev Bible

Jeff Orr Fred Carlson

Jeff Raffensberger Michael Stafford, WCNJ

Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the April 21, 2025 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Miller. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS     Motion by Councilmember Knapp to approve payment of the bills.

Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. Councilmember Miller asked about the bill from Text My Gov on May 1, 2025 for $3,000.00. The Borough Manager stated that was for the yearly bill. Councilmember Miller asked about the bill from Bonnell’s Collision on May 9, 2025. That bill was for the Truck 8 accident. Councilmember Miller asked about the bill from Traveler’s Insurance on May 13, 2025. That bill was to meet the borough’s deductible (Amanda Kearns).. All in favor. Motion carried.

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Jeff Raffensberger at 229 Riley Drive spoke about the Locust tree on his curb lawn. The tree roots are causing a hump in the sidewalk, digging into the apron of his driveway, and limiting his ability to mow the curb lawn. Dennis McDonald looked at the tree and suggested Mr. Raffensberger speak with Borough Council. The ordinance provides that the homeowner can cut back the roots, so the sidewalk is protected, and the homeowner doesn’t bear an expense for sidewalk repair when the tree roots heave. The council’s approval of tree removal for Matthew Moore was mentioned. That approval was given due to the trees being diseased and being a safety issue. Mr. Raffensberger said other residents of Riley Drive have similar issues with the Locust trees in the curb lawn. Councilmember Simonelli asked about homeowners being allowed to cut down a tree, at the homeowner’s expense, and planting a new tree under the guidelines of the three trees approved by council. The resident would have to pay the $200.00 fee, plus the cost of the tree removal. The borough would contract out for the removal of the tree. Councilmember Simonelli suggested the borough eliminate a Locust tree every chance it gets, so there isn’t an issue with them bringing down power lines and poles in the future. He also spoke about his past suggestion of topping all of the Locust trees to stunt their growth. Councilmember Miller also mentioned that the tree roots are going into the street. Mr. Raffensberger would like the borough to be responsible to remove the tree because it is not his tree. He would also like to have the ability to waive the planting of a replacement tree, because in his opinion the curb lawn on Riley Drive is not wide enough for a tree. Councilmember Simonelli suggested that a Dogwood tree would be a good option as a replacement.

Councilmember Wright spoke about the list of trees to use as replants and how they are designed for curb lawns. Councilmember Miller spoke about how Matthew Moore has to pay for the trees to be taken down in his curb lawn, according to the resolution. Councilmember Drushel suggested the tree be looked at, and then matter can be reviewed.

Councilmember Simonelli would like to find out Dennis McDonald’s understanding of the situation, and what needs to be done, before the council takes any action. Mr. Raffensberger will be given a copy of the ordinance for reference. Fred Carlson asked if anything was going to be done about the tree roots that are affecting the roadways. Councilmember Simonelli said something will need to be done if the trees are affecting roadways, causing equipment issues, or pavement failures.

COMMITTEES                          President Mitcho said that the Dobler Hose Annual Fund Drive will be

coming out within the next couple of weeks. The mailings will be sent out to the residents and businesses of Girard Borough requesting $75.00 per residence and $125.00 per business. This year the fund drive is going towards the purchase of a firetruck, which is $1.2 million. The letter mentions the funds from the fire tax that was instituted last year for property owners is mostly for equipment and training. The fund drive helps with the $5,000.00 monthly mortgage payment, other training, fuel, and maintenance. Two business meetings are held each month, one is for the fire department, and the other for the Relief Association. The funding for the Relief Association comes from out of state insurance companies that pay the Relief Association for the privilege of having insurance in Pennsylvania. They receive checks from the Girard Township and the Girard Borough, and that money is used according to those restrictions.

This year $19,855.00 is being used to purchase six sets of bunker gear such as coats, boots, helmets, and glove.

This year’s Purse Party netted, after expenses, $8,130.00.

Dobler Hose received a couple of Pennsylvania Fire EMS Grants, one was for $12,663.00 and the second grant was for $15,000.00. that money will be designated for new battery-operated tools for the new firetruck they will be receiving.

Councilmember Orr said the Erie County Fire Police Organization will be having a networking meeting at Dobler Hose on Saturday May 24, 2025. Councilmember Orr said the Fire Police received a contribution for escorting the A.B.A.T.E. Motorcycle group from McKean to the Soldiers and Sailor’s Home on May 10, 2025.

MANAGERS REPORT

WELLS PARK

HOTEL PARK

Special thanks to the Garden Club and the Girard High School National Honors Society students who cleaned the Wells Park area. The park is manicured and looking great. The Public works Department cleared dead branches and brush from the park as well.

Bids for the Hotel Park Project were open on May 15, 2025at 10:00 a.m. The results are as follows:

The Borough Manager requested council vote in favor of the lowest bidder. Councilmember Drushel asked if Amendola gave a time frame. Mark Corey said we allowed, due to the landscaping plan, for the project to go through until October 31, 2025. Later in the fall would be the most ideal time to do the planting and seeding. Motion by Councilmember Wright to accept the lowest bidder Amendola. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. Councilmember Miller asked if Amendola got the bid, would Dahlkemper Landscape Architects have any part, or can they be contacted as part of this project. Mark Corey said Dahlkemper Landscape Architects could be contacted, but he doubts they will be.

Councilmember Drushel asked if Amendola can deliver exactly what was put together for the Dahlkemper diagram, such as planting the shrubs, building signs, the benches, and the lighting. Mark Corey said the scope of the overall project includes concrete walkways and sidewalks, the masonry sign, electrical work such as lighting and receptacles, and landscaping. He believes all four of the bidders would have

subcontracted some or most of those elements. He said he is comfortable with Amendola and their ability to do the work. Mayor Burton said he thinks grass grows better in September than October and asked if that could be moved up. Mark Corey said they do have until the end of October, but if the weather is conducive there’s no reason it couldn’t be accelerated somewhat. Mayor Bmion and President Mitcho spoke about the trees being planted between October and November. Councilmember Simonelli asked when the project would start. It can start at any time. the borough ordered and paid for the benches and light poles, so there’s a good deal of work that can be start right away. It is anticipated to give a notice to proceed on or about June 1, 2025. Mark Corey made a call to Roger from Amendola regarding a start date, he is waiting for a return call. All in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Burton mentioned that Erie Community Foundation is paying

$85,000.00 of the $142,297.00 for the Hotel Park Project. Councilmember Miller said there is also $25,000.00 coming from Gaming Revenue.

WIRTZ ALLEY

POLICE VEHICLE GRANT

AMERICAN LEGION

BOROUGH POOL

STREET NUMBER SIGN

The property on Whiz Alley is now under contract. This will be used for more parking for Main Street. Councilmember Simonelli asked if that was talked about in public. Mayor Bmion brought it up and explained it two meetings ago.

The police vehicle grant has been approved by the state. Under this grant the borough will receive $137,000.00 for two police vehicles. The first police vehicle has been purchased and is at UTILITEC being upfitted.

This vehicle should be ready in six weeks, but possibly closer to three months. The second vehicle is in production and will be purchased and upfitted upon arrival. State Representative Jake Banta’s support for this grant is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank Officer Zuern for hunting down the grant, and Mayor Burton for working with Representative Banta when he came to inspect our police department to make sure there was a need.

The Girard American Legion Post #494 Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday May 26, 2025. The parade will form in the municipal parking lot at 1:00 p.m. and will start promptly at 2:00 p.m. The parade route is the same as always: West on Vine St, South on Rice Ave., East on Main St., North on Church St. to the Sant John’s Cemetery.

The borough pool will open on June 8, 2025. The pool water heater was installed on May 12, 2025. Work will need to be done for the natural gas because the new heater is two stage, and on the second stage there isn’t enough gas to run it. We have enough gas to open the pool and we will run it on the single stage to get things going. Councilmember Miller asked if we are on the same schedule for the pool as we’ve had in the past. The Borough Manager said we are.

Dobler Hose is asking for donations of $20- $25 in exchange for reflective street number signs. These signs are perfect for homeowners and businesses to help our first responders in finding addresses during emergencies. The inventory for these signs is green, but blue is available as a special order. President Mitcho makes these at his house and has made 329 over the past four years. As part of the Dobler Hose fund drive, forms for the reflective signs are being included in the mailings. Orders can be placed online at Girardfire.com, by calling the fire department, by contacting Greg Mitcho, or at the borough office.

President Mitcho offers free delivery of the signs if you are in the Girard School District.

ARTFROG

OVR

BUTTERNUT WELL PROJECT

LOURDES DRIVE

MAYOR/POLICE

The Girard School District has a Lake Erie Frog art piece in an outside garden area at Elk Valley Elementary School that was donated by Donna and Larry Miller. The district no longer has use for it and intend to gift it away to repurpose it. The borough is welcome to go get the art piece to do with as we wish. The Borough Manager spoke with Mr. Koma who said the problem with it being at Elk Valley Elementary is the kids are climbing on it, which causes a safety concern. Mayor Button asked about the condition of the Frog mi piece. The paint may need touched up.

Councilmember Simonelli asked where the piece would be placed. That is unknown at this time. Councilmember Miller, President Mitcho and Councilmember Simonelli said we should accept the piece and if it isn’t able to be repaired it can be disposed of. Councilmember Drushel isn’t a fan of accepting the piece due to safety and maintenance concerns.

Councilmember Wright suggested the piece be put near the borough pond next to Public Works.

The Occupational Vocational Rehabilitation summer work program will make two students available to Girard Borough beginning in July and lasting six weeks this year. We may need to hire one more person for Public Works to help keep up with the grass. The students accomplish a lot and help with Dan Rice Days.

The chlorine detention line for the Butternut Well is installed. It is not up and running yet, tests are being done to make sure it will pass all the DEP tests.

The final payment for Leech Excavating for the Lourdes Drive Culvert Project is $10,403.04. Motion by Councilmember Drushel to approve the final payment to Leech Excavating for the Lourdes Drive Culvert Project. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor. Motion carried.

Mayor Burton thanked the council members that helped with the spring cleanup on April 26, 2025. Although it was a wet day, we were able to load two large pickup trucks with garbage. He also thanked everyone who came to the Flower Unveiling for the fifty acres of sunflowers. It will be a great thing for this area, you will be able to see sunflowers in the late summer from Walnut to Myrtle. The Art Walk is Friday June 6, 2025, the borough public works put the banners up My 19, 2025. The Block Party is Friday June 20, 2025. He is also going to send a thank you letter to Representative Jake Banta for his help with our police department. In the packets, Mayor Burton included something he put together with the police department regarding the negotiations the police department are in with the personnel committee. He referenced the call volume for other police departments such as No1iheast, Edinboro, Wesleyville, and Lawrence Park which are similar sized. He said everybody measures their calls differently, for example Chief Rafferty attended the Sunflower Unveiling and that was measured as a call. So, when looking at the calls they took in 2023 or 2024 that should be kept in mind. Other departments that have the same amount of calls may not measure everything the same way. Any time the phone rings in our police depmiment it is measured as a call. Mayor Bmion spoke about The Girard Borough Police Depmiment being an asset to our community. Our police depmiment doesn’t have a lot of pati-time staff, so if a full-time officer is off or out sick coverage is limited which can cause ove1iime. He said the call volume has gone up and there’s more crime than there used to be, which our police department responds to, and they keep problems at bay. Mayor Burton feels the personnel committee and the police department can work out this negotiation. President Mitcho mentioned that the police contract will be a four-year contract. Councilmember Wright said the negotiations are a process and it’s about balancing the equities.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilmember Knapp said that 540 Lake Street has grass that is getting tall, and it is looking dilapidated. The owner passed away and there is no estate, so it’s been sitting vacant for four years. The neighbor has been trying to maintain the front yard, but the bushes are ve1y overgrown.

Councilmember Knapp said the trees in front of Sue Vanicek’s house on Rice Avenue has worms coming out of them. The Borough Manager said we are working with the state forester on that. It might be a different kind of tree worm that are particular to the Honey Locust trees, they are called Mimosa Worms.

Councilmember Knapp talked about a dumpster at l 020 Mechanic Street sitting alongside the road with orange cones around it for a week. The Borough manager said we will check it out. Typically, that is only allowed during a construction period.

Councilmember Drushel said he talked to a gentleman at Chardonnay Village who said they had a meeting and that there are seven or eight residents that need water meters replaced. He asked if that is something they are required to get. The Borough Manager said every twenty years the water meters need replaced, but the residents do not pay for the water meters and the borough puts them in. We have a list of the meters that need replaced. Jim McDonald will be sending out a letter that was shored up on May 19, 2025 so everyone will understand and there will be a phone number provided that residents can call to make an appointment to get their meter replaced. The homes in Chardonnay Village are double wide homes without a basement that have heat tape to keep the meters from freezing. The borough does not install or re-install heat tape because that becomes a liability. If the line freezes up that is not the borough’s responsibility, that is up to the homeowner.

Councilmember Drushel talked about the Rec Board numbers for the summer swim team, The Gators, which typically has an average of 75 swim team members. We are one of the larger swim teams in the area along with Lakeshore, Kahkwa, Harborcreek, No1iheast, and Edinboro. Councilmember Drushel said with 75 swimmers we’re probably third in terms of the number of swimmers whoparticipate in our Gator program.

130 people have signed up for swim lessons, and that’s just for one session. Some of the other programs are the youth soccer program in Lake City that has 83 kids patiicipate in that program. We have a cheerleading program that comes in the summer, usually 15-20 participants are in that. We had a lifesaving program that took place this spring that had 15 students participant, and those kids got their lifesaving certificate, which can be used to lifeguard at the pool or coach the Gators team. The outdoor track and field program, The Stingers, had 50                   70 kids. Councilmember Drushel said this shows that the Rec Board provides a lot of opportunities for the youth, and people are taking advantage of that. Jen Agnello does an outstanding job as Rec Director. During the winter months the Girard High School pool averages three pool parties a month, maybe more. So, when talking about whether to keep pools open or close a pool, we should consider that the Rec Board and Girard community use the Girard High School pool a lot. Without that pool we would have difficulty providing recreational programs for our youth.

Councilmember Miller asked the Borough Manager to send out a text to remind residents to vote.

Councilmember Miller asked if anything has been brought up about the monument falling apart and if we need to get ahold of the company in Cleveland. The granite is also designed to expand and contract. Mayor Burton said Mike Milano cleaned and sealed the monument. He asked if the base has cracks in it at the corners. The Borough Manager said no. There are seams where the base meets the marble and between the marble pieces of the monument, but these seams should be left open to let moisture get out. Mayor Burton will take a picture of the monument and send it to Mike Milano to make sure everything is ok.

Councilmember Miller asked about the capability of live streaming council meetings. We do not provide live streaming, but if someone in attendance wanted to use their phone they could.

Councilmember Miller said the borough manager, Jason, from Edinboro was going to draw up a document about getting cats spayed and neutered. She asked ifwe could check to see if he did. Councilmember Simonelli asked if Girard Borough has a cat problem. The Borough Manager said yes. Councilmember Orr talked about Fix Erie, an organization that would catch the cats, neuter them, and bring them back. They do charge a fee for the service. Councilmember Simonelli asked why we are not fining people who we know feed the stray cats. The police do issue fines to those people.

ADJOURN  Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Wright to adjourn at 7:23 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager