May 2024 Council Minutes

May 20, 2024

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

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

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

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

VISITORS                                Ginger Cinti, Lake City Council Laura DiPasqua

Bev Bible Simone Welsh Michael Stafford

Joe Scott, Municipal Retirement Trust Representative.

MINUTES            Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the April 15, 2024 council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Knapp. All in favor.

Motion carried.

BILLS

COMMUNITY REPORTS

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

Simone Welsh, Chair of the Art Walk, explained the administration, organization and programing for the Art Walk on June 7, 2024 in Girard Borough. Bev Bible asked why the sidewalks in the borough are not all in specification. The Council, Mayor and Borough Manager explained that the sidewalk program is ongoing. For 2024 the borough will reimburse $30.00 per square up to 10 square for a maximum total of $300.00. Councilmember Wright said that the curblawn trees are the main cause for sidewalk damage and that problem should be addressed. Mayor Burton said that the home owner should have responsibility for the curblawn tree in front of their house and have it removed if they desire. Councilmember Simonelli said that the Main Street Trees will eventually cause damage to the sidewalks on Main Street.

COMMITTEES                         Councilmember Wright asked Council to look at the handout from the West County Paramedics Association explaining the formula for participation in WCPA. A meeting was held with the four non patticipating municipalities explaining the overall ambulance service and afterward two of the municipalities

President Mitcho repotted that A. F. Dobler Hose will have Dobler Days on June 8, 2024. Dobler Days is a family event which children and adults can see the fire equipment up close. A free lunch is provided to,the public. Dobler is offering a free to the public CPR class. A private donation will cover the cost of the CPR class.

MAYOR/POLICE

WATER TANK PAINTING

ADA SIDEWALKS CDBGGRANT

AMERICAN LEGION

Mayor Burton mentioned that the Block Party is June 20, 2024.The Mayor asked that Council hire a friend of his, Conner Zimmer, to work with the Public Works Depmtment for the summer. Chief Raffe1ty said that the new car is in service. The police will be active with summer events with the school district. Taser training will take place at Dobler Hose in June. NCIC system training will take place in Elk County.

Mayor Burton said that Fairview Township is not interested in Police Regionalization. Other municipalities may want to join at a later time.

Hathaway and West Gate water storage projects bids were open at 1:00 pm on May 17, 2024. The results are as follows:

Engineer Mark Corey explained that D&M Painting Corporation withdrew their bid due to a miss understanding.

Motion by Councilmember Wright to accept the bid from Eagle Eye Industrial Services for the Water Tank Painting Project. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried..

2022 (CDBG Grant) Community Development Block Grant ADA sidewalks for Mechanic Street and Lake Street. Mechanic Street bid were open May 17, 2024 at the County Court House. Council may vote to recommend that the County award the project to the lowest responsive bidder. Mr. Corey mentioned ramps so that all of the allotted CDBG money could be used. Motion by Councilmember Knapp to recommend that the County award the project to the lowest responsive bidder.

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

Monday May 27, 2024. The Girard American Legion Post #494 Memorial Day Parade is scheduled. The parade will form in the municipal parking lot at 1:00 PM and will stmi promptly at 2:00 P.M. The parade route is the same as always: West on Vine Street, South on Rice, East on Main, North on Church to the Cemete1y. Mayor Burton asked if they would be paving on Memorial Day. Dennis McDonald said no. Councilmember Simonelli said Officer Zuern requested that once the Main Street paving was completed the parking spot at the corner of Myrtle Street and Main Street be eliminated.

MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT TRUST

BOROUGH POOL

PARK TRAILS

MILLINGS

STREET NUMBER SIGN

BUTTERNUT WELL

LEAF PICKUP

SOFTBALL FIELD

Joe Scott representing the Municipal Retirement Trust made a presentation to Council about the MRT and how the boroughs pensions would be handled going forward.

June 9, 2024 the borough pool will open. We have had a request to have steps installed at the pool. Council agreed to postpone discussion.

Mr. Russell from the Girard School District will have volunteers at the Water Works Park working on trails with the hope of having students run in the park.

Roger Latimer from the PA Steelhead Association is requesting millings to be used on fishing trials. Council agreed that if we have enough to provide some millings for the PA Steelhead Association then they can have some to fill in parking places and walking trails.

Dobler Hose is asking for donations in exchange for reflective street number signs. The signs are pe1fect for home owners and businesses and would be a help to our first responders in finding addresses during emergencies.

Butternut Well cleaning by Groundwater Resources completed May 10, 2024 at a cost of $17,925.00. The water well may be on the decline as water production is slow compared to three years ago.

The leaf pick up schedule for 2024 is as follows: October 17th October 31th November 14th November 28th

Council thanked Councilmember Orr for fixing/replacing the benches at the Water Works Park softball fields.

JULY 5, 2024                           Council agreed to allow the Public Works and Administrative employees to use a personal day/vacation day on Thursday, July 5, 2024. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve closing the borough office and Public Works for July 5, 2024.. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.

OLDCAR30        The new Police Interceptor Car 30 is fully in service and old car 30 can be advertised and sold. Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to approve the sale of old car #30. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

WATER

DEPARTMENT                         The new Ford F350 will be purchased for the Public Works Department

and a current truck will be assigned to the Water Department.

PLANNING

TRAINING                               Larry Russell and Kris Russin from the Planning Commission attended Planning Commission Training on May 16, 2024. The training was hosted by the ECOG and John McGranor from the DCED provided instruction.

COUNCIL COMMENTS           President Mitcho mentioned that Lake City Borough is having a Farmer Market this year and recommended that Girard Borough not compete with that effort. President Mitcho also suggested that the Borough Manager be allowed to attend the PSAB conference.

Councilmember Simonelli requested that the borough have an ordinance mandating that all cars park in the direction of traffic so the police can issue tickets. Solicitor Yochim was assigned to present an ordinance that follows state law concerning street parking. Councilmember Simonelli asked about the cable and phone wires that hang from the electric poles. Councilmember Simonelli said that he had a long discussion with former Girard Borough Police Officer Ed Podpora and Mr. Podpora agreed to take the job as Code Enforcement Officer. The Borough Manager said that he would call Mr. Podpora and get him started.

Councilmember Orr said that the borough needs another food store. Council agreed. Mayor Burton said that the Chamber would send out a letter to get a food store in the borough.

Councilmember Miller said that Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority granted $125,000.00 to Downtown Girard for business grants. The Erie Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Downtown Girard for the Hotel Park. Girard Downtown applied for a Renaissance Grant through the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING

At 8:28 p.m., President Mitcho asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:26 p.m.

PERSONNEL                            Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire Patty Norton, full time, for the Administrative Office. Starting May 28, 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire Joshua Olesnanik, full time, for the Water Department starting August 5, 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Drushel. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Simonelli to hire Kirt Jacobs, part time, for the Public Works Department starting May 13, 2024 (Kirt was needed to read utility books). Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor.

Motion carried.

ADJOURN                                Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Knapp to adjourn at 9:31 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager