November 21, 2022

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in council chambers. President McNally presiding.

Dennis McNally, President Alfred Noble, Vice President Jeanne Miller

Gregg Mitcho Jim Simonelli Doug Wright

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Peter Burton, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

ABSENT Robert “Doc” Orr Mark Corey, Engineer

VISITORS                                Bev Bible Ginger Cinti Brian Thornton

MINUTES                     Motion by Councilmember Noble council meeting minutes. Seconded by Councilmember Wright. All in favor. Motion carried.

BILLS                                     Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve payment of the bills. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

COMMUNITY REPORTS        Brian Thornton, 522 Main Street East, the owner of Hometown Pizza,

mentioned that he has been behind in paying his utility bills to the Girard Borough, He and the Borough Manager agreed that he could get caught up by paying the current bill going forward and $100.00 toward arrears until the business was up and running. Mr. Thornton says that he has been wrongfully charged a fee every month because his bill was adding the 10% to the entire bill and’ not just as late fees to his current bill being paid late. Mr. Thornton explained that when he brought this to the attention of the Borough Manager, he was told that the matter would be investigated. Later the Borough Manager called him back and explained that the fee was being incorrectly reported on tl1e bill page only and tl1at his actual account was correct. The borough called tl1e IT people so tl1e bills would report tl1e correct amount going forward. It was furtl1er explained tl1at Mr.

Thornton should receive a late fee on his current bill ·when he pays his current bills late. The late fee is for the lateness of the current bill and not recharged every month on the total bill. Mr. Thornton said that none of this was explained to him. Councilmember Wright offered to meet with Mr. Thornton and the Borough Manager to review his account.

ADMINISTRATION FIRE, POLICE AND PERSONNEL

OLD RIDGE ROAD PARKING

MAYOR/POLICE

2023 BUDGET

Councilmember Mitcho updated Council on some of the issues happening with A. F. Dobler Hose and Ladder Company. The current fund drive is going well. The request this yem· was for $60.00 instead of $80.00 but some people are sending $100.00. The surrounding municipalities are meeting to discuss a fire tax to help the local fire departments. The revised West County Communications budget is in the Council Package and requires a vote of approval from Council.

Councilmember Miller asked the Borough Mm1ager if he receives weather notification from the West County EMC and the answer was no. Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to accept the revised 2023 West County Communications Budget in the mnount of $12,900.00. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

Councilmember Simonelli mentioned that the Fish and Boat Commission are investigating property deeds to clarify if the dead-end portion of Old Ridge Road is privately owned. The dead-end of old ridge road was to be used as access to the new parking area. The Borough Manager was assigned to call the Fish and Boat C01m11ission grants department and get an update and share the information with Council.

Mayor Burton said that on November 26″‘ Sm1ta will be on the Main Stage from noon to 4:00 pm. Wednesday December 7″‘ at noon, is the Chmnber lunch and Public Works and Police and Council are invited. December 10″‘ is the Chmnber shop local 3-2-1 holiday promotion. Shoppers can turn in receipts from West Country businesses for items purchased that day. Three receipts will be drawn for prizes. Chief Rafferty mentioned that the Girard Borough Police will be growing beards for no shave November and donating money so underprivileged children can participate in the Shop with a Cop event.

The tentative budget for 2023, in the amount of $5,837,167.00, was adopted at the November 9, 2022 meeting. The 2023 Budget does not require an increase to the present real estate tax of 1.89 mills. The tentative budget does include a 0.0028 per kWh increase in the electric rate. The residential sewer base rate is increased by $1.00 to $44.00 per month. The residential water base rate is increased by $1.00 to $18.00. per month. I respectfully request Council to vote favorably on the proposed budget. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the proposed budget in the mnount of $5,837,167.00. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion cmTied.

The tentative budget for 2023, in the mnount of $5,837,167.00, was adopted at the November 9, 2022 meeting. The 2023 Budget does not require an increase to the present real estate tax of 1.89 mills. The tentative budget does include a 0.0028 per kWh increase in the electric rate. The residential sewer base rate is increased by $1.00 to $44.00 per month. The residential water base rate is increased by $1.00 to $18.00. per month. I respectfully request Council to vote favorably on the proposed budget. Motion by Councilmember Wright to approve the proposed budget in the amount of $5,837,167.00. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.

This bill will be paid by the borough and then a lien in the full amount plus 10% will be made against the house.

COUNCIL COMMENTS           Councilmember Simonelli said that the new sidewalk on Locust Street still holds water when it rains. Councilmember Miller mentioned that the Downtown Group will apply for a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority in the amount of $50,000.00 for the new park that will replace the Girard Hotel. Councilmember Miller asked if the new park has a name. Council decided to go with “Hotel Park” for now.

Councilmember Miller mentioned that the Boy Scouts will not be selling Christmas Trees in Wells Park this year, but they will put up a Christmas Tree on the Main Stage for the Holidays. Councilmember Miller said that the Christmas Tree contest at the Hotel Park will begin with tree decoration on November 29″‘ followed by tree judging on December 3n1_ All ten trees are spoken for and this event will be successful.

Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. for a five-minute break before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING

PERSONNEL

At 8:15 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 9:10 p.m.

Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve the hiring of Shelley Faytak for a part time position for the borough office at $15.00 per hour with a 90-day probation. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the hiring of Kent Kibler for a full-time position for the Public Works Dep,utment at $21.26 per hour with a 90 day probation. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Noble to approve the hiring of Dan Dana for a part time position for the Public Works Department al $20.00 per hour on an as needed basis. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

Motion by Councilmember Miller to allow for the Downtown Girard Inc. to begin negotiation with Brian Miller Tree Service for the purchase of Miller Tree Service property and building next to Country Fair. Seconded by Councilmember Simonelli. All in favor. Motion carried.

ADJOURN

Motion by Councilmember Noble and seconded by Councilmember Simonelli to adjourn at 9:18 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager