CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT

VISITORS

MINUTES

BILLS

COMMUNITY COMMENTS

Council in regular session was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the social hall. President McNally presiding.

Dennis McNally, President Alfred Noble, Vice President Peter Burton

Kathy Lyons Jeanne Miller Gregg Mitcho Robert “Doc” Orr

Robert Stubenbort, Borough Manager Robert Kremenik, Mayor

Joseph Yochim, Solicitor Mark Corey, Engineer

Kevin Rafferty, Chief of Police

Dennis McDonald, Public Works Supervisor

Bev Bible Shirley Hall Larry Russell

Mike Adams, A.F. Dobler Hose Rick Meyer, A.F. Dobler Hose Sandy Rhodes, WCNJ

Ginger Cinti Jim Simonelli Bob Rabell

Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve the minutes from the October 19, 2020 council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

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

Rick Meyer from A.F. Dobler Hose spoke to council about a possible fundraiser to be held at the firehall. Every year, Springfield resident Norman Beatty holds a “Special Party for Special Kids” event at his home and the event has grown too large for his property. Dobler Hose would like to hold the event at their firehall. Mr. Meyer explained Dobler Hose has a licensed kitchen and plenty of parking. The one-day event, possibly June or July 2021, will have live music and food.

Liability insurance will be purchased for this event. Councilmember Lyons said

ADMINISTRATION FIRE/POLICE AND PERSONNEL

STREETS &

SIDEWALKS

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

WALNUT STREET TOWER & LAUGHLIN WATER PROJECT

MANAGER’S REPORT

BUDGET

ORDINANCE 746

when planning the fundraiser, especially with live music, the residents of Battles Village must be considered. Mr.  Meyer agreed and thanked council for their time.

Mike Adams from A.F. Dobler Hose gave council a quick update about equipment problems with Ambulance #547 and Rescue Truck #544. They have filed warranty claims and received some reimbursement from Five Star Equipment Sales.

The Sidewalk Committee has reviewed the list of sidewalks needing repaired and or replaced in the spring and are working on suggestions for homeowners.

$16,000.00 has been budgeted for this project. Reimbursement for homeowners will be $30.00 per square up to possibly four squares.

Councilmember Orr reported that Andrew Pennock is the new WECEMA Director.

Mark Corey said the water tank on Walnut Street should be replaced as opposed to repairing it. Replacing the tank will cost little more than repairing it.

At this time, he is waiting to hear from the DEP to see if Lake City needs a permit to buy bulk water from Girard Borough to then sell it to their residents.

The tentative budget for 2021, in the amount of $5,538,729.00 was adopted at the November 11, 2020 meeting. The 2021 budget does include an increase in the water base rate by $2.00 per month and the sewer base rate by $1.50 per month. The 2021 budget does not require an increase to the present real estate tax of 1.89 mills. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to adopt the 2021 budget for $5,538,729.00. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor.

Motion carried.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF GIRARD BOROUGH, ESTABLISHING A VOLUNTEER SERVICE CREDIT PROGRAM; ENACTING TAX CREDITS FOR VOLUNTEER MEMBERS OF DOBLER HOSE & LADDER COMPANY AND ITS NONPROFIT EMERGENECY MEDICAL SERVICE; AND ESTABLISHING

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND APPEALS. This would only be applicable to Girard Borough residents. Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve Ordinance 746. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. In favor are Councilmembers Mitcho, Noble, Burton, Lyons and Miller. Councilmember Orr abstained.

RESOLUTION 1-11-2020

RESOLUTION 2-11-2020

This is a resolution to approve the list of Girard Borough Delegates to the Erie County Coalition of Governments for 2021. Motion made by Councilmember Noble to approve Resolution 1-11-2020. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in Favor. Motion carried.

The EACOG has proposed its annual budget for its financial activities for the 2021 calendar year which will be voted upon for approval at the EACOG’s General Assembly Meeting on December 9, 2020; and is asking each member municipality to review the proposed annual budget for 2021. The membership dues for Girard Borough will remain the same in 2021. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to approve Resolution 2-11-2020. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in Favor. Motion carried.

SOLICITOR & ENGINEER SERVICE AGREEMENTS

LEAF PICKUP

AMP PEAKING PROJECT

SUNSET WATER PROJECT

Enclosed in Council’s packet are copies of the agreements for both the Solicitor and Engineer for Council approval. Motion made by Councilmember Lyons to approve the service agreements for the Solicitor and Engineer. Seconded by Councilmember Orr. All in favor. Motion carried.

The remaining Leaf Pickup date is November 27th• Only thirty-gallon clear plastic bags will be picked up. An unlimited number of bags may be placed at the curb lawn for collection. Leaves will not be picked up with the regular trash pick up and should be placed at the curb the night before.

A meeting took place on Tuesday October 20, 2020 for the R.I.C.E. generation project. Willey Sandel and Jay Myers from AMP provided detailed information about the project to Committee Members. Councilmembers Orr and Mitcho, President McNally and the Borough Manager discussed diesel generation of electricity at times that the market is peaking to shave transmission costs during those hours. The units would be located at the Public Works Garage and pay for themselves in ten years. Motion made by Councilmember Mitcho to approve AMP Lease Agreement Contract No. 2020-006397 and the Interconnection Agreement  between the Borough of Girard and American  Municipal Power: AMP Contract No. 2020-006398-ICA. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

The Sunset Water Project was completed. Councilmember Orr asked if there is a guarantee on the project. Engineer Corey said there is a one-year guarantee.

Payment application No. 3 for McLallen Construction, Inc. is for $106,846.10. A change order for $500.00 was needed to  take down a tree due to  utility conflicts. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to pay McLallen Construction, Inc., $106,846.10 and to approve Change Order No. 1 for $500.00. Seconded by Councilmember Noble. All in favor. Motion carried.

PLANNING COMMISSION

ZONING HEARING BOARD

DOWNTOWN GROUP

WASTE MGMT CONTRACT

HAGEN HISTORY CENTER

MISC.

Daniel A. McQuillen, property located at 604 Main Street East, Girard, PA 16417, tax parcel 23013041002301, wherein preliminary and final subdivision approval  is requested to subdivide one lot  into two  lots with the following  proposed  Lot 1, just west of PNC Bank, having .732 acres and the residue of lands of Daniel A. McQuillen, Lot 2, having 3.170 acres after subdivision. Both Lot 1 and 2 are zoned C-2 (Commercial/Highway Plaza). The Planning Commission recommends that Council vote favorably on this subdivision. The subdivision has been approved by Erie County Planning. Motion made by Councilmember Lyons to approve the subdivision of 604 Main Street East, Girard, PA 16417. Seconded by Councilmember Burton. All in favor. Motion carried.

Caroline Veith will no longer serve on the Zoning Hearing Board, which will leave a position open as an alternate. Also, Lewis Hughes will no longer serve on the Planning Commission, which will leave an open position.

The Downtown Group did review the RFP’s (Request For Proposal) at their last meeting and has decided on one organization to  take the  project. More research is needed before a final agreement can be signed. With the final agreement will come an updated timeline for the project and a check off list of deliverables as they are completed. The organization is out of Buffalo, NY and is within the $40,000.00 budget.

Attached are the results of the garbage hauling bid. Waste Management  was the only bidder for the 2021-2026. There is an increase in cost from $70.80 per quarter to $78.56 (later corrected to $77.96) per quarter. Toter rental, At Your Door Service and bag service will remain the same, this includes leaf pick up for every borough resident. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to accept the Waste Management contract. Seconded by Councilmember Mitcho. All in favor. Motion carried.

Jeff Sherry, Museum Educator for the Hagen History Center would like the borough to submit  a letter in favor  of honoring Charlotte  Elizabeth Battles  with a historical sign on Main Street. The letter is the first step in the process. Motion made by Councilmember Burton to submit a letter to the Hagen History Center. Seconded by Councilmember Lyons. All in favor. Motion carried.

Councilmember Burton questioned if hunting is permitted on the Battles Yellow House property. Chief Rafferty said if there are No Trespassing and No Hunting signs posted on the property the borough police can enforce it; calling in the PA Game Commission if necessary.

Councilmember Noble asked if the State has come out with the new flood plain maps. Mr. Stubenbort said he will check.

Meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m. for a five-minute recess before going into executive session.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

REGULAR MEETING MISC.

ADJOURN

At 7:57 p.m., President McNally asked for an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The regular meeting was called back into session at 8:27 p.m.

Councilmember Noble mentioned that the borough still has many poles that that have temporary supports and other issues that need to be replaced.

Councilmember Lyons mentioned that the old style street light at the corner of Chestnut Street and Main Street has been taken down and now awaits its replacement.

Motion by Councilmember Orr and seconded by Councilmember Burton to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. All in favor.

Robert A. Stubenbort Borough Manager