BOROUGH OF DUNCANNON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 15 th, 2012

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1 BOROUGH OF DUNCANNON COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 15 th, 2012 Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: President Duane Hammaker, Fred Lauster, Michael Bomberger, Frank Eppley, Jack Conrad, William Corsnitz, Gerald Bell and Mayor Kraig Nace Solicitor-Susan Smith Borough Manager - Tanuya Matter, Engineer-Kevin Jacobs Citizens Present: Robert Peiffer-Perry County Chamber of Commerce, Jim Renner 212 Dellville Road, Stanley Mutzabaugh, Kirk Nace-Owner N. Market Street, Mary Parry 2 Ann Street, Kim McKee Appalachian Trail Committee, Kraig Nace 1010 Lincoln Street, Christie Young, Gina Witmer 18 N. Market Street & Owner of The Best of Betty, Chief Pickles Penn Township Police President Hammaker opened the meeting at 7:30 pm on May 15 th, 2012 with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. Minutes: Bomberger/Bell: approve April 17 th, 2012 minutes as presented - PASSED Recognition of Citizens: Gina Witmer 18 N. Market Street, Spoke of her background and to what brought her to Duncannon. Gina sees Duncannon as a Safe Haven for her daughter who has suffered from trauma. However she feels that the Borough has resistance to change. She has had many runins with the Borough Codes Enforcement Officer who she feels is discouraging work from being done at N. Market Street. Gina mentioned that her daughter felt harassed when the Codes Officer delivered a letter to her business, The Best of Betty. Gina accused the Codes Officer of making her daughter read the letter to him before leaving. She also noted that she has stepped down as property manager for N. Market Street. Kirk Nace Owner N. Market Street, Stated that there are more properties vacant now in Duncannon than there has ever been. Kirk said he has spoken with many real estate investors and they will not touch properties in Duncannon. He also stated that he is trying to repair his property on Market Street. He feels he has been overbilled thousands of dollars for years for services he does not even use. Kirk then accused the Codes Enforcement Office of accosting Gina Witmer s 16 year old daughter when he served the paperwork Gina spoke of earlier. Mr. Bomberger told Kirk to stop right there as the Borough called the police after they heard of the accusation. Chief Pickles acknowledged that he investigated the allegation and no charges are being filed or even though t of being filed. Mr. Conrad said he took offense to the slanderous remarks Kirk Nace is making. Mr. Eppley spoke of the borough s low electric rates and noted the spreadsheet the Borough received showing that we are 10 th lowest in electric rates. Bob Peiffer - Perry County Chamber of Commerce, Spoke of the positive things the Chamber of Commerce is doing. He said the Chamber of Commerce is in support of projects going on in Duncannon like the June 2 nd Appalachian Trail Designation Event. Mr. Peiffer also noted that Timothy Eller has resigned as a School Board member. Mr. Peiffer recently started an Economic Development Committee and is in the process of getting Duncannon approved as a Technology Corridor. The approval will be done within the next 60 days and would allow for low interest loans Page 1

2 and notes. President Hammaker asked if the Chamber of Commerce feels that Duncannon is a dead community. Mr. Peiffer said the Chamber looks at the potential of Apple Tree Alley and what will draw business to Duncannon. He also said Duncannon has challenges but there is potential here. Mr. Lauster asked how our vacancies in Duncannon compare to other places in the state. Mr. Peiffer said the set up of town makes it look like we have more vacancies than we do. He would like to see a business where Miller s News Stand used to be. Mr. Peiffer also said that the old Clark s Ferry Tavern would be a great place to put in a tourist attraction. Jim Renner 1004 Lincoln Street Mr. Renner is part of the Eastern Perry County Revitalization Foundation. Mr. Renner is seeking the support of the borough in purchasing the old Clark s Ferry Tavern. He said the purpose of the building is still open for debate but he and Stanley Mutzabaugh are trying to get a 5013C Corporation started for the project. Stanley Mutzabaugh Mutzabaugh s Market, Penn Township Mr. Mutzabaugh is working with Mr. Renner to get a non- profit started. He said whether he and Mr. Renner or the Borough would purchase the old Tavern they would be more than happy to help get the building up and running. He also said he is concerned about the drug problems in Duncannon and would like to see these issues gotten under control. Mr. Hammaker said the Borough had the Clark s Ferry Tavern property appraised a few years ago and made an offer at that time to PNC Bank to buy the property. However the offer was turned down as the bank wanted too much for the property. Mr. Hammaker said the Duncannon Borough would like to see the property stabilized. Mr. Renner stated that he thought the asking price for the property was around $160,000. Mary Parry 2 Ann Street - Stated that the Appalachian Trail Designation Event is coming close. She would like the Borough Officials to be at the event. As for the Tavern, Mary was at a meeting at the Appalachian Trail Museum at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park and it was mentioned that they were looking to find another location for some articles to be displayed. She said they currently do not have enough room to display all of the articles that they have for the museum. Mr. Lauster noted that the museum was already made aware of the Tavern situation. Kim McKee Kim stated that the Mayor is planning to attend the Appalachian Trail Committee Proclamation on June 2 nd, The Borough will be presented with 2 Appalachian Trail signs at the event. She also handed out a spreadsheet showing opportunities for grant monies for the Apple Tree Alley Project. Kim also said that the Appalachian Trail Committee would like to contribute to fund raising opportunities for the project. Mr. Conrad added that a surveyor was up here and completed 3 large surveys of Apple tree Alley. Mary Parry added that the transients love this town! Chief Pickles Penn Township Police, The Chief said that 7 new officers have been hired. As soon as they receive their certification they will be put into uniforms. The D.J. still hasn t fixed his computer system so Penn Township is still receiving the Borough s fine monies. He will make sure the Borough receives these funds. Correspondence Mr. Rosen owner of the Old Sled Works letter regarding utilities referring to Utilities Committee. Dept. of Labor & Industry sent a letter with a list of items they found during an audit that seem to have been missed by Glace Associates when issuing permits for the Borough. Page 2

3 Members 1 st Federal Credit Union Invitation to the Grand Opening on June 2 nd, Mayor s Report not submitted REPORTS Secretary s Report written report Treasurer s Report written report Bomberger/Lauster: accept Treasurer s Report; subject to audit PASSED Borough Manager s Report - written report attached Ms. Matter noted that she met with AMP and they are putting pressure on the Borough regarding a Wind Project. She does not recommend the Council pursuing the project because it will be costly and would not benefit the Duncannon Borough. Ms. Matter also talked about the Webinar she sat in on, Pennsylvania s Magisterial District Justice System. She asked Council for ratification for her attending the PA Magisterial District Justice System Webinar. She also thanked Council for the opportunity as she feels that she gained a lot of knowledge from the seminars that she attended while at the conference. Lauster/Corsnitz: move to ratify Tanuya Matter attending taking the PA Magisterial District Justice System Webinar - PASSED Bills to Be Paid/Ratified Conrad/Bell: ratify and pay bills; as presented - PASSED Solicitor s Report none provided Engineer s Report Mr. Jacobs stated that the low bidder for the Well #2 Underground Piping was Grosser Excavating, Inc. Their bid was $28, and everything seems to be in order. Mr. Jacobs recommended that Council award the bid to Grosser Excavating, Inc. Bomberger/Corsnitz: award Well #2 Underground Piping Project to Grosser Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $28, PASSED Corsnitz/Bell: authorize Manager to sign contract pertaining to Well #2 Underground Piping Project PASSED Mr. Jacobs is getting a price proposal from Advantage Engineers for what will be needed at the Little Juniata Creek Wall. The proposal will be for preliminary soil testing, types of footing for the repair of the wall and the best type of wall to be placed. Motion Industries completed a proposal for the replacement of the pump at the Sewer Treatment Plant. The cost to replace the Euro Drives on the pump is $4, and the cost for the labor is $6, which comes to a total including sales tax of $11, Mr. Jacobs believes this would classify as a Capital Expenditure and should come out of the Sewer Capital Reserve which is a shared expense with Penn Township. Corsnitz/Conrad: Approve estimate of $11, to Motion Industries to replace the pump at the Sewer Treatment Plant - PASSED Page 3

4 Corsnitz/Bell: Approve going back to Motion Industries and go ahead with the repair of the second pump if there is any cost savings in doing the second pump at the same time PASSED Mr. Bomberger states that the Borough Manager needs to submit a letter to Penn Township Municipal Authority notifying them of the repair. Mr. Jacobs said that Max Stoner of Glace Associates is asking for a meeting between the Borough Solicitor, Council and Shea Industries regarding last year s Sewer Line Replacement Project. Mr. Stoner also expects an advertisement of bids to go out soon for the Clark Street Storm Drain Project. Mr. Lauster questions how long it will take for Well #2 to get online. Mr. Jacobs explained that he could have a contractor in the field in about 2 weeks if the bid was awarded tonight. Corsnitz/Bell: motion to approve up to $3,000 for the well head and chemical room for Well #2 PASSED Mr. Jacobs stated that there is a Hunting Club looking into who owns 3 acres of land by the Borough s Watershed property. He said no one is clear as to the owner but the Hunting Club is interested in the land. Mr. Hammaker noted that it would be time consuming for the Borough to research all of their deeds to find out if we own the land so if the Hunting Club is interested in the land he feels they should do the research to find out who actually owns the property. Mr. Hammaker said that the 3 acres of land are not connected to our other Watershed property so if the Borough is the owner we may be able to interrupted by Mr. Conrad. Mr. Conrad said if that is the case he feels the Borough should get something for the land and not just give it to the Hunting Club. Mr. Hammaker agreed. Codes Enforcement Mr. DeChamplain reported that there are 3 properties with auxiliary buildings in bad shape. Mr. Bell questioned the pile of wood and car that is on the railroad bed above the Sled Factory. 13 min. break 2116 hrs. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Administrative Warrants Mr. Bomberger said that it is so late in the game to complete the warrants. He wants the manager to have authorization to draft a letter to notify everyone in the flood zone of the Floodplain Ordinance. He also wants a copy of the ordinance sent to those people so they are aware of it and that the Borough will now be enforcing it. Mr. Hammaker also does not think we can serve the warrants this far out. Corsnitz/Bell: halt the administrative warrants and send homeowners in the floodplain district a letter with a copy of the Floodplain Ordinance - PASSED Johnson Control Energy Proposal Mr. Corsnitz will be meeting with Johnson Controls to get more details of the Energy Plan. COMMITTEE REPORTS FINANCE, LEGAL & IT Mr. Bomberger reported that the Borough has a new auditor. The auditor is pleased with the Borough s procedures. Page 4

5 Bomberger/Bell: pay the Duncannon Fire Company half of their annual donation which is $11,750 PASSED Bomberger/Bell: pay Duncannon Boy Scout Troop 64 half of their annual donation which is $1,250 PASSED Bomberger/Corsnitz: pay the Fire Police their annual donation of $500 PASSED Bomberger/Lauster: write policy with Selective Insurance Company as of January 1 st, 2012 for personal liability - PASSED FLEET/UTILITIES Nothing else PARKS & RECREATION Mr. Lauster reported that the Parade Permit Request has been received for the Memorial Day Parade on May 26 th, The newsletter notes that the parade is forming at 10am but it actually forms at 9am. Lauster/Bell: approve Parade Permit for the Duncannon VFW PASSED Town-Wide Yard Sales and Members 1 st FCU Grand Opening is June 2 nd, Mary Parry said that Norfolk Southern went down 3 feet at the Ann Street Arch before they hit anything solid during the clean-up on Saturday, May 12 th, She said they worked for about five hours and really made progress and did a good job. Corsnitz/Bomberger: provide certificates for Norfolk Southern for the clean-up work - PASSED PERSONNEL Mr. Bell requested the approval of Ms. Matter and Ms. Pyle attending a Municipal Administrator s Webinar. Corsnitz/Lauster: approve Tanuya Matter and Clarissa Pyle attending a Municipal Administrators Webinar June 19 th through June 26 th, 2012 in the amount of $ PASSED Corsnitz/Conrad: approve a $500 bonus for Clarissa Pyle PASSED Corsnitz/Lauster: increase Manager s salary by 3% retroactive to April 17 th, 2012 PASSED The Personnel Committee recommends a.25 cent per hour raise for David Keen. Lauster/Corsnitz: move to give David Keen a.25 cent per hour raise PASSED Bomberger/Corsnitz: approve advertisement of the ordinance Creating Assistant Manager s Position pending one grammatical change and the Solicitor s approval PASSED Mr. Bell thanked Ms. Matter, Mr. Bomberger, and Mr. Corsnitz for their expertise with producing the Ordinance for the assistant manager s position. Bomberger/Corsnitz: approve advertisement of the ordinance fixing the salary pending approval of the Solicitor PASSED PUBLIC SAFETY & STREETS Mr. Eppley reported about the seminar he had been attending at the Lower Paxton Township Police Department. Mr. Bomberger noted that a meeting would need Page 5

6 to be set up with Penn Township to discuss the Contracted Police Services. He would like the meeting to be the Thursday prior to the next Borough Council Meeting. PLANNING Mr. Conrad updated the Apple Tree Alley project. The Borough has been offered $1.8 million dollars to do the project. Kim McKee stated that if the Borough completed all the preconstruction they would not be required to make a 20% contribution. However, the Borough will need to make a commitment by the end of summer. The Borough would also need to survey the area from Cherry Street to Clark Street. Mr. Conrad said that Geoffrey Knight estimated the survey job to cost from $2,500 - $3,500. Mr. Hammaker suggested having Mr. Knight and Charlie Cook place bids on the survey job to determine who will do the survey at a lower cost. SPECIAL SESQUICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Mr. Hammaker reported that the next meeting will be May 24 th. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Hammaker stated that the Planning Commission, Sewer Authority, and Zoning Hearing Board still have vacancies. The Little League president thanked the Borough for the $1,500 donated to help with repairing the ball field after the September 2011 flood. No Citizen Action forms. Bomberger/Conrad: Motion to adjourn at 2308 hrs. - PASSED Respectfully Submitted, Clarissa Pyle Duncannon Borough Treasurer Page 6