Call to Order President Jerad Cypher called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Roll Call Attendees: Michael Gomber, Mayor, Jerad Cypher, President, Mary Taufer, Vice President, Council Members- Charles McHugh, Matt Boice, Guy Tucci, Jerry Cypher, Solicitor Dennis Makel, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Secretary, Sandy Motichak
Pledge of Allegiance Lead by President, Jerad Cypher.
Motion Guy Tucci, second Jerad Cypher to approve June 28, 2017 minutes. Motion passed
Motion Mary Taufer, second Guy Tucci, to approve bills: Motion passed.
General Account $14,199.32
PLGIT (Liq. Fuels) $ 6,952.50 Check No. 931-$ 3,310.76 Global Equip. Calming Devices
Check No. 932–$ 656.50 US Municipal Signs Calming Devices
Check No. 933–$ 914.42 Flint Trading, Inc. – Calming Devices Thermal Seal
Check No. 934-$190.92 Sherman Williams Paint for Calming Devices
Check No. 935-1,879.90 Russell Brothers- Cold Patch
Report – Joyce Ellis, Citizens Library. Absent. No report.
Public Comment
Dan Bird-34 Thayer Street. Mr. Bird asked Council after the June 23, 2017 storm, his property flooded. Asked why there is not a retention pond at the salt lot area to hold the water? Pipe should be higher. After a heavy rain it floods. What can be done to fix this? Nothing has been done since the last decade.
President Cypher said Engineer and Public Works department are addressing these issues and we are bound by DEP regulations as to what we can do. Some of this is covered under the MS4 requirements which our Engineer has been working on already. Council is looking into all the problems. Determine if it is in a flood plain.
Arthur Fulton Thayer Street. Mr. Fulton is pleased with the speed humps placed on Thayer Street. They have decreased the speed on Thayer Street. He is concerned with water in his basement due to the storm drain and overflow of water. His property is further up from the storm drain but water is coming into his basement and he had to use the sump pump. This has occurred only over the last 2 years. Requested the borough look into the storm sewer drain near his home.
Tim Hurney Wilmont Ave. Mr. Hurney asked Council when Wilmont Avenue will be scheduled for repair/paving? He noted that Aaron Lucero is patching the road but it is not lasting and the asphalt is slipping.
President Cypher said Council is working with the Engineer on this project.
Mr. Lingg, 33 Thayer Street. Mr. Lingg asked Council who authorized the work to be done on his property? President Cypher stated there was discussion with Solicitor Makel as to a Plan A or Plan B, however there was no official vote to proceed. Due to circumstances, Contractors equipment being already at Borough site, the Engineer and Public Works Department personnel agreed the work could be done on the Lingg property to further prevent any unexpected catastrophe. Mr. Lingg stated that from the original location of the work done, it had already settled. Discussion continued and Solicitor Makel said he would contact the Engineer tomorrow to determine if the retaining wall was on Mr. Lingg’s property or the McKenzie property. Determine if the appropriate material was placed under the pipe at installation. Generally 2B or 1B stone is used under placement of pipes. How and where is the wall to be put back over the existing pipe? Mr. Makel, President Cypher, and Mr. Lingg will meet to discuss the easement right of way and/or corrective action to resolve this issue.
Morgan Gayvert, 120 South Wade Ms. Gayvert questioned why the speed humps are not closer to the stop sign instead of right in front of her house? Chief Bradley stated that they have to be 250 feet away from the stop sign. Those are the state regulations. Chief Bradley stated that they have slowed down the traffic considerably for the last week or so. Mayor Gomber said his main concern is safety in the borough. Another consideration is to add a flashing lights to caution drivers to slow down in the borough.
OPEN BIDS –SHERATON SLIDE
Bids were opened at 6:35 pm by Solicitor Makel, verifying bid bond, signed and sealed by applicants
Motion Mary Taufer, second Jerad Cypher to lowest bidder, Slusarczyk for $191,173 subject to review and approval by Widmer Engineering, Inc. and Solicitor Makel with the following:
- Complete Bid tab sheet from Widmer Engineering, Inc. and Solicitor Makel
- Based on the scope of work
- Notice of Award sent by Engineer
- Pay Final payment after project is complete and 2-Year Maintenance Bond received.
Jerry Cypher asked Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Inc. if there would be any additional costs to this project. Mr. Rush said the only other cost may be to ACA Engineering, the Geo Tech firm, estimate $5,000 to $10,000. Mr. Makel to prepare an agreement.
Reports:
Secretary – Report on file in the office
Public Works – Speed Humps installed in the borough.
Police Department –Chief Bradley gave a thorough report of incidents, UCR’s, arrests, and the status of the Police Department.
Code Enforcement Officer –Report on file in the office. (45 Rental Licenses Issued) Suggested some language change to ordinance requiring an engineering report that the building is structurally sound.
Council Members:
* Jerad Cypher, President. President Cypher urged Council to contact their senators and legislators to strongly oppose SB 663 and HB 1469.as they will lead to a loss of control of a basic governmental function and will jeopardize the safety of structures and occupants in our communities.
Currently, municipalities that opt-in to the PA Uniform Construction Code (UCC) can utilize one third party administrator to enforce building codes and inspections. Senate Bill 663 would take away local decisions by requiring at least THREE third party administrators. House Bill 1469 would subvert local control of the building code by allowing an applicant the option to use ANY third party administrator.
Senate Bill 663 would also force municipalities to readjust fees if found to be more than 10 percent higher than actual costs. This would be financially punitive to boroughs.
* Mary Taufer, V. President – Ms. Taufer expressed concern for our police officers wanting to make sure they were fully protected from the effects of transmitting fentanyl when officers are in a situation when an arrest is made associated with drug use. Mayor Gomber said he would approve any necessary gloves, masks, etc. needed to protect the officers.
* Matt Boice – Discussed current status of plans for the EWB 125th anniversary celebration to be held on August 20, 2017. Discussed the inlet at Lemoyne, WEWJA cleaned out inlet.-
* Guy Tucci –
* Jerry Cypher
Chuck McHugh – Asked about the status of Wilmont Avenue. Aaron Lucero suggested have it rolled-sealed as an immediate fix. Wedge curve the entire curb. Temporary inconvenience to residents. Possibly get in touch with the City of Washington for assistance. The City of Washington has a paver only, no milling machine. At the request of Solicitor, Mr. McHugh will take photos of Wilmont and send to Solicitor for review. Solicitor Makel will meet with Township Supervisors from Greene County who may provide some advice for fixing Wilmont.
Previous Code Officer and Mr. McHugh were to provide a list of property owners that may need to fix their sidewalks. Asked why there were 2 meetings per month. Discussion continued.
President suggested continuing the meeting on July 31, 2017 to discuss a possible temporary fix to Wilmont before winter.
Motion Chuck McHugh, second Jerad Cypher to authorize secretary to advertise the remaining Council meetings for 2017 as follows: Motion Passed
Monday, August 7, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Monday, October 2, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Monday, November 6, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Monday, December 4, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Mayor – Michael Gomber – Discussed the Handicap Ordinance and application. Requested Code Officer review application and ordinance. Make recommendations to Council. Current one is very restrictive.
Solicitor – Dennis Makel
Unfinished Business
New Business
Motion Matt Boice, second Guy Tucci to continue the meeting at the call of the President. 8:45 pm. Motion passed.
Sandra Motichak
Secretary