Pledge of Allegiance led by Maryann Weinstein, President

Public Comment

Any person from the public may speak for a 3-minute period. Total time allotted for public comment is 15 minutes. Please state your name, address and subject. Please choose a representative to speak if you have the same concern.

• Terrence Cloonan, 665 Lemoyne Ave. Ext.  Mr. Cloonan asked Council when Lemoyne Ave Ext. is going to get paved.  Also is concerned with the wildlife population. There are many deer and doe in his area, near his home, his porch, and they are becoming a nuisance.  Can the borough do any about the wildlife on Lemoyne Ave Ext.?
• Nicole Cavoti – Just listening.
• Sandra and Ray Dunlevy – Just listening.

Motions & Updates

• Motion Kent James, second Doug Corwin to approve Minutes October 5, 2020 and Cont. meeting October 19, 2020 – Motion passed. Demond Nixon – Abstain, he was not yet on the Zoom meeting.
• Motion Demond Nixon, second Tim Hurney to approve Bills GEN Acct. $ 17,962.91 (Checks 6925 to 6955) PLGIT (Liq. Fuels) $ 232.10 – Motion passed.

Official Action:

1. W&J – street modifications East Beau Street & East Alley – Mr. Jim Irwin, Vice President, Finance W&J began a brief overview of the curb cut proposed at East Beau & East Lane.  Plan drawing was discussed and presented to Council.  Mr. Jamie Harshman questioned if a Right of Way Plan was in place and who would be responsible for the maintenance and repair of East Lane.

   Solicitor Makel to provide exact motion and letter of acknowledgment to W&J.

   Motion Kent James, second Dan Bird to acknowledge support for the project at no cost to the borough. Additional details need to be worked out first before any work begins.  Right of Way Plan, vacate current East Lane, adopt new East Lane, determine HOP applicant, and who is responsible for salting, plowing or repairs to East Lane, etc.?

   Maryann Weinstein	No, Uneasy with situation
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Yes
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   – Motion passed

2. Widmer Engineering – Harshman & Harshman – Mr. Jamie Harshman presented council with a proposal for engineering services for the borough. Council member Fulton wanted to know why both Rich Rush and Sara Boyce left Widmer Engineering and began working at Harshman & Harshman. Mr. Harshman assured Council that Rich and Sarah would still provide East Washington with their engineering expertise and advised Council to ask Rich or Sarah directly with any questions they may have why they left Widmer Engineering, Inc. He also said Council could hire more than one Engineer. Consequently, a motion was made by Kent James, second Demond Nixon to appoint Harshman & Harshman as Alternate Engineer for the short term subject to change in the future.
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Yes
   Douglas Corwin	No
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Abstain, Wants to talk to Rich & Sarah
   – Motion passed

3. Resolution 016 of 2020 – Cares Act – Motion Joe Fulton, second Doug Corwin to approve Resolution 016 of 2020 – Cares Act – Participation Agreement with Washington County PA (Police and General Agreements) – Motion passed
4. 2021 Budget for public inspection – Motion Demond Nixon, second Dan Bird to authorize secretary to advertise 2021 Budget for public inspection as presented. – Motion passed.
   
5. 2021 Calendar – Motion Dan Bird, second Joe Fulton to approve 2021 Calendar (same as last yr. no changes) – Motion passed.

6. Ordinance No. 544 of 2020 – Motion Demond Nixon, second Dan Bird to adopt Ordinance No. 544 of 2020 Parking vehicles on even side of Wilmont (except for local deliveries) – Motion passed.

7. Website content – Joe Fulton discussed the need for Council and/or employees to provide some content to areas of the website. The projected date to launch the website is February 2021. He will provide a link to sign up and choose a category to assist with content.
8. Personnel Policy – Motion Tim Hurney, second Doug Corwin to approve personnel policy presented last month. – Motion passed.
   
9. Neighborhood Improvement report –  Doug Corwin. Council discussed the IPMC and the resolution that was passed in 2017 that applied the IPMC to rental units only, Solicitor Makel gave the opinion that the ordinance 256 of 2016 was valid and the resolution of 2017 should be rescinded. Consequently, the IPMC would apply to all property owners in the borough. Any subsequent changes to the IPMC should be noted and/or adopted. The Neighborhood Improvement Committee will meet on Friday and will provide recommendations at the next meeting.
10. Independent Enterprises, Inc. – “Motion Dan Bird, second Kent James to terminate the agreement dated April 23, 2020 with Independent Enterprises, Inc. for its failure to comply with the Notice to Proceed dated April 23, 2020 (with consideration that the Governor’s Declaration allowing work for Washington County was on May 15, 2020 and its persistent failure to respond to the Borough Engineer’s emails requesting a tentative schedule for the paving project subject to said Agreement.” – Motion passed.
11. Use of minutes –  Minutes were discussed and Mayor Gomber feels that the Minutes are not reflecting what he says. Solicitor Makel stated that the minutes should not be verbatim. Minutes should include date, time and location of meeting, Names of all members present, all official action, Name of person making motion and second. A record of vote, Names of all citizens who appear and the substance of their remarks. It was recommended that the video of the meeting be sent to the Mayor and he can review it and tell Council what he wants stated in the minutes. Mr. Makel and President Maryann Weinstein will reach out to the Mayor to see what he wants included in the minutes.

Reports

• Mayor Gomber – No report
• Solicitor – Dennis Makel
• Council Members – Reports / Discussion
  • Maryann Weinstein, President – No report
  • Daniel Bird – No report
  • Douglas Corwin– No report
  • Kent James, Vice President– No report
  • Demond Nixon – Council Member Demond Nixon felt that money should be set aside in advance for the MS4 project expense. There should be approximately 50% of the funds available for the project by 2022. He does not feel the residents need another tax to offset the expense. Setting aside funds now should be considered.
  • Joe Fulton– No report
  • Tim Hurney– No report

Motion

• Motion Kent James, second Demond Nixon to continue the meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020 if needed. – Motion passed.