Regular Meeting of California Borough Council, December 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm
CALL TO ORDER: President Sheila Chambers called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm
ATTENDANCE: Mr. Alfano, Mr. Bittner, Mrs. Gutosky, Mrs. Chambers, Mr. Mariscotti, Miss Roberts, and Mayor Casey Durdines, and Chip Glab arrived at 6:35 pm
ABSENT:
MOMENT OF SILENCE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:
Mr. Bittner added to inform and the Streetscape project and Sewer tap in updates
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Maddiex heartedly approves of the free parking under Mr. Bittner’s report and under Mr. Alfano’s report under Assistant Code Enforcement officer he feels there is a need and hopes council hires one, and under Mrs. Chamber’s report CDBG – he questioned if there should be a public hearing for that.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Motion by Roberts/Alfano to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 10, 2011 duly carried with all members present stating aye.
TREASURERS REPORT – MS. EVANS
Ms. Evans read the accounts payable and accounts balances for November 30, 2011.
PRESIDENTS REPORT – MRS. CHAMBER
2012 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
Mrs. Chambers stated we had discussed briefly at our working meeting that perhaps this money should be allocated for First Street from the Library to Union Street since it is in deplorable state and we’re looking at $122,000.00. Mr. Bittner stated he spoke to Kerry Fox this week and he thinks we should defer the 2012 funding to combine with the next funding cycle of 2013.
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to defer the 2012 Community Development Block Grant funding to combine with the next funding cycle of 2013 duly carried with all members present voting yes.
2012 MEETING DATES
Mrs. Chambers asked council if Thursdays at 6:30 is still a good time for meeting days and times. Mr.Glab asked about holidays and Mrs. Chambers responded perhaps Holy Thursday and we can just meet earlier in the day.
Motion by Glab/Bittner to advertise the 2012 meeting dates duly carried with all members present voting yes.
CONTINUED MEETING
Mrs. Chambers announced this meeting will be continued until December 19, 2011.
PUBLIC HEALTH – MR. BITTNER
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to have the Solicitor prepare a confidentiality agreement for borough employees to sign duly carried with all members present voting yes.
FREE PARKING – DEC. 23rd – JAN. 2nd.
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to institute free parking from Dec. 23, 2011 through Jan. 2, 2012 duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
EARLY DISMISSAL OF EMPLOYEES – DEC. 23, 2011
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to permit all employees to leave 2 hours early on Dec. 23, 2011 duly carried with all members present voting yes.
STEETSCAPE
Mr. Bittner stated that the Streetscape has gone out for bid so he’s putting our engineer on notice for that and the borough. They would like to put that out to bid this spring and hopefully get it done this summer.
SEWER TAP INS
Mr. Bittner stated we have been receiving requests from some of the folks required to tap into the new sewer system, and it is not that they don’t want to do it but a couple of them are having funding issues where they are receiving grants and their money is coming in the next couple of weeks and a couple of other folks having problems with contractors. He would like council’s permission that he and Shirley work on these on a case by case basis.
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to permit Mr. Bittner and Shirley Evans to work on sewer tap in hardship requests on a case by case basis duly carried with all members present voting yes.
THEATRE DEMOLITION
Mr. Bittner stated that Kerry Fox updated him on the demolition process and he went on the roof of the building and it is more extensive because they are removing the bricks from the steel beams and then they will knock the beams into the interior of the building.
PUBLIC HOUSING – MR. ALFANO
NEW CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
Mr. Alfano introduced the newly hired Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer, Mike Behrens, to council and the audience. Mr. Alfano stated he will be starting around the 15th of this month. Miss Roberts asked if he will be attending the meetings. Mr. Alfano stated he expects so.
ZONING OFFICE UPDATE
Mr. Alfano read the zoning office update and reported $168.00 income for the month of November and the total for the year to date is $69,737.75. Mr. Alfano read the enforcement updates for November.
HIRING ASSITANT ZONING/CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE
Motion by Alfano to hire Shannon L. Kratzer as the Assistant Zoning officer and Code Enforcer at a starting salary of $37,500.00 to be raised to $40,000.00 after his 180 day probationary period effective starting date of Dec. 15, 2011 with the stipulation he passes the physical and background checks duly carried with all members present voting yes.
Mr. Glab asked if this was previously discussed with Mr. Behrens. Mr. Alfano stated he’s not sure if this was discussed or not..
PROPSED APPLICATION FEE FOR PLANNING COMMISSION
Mr. Alfano stated council received their packets an application that Mr. Cottril developed that can be used for applications to the Planning Commission reviews and at this time he would like to propose a fee for Planning Commission reviews that would be $250.00. He asked the solicitor if that needs to be done by ordinance or resolution. Mr. DeHaas stated he will find out and council can do it on the 19th at the continued meeting.
RECREATION AUTHORITY UPDATE
Mr. Alfano read the proposed new slate of officers for the coming year and a 2012 budget that has been distributed for everyone to take a look at. The recreation authority decided to participate in the Social Bike program in the same capacity that council did. They will purchase two bikes in to support the program. He stated they have been meeting regularly with the River Town Project folks and they have a couple of recommendations to be presented to council. The first is to erect a sign at the corner of Third and Union Streets which would be a directional sign stating boat launch is down that street. The second recommendation is instituting a four way stop sign at the corners of Union and Third Street and their reasoning is that the traffic is flowing too freely through there and people are not slowing down and taking a good look at the business district and actually seeing what there is to offer in California. Miss Roberts asked if that could be done on a trial basis to see if that works out. Mr. Alfano brought it up to the Mayor and Chief to get their opinion on it. He was unsure being that it is a state highway if we could do that or not. Mayor Durdines stated you will have to request a traffic study to get that done and perhaps even to erect the directional sign you would have to get some type of permission he would think. Mr. Alfano stated nothing is ever easy but we will investigate it anyhow. Mr. Glab suggested he would also suggest putting a sign up at the wharf indicating where boat trailer parking is. He though at one time there was trailer parking down at the end of Mechanic Street. Mr. Bittner stated there was also white line running down First Street and they were not permitted to park outside the white line. Mr. Alfano stated there is a stop sign missing at Second & Ash Street. Mr. Tuday stated that has been replaced.
Mr. Alfano stated Bright Night was held this past Friday and there were over 70 kids here along with their parents and it was nice turn out. They all received treat bags and there was caroling.
PUBLIC SAFETY – MISS ROBERTS
AMUSEMENT TAX ORDINANCE
Miss Roberts stated everyone should have a copy in your packet or in your mailbox of a sample Amusement Tax Ordinance that Mr. DeHaas put through. She asked that council read it over and give their input to Mr. DeHaas. Mr. Glab suggested sending Mr. Difilippo and Mr. Encapera a copy of the ordinance.
PUBLIC SAFETY – MR. GLAB
Mr. Glab wished everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy holidays.
PUBLIC WORKS – MR. MARISCOTTI
In Mr. Mariscotti absence, Mr. Tuday gave the ongoing operation report. He stated that all the Christmas decoration came in and are put up. He announced that the project on First, Fifth, & Ash Street is complete and Mr. Brower will be reporting on that. He thanked Armstrong Cable for their help and Flowers by Regina for donating the bows on the poles throughout town. Everything is ready for winter the salt spreaders are on and we have about 130 ton of rock salt.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – MR. BROWER
PAVING PROJECT – CHANGE ORDER & PAYMENT REQUEST
Mr. Brower stated he has a change order needing approved. It is a deductive change order for $10, 076.00.
Motion by Roberts/Alfano to approve the change order in the amount of $10,076.00 in favor of the borough duly carried with all members present voting yes.
Motion by Bittner/Alfano to approve payment to Morgan Excavating for the paving project in the amount of $51,296.00 duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
MALDEN/GRANVILLE SEWER PROJECT
CHANGE ORDER/PAYMENT REQUEST
Motion by Glab/Alfano to approve a deduct change order from Glenn Johnston in the amount of $84,712.45 in favor of the borough duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Motion by Bittner/Roberts to authorize the Engineers to issue a Certificate of Substantial completion to Glenn Johnston duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Motion to approve final payment to Glenn Johnston in the amount of $40,108.51 duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Mr. Glab asked if we are withholding a retainage and Mr. Brower replied no that will be covered by bid bonds and insurance and those last for a year.
MAIN PUMP STATION PROJECT
PAYMENT REQUEST
Motion by Roberts/Bittner to approve payment request #10 from Greensburg Environment, Application #9 in the amount of $57,397.57 duly carried on a roll call vote with all members present voting yes.
Mr.Bittner asked if we are going to be in any litigation with them on anything over some of those delays & things down there yet and does this payment infringe on any of this if that would happen to happen. Mr. Brower stated he thinks we are withholding more than is required and the issue they brought up will probably go away and it will be up to council to decide whether they want to explore the option of damages.
Mr. Brower stated after the first of the year he’d like to sit down with council and discuss the Highpoint and Daisytown sewer feasibility studies, and he will schedule a meeting to review the plant drawings before they are submitted to DEP. Mrs. Chambers stated a few months of ago there were people on Highland Drive who came and asked if we could run a sewer line from the top of the Hill near Hill St. down to the stop sign at 88, she stated she has been told that there is sewer running out there and she is wondering if council would consider having Mr. Brower to a feasibility study running a line there. Mr. Alfano stated that would be all gravity flow there and should just be time and material. Mr. Brower stated we didn’t need to survey it but it was discussed putting it with the existing contracts but it was too large for the existing jobs. Mr. Brower stated as he recalls it would make sense because there were a good many EDU’s up there. Mrs. Chambers stated yes and you said the change order would be too big for the existing project.
ROUTE 88 TURNING HAZARD
Mr. Brower stated there needs to be something to done there but we can’t put signs up there because it is a state road but it may be beneficial to have the Chief write a letter to Penndot explaining his concern is he agrees with us and see what kind of reaction he gets. Mr. Hasbrouck gave him the name of a contact from Penndot but he hasn’t had a chance to get a hold of him yet who has some ideas about slowing the traffic down up there. He would say a letter would be the first thing expressing your concerns up there. Mayor stated a letter was sent by the Chief in conjunction with a letter sent from the University expressing their concerns about the roadway. Mayor asked Norm Hasbrouck to elaborate. Mr. Hasbrouck stated the Chief sent a letter and Dr. Armenti sent a letter of support both of them received letters back stating they didn’t believe it to be true, Chris Johnson our director of transportation gave him another name of a high rank and we’ll try that avenue also.
MAYOR’S REPORT – CASEY DURDINES
HARDSHIP PARKING REQUEST
The first one he recommends it be denied because the requestor does not live at the residence where they are requesting a reserved spot.
The second one Chief is recommending approval and it is for 986 Wood Street and the parking space would actually be located on Ellsworth Street. He is asking for a handicap reserved space. Mayor is asking it be approved with the location to be determined by the homeowner, Mr. Tuday, and Chief Gillen.
Motion by Roberts/Alfano to approve a handicap reserved space for the resident at 986 Wood Street duly carried with all members present voting yes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor stated he’d like an executive session regarding part time police officers. Mr. Glab stated since it will be involving police that we’re going to hire later or later this month he believes Mr. Difilippo should be in executive session as well. Mr. DeHaas stated that is permitted with the understanding that whatever is said in there is confidential.