1/2/2024 Meeting Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. The Re-Organizational Meeting was called to Order by Mayor John LaMotte at 7:00pm. 
 
Council members present: 
President Barb Kriner, John Domanski, Peter Fleming (via Audio), Delavan Whitenight, Jr and Beth Rake. 
Also present were Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr., Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Citizens present in the Audience were Brian Whitenight, April Shuman, Clark Shuman, Ken Gardner, Murray Johnson and Todd Deroba.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor, John LaMotte conducted the Swearing into office of the following: Barb Kriner, Steve Wagner and Todd Deroba. Todd Deroba immediately submitted a letter of resignation, as he could not accept the Council seat due to his new job.
 
John LaMotte asked for Motions to nominate a Council President and Vice President.
President nomination for Barb Kriner was made by Delavan Whitenight, Jr.
John Domanski made a Motion to nominate Steve Wagner for President, with Beth Rake seconding the Motion. Steve received four (4) votes. Barb received one (1) vote. Steve Wagner elected as Council President.
Vice President Nomination was made by John Domanski for Beth Rake. Delavan Whitenight nominated Barb.
Beth received four (4) votes for Vice President. Barb received one (1) vote. Beth Rake elected as Vice President.
 
Barb made a Motion to re-appoint all appointed Borough employees, the Solicitor, Zoning Officer, Sewage Enforcement Officer, Building Inspection Underwriters and Engineers. John Domanski seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
John Domanski made a Motion to re-appoint the Planning Commission Members. Beth seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to re-appoint current Zoning Board Members. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Motion was made to hold for the Montour C.O.G. (Council of Government) representative, as the Borough needs a volunteer to fill the position.
Barb made a Motion to re-appoint EMA Director, Todd Oberdorf. John Domanski seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to appoint April Shuman as D.A.E.I.T.O (Danville Area Earned Income Tax Office) Board Member, appointing Brian Whitenight as Alternate Board Member. John Domanski seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
At 7:11pm, Barb made a Motion to adjourn the Re-Organizational meeting, with John Domanski seconding the Motion. All in Favor.
 
President Steve Wagner called the Regular Meeting to start.
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Ken Gardner stated he submitted a letter of interest for the vacant seat on 12/22/23 and would appreciate the opportunity to serve the Community.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 12/18/2023 were read. John Domanski made a motion to approve the Minutes, Delavan Whitenight, Jr seconded the Motion. All in favor.
Beth suggested to have Lisa send the minutes to Council Members, as she has been doing; but have Council approve any changes at the next meeting. All agreed.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson was not present to present his report.  John Domanski asked who does the final inspection on properties and how do we know things are being done correctly. BIU does final inspections. Beth made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, Barb Kriner seconded. All in favor.
 
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report. Dan stated there was Street sign damage due to big trucks on Sunbury Rd & Ave F, 6th St & Ave F, Sunbury Rd & Factory St.  Peter asked if there was any record of who did the damage, Dan stated he did not know who did the damage. John Domanski questioned if we have received any information from Larson Design Group on a Generator quote. John asked Dan to check into the quote. Dan spoke with Joe Pfirman with Larson regarding the location of all the septic tanks and he was given all the information. John made a motion to accept the Street Department report. Beth seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
No report presented.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes read his report. The Police Department did not receive any payment(s) from the Magistrates Office in December. Two (2) of his Officers were off in December with Covid. Kerry said he is not certain they want to keep the Tasers. A Medical Marijuana Enforcement Grant was awarded in the amount of $17,000.00. Andy Rupp will be attending Drug Training and all Officers will go to Medical Marijuana training using some of the Grant money. Kerry stated they now have an Evidentiary Alcohol Breath Test machine. They will no longer have to transport suspected Drivers’ of DUI to Geisinger for testing. A bill from the Antenna company was received this date of 1/2/24 for work done in July 2023, this bill will now have to go in the Police budget for 2024, when it was budgeted for in 2023.
John Domanski motioned to accept the Police report, Barb seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor had nothing to report.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti stated December was a quiet month; therefore, he had nothing to report.
 
Borough Life:
Beth said she has an idea for a St. Patrick’s Day event in the Park and will announce the details closer to that event.
 
New Business:
Barb made a Motion to accept the Resignation letter from Todd Deroba stepping down from his Council seat, as his job does not permit him to be on Council. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated Council has 30 days to fill the vacant position. The person will serve until 12/31/2025. Attorney Michetti stated there are two (2) options; the vacancy can be advertised or appoint one of the three (3) people whom submitted letters of interest in the position. Barb stated, “In her opinion, Brian Whitenight should be appointed to fill the empty seat.” John Domanski made a Motion to advertise the vacancy. Delavan said, “I feel Brian should be appointed as he did all the paperwork for the Election.” Peter said, “I think we should pick from the three (3) whom submitted letters of interest.” Peter made a Motion to appoint Michel Steimling, Sr. A Second Motion was not made. John Domanski made a Motion to appoint Ken Gardner. Beth Seconded the Motion. Barb made a motion to appoint Brian Whitenight, with Delavan Whitenight Jr seconding the Motion. Beth, John Domanski, Peter and Steve all Voted to appoint Ken Gardner to fill the vacant seat on Council. Barb moved to “slate of Candidates be closed”. Ken Gardner appointed to the vacant Council Seat. All in Favor.
Mayor, John LaMotte gave Ken Gardner the Oath of Office as Council Member.
 
Motion to Approve:
Barb suggested the purchase of an office laptop and wall mount large screen for Council Members to use for Zoom meetings and the BoroLife email account. Ken Gardner questioned what Budget account this purchase will come out of. It will come out of the General Office equipment account. Barb made a motion to permit Secretary, Lisa to purchase a laptop and wall mount computer, not to exceed $1,200.00. John Domanski seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Action Items:
Septic tank locations: Dan gave all information to Larson Design Group. Barb asked if Larson has decided how they will handle the tanks that are under porches, decks or garages. Barb asked if something could just be pumped into those tanks. John Domanski said there are quite a few of them. Ken Gardner asked if you could cut through the garage flooring. Delavan questioned who would assume the cost for doing so. Lisa will set up a meeting with Larson Design Group and Council Members for a plan on the covered septic tanks.
 
There was no Executive Session.
 
John made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Barb seconded the motion. Council adjourned at 7:57 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
 
Lisa Fritz
Secretary