2/5/2024 Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President Steve Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner and Ken Gardner.
 
Also present were Solicitor Attorney Joseph Michetti, Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable, Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Council Member Delavan Whitenight, Jr
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
Resident, Aaron Wright stated on behalf of the “Victory of Life Church”, they are interested in perhaps purchasing the former school property to move their Church there and hopefully make a nice area for residents to walk and bring their families.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 01/15/2024 were read.
John Domanski stated there was never a Vote by Council members to approve the purchase of a vehicle for the Police Department this year. The Police purchase a vehicle every three (3) years through Co-Stars. John D suggested to get three (3) sealed bids for the purchase. Chief Kerry Parkes stated Co-Stars did get three (3) bids and Zimmerman’s in Sunbury was the lowest. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti said it has been custom and tradition to put Bids out to purchase a new vehicle. He also said the Borough can take phone solicitations for vehicles. Beth Rake said the issue is that previously, prices were brought to Council for review and approval. Dan Gable stated if we go through Co-Stars, it is not a requirement to Bid out.
A vehicle has already been ordered for the Police Department. Council President Steve Wagner stated a vehicle purchase does need to be brought to the table for approval. Barb made a Motion to ratify the purchase of the vehicle that was ordered and in the future, bring the purchase to the table. Peter Fleming seconded. John Domanski opposed.
 
Barb mentioned the Minutes do not have to be typed verbatim, but would like to continue to have the Secretary send them to Council for review. Barb stated there have been many times in the past they have looked back at minutes and what they were looking was not in the Minutes. Barb said she feels the 1/15/2024 Minutes make it sound like her and John Domanski rushed into the sewer projects. Steve Wagner stated, “No one feels that way.” Steve stated we cannot pick things apart. Beth made a Motion to go back to streamlined Minutes. Peter seconded. Barb and John D. opposed. Beth made a Motion to approve the 1/15/24 Minutes, with Barb seconding. All in Favor.
 
East and West End Sewer Projects – Barb stated Danville Borough will be closely watching the levels of Nitrates and Phosphates in 2024 and if they are over the limit, Danville Borough will be charging a fee to Riverside Borough.
Steve and John D met with Justin Skavery (Northumberland County Grant Writer) to discuss the grant option use for the East and West projects. Justin said the grant monies could be used for one or the other or both, as long as it is documented. Riverside Borough must match any Grant monies. A loan was applied for through PennVest. Steve asked Barb to work with PennVest, through the loan process.
Steve asked John D to work with the Grant(s) process. Larson Design Group recommended work to be done on the East End first. The Borough has until 2026 to use the One Million dollar ($1,000,000.00) grant. Ken stated the he read over the Grant and nowhere in the information does it state the Borough must match the funding. Justin Skavery informed the Borough that there are no grants that are not matching. Steve asked Peter to look into the possibility of selling the sewer. Ken felt if the Borough does sell, most of the grant will be an investment.
 
A discussion was held to change the locks on the Borough building and get locks for the filing cabinets in the Borough office. Beth will look into lock additions/changes.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson’s report was read. Brian visited a property to verify no sewer usage was in place. No usage was found; therefore, the owner will cap the line. The owner will have to pay a tap-in fee if re-connecting. Barb made a Motion to accept the Zoning report. Beth seconded. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable read his report. Dan will make a list of the trees that need removed, including stump removal. There are trees hanging over the Pump Station. Dan received a quote from Northeast Tree Service. John D made a Motion to have NorthEast cut the trees. Peter seconded. All in Favor. John D discussed Pine Swamp Hollow Rd, a section needs to be repaired. PennDot looked at the roadway, it does not appear the bank or shoulder is giving away. The Street Department did place reflective markers to alert drivers in that section of the roadway on Pine Swamp Hollow Rd. Beth made a motion to accept the Street Department report, with Peter seconding. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Reports were submitted for the months: September, October, November and December of 2023. John D made a Motion to accept the reports, with Barb seconding. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes presented his report. Kerry stated Danville Borough has a tax for PA Skills Games. Barb stated there is an Amusement tax in the Code Book.
John motioned to accept the Police report, Barb seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
The Mayor had nothing to report.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
One property in the Borough is scheduled for Sheriff’s Sale.
Whitenights’ signed an agreement to discontinue the action regarding the tree issue. The Action will be a stipulation of the Court. Beth made a Motion to accept the Solicitor’s report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
Nothing to report.
 
New Business:
FaceBook – the Borough will be implementing a new FaceBook page.
 
Motion to Approve:
Beth made a Motion to approve the 2024 TRA Electric Maintenance Agreement. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
John made a Motion to accept the 2024 PennDot Municipal Winter Traffic Services Agreement. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
A discussion was held regarding the past due sewer accounts. The penalty is currently $5.00 per quarter. John Domanski made a Motion to increase the penalty amount to $25.00 per quarter effective with the first quarter of 2024. Beth seconded. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
No action items.
 
Executive Session:
At 9:30pm, Peter made a Motion to move into Executive Session. John seconded.
 
At 10:14pm, Barb made a Motion to go back into Regular Session, with Peter seconding. All in Favor.
 
Council adjourned at 10:15 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary