4/1/2024 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner, Delavan Whitenight Jr and Ken Gardner.
Also present was Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr. Police Chief Kerry Parkes, Street Department Superintendent Dan Gable, Zoning Office Brian Anderson, Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Citizens present:
Drew Mumich from the Press Enterprise, Residents: Stu Shrawder, Wanda Mandee, David Cook, Deanna Drabant, John Reamer, Christa Guenther and J.W. Snyder.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Christa Guenther stated she and her dog were attacked by two (2) dogs. Kerry said the cases were turned over to the Dog Warden. The owner was cited last year. The Legal charges were cleared and taken to the Judge’s office. The Dog Warden will be in-touch with the victims. It is very difficult to take dogs away. Resident, Deanna Drabant questioned Council as to why they should have to worry about walking dogs on the streets that we pay taxes on. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated you cannot rush the system. He did suggest people call the Dog Warden with complaints; as it takes a lot of dog bites to do something.
Wanda Mandell and Stu Shrawder, owners of 633 Sunbury Rd said the legal ramifications have been lifted on their property regarding the squatter, so they can now start to clean the property up and do renovations.
Resident, J.W. Snyder asked Chief Kerry Parkes about his registration for his vehicle, he said he never received the registration in the mail and was then cited for not having his vehicle registered. Kerry told him to contact the Department of Transportation. John Domanski told Mr Snyder that, ‘He, the owner of the vehicle is responsible to make sure it is registered, not the Police Department.’
 
Old business:
Barb Kriner made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 18 meeting, Beth Rake seconded the Motion.  Approved by all.
Per Attorney Michetti, Minutes of the Workshop held on 3/16 does not require minutes to be taken; therefore, no approval on the Minutes is required.
Ken Gardner stated he does not feel anyone should be able to go through the filing cabinets when they feel like it. All filing cabinets are now locked. Secretary, Lisa will develop a sign-in/sign-out sheet for anyone wishing to look at documents.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson read his report. John Domanski stated he contacted Jackie Hart (with approval of entire Council, see March 18th meeting minutes) to ask if she could do a presentation at the May meeting on her services as a back-up Zoning/Code Officer. Brian Anderson questioned why a back-up officer is needed. Brian said he does not need an assistant and feels offended. Brian stated he has gotten three (3) properties totally cleaned up in his time as Zoning/Code Officer. Brian recommended Council read over the Ordinances to understand them and see if any need updating. Barb made a Motion to accept the Zoning Report, Beth seconded. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable read over the report. He said the Street Department employees are visiting the properties on the list that letters were sent to regarding repairs needed from a smoke test. They are trying to help residents locate the area where the repairs are needed. Dan has been in contact with Cherokee/Merck regarding the 2-3 lines that comes from the Merck property. Merck stated the lines will be capped close to the Main. John D. would like to work with Dan on the abandoned lines. Barb made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report: A report was not submitted.
Police Report:
Kerry presented his report. He commented on the dogs running loose; stating the Police would like to have people Volunteer to house stray dogs for a few days, as there is no-where to put dogs when they catch them running loose.
Kerry mentioned the eCode 360 online is different than in the book copy for Junk Vehicles.
Kerry stated all juveniles have been cited for the break-in at the school property. Barb made a Motion to accept the Police Report, with Beth seconding. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report: Nothing to report.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti presented a Recorded Deed of Easement regarding Dale and Kathleen Whitenight vs. Northumberland and Montour Joint Airport Authority, which dismisses the law suit.
Attorney Michetti discussed the ‘Small Games of Chance’, stating Council could adopt a resolution after updating the ordinance on Amusement taxes. It would have to be enforced and fees would have to be set. Council will discuss at the May 6th meeting. Beth made a Motion to accept the Solicitor’s report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
Barb said the Egg Hunt at the Southside Fire Company was a success. Lots of candy was given out. John Domanski made a Motion to accept the Borough Life report, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
Landlord/Tenant Reporting – Tax Collector, Ruth Peck informed the Borough Secretary that she does not know who is moving in/out of rental properties. Ruth wrote in an email to the Borough, “Requiring Landlords to report tenants, will not only give us a slight increase in Per Capita Tax Income, but it will also be beneficial to the Police Department to know who is moving into our area.” Danville Borough has an Ordinance requiring Landlords to report Tenant changes. The Solicitor stated such an Ordinance would have to Enforced by appointment with the Landlord and Tenant(s). Attorney Michetti will do research on this matter.
Door buzz in - John LaMotte will continue to research.
 
Motion to Approve:
Grant for Covid-19 ARPA PA Multi-purpose Community Facilities Program – a grant application is not feasible at this time. Council will pursue a Grant in the future.
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Action Items:
School Property - John Domanski feels it was a mistake to purchase the school property, located on Avenue A. Spent to date is $70,000.00 + and we have nothing accomplished. We have a $10 million estimate, can Riverside afford this. John D stated, we have the sewer project and Pine Swamp Hollow Road guide rails in process. He feels we should sell the whole property. The Borough owns the lot next to the garage on Avenue D. There is a company called Morton, they will build to your specifications and will lease until paid off. John said to keep in mind, once Merck closes, we will be losing money. John Domanski made a Motion to sell the entire former School property. Peter agrees with John in a number of ways, stating perhaps COVID made the original (cost to build) estimate of $5 million escalate. Peter stated, however, he would like Council to look into other options. John LaMotte stated, they are searching for Grants. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti recommended to have the property appraised. Advertise to Bid or Auction to Bid. Barb Kriner asked if we should sub-divide. The Solicitor said, No, the Borough cannot get into real estate. There were no Second Motions on John Domanski’s Motion. Barb made a Motion to get proposals from a surveyor to present to Council. Ken Gardner seconded the Motion. John D opposed. Barb said her husband welcomes Council to go through their building in Northumberland. John LaMotte mentioned to John Domanski, ‘You missed the Workshop that you wanted scheduled to discuss the new building project.” Peter said two thirds of the building can be demolished. $350,000.00 to do demolition, $115,000.00 per square foot to do renovations, per the Engineering Company. John D asked if the tank in the ground is in included in the demolition estimate.
Council decided to table the discussion on digitizing the office records until an estimate is received.
 
Bridge Lights – Ken Gardner contacted the manufacturer of the current lights on the bridge. The company did not recommend aluminum. Ken received a quote of $3,000.00 for the six poles, which he is going to confirm that quote. Mahoning Township paid $7,800.00 to install the 6 poles, plus $20,000.00 for the lights. Ken also contacted Lewisburg about their light poles. They inspect them annually and paint them every ten years.
 
Borough Ordinance, Chapter 225-Sewers and Chapter 238-Solid Waste:
Discussion was held regarding the Real Property, the Borough’s Right-of-Ways (R.O.W.) and Lateral maintenance. Solicitor Michetti stated anything in the Right-of-Ways is the Borough’s responsibility. Property owners are responsible from the home to the R.O.W. Dan Gable explained by drawing how R.O.W.’s are exceeding in property lines. John Domanski said the R.O.W. Ordinance states they must be free of trees, shrubbery and buildings. John D said the Ordinance states a property owner is responsible to the property line. Dan asked Council if the ordinance can be defined. Peter commented on the delinquent sewer accounts. He would like to see names and properties published in the newspaper. Council will discuss such action at the next meeting.
 
Executive Session:
At 9:45pm, Barb made a Motion to go into Executive Session for personnel issues. Beth seconded. All in Favor.
At 10:20pm, Council went back into Regular Session. John Domanski made a Motion to hire Attorney Slusser for consultation. Ken Gardner seconded. Beth opposed.
 
Council Adjourned at 10:22pm
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary