April 1, 2019 Minutes

The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, April 1, 2019 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA.  Meeting was called to order by President Carolyn M. Bausch at approximately 7:03 pm.  In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter Fleming, Council members Barb Kriner, Beth Rake, John Domanski, Michael Leibel, Mayor John LaMotte, Solicitor Joseph Michetti and Secretary Deborah Bausch.  Absent this evening was Kevin Romansik. 
Audience this evening consisted of Brian Whitenight, J W Snyder, Ruth and Larry Long, Cory and Josh Poticher, Jon Stassel and Nick Fowler. 
Larry Long addressed council first with an issue with his property boundaries.  He had hired a surveyor who could not put pins down as his deed and the county map did not agree.  The front area is the issue.  Solicitor Michetti asked Mr. Long to have his surveyor draw a map and the borough will then check with our engineer as to how to proceed to solve the issue.
Cory Poticher, Brian Whitenight and J W Snyder were here attending as residents seeking council seats in the next election.   Jon Stassel and Nick Fowler were representing Southside Fire Company and Karen Blackledge was here for the Danville News newspaper.
 
Approval of the minutes for March 4, 2019 was put on the table.  Barb Kriner objected to some of the report; however, it was not the minutes for March 4th that she was referring to.  Previous minutes had already been approved by council.  A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the balance being carried by the General Fund.    Barb Kriner stated money should be moved out of General Fund and put in Capital Reserve and not linger in the General Fund.  John Domanski responded that moving the money to Capital Reserve would not accomplish anything.  Solicitor Michetti said he would check into the use of the Capital Reserve funds.  Minutes  of March 4, 2019 were approved on a Motion by Vice President Peter Fleming and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.
Budget Report for January 2019 was then put on the table.  Barb Kriner said there were some typos and she would get them to the secretary later.  Report approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted for.
 
Under Old Business, Peter Fleming discussed COG for our council.  He explained what it does and who is involved.  He asked for a Council member to be our representative to the COG.  Position was last filled by Caressa Compton who has since moved from the Borough.
 
Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer, presented his March Report.  The property at 206 Elysburg Road has been closed and is being renovated.  It will be flipped into a rental property.  The Cook property on Avenue F is also being renovated.  Brian Anderson spoke with Jim Sanders in regards to the construction on Paul Kort’s property for a car detailing garage.  He can hook into his home line but would have a separate bill for the business in addition to the home billing.    Barb Kriner then spoke about people cleaning up their property.  She and John Domanski will be doing a drive around the borough to check on properties.
Dumpster Day has been advertised and is scheduled for May 4, 2019.    Peter Fleming then brought up about RV vehicles being parked on properties.  Discussion proceeded as to parking them and the appropriate ordinances.  Chief Parkes stated he would be able to ticket those RVs that are out of inspection and registration.   Brian stated the ordinance would need changed and he will research our current ordinance.   Zoning Report was approved on a Motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, then addressed Council with the Street Department Report.  He stated they have been busy restoring the back roads.  The bucket truck sold for $2600.00.  The roof of the garage needs sealed as it is leaking.   Quotes from Seidel and Cero were reviewed.  Riverside is going to partner with Mahoning Township to replace the bridge lights with LED lighting.  We will also update some lights in the intersection off the bridge with LED lights.  On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Beth Rake, both quotes from Seidel and Cero ($3,033.90 street lights and $2,859.70 bridge) were approved.  All voted in favor.    Next topic was the paving list for this year.  On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Peter Fleming, the entire list of projected streets was approved to go out for bid.
All voted for.   Josh Poticher who was in the audience then asked about the drainage issue in his area.   Dan discussed options with him.  Final item on the Street Report was the request for a phone for the garage rather than the guys using their personal phones.  They are getting calls that are not Emergency calls.    Chief Parkes stated he can get the phone on our first net account for about $40/month.  Phone was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner; all voted in favor.  John Domanski then questioned the Railroad Crossing repairs scheduled for June 17 -19.  This date has been changed several times and we will be checking with the representative in May to be sure it is still on track.   Street Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski, seconded by Peter Fleming and all voted in favor.
 
Southside Report was presented by Nick Fowler.  He stated the Southside Firemen’s Carnival is scheduled for May 21 – 25, 2019.  The Toy and Pet Parade will be on May 22nd and he asked the Mayor to lead the parade which Mayor John LaMotte acknowledged.   The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2019 at 10:00 am at the Fire Company grounds.    At this point, Jon Stassel of the fire company spoke on the generator that they are requesting our help with the cost.   He stated they will continue with propane rather than natural gas as suggested by John Domanski.    The fire company  is looking to go with DMS Generator Service and Repair for a total cost of $30,677.56.  The fire company is still awaiting word from the Red Cross about designating their facility as an emergency shelter.  Barb Kriner spoke that we had budgeted $15,000.00 for the generator.  Beth Rake stated her understanding was the generator was to go to St Peter’s UMC since they are our designated facility for disasters.  Jon stated the generator would protect equipment if needed and the quotes were good for 30 days.    Barb Kriner made a Motion to release the $15,000 to the fire company to pay towards the generator and they continue to work with the Red Cross.  Seconded by John Domanski and all voted for.
 
Chief Kerry Parkes presented their department report for March.    Lines have been painted on the roadway near the intersection.  He also spoke of driving around the borough and noting junk vehicles which need to be cleared off properties.  Another issue on the table was the stop sign that is missing from the former elementary school.  It was discussed if it should be removed from the code or another sign put up.
Solicitor Michetti said it would become a liability for  public safety issue.  Chief Parkes recommended removal from the code.  John Domanski made a Motion which was seconded by Barb Kriner to update the code book.  All voted for.  A final issue on the table was truck traffic in the borough.  Chief Parkes stated length is easier to enforce rather than weight.  It was agreed 45’ would be the length for the ordinance.
Motion was made by Barb Kriner and seconded by Peter Fleming to proceed with an ordinance restricting trucks with a 45’ length on certain streets in the borough.  All approved.   Beth Rake made a Motion to Approve the Police report; seconded by Mike Leibel.  All voted in favor.
 
Mayor John LaMotte had no report which was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Beth Rake.  All voted for.
 
Solicitor Joseph Michetti spoke with council about his report.  He has sent some notices regarding delinquent sewer accounts.  He is requesting an Executive Session.  His report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
 
Under New Business President Bausch mentioned some papers for council to consider reading and participating.  Papers included an invitation to tour Danville Sewer Plant, a meeting in Sunbury with Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver, PSAB meeting in Danville and a letter from the Danville American Legion Post 40 who is celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year.  Papers were left on the table for review at the end of the meeting.
 
At 8:34 pm, Barb Kriner made a Motion to adjourn to an Executive Session.  Seconded by John Domanski.    Council Adjourned.
 
At approximately 8:48 pm, Barb Kriner made a motion to return to regular session.   Beth Rake seconded the motion.  Regular Session resumed.
 
At about 8:50 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn.  Seconded by Beth Rake.

Council meeting Adjourned.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary