The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, August 3, 2020 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside. Council members present this evening were President John Domanski, Vice President Barb Kriner, Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, Kevin Romansik and Brian Whitenight. Solicitor Joseph Michetti and Secretary Deborah Bausch were also present. Absent this evening were Member Carolyn Bausch and Mayor John LaMotte. President John Domanski called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
The audience included State Representative Lynda Culver, firefighters Ken Strausser, Nick and Paul Sandri, John Buckenberger, Jeremiah Walter, Jon Stassel, Brian Barnes, Josh Poticher and Danville News reporter Joe Sylvester.
Ken Strausser addressed council first and presented everyone with a copy of a packet Friendship Fire Company had assembled regarding their need for a new ladder truck. Beth Rake questioned if it is the only ladder truck in Montour County and Ken responded yes it is. It is currently out of service and in Mill Hall for repairs; Bloom Ladder truck will assist in an emergency while the truck is out of service. Conversation was quite lengthy between the fire company, council and the audience members. Peter Fleming inquired if they had applied for any grants; Ken Strausser stated they have been at the Danville Borough as well as DBA and DRIVE. Beth Rake also questioned if women were allowed in the Friendship since it had been strictly male members in the past. Vice President Barb Kriner said that had changed and women are now welcomed. Josh Poticher asked if the fire company had gone to any other companies outside the county for assistance. He continued that our own fire company should be first for help with firefighting equipment; our tanker is a ’95; many other departments in the borough could use updating before our tax dollars cross the river. Nick Fowler then said the ladder truck is not on their call boxes. It has to be requested as a special request if needed. Beth Rake asked if they could deny sending the ladder truck; it was agreed they could but all there said that would not happen. President John Domanski said council will take their request under advisement when working on our new budget. Most of the firefighters then departed the meeting.
Old Business began with the approval of the Minutes of the July 6, 2020 meeting. This was by Motion of Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight; all voted for.
Budget Reports for June 2020 was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner, seconded by Beth Rake and all voted in favor.
Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer, then presented his report for July. He said he had to have some business signs removed from roadways to comply with state laws. One pool permit had to be paid and that check was received today. Report approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Kevin Romansik; all voted for.
The Street Department Report consisted of opening bids for the Borough Paving job. Results are attached to these minutes. Low bidder was a new company in our area, Big Rock Paving and the question was asked if we had to accept the lowest bidder. Solicitor Michetti stated it is best to do so but all bids can be held. Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the Big Rock Paving Bid of $51,262.50 upon study of contract and it meets specs as reviewed by solicitor; seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Nick Fowler, Southside Fire Company Chief, presented the report for the fire company for July. He read the monthly figures. The Fire Company is planning another 911 Memorial Walk to be followed by an ice cream social on 9/11 and 9/12. Nick Fowler then said the new radios had been received. Nick then asked to make a statement regarding the earlier presentation by the firefighters. He stated they were requested to take the ladder truck off their boxes as they would not respond here unless it was made as a special request. Josh Poticher then stated our Southside Fire Company can use our attention and not that we don’t want to support other entities but we do have needs here in our own borough and no structures such as GMC; if the borough does contribute he would like to see an external audit done on the Friendship Ladder Truck Fund and this would be requested as a taxpayer not a firefighter. Southside Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Beth Rake. All voted in favor.
Chief Kerry Parkes addressed council with the Police Department report. He started with mentioning police reforms that are upcoming mainly accreditation. He provided a printout about Lexipol who handles policy books and updates. Vice President Barb Kriner inquired about the price and Solicitor Michetti suggested we check with our insurance company if it would lower premium for the borough. Chief Parkes said cost would be about $3,000.00 since we have under 5 officers.
Chief Parkes then added he would like to see the 911 Walk event/ice cream social have the ice cream truck present and the borough sponsor small cones for everyone. He stated it would be about $1.00 for a cone and if someone wanted something else, they would pay out of pocket for it. He felt carnival food could be boxed and orders taken ahead of time Chief Parkes said he had asked for funds for National Night Out and that has been cancelled. . Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted for.
There was no Mayor report this evening.
The Solicitor stated he had nothing to report this evening.
Motion to approve an addendum to the Police Contract was executed and signed on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner. Corporal Brad Harvey thanked Council for their cooperation and especially Chief Parkes who has brought things forward for their department. Beth Rake said we appreciate our police officers which was also agreed by Vice President Barb Kriner.
Standing Committee Reports were put on the table. The two committees are the noise/ordinance committee and 2021 celebration committee. A report was attached to reports tonight for the 2021 celebration committee. Both committees agreed they had not had meetings as yet; Vice President Barb Kriner volunteered to help Brian with the fireworks/noise ordinance. Motion was made by Vice President Barb Kriner to table reports until next meeting; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted for.
Peter Fleming then addressed council regarding Pickle ball Courts. He presented a drawing of what would be painted on our current tennis court to make it a pickle ball court. He explained pickle ball is a cross between ping pong and tennis. Vice President Barb Kriner asked about costs and Peter Fleming stated no price but is asking for the borough to buy the paint. She then made a motion to approve the necessary items to add the pickle ball court to the tennis court; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted in favor.
The Borough building cupola was discussed. President John Domanski said he had Steinbacher look at the cupola which is leaking and give us an idea of what repairs would cost.
A quote was received from Steinbacher construction which was under the threshold of bid requirements. Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to solicit Steinabacher Construction to do the repairs; however, Brian Whitenight wants more than one bid on the project; the solicitor said phone calls could be acceptable. Motion was modified to have Secretary Bausch solicit 1 or 2 additional quotes via phone and go with the lower bidder to get the job done; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted for.
At approximately 8 pm, A Motion was made by Vice President Barb Kriner to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Beth Rake.
At this time, Chief Kerry Parkes was greeted by his family for a surprise 25 Years of Service presentation. Council President John Domanski presented a certificate and card to Chief Parkes and thanked him for his service to our community. Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver also presented Chief Parkes with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service and spoke of the role of our police department. The final presentation was a Certificate presented by Senator John Gordner’s office; it was read by Vice President Barb Kriner on his behalf. Brad Harvey presented the Chief with a “little card” on behalf of the RPOA. Presentations were followed with cake and a time of fellowship with all in attendance.
All left the building at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary
The audience included State Representative Lynda Culver, firefighters Ken Strausser, Nick and Paul Sandri, John Buckenberger, Jeremiah Walter, Jon Stassel, Brian Barnes, Josh Poticher and Danville News reporter Joe Sylvester.
Ken Strausser addressed council first and presented everyone with a copy of a packet Friendship Fire Company had assembled regarding their need for a new ladder truck. Beth Rake questioned if it is the only ladder truck in Montour County and Ken responded yes it is. It is currently out of service and in Mill Hall for repairs; Bloom Ladder truck will assist in an emergency while the truck is out of service. Conversation was quite lengthy between the fire company, council and the audience members. Peter Fleming inquired if they had applied for any grants; Ken Strausser stated they have been at the Danville Borough as well as DBA and DRIVE. Beth Rake also questioned if women were allowed in the Friendship since it had been strictly male members in the past. Vice President Barb Kriner said that had changed and women are now welcomed. Josh Poticher asked if the fire company had gone to any other companies outside the county for assistance. He continued that our own fire company should be first for help with firefighting equipment; our tanker is a ’95; many other departments in the borough could use updating before our tax dollars cross the river. Nick Fowler then said the ladder truck is not on their call boxes. It has to be requested as a special request if needed. Beth Rake asked if they could deny sending the ladder truck; it was agreed they could but all there said that would not happen. President John Domanski said council will take their request under advisement when working on our new budget. Most of the firefighters then departed the meeting.
Old Business began with the approval of the Minutes of the July 6, 2020 meeting. This was by Motion of Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight; all voted for.
Budget Reports for June 2020 was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner, seconded by Beth Rake and all voted in favor.
Brian Anderson, Zoning Officer, then presented his report for July. He said he had to have some business signs removed from roadways to comply with state laws. One pool permit had to be paid and that check was received today. Report approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Kevin Romansik; all voted for.
The Street Department Report consisted of opening bids for the Borough Paving job. Results are attached to these minutes. Low bidder was a new company in our area, Big Rock Paving and the question was asked if we had to accept the lowest bidder. Solicitor Michetti stated it is best to do so but all bids can be held. Peter Fleming made a motion to accept the Big Rock Paving Bid of $51,262.50 upon study of contract and it meets specs as reviewed by solicitor; seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Nick Fowler, Southside Fire Company Chief, presented the report for the fire company for July. He read the monthly figures. The Fire Company is planning another 911 Memorial Walk to be followed by an ice cream social on 9/11 and 9/12. Nick Fowler then said the new radios had been received. Nick then asked to make a statement regarding the earlier presentation by the firefighters. He stated they were requested to take the ladder truck off their boxes as they would not respond here unless it was made as a special request. Josh Poticher then stated our Southside Fire Company can use our attention and not that we don’t want to support other entities but we do have needs here in our own borough and no structures such as GMC; if the borough does contribute he would like to see an external audit done on the Friendship Ladder Truck Fund and this would be requested as a taxpayer not a firefighter. Southside Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Beth Rake. All voted in favor.
Chief Kerry Parkes addressed council with the Police Department report. He started with mentioning police reforms that are upcoming mainly accreditation. He provided a printout about Lexipol who handles policy books and updates. Vice President Barb Kriner inquired about the price and Solicitor Michetti suggested we check with our insurance company if it would lower premium for the borough. Chief Parkes said cost would be about $3,000.00 since we have under 5 officers.
Chief Parkes then added he would like to see the 911 Walk event/ice cream social have the ice cream truck present and the borough sponsor small cones for everyone. He stated it would be about $1.00 for a cone and if someone wanted something else, they would pay out of pocket for it. He felt carnival food could be boxed and orders taken ahead of time Chief Parkes said he had asked for funds for National Night Out and that has been cancelled. . Report was approved on a Motion by Vice President Barb Kriner and seconded by Brian Whitenight. All voted for.
There was no Mayor report this evening.
The Solicitor stated he had nothing to report this evening.
Motion to approve an addendum to the Police Contract was executed and signed on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Vice President Barb Kriner. Corporal Brad Harvey thanked Council for their cooperation and especially Chief Parkes who has brought things forward for their department. Beth Rake said we appreciate our police officers which was also agreed by Vice President Barb Kriner.
Standing Committee Reports were put on the table. The two committees are the noise/ordinance committee and 2021 celebration committee. A report was attached to reports tonight for the 2021 celebration committee. Both committees agreed they had not had meetings as yet; Vice President Barb Kriner volunteered to help Brian with the fireworks/noise ordinance. Motion was made by Vice President Barb Kriner to table reports until next meeting; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted for.
Peter Fleming then addressed council regarding Pickle ball Courts. He presented a drawing of what would be painted on our current tennis court to make it a pickle ball court. He explained pickle ball is a cross between ping pong and tennis. Vice President Barb Kriner asked about costs and Peter Fleming stated no price but is asking for the borough to buy the paint. She then made a motion to approve the necessary items to add the pickle ball court to the tennis court; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted in favor.
The Borough building cupola was discussed. President John Domanski said he had Steinbacher look at the cupola which is leaking and give us an idea of what repairs would cost.
A quote was received from Steinbacher construction which was under the threshold of bid requirements. Vice President Barb Kriner made a Motion to solicit Steinabacher Construction to do the repairs; however, Brian Whitenight wants more than one bid on the project; the solicitor said phone calls could be acceptable. Motion was modified to have Secretary Bausch solicit 1 or 2 additional quotes via phone and go with the lower bidder to get the job done; seconded by Beth Rake. All voted for.
At approximately 8 pm, A Motion was made by Vice President Barb Kriner to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Beth Rake.
At this time, Chief Kerry Parkes was greeted by his family for a surprise 25 Years of Service presentation. Council President John Domanski presented a certificate and card to Chief Parkes and thanked him for his service to our community. Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver also presented Chief Parkes with a Certificate of Appreciation for his service and spoke of the role of our police department. The final presentation was a Certificate presented by Senator John Gordner’s office; it was read by Vice President Barb Kriner on his behalf. Brad Harvey presented the Chief with a “little card” on behalf of the RPOA. Presentations were followed with cake and a time of fellowship with all in attendance.
All left the building at approximately 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary
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