Riverside Borough

AGENDA
BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE COUNCIL MEETING
October 3, 2022
 
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: 
 
I.    OLD BUSINESS
            A. Minutes of 9/19/2022 meeting.
II.        ZONING OFFICER REPORT
III.       STREET DEPARTMENT REPORT
            A. Leaf Season
IV.       SOUTHSIDE FIRE COMPANY REPORT
 V.        POLICE REPORT
 VI.       MAYOR’S REPORT
 VII.     SOLICITOR MICHETTI REPORT
 VIII.    BORO LIFE COMMITTEE
 IX.       NEW BUSINESS
              A. Secretary’s Salary adjustment
              B. State Aid allocation
              C. Thank you Card from Milton Borough
  X.        MOTION TO APPROVE
  XI.       ACTION ITEMS
              A. Danville Area Halloween Parade
              B. Recap of the meeting with PennDot.
XII.        EXECUTIVE SESSION
 
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS Monday, October 17, 2022 @ 7

Riverside Borough Council
Meeting Minutes
August 1, 2022
 
CALL TO ORDER
The August 1, 2022, meeting of the Riverside Borough Council was called to order by Council President, John Domanski at the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside PA at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
ATTENDANCE
OFFICERS:                                           
John Domanski, President
Barb Kriner, Vice President

MEMBERS:
Peter Fleming
Brian Whitenight
Delavan Whitenight
April Shuman
Beth Rake
John Lamotte, Mayor
Joe Michetti, Solicitor
Brian Anderson, Zoning
Kerry Parkes, Police   
 
CITIZENS:                       
Tim Coyne

 

 
Citizens to be heard:
     Peter Fleming moved himself to be heard as a citizen regarding the Riverside Borough Sign that was recently placed back up near the Southside digital sign. He voiced a concern that it is not visible enough.  It is too low.  Brian Anderson spoke up stating it is placed per PennDOT approval.  It can be raised to help visibility, but PennDOT has strict guidelines of where signs can go.  Discussion followed leading to council not knowing the placement would be so hard to see once the project was completed.  It does have light on it now, which it never had before.  One option was to raise it about a foot to help be seen more by traffic.  Another option was to ask if the corner resident could work out a deal to have it permanently placed on their property for better visibility in all directions.  Pete Fleming said he would speak to that resident.  For now, Dan will be asked to raise the sign about a foot to see if that helps visibility.
     Resident, Tim from Ave G spoke next.  He asked what the reason was for the removal of trees on his property and what is the status of the job.  He also asked if there would be any requirements on his part for future maintenance.  He was told by Barb that the removal of the trees being done in riverside was to keep trees out of powerlines and for those trees that are restricting visibility to traffic.  The Borough is removing trees on the right of way.  The homeowner was asked if he was made aware of the removal in advance; and he replied that the contractor did make contact a few days prior, so they were aware.  President John told the homeowner that the tree issues were on the agenda to discuss tonight, and he was welcome to stay for the meeting.
 
Old Business
Minutes of the July 5th Council meeting were approved by Barb and 2nd by Beth.
President, John reported we received a thank you letter from the Community Giving Foundation for the contribution in Memory of Gladys Magill
 
Reports
     Zoning Officer Report:  Brian Anderson presented his report.  15 permits started, 13 issued, 21 meetings/calls and a few inspections this week coming up.  Brian was asked if he resolved a fence issue with a resident and he stated that the issue has been fixed.  President John asked if Brian received a list from Dan Gable regarding properties with shrub issues and if those residents were notified.  Brian said he did receive the list and was in the process of notifying the residents.  Barb made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Brian W.
     Street Dept Report:  Dan was not present, no street dept report this month.  President John D Did report the first round of the tree project had been completed.  Also, the projects on Pine Swamp Hollow and Boyce Roads have been completed. The 2022 paving and road work projects are done.  April brought up an issue on Coyote Lane that is affecting the work that was done on Boyce Road.  PPL is doing projects throughout Riverside to replace the powerlines, building access roads with heavy equipment.  To get the equipment where it is needed, they must build and/or alter roads.  They removed the drainage from Coyote Lane, and it now flows directly to Boyce Road causing some damages.  Luckily it has not rained much.  John D said he would stop by the job site and speak to the project manager to be sure the roads will be put back/fixed upon completion of their projects.  Dan should review with the contractor what conditions to leave the roads in at the completion of their projects.  Peter made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Beth.
     Southside Fire Company Report:    Barb presented the Southside report.  A total of 117-man hours reported for the month of June, a total of 14 events, no property damage reported.  She did explain that the amount on last months report for damage was a structure fire.  The farm equipment fire recently will not be listed on the Southside report as it was in Augusta Twp.  Beth made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Brian W
     Police Report:  Police Chief Kerry Parkes reported there has been a slight decline in big trucks in the borough, but a new class of graduates will be out soon.  A thank you to the VFW for the donation of $1000 to go for equipment of Halligan tools to buy Go Bags for each vehicle. The 2021 grant for the bullet proof vests was approved and received for $1900.  The 2022 grant for $2000 was applied for.  Chief Kerry asked for approval for training classes to be held in the school property in the rooms that are slated to be removed due to the extensive damage.  These rooms for now can be used for Breaching training.  Pick some dates in the fall for trainings.  3-hour blocks of Movement Training, Tactical Training, Breaching Doors, SIM Rounds will be used.  All of this is taking place in the rooms and doors that are slated for demolition.  The officer participating will be considered on duty training and Kerry is coordinating and collecting proof of insurance from participants.  Barb made a motion to approve this training at the school in the section marked for demolition, 2nd by Brian W.
     Mayor’s Report:  Mayor reported that on August 6th about 40-50 people from Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be working in the park and boat ramp.  Washing, painting, mulching, etc.  Beth reported that Bob Stout said to replace playground equipment must be ADA compliant, but not repairs.  Barb made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Peter
     Solicitor Michetti’s Report:  Solicitor presented they first round of sewer delinquency letters went out and payments are being received and some payment plans have been made.  So far receiving around $3000.  The non-responsive resident’s letters are the next stage to go out.  He then reported on the matter of the Settling Basins.  Lot owners are responsible for their maintenance and to keep the appropriate flow of drainage.  Dan will need to submit a list of property owners that are not compliant.  Beth made a motion to accept the report, 2nd by Barb
     Boro Life Committee:  Mayor John reported on Boro Life activity at the Open Swim at Kipps Run.  It went great and had a very good turnout.  On August 7th the Boy Scouts of American will be installing a Sharing Kiosk near the playground.  This will be double sided, with 5 shelves on one side to share produce residents have grown and wish to share; and the other side will be a bulletin board.  Barb made a motion to approve report, 2nd by Delavan
New Business
Quality of Life Ticketing Ordinance:  Solicitor brought up the ordinance that was discussed at the last meeting, properly advertised, and presented; was able to be adopted by council.  Beth made a motion to finalize the ordinance, 2nd by Brian.  Solicitor asked that secretary, Lisa email him a copy of the signed ordinance.
Grant Funding Opportunities:  April reported on some opportunities recommended from the DCED and PSAB websites to help municipalities with funding for large projects.  She had contacted a few, received information on how to obtain large grants to assist in the school project.  These companies are trained to do all the compliant requirements to help during the entire project.  President John D asked if a few workshops could be set up to see if any of these companies would be a fit for the borough.  John added the 2 sewer projects currently in need have been funded by grants received.  Barb made a motion we approve the start of the west sewer project with LDG and start the smoke test on the east project as recommended by LDG.  Brian 2nd the motion.
 
Action Items
Zoning/Coding Enforcement:  President John stated we have a conflict on who is to enforce zoning issues.  Is it a police matter or the zoning officer?  Discussions followed, and solicitor stated the ordinance enforcing (like grass too high in the borough) is a police matter, but others should be done by the zoning officer.  A decision was made to sit with the police and zoning to make a clear decision who will handle which items. 
Cherokee Pharmaceuticals 2022 Borough Property Tax refund request:  Merck applied for a 2021 tax reduction and apparently received it by the county.  Sent us a letter to ask for a refund from local tax.  We are requesting to see the new assessment to find out what is needed to do with this.  We need more information before we proceed.  Solicitor said he would check into this.
Northeast Tree Service:  The next projects of the tree removal in the borough were presented by the company that did the first part.  Solicitor suggested getting other bids for the stump removal to keep caution with pricing. Two proposals were submitted to finish this year’s projects, one for $9,900 to grind stumps to grade, clean up Montour St to walnut trees, & beyond Ave F.  The 2nd is for $9,700 to remove all trees from Line Street to Ave F.  These will include weed whacking and removing vines from poles.  John D did state the current company was the lowest bid on the first-round project.   There are many stumps to be removed, and we should find out if the proposal is removing them flat or below grade. 
Low Income Housing Water Assistant Program (LIHWAP):  Council discussed and need to find out if this can be a help to residents.  Will ask secretary Lisa to research and see if this program can be of any assistance.
 
Executive Session
Barb made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:36 PM, 2nd by Delavan.
 
NEXT MEETING/ADJOURNMENT
The next Riverside Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 6, 2022, at 7:00 pm.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:08 PM by Barb and 2nd by Peter. 
 
Respectfully submitted,
April M Shuman
Acting in absence of Borough Secretary

AGENDA
BOROUGH OF RIVERSIDE COUNCIL MEETING
September 6, 2022
 
PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD: 

I.       OLD BUSINESS
            A. Minutes of 8/1/2022 meeting.
 II.      ZONING OFFICER REPORT
 III.     STREET DEPARTMENT REPORT
 IV.     SOUTHSIDE FIRE COMPANY REPORT
 V.      POLICE REPORT
 VI.    MAYOR’S REPORT
 VII.   SOLICITOR MICHETTI REPORT
 VIII.  BORO LIFE COMMITTEE
 IX.    NEW BUSINESS
            A. Street Department new hire (temporary          position)
  X.     MOTION TO APPROVE
            B. Dennehy Estate Subdivision
 XI.      ACTION ITEMS
             A. Purchase of two swings for Park
        B. LDG Proposals for East & West End Sanitary Sewers
         C. Follow-up for moving the Borough Welcome sign
     
 XII.    EXECUTIVE SESSION
 
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETING IS Monday, September 19, 2022 @ 7:00 P.M.