August 5, 2019 Minutes

As approved at the September 3 meeting, minutes of 8/5/19 follow:
The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, August 5, 2019 in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside, PA.  President Carolyn Bausch called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00 pm with the following council members present:  Vice President Peter Fleming, Barb Kriner, Beth Rake, John Domanski, Michael Leibel and Kevin Romansik.  In addition those present included Solicitor Joseph Michetti, Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Deborah Bausch. 
 
The audience this evening included Nicholas Fowler, Todd and Sheri Oberdorf, Ken Kremser and Brian Whitenight as well as Danville News Reporter Karen Blackledge.
 
Ken Kremser addressed council with his concern about the traffic light at the intersection.  He spoke of changing the light to a No Turn on Red coming from Elysburg Road to go across the bridge.  He has seen many drivers not following the signs and turning at the wrong times.  Chief Parkes commented that to get a No Turn on Red would be a PennDot issue and there is a meeting scheduled in the office with the PennDot representatives next week.  This request will be brought up at that time for Penn Dot consideration.
 
Todd Oberdorf then addressed council with several issues.  He began with the drainage issue at this property.  He has spoken with Penn Dot officials about the ditch line in the area and how it affects the properties there.  After storms, he has to sweep the stones from the roadway.  He provided photos for the council to see as well as Chapter 8 of Pub 23 which addresses drainage maintenance.  He then addressed water run off on 9th Street between Avenue G and H.  Rain water lays on the southern side of roadway but not west of Avenue G intersection since road is crowned In that area.  He further stated the road has not been paved for approximately 36 years.  Color photos were provided for reference.  His final item of concern was the grass clippings being blown into the roadways by residents when they cut their lawns.  This is a safety hazard and needs addressed.  A lengthy conversation ensued concerning grass cutting.  Peter Fleming agreed that blowing grass clippings into the streets could be a safety hazard.  Beth Rake suggested a flyer be sent to residents to make them aware of the danger of grass in the roadways.  Talk included how organic matter can accumulate holding water on the roadway and not allowing water to flow freely which could ultimately damage roads.  Peter Fleming stated we should have an ordinance; Solicitor Michetti responded that he will look into other boroughs and see how they handle this issue.  Chief Kerry Parkes also spoke of a Quality of Life Ticket program he is going to speak about later in the meeting and the grass could possibly be part of that program.  Enforcement came up in regards to the grass clippings and Brian Anderson asked how you could determine whose grass was actually on the roadway when you have homes in close proximity.  Carolyn Bausch asked how you would determine an “amount” for an ordinance.  Dan Gable stated the brush hog leaves a trail of clippings behind it but they cannot do anything about those clippings.   Kevin Romansik added we need to look into ordinances for more information before action can be taken.
 
Old Business stated with review of the Minutes of the July 1, 2019 meeting.   Minutes were approved on a Motion by Beth Rake; seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
The May Budget report was put on the table for review.  At this time discussion was held about the amount of funds in the general fund account.  Barb Kriner spoke of moving money to a savings account so that it would still be accessible if needed.  Secretary Bausch stated the Credit Union has a Platinum Money Market which would be a better choice for a depository; Barb Kriner agreed with using the Money market account.
 Barb Kriner then made a Motion to move $500,000.00 from the General Fund to the Platinum Money Market Account; seconded by Peter Fleming and all voted in favor.    Barb Kriner then made a Motion to approve the May Budget report; seconded by Beth Rake.  All voted for.
 
Brian Anderson then presented the Zoning Report for July.  He addressed council with a request for an increase in his salary; his last increase was 9 years ago.  The Zoning Report was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Peter Fleming; all voted in favor.  Peter Fleming then made a Motion to approve the pay raise as stated in the letter; seconded by Beth Rake.  All voted for.  Peter Fleming further amended his pay raise motion to indicate it is for 2020 budgeting; Beth Rake  seconded the Amended Motion.  All voted in favor.
 
Dan Gable addressed council with the Street Department report.  The Pump stations have been cleaned and the street lights are now changed out to LED lights.  Dan spoke of some issues on Mainzer Hill Road that should be addressed; he presented two quotes from Sudol Paving to do some hole repairs and to recrown 750 lineal feet of roadway with DSA materials.  Quotes were $1000.00 and $2650.00 respectively.  John Domanski made a Motion to approve both quotes on the condition projects be completed prior to September 15, 2019.  Peter Fleming seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Dan Gable then gave a thank you to John Domanski for getting us a new spot to dump our leaves this year as a trial period.  The site is near Crest Haven and will be easier for the street crew to get to; John Domanski was instrumental in procuring this site.  Truck Limit signs are in place; signs are still needed for Circle Drive/Meadowlark Lane area for No Parking between signs.    Previous council meetings have brought up the issue of rotating our vehicles.  Dan stated we have two 2005 t tag trucks; one is going to be retained as a leaf collection and back up vehicle but the other 2005 should be replaced.   Our newest truck was about $93,000.00.  Will address at budget time.  Dan then stated a resident of Mainzer Hill had contacted him about runoff caused by a neighbor’s driveway.  Dan asked for legal clarification since that home is in Rush Township; however, they are connecting their driveway to the Riverside Borough roadway.  Solicitor Michetti stated since it is our road, the homeowner would need a Riverside Borough permit to connect onto our roadway.  Barb Kriner spoke of the guide rails for Mainzer Hill; there are reflective markers up and make it easier to see the roadway.   President Bausch then commented on how impeccable neat/clean the garage area is.  She had stopped in and everything was so neat and orderly; kudos to the guys for keeping it looking so nice.  Barb Kriner then made a motion to approve the Street Department Report; seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.
 
The Southside Fire Company report was read by Fire Chief Nicholas Fowler.  There was no property loss in July.  A recall on the new engine put it out of service for a short time.  With no further questions on the report, Barb Kriner made a Motion to Approve the report which was seconded by John Domanski and all voted in favor.
 
Chief Kerry Parkes then gave the Police Report for July 2019.   The gun storage door is in place and they just need to build some shelving in that room.  He then spoke of the Quality of Life ticketing program and provided samples of Danville door hangers presently being used in that borough.  He would like to add junk vehicles to our hangers.  The response rate is about 95% to courtesy door hanger notices.  Senate Bill 607 dealing with Police Radar use is coming up for a vote.   Chief said the truck signs are up and can be enforced in 90 days.  He would like to amend our streets of no trucks to include Factory Street.   Solicitor Michetti felt this could all be done at one time with the grass clipping/quality of life ticketing program ordinances.  Peter asked about google maps which are not current and giving drivers the wrong information.   Police report was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake and seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
The Mayor had no report which was approved on a Motion by Beth Rake, seconded by Barb Kriner and approved by all present.
 
Solicitor Michetti also had not report which was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Beth Rake.  All voted for.
 
Under New Business, John Domanski inquired about fireworks having designated times.  There seems to be fireworks going off at all times of the evening.  Brian Whitenight said the PA Dept of Agriculture has guidelines for fireworks displays; he is planning a training class in the near future to educate people on use and safety.  We will check surrounding communities for fireworks ordinances.
 
The Minimum Municipal Obligation budgets for Police and Non Uniform Personnel were presented to Council.  Both were approved on a Motion by John Domanski, seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
 
Also presented to council was a retainer agreement for engineering services to be provided by Larson Design Group.  Approved on a Motion by Beth Rake, seconded by Peter Fleming.  All voted in favor.
 
Winter Services Agreement was also approved at tonight’s council session.  Motion for approval was made by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted for.
 
One last agenda topic was an email from LDG inquiring if we would like to budget funds to complete the sewer mapping project that was previously done.  Some areas still need mapped.  Note will be passed to Dan Gable and item will be discussed at the next council meeting.
 
At approximately 8:06 p.m., John Domanski made a Motion to adjourn the council session.  Seconded by Beth Rake.  Council adjourned.
 
Respectfully submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary