JULY 7 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

The Riverside Borough Council met on Monday, July 7, 2014 at the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside.  In the absence of the President, Vice President Peter Fleming called the meeting to order at 7 pm. In addition to Vice President Fleming, members present included Caressa Compton, John Domanski, Barb Kriner, John LaMotte and Lori Steele.  Solicitor Michetti, Mayor Oberdorf and Secretary Bausch were also present.  President John Novak was absent this evening.

Citizens Present this evening were Carolyn Bausch, Pat Willard, Pat Dewalt, Giselle Mierzwa, Pat St Clair and Larry St Clair.

Larry St Clair spoke on behalf of the residents of Avenue present this evening regarding the property of Donald Cook at 413 Avenue F.  Property is very unsafe and in deplorable condition.  Pat Dewalt stated from her property you can see completely through the home due to hole in the structure.  Concerns about the porch collapsing and vermin living on the grounds were discussed.  Vice President Fleming informed the residents the property is on the blighted property list and has been viewed by our Code Enforcement Officer, Jackie Hart.  Solicitor Michetti also explained some of the proceedings of the blighted property program steps.

Pat Willard then addressed council with concern over some pot holes as you come over the tracks onto S & H Avenue.  Dan Gable, Street Superintendent, stated he had been down to the area referenced and believes that the pot holes are actually on Mill Street which is PennDot property. 

Minutes of June 16, 2014 were reviewed.  John Domanski noted under the Zoning Report, the road should be corrected to read Route 54.   Minutes with correction were accepted on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by John LaMotte.  All voted in favor and motion passed.

Financial Reports for May were approved on a Motion by Lori Steele and seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor.

Police Cruiser information was discussed.  To get a Dodge Charger and have it street ready would be approximately $30,000 to $32,000.  Budget would be about $12,000-$14,000 short of the funding.  On a Motion to table the cruiser until 2015, made by John LaMotte was seconded by Lori Steele.  All voted in favor except John Domanski who voted no.  Motion passed with majority of yes votes.

Brian Anderson then presented Zoning Report.  It was noted the report in tonight’s packet was in error.  New report will be provided later.  Brian did speak on the signs being pulled; he has pulled 11 to date and notified the owners to pick them up at the garage building.  Head Start sign is okay since it is a non- profit organization.  There have been no pool complaints so far this summer.  Caressa Compton made a Motion to accept the report; seconded by Barb Kriner.  All voted in favor; motion passed.

Chief Isaac Ramer is on vacation; police report was read by Mayor Oberdorf.    It was noted all felt the railroad crossing last month went smoothly.  Chief Ramer spent a lot of time on scene; he will receive comp time since he is not eligible for overtime pay.  Report was accepted on a Motion by Lori Steele and seconded by Caressa Compton.  All voted for and report was accepted.

Dan Gable, Street Department Supervisor, gave his Street Report.   The crew has been busy trimming brush and cleaning up storm damage for the storms that passed through recently.  He spoke about the issue on Hillside Estates.  They have back drug the area to fill in the ruts; this area is strictly an access to the borough for the sewer line.   There have been two call outs for downed trees.   Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner.

There was no Southside Report this evening.  Their printer was not working and computer internet was down.

Mayor Joseph Oberdorf stated he had no report this evening.

The Code Enforcement Officer report was reviewed.  Solicitor Michetti has spoken with Jackie Hart and offered his assistance to her in processing the blighted properties.  The 305 Third Street property was discussed as to ownership; property is under the name of Alaina Hartman.    Council has requested Jackie Hart be at our next council meeting on August 4th to discuss the matrix of the blighted properties.  Report was approved on a motion by Barb Kriner and seconded by John Domanski.  All voted in favor.

Solicitor Michetti then reported he has been reviewing the Wastewater agreement with Danville and believes a meeting should be held.  This will be set up for as soon as possible and will include Brad Newlin and the Committee that has been reviewing the proposal with Danville which includes John Novak, Peter Fleming and Joe Oberdorf.  Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Caressa Compton.  All voted in favor.

New Business was regarding a Municipal Leaders Meeting being sponsored by Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver.  Council Members Caressa Compton and Barb Kriner volunteered to attend the Meeting on August 26, 2014 as Representatives for the Borough of Riverside.  Information will be given to Representative Schlegel Culver’s office for our attendees.

John Domanski gave an update on the gas lines.  Project will be going forward but he does not anticipate any work this year.  Residents can still sign up through the www.ugi.com/getgas or call 1-800-276-2722; more onboard will help lower costs.

At 8:10 pm John Domanski made a Motion to adjourn the regular Council session to an Executive session; seconded by Barb Kriner.

The Executive Session ended at 8:38 pm on a Motion by Lori Steele and seconded by John Domanski.

Motion to adjourn the Council meeting was made by John LaMotte and seconded by Caressa Compton.

Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.

Respectfully submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary