March 18, 2024 Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Beth Rake, Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner, Delavan Whitenight Jr and Ken Gardner.
Also present was Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Citizens present:
Residents Deanna and Chloe Drabant, Robert Rickard and Andrew Mumich from the Press Enterprise.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Deanna Drabant addressed Council with a dog issue. She and her daughter were walking their dog on the corner of 4th and Line Street on Monday, March 11th. Deanna said her dog was attacked by two dogs. Her dog was bit and had to be taken to a Veterinarian. The dog had puncture wounds, but did not require stitches. Deanna stated the very next day, Tuesday, March 12th, another resident was walking her dog and was attacked by the same two (2) dogs. The lady had a back injury from the dogs knocking her to the ground and they were attacking her dog. Her dog also had to be taken to a Veterinarian. Again, puncture wounds were found on her dog, no stitches were required. Riverside Police were notified and they contacted the Dog Warden. Deanna asked Council to do something before someone gets mauled or worse. Beth asked if the person has been cited. The owner has been cited three (3) times before. Peter stated Council will certainly follow-up. Council Members apologized for their experience.
Resident, Robert Rickard was in audience just to observe.
 
Old business:
John Domanski made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 4 meeting, Barb Kriner seconded the Motion.  Approved by all.
 
Borough Life:
Nothing to report.
 
New Business:
John Domanski spoke with Jackie Hart about serving as a back-up for Brian Anderson, Zoning/Code Officer. Jackie agreed to attend a meeting to present her services. Peter feels Jackie is very thorough. Beth made a Motion to have Jackie Hart speak at the Council meeting scheduled for April 15th, Barb seconded. All in Favor.
John LaMotte commented on the Workshop held on Saturday, March 16th regarding the former school property. John said there is interest from individuals to buy or lease the land. Steve will contact one person who voiced an interest. John LaMotte suggest when demolishing part of the school building, we have someone come look at anything that could be recycled. Resident, Rob Richard stated the Lycoming County Waste Transfer Station accepts any electronics, TV’s, etc. for no charge. Peter said he saw a large TV over the bank on Boyce Hollow Road recently and some tires. Peter made a Motion to have the Street Department check on the items that have been dumped along Boyce Hollow Road. John Domanski seconded. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Filing Cabinets; 7 out of the 10 cabinets will have locks installed by Becks Lock & Key Service. John D recommends all the filing cabinets be locked. Barb questioned who would have the keys to the filing cabinets. Council President, Steve stated, Lisa will have the keys. Barb asked who will have keys to the building. She said, “If I want to do research in the evenings or read over old minutes, I can’t get in, I would have to come during the day. Why can’t I have a key to the building?” Delavan feels people who do business in the building, should have a key. Ken Gardner stated he does not want a key, as Steve said he has one, but does not want one. Barb objected to not having a key.
Beth told Barb she could have her key. Barb asked Peter if he had a problem with her having a key. Peter commented, “The locks were changed and it was agreed upon that only five (5) keys were to be given out.”
Steve said Council should take a vote on who gets keys.
The following Votes were made for keys to be given out:
BIU – Peter made a Motion to give a key, Barb seconded. Beth opposed.
Zoning Officer – Barb made a Motion to give a key, Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
Barb Kriner – Delavan made a motion to give a key, Ken seconded. Peter opposed.
Street Department – Peter made a Motion to give a key, John D seconded. All in Favor.
John D made a Motion to order four (4) more keys, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Metal filing Cabinet for office – Delavan said he might have some that he could donate.
 
Action Items:
Ken contacted old Associates to see if tests can be done on the bridge light poles for sturdiness. They suggested that the poles ‘not’ be repaired, but instead, be replaced. Ken stated these poles are a liability to Council; 1 Million dollars per occurrence and 3 million per aggregate. If one light were to fall over and cause injury, we would be negligent. Ken made a Motion to get a minimum of two (2) bids to replace six (6) bridge posts using the old arms and lights with proper seal between arms and post, and proper seal at base cover which provides access to anchor bolts. Bids must include material and workmanship warranty, time to complete and payment terms. John L suggested protective barrier approximately seven (7) feet up the poles. He said we should ask the bidders for some type of protective shield on the poles. At John Domanski’s recommendation, Motion was modified to include optional more corrosion resistance material and an option for a shield to protect the poles from salt blasting. Council discussed at length the bridge poles and determined that the best course of action is to bid out to replace the six (6) poles. Barb seconded the Motion to get bids. All in Favor.
 
Ken highlighted on a few Articles in the Chapter 238 Solid Waste, Garbage and Rubbish Collection and Disposal. Ken stated Council should review and come back to decide if the Code needs revised. Ordinance(s) were written in 2011.
Ken said there were complaints from residents about damage from the vultures last year due to trash not being in containers and food being thrown out for animals. Article 238-2, Accumulation Prohibited - Exterior property and premises shall be free from any rubbish or garbage. Article 238-4, Containers required - for all garbage and refuse placed after 6:00pm on the day before collection and empty trash containers removed from the collection point prior to 8:00pm the day of collection. Peter said if we receive complaints about the vultures again, we will then address it. John LaMotte said, “It is pride in your community, all trash should be in containers.” Delavan said there might be a lot of boxes around Christmas. Beth said most trash haulers prefer trash ‘not’ be in containers. Barb questioned how much should local government interfere on rights of citizens. John L said trash needs to be into bags, then in cans. Steve said Council will review the Ordinance.
Ken commented on Ordinance 225, Sewers. The Ordinance regarding Sunny Acres and Beishline all discuss the interface is at the main sewer. He suggests Council read the Ordinance. John Domanski said homeowners are responsible from their home to the main. Peter understands the code to be from the house to the property line. Peter recommended the Ordinance be updated to state, ‘A property owner must obtain a permit for work done on laterals.’ Peter commented, “PSAB’s guidelines are that if an ordinance states something, it could be overturned in litigation.” John LaMotte said the lateral is the home owners’ responsibility. John Domanski stated that Attorney Michetti said in a previous meeting, he will research and report to Council.
Ken mentioned the sewer repair listing from Larson. He recommends to have the Street Department employees compare the list to the properties that need repairs made. Steve said the video regarding the Smoke Testing from Larson Design Group should be reviewed.
 
No Executive Session was held.
At 8:18pm, John Domanski made a Motion to adjourn and Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
 
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary