March 6 Meeting Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, March 6, 2023 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President John Domanski.
 
Council members present: 
Vice President Barb Kriner, Peter Fleming, Brian Whitenight, April Shuman and Beth Rake. 
Also present were Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr., Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent from Meeting:
Delavan Whitenight, Council Member and John LaMotte, Mayor
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:
There were no Citizens present in the audience.
 
Old Business:
Minutes of 2/20/2023 were read. Brian Whitenight made a motion to approve the Minutes, Beth Rake seconded the Motion. All in favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson presented his report. He stated he spoke with the owner of the property with the fence issue. The owner told Brian that Home Depot and Lowes were sold out, but will get supplies to repair the fencing as soon as possible. John Domanski asked Brian if anything could be done about the property on Sunbury Rd heading to Avenue D, with stuff all along the fencing. Brian stated there is nothing the he can do because it is just limbs on the owners’ private property; as long any debris is not in a Right-of Way. John Domanski also asked Brian to check on a property owned by Brown, as the fence is falling over. Barb Kriner asked Brian to check on some properties on Sudol Rd that has roofs falling in. Barb Kriner made a motion to approve the Zoning Report, Beth Rake seconded. All in favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report and he also did a presentation on “Man Hours vs. Work Load”. Dan stated he is pulled away from his duties many times; making them short-handed at times. Dan asked if the part-time Street employee, Nathan Apple could be given full-time for the remainder of the year and possibly for next year (2024). Beth Rake stated that Council has talked for years about hiring a fourth person for the Street Department. John Domanski said they might budget for a fourth person in 2024. Peter Fleming made a motion to extend full-time for Nathan until 7/1/23. Beth Rake seconded the motion. All in Favor.
Barb Kriner mentioned at a meeting with LDG (Larson Design Group), 48 manholes were documented as needing to be replaced. Dan said seven (7) manholes are really bad, especially the adjustable riser manholes. Peter Fleming asked about the lids on Avenue G. Dan said they cannot get the lids off of some. Barb Kriner said Chip Adams opened all the manholes that the Borough could not open. Dan stated the lids Chip Adams put in, have an “O Ring” to prevent seepage from entering. John Domanski asked Dan who notifies the Street Department if the roadways are bad from inclement weather. Dan stated sometimes, the Police on duty or he, himself decides. Barb Kriner made a motion to accept the Street Department report. Peter Fleming seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Beth Rake made a motion to accept the report and Brian Whitenight seconded the motion. All in favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry Parkes read his report. Kerry touched base on Scams, he stated “If you win a prize, you do not need to pay for it, especially if you did not enter a contest.”
The Police truck is at the Vo-Tech School having scratches removed. The Police Department received two (2) ‘Thank You’ letters. One from an Attorney for the diligence that Officer Eamon Shoff showed in handling a matter. The second letter was from Geisinger Medical Center for the professional response by the Police Department regarding the tragic murder of a Geisinger employee on December 30, 2022. Kerry and Brian Whitenight suggested a few changes to the Borough’s Noise Code in regards to Act 74 Fireworks Law. Attorney Michetti stated the Borough Code must conform with the State Code. No municipality can restrict fireworks on Memorial Day or Labor Day.
Barb Kriner asked if kids need a permit to sell hot chocolate. Kerry stated, No; however, permits are needed to solicit door-to-door jobs. For example, snow plowing or mowing grass.
Barb Kriner motioned to accept the Police report, Brian Whitenight seconded. All in favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
No report was submitted.
 
 
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti recorded the Easement for the ‘Welcome to Riverside’ sign placement on the Knouse property. Sealed Proposals for the Paving and Seal project in the Borough were opened by Attorney Michetti. The bids were awarded, pending review and approval by Street Superintendent, Dan Gable. Big Rock Paving, LLC was awarded the bid for paving in the amount of $126,771.50. The Seal bid was awarded to Russell Standard Corporation in the amount of $37,031.20.
Barb Kriner made a motion to accept the Solicitors Report, with Brian Whitenight seconding. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
April Shuman mentioned the following events:
Easter Egg Hunt at the Southside Fire Co on Saturday, April 8 at 10:00am. Baskets were donated by Anne Nicodemus.
Movies in the Park, Friday 6/23
Family Open Swim at Kipps Run Swim Club, 7/15, noon to 7:00pm
Halloween in the Park with St. Peters UMC Trunk or Treat, 10/31, 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Parade of Lights & Santa in the Park, 12/9 at 5:30pm
For further information, visit BoroLife on FaceBook. Beth Rake made a motion to accept the Borough Life report, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
April mentioned that Council should try to find the Secretary, Lisa help with some year-end reports. Barb Kriner stated that perhaps, Shannon Berkey could help with going through old files and helping Lisa, perhaps paying her $30.00 per hour. April Shuman suggested that Council members go through the old files versus paying someone. Barb, April and Brian all said they would help with going through old files. Barb mad a motion to get training help for Lisa not to exceed 10 hours per week. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor. Barb stated that Mahoning Township would like to meet regarding the light replacements on the bridge. The lights are rusting out and are over 20 years old. The bridge light replacements were tabled until the next meeting. The Resolution for PPL was adopted. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Replacement of the “No Left Turn Sign” was tabled until further notice. Barb Kriner made a motion to accept the estimates, with Brian Whitenight seconding the motion. All in favor.
 
Action Items:
A resident sent pictures of ruts on the corner of the property by delivery trucks, trash trucks, etc. The owner asked if something could be done. Attorney Michetti stated, ‘unless there is a sign in the area or an ordinance on weight limit, there is nothing that can be done.’ The roadway by this property is owned by the Borough. The Solicitor stated perhaps the property owner could move the dumpster to a different location. Barb Kriner made a motion to hire Mid-Penn Engineering Firm for the new building project. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Executive Session:
At 9:12pm, Barb Kriner made a motion to move into Executive session. Beth seconded. All in Favor.
 
At 9:38pm, Barb made a motion to go back into Regular Session. Beth seconded the motion. All in Favor.
 
Barb made a motion to adjourn the meeting, April seconded the motion. Council adjourned at  9:40 o’clock pm.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary