May 4, 2026 Meeting Minutes

​RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, May 4, 2026 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, Barb Kriner, Ken Gardner, Mike Steimling and Rob Rickard. Rebekah Lenig came at 7:45pm.
Also present was Corporal Police Officer Brad Harvey, Mayor Todd Oberdorf, Street Department Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
 
Citizens present:
Jim Krieger, Drew Mumich and Dave Hughes
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard: 

• Resident, Jim Krieger reported recurring tractor-trailer incidents (Western Express) entering unsuitable routes (e.g., Route 54 area, near the five-way). Jim’s concern is that small signs are ineffective; request for large on-road lettering similar to other highways.
• Dan Gable stated there were prior meetings with PennDOT regarding roadway stenciling/signage; Barb Kriner stated PennDOT indicated need for a traffic study and would paint once, with future repainting at borough expense.
• Borough previously tallied incidents and considered sending a letter to Western Express.
• Conclusion: Steve Wagner will contact Michael Stender. The Borough will re-engage PennDOT on stencil/signage and consider formal communication with Western Express.
• Resident, Jim Krieger complained about large number of cats in neighborhood (Avenue F; neighbor keeping many cats on back porch). Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) when cats are returned to same area; Jim suggested to relocate outside of Riverside.
• Rebekah Lenig reported on recent TNR activity: examples included Avenue F and East 8th Street with multiple cats trapped and costs incurred (total cited ~$800).
• Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated PA has no cat licensing.

Old Business:

• Rob Rickard made a Motion to approve the 4/20/26 meeting minutes. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
• Discussion on monthly bills: Ken requested Council review copies of non-payroll checks. Barb made a Motion to approve all of the bills for the month of March. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.

• Zoning Officer report:
  • 12 permits started, fees collected ~$641; addresses now included per prior request. Ken Gardner questioned Brian regarding the addresses listed on his report. Brian said, you (indicating Ken Gardner) asked me to list the property addresses on my report that were inspected. Ken asked Brian what inspections were done at these properties. Brian stated they were sewer inspections.
  • Dance studio building permit drawings submitted and picked up by “Matt Witmer, BIU Inspector.”
  • Tariq Rahman, presented preliminary sketches for converting the former school property to residential units (duplex example, interior layout, playground concept); total units estimated at 8–10. A Zoning Hearing shall be scheduled, then a meeting with the Planning Commission. Barb made a Motion to approve Zoning Officer’s report, Mike seconded. Ken opposed. Motion passed.

 

• Street Department Report:
  • Dan Gable stated the Street Department is doing spring cleanup: mowing, pothole patching in alleys and back roads, playground and borough office improvements.
  • “Dumpster Day” was busy and rainy; collected $315 (tires and freon fees); $129 in scrap turned in.
  • Dan expressed appreciation to staff and Fought’s Disposal for assistance; event site was tight but successful.
  • Rob made a Motion to approve Street Department report. Ken seconded. All in Favor.

Southside Fire Company Report:

• Barb reported the Carnival will be held Wednesday, May 20th through Saturday, May 23rd. There will be inflatables versus carnival rides this year, along with food trucks. Mike made a Motion to approve the fire company report, Rob seconded. All in Favor.

 Police Report:
Corporal Bradley Harvey read over the Police report.

• April: 54 part-time hours used.
• Request to hire Graden Thomas as a part-time officer; Graden has a full-time role elsewhere.
• Reminder: part-timers expected to be temporary while searching for a full-time officer.
• Participation in DEA Drug Take-Back on Dumpster Day; collected 2 pounds of prescription meds.
• Seasonal notes: manage trash to deter vultures; ongoing outreach on bagged garbage and cardboard compliance. Peter made a Motion to accept the police report. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor.

 Mayor’s Report:

• Mayor Todd Oberdorf swore in part-time police officer, Wesley Jordan. He attended the BoroLife event at the airport. Todd mentioned a Shred It mobile unit, roughly $900.00 for pick up.  Barb made a Motion to accept the Mayor’s report. Rob seconded. All in Favor.

 

• Solicitor’s Report:
  • Final draft of Solar ordinance amendments circulated (discussed and voted on last month), with clarifications on zoning areas and agricultural district scope.
  • Next steps: submit building plans from Tariq Rahman to Borough Planning Commission and County Planning Commission; 30-day review; advertise; hold public hearing; then council vote.
  • Attorney Michetti will submit Solar Ordinance to Planning Commission and proceed, per procedure.
  • Discussion on downspout connections to sewer: letters sent, 14 of 27 returned; inspections underway; code enforcement authority and rainy weather checks discussed. Barb made a Motion to approve Solicitors’ report. Mike seconded. All in Favor.

• BoroLife Report:
  • Barb stated the committee is still looking for sponsors and vendors for the 250 Celebration.

• Motion to Approve:
•  Employee Handbook; Discussion on updated borough employee handbook versus union contract (Article 13); union employees can retain current handbook terms until contract ends; provide written confirmation to union representative; no material change to union terms. A Union meeting is scheduled for May 7th; as required by Article 7, stating a meeting shall be held once per quarter.
• Building inspection code books purchase
  • Need to order updated code books; total cost $1,600. Barb made a Motion to purchase latest edition of code books. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
  • Internet security upgrade. Barb made a Motion to upgrade the Office internet security. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
• Codes and enforcement training (online seminar)
  • Low-cost online seminar (~$45) covering legal aspects of codes/enforcement, nuisance properties, dogs, etc.; access for a year.
  • Mike made a Motion to sign-up for the online code and enforcement training. Barb seconded. All in Favor.

Follow-up Topics:

• Sewer account item discussed earlier; tabled.
• Tree removal bids:
  • Two quotes received: Northeast $8,350 (budget is $10,000), and Penn Haven $26,600. Barb requested to wait until she receives the quote from her guy for tree removal. Rob stated a concern with delaying on accepting a quote for tree removal, as it could push scheduling further out. Rob made a Motion to accept the tree removal quote from Northeast. Ken seconded the Motion. Barb opposed. Motion passed.
• West End punch list and PAC One contractor issues:
  • West End project issues: transducers at pump stations (Sunny Lane) failed; not installed per approved specs for grinder pumps; lack of change order for pump substitution.
  • Emergency fixes: added manual float for grinder pumps, bypassed controls; risk of sewer backups averted; costs incurred and call-outs will be passed on to Pact One.
  • Additional issues: inadequate paving by Sudol Paving and Excavating (base coat without top coat in places), trenches/grade, and seeding; three key items identified for completion (pavement, top coat, transducers).
  • Contractor PAC One stated Sudol Paving and Excavating has been unresponsive to calls/texts; engineer Joe Pfirrman with Larson Design Group, to issue formal punch list and notice; bond to be held until completion.
  • Discussion on documenting performance for future bid qualification; potential to pursue bond if not corrected by June 25.
  • Conclusion: Issue formal notice with punch list, set deadline (referenced June 25), hold bond, and do not pay for incomplete work; consider exclusion from future bids if unresolved.
  • Electronic recycling bin: proposal to place bin near borough office under cameras for security and convenience; decision pending.
• Feral cat program expenditures and resident follow-up:
  • Rebekah will provide receipts for TNR activities: Avenue F and East 8th St., multiple cats each; total around $800.
  • Resident, Jim Krieger reiterated concern that cats return after TNR; asked about legality of trapping/relocation.
  • Solicitor noted cats are not licensed in PA; advised consulting state representative; borough authority limited.

 Executive session

• Barb made a Motion to enter executive session at 8:12pm. Peter seconded. All in Favor.  Barb made a Motion to go back into regular session at 9:15pm. Peter seconded. All in Favor.

Regular Session

• Mike made a Motion to permit Police to file for I.C.E. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
• Mike made a Motion to change Secretary’s work Schedule to five days per week, 8 to 4. Barb seconded. Motion passed.
• Rob made a Motion to adjourn at 9:18pm. Barb seconded. All in Favor.

Next Arrangements

• Contact PennDOT to confirm approval and scheduling for stencil/roadway markings; clarify borough repainting obligations; coordinate on the approved stencil plan and evaluate barriers/signage to prevent property damage.
• Continue downspout inspection process: track returned consents (14 of 27 so far), schedule inspections, and document code enforcement authority and rainy weather checks.
• Document all West End deficiencies, costs, and communications; prepare for potential bond claim if items remain unresolved by the deadline.