Meeting Minutes, 2/19/2024

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, February 19, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by Vice President, Beth Rake.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner and Ken Gardner.
Also present was Mayor John LaMotte and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Steve Wagner and Delavan Whitenight Jr
 
Citizen (s) present:
Resident Paris Tennenhouse
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Paris Tennenhouse was in the audience to observe.
 
Old business:
Approval of the minutes of January 19, 2024.
Ken Gardner made a motion to approve the minutes, Barb Kriner seconded the Motion.  Approved by all.
Ken questioned Bidding out on major purchases. $15,000.00 was offered for the Police vehicle being traded in. Barb stated used vehicles are traded in. If not traded in, then they are placed on MuniciBid. John Domanski stated three (3) sealed bids for major purchases should be in place. Peter said Sunbury Motors is a Co-Star Dealer and they are close for vehicle servicing.
 
Ken made a Motion to rescind the 15% penalty on sewer accounts, which was voted on at the January 15th meeting. The $25.00 penalty will be placed on accounts not paid on a quarterly basis, starting at the end of March 2024. The increase shall be advertised in the Press Enterprise.
 
There were no updates on the Terms and Conditions of the two (2) Grants applied for at this time.
 
Borough Life:
Nothing to report.
 
New Business:
Tax Collector, Ruth Peck spoke to Council regarding the delinquent Per Capita collection. Northumberland County has changed to Keystone for collection of their delinquent Per Capita payments. Currently Riverside Borough uses Statewide Tax Recovery for collection. Ruth advised Council to consider using Keystone, so it would not be as confusing to residents when they receive the delinquent notice, as the original tax bill has both County and Borough Per Capita amounts printed on one bill. Barb made a Motion to have Ruth contact Keystone for a proposal of details on their services for delinquent Per Capita tax collection. John Domanski seconded. All in Favor.
 
Motion to Approve:
Dumpster Day will be presented by Dan Gable at a future meeting, after he sets a date with Fought’s Disposable Service.
 
Check signing - Barb Kriner requested to have John LaMotte’s name removed from signing checks. John LaMotte stated there are two (2) emails from different people regarding who can sign checks, both have different answers. One email directly from PSAB on 2/12 states any Elected or Appointed Officials are authorized to sign checks. John LaMotte asked why Barb is questioning the signing now, as it has never been questioned before, Barb stated it is PSAB’s guidelines that a Mayor cannot sign checks, according to an email she received from a person that does research on PSAB guidelines.
John Domanski made a Motion to approve five (5) signors, namely; Stephen Wagner, Elizabeth Rake, Peter Fleming, John LaMotte and Lisa Fritz. Peter seconded the Motion. Barb opposed the Motion.
 
Action Items:
Ken mentioned the light poles on the bridge, stating Mahoning Township replaced the poles on their side, having spacers placed under the poles so condensation can run out. Ken feels we should have the remaining poles on this side of the bridge replaced. A quote was received in 2023 for approximately $36,000.00. Beth stated the pole replacement will have to be worked into the Budget for next year (2025). John Domanski stated we will need to advertise for Bids to replace the light poles. Ken mentioned the arms on top can put back onto new poles. Barb made a Motion to have Dan Gable ask for the specs that Mahoning Township got, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Ken mentioned at the last meeting, Attorney Michetti said a property was going up for Sheriff’s Sale, he wondered what property it was and is there delinquent sewer. Secretary, Lisa stated Attorney Michetti sent her an email requesting any sewer amount(s) due. Attorney Michetti filed a lien on the property for past due sewer monies owed to the Borough.
 
Spring Cleaning – Boxes containing the Borough Office documents in the EMA office will be put back into storage.
Barb will remove the boxes with candy bags from BoroLife events from the EMA office.
 
East Lateral repairs by property owners – Peter explained a diagram Dan Gable drew regarding sewer inspections. When a property in the Borough is placed for Sale, a sewer inspection must be done. The property owner is responsible for any issues from the home to the Borough’s Right-of-Way. If any issues are found in the Borough’s Right-of-Way to the Main, the Borough will have those repairs/clean-out done. Zoning Office, Brian Anderson does document in his report(s) if there is an issue in the Borough main line(s). Dan asked Brian to get a listing of the deficiencies to him. Barb stated at a recent meeting, Brian brought up the 4 to 5 properties that need fixed from the Right-of-Way to the Main. She said Dan was given permission at that particular meeting to contact Adams and get the repair work done. John D agreed and said Dan was standing next to Brian A when John D instructed Dan to make arrangements with Adams to have the repairs done. Dan stated at a later meeting, Adams had the list of properties and the work would be done by mid-December.  When Barb asked Dan at the February meeting if the repairs were completed on those 4-5 properties, he stated that it wasn’t his responsibility, it was Brian Andersons’ responsibility. Dan then he came back around and acted like he didn’t know anything about it. Barb said, “This is just wrong!” Ken asked whose responsibility is it to make sure the work gets done. Peter said Dan is and he has documentation at his office. Peter said there are too many Indians on the War Path. Barb asked what he meant by ‘too many Indians on a war path’. Barb stated “No one is on a war path, nothing with Indians at all.” Peter explained that Adams could not get to the work immediately due to their schedules. Peter said he feels there is a better line of communication between Brian Anderson and the Street Department now. John D stated that Brian only brought it up once about properties that needed fixed and Dan was instructed to get them fixed.
 
Ken made a spreadsheet with problem areas that are the property owners’ responsibility. Ken suggested the Borough send letters to these property owners to get the repairs completed. Barb said the Borough should be able to do a letter to owners that have deficiencies. Adams Sewer & Drain Cleaning did repair several issues in the Borough and they will be going back in the Spring to re-seed grass and cut pipes off.
 
Ken made a Motion to have the Street Department Steam Cleaner repaired. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
John Domanski would like to discuss getting an answer to Aaron Wright (Victory of Life Church) regarding the purchase of the former school property. Council will have a Workshop on Saturday, March 16 at 11:00am to discuss options regarding the former school property.
Ken asked if the Borough is spending money on the new building project. John Domanski said the Grant Writer is currently working on a Grant for construction of a new building. Larson Design Group and Midd-Penn have been paid for Engineering services. Ken questioned if the Borough is in a position at this point to build a new facility. Beth stated she feels the new building project is going to be squashed.
 
No Executive Session was held.
At 8:10pm, Barb made a Motion to adjourn and John D seconded. All in Favor.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary