Meeting Minutes, 2/3/2025

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, February 3, 2025 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Delavan Whitenight Jr, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling Sr.
Also present was Solicitor Antonio Michetti, Police Chief Kerry Parkes, Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Mayor John LaMotte, Dan Gable with the Street Department and Barb Kriner.
 
Citizens present:
Robert Rickard, Todd Oberdorf and Drew Mumich,
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Todd Oberdorf (Emergency Management Administrator), stated he filed the Annual Flood Management Report on 2/3/2025
 
Old business:
John Domanski made a Motion to approve the 1/20/2025 meeting minutes. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
PennVest Loan for the West End Sewer Replacement project is scheduled to close on Tuesday, February 11th via Zoom. Attorney Joseph Michetti will be coming to the municipal building to attend the closing.
Status of the $250,000.00 Grant – Steve and Peter will be signing documents for the Grant to be executed.
Conditions of the $1,000,000.00 Grant – funds must be obligated and spent by 12/31/2026. Ken asked how and when Council would decide to use any remaining funds. Steve stated this has not been determined yet.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson read over his report for January 2025. Very slow month, as he did not issue any permits during the month of January. John made a Motion to accept the report, with Delavan seconding. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Peter Fleming read over the Street Department report. Delavan made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
None submitted.
 
Police Report:
Kerry presented his report for January. He said the Western Express truck drivers continue to be a problem in the Borough, damaging signs and properties. Ken Gardner asked Kerry when the last time he spoke with the Mayor regarding the operations of the Police Department. Kerry stated he had text communication with the Mayor on Monday, 2/3. John made a Motion to accept the Police Report, with Mike seconding. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
None submitted.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Solicitor Antonio Michetti stated the main focus is on the PennVest loan right now.
Peter made a Motion to accept the Solicitor’s report. Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
​
Borough Life:
None submitted.
 
New Business:
None
 
Motion to Approve:
Ken asked if a surveyor has been hired to survey the front seven (7) acres of the school property. Peter said he did contact the surveyor whom surveyed the back seven acres, but that person has retired. Attorney Antonio Michetti said his office will get a list of surveyors to the Borough.
 
Action Items:
Ken Gardner asked how many outstanding Sewer Easements there are. Secretary Lisa informed Council there are eight (8) easements that still need to be notarized. Attorney Antonio Michetti stated an Injunction can be put into place on these properties.
 
At 7:28pm, Peter made a Motion to go into Executive Session for matters pertaining to ligation, action to follow. Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
 
Council went back into Public Session at 7:49pm.
 
Mike made a Motion regarding residents owing more than $499.00 in sewer payments, to have the Solicitor review laws before putting names in the newspaper. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Peter made a Motion to accept the resignation letter from John LaMotte resigning as Mayor, effective February 3, 2025. John seconded. All in Favor.
 
Peter made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55pm. John seconded. All in Favor.
 
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Fritz
Secretary