The Riverside Borough Council met on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 in the Municipal Building, 301 Dewart Street, Riverside. Meeting was called to order promptly at 7:00 pm by President John J. Novak.
In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter T Fleming, Council members Carolyn Bausch, Caressa Compton, Barb Kriner, John Domanski as well as Mayor Joseph Oberdorf, Solicitor Joseph Michetti and Secretary Deborah Bausch. Absent this evening was Council Member Beth Hancock.
Citizens to be heard included Glenn Hinkle from 306 Avenue C and David Decoteau from 100 D & H Avenue.
Glenn Hinkle addressed Council with concerns about grass clippings being blown into the streets. When it is green and gets wet, it is hard to keep a vehicle under control on the slippery surface made by these grass clippings; this is very dangerous. The clippings are also left there until brown when then clog up storm drains, etc. This topic was discussed in length and it was noted it is a Pennsylvania State Rule that grass clippings are not be blown onto roadway surfaces. Residents will be alerted to this Rule and hopefully will abide by it in the future. Glenn also spoke of a swale issue in the Avenue C area of 4th and 5th Streets. He stated no water is going into the culverts because of the swale area. Street is not wide enough and vehicles have to pull into swale when more than one vehicle is on the road. Our Penn Dot representative is scheduled to be in the office on Thursday so will ask that he and Street Superintendent Danny Gable visit the area and see what can be done.
Dave Decoteau was the other member of the audience. He was asked if he had his plans which he stated he wanted to talk about; plans were in his truck. He was told we just needed the plans which were to be turned in and had not shown up. He went out to get them but did not come back in.
Minutes of August 1, 2016 were approved on a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Financial Reports for June 2016 were approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Brian Anderson then present the Zoning Report for August. Brian stated he will be on vacation Sep 10 to Sep 23. The letter to Donald Cook regarding his Avenue F property was served by Police Chief Kerry Parkes. He has paid his previous fines for his properties. Zoning Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor. Brian then went to the parking lot to get the prints from Mr. Decoteau; Mr. Decoteau was not in the area.
A letter from M. Todd Oberdorf was put before Council. Todd has volunteered to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. This was the seat of John Maize who resigned earlier this year. John Domanski made a Motion to appoint M Todd Oberdorf to the Zoning Hearing Board; seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
Police Chief Kerry Parkes presented the August police report to Council. Highlights of report included TRACS project being ready to go. Charger is set up with the necessary equipment and waiting for training date to begin use. Penn Dot will be housing the data. Patti Hovi donated stuffed bears in the name of Dena Hoffman for police to use when dealing with children. At this time, President Novak read a note from resident Deborah Morris, 718 Circle Drive which has been made a part of these minutes. Ms. Morris wanted to thank Police Officer Kevin Romansik and Council Member Carolyn Bausch for their timely assistance with her mother who had suffered a medical emergency.
Officer Romansik was on duty and Council requested his presence at the meeting. Thank you to both for your compassion for our citizens. Ms. Morris stated she was glad to live in Riverside. The police report was approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Peter Fleming. All voted in favor.
The other police agenda item was to hire a new officer. 4 applicants were tested with 1 applicant passing both written and oral examinations. Chief Parkes recommended the hiring of Bradley Harvey to fill the vacancy in the Riverside Police Department. Bradley has police experience and lives in the Borough. On a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and Seconded by Barb Kriner, Bradley Harvey will be hired contingent on passing a physical and psychological evaluation. All approved.
At this time Brian Anderson returned to the meeting. He had found Mr. Decoteau in the borough and taken possession of the missing plans.
Mayor Joseph Oberdorf stated he had nothing to report.
Solicitor Joseph Michetti inquired about the sewer inspections for an upcoming ordinance. Residents selling/buying a property will need to have a sewer inspection done. The ordinance is being written and will be advertised for the public when it is ready.
Discussion was held on the Danville Pump Station alarm system. On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner, it was voted to install a new stand-alone system as quoted by Commonwealth Security of Sunbury. All voted for.
The upcoming 911 consolidation move was put on the table. Barb Kriner stated we should be receiving a sample resolution regarding mapping of our area by Columbia County services. This move will most like take place next spring.
John Domanski asked council members who is responsible for a property when it is in process of being sold. He was referencing the Bostian property across from the airport which is overgrown and under a sale pending status. Carolyn Bausch stated the area had been mowed; Caressa Compton stated some of that land is actually fields.
Minimum Municipal Obligation Budgets for 2017 for the Police Pension Plan and the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan were presented to Council as required by Act 205. Approval of both was done by Motion of Barb Kriner and seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
Payment of the invoice submitted by Robert C Young, Inc. was approved by a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner. The invoice in the amount of $22,834.20 was for work done on Pine Swamp Hollow Road. All voted in favor.
Second invoice presented to Council was from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. Inc. for paving of several streets in the borough. Invoice total was $48,463.19 which was about 5% over projected cost but within the guidelines. Approval for payment of invoice was done on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
At 7:48 pm, Caressa made a motion to adjourn regular council to an executive session to discuss a personnel matter; seconded by Barb Kriner.
Carolyn Bausch made a motion at approximately 8:02 pm to adjourn Executive Session and return to
Regular Council; seconded by Peter Fleming. Regular session has resumed.
Motion was made by Caressa Compton to increase Brian Anderson’s base pay to $450.00 per month to cover the additional zoning duties with blighted property issues and upcoming sewer inspections. The increase is to be effective September 1, 2016. Seconded by Carolyn Bausch. All voted in favor.
At approximately 8:04 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn the Council Meeting; seconded by Carolyn Bausch. Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting will be Monday, September 19, 2016.
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary
In attendance this evening were Vice President Peter T Fleming, Council members Carolyn Bausch, Caressa Compton, Barb Kriner, John Domanski as well as Mayor Joseph Oberdorf, Solicitor Joseph Michetti and Secretary Deborah Bausch. Absent this evening was Council Member Beth Hancock.
Citizens to be heard included Glenn Hinkle from 306 Avenue C and David Decoteau from 100 D & H Avenue.
Glenn Hinkle addressed Council with concerns about grass clippings being blown into the streets. When it is green and gets wet, it is hard to keep a vehicle under control on the slippery surface made by these grass clippings; this is very dangerous. The clippings are also left there until brown when then clog up storm drains, etc. This topic was discussed in length and it was noted it is a Pennsylvania State Rule that grass clippings are not be blown onto roadway surfaces. Residents will be alerted to this Rule and hopefully will abide by it in the future. Glenn also spoke of a swale issue in the Avenue C area of 4th and 5th Streets. He stated no water is going into the culverts because of the swale area. Street is not wide enough and vehicles have to pull into swale when more than one vehicle is on the road. Our Penn Dot representative is scheduled to be in the office on Thursday so will ask that he and Street Superintendent Danny Gable visit the area and see what can be done.
Dave Decoteau was the other member of the audience. He was asked if he had his plans which he stated he wanted to talk about; plans were in his truck. He was told we just needed the plans which were to be turned in and had not shown up. He went out to get them but did not come back in.
Minutes of August 1, 2016 were approved on a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Financial Reports for June 2016 were approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor.
Brian Anderson then present the Zoning Report for August. Brian stated he will be on vacation Sep 10 to Sep 23. The letter to Donald Cook regarding his Avenue F property was served by Police Chief Kerry Parkes. He has paid his previous fines for his properties. Zoning Report was approved on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner. All voted in favor. Brian then went to the parking lot to get the prints from Mr. Decoteau; Mr. Decoteau was not in the area.
A letter from M. Todd Oberdorf was put before Council. Todd has volunteered to fill the vacancy on the Zoning Hearing Board. This was the seat of John Maize who resigned earlier this year. John Domanski made a Motion to appoint M Todd Oberdorf to the Zoning Hearing Board; seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
Police Chief Kerry Parkes presented the August police report to Council. Highlights of report included TRACS project being ready to go. Charger is set up with the necessary equipment and waiting for training date to begin use. Penn Dot will be housing the data. Patti Hovi donated stuffed bears in the name of Dena Hoffman for police to use when dealing with children. At this time, President Novak read a note from resident Deborah Morris, 718 Circle Drive which has been made a part of these minutes. Ms. Morris wanted to thank Police Officer Kevin Romansik and Council Member Carolyn Bausch for their timely assistance with her mother who had suffered a medical emergency.
Officer Romansik was on duty and Council requested his presence at the meeting. Thank you to both for your compassion for our citizens. Ms. Morris stated she was glad to live in Riverside. The police report was approved on a Motion by Caressa Compton and seconded by Peter Fleming. All voted in favor.
The other police agenda item was to hire a new officer. 4 applicants were tested with 1 applicant passing both written and oral examinations. Chief Parkes recommended the hiring of Bradley Harvey to fill the vacancy in the Riverside Police Department. Bradley has police experience and lives in the Borough. On a Motion by Carolyn Bausch and Seconded by Barb Kriner, Bradley Harvey will be hired contingent on passing a physical and psychological evaluation. All approved.
At this time Brian Anderson returned to the meeting. He had found Mr. Decoteau in the borough and taken possession of the missing plans.
Mayor Joseph Oberdorf stated he had nothing to report.
Solicitor Joseph Michetti inquired about the sewer inspections for an upcoming ordinance. Residents selling/buying a property will need to have a sewer inspection done. The ordinance is being written and will be advertised for the public when it is ready.
Discussion was held on the Danville Pump Station alarm system. On a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner, it was voted to install a new stand-alone system as quoted by Commonwealth Security of Sunbury. All voted for.
The upcoming 911 consolidation move was put on the table. Barb Kriner stated we should be receiving a sample resolution regarding mapping of our area by Columbia County services. This move will most like take place next spring.
John Domanski asked council members who is responsible for a property when it is in process of being sold. He was referencing the Bostian property across from the airport which is overgrown and under a sale pending status. Carolyn Bausch stated the area had been mowed; Caressa Compton stated some of that land is actually fields.
Minimum Municipal Obligation Budgets for 2017 for the Police Pension Plan and the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan were presented to Council as required by Act 205. Approval of both was done by Motion of Barb Kriner and seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
Payment of the invoice submitted by Robert C Young, Inc. was approved by a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Barb Kriner. The invoice in the amount of $22,834.20 was for work done on Pine Swamp Hollow Road. All voted in favor.
Second invoice presented to Council was from New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. Inc. for paving of several streets in the borough. Invoice total was $48,463.19 which was about 5% over projected cost but within the guidelines. Approval for payment of invoice was done on a Motion by John Domanski and seconded by Caressa Compton. All voted in favor.
At 7:48 pm, Caressa made a motion to adjourn regular council to an executive session to discuss a personnel matter; seconded by Barb Kriner.
Carolyn Bausch made a motion at approximately 8:02 pm to adjourn Executive Session and return to
Regular Council; seconded by Peter Fleming. Regular session has resumed.
Motion was made by Caressa Compton to increase Brian Anderson’s base pay to $450.00 per month to cover the additional zoning duties with blighted property issues and upcoming sewer inspections. The increase is to be effective September 1, 2016. Seconded by Carolyn Bausch. All voted in favor.
At approximately 8:04 pm, John Domanski made a Motion to Adjourn the Council Meeting; seconded by Carolyn Bausch. Meeting adjourned.
Next meeting will be Monday, September 19, 2016.
Respectfully Submitted:
Deborah Bausch
Secretary
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