November 3, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:00pm.  The meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
John Domanski, Barb Kriner, Delavan Whitenight, Jr, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling Sr.
Also present was Mayor Todd Oberdorf, Kerry Parkes Chief of Police, Zoning Officer Brian Anderson and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
Peter Fleming and Dan Gable, Street Department
 
Citizens present:
Drew Mumich and JW Snyder.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
None spoke.
 
Old business:
John made a Motion to accept the meeting Minutes of 10/6/2025. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson presented Council Members with a letter addressed to Community Options, he drafted regarding non- compliance with Borough Codes. Council President, Stephen Wagner stated the letter will be sent to our Solicitor for review. Brian also presented another letter he would like to mail to residents who have visual obstructions in the line-of-sight. John Domanski stated there is a walnut tree on Avenue E and Avenue F that needs trimmed, as it is leaning. Brian Anderson said ‘Canopy trees’ cannot be touched. Mike Steimling suggested Dan identify trees that need trimmed and call PPL to trim. Barb said trees near Kipps Run area need looked at, as there have been power outages there.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Zoning report. Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Steve read over Dan Gables report. Steve said he will ask Dan to find out when the gas line will be installed to the generator in the Municipal Building. Leaf collecting continues through Wednesday, November 26th. There was some damage from a big truck and also some minor property damage at the Shade residence from the truck. John made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Barb read over the reports for August and September. There were three structure fires during the month of August, none in September. Delavan made a Motion to accept the reports. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry asked Council if they have talked about replacing the vacant position in his department. Steve said they will discuss it and get back to him. Kerry said Halloween night went well, he felt numbers of people were low, which might be due to the football game that night. The Police had several time consuming investigations last month.  Delavan made a Motion to accept the Police Report. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
Todd participated in the Danville Halloween parade. He said some large trucks, mainly Western Express have caused damage to signs and properties. Todd said we need to ask our Solicitor where he is at regarding the Ordinance on large trucks parking on Borough Streets. John made a Motion to accept the report. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
None submitted.
 
Borough Life:
Barb said there was a good turn-out for Halloween in the Park on Friday, October 31st this year. They went through 200 hotdogs. Grace Church also set up a table. The Christmas Parade of Lights will be held in December.
 
New Business:
Personnel Reviews – Ken suggests two Council Members do reviews for each the Police Department and the Street Department. Steve stated he would be doing the Secretary’s review. John said the reviews should have subjectives & goals, along with strengths and weaknesses. John would like to see quarterly reviews for goals set.
 
Motion to Approve:
Barb made a Motion to provide said resident a key to the electrical panel box at the pavilion for use of lighting on tennis courts after dark., on three month trial basis. Mike seconded. All in Favor. Barb made a Motion to accept the Danville Municipal Authority Sewer Pump Station Service Contracts. Delavan seconded. Ken opposed. The remaining Council Members were in Favor. Barb made a Motion to pay both the invoices received for a sewer issue at the Romansik property. Ken seconded. All in Favor. Appointment of EMA Director was tabled.
 
Action Items:
Ken would like to prorate the time an employee uses the Health Service for payback to the Borough. No decision was made by Council. Barb made a Motion to pay employees their medical reimbursement in the month of November each year. Mike seconded the motion. All in Favor.
Delinquent Sewer Payments – Ken feels the citizens that do pay diligently, are being cheated by those that do not pay their sewer bills on a timely basis. Council will talk to Solicitor, Attorney Michetti about a delinquent collection agency.
 
At 8:10pm, Barb made a Motion to go into Executive Session for personal matters. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Barb made a Motion to go back into Public Session at 8:57pm. Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
 
A discussion was held on the hiring of a fourth Police Officer to replace the vacant position. Barb made a Motion to start the hiring process for a full-time Police Officer. Delavan seconded. Mike stated he would like to revisit the hiring after the contract ends in December 2026. John questioned if they should start the hiring process before the Budget is finalized to approve the position. John, Barb and Delvan approve the hiring of a Police Officer. Steve, Ken and Mike opposed. Due to a tie in votes, the Mayor suggested to wait until January to hire.
Barb changed her Motion to start the hiring process for a part-time Police Officer. John seconded. Delavan was in Favor. Steve, Ken and Mike opposed. Mayor stated to wait on the hiring of a Part-time Police Office until the Budget is balanced.
 
Barb made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:15pm.  Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted;
Lisa Fritz, Secretary