9/3/2024 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, John Domanski, Barb Kriner, Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling, Sr.
Also present was Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr. Police Chief Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent Dan Gable and Zoning Officer Brian Anderson.
 
Absent:
Secretary Lisa Fritz, Mayor John LaMotte and Delavan Whitenight, Jr
 
Citizens present:
Todd Oberdorf, Sherry Oberdorf and Rob Rickard.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
 
Old business:
Ken Gardner questioned the comment about the Borough replacing sewer pumps in the 8/5 Meeting Minutes. The Borough has been repairing or replacing pumps. Ken read over the Ordinance, but could not find where it states the Borough is responsible for replacing or repairing the pumps. Ken would like to further discuss it at a future meeting. Ken asked the status of the Per Capita Collection. Steve met with Ruth Peck, Tax Collector. Northumberland County signed with Keystone versus Statewide Tax Recovery as the collection agency for delinquent Per Capita Tax payments. Riverside Borough is in a contract with Statewide Tax Recovery. Both Ruth Peck and Secretary Lisa Fritz have made several attempts to speak with someone at Statewide Tax Recovery regarding relinquishing the contract with them, receiving no return calls or responses to emails sent to them. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated to send them an email requesting they respond by September 13th. If no response from Statewide Tax Recovery by 9/13, Attorney Michetti will send a certified letter.
John Domanski made a Motion to approve the 8/5/2024 Meeting Minutes. Mike Steimling seconded. All in Favor.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson presented his report.
Steve mentioned the generator project. Electric plans and drawings are now approved through working with Matt Witmer with Building Inspection Underwriters of Pa Inc and Brian Anderson, Zoning/Code Officer.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Zoning Report, Ken seconded. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report.
Dan said he is looking for some documentation regarding the Right-of-Ways for Alley’s; as he needs to know who is responsible for cleaning up branches, etc in the Alley ways. Attorney Michetti stated it could be costly to have the Right-of-Ways surveyed.
Leaf season will start on Monday, October 14th and run through Wednesday, November 27th. After 11/27/2024, leaves must be bagged and placed at the edge of properties for pick up.
Bridge lights were delivered and will be installed on September 16th and 17th.
Dan stated they have been down two (2) men at times over the summer months and said he appreciates how hard his fellow employees work.
Peter made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Report for the month of July was submitted. John made a Motion to accept the Southside report. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry presented his report.  National Night Out had a good turnout. Kerry stated a resident complained about Officer Eamon turning around in his driveway, it is a dead-end road. Kerry said Eamon patrols every Street/Road in the Borough. Mike Steimling agreed that the Officers should be patrolling every Street.
Kerry stated there is an issue with the traffic light on the right at the bridge not triggering, especially at night.
The office cleaning was scheduled, but had to be delayed due to flooding clean-up in Williamsport. Steve said there is an ordinance requiring garbage trucks to register with the Borough, Kerry has a list of Garbage collectors that come into the Borough. Ken noticed our Officers assist in other areas and questioned how many times other departments assist in Riverside.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Police Report. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
Nothing to report.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Michetti mentioned the discussion of selling the former school property from the previous meeting. He asked Council if they want to bid the property or have an Auctioneer sell it. Attorney Michetti contacted three (3) Auctioneers. None of them have an affiliation with Attorney Michetti, he felt all three Auctioneers have an understanding of the area market. He said Auctioneers could develop a brochure, advertise and show the property. Council will discuss at the next meeting.
Pine Hurst Venue sewer proposal was accepted on condition of the DEP Plan. DEP wants a ‘No Conditional Vote’ to appoint the Borough Secretary and Council President to execute all documents. Pine Hurst will put $1,500.00 in escrow to make sure bills are paid the Sewage Enforcement Officer. John Domanski has a concern regarding the entrance being on a curve in the road. Discussion was held about how to address traffic concerns. Dan said he will contact the Rush Township Secretary to get the planning information for the Pine Hurst Venue, as part of the property is in Rush Township. John Domanski said he will talk with the Rush Township Planning Committee regarding entrance/exit plans.
Barb made a Motion to appoint Secretary, Lisa and Council President Steve Wagner to execute all necessary documents for DEP pertaining to the Pine Hurst Venue sewer. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Ken Gardner made a Motion to adopt the ordinance for Amusement Devices and Taxes. Mike seconded. John Domanski opposed due to the exemption of the Southside Fire Company from the Amusement Devices and Taxes ordinance.  Barb Kriner stated the fire company uses the money received from the skills machines to fund equipment and trucks. Steve made a Motion to appoint Secretary, Lisa to send letters regarding permits for the amusement devices. Mike seconded. All in Favor. Steve made a Motion to have the Code/Zoning Officer, Brian Anderson take the permits and stickers for on the machines to stores, with Mike seconding. All in Favor.
Attorney Michetti reviewed the Lateral Ordinance with Joseph Pfirman, Engineer from Larson Design Group. Dan Gable asked if the language could be revised to state the Borough is only responsible for the Main trunk. He said only the Main can be marked on a PA One Call, not the lateral. Barb made a Motion to approve the new lateral ordinance, Mike seconded. John Domanski opposed due to main and lateral discrepancy.
West End – Steve recommended a smoke test prior to work on the West End Sewer. Steve said all Council members should go out to see the work that will be done on the West End. John said the Borough needs to include warranty on the pumps.
Council will have Secretary send reminder notices for delinquent sewer accounts.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Solicitor’s report. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
 
Borough Life:
Barb made a Motion to set Trick-or-Treat Night for Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 6:00 o’clock pm until 9:00 o’clock pm. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
New Business:
None
 
Motion to Approve:
Barb made a Motion to approve the updated sewer inspection fee schedule forms with revisions to add home owners name and parcel number and also to remove the wording of Riverside Borough Authority. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
John Domanski made a Motion to make Wednesday’s a permanent work from home day for the Secretary. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
Chickens/Roosters – Ken said he researched the ecodes and only found one section regarding chickens. There are roosters in the Borough crowing all day long. Ken said for instance with the dog ordinance, a dog can only bark for 30 minutes and poop must be picked up and removed from the property. Resident Sherry Oberdorf has chickens and composts the manure. Council will discuss chickens at a future meeting.
 
Personnel Review Forms – Ken feels the forms need reviewed and Council should start doing evaluations yearly.
2025 Financial Municipal Obligation (Pension plan for employees) – John made a motion to stay with the current obligation versus the market value. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Executive Session:
Peter made a Motion to go back into regular session at 9:34pm, John seconded. All in Favor.
 
John made a Motion to adjourn at 9:35pm. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
 
Respectfully Submitted:
Lisa Fritz
Secretary