August 5, 2024 Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
 
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Monday, August 5, 2024 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, Barb Kriner, Delavan Whitenight, Jr., Ken Gardner and Mike Steimling, Sr.
Also present was Solicitor Joseph Michetti Jr. Police Chief Kerry Parkes, Street Superintendent, Dan Gable and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
 
Absent:
John Domanski and Mayor John LaMotte.
 
Citizens present:
Brenna Gable, Nathan Waite, Todd Oberdorf, Rob Rickard, J.W. Snyder and Drew Mumich from the Press enterprise.
 
Pledge of Allegiance
 
Citizens to be Heard:  
Resident, Nathan Waite asked Council the status of the sewer issue, he stated he has been to Council Meetings and has made several attempts to resolve the sewer issue at the property he lived at in Riverside, but has recently sold. Mr. Waite said he paid $150.00 for the re-inspection. Brian Anderson stated the $150.00 inspection fee was for the initial inspection, not a re-inspection. Solicitor, Attorney Michetti stated the Borough’s insurance carrier sent a letter of denial to the Waite’s claim. A discussion was held regarding an amount to pay Mr. Waite. Ken Gardner made a Motion that the Solicitor prepare documents for Nathan Waite to settle the outstanding sewer issue and pay a total of $1,400.00, which includes $400.00 for over payment. Peter seconded. All in Favor. Attorney Michetti said he will review the information. 
 
Old business:
Delavan made a Motion to accept the Minutes of the July 1, 2024 Meeting. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to accept the minutes of the 7/9/2024 Special Meeting. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Pump Station – Steve, Brian Anderson, Dan Gable, Zartman Construction, TRA Electric and Engineer Joe Pfirman met at the site to discuss the new generator process. Steve stated the panel started out at $70,000.00 and is now down to $16,000.00. During installation of the new generator, the pump station will be down for several hours. Danville Borough will be on hand with their generator. Dan suggested to have a meeting with Council members and everyone who will be working on the generator installation.
 
Former School Property – Steve asked if Council wanted to keep or sell the seven (7) acres behind the school building. Solicitor Attorney Michetti stated a public bidding process must be held or hire an Auctioneer.
Steve said a total renovation of the building is not an option due to costs.  Ken Gardner stated renovation would cost $125.00 to $150.00 per square foot. Barb stated 1.2 million was the estimate to renovate or build new. The footprint needed to be moved, leaving the school building standing. The estimate to tear down was $200,000.00 to $300,000.00 from Larson Design Group. Midd-Penn’s estimate was 10 million. Peter made a Motion to sell the seven (7) acres. Barb seconded the Motion. Ken suggested holding another meeting to discuss in detail what to do with the former school property. Selling the property put on hold until further discussion.
 
Zoning Officer Report:
Brian Anderson presented his report. Brian said a person complained about a resident having 40-50 chickens on their property. Brian went to the property, he stated there approximately one dozen chickens. Brian Anderson said regarding sewer inspections, he will draw up a revision on the Sewer Application with a change to add a statement that if a sewer line fails in the initial inspection, then automatically another camera inspection must be done after the work is completed, at the cost of the homeowner. He will provide Council with the revision for approval.
The property located at 9th Street is being cleaned up by the owner. Brian informed the owner that a business cannot be run out of a home. A property located at 145 Kipps Run Road that was abandoned has been sold. The garbage outside the property will be cleaned up. Barb made a Motion to accept the Zoning Report, Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Street Department Report:
Dan Gable presented his report. Barb told Dan there is two (2) pieces of concrete sticking up by the bench at the far end of the park, Dan said he will take care of it.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 
Southside Fire Company Report:
Report for the month of June was submitted. Delavan made a Motion to accept the Southside report. Barb seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Police Report:
Kerry presented his report. National Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Southside Fire Company. They have prizes to give out to kids. Police have been giving warning to kids riding bicycles without helmets. Kerry stated the PACE yearly fee was taken out of the Police account and asked if it could be taken out of the General business account.
Steve asked Kerry how many trash haulers come into the Borough. Steve said there are trash bags falling out into the streets from the trucks with sides on. Steve asked Kerry and Dan to come up with a list of trash haulers. Delavan asked Kerry what the status of the new police vehicle was. Kerry said it was delivered and they are just waiting for the full install to be completed. Ken asked what is being done with the old one. Kerry said they traded one vehicle in.
Barb made a Motion to accept the Police Report. Delavan seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Mayor’s Report:
Nothing to report.
 
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Pinehurst Community Septic – the property is located in Rush Township; however, the sewer system is in Riverside Borough. The SEO is involved. The ‘Community Onlot Sewage Facilities Maintenance, Repair & Escrow Agreement for Pine Hurst Acre Properties, LLC Residences’ will be reviewed by DEP. Peter made a Motion to accept the sewer system pending DEP approval. Delavan seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Amusement Device Tax Resolution – will have finalized for the October Council Meeting.
Sewer Ordinance – Attorney Michetti would like to have the Borough’s Engineer look over it before finalizing.
Ken mentioned that several pumps around town must be pumped up to the sewer line. If the pump goes bad, the Borough is required to repair or replace it. Ken feels this needs to be discussed.
Resident, Robert Rickard questioned if he would be responsible for the swale/ditch. Dan Gable stated the homeowner is responsible up to the pavement/street, the swales and ditches are part of the street.  
 
Borough Life:
Barb reported we were working with the Police and Fire Department on National Night Out on August 6th and voted to pay a DJ for the night at a cost of $200.00. Barb mentioned Trick-or Treat Night will be held in the Park, waiting to see what night Council will choose for Trick-or-Treating. Last year trick-or-treat night was moved to Saturday, October 28th  at the request of parents whom did not want their children out late on a school night. Resident Rob Rickard said you can only trick-or-treat until 9:00 o’clock pm and feels Trick-or-Treat Night should be on 10/31. Todd Oberdorf also stated it should be on Halloween night. Barb said it will be discussed at future meeting.
Delavan made a Motion to accept the Borough Life report. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
New Business:
Barb made a Motion to approve the ‘Municipal Winter Traffic Agreement Resolution’. Delavan seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Motion to Approve:
Office Cleaning – Barb made a Motion to accept Service Pro’s estimate to clean the entire Municipal office, with Peter seconding the Motion. All in Favor.
 
2025 PennDot Municipal Winter Traffic Agreement was accepted by Council and signed by Council President and the Secretary.
 
Action Items:
Peter nominated John Domanski for Pro Tem. Barb seconded. All in Favor.
 
Executive Session:
Barb made a Motion to move into Executive Session at 8:35pm. Delavan seconded. All in Favor.
Council moved back into Regular Session at 9:21pm.
Steve discussed a part-time, as-needed position for the Street Department. Mike Steimling suggested a permanent part-time position, as the hours would be set and the person could be called in if needed at other times. Ken made a Motion to hire a part-time employee for the Street Department on an as-needed basis, with no benefits, at the pay rate of $20.00 per hour. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Steve mentioned moving to one meeting per month. Council will discuss at a future meeting.
Barb made a Motion to authorize the Solicitor to construct a letter releasing the Borough of a summons disclosed to Council. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to authorize the Solicitor to seek an Auctioneer for the sale of seven (7) acres of vacant land. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Barb made a Motion to authorize Ken Gardner to negotiate with Joseph Pfirman, Engineer for Larson Design Group for the pricing of the contract for the sewer project. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
 
Barb made a Motion to adjourn at 9:29pm. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted:
 Lisa Fritz
Secretary