September 8, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes

RIVERSIDE BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Riverside Borough Council met in the Municipal Building, 415 Dewart Street, Riverside on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 7:00pm.  Meeting was called to order by President, Stephen Wagner.
 
Council members present: 
Peter Fleming, Ken Gardner, Rob Rickard, Mike Steimling Sr and Rebekah Lenig.
Also present was Attorney Antonio Michetti, Mayor Todd Oberdorf, Chief of Police Kerry Parkes, Dan Gable with the Street Department and Secretary Lisa Fritz.
Absent:
Council Member Barb Kriner and Code/Zoning Officer Brian Anderson.
Citizens present:
Brenna Gable, John Domanski, Greg Landis, Chris Henrie, Mike Trelease, Thomas Trelease and Jim Snyder
Pledge of Allegiance
Citizens to be Heard:
Greg Landis with Merck/Cherokee stated they did receive the letter from Riverside Borough requesting a Townhall Meeting and are waiting for appropriate steps to proceed.
Steve gave Special Recognition to Eric Mayan, Street Department Employee, who found a man laying alongside the road one morning. Eric gave the man CPR until Chief of Police Kerry Parkes arrived and then continued CPR until the ambulance arrived. Steve also Thanked Kerry.
Steve also gave Special recognition to Danny Gable and Chris Henrie, with the Street Department for directing a traffic jam one morning on their way to work during the Railroad repair construction. Tractor trucks were backed up on Chestnut and Third Streets.
Steve said he spoke with PennDot representative, Barry Garverick, regarding a guiderail project and Barry told Steve that Riverside has one of the best Street Department employees he has worked with.
Old Business:
Rob made a Motion to approve the 8/3/2026 meeting minutes. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Peter made a Motion to approve the monthly bills from August. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
Mike made a Motion to move forward with Sheriff’s sales on the five (5) largest delinquent sewer accounts. Rob seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Zoning Officer Report:
Rob read over Brian’s report in Brians’ absence. Rob made a Motion voting ‘No’ on accepting the report until some of it is listed in more detail. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Rob made a Motion for Brian to start itemizing the mileage (to and from) on his reports. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Street Department Report:
Dan said the call-outs in the West End have decreased due to the sewer replacement project.
A Salt shed will be purchased through the Sourcewell program, which has the lowest prices. A subcontractor will prep the site for the salt shed. Ken Gardner asked if Dan has the official quote for the shed, Dan said he does not. Mike Trelease asked what the life of the shed will be. Dan stated that is unknown, the shed they have now is very old.
Dan “Thanked Chief Parkes” for helping the Street Department with lightening in sketchy areas while they worked.
Peter made a Motion to accept the Street Department report. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Southside Fire Company Report: None submitted. 
Police Report:
Kerry stated NIBRS (National Incident Based Reporting System) submission work will be done in September. National Night Out was a great success.
RoadSafe will be reimbursing the Police Department for the overtime spent controlling traffic during the Railroad repair work in August. Ken asked Kerry what the status of the I.C.E. application is. Kerry stated it was submitted and the funding will be deposited directly into the Borough’s bank account. Kerry would like to purchase a new Durango with the funding from I.C.E.and he would like to install dashcams with license plate readers. Steve said, we will talk about the purchase of a new vehicle. Ken asked if other Municipalities have plate readers, Kerry said Benton does. Ken asked Kerry if he was done with the pay scale, Kerry said it has been done and approved. Kerry ‘Thanked’ Knuckle Buster Customs for donating the detail work on the Dodge Durango.  Kerry stated no applications were received for the open Police position. He recommended sponsoring a candidate to go to the Police Academy, with being reimbursed with the candidate locked into a five-year service contract. Rob made a Motion to accept the Police Report, with Mike seconding. All in Favor.
Mayor’s Report:
Todd Oberdorf stated he observed the Railroad Crossing project in August.
He attend a meeting with Senator Lynda Culver and State Representative Michael Stender.
Todd mentioned how Mahoning Township has a safe meeting place in their parking lot for residents to sell items. He would like to see Riverside Borough implement a safe meeting place. Todd said that some residents have complained about the smell coming the processing of soybeans at Boyd Station, he feels Council should have Senator Culver look into it.
Mike made a Motion to accept the Mayor’s report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Solicitor Michetti Report:
Attorney Antonio Michetti stated his office will work on a Data Center ordinance.
Rob made a Motion to adopt the Truck Ordinance. Ken seconded. All in Favor.
Mike made a Motion to accept the Solicitors’ report. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Borough Life Commitee:
No report submitted. 
New Business:
Ken made a Motion to appoint Walt Laubach and himself to an Insurance committe. Steve seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Motion to Approve:
Rob made a Motion to approve the 2027 Financial Requirement & Minimum Municipal Obligation Budge for uniform and non-uniform pension plans. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Ken made a Motion to appoint John Domanski to the vacant Zoning Hearing Board position. Peter seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Rob made a Motion to adopt the Junior Council Person Program Resolution. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Steve made a Motion to purchase materials for a Salt shed. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
A discussion was held regarding transforming the front parking lot of the Borough building into a yard. Ken Gardner was against doing so and suggested the topic be tabled until a future meeting.
Rob made a Motion to have Klondike Construction place new door trim around the interior Municipal Building doors to match the interior trim around the new windows. Peter seconded. Rebekah opposed. Motion carried.
Discussion held regarding scoping approximately 10 homes in Sunny Acres, as the “Y” (splitter valve) is not accommodating all the sewage from the homes. Rob proposed to scope the homes. Ken made a Motion to scope the laterals. Rob seconded. All in Favor.
Rob made a Motion to accept the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) from the Borough of Danville regarding their Street Department bringing their equipment to assist Riverside when necessary. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
 
Action Items:
Ken suggested to table the Quarterly Budget Review for more time to review it.
 
Executive Session:
At 8:48pm, Mike made a Motion to enter into Executive Session for personnel issues. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Council entered back into Regular Session at 9:14pm.
 
Rob made a Motion to sponsor someone to go to the Police Academy at the cost of $8,500.00 and a stipend cost of $725.00/week with a five (5) year contract with the new hire. Mike seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Mike made a Motion to negotiate with the Union regarding the current Street Department contract. Ken seconded the Motion. All in Favor.
Rebekah made a Motion to give a $50.00 gift to the Street Department employees and Kerry Parkes for their assistance regarding the Railroad crossing project and also for helping a resident who collapsed along the roadway. Mike seconded. All in Favor.
Mike made a Motion to go down to two (2) Police vehicles an within two (2) months after receiving the I.C.E. funding, Chief Kerry Parkes must bring plans for the use of the funding to Council for approval. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
 Mike made a Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:17pm. Peter seconded. All in Favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Fritz
Secretary