The regular monthly meeting of Yoe Borough Council was held on January 2, 2018 at the Yoe Borough Municipal Building, 150 N. Maple Street, Yoe, PA 17313. The meeting was called to order by Mayor John Sanford at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members in attendance:
Samuel Snyder
Ryan Harper
William Bankoske
Barry Myers
Seth Noll
George Howett
Others in attendance:
John Sanford, Mayor
Seth Springer, Solicitor
Steve Malesker, Engineer
Dana Shearer, Maintenance Supervisor
Diana Dvorak, Secretary-Treasurer
James Tyson, Resident
Oath of Office
Mayor Sanford presented the secretary with his affidavit of residency and his oath of office. Affidavits of residency were also presented for Seth Noll, Barry Myers and William Bankoske.
Councilmen Noll, Myers, and Bankoske were given the oath of office. All answered I do.
Nominations
Mayor Sanford opened the floor for nominations for Council President. Councilman Noll nominated Samuel Snyder for President of Council. Councilman Snyder abstained. The vote was otherwise unanimous.
Mayor Sanford asked for nominations for Vice President of Council. Councilman Snyder nominated Councilman Noll for Vice President of Council. Councilman Noll abstained. The vote was otherwise unanimous.
The meeting was turned over to Councilman Snyder. One Councilman was unable to fufill his duties due to his untimely death. Councilman Harper made the motion to declare the seat vacant, and for word to get out that we have an opening. Councilman Bankoske seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
We have not yet received certification or affidavit for the elected tax collector. If the elected tax collector does not submit this information, the county will be the tax collector for the Borough. Discussion continued.
Councilman Noll wanted to make note that the vacant seat must be filled by a Republican.
Councilman Snyder is passing the meeting over to Vice President Seth Noll due to technical difficulties.
Resolution 2018-01 appointee list. Councilman Harper made the motion to adopt, seconded by Councilman Bankoske. All in favor, motion carried.
Meeting turned back over to Councilman Snyder.
Resolution 2018-02 appointing Patti McConagle to a three year term expiring on 12/31/2020. There is still an empty seat on the zoning board, and two empty seats on the sewer authority.
Minutes
Councilman Snyder asked if everyone had an opportunity to look over the minutes from the prior meeting. Councilman Myers made a motion to accept the November minutes, Councilman Howett seconded the motion. All in favor, minutes accepted.
Visitors
Boy Scout Troop 43 was in attendance to observe the meeting. Council thanked the Boy Scouts for attending the meeting. Councilman Snyder explained the importance of local government.
Mr. Luke Walker is our newly elected tax collector, but is unsure if he is qualified to hold the position. Mr. Walker was elected by write in, but he was not running for this position. Mr. Walker is considering moving out of Yoe Borough. If he does move out of the Borough he will not be qualified for the position of Tax Collector. Solicitor Springer let Mr. Walker know that if he does indeed decide to accept the position, there are classes that he will be required to take.
Solicitor’s Report
The annual budget has been advertised, it must now be adopted. Councilman Noll made the motion that we formally adopt the 2018 budget. Councilman Harper seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Ordinance 2017-04, fixing the millage rate for 2018. The millage rate for general revenue purposes is 3.455 mills. The millage rate for the annual fire tax is .452 mills. The millage rate for annual emergency services is .500 mills. Councilman Howett made the motion to ordain 2017-04, seconded by Councilman Bankoske, all in favor, so be it ordained. The mayor has approved the ordinance within the statutory ten days.
The 2018 meeting dates were provided to Council for approval, and advertising. Councilman Myers made the motion to advertise the meeting dates for 2018. Seconded by Councilman Bankoske. All in favor, meeting dates are set.
The mini-casino opt out was brought up for discussion. There is one caveat; once you opt out, you can opt back in, but you cannot opt back out again. Opting out of the mini-casinos will have no effect on small games of chance.
Reimbursement for 197 S Main ST has been received by the Borough. At this point, the only thing left is for PA DEP to officially clear the affected properties.
Solicitor Springer reviewed the contract from South Penn Code Consultants. There was no minimum amount of insurance listed on the contract, but there was insurance information provided.
Councilman Noll feels that we should opt out of the mini-casinos. There were no objections from Council. Councilman Harper made the motion to accept resolution 2017-011proclaiming that Yoe Borough has exercised its statutory option to prohibit the location of category 4 licensed facilities within the boundaries of Yoe. Seconded by councilman Bankoske. All in favor, so be it resolved.
The contracts from 2017 and 2018 from South Penn are the same. Councilman Noll made the motion to accept the contract from South Penn Code Consultants. Delegated duties to administer and enforce the Municipalities building code, to administer and enforce the municipalities zoning ordinance, to administer and enforce the codes and or ordinances identified on attachment A. Councilman Banksoske seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
There was a question on whether or not we need a new contract from CCIS.
Engineer’s Report
Mr. Malesker met with Barry, Seth and Dana, and looked at the park alley drainage situation. Mr. Malesker pulled the 2004 project file. The cost estimate has gone up slightly since then. The borough can decrease some cost by purchasing their own materials, but most likely the labor will need to be put out for bid unless it comes in under $10,500. Discussion continued. Councilman Noll made the motion to obtain quotes to convert a concrete swale to an earth covered pipe, to be connected to the main stormwater system on Main Street. Because this is on private property, two easements will need to be obtained. Easement agreements should be obtained prior to any work being started. Councilman Howett seconded the motion. Councilman Snyder abstained, all others in favor. Councilman Harper and Mr. Shearer will work on the easement agreements.
Mayor Sanford sent in the paperwork for the dam inspection. Routine maintenance will be completed. Mr. Malesker can add the dates for the work to the report when provided. Discussion continued.
Maintenance Report
Report provided. Equipment prepped for snow removal. Traffic issues on West Philadelphia will be addressed after the first of the year.
Zoning Officer’s Report
No report provided. All complaints now to be provided in writing, and must include complainants name and phone number. There was discussion related to ongoing issues regarding 44 E Pennsylvania AVE. There is still no permit in place for this property, and the property owner is not complying with the requirements to have a structural engineer to look at the property. Councilman Noll is going to follow up with the property owner, CCIS and South Penn Code Consultants. If this issue is not resolved then we will move to deem the property a nuisance.
EMA Report
Radios have arrived. Gives them the capability to talk to all emergency services in the county.
Mayor’s Report
Report provided. Bus and truck traffic have ceased on Broad ST. Mayor Sanford has the new police contract to be signed, along with information from the Chief of Police, regarding PPU recommendations. The final increase was 3.5% to the contract for 2018.
Councilman Howett made the motion to sign the five year police contract. Councilman Noll seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
The open records request from York Area Regional has been retracted.
Secretary’s Report
Secretary Dvorak needs to notify the county that we plan to move forward with them as our tax collector. The Borough is also interested in having a sitting both in the spring and fall for tax collection.
Unfinished Business
Councilman Harper inquired about meeting with Red Lion to discuss the State Police.
New Business
There is no new business at this time.
Payment of Bills
Councilman Noll made a motion to pay the bills. Seconded by Councilman Howett. All in favor, bills are paid.
Adjournment
Councilman Bankoske made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:30PM. Councilman Snyder seconded the motion. All in favor.
