The regular monthly meeting of Yoe Borough Council was held on July 5, 2016 at the Yoe Borough Municipal Building, 150 N. Maple Street, Yoe, PA 17313. The meeting was called to order by Council President Sam Snyder at 7:01PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members in attendance:
Sam Snyder
Seth Noll
Barry Myers
Regan Strausbaugh
Ryan Harper
George Howett
Others in attendance:
Dana Shearer, Maintenance
Seth Springer, Solicitor
Steve Malesker, Engineer
Diana Dvorak, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
John Sanford, Mayor
Minutes
Councilman Snyder asked if everyone had an opportunity to look over the minutes from the prior meeting. Councilman Myers made the motion to accept the minutes, Councilman Noll seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Visitors
There were no visitors at the July 2016 meeting.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to go into executive session, this was seconded by Councilman Harper. Entered executive session at 7:03. The regular meeting was reconvened at 7:40. Personnel issues were discussed; Councilman Snyder requested a motion be made for the Solicitor to send a letter to Code Administrators outlining their involvement in pending permits, and their willingness to close the permits, or returning fees to the next Zoning Officer. The motion should also note that Council is accepting the resignation of Code Administrators, contingent upon receiving a response to the Solicitor’s letter. Furthermore, the Solicitor is to draft the appropriate resolutions for appointment, and incorporate a new fee schedule for a new Code Officer, to be effective at the August 2, 2016 meeting. Also Councilman Ryan is to be the committee to investigate the willingness of Mr. Keith Hunnings to take over the position of UCC, BCO, and Zoning Officer. Council to draft a letter to let residents know that until which point a Zoning Officer is appointed, no permits will be accepted effective as of July 6, 2016. Motion was made by Councilman Howett, and seconded by Councilman Noll. All in favor. Motion carried.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor Springer was given some correspondence at the end of the last meeting from the Department of Labor and Industry. The notice was regarding leased or temporary employees, and says that these employees can claim workers compensation from either their direct employer, or from the Borough. What the Borough needs is an endorsement from the employer, stating that the employer is covering the workers compensation insurance. We need to keep these endorsements on file. The Borough can choose to pay workers compensation, but if the Borough would chose not to, an endorsement would need to be kept on file. The Department of Labor and Industry is requiring a certain form. Solicitor Springer will get this form from the Department of Labor and Industry, and will send it to any independent contractors that the Borough uses. Discussion continued regarding who exactly we need endorsements from.
Solicitor Springer is also going to look into American Legal Services to provide codification services.
Click here to download the 07-16 Solicitor’s Report.
Engineer’s Report
Last month Broad ST paving was discussed, this was discussed further, with the option to do the entire stretch. The information was provided with the Engineer’s report. Discussion continued. Councilman Noll asked for clarification to confirm that with doing cold in place that the road would be sealed. Mr. Malesker also said that core samples would need to be taken, if there is material cold in place cannot be done. Councilman Noll asked what a rough estimate of engineering fees and core samples would cost. Engineering would be roughly $3000, and core samples roughly $200. Councilman Noll does feel that core samples should be taken soon.
Discussion regarding budgeting for road repairs, and what we have in the State Roads account, and possibly taking out a loan, with an interest rate of 1.75%. We are able to take a portion of the funds from the State Roads account to pay for equipment. Council discussed purchasing a new vehicle with a stainless steel body, with a purchase price amount around $75,000. We can either try to trade in one of the Borough’s older vehicles, or take it to Manheim Auction. The next auction takes place in October. Discussion continued.
Replacing the lawn mower was also discussed. A new mower would cost around $25,000. In order to reduce the cost of the mower, then we should consider outsourcing some of the mowing, in order to purchase a more basic mower. Discussion continued regarding how long it takes to mow Pennsylvania AVE, and the cost of having a company come in and mow for $200 a mow, and possibly purchasing a used mower continued. Further research into a mower should continue.
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to accept the two proposals for the road work made by Mr. Malesker, start the process for obtaining a $100,000 PIB loan, for the paving of Broad ST to be started next year. The motion was seconded by Councilman Harper. All in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Noll made a motion that we seek a Ford 550 or equivalent, for the best price we can negotiate, allocating $40,000 of our State Roads towards the purchase. Seconded by Councilman Howett. All in favor, motion carried. Discussion continued regarding budgeting for equipment.
Mr. Malesker asked if we wanted to bid this project this year, or wait until next year. Councilman Noll suggested that we wait until October. Discussion continued.
Click here to download the 07-16 Engineer’s Report.
Maintenance Report
Repair to Newton Alley storm water box has been completed.
Mr. Shearer did send a registration letter to the property owner of 85 E 3rd.
Mulch has been ordered, and will be delivered the week of June 11th.
Councilman Myers made a motion that All Seasons Landscaping do the mowing for Pennsylvania AVE at $200 per mowing. Seconded by Councilman Harper. Motion Carried.
Zoning Officer’s Report
Councilman Noll asked that we pull zoning reports to see that they match from month to month. Also Councilman Harper is to let the prospective Zoning Officer know that we expect a report each month.
EMA Report
Mayor Sanford was unable to attend the June meeting.
The radio project is continuing in the county. They are hoping to have a total changeover by the beginning of 2017.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor’s report was provided. An email from a resident was discussed.
The recent harassment incident that took place at the park was also discussed. Mayor Sanford is going to follow up with the police to see if they would like a copy of the video, as he would like to get some resolution on this issue. Discussion regarding police coverage continued.
Secretary’s Report
There was a recent issue regarding a park rental that was missed. Several of the council members were contacted that day in hopes that one of them could open the park, which was later opened by Mrs. Myers, and later cleaned by Councilman Myers. There are concerns that the park rental coordinator is not accessible, and the situation will be monitored. Discussion continued.
A letter was sent to York Township to pay for half of the funds from the survey.
Mrs. Dvorak has been working with Mr. Nischan to get forms, such as the zoning and building permits online. Also Mr. Nischan has copied the ordinances so they can be put online. We will also be adding a storm water tab to the website to try and meet the MS4 requirements.
We have switched phone companies from Verizon to Comcast, and will be saving about $40 a month. Mrs. Dvorak asked permission to cancel our fax line, saving another $25 a month. Council agreed. The fax can still be used just by connecting the fax machine to the regular phone line if a fax must be sent.
Mrs. Dvorak was also looking into switching banks to York Traditions bank, as they offer a much more competitive interest rate. Discussion continued. Councilman Snyder recommended that we pursue switching, but get in touch with the auditors to ensure a smooth transition. York Traditions has packets made up that provide an outline of the services they offer, and what they suggest. Mrs. Dvorak will have her contact, Jamie Reid, bring this in so they can be given to council at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Councilman Howett to transfer the accounts to York Traditions based on the recommendations of the Borough. Seconded by Councilman Noll all in Favor, motion carried.
Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.
New Business
There was no new business.
Payment of Bills
In addition to the bills on the bill list, the borough will be reimbursing Councilman Noll for the MS4 conference. A motion was made by Councilman Myers to pay the bills. Seconded by Councilman Howett. All in favor, motion carried.
Adjournment
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to adjourn at 9:25, seconded by Councilman Snyder, all in favor.
