The regular monthly meeting of Yoe Borough Council was held on March 7, 2017 at the Yoe Borough Municipal Building, 150 N. Maple Street, Yoe, PA 17313. The meeting was called to order by Council President Samuel Snyder at 7:00PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council members in attendance:
Samuel Snyder
George Howett
Ryan Harper
Regan Strausbaugh
William Bankoske
Barry Myers
Others in attendance:
Others in attendance
Dana Shearer, Maintenance
Seth Springer, Solicitor
Steve Malesker, Engineer
John Sanford, Mayor
Diana Dvorak, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Chief Damon, York Area Regional Police
Ruthann Orth, Resident
Bill Page, Resident
Minutes
Councilman Snyder asked if everyone had an opportunity to look over the minutes from the prior meeting. Councilman Strausbaugh made the motion to accept the minutes, Councilman Harper seconded the motion. All in favor. Minutes approved.
Visitors
Mr. Bill Page was in attendance to discuss issues with 44 E Pennsylvania AVE. There was a fire at the residence a few weeks ago. Mr. Page also has issues with grass not being cut, accumulation of trash, and the general behavior of the residents. Mr. Page inquired what the legal limit of the grass was. Councilman Snyder let him know six inches. Mr. Page will call when the grass goes over that amount, as well as when trash starts to accumulate in the yard. Mr. Page does not feel that the property is properly posted as condemned. He has only seen one notice on one door, not on every door. Mr. Page also feels that a generator was being used to provide power to the home, prior to the fire. There was a short period of time that the utilities had been turned off. All utilities had been turned back on before the fire occurred.
This issue was discussed at the last council meeting. Mr. Page was unable to attend the previous meeting, so there was no one in attendance to testify as to the conditions. Councilman Snyder let Mr. Page know that the Borough has been working on this since the fire. The Borough has been in communication with the Borough Solicitor, the homeowner’s insurance company etc. The Solicitor has been working on preparing an ordinance for the Fire Insurance Escrow Act.
Mr. Page stated that the residents are continuing to go in and out of the home. Council did let Mr. Page know that they do have the right to go in and either work on repairs, or remove property from the home, and that any injuries resulting from fire or water damage is on the resident.
Mr. Page inquired as to whether or not the Borough has an OSHA representative, and offered to be the representative for the Borough. Council does not feel that we need anyone at this time. Solicitor Springer inquired as to whether Mr. Page would be willing to testify if it came to that; Mr. Page agreed, and also agreed to continue taking notes, and pictures regarding what is happening at 44 E Pennsylvania.
Ordinance 2017-1 – ordinance adopting the Fire Insurance Escrow Act. Solicitor Springer gave a detailed description of what the Act covers, and how it would apply moving forward. Councilman Harper made the motion to adopt the ordinance, Councilman Bankoske seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried.
Chief Damon from York Area Regional Police was in to discuss the 2016 Annual Report. In 2016 Part I crimes, which are the major crimes went down department wide, but the Part II crimes increased. Part I would be homicide, rape, burglary, aggravated assault, arson etc. Part II is fraud, forgery, drunkness, DUI, gambling, sex offenses, weapon offenses, etc.
Chief Damon went down a list of crimes that had been committed in the Borough. The Borough had a slight increase in Part I crimes in 2016. Councilman Harper inquired as if to the traffic accidents in 2016 were speed related. Chief Damon said he would have to look into that further. Mayor Sanford said from the Fire Company’s perspective it is more of an issue on Main ST. Chief Damon went on to discuss how many calls, citations, and arrests have taken place in the Borough in 2017. There have been a number of drug related arrests in the Borough. There was also one drug overdose death in the Borough in 2017.
Councilman Snyder inquired as to what effect Windsor Borough dropping out of York Area Regional would have on Yoe Borough. Chief Damon is unsure. Chief Damon also mentioned that Governor Wolf is pushing for there to be a fee per person, per household if you use State Police coverage. At this point, it will only be $25 per person.
The Police Commission is considering creating a buffer to help absorb some of the cost, should other municipalities drop out of Regional Coverage. But this is not a guarantee. Mayor Sanford asked how many Officers are considering retirement this year. There are three people eligible, and two he knows for sure two will retiring this year. Chief Damon stated that there is a plan in place for hiring.
Ruthann Orth addressed council about the possibility of starting a cat rescue in the Borough. Mrs. Orth detailed what she wanted to do for the cats in order to place them in permanent homes. At this time Mrs. Orth does not have a location in mind for the rescue. If the rescue would be started it would create jobs, and remove the stray cats from the streets. Mrs. Orth feels that placing them in homes is a better option than the trap-neuter-release program. Mrs. Orth is looking for advice on how to start this process, such as donations, help with covering the application costs for the grants, locating a property etc.
Councilman Snyder commended Mrs. Orth on her go-getter attitude. Councilman Snyder also recommended that she look into legal aid, and the BBB or Small Business Association as they would be able to provide more direction. After Mrs. Orth decides which route to take with her business, she should contact our Zoning Officer to be sure that she can run the rescue at the property that she chooses. Solicitor Springer also provided some suggestions such as PANO, and checking our code of ordinances, specifically chapter 2. Councilman Myers also made a suggestion to check into Susquehanna Score.
Solicitor’s Report
Resolution 2017-04 appointing Diana Dvorak to the position of Secretary-Treasurer. In order to do this Diana would have to sign off on the job descriptions. Also an ordinance would need to be passed stating that one person can occupy both positions. Sandra Sterner tendered her resignation on February 13th. Councilman Strausbaugh made the motion to declare the seat vacant and Councilman Bankoske seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Myers made the motion to resolve Resolution 2017-04, seconded by Councilman seconded by Councilman Strausbaugh, all in favor, motion carried.
Councilman Harper made the motion to prepare Ordinance 2017-02, combining the two offices, seconded by Councilman Bankoske, all in favor, motion carried.
Solicitor Springer had been working with Mr. Malesker regarding the H20 Project, but due to other, more pressing issues arising, had not been able to spend much time on it.
Executive Session
Councilman Bankoske made a motion to go into executive session at 8:11 PM, this was seconded by Councilman Strausbaugh. The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:44 PM. Audit issues were discussed. Councilman Harper made the motion for Diana to have additional hours as needed in order to audit the documents. This was seconded by Councilman Bankoske.
Engineer’s Report
Documents have been signed for the PIB loan. Resolution 2017-05 – Borough entering into loan agreement. Samuel Snyder, President of Council is to execute documents, and the Borough Secretary should attest said documents. Councilman Harper made the motion, seconded by Councilman Bankoske.
Councilman Howett made the motion to enter into the PIB loan in the amount of $110,000 to be paid annually over the next 10 years. A separate PIB loan account has been set up for the loan. Seconded by Councilman Myers, all in favor, motion carried.
Because the PIB loan has been approved a motion is needed to award the Broad ST paving project to the low bidder, which was York Excavating at their price of $124,512.50. Councilman Myers, Harper, and Bankoske abstained from voting as they reside on Broad ST. Councilman Strausbaugh made the motion, Councilman Howett seconded. Councilman Snyder, as well as Mayor Sanford, both voted yes. Motion carried. Mr. Malesker will take care of the required paperwork.
DEP sent a letter acknowledging the 2016 annual inspection report. The Department is requesting that the suggested repairs be completed in 2017. Mr. Shearer has already completed the suggested recommendations. Discussion continued.
A traffic study will be done on S Main ST. There was discussion of CDBG grants continued. Councilman Myers made a motion to have Mr. Malesker start the grant process to tie in with the park project. Seconded by Councilman Harper, all in favor, motion carried. Councilman Snyder will follow up with Councilman Noll to see if there any other projects that need to be considered. Discussion continued.
Maintenance Report
There has been a radar counter strapped to a pole across from Yoe Parts.
Need approval for street sweeping from All Seasons Landscaping at $105 an hour. Street sweeping generally takes up to 15 hours. Discussion continued on what roads to sweep. Councilman Myers made the motion to accept the quote, with a limited scope of roads. Seconded by Councilman Harper. All in favor, motion carried.
Clearview has completed the dredging, as well as some repair work. The invoice was $3700.00, should get a bill for York Building projects for stone.
Approval for the 2017 mowing quote is needed. Mowing and trimming of the retention pond bi-weekly $295. $200 per mowing for the common areas on E Pennsylvania AVE. Councilman Myers made the motion, Councilman Bankoske seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
COSTARS salt contract will be for 143 tons. We have received delivery of the new truck. Mr. Shearer had previously expressed an interest in permanently lettering the truck. He did receive a quote for that in the amount of $488.69. Councilman Harper made the motion to move forward with the lettering. Councilman Strausbaugh seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Mr. Shearer and Secretary Dvorak did comparison shopping for the Microsoft Surface PRO. Sam’s club had the better price, but a Sam’s Club membership would need to be purchased. Discussion continued. Councilman Myers made the motion to purchase the Sam’s Club Plus membership, as well as the Surface, with a warranty. Councilman Bankoske seconded the motion, all in favor, motion carried.
Zoning Officer’s Report
Nothing at this time.
EMA Report
The State is in the process of upgrading computer systems.
Mayor’s Report
Report provided. Mayor Sanford is attending the Borough’s Association Meeting at the end of the month. Secretary Dvorak still needs to complete the NIMS training. This is now a three hour course, so this has not been completed yet. There was discussion of traffic issues that had been discussed with Chief Damon. Further discussion of an increased cost if other municipalities drop out continued.
Secretary’s Report
QRT acknowledged receipt of our donation. Councilman Noll sent an updated copy of the Zoning Hearing responsibility list. Councilman Myers made the motion to accept the list, seconded by Councilman Bankoske. All in favor, motion carried.
Unfinished Business
The no smoking signs that would have been provided by Wellspan did require a resolution. It was decided that we are not going to move forward with this.
New Business
None
Payment of Bills
Councilman Howett made a motion to pay the bills. Seconded by Councilman Strausbaugh. All in favor, motion carried.
Adjournment
Councilman Bankoske made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 PM. Councilman Snyder seconded the motion. All in favor.
