December 2011 Minutes

BOROUGH OF SOUTHMONT
148 Wonder Street
Johnstown, PA 15905

The pledge of allegiance was conducted and the scheduled December 12, 2011 Council meeting was called to order by President Rodgers at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Attorney Michael Carbonara, Manager Richard Wargo, Asst. Sec./Tres. Amanda Claycomb, President Richard Rodgers, Council Members; Ed Danyluk,  William Kory, Kevin Pile, Tom Strittmatter and Robert Morgan, Mayor Gregory Paolini, West Hills Police Chief Andrew Havas

Absent: Council Member Herb Ewald, Fire Chief Mike Leckey, Engineer Scott Rughe (excused)

Visitors: Chet Borosky and Ronald Kautz, Southmont Volunteer Fire Company; Bob Walker, 312 State Street (Observing)

Meeting Agenda

A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve the Council Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2011. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve the ratification of payroll from November 22, 2011 through December 14, 2011 in the amount of $13,186.02. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Morgan to approve the bills from November 23, 2011 through December 13, 2011 in the amount of $39,885.75. Motion seconded by Mr. Strittmatter. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Kory to approve the November 2011 treasurer’s report in the amount of $474,087.05. Motion seconded by Mr. Pile. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Kory to note the receipt of the November 2011 tax collector’s report in the amount of $1,783.78. Motion seconded by Mr. Pile. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0).

Police Chief’s Report

Chief Havas handed out Crime Prevention booklets which they had made noting there was no cost to the West Hills Regional Police. The Police fines for November 2011 were $257.30 for vehicle fines and $155.98 for ordinance violations.

Fire Company’s Report

Mr. Borosky reported a consolidation meeting was held December 11, 2011 noting the consolidation board felt another meeting needs to be held with Council to clarify some issues. Mr. Borosky stated a thorough inventory is completed for income tax purposes every year and the inventory list Council requested is being completed at this time. The Hilltop Ambulance Report was not received.

Engineer’s Report

Mr. Wargo reported he was notified that dirt was being moved at 579 Edward Street and after review noted it was excavation for an unscheduled garage construction. Mr. Wargo stated he met with the owner, Mr. Gregory Safko, and discontinued construction until Mr. Safko obtains a zoning permit and a curb cut approval. Mr. Wargo notified Attorney Robert Shahade of the issue. A brief discussion was held regarding residents beginning construction without approved permits. A motion was made by Mr. Morgan to inform the West Hills Police Department to watch for permit violations and inform Mr. Wargo of any violations. Motion seconded by Mr. Pile. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0).

Zoning Officer’s Report

Mr. Wargo reported three approved sewer compliance certificates approved for 312 Palliser Street, 436 Southmont Blvd., and 206 Leila Street. Mr. Wargo reported on the wall between 14 Shady Lane and 15 Shady Lane noting one-half is repaired and the other half is in the process of being repaired. Mr. Wargo reported a letter was sent to Mr. Dixon regarding the curb cut at 6 Cox Street stating the curb repairs must be completed immediately.

Mayor’s Report

Nothing to report.

Manager’s Report

Mr. Wargo reported a meeting will be held with the EADS Group to set up bidding process for the three sanitary sewer projects on Cheney Oak Drive, Shady Lane and Thoburn Street to begin spring 2012. Mr. Wargo noted the repairs are anticipated to have an approximate cost of $130,000.00. Mr. Wargo stated he has been in contact with State Pipe Services and they will begin repairs of the 95 feet of sanitary sewer line on Edward Street the week of December 12 or December 19, 2011.

Solicitor’s Report

An Executive Session will be held at the end of the meeting.

Secretary’s Report

Ms. Claycomb reminded Council the Re-organization Meeting will be held January 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. noting at that time the Mayor will administer the Oath of Office to the re-elected members of Council. Ms. Claycomb reported an audit of the 2010 Liquid Fuels Tax Account will be done on December 22, 2011. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve the final General Budget, Sewer Budget and Garbage Budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve Ordinance 489, setting the 2012 tax rate at 13 mills. Motion seconded by Mr. Danyluk. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve Resolution 2011-04 for the disposition of records. Motion seconded by Mr. Strittmatter. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0). A motion was made by Mr. Kory to approve the 2012 meeting schedule as follows: monthly meetings will be the third Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Committee meetings will be Tuesday of each week, when necessary at 4:00 p.m., and at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday, if necessary. The December 2012 monthly meeting will be held December 10^th, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Motion seconded by Mr. Pile. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0).

1) COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Streets: Mr. Ewald absent. Mr. Wargo reported the leaf machine and street sweeper have been winterized.

B. Administration: Nothing to report.

C. Personnel: Nothing to report.

D. Police Committee: Nothing to report. 

E. Fire Company Committee: Nothing to report.

F. Budget & Tax Collection Committee: Mr. Pile stated the Borough is solvent for 2011. Solicitor Carbonara stated the meeting was held December 1, 2011 for election of officers noting all officers stayed the same. Solicitor Carbonara stated an advertisement will be placed in the Tribune Democrat on December 15, 2011 and January 6, 2012 notifying the public of the change of tax collection to Berkheimer Tax Associates and the new residency certification forms.

G. Shade Tree Committee: Mr. Morgan reported holes have been dug and Lichtenfels planted shade trees in them.

H. Recreation Committee: Mr. Pile stated the interior of The Grove is being painted. Mr. Pile reported a discussion was held regarding repairs needed at The Ridge and changing the meeting times and dates.

I. Buildings & Grounds Committee: Mr. Kory stated this year has been the best leaf collection yet noting the public works department did an excellent job.

J. Greater Johnstown Water Authority: Mr. Pile reported approximately 45,000 feet of pipe has been layed for the Ligonier inter-connection project noting work will be continued over winter during breaks in the weather. Mr. Pile reported the Water Authority would like to have the tank up by the end of December 2011.

K. Open Records: No requests were made.

Visitors

Mr. Walker stated he felt information being discussed by Council during the meeting was not made available to residents at the Council meetings such as bills being approved and other various reports being discussed. Mr. Danyluk stated if the office is made aware ahead of time a packet of information can be made for visitors. Mr. Morgan questioned whether the owner of 579 Edward Street and other residents could be fined for performing construction without first obtaining a zoning permit.

An Executive Session was called at 7:35 p.m. regarding legal matters. Executive Session ended at 8:03 p.m.

There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Danyluk for adjournment of the December 12, 2011 meeting at 8:03 P.M. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. Mr. Ewald absent. All in favor, motion carried (6-0).

Respectfully submitted,

Amanda D. Claycomb 

Asst. Secretary/Treasurer