BOROUGH OF SOUTHMONT
148 Wonder
Street
Johnstown, PA 15905
Minutes for November 21, 2011
The pledge of allegiance was conducted and the scheduled November 21, 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, Herb Ewald, William Kory, Kevin Pile, Tom Strittmatter and Robert Morgan, Mayor Gregory Paolini, West Hills Police Det. Sgt. George Musulin
Absent: West Hills Police Chief Andrew Havas, Fire Chief Mike Leckey, Engineer Scott Rugh (excused)
Visitors: Chet Borosky and Ronald Kautz, Southmont Volunteer Fire Company
Meeting Agenda
A motion was made by Mr. Pile to
approve the Council Meeting Minutes of October
17, 2011. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. All in favor, motion
carried. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve the Workshop Meeting Minutes
of October 18, 2011.
Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. All in favor, motion carried. A motion was made
by Mr. Pile to approve the Workshop Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2011. Motion seconded by Mr.
Morgan. All in favor, motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve
the Workshop Meeting Minutes of November
7, 2011. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. All in favor, motion
carried. A motion was made by Mr. Morgan to approve the ratification of payroll
from October 20, 2011
through November 21, 2011
in the amount of $16,079.73. Motion seconded by Mr. Strittmatter. Role call:
Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and
Mr. Morgan in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Danyluk to
approve the bills from October 19,
2011 through November 22,
2011 in the amount of $98,059.65. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan.
Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr.
Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Mr.
Pile to approve the October 2011 treasurer’s report in the amount of
$613,088.53. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. All in favor, motion carried. A
motion was made by Mr. Pile to note the receipt of the October 2011 tax
collector’s report. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. All in favor, motion carried.
Police Chief’s Report
Chief Havas absent. Det. Sgt.
Musulin reported Officers handed out Halloween booklets and bags at the Farmers
Market at Westmont Presbyterian Church and at the October pack meeting of a
number of Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Troops. Det. Sgt. Musulin reported
Officer Mulkey participated in a Drug Awareness Program at Our Mother of
Sorrows Elementary School and Officer Stutzman gave a presentation regarding
the purpose of a uniform at the weekly meeting of the Boy Scouts of America Tiger Cub Den #3. Mr. Ewald
stated he noticed drivers speeding along Langhorne
Avenue and Shady Lane.
Det. Sgt. Musulin will have an officer patrol the area. The Police fines for
October 2011 were $270.47 for vehicle fines and $220.27 for Ordinance
violations.
Fire Company’s Report
Chief Leckey absent. Mr. Borosky
reported a financial committee meeting was held on November 20, 2011. Mr. Borosky updated Council in
regards to the upcoming consolidation with Upper Yoder Fire Department. Mr.
Borosky stated Southmont Borough Council will need to hold a meeting with Upper
Yoder Township
to discuss an agreement as to a set amount each municipality will contribute to
the consolidated fire department, the Southern Cambria Emergency Services. Mr.
Borosky stated Council will need to determine the amount of utilities used by
the Southmont Volunteer Fire Company noting after the consolidation the SCES
will begin to reimburse the Borough for the utilities. Mr. Borosky stated the SCES
will also pay for their own fuel costs. The Hilltop Ambulance Report was
received and is on file.
Engineer’s Report
Mr. Wargo stated there is no new
activity.
Zoning Officer’s Report
Mr. Wargo reported two zoning
permits issued to 1110 Menoher Boulevard,
fence; and 410 Orchard Street,
sign permit. Mr. Wargo reported two approved sewer compliance certificates
issued to 206 Leila Street
and 302 Cheney Oak Drive.
Mr. Wargo reported the hearing for the retaining wall issue at 14
Shady Lane and 15 Shady
Lane has been continued. Mr. Wargo reported he
spoke with Mr. Dixon, owner of 6 Cox Street,
noting Mr. Dixon’s attorney will be sending a follow up letter informing the
tenant he must repair the curb cuts he made. A brief discussion was held
regarding the recent decision by the Cambria County Board of Assessment to decrease
taxes on 942 Pine Grove Lane.
A motion was made by Mr. Pile to allow Solicitor Carbonara to file an appeal
for 942 Pine Grove Lane
with a cost of up to $250.00. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. All in favor, motion
carried.
Mayor’s Report
Nothing to report.
Manager’s Report
Mr. Wargo reported he will be
meeting with the EADS Group to discuss bidding 2012 sanitary sewer projects
noting he plans to begin bidding in February 2012, awarding the bid in March
2012 and beginning work in April 2012. Mr. Wargo stated he has a call in to
State Pipe Services to inquire why construction had not begun on repairs to 95
feet of pipe between 531 Edward Street
and 535 Edward Street. Mr.
Wargo stated State Pipe Services is currently backed up and will begin work as
soon as possible. Mr. Wargo stated leaf pick-up will continue until the end of
November 2011. Mr. Wargo reported winter maintenance has begun on the vehicles
and 53 letters have been sent out requesting property owners trim back shrubs
and tree limbs which prohibit the plow trucks access to alleys and streets.
Solicitor’s Report
Solicitor Carbonara stated an
Executive Session would be held at the end of the meeting.
Secretary’s Report
Ms. Claycomb reported the 2012
MMO, in the amount of $7,079.00, was submitted to Council by the September 30, 2011 date. Ms. Claycomb
reported Kesslak Insurance notified the Borough that UPMC Hospitalization will
remain the same for 2012. Ms. Claycomb reported she attended a seminar held by
Berkheimer Tax Associates regarding the requirements for filing and collecting
earned income taxes and certificates of residency that will need to be filed by
each employer and residents. Ms. Claycomb reminded Council the December Council
Meeting will be held December 12,
2011 and a Reorganization Meeting will be held January 2, 2012.
1) COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Streets: Nothing to report.
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 reported the budget is down $22,800 from 2010. Mr. Pile stated the sewer expenses have decreased. Mr. Wargo noted the excess income will be a carry-over to 2012 for sewer projects. Mr. Pile reported a Cambria County Tax Collection meeting was held on September 22, 2011 noting Wessel & Company was appointed as the auditors for the Cambria County Tax Collection Committee at an annual fee of $2,250 for the years 2012 through 2016. Mr. Pile stated the CCTCC proposed a $20,010 allocation to municipalities noting the anticipated share paid by Southmont Borough should be approximately the same as in 2009 which was $240.00. Mr. Pile stated the next CCTCC meeting will be held December 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
G. Shade Tree Committee: Mr. Morgan reported holes have been dug for shade trees. Mr. Morgan noted a gas line in the spot where two trees were to be planted on Diamond Boulevard was discovered to be thirteen inches below ground and the trees cannot be planted there.
H. Recreation Committee: Mr. Pile stated he attended the meeting in place of Mr. Kory. Mr. Pile reported the next Craftin n’ Cruisin event will be held the last weekend of August 2012 noting they are looking to get more booths. Mr. Pile reported the Recreation Committee plans to spend approximately $50,000.00 on repairs to the Ridge noting the multi-purpose room is currently being repainted and air conditioning installed. Mr. Pile stated Ms. Fran Sivi, Recreation Director, is interested in more ideas for community recreation activities. Mr. Pile suggested using the soccer field more and Mr. Ewald suggested contacting surrounding communities regarding interest in using the field. Mr. Pile stated the roller court needs repaved to increase resident interest in using it.
I. Buildings & Grounds Committee: Nothing to report.
J. Greater Johnstown Water Authority: Mr. Pile reported 40,000 feet of pipe has been laid for the inter-connection project with Ligonier. Mr. Pile reported in 2008, the Water Authority floated a bond issue noting part of the bond may be refinanced. Mr. Pile noted if the bond issue can be refinanced the Water Authority can recoup approximately 2.6 million dollars, but they would have to wait until after February 2012.
K. Open Records: No open records requests received.
New Business
Mr. Rodgers reported he attended
the October Cambria County Borough’s Association meeting along with Solicitor
Carbonara, Mr. Ewald and Mr. Morgan noting the CCBA suggested municipalities
stay away from any landlord ordinances and they are currently working on
setting the prevailing wage. An Executive Session was called at 7:50 p.m. to discuss legal, personnel and
administrative matters. Executive Session ended at 8:22 p.m. and Council resumed its regularly scheduled
meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve and advertise the 2012
tentative budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr.
Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in
favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve and advertise
the 2012 sanitary sewer tentative budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. Role
call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter
and Mr. Morgan in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Pile to approve and advertise the 2012
tentative garbage budget. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. Role call: Mr. Rodgers,
Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in
favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Kory for Solicitor Carbonara to
prepare an ordinance setting the 2012 tax rate at 13 mills. Motion seconded by
Mr. Danyluk. Role call: Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr.
Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and Mr. Morgan in favor. Motion carried. An Executive
Session was called at 8:25 p.m. to
discuss administrative matters. Executive Session ended at 8:30 p.m. and Council resumed its regularly scheduled
meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Danyluk to approve the following wages
beginning January 1, 2012:
Manager $36,500; Secretary/Treasurer-Clerk $12.00/hour; Street Commissioner
$33,675; Street Department $13.52/hour. Motion seconded by Mr. Kory. Role call:
Mr. Rodgers, Mr. Danyluk, Mr. Ewald, Mr. Kory, Mr. Pile, Mr. Strittmatter and
Mr. Morgan in favor. Motion carried.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mr. Danyluk for adjournment of the November 21, 2011 meeting at 8:30 P.M. Motion seconded by Mr. Morgan. All in favor, motion carried.
Respectfully
submitted,
Amanda D. Claycomb
Asst. Secretary/Treasurer
