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October 25, 2004, Work Session

The Work Session of the Clarion Borough Council was held on October 25, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Councilmembers present included Mr. Zerfoss, Mr. Herman, Ms. Vavrek, Mr. German, and President Wilshire.  Mr. Crooks arrived at 5:02 p.m. and Ms. Moore arrived at 5:06 p.m.  Ms. Lapinto, Mr. Stutzman, Chief Hall, Mayor Smathers, and Mr. Ragon were also present.

Citizen Comments:  There was none.

Administration:  President Wilshire didn’t have anything to report.

Ms. Lapinto stated John Schmader, Clarion County Collection Agency, who collects the Borough’s wage tax, is planning on retiring at the end of the year.  Mr. Schmader recommends his assistant that he has been training take over the position.

President Wilshire commented the contract was going to be looked at to see if it’s with the company or a specific person.

Ms. Lapinto hasn’t had a chance to do that yet but assured Council it’s nothing the
Borough wants to do in-house.  Mr. Schmader developed the software and computerized the collection.

President Wilshire noted it seems to go pretty smooth.

Ms. Lapinto received a letter from his assistant, who is willing to meet with Council to answer any questions.

Mr. Herman inquired how the tax collection is going with Mary Brooks.

Ms. Lapinto informed everyone Ms. Brooks is doing a very professional job.  Everything is being received in a timely manner and the records are very accurate.  Mr. Brooks has really taken an effort to update the books, especially per capita records.

President Wilshire suggested the Borough work with the School District in terms of the wage collection.  If it changes parties, an audit should probably be done to make sure everything is in order.

Public Works:  Mr. Zerfoss reported Merle Road and the storm sewer project are completed.  The project at Paul A. Weaver Park is still going on.

Mr. Zerfoss announced leaves will be taken until December 6, 2004.  At that time, the winter ordinance will be in affect, and the Department will be handling snow not leaves.  If necessary, leaves may be taken in the spring.

Mr. Zerfoss commented Mr. Stutzman and Mr. Masters attended a seminar for a couple days last week.  Originally, Council had approved Mr. Thompson to attend, but Mr. Thompson had to go to Reserves; and, therefore, Mr. Masters was sent.  Mr. Zerfoss asked Mr. Stutzman for a report.

Mr. Stutzman stated the seminar consisted of a lot of new technology and new issues coming down the road.  One of the biggest issues was treating storm water run-off.  It’s coming in the future and cities are already doing it.  A system was developed where it would be installed where the outflow is into the river, streams, or wherever the last point is.  The system will separate the floating debris and it will go into a series of chambers.  All the solids will fall to the bottom of it and discharges.  It’s a massive undertaking.  Also, Mr. Stutzman spoke with different vendors that handle a way to replace the bricks on Main Street.  There are a lot of new materials available.  The Borough could apply it to the existing problems or take a certain amount out and add in.  It seems easier than putting concrete in and stamping it.  In the next few months, the vendors will come to Clarion, look at what is here, and give the Borough a recommendation.  Mr. Stutzman stated a few individual speakers discussed homeland security and it was really fascinating.

Back to the storm water run-off, Mr. Herman inquired if this is related to what happened recently in Pittsburgh where the run-off contributed to the flooding situations.

Mr. Stutzman stated no.  It was more about treating contaminated run-off, which would be anything that runs off the street that has dirt or garbage in it.  Storm water run-off is being treated almost like sewage.  That waste water eventually ends up in the creeks or rivers.  A lot of developers in the cities are already putting these systems in before being mandated.

Mr. Herman asked who would be responsible for mandating.

Mr. Stutzman thinks EPA would be.

At the Committee meeting, President Wilshire stated the Committee discussed the possibility of arranging for electricity to put lights on the trees and asked if anyone had a chance to look at this issue.

Mr. Stutzman reported some of the receptacles need to be worked on.  The Department is going to go up and look at them to see if it will be possible.

Mr. Zerfoss commented the Committee discussed several items but are not ready to come to Council.  The main topic was the receptacles for the Christmas lights and Mr. Stutzman is working on it.

Mr. Crooks added it would be great to be able to put lights on the trees.

Downtown Committee:  Ms. Moore stated the Committee is waiting on some information from Mr. Ragon and Mr. Stutzman to see how much money is necessary for one of the projects that the Committee has been working on.

Ms. Moore informed everyone Ms. Andrea Maitland, at her request, has been added to the Committee as a business owner.

Ms. Moore hopes somebody can find the Committee some money.

Mr. Crooks announced a new tanning business has opened.

Public Safety:  Mr. Herman stated the Public Works and Public Safety Committees will be scheduling a meeting to go check on a number of streets and areas that may be changed.  Then the Committees will report back to Council.

Housing and Zoning:  Ms. Vavrek reported Mr. Zerfoss, Mr. Stutzman, Mr. Ragon, and she met to discuss the brush, trees, and shrub ordinances.  These are two separate ordinances, and the Committee decided to combine them into one.  Mr. Ragon will begin working on that and send it to Solicitor Marshall for review.

Ms. Vavrek commented Ms. Lapinto and Mr. Ragon are working on the RFP’s for the third-party agency.

Recreation:  Mr. German had nothing to report.

Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Smathers had nothing to report.

Manager’s Report:  Ms. Lapinto began working on the budget and will get it out to Council as soon as possible.

As far as getting the budget out, Mr. German inquired how that works.

Ms. Lapinto stated Council usually has the budget by the November Council Meeting.  This year Council will have it by the December Council Meeting and adopt it at a Special Council Meeting later in December.

President Wilshire noted Council has to approve to advertise the budget for 20 days and then adopt it at a special meeting.

Ms. Lapinto will contact Mr. German to go over the Recreation budget before December.

Old Business:  Mr. Herman stated Council voted to advertise the Snow Removal Ordinance at the last Council Meeting.

Ms. LaVan commented it has been advertised.

Mr. Herman reported the Ordinance will be on the agenda for adoption at next week’s Council Meeting.

New Business:  There was none.

Correspondence:  There was none.

Ms. Lapinto reminded everyone Halloween is Sunday.

Ms. Moore received comments on that.  Churches have objected.  In the future, Council should recommend it not be held on a Sunday.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Vavrek, the Work Session was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Carol Lapinto

                     Borough Secretary