Monthly Index

December 20, 2004, Special Council Meeting

Citizen Comments:               None

Administration:               Approved Resolution #2004-215,

                     Approving the 2005 Fiscal Year

                     Budget; Adopted 2005 Budget,

                     Tax Ordinance #2004-729, and

                     Fee Schedule; Approved Council

                     Meeting and Work Session Dates;

                     Appointments Made to Various

                     Boards and Commissions

Public Works:                  Discussion on Winter Hours and

                     Snow Plowing; Penn Dot Reminder

The special meeting of the Clarion Borough Council was held on December 20, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

Councilmembers present included Messrs. Zerfoss, Herman, Crooks, Ms. Vavrek, Ms. Moore, Mr. German, and President Wilshire.  Mr. Stutzman and Mr. Ragon were present.  Ms. Lapinto, Mayor Smathers, and Chief Hall were absent.

Citizen Comments:  There was none.

Administration:   President Wilshire announced a motion is necessary to approve Resolution #2004-215, which approves the 2005 Budget.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Ms. Moore, approving Resolution #2004-215, approving the 2005 fiscal year budget of the Borough of Clarion, was carried with a vote of six yea with Mr. German voting nay.

President Wilshire informed Council the next motion necessary is to adopt the 2005 Budget, Tax Ordinance #2004-729, and Fee Schedule.

President Wilshire asked for any discussion.

Mr. German received a letter at his business in reference to the new occupational privilege tax, which Council hasn’t approved yet, and wondered why it was sent.

Ms. LaVan stated the Ordinance will actually be approved at the January Council Meeting, but it is the intention that the $52 tax will be implemented January 1st.

Ms. Vavrek noted the letter was probably sent because Ms. Lapinto was going to be out-of-town.

President Wilshire commented the tax is included in the Tax Ordinance and doesn’t think Council will have to vote on it in January.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Moore to adopt the 2005 Budget, Tax Ordinance #2004-729, and Fee Schedule.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea with Mr. German voting nay.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. German, approving to advertise the dates of the Council Meetings ( January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6) and Work Sessions (January 24, February 21, March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 24, November 28, and December 26) for the year 2005, was carried with a vote of seven yea.

President Wilshire stated re-appointments to various boards or commissions are necessary and commented everyone has agreed to serve another term.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Vavrek to re-appoint the following people: William Sanders to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board to expire at the end of 2007; Barry Sweet to a three-year term on the Police Pension Committee to expire at the end of 2007; Tim Seidle to a three-year term on the Library Board to expire at the end of 2007; and Frank Lignelli to a four-year term on the Planning Commission to expire at the end of 2008.  The motion carried with a vote of seven yea.

President Wilshire asked if anyone has any type of business to discuss.

Under Public Works, Mr. Zerfoss informed everyone the Department is on the winter operation schedule. John Lawrence and Curt Masters work 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and Bob Larson, Tom Thompson, and Brad Stutzman work 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Between 3 p.m. – 11 p.m., if it snows, the day shift covers the first 4 hours (3 p.m. – 7 p.m.) and the night shift covers the remaining 4 hours (7 p.m. – 11 p.m.).  Over the weekend, the employees are on-call.  If bad weather occurs on Christmas or New Year’s Day, Mr. Zerfoss assured everyone the employees will be out.

Mr. Zerfoss complimented Mr. Stutzman on training Mr. Larson on the winter maintenance and the proper use of equipment.

President Wilshire asked if the Department has an adequate supply of salt or anti-skid.

Mr. Zerfoss stated yes.  If there is no snow, the employees stay busy maintaining the winter and summer equipment.  If anyone has any complaints, he/she should notify Mr. Stutzman or Mr. Zerfoss.

Ms. Moore hopes someone reminds Penn Dot not to plow the snow onto the sidewalks after the residents have shoveled, particularly Greenville Avenue and Eighth Avenue.

Mr. Stutzman planned on calling Penn Dot to remind them of Main Street.

Mr. Zerfoss suggested Mr. Stutzman set up a 10-minute meeting with Marty Ferguson, Clarion County Penn Dot representative, to discuss this issue.

Ms. Moore pointed out it’s a shame the residents shovels his/her sidewalk and Penn Dot plows the snow back onto the sidewalk and it freezes.

President Wilshire asked how Penn Dot avoids doing that.

Ms. Moore stated by slowing down.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Vavrek, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 a.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Linda M. LaVan

                     Administrative/Zoning Secretary