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April 26, 2004, Work Session

The Work Session of the Clarion Borough Council was held on April 26, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.

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

Citizen Comments :   There was none.

Administration :   President Wilshire stated everyone received a copy of the Pilot Agreement between the Borough and Clarion University Foundation in reference to payment in lieu of taxes for their properties.   Also, it provides the Borough with some additional revenue if there is a tax increase.

Mr. Zerfoss asked if this covers all the property the Foundation owns in Clarion Borough.

President Wilshire reported yes.   Clarion-Limestone School, Clarion Area School, and Clarion Township approved similar agreements.   Clarion Borough has to approve this and then the County Board of Assessments must approve it.   The property won’t be listed in the tax rolls, but the agreement provides the Borough with payment in lieu of taxes equal to what the taxes would be.

Mr. Herman inquired if this would supplant the litigation that is currently pending.  

President Wilshire is not sure.

Ms. Moore questioned how Kooman Law Firm is involved.

President Wilshire commented Attorney Kooman is the Foundation’s attorney.

President asked the status of the tax collector.

Ms. Lapinto reported Solicitor Marshall asked for a copy of the Auditor’s Report, which he was going to forward to Ms. Clark’s bonding company.

President Wilshire inquired if the Borough received any payments from Ms. Clark yet.

Ms. Lapinto stated the Borough received two payments, and Ms. Clark is making another deposit.   Nothing has been received for the delinquent amount.

Mr. Zerfoss questioned if the amounts are the same as last year.

Ms. Lapinto noted it depends on what is turned in tomorrow.

President Wilshire asked if Ms. Clark is specifying the money turned in is for this year.

Ms. Lapinto commented yes.   The Borough receives the tax duplicates, and Ms. LaVan marks the Borough’s copy of the tax collector book.   At the end of the year, anything not marked should be on the delinquent report Ms. Clark turns in.   When checking this year, Ms. Lapinto stated $6,000 worth of taxes was not on the list and Ms. Clark, when notified, turned that in right away.

Public Works :   Mr. Zerfoss will be asking Council for permission to send Mr. Stutzman and Mr. Thompson to a Public Works Symposium in Grantville, Pennsylvania, October 18-20, 2004.   The cost will be $130 each.   This seminar covers everything on public works maintenance in a Borough.   If approved, both will attend the following Work Session to report what was learned.

Mr. Crooks inquired if Mr. Stutzman always takes the same person.

Ms. Lapinto stated he’s supposed to switch.

Mr. Stutzman announced no one could attend last year, because it was the week of Autumn Leaf Festival.

Mr. Zerfoss reminded the residents Clean-Up Day is May 15, 2004.   Everything must be out the night before.   Brush, branches, and limbs will be taken only May 12-14, 2004.   The Public Works Department will be using a chipper.   If a person wants the mulch, it will be left; if not, it will be taken.   Anyone with brush and limbs should contact the Borough Office.   Mr. Zerfoss reported lumber will be taken on Clean-Up Day.

Mr. Zerfoss asked Mr. Stutzman to discuss the paving project, Weaver Park, and the pool.

Mr. Stutzman announced the paving project will include Wilson Avenue from Wood Street to Payne Street and to tie in intersection at Wood Street; Church Road from Second Avenue to a point and a point to West Wood Street; and Wood Street from Second Avenue to Fourth Avenue.   Council must give permission to advertise for the project.

Mr. Stutzman reported the Park is open.   The Department is installing some safety cages at the concession stands.

Mr. Stutzman commented the Department will hopefully get to the pool and prepare it for the season next week.

Mr. Zerfoss noted the little league games are scheduled to begin May 1 st , weather-permitting.

Mr. Stutzman stated line painting will not be completed until after Clean-Up Day.

Mr. Crooks hopes the lines are done before last year.

Ms. Lapinto reminded everyone the weather worked against the Borough.   The Borough is investigating a different type of paint that is supposed to last 6 years.

Mr. Crooks stated traffic on Main Street has to be slowed down.   Motorists see the green lights and speed down the street.   The pedestrian signs are helping slow traffic down a little bit.

Mr. Zerfoss stressed bagged leaves will no longer be taken at Weaver Park.

President Wilshire mentioned people can take them to the County Park.

President Wilshire informed everyone the separate Public Works Committee will be interviewing four candidates for the position and a recommendation is expected at the Council Meeting.   Also, the Committee recommends the Borough advertise for summer help and stipulate a person must be 18 years old or a high school graduate.   A job description will also be composed and voted on by Council.   In the past, the summer help positions were hired internally.   However, President Wilshire stated the Committee felt it should be advertised.

Public Safety :   Mr. Herman announced the Committee will meet on Wednesday and had nothing further to report at this time.

Housing and Zoning : Ms. Lapinto reported Council will have to decide whether to opt in or opt out of the Uniform Construction Code.

Mr. Crooks stated Ms. Vavrek and he feel right now the best thing is to opt in.   If the Borough opts out, the cost for the person building could be substantially higher; whereas, opting in, there’s usually a flat price.   Previously, Council had discussed Mr. Ragon completing some of the inspections.   However, that’s not possible, because the person issuing the occupancy has to give all the approvals.   The Borough will continue to issue the permits of the zoning.

Mr. Lapinto reported Council’s first step is to request proposal for companies providing these services.   The Borough can negotiate the best price for the residents.

Mr. Crooks noted Strattanville Borough and Monroe Township are using a company from Butler.   That company is willing to meet with Council to answer any questions.   There are a lot of things the Borough must work through.

Ms. Moore asked if all the questions Mr. Crooks had were answered.

Mr. Crooks commented yes.   Again, all inspections will be done by a company who will then issue the occupancy permit.   All inspections should be able to be completed for $450, and someone should be able to do it within a day’s notice.   Liability was a big concern.   However, the Borough wouldn’t assume any of the liability, the company would.

President Wilshire believes Council would have to vote on Tuesday to advertise an ordinance with adoption in June.

Ms. Lapinto stated the Borough received a sample ordinance, which will be sent to the Solicitor for review.    Ms. Lapinto feels opting in protects the residents.

Mr. Zerfoss also researched this and changed his mind that the Borough should opt in.   If not, it will hold up construction in the Borough.

Mr. Crooks stressed the Borough will still maintain control over zoning and land use.

Ms. Lapinto commented the Borough has to collect $2 for the State, which will be used for training.   The $2 will be added onto the fee.

Recreation :   Ms. Lapinto reported the pool will open Memorial Day Weekend.

Mr. Herman asked if everything came back with all the recommendation made at an earlier Recreation Meeting with the YMCA.

Ms. Lapinto stated yes.   The contract included the Borough would be responsible for the chemicals Monday through Friday and the YMCA will handle it over the weekends, as Mr. Stutzman recommended.

Mayor’s Report :   There was none.

Manager’s Report :   Ms. Lapinto will be requesting permission to attend the PSAB Conference June 5-9, 2004, in Seven Springs.   Since Ms. Lapinto is on the Board, the State pays for the mileage and part of her hotel fee.   The preliminary agenda looks very interesting.

Ms. Lapinto sent the CDBG Grant in and received preliminary approval one week later.   The Borough is going to completely mill and resurface as much of Merle Road as possible.   The grant is $128,000.

Mr. Crooks walks Merle Road at least four times a day and questioned if the area around the University Inn could be connected to the storm sewer.   At strange times of the day, water is pumped out of the University Inn’s basement into the street.   A lot of water flows out; and, in the wintertime, the whole drain sometimes freezes.

Ms. Lapinto isn’t sure the Borough will get that far.   However, that is what the Borough tries to do is get the businesses to tie into the Borough’s system.

Ms. Lapinto stated no response was received from the gentleman at the post office about the parking lot.

President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to check on that later.

Old Business :   There was none.

New Business :   There was none.

Correspondence :   There was none.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Moore, the Council Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

                                                                                                  ______________________________

                                                                                                  Carol Lapinto

                                                                                                  Borough Secretary