Monthly Index

August 30, 2004, Work Session

The Work Session of the Clarion Borough Council was held on August 30, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

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

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

Citizen Comments :   There was none.

Administration :   President Wilshire stated the Committee has nothing to report but has something for the Downtown Committee later in the meeting.

Public Works :   Mr. Zerfoss announced the Department has been putting in a new storm sewer at Corbett Street leading to Fifth Avenue.   Hopefully by the end of the week, the project will be done.   The work will begin after school starts for the day and end before the elementary school dismisses to avoid any delays.   Mr. Zerfoss commented there was a problem with water run off in this area and the storm sewer will solve that issue.

Mr. Zerfoss informed everyone Mr. Stutzman and he attended a bidder’s briefing last Friday for the reconstruction of Merle Road from Eighth Avenue to Fifth Avenue.   The bids are due Friday.   The results will be available for the September Council Meeting, and Council should be able to accept the bid.   Part of the bid package and in the bidder briefing, Mr. Zerfoss stressed the project cannot begin until after October 4 th .   If the company wishes to get the equipment in place, it can be stored at the Public Works Building.   Everyone agreed that nothing would be done until the Monday after Autumn Leaf Festival.

President Wilshire asked the road will not be stripped.

Mr. Zerfoss verified that was correct.

Mr. Zerfoss stated Mr. Stutzman and he are still waiting to meet with the EADS Group to complete a walk through on Heidrick Street.   Mr. Zerfoss asked Ms. LaVan if the EADS Group has set up a meeting yet.

Ms. LaVan commented no.

Mr. Zerfoss read in the newspaper the sewer authority is holding back money, because the yards are still in terrible condition.   The Borough needs to put pressure on the company to get the yards corrected.  

Mr. Herman agreed the yards are bad.   The yards have been reseeded; but due to hard rains, the seed is washed away.

If the Borough doesn’t hear from the EADS Group, Mr. Zerfoss assured everyone he will attend the next Clarion Area Authority Meeting and voice the Borough’s unhappy with the situation.   Also, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Lerch will be notified as well.

Downtown Committee :   Ms. Moore reported Mr. Crooks is not here tonight and he asked her to wait to give a report.

President Wilshire stated Ms. Lapinto and he attended a CABA meeting.

Ms. Lapinto commented Ms. Moore will be invited to the next meeting.

Ms. Moore noted that may be why Mr. Crooks wanted her to wait.

President Wilshire passed a copy of a news article from the Tribune-Review in reference to Slippery Rock, receiving a large grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help revitalize their Downtown.

Ms. Lapinto initially met with Slippery Rock but understood the Foundation gave them $500,000 for the Downtown.

President Wilshire commented Slippery Rock doesn’t really have a Downtown.

Ms. Moore noted the new liquor license brought Slippery Rock up to the top and now the town is getting restaurants.

Ms. Lapinto informed everyone there is an Elm Street Program, which is designed like the Main Street Program but deals with off-streets like Sixth Avenue.

President Wilshire reported this is more of a federal grant.   First, the program has to be approved by a regional planning committee, like the Northwest Planning and Development Commission.   The Commission sets up a schedule and then it goes to the Appalachian Regional Commission.   Parking is such a big concern for Downtown and this may be a possibility in getting help in the future.

Public Safety :   Mr. Herman announced the vacancy in the Police Department has been advertised.   Deadline for applications is September 15 th .   Shortly after that, the Civil Service Commission will be presented with all the applications, determine which ones are complete, and then the testing will be scheduled.   Once the test is given and scored, those individuals that pass will be evaluated and the top five will be given an oral interview.   The Committee will certify them and send the names to Council for hiring.   Mr. Herman stated Ms. Lapinto will point the Civil Service Commission in the direction of what agencies have testing available.

Mr. Herman reported the Committee met with the Bargaining Unit since contract negotiations are this year.   The meeting was informational in nature.   Meetings will continue to be held.

Mr. Herman asked Chief Hall for any comments.

Chief Hall had nothing to report.

Housing and Zoning :   Ms. Vavrek announced a Public Hearing will be held prior to the Council Meeting at 6:45 p.m.   Mr. Curt Wray is asking for the vacation of the remainder of Whitehill Place and an east-west alley from Wilson Avenue to Grand Avenue.   This is basically the continuation of what Mr. Brian Acey vacated previously.

President Wilshire noticed Mr. Wray owned only 8% of the properties.

Ms. Vavrek stated there are 6 lots there.   One lot constitutes 50%, another is 8%, and Mr. Wray’s is 8%.

President Wilshire asked if the Borough has anything signed by the property owners.

Mr. Ragon stated yes.

Ms. Vavrek commented no one is objecting.

Mr. Zerfoss stated awhile back Councilmembers discussed brush trimming along the alleys.   Mr. Stutzman gave Mr. Zerfoss copies from zoning that indicated both Housing and Zoning and the Public Works Departments handle this issue.   Mr. Zerfoss asked if a meeting could be scheduled with Mr. Ragon, Ms. Vavrek, Mr. Stutzman, and he to go over how to handle the brush trimming.   It seems to be a matter of enforcement and an agreement needs met.

Ms. Lapinto reported everyone has a copy of the letter Ray Austin put into affect.

Mr. Zerfoss commented he has that and it will be reviewed also.

Back to the vacation request, Mr. Herman stated it was related to him that one of the apartment buildings farthest down from Wilson Avenue juts out into the area that would be vacated.

Mr. Ragon agreed.

Mr. Herman reported this goes back to the issue of Mr. Acey in vacating that property.   There are already properties in existence in the vacated area.

Mr. Ragon thinks the owners assumed that was already vacated.

Mr. Herman stressed he’s not laying fault but pointed out the parking lot was over its boundaries.

Mr. Ragon agreed.

President Wilshire doesn’t think anybody knew there was an alley there.

Mr. Ragon stated the vacation would actually put the building in conformance rather than violation.

Mr. Herman perfectly understands that but noted these are the problems he expected.   Even though it’s vacated and somebody gets 8’, Mr. Herman inquired what happens if a property owner is 9’ over.   Then he/she is on somebody else’s property.

According to the Solicitor, Mr. Ragon informed everyone that’s between the property owners and is a civil matter.

Mr. Herman understands.

Recreation :    Mr. German reported the pool is winding down.

Mr. German stated bids have gone out on the Park Project.

Mr. German commented the Little League Association asked to be placed on the agenda for the Council Meeting.   Mr. John Murray will attend.

Mr. Zerfoss inquired if the bid results will be available at the Council Meeting and if Council will award it.

Ms. Lapinto stated yes.

Manager’s Report : Ms. Lapinto repeated the bids for the reconstruction of Merle Road are due on Friday, September 3, 2004, at 10 a.m.   Depending on how the bids come in, the Borough may be able to go farther than expected.   The park project bids are due tomorrow at 1 p.m.   Council should be able to approve both at Tuesday’s Council Meeting.

Ms. Lapinto stated the police applications are due September 15, 2004; a pension audit will begin on September 22, 2004; and a safety inspection is scheduled for September 7, 2004.

Ms. Lapinto announced she had a visit from Penn Dot in reference to the traffic signal at Eighth Avenue and Wood Street being replaced.   That light was installed in 1966.   Ms. Lapinto hates to see it go because it’s been a work horse.   Ms. Lapinto and Mr. Stutzman thought it would be a good time to have the new signal be siren-triggered since that’s the access for the fire company.   The Penn Dot representative informed Ms. Lapinto the Borough would be responsible for paying for the engineering costs, which will be approximately $8,000.   This will be bid May 2005.   Ms. Lapinto will have to find some money.

Ms. Lapinto contacted Day Chevrolet in reference to a police car.   As soon as Day Chevrolet has the bids, they will be forwarded to the Borough.   Ms. Lapinto commented the Chief can decide on which vehicle he wants.

President Wilshire added the Public Safety Committee should help decide.

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. Vavrek, the Work Session was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

              ______________________________

              Carol Lapinto

              Borough Secretary

Monthly Index

August 30, 2004, Work Session

The Work Session of the Clarion Borough Council was held on August 30, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

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

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

Citizen Comments :   There was none.

Administration :   President Wilshire stated the Committee has nothing to report but has something for the Downtown Committee later in the meeting.

Public Works :   Mr. Zerfoss announced the Department has been putting in a new storm sewer at Corbett Street leading to Fifth Avenue.   Hopefully by the end of the week, the project will be done.   The work will begin after school starts for the day and end before the elementary school dismisses to avoid any delays.   Mr. Zerfoss commented there was a problem with water run off in this area and the storm sewer will solve that issue.

Mr. Zerfoss informed everyone Mr. Stutzman and he attended a bidder’s briefing last Friday for the reconstruction of Merle Road from Eighth Avenue to Fifth Avenue.   The bids are due Friday.   The results will be available for the September Council Meeting, and Council should be able to accept the bid.   Part of the bid package and in the bidder briefing, Mr. Zerfoss stressed the project cannot begin until after October 4 th .   If the company wishes to get the equipment in place, it can be stored at the Public Works Building.   Everyone agreed that nothing would be done until the Monday after Autumn Leaf Festival.

President Wilshire asked the road will not be stripped.

Mr. Zerfoss verified that was correct.

Mr. Zerfoss stated Mr. Stutzman and he are still waiting to meet with the EADS Group to complete a walk through on Heidrick Street.   Mr. Zerfoss asked Ms. LaVan if the EADS Group has set up a meeting yet.

Ms. LaVan commented no.

Mr. Zerfoss read in the newspaper the sewer authority is holding back money, because the yards are still in terrible condition.   The Borough needs to put pressure on the company to get the yards corrected.  

Mr. Herman agreed the yards are bad.   The yards have been reseeded; but due to hard rains, the seed is washed away.

If the Borough doesn’t hear from the EADS Group, Mr. Zerfoss assured everyone he will attend the next Clarion Area Authority Meeting and voice the Borough’s unhappy with the situation.   Also, Mr. Weaver and Mr. Lerch will be notified as well.

Downtown Committee :   Ms. Moore reported Mr. Crooks is not here tonight and he asked her to wait to give a report.

President Wilshire stated Ms. Lapinto and he attended a CABA meeting.

Ms. Lapinto commented Ms. Moore will be invited to the next meeting.

Ms. Moore noted that may be why Mr. Crooks wanted her to wait.

President Wilshire passed a copy of a news article from the Tribune-Review in reference to Slippery Rock, receiving a large grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to help revitalize their Downtown.

Ms. Lapinto initially met with Slippery Rock but understood the Foundation gave them $500,000 for the Downtown.

President Wilshire commented Slippery Rock doesn’t really have a Downtown.

Ms. Moore noted the new liquor license brought Slippery Rock up to the top and now the town is getting restaurants.

Ms. Lapinto informed everyone there is an Elm Street Program, which is designed like the Main Street Program but deals with off-streets like Sixth Avenue.

President Wilshire reported this is more of a federal grant.   First, the program has to be approved by a regional planning committee, like the Northwest Planning and Development Commission.   The Commission sets up a schedule and then it goes to the Appalachian Regional Commission.   Parking is such a big concern for Downtown and this may be a possibility in getting help in the future.

Public Safety :   Mr. Herman announced the vacancy in the Police Department has been advertised.   Deadline for applications is September 15 th .   Shortly after that, the Civil Service Commission will be presented with all the applications, determine which ones are complete, and then the testing will be scheduled.   Once the test is given and scored, those individuals that pass will be evaluated and the top five will be given an oral interview.   The Committee will certify them and send the names to Council for hiring.   Mr. Herman stated Ms. Lapinto will point the Civil Service Commission in the direction of what agencies have testing available.

Mr. Herman reported the Committee met with the Bargaining Unit since contract negotiations are this year.   The meeting was informational in nature.   Meetings will continue to be held.

Mr. Herman asked Chief Hall for any comments.

Chief Hall had nothing to report.

Housing and Zoning :   Ms. Vavrek announced a Public Hearing will be held prior to the Council Meeting at 6:45 p.m.   Mr. Curt Wray is asking for the vacation of the remainder of Whitehill Place and an east-west alley from Wilson Avenue to Grand Avenue.   This is basically the continuation of what Mr. Brian Acey vacated previously.

President Wilshire noticed Mr. Wray owned only 8% of the properties.

Ms. Vavrek stated there are 6 lots there.   One lot constitutes 50%, another is 8%, and Mr. Wray’s is 8%.

President Wilshire asked if the Borough has anything signed by the property owners.

Mr. Ragon stated yes.

Ms. Vavrek commented no one is objecting.

Mr. Zerfoss stated awhile back Councilmembers discussed brush trimming along the alleys.   Mr. Stutzman gave Mr. Zerfoss copies from zoning that indicated both Housing and Zoning and the Public Works Departments handle this issue.   Mr. Zerfoss asked if a meeting could be scheduled with Mr. Ragon, Ms. Vavrek, Mr. Stutzman, and he to go over how to handle the brush trimming.   It seems to be a matter of enforcement and an agreement needs met.

Ms. Lapinto reported everyone has a copy of the letter Ray Austin put into affect.

Mr. Zerfoss commented he has that and it will be reviewed also.

Back to the vacation request, Mr. Herman stated it was related to him that one of the apartment buildings farthest down from Wilson Avenue juts out into the area that would be vacated.

Mr. Ragon agreed.

Mr. Herman reported this goes back to the issue of Mr. Acey in vacating that property.   There are already properties in existence in the vacated area.

Mr. Ragon thinks the owners assumed that was already vacated.

Mr. Herman stressed he’s not laying fault but pointed out the parking lot was over its boundaries.

Mr. Ragon agreed.

President Wilshire doesn’t think anybody knew there was an alley there.

Mr. Ragon stated the vacation would actually put the building in conformance rather than violation.

Mr. Herman perfectly understands that but noted these are the problems he expected.   Even though it’s vacated and somebody gets 8’, Mr. Herman inquired what happens if a property owner is 9’ over.   Then he/she is on somebody else’s property.

According to the Solicitor, Mr. Ragon informed everyone that’s between the property owners and is a civil matter.

Mr. Herman understands.

Recreation :    Mr. German reported the pool is winding down.

Mr. German stated bids have gone out on the Park Project.

Mr. German commented the Little League Association asked to be placed on the agenda for the Council Meeting.   Mr. John Murray will attend.

Mr. Zerfoss inquired if the bid results will be available at the Council Meeting and if Council will award it.

Ms. Lapinto stated yes.

Manager’s Report : Ms. Lapinto repeated the bids for the reconstruction of Merle Road are due on Friday, September 3, 2004, at 10 a.m.   Depending on how the bids come in, the Borough may be able to go farther than expected.   The park project bids are due tomorrow at 1 p.m.   Council should be able to approve both at Tuesday’s Council Meeting.

Ms. Lapinto stated the police applications are due September 15, 2004; a pension audit will begin on September 22, 2004; and a safety inspection is scheduled for September 7, 2004.

Ms. Lapinto announced she had a visit from Penn Dot in reference to the traffic signal at Eighth Avenue and Wood Street being replaced.   That light was installed in 1966.   Ms. Lapinto hates to see it go because it’s been a work horse.   Ms. Lapinto and Mr. Stutzman thought it would be a good time to have the new signal be siren-triggered since that’s the access for the fire company.   The Penn Dot representative informed Ms. Lapinto the Borough would be responsible for paying for the engineering costs, which will be approximately $8,000.   This will be bid May 2005.   Ms. Lapinto will have to find some money.

Ms. Lapinto contacted Day Chevrolet in reference to a police car.   As soon as Day Chevrolet has the bids, they will be forwarded to the Borough.   Ms. Lapinto commented the Chief can decide on which vehicle he wants.

President Wilshire added the Public Safety Committee should help decide.

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. Vavrek, the Work Session was adjourned at 5:16 p.m.

              ______________________________

              Carol Lapinto

              Borough Secretary