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June 28, 2004, Special Council Meeting

The special meeting of the Clarion Borough Council was held on June 28, 2004, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m.

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

Citizen Comments :   There was none.

Administration :   President Wilshire reminded everyone the Tax Collector bonding company indicated previously that it would not be renewing her bond.   The Tax Collector was unable to secure another bond.   Therefore, Council must adopt a resolution declaring the position vacant by failure of the previous Tax Collector to post bond and also recommending Mary E. Brooks be appointed as a replacement in the Tax Collector’s position for Clarion Borough.   Ms. Brooks, a certified public accountant, is a resident of Clarion Borough and has completed numerous Borough accounting projects over the years.   If Ms. Brooks is appointed, President Wilshire stated she would not do the audit for the Borough.   Ms. Brooks meets all the qualifications of the Code.   President Wilshire asked for a motion at this time.

On a motion by Ms. Moore with a second by Mr. Crooks, adopting Resolution #213-2004, declaring the office of Tax Collector vacant and appointing Mary E. Brooks as the Clarion Borough Tax Collector, was carried with a vote of six yea.

Before officially assuming duties, President Wilshire reported Ms. Brooks has to receive a bond, which procedure is being started this morning.   The bond is expected to be received fairly soon.   The County is having the new school district tax notices prepared with Ms. Brooks’ name and address.

In the meantime, Mr. Zerfoss inquired where citizens pay the taxes.   Wednesday is the last day to pay taxes at face.   Mr. Zerfoss reminded everyone he doesn’t mail his taxes.

President Wilshire commented the Borough Office.

Ms. Lapinto added both Ms. LaVan and she are bonded and can collect the payments.   The money will not be deposited but will be turned over to Ms. Brooks after she officially takes office.

Mr. Crooks inquired who the check should be made out to.

Ms. Lapinto stated Clarion Borough Tax Collector.

Since the Work Session is cancelled, President Wilshire thought Council could go through the regular procedure.

Downtown Committee :   There was none.

Public Works :   Mr. Zerfoss stated all Councilmembers received a copy of items that need corrected on Heidrick Street as a result of the sewer project.   Councilmembers had asked the status at the last meeting, and the Borough is not ready to take it over as everyone can see.   Mr. Zerfoss and Mr. Stutzman did a complete inspection of Heidrick Street.   This list was provided to the EADS Group.   These items need corrected before the Borough will accept it.   If the work’s not done, the Borough will turn it over to the Solicitor.   As far as Greenville Avenue, that is the State’s highway and the Borough has no control over it.

Ms. Lapinto received a letter from Mr. Marty English, representing the EADS Group, stating he forwarded the items to the Authority and the actual contractor.   Ms. Lapinto recalls the State wants all the sidewalks that were removed put back in.   A copy of this letter will be given to Mr. Zerfoss.

Mr. Zerfoss reported another question that arose from Council was in reference to brush trimming.   Mr. Stutzman gave a complete description of what is done in report form, which Councilmembers received.

If the brush needs trimmed, Mr. Stutzman commented it is trimmed.   The Ordinance states the residents are to take care of his/her trees and shrubs.   It also provides information on notification procedures and penalties.   Mr. Stutzman is unsure how that works.

Mr. Zerfoss personally feels the Ordinance dealing with brush overlaps and should be handled by the Housing and Zoning Department not Public Works.  

Several years ago, Ms. Lapinto reported the Borough ran into this same problem, which Mr. Crooks can verify.   At that time, President Austin put in a procedure where the Borough notified all property owners before trimming.   Ms. Lapinto doesn’t think Mr. Stutzman was aware of this policy.

Ms. Moore understands if her hedge grows over the sidewalk that is her responsibility and feels if it grows over the alley or roadway it is also her responsibility.

Mr. Zerfoss stated it is.

Ms. Moore asked why somebody should pay to have his/her hedges trimmed when the owner next door has it done by the Borough.

Mr. Zerfoss sees where Ms. Moore is coming from but didn’t know about the Ordinance or Mr. Austin’s policy.

Ms. Lapinto stated what would happen is the supervisor would give the Borough Office a list of names and locations and then the Borough would send a form letter out to each one.   A copy of the letter can be provided to each Councilmember for review.   The individual would then have a time period to cut the brush/trees him/herself; and, if not done, the Borough would do it.

Mr. Crooks thinks the Borough cuts the material obstructing view and doesn’t worry about making it look nice.   In most cases, it looks worse.

Ms. Moore noticed the article in the newspaper had a different slant on it and noted it was kind of crude chopping.   The writer indicated she would have cut the brush if she would have been notified.

If the brush is impeding the vision of a stop sign, Mr. Herman feels that’s different and it should be cut as soon as possible.

In reference to the letter to the editor, Mr. Zerfoss stressed the Public Works Department is not a professional tree or brush trimmer.   The Borough will follow the policy from this point.   The Public Works Department will bring a list to the office and the Housing and Zoning Department can handle it from there.

President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to give everyone a copy of the policy; and if it needs revised, it will be.

Mr. Zerfoss stated the paving project is completed, and the crosswalks are being painted Downtown during the night when the weather’s nice.   Mr. Zerfoss commented the new crosswalks at the University were completed and asked Mr. Stutzman to discuss them.

Mr. Stutzman announced crosswalk inlays were put on Wood Street in the vicinity of the University, which are expected to be there as long as the asphalt life.   It is quite a procedure to put them in.   The asphalt is reheated and it is put down in the asphalt so the snow plows won’t tear them out.   Mr. Stutzman reported Ms. Lapinto received a pamphlet on this and both met with a representative to discuss it.   Mr. Stutzman’s eye was caught by the permanent basis and the fact the crosswalk will be visible during the winter.   The Borough worked with the University to try it and see how it works.

Ms. Lapinto commented the eagle logo will also be put on the street.

President Wilshire stated the University paid for part of it.

Ms. Lapinto informed everyone one of the conditions is the asphalt has to be within two years old and Wood Street was paved last year.   It just seemed like an ideal place.   It was a cooperative effort between the University and the Borough.

Mr. German asked the cost of the inlays.

Mr. Stutzman reported about $1500 per crosswalk.  

If Council approves it, Ms. Lapinto anticipates next year’s CDBG Grant to do something with the bricks on Main Street.   This procedure might be considered.   The company could lay the asphalt and then it would be permanent.   Ms. Lapinto thinks it looks very nice.   People from St. Marys and Oil City are coming to see the crosswalks.

Mr. Zerfoss added the Department is busy getting Paul A. Weaver Community Park ready for the 9-10 year old State Little League play-offs, which will be at the end of July.

Public Safety :   Mr. Herman had nothing to report.

Housing and Zoning :   There was nothing to report.

Recreation :   Mr. German asked Mr. Zerfoss to go ahead with his concerns.

Mr. Zerfoss reported every year he has questions on the contract with the YMCA to run the pool.   Public Works handles the chemicals Monday through Friday, and the YMCA does it over the weekends and holidays.   Mr. Zerfoss questioned if it’s being done over the weekends.   If it is, Mr. Zerfoss asked if the Borough can have on file who is administering the chemicals and the license number.   It is important that the chemicals are being completed.   Every year it’s in the contract and every year the YMCA violates this section.   Mr. Zerfoss questioned if the contract is signed.

Ms. Lapinto stated it is signed and understands the chemicals are being done.   The water is being tested and everything is fine.

President Wilshire inquired if there shouldn’t be a sheet that is signed each year.

Ms. Lapinto stated it’s probably down at the pool.

Mr. Stutzman reported he keeps a record every day, which is in the pump house.   The lifeguards keep a record.   However, there’s nothing documented over the weekends.

Mr. Herman verified it is being tested but no one’s filling out the form.   It is important to know from an insurance standpoint.

Mr. Stutzman noted numbers are recorded on that sheet but no on has signed it.

President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to follow up on that issue with the YMCA.

Mr. German asked Mr. Zerfoss if that answers his question.

Mr. Zerfoss stated no and still wonders if a licensed individual is administering the chemicals.   This is a hang up every year with the contract for the pool.   If it’s in the contract, the YMCA should be required to do it.   Every other contractor is required to complete their contract.

Mr. German asked if the chemicals seem okay on Mondays.

Mr. Stutzman stated the chemicals are balanced out.   This morning a drum of acid had gone dry over the weekend that was not corrected.   Mr. Stutzman hasn’t met with anyone from the YMCA to discuss what all needs done at the pool.  

Ms. Lapinto reported she will contact the YMCA to make sure the chemicals are being done.

If the Maintenance Department and YMCA need to meet to discuss the pool, President Wilshire added it should be scheduled.

Mr. Zerfoss asked for an update on the paving project at the Park.

Ms. Lapinto stated the plans for the entire project were sent to the Department of Labor and Industry with the check.   Once the plans are returned, the project will be bid.

President Wilshire inquired if it will be paved before the tournament.

Ms. Lapinto reported it will be done after the tournament.

Mr. Zerfoss stated Mr. Leonard, chair of the Recreation Committee at that time, and he interviewed the architects for that project and determined Steve Parks and Associates was the one to go with.   Maybe that wasn’t the best firm to approve.

Ms. Lapinto stated it had to be determined where to put the sanitary lines.   It’s just a slow process.

Mr. Crooks remembers Mr. Miller worked very hard when he was on Council to get a bike trail around Clarion, which fell away.   It would be nice to get a bike trail from Downtown to the Park for children to use.

Ms. Lapinto stated the Borough received a grant for a bike trail but had to turn it back into the State because it couldn’t be done.   Part of Veterans Drive was painted with the trail.   However, every year the Borough would have had to picked up all the striping.   The Borough ran into problems with the proposed trail.

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

Manager’s Report :   Ms. Lapinto stated she will report at the Council Meeting on the PSAB Conference she attended earlier this month.

Ms. Lapinto reported Council will have to adopt a resolution submitted by the Clarion County Emergency Management that the Borough has to pass in order to qualify for any disaster funds.

Ms. Lapinto commented a couple years ago Council adopted an ordinance on the general employees’ pension plan.   However, one section wasn’t included.   Therefore, Council will have to approve to advertise this ordinance to include that amendment.

Ms. Lapinto thinks the paving project looks great.   The Borough made the right move by paving Church Road.   The residents are probably very happy with it.   Wilson Avenue was also paved, which corrected the problem that was there.

Ms. Lapinto reported she’s going to contact the EADS Group today to get the engineering work completed for this year’s CDBG project, which will be Merle Road.   The specifications may be prepared by the time the grant is approved.

Mr. Crooks added the paving is a beautiful job.   The residents have to be thrilled.

Old Business :   There was none.

New Business :   There was none.

Correspondence :   There was none.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. German, the Special Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:28 a.m.

              ______________________________

              Carol Lapinto

              Borough Secretary