Monthly Index

January 24, 2005, Work Session

The Work Session of the Clarion Borough Council was held on January 24, 2005, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.

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

Citizen Comments:  There were none.

Administration:  Due to a lot of questions, President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to check into the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax and asked for an update.

Ms. Lapinto contacted the Local Government Center and found a copy of the Most Frequently Asked Questions on this new bill.  The total amount the Borough can collect is $47 and the school district is entitled to $5.  The $47 was the figure included in the budget.

Ms. Moore asked why there was confusion.

Ms. Lapinto commented the bill was passed in a hurry and the amount wasn’t clear.  The Borough can collect the total $52 if the school district doesn’t collect the occupation privilege tax.  If the school district does, then the Borough is only entitled to $47.  The letter sent to Borough employers was confusing.  People have been calling the office, and the correct information is being provided.  Ms. Lapinto asked the news media to notify the public as well.  The Clarion Wage Tax Office has been notified.  Ms. Lapinto stressed the income threshold is $12,000.  If someone makes $12,000 and the employer has not deducted the tax, the employer is responsible to pay it.  Ms. Lapinto stated Council may want to lower the threshold next year.  That is an option.

President Wilshire stated the municipality can set the threshold between $3,000-12,000.

Ms. Lapinto received information in reference to a seminar on this new tax.

Mr. Herman understands employers have a different interpretation, and there are a variety of ways the tax is being deducted.

Ms. Lapinto agreed some employers are taking it out all at one time and others, like the Borough, is deducting $1 a week.

Mr. Herman feels it’s really important to point that out and recommended Representative Fred McIlhattan may address that issue in the future.

Ms. Lapinto stressed no one will pay more than $52 a year; meaning if someone works in Clarion and Franklin, the tax is only paid in one location.

Mr. Herman stated a newspaper article noted the Borough wouldn’t be lowering property taxes.

Not only were the property taxes reduced, but Ms. Lapinto reminded everyone the per capita tax was eliminated.

Public Works:  Mr. Zerfoss reported the Department is plowing snow.  When not plowing snow, the employees take the opportunity to haul the snow out to Paul A. Weaver Park.

At the December Council Meeting, Mr. Zerfoss reminded everyone Mr. Don Ion asked Council to place a stop sign on Second Avenue.  After some discussion, Penn Dot relayed that a meeting and traffic study are not necessary and Council can put up a sign.  The Public Safety and Public Works Committees will meet to determine the best location for a sign.  Mr. Zerfoss commented the residents will be happy.

Downtown Committee:  Ms. Moore reported Mr. Don Montgomery, Sherwin-Williams, requested Council to look at the meters on Main Street in that area to change the timing.  After review, Ms. Moore feels this is possible but will wait until the weather is better.

Public Safety:  Mr. Herman had nothing to report at this time.

Housing and Zoning:  Ms. Vavrek announced the Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. with the third-party inspection agencies.  Hopefully, by the Council Meeting, the Committee will have a recommendation.

Recreation:  Mr. German had nothing to report.

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

Manager’s Report:  Ms. Lapinto reminded Councilmembers that she would like his/her opinion on which project to prepare the CDBG Project on.

Ms. Lapinto reported the Piney Dam Committee has been in existence for 8-10 years and worked together to get the FERC license for the dam.  As part of the license, the recreation plan had to be revised.  As part of that plan, Ms. Lapinto commented the Borough needs to look at ways to improve the Toby boat launch in terms of parking and recreation.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2005.  Ms. Lapinto will make a copy of the plan for Mr. German.

At a CABA Meeting, Ms. Lapinto stated CABA is becoming more active and are going to invite an expert from the Downtown Center to discuss the Main Street Manager Program.

Ms. Vavrek commented this was done years ago and never went anywhere.

Ms. Lapinto reported the program promotes the Downtown district and improves businesses.

Ms. Vavrek thinks the program is good, but it needs to have input from the local community for it to succeed.  Once the grant is over, the program is expected to continue.

Old Business:  Back to Public Works, after the Maintenance Department plows the streets, Mr. Zerfoss stated homeowners shovel or plow his/her snow out into the street.  Whenever the streets are plowed again, the snow gets placed in front of the driveways again.  It’s a cycle that never ends.  This year it’s worse due to the amount of snow.  Mr. Zerfoss asked the news media to note residents should not do this.

Ms. Lapinto received an e-mail today from a lady expressing concern on Elss Street becoming a one-way street during the winter due to the parking.  As the snow moves out from the curb, people park his/her vehicles out into the street.  Some people even park diagonally.  Mr. Ragon informed Ms. Lapinto earlier that a property owner actually constructed a parking area behind the house but the tenants do not park there.

Mr. Ragon added some use it, but the majority want to park right out front so he/she can walk right into the house.

New Business:  For information purposes, President Wilshire announced four Councilmember, the Mayor, and tax collector positions will be up for election this year.    Mary Brooks has chosen not to run for tax collector again.

Correspondence:  There was none.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. German, the Work Session was adjourned at 5:19 p.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Carol Lapinto

                     Borough Secretary