Minute Index

November 1, 2005, Council Meeting

Citizen Comments:               None

Administration:               Monthly Reports; Work Session

                     Scheduled; Adopted Resolution

                     #2005-218, Adopting the Emergency

                     Management Plan; Permission Given

                     to Sign the Deed of Easement and

                     Right-of-Way Between Borough and

                     Clarion Area Authority; Approved

                     Request from Clarion Area Chamber

                     of Business and Industry for Free

                     Parking for Christmas Season

Downtown Committee:            None

Public Works:                  Monthly Report; Leaf and Brush

                     Collection Working Well; Public

                     Works Contract Discussed

Public Safety:                  Permission to Add Two Street Lights

                     on Robinwood Drive to Improve

                     Light Situation; Group to Discuss

                     Criminal Incidents to Come Up With

                     Solution; Elaine Moore to Work on

                     Community Watch Program

Housing and Zoning:               Comparing Borough’s Zoning

                     Ordinance to Other University

                     Municipalities

Recreation:                  None

Manager’s Report:               Working on Budget; Concerned with

                     Emergency Services Tax

Old Business:                  None

New Business:                  None

Correspondence:               Thank You Note from United Way

                     for Assistance with 5K Race

The regular scheduled meeting of the Clarion Borough Council was held on November 1, 2005, in the Assembly Room of the Clarion Free Library.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Councilmembers present included Messrs. Zerfoss, Herman, Crooks, Ms. Vavrek, Ms. Moore, and President Wilshire.  Mr. German arrived at 7:05 p.m.  Ms. Lapinto, Mr. Ragon, Mr. Stutzman, and Chief Hall were also present.  Solicitor Marshall and Mayor Smathers were absent.

President Wilshire asked everyone to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The minutes of the September 26, 2005, Work Session, were approved on a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Mr. Crooks.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

The minutes of the October 4, 2005, Council Meeting, were approved on a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Mr. Crooks.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

Citizen Comments:  There were none.

Administration:  President Wilshire presented the appropriations for the month of November.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Vavrek, approving the appropriations in the amount of $47,255.99, was carried with a vote of five yea with Mr. Zerfoss voting nay.

President Wilshire also presented the Monthly Transaction Report, Statement of Cash Position, Budget Analysis, and Overtime Comparison Report for information purposes and asked Ms. Lapinto for any comments.

Ms. Lapinto will discuss it under her report.

President Wilshire announced a Work Session will be held on November 28, 2005, at 5:00 p.m. at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to discuss Resolution #2005-218, a Resolution to adopt the Emergency Management Plan.

Ms. Lapinto stated the Plan contains all the appropriate names, local officials, and names Elaine Moore as Emergency Management Coordinator.  In discussion with Mike Rearick, Director of the Clarion Office of Emergency Services, since some of the information may change after the election, the Resolution can be adopted continent upon submitting the plan as soon as possible with the correct information.  The deputy position is vacant, and Council may wish to appoint the new Borough Manager to that position.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. Crooks to adopt Resolution No. 2005-218, adopting the Emergency Management Plan, with the stipulation that the names and addresses be updated as soon as they become available.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

President Wilshire commented permission is necessary to sign the deed of easement and right-of-way between the Borough and Clarion Area Authority.  This is a small plot of land located by the sewer plant, which the Borough has owned for years and is in the process of selling. 

On a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Mr. Herman to give permission to sign the deed of easement and right-of-way between the Borough of Clarion and Clarion Area Authority.  After some discussion, the motion carried with a vote of seven yea.

President Wilshire stated everyone received a copy of the request from the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry regarding the annual holiday promotion for the Christmas season.  Customer Appreciation Day is scheduled for November 21st; Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 3rd; and carriage rides will be offered in the evenings on November 21st, December 3rd, and December 9th.  The Chamber is requesting free parking November 21, 25, and December 12-26, 2005, for the Christmas shopping season.

On a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Mr. Herman, approving the request from the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry for free parking on November 21, 25, and December 12-26, 2005, for the Christmas shopping season, was carried with a vote of seven yea.

Downtown Committee:  Ms. Moore had nothing to report.

Public Works:  Mr. Zerfoss stated the Public Works Report is in the packet for everyone’s review.

Mr. Zerfoss announced the Committee is working on the Public Works Contract.  Mr. Zerfoss informed everyone the contract expires December 31, 2005.  It is a 4-year contract.  The Committee met with the bargaining representatives to finalize it.  Mr. Zerfoss asked all Councilmembers to review the information and relay his/her comments prior to December’s Council Meeting.  If the support is not there to approve it, Mr. Zerfoss wants to know before the meeting.

Public Safety:  As reported at the Work Session, Mr. Herman reported Mr. Stutzman and he looked into the request by the residents of Robinwood Drive about the possibility of a street light in their area due to recent vandalism.  The recommendation is that two street lights be added on Robinwood Drive; one by Mr. Chernicky’s property and another one 150-200’ away.  Mr. Herman asked Mr. Stutzman to comment further.

Mr. Stutzman stated it is dark in that area, because the light poles are farther apart in that particular area of the Borough than anywhere else.  The areas are on corners and light poles already exist.  All that needs done is to add the lights and it will improve the situation.

Mr. Herman recalled Ms. Lapinto was informed it will cost about $114 per year per light. 

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. Zerfoss that Clarion Borough add two street lights on Robinwood Drive, one on the pole in front of Mr. Chernicky’s property and one about 150-200’ away from that property.  The motion carried with a vote of seven yea.

Mr. Herman asked Mr. Stutzman to contact the electric company to get the lights up as soon as possible.

Mr. Herman reported President Wilshire and he discussed putting together a group of people as far as responding to some criminal incidents that have happened inside the Borough or just outside the Borough.  Participants would include Clarion Borough, Clarion University, Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron, and Clarion Township.  A team effort is needed to combine a lot of different issues into one comprehensive plan rather than solving just one issue.  Everyone wants a safe community.  Unfortunately, it won’t be solved overnight.

Ms. Moore added Council has talked about a Community Watch Program and had the opportunity last week to gather some materials that outline the steps required to start a watch group.  Ms. Moore has some sample forms to help organize it internally and asked permission to pursue this further.

Mr. Herman stated Ms. Moore is interested and has specific ideas on how to get a program like this to take off very quickly and supports Ms. Moore on this issue.

Housing and Zoning:  As agreed previously, Ms. Vavrek announced Mr. Ragon was able to collect ordinances from other University municipalities to compare with Clarion Borough’s Zoning Ordinance.  Hopefully, by the next Council Meeting, the Committee will have been able to come up with language that is satisfactory to everyone.  It will need to be advertised.

President Wilshire questioned if a public hearing is required.

Ms. Vavrek agreed.

Recreation:  Mr. German had nothing to report.

Manager’s Report:  Within the next week, Ms. Lapinto informed everyone she will begin meeting with the various committees, beginning with Recreation, to discuss the budget.  It will be ready for review at the Work Session.  Ms. Lapinto voiced concern on the Emergency Services Tax.  Ms. Susan Beary was experiencing a software glitch and was unable to provide an updated figure for the third quarter.  Ms. Beary noted the third quarter report wasn’t due until October 30th.  This means Ms. Lapinto will not know a bottom line figure until December.  Also, Ms. Lapinto discussed the people that have failed to pay the tax.  Ms. Beary assured Ms. Lapinto that the people will be matched to the wage tax, and those that have not paid will be turned in for collection.  Ms. Lapinto stressed the Borough has to receive this funding.  Council decided to institute this tax to save taxpayers real estate taxes and eliminated the per capita tax.  Ms. Lapinto repeated she is concerned. 

Old Business:  There was none.

New Business:  There was none.

Correspondence:  Ms. LaVan read a thank you note from the United Way for Clarion Borough’s cooperation and man hours permitted to ensure a safe and successful Autumn Leaf United Way 5K Race.  The United Way believes there is no way the race could not have happened without Clarion Borough.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. German, the Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Carol Lapinto

                     Borough Secretary