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December 20, 2005, Special Council Meeting

The Special Council Meeting of the Clarion Borough Council was held on December 20, 2005, at the Clarion Borough Offices.

President Wilshire called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

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

Citizen Comments:  There was none.

Administration:  Before the budget, President Wilshire stated Ms. Lapinto has something to add.

Ms. Lapinto received notification from Mockenhaupt and Associates, the Borough’s actuary, in reference to the MMO’s Council approved for the pension plans in September.  Mockenhaupt and Associates looked at the financial statements and came up with two new figures, which requires less money the Borough has to put into the plans.  Council can amend the MMO prior to adoption of the budget.  The General Employees’ Pension Plan’s old requirement was $56,751 and the new one is $55,788; and the Police Pension Plan’s old requirement was $9,386 and the new one is $4,704.  If the Borough doesn’t amend these amounts, the Borough will receive state aid based on the lower number, which could require the Borough to have to put money in the General Fund.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. Herman, amending the MMO’s for the General Employees’ Pension Plan in the amount of $55,788 and the Police Pension Plan in the amount of $4,704, which are corrected figures calculated by Mockenhaupt and Associates, was carried with a vote of seven yea.

On a motion by Mr. Crooks with a second by Ms. Moore to approve Resolution #2005-219, approving the 2006 fiscal year budget of the Borough of Clarion.

President Wilshire asked for any discussion.

Mr. Herman inquired what the Resolution is for.

Ms. Lapinto stated the Resolution actually approves the budget and then the Ordinance approves the ability to collect taxes.

The motion carried after the following roll call vote: Mr. Zerfoss, no; Mr. Herman, no; Mr. Crooks, yes; Ms. Vavrek, yes; Ms. Moore, yes; Mr. German, no; and President Wilshire, yes.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Ms. Moore to adopt the 2006 Budget, Tax Ordinance #2005-737, and Fee Schedule.

President Wilshire asked for any discussion.

Mr. German passed out information in reference to the Park to the Councilmembers, which is attached to the Official File Copy of these minutes.  The bottom figures indicate what has been allocated and the difference in the last several years.  As everyone can notice, the Department has been under funded.  The millage rate has decreased and signifies when the Borough started to be over budget.  Mr. German discovered Clarion Little League donated over $43,000 (labor and cash donations) towards improvements at the Park in 2005.   Mr. German will discuss the other information under Recreation.

The motion carried after the following roll call vote: Mr. Zerfoss, no; Mr. Herman, no; Mr. Crooks, yes; Ms. Vavrek, yes; Ms. Moore, yes; Mr. German, no; and President Wilshire, yes.

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Ms. Moore, re-appointing Robert Kerr to a three-year term on the Zoning Hearing Board to expire at the end of 2008, was carried with a vote of seven yea.

Downtown Committee:  Ms. Moore had nothing to report.

Public Works:  Mr. Zerfoss had nothing to report.

Public Safety:  Mr. Herman had nothing to report.

Housing and Zoning:  Ms. Vavrek had nothing to report.

Recreation:  Mr. German commented the report contains a breakdown for the years 2001, 2002, and 2005 for the number of participants of the Little League Program.  Eighteen percent of the children participating come from Clarion Borough, while the remaining 82% are from outside the Borough.  In addition to Clarion Little League, donations are received from Strattanville Borough and Clarion Township on a continual basis.  Mr. German asked Council for permission to approach the other municipalities to try to get an agreement or contract through the Borough.  The second page is a sample agreement, which probably should be forwarded to Solicitor Marshall.

Ms. Lapinto stated that’s a good idea.

Mr. Zerfoss asked if Strattanville Borough pays Little League.

Mr. German agreed.  Highland Township donated in 2002, which also went to Little League.  Then Little League donated it to the Borough.

Mr. Zerfoss noticed in the newspaper Highland Township adopted their final budget and remarked they would donate to Clarion Little League but no one contacted them.

Mr. German repeated it was a good effort to try to have the donations go directly to Little League, but the Board changes so much it gets lost.  Mr. German is willing to meet with the municipality, send out letters, and see what can be achieved.

Since all the budgets are adopted, Ms. Lapinto noted it will be an uphill battle.

President Wilshire feels every budget has administrative expenses to cover areas like this.

Ms. Moore informed Mr. German this is a good presentation and added a lot of Councilmembers aren’t as involved with Little League as others are.

Mr. German commented anyone with questions can contact him.

Manager’s Report:  Ms. Lapinto stated it’s been great and wished Ms. Freenock good luck.

Old Business:  Ms. Moore stated every winter season Penn Dot plows the snow off of Greenville Avenue and Eighth Avenue, which gets thrown onto the residents’ sidewalks and turns to ice.  Penn Dot needs to slow down.

Ms. Lapinto will contact Penn Dot again.  It will be corrected for awhile, and then it will become a problem again.

New Business:  There was none.

Correspondence:  There was none.

President Wilshire called for an Executive Session concerning personnel, including Mayor-Elect Stroup, Councilmember-Elect Leonard and Borough Manager Freenock, leaving at 8:25 a.m.

President Wilshire called the meeting back to order at 9:20 a.m. and stated the Executive Session concerned personnel and no action was taken.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. German, the Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Carol Lapinto

                     Borough Manager