Minute Index

August 2, 2005, Council Meeting

Housing & Zoning:               Approved Pamela Songer’s Re-

                     Zoning Request

Citizen Comments:               None

Administration:               Monthly Reports; Work Session

                     Scheduled; Resolution to Change

                     Cable from Adelphia to Comcast

                     Corp. Tabled; Approved First Baptist

                     Church’s Special Event Request;

                     Approved to Advertise the Position

                     of Borough Manager

Downtown Committee:            Parking Meters and Map Discussed;

                     Motion to Purchase Meters; Cruise-

                     In Event Discussed

Public Works:                  Monthly Report; Storm Sewers

                     Installed on Seventh Avenue at

                     Church Road; Permission for Brad

                     Stutzman and Bob Larson to Attend

                     Public Works Symposium

Housing & Zoning:               None

Public Safety:                  Hired Kathryn Newton at Part-Time

                     Meter Enforcement Officer; Discuss-

                     ed Conference Chief Attended;

                     Northwest Terrorism Task Force’s

                     Planned Drill; Thanked Clarion Ford

                     and Rick Braun for Saving Borough

                     Money

Mayor’s Report:               None

Manager’s Report:               None

Old Business:                  Cost Analysis on Cruise-In Event

New Business:                  None

Correspondence:               None

The regular scheduled meeting of the Clarion Borough Council was held on August 2, 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, Ms. Vavrek, Ms. Moore, Mr. German, and President Wilshire.  Mr. Crooks was absent.  Mr. Stutzman, Ms. Lapinto, Mayor Smathers, Mr. Ragon, and Chief Hall were also present.  Solicitor Marshall was absent.

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

Upon request, President Wilshire asked Ms. Vavrek to go ahead with the Songer re-zoning request at this time.

Housing and Zoning:  Ms. Vavrek reported Ms. Pamela Songer is asking Council to rezone a piece of property currently zoned I-1, Industrial, to R-1, Single-Family Residential, for purposes of development. Ms. Songer previously asked Council to change the zoning to R-3 but that was denied.  Ms. Vavrek asked Mr. Rick Songer to explain the right-of-way access.

Mr. Songer stated they are trying to get a right-of-way access where the old railroad track bed is located.  The property is up for judicial sale.  If this is acquired, it will eliminate the need to establish a right-of-way through Riverview Avenue.  Before anyone can develop it, a right-of-way is necessary. 

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. German to rezone a 35.31 acre parcel of land owned by Ms. Pamela Songer from I-1, Industrial, to R-1, Single-Family Residential.

President Wilshire asked for discussion.

As a member of Council, Mr. Herman stated he will support a change to R-1.  Eventually Council will have an opportunity to review the proposed development plan. 

Mr. Zerfoss agrees with Mr. Herman.  There are many types of homes allowed in an R-1 District.  However, the homes in the Troese Addition and Chernicky Development are structured well.  Council should make sure that those 30+ acres are developed in a similar manner.  If the intended right-of-way cannot be obtained, Mr. Songer stated in the Public Hearing the Court will approve the shortest right-of-way.  R-1 is more advantageous to the people living in that area than R-3 or I-1.  Mr. Zerfoss supports the change.

After the discussion, the motion carried with a vote of six yea.

The minutes of the July 5, 2005, Public Hearing, were approved on a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. Herman.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

The minutes of the July 5, 2005, Council Meeting, were approved on a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. German.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

Citizen Comments:  There were none.

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

On a motion by Ms. Vavrek with a second by Mr. Herman, the appropriations for the month of August in the amount of $69,497.32, were approved with a vote of four yea with Mr. Zerfoss and Mr. German 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 reported she’s been closely watching the Emergency Services Tax and keeping in touch with the Wage Tax Office weekly on how it’s coming in.  Next month will actually indicate where the Borough is as far as collection.  The majority of the employers pay on a quarterly basis.  The second quarter collection is due by July 31st, and Council should have a better idea at the September Council Meeting on how it’s coming in.

Mr. German asked what Ms. Lapinto’s feelings are on the tax.

Ms. Lapinto feels this tax will carry over into January.

President Wilshire announced a Work Session is scheduled for August 29, 2005, at 5:00 p.m. in the Clarion Borough Offices, if necessary.

President Wilshire asked Ms. Lapinto to discuss the resolution to consider the change of control of the cable from Adelphia to Comcast Corp.

Ms. Lapinto received a telephone call from Attorney Dan Cohen in reference to this resolution.  All issues have been settled with the exception of some of the language, which has not been prepared yet.  Adelphia did agree to pay the University $7,000.  As soon as Comcast Corp., Adelphia, and Attorney Cohen have the appropriate language for the transfer resolution, it will be presented for Council’s approval.

President Wilshire stated Council has a request from the First Baptist Church for a special event and asked if there is any more information.

Ms. LaVan informed Council the Church’s insurance certificate pointed out it was for a festival.  In the past, the Church closed that street for a week for Bible School.  No other information was provided.

On a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Ms. Moore, approving the First Baptist Church’s special event request for a street closing on September 10, 2005, was carried with a vote of six yea.

President Wilshire asked permission to advertise for the position of Borough Manager.  The Administration Committee would like to move forward in the search for a new Borough Manager.  President Wilshire announced the Committee would like to hire somebody by December 1st so he/she would have an opportunity to work with Ms. Lapinto before she leaves.  Hopefully, this way the Borough will have a smooth transition.  President Wilshire asked Ms. Moore to go over the description for the position and added the Borough Manager Ordinance will be anchored with the description and it will be posted on the website for anyone interested.

Ms. Moore read the ad, which is attached to the Official File Copy of these minutes, for the position of Borough Manager.  Written letters of application, complete resume, and list of three references should be received by September 30, 2005, and mailed to the Borough.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Moore to approve to advertise the position of Borough Manager.

President Wilshire asked for discussion.

Mr. German questioned if it’s normal to put the salary in the ad.

Ms. Moore stated yes.

Ms. Vavrek feels it would eliminate people from calling who may assume it’s more or less.  This way everyone knows it up front.

Mayor Smathers asked why a new ordinance was needed.

President Wilshire stated it’s not a new ordinance.  It’s the one on the books.  A copy was given to everyone prior to the meeting.  The ordinance goes into more detail than the ad.  A copy of the ordinance is attached to the Official File Copy of these minutes.

The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

Mr. German asked what the next step is after the deadline.

President Wilshire will meet with Ms. Moore.  The process will be handled much like the Police Chief position where the Committee will identify a procedure for the review of the resumes, select people for the interview, and then an interview opportunity for all members of Council.

Mr. German verified it will be open for all Councilmembers.

President Wilshire stated yes to approve the finalist.  The Committee wants to get the best possible person to fill the position.

Downtown Committee:   Ms. Moore reported all Councilmembers received a map and a report on the parking meter proposal, which are both attached to the Official File Copy of these minutes.  There are three zones.  Zone #1 is green and is 2-hour meters at a quarter per hour.  Zone #2 is yellow and is 10-hour meters at a quarter for 3 hours.  Zone #3 is pink and is 10-hour meters at a quarter for 5-hours.  Ms. Moore stated the Committee had recommended the Borough discontinue parking permits.  However, enough public comments were received, so the Committee decided to keep the permits.  Permitted areas will only be Wood Street and Liberty Street.  The cost for parking permits has not been determined.  The merchants have suggested a token program to make meters friendlier.  The program would be set up with the Borough and merchants.  The Committee doesn’t have the final details yet.  Sample tokens are to be sent to the Borough.  Ms. Moore commented the cost will be for 600 meters at $140 with a trade-in of $20 a meter with the final cost of $120 per meter.  The meters will have an 18-month warranty, and the Borough will not begin paying until May 1, 2006. 

Mr. German asked about the tokens.

Mr. Stutzman contacted the company and found out the meter will be programmed to accept tokens if the Borough decides to use them in the future.  The Borough can determine the value.  The tokens are metal, stainless steel or brass, and are bigger than a quarter.  The Borough can design the artwork on the token.

Mr. Stutzman commented he has a master list and the final number is 615, which includes spares.

Mayor Smathers asked Ms. Lapinto if this cost is purchasing or leasing.

Ms. Lapinto stated it’s a 5-year lease.

On a motion by Ms. Moore with a second by Mr. Herman to purchase 615 meters, with the time to be determined by the Committee at a later date, was carried with a vote of six yea.

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

Mr. Zerfoss informed Council a storm sewer was installed on Seventh Avenue at Church Street. Water ran down the alley between the Cherico property and the Presbyterian Church.  This created a bad situation, especially during the winter when the water would freeze on the sidewalks and roadway.  This will resolve the problem.

Mr. Zerfoss commented Mr. Stutzman is asking for permission for him and Bob Larson to attend the Public Works Symposium in Grantville, Pennsylvania, September 6-8, 2005.  This is a yearly conference, and each year a different employee attends with Mr. Stutzman.  The conference is very good and the money has been budgeted.

On a motion by Mr. Zerfoss with a second by Ms. Moore, giving permission for Mr. Brad Stutzman and Mr. Bob Larson to attend the Public Works Symposium in Grantville, Pennsylvania, from September 6-8, 2005, was carried with a vote of six yea.

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

Public Safety:  Mr. Herman commented Meter Enforcement Officer interviews were held, and there were ample candidates that would have certainly fit the position.  Mr. Herman thanked the Committee and Chief for his/her time during this process.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Ms. Vavrek to hire Kathryn Newton as a part-time Meter Enforcement Officer at $6.50 per hour to begin August 3, 2005.  The motion carried with a vote of six yea.

Mr. Herman asked Chief Hall to discuss the conference he attended.

Chief Hall attended the Pennsylvania Chief’s Association Conference in Valley Forge.  It included accreditation in identify theft; law enforcement and suicide (not cops killing themselves but people putting guns up and the officers having to shoot people); initial mutual aid endeavor; MOPTEC; Pennsylvania Tech Grants; and risk and preservation.

Mr. Herman asked Chief Hall to discuss the event this weekend.

Chief Hall stated the Northwest Terrorism Task Force received money for training for a terrorism drill.  The Committee had to decide whether to do a chemical, nuclear, or biological disaster.  It was decided to do a chemical event.  It is a joined event with the University and Borough Police Officers, Fire Department, and the Clarion Hospital.  It will be done at the University.  The scenario will begin Friday night, with somebody breaking into a place at the University.  The University police will be called around 8 a.m. Saturday morning and discover suspects.  The police officers will be on the 2nd floor with an active shooter, or possibly more than one.  Chief Hall stated it’s going to be very realistic.  Fake rounds will be shot.  If an officer gets shot, he/she could die that day.  The Fire Department will be on the 5th, 6th, or 7th floor of the same building with a fire.  There is going to be a chemical spill and people will need washed down and treated.  The ambulance will be transporting patients to the Hospital to triage.  Chief Hall commented this is very similar to what was done at PNC Park except on a small scale.  It will last about 3 hours.

Mr. Herman commented it is quite extensive and good training.

Mr. Herman thanked Clarion Ford, and particularly Rick Braun, for their help and persistence.  The Borough had a couple police vehicles in for service.  The parts that needed repaired or replaced had already been done before under warranty.  Mr. Braun not only got the vehicles repaired as soon as possible but fought with the Ford Parts Department to get some of the costs covered.  This saved the Borough about $500.

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

Manager’s Report:  Ms. Lapinto had nothing to report.

Old Business:  Mr. German inquired if there is a cost analysis on the motorcycle/car cruise-in event.

Ms. Lapinto commented those figures will be prepared for budgeting purposes.

New Business:  There was none.

Correspondence:  There was none.

On a motion by Mr. Herman with a second by Mr. German, the Council Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

                     ______________________________

                     Carol Lapinto

                     Borough Secretary