Parkesburg Today: Parkesburg Borough Council Meeting Notes

The informal notes from Monday evening's borough council meeting.

BOROUGH OF PARKESBURG

COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

August 15, 2011

7:00 P.M.

Call to Order .........................................................................Melinda Keen

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

All council members present, Mayor John Hagan absent

Approval of Agenda

Agenda approved

Review and Approval of Minutes of the July 18, 2011 Regular Council Meeting

Minutes reviewed and approved

Treasurer’s Report

Read and approved

Approval of Bills

Bills reviewed and approved

Public Comments (Agenda Items Only)

None

Public Safety Reports:

Police Chief’s Report ................................................Brian Sheller

The report is in the packet, 107 traffic citation, 7 criminal arrests

Fire Chief’s Report ....................................................Richard Klingler

Chief Richie Klinger addresses council

Fire - 20 calls, average response time was 9 min and 12 second response time

Ambulance 78 calls for the month, Parkesburg EMS responded to 39 of the calls

We’ve been in talks with Pomeroy to consolidate ambulance service. We pay for one staff member 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. They would do the same. The arrangement went into effect last month and thus far is working out well. We got out on 50% of the calls, Pomeroy got out on the other 50%. Both ambulances honor each others memberships. This is another step towards the full consolidation of the fire companies.

Emergency Management Coordinator .......................... Richard Irwin

No report

Department Reports:

Engineer’s Report ............................................................... Mendi Lowe

Zoning Officer’s Report .............................................. ARRO Consulting

Building Code Official’s Report .........................................John Coldiron

Manager’s Report ........................................................... James Thomas

Received applications for extensions from BD Rich LP (for Belle’s Delights) and Parkesburg Fire Company for 60 day extension. Motion was made approving the extension.

Borough met with Commercial building group to talk about some sort of operation in the borough. More will come on that down the road

State Street, final revisions on the curbs coming.

Parkesburg Train Station –

First Avenue and Main Street has been stripped

Two dates will be designated for street sweep. The date will be announced

West Bridge Street – we’re working with Norfolk Southern as best we can. Things are progressing at a good speed.

Public Works Report ......................................................Melinda Keen

Fire Marshal’s Report ........................................Raymond Stackhouse

Mayor’s Report .........................................................John P. Hagan, II

PABA .............................................................................. Eric Jamison

Solicitor’s Report .....................................................John S. Carnes, Jr.

West Bridge Street – Met with 3 of the 5 property owners. Good support for the project. We have been in touch with everyone and everyone is supportive of the project.

The borough received a package from the Lancaster Tax Bureau about inacting a non-resident tax for those who work in the borough but don’t live in town. They are recommending that all the municipalities including Parkesburg implement the tax. This is just a recommendation. We don’t have to do it but we have to make a decision about whether or not we want to do it. Mr. Carnes recommended bringing it before the Finance Committee for their consideration. That way if council wants to implement the tax they could vote on it in September in time to advertise it in time for October. President Keen asked if council was interested. No one was. At this time council is not interested.

Unfinished Business

SPCA – Finance committee said we have $1,300 and $35 per animal needed to pay for stray dogs to be picked up. Will ask if the annual fee can be prorated. How will the borough charge back borough resident who drop their dog off? Council considered a motion and approved it.

New Business

Train Station – The will be a series of public meeting on August 23, 24, 25 at Borough Hall. Anyone with an interest in the train station is invited to voice their thoughts about the train station’s future. More parking, better lighting and easier access, ADA compliant are all the improvements that are being considered. Representative John Lawrence, or someone from his office, will attend.

Committee Reports:

Parks and Recreation ............................................... Kathleen Rick

Nothing to report

Progress and Development ......................................... Sharon Wolf

Met with the investment group which owns the bank building on Main Street about developing the main street commercial district. What can be done to spark interest and fill the vacant properties. The meeting was an exchange of ideas.

Streets and Property ........................ Melinda Keen

Finance ........................................................................ Charles Persch

Reviewed the figures for this year and began the process of looking at next year’s budget

Police and Fire ..................................Charles Persch

The Borough must make a commitment on whether it wants to be part of the Fire Company consolidation initiative. Best case is we would be responsible for up to 25% of the newly formed company’s annual budget. Worst case up to $175K annually. A motion was made that the borough voice their support for continuing to pursue consolidation. The motion passed unanimously.

Library Board Representative ........................................... Melinda Keen

The Library has raised about $17,000 thus far.

Public Comments

None

Council Comments

There’s a personnel matter we’ll have an executive session following council meeting.

Adjournment

Scheduled Public Meetings:

Committee Time Date Location

·         Parks and Recreation 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 201, Borough Hall

·         Progress 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011, Borough Hall

·         Streets and Property 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011, Borough Hall

·         Finance 7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2011 Borough Hall

·         Fire andPolice 6:00 p.m. Thursday, September 8, 2011 Borough Hall

·         PABA 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Borough Hall