MILLHEIM BOROUGH COUNCIL
225 EAST MAIN STREET
P.O. BOX 421
MILLHEIM, PA 16854
(CENTRE COUNTY)
PHONE (814)-349-5350 FAX (814)-349-5733
REGULAR MEETING
December 08, 2020
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Katie Blume, Patty Beckenbaugh and Beth Cowher. Steve Myers arrived at 7:13. Also, in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder, Solicitor John Miller and Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant. Beth Cowher left the meeting at 8:40.
Citizens Present: Nickelaus Engle
Consent Agenda:
In addition to water/sewer reports, Roy Rupert informed council that West Penn’s fee for the temporary connection need to test the well behind borough building would be $850.00. Mr. Rupert will continue to research what is needed to get the well and running. Mr. Rupert requested to have a second back up meter for the water plant as it now takes 4 – 6 weeks to have one delivered. Katie Blume made a motion to not approve the purchase at this time and to accept the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried.
New Business:
Streets (unnamed alley, Park Rd., Poplar St., parking):
Research was done as to the ownership of the unnamed alley between High Street and Cherry Street, no evidence has been located that lists this alley as an ordained street/alley. Solicitor John Miller recommended that a letter be sent to those questioning the ownership stating we can find no evidence of this alley street being ordained.
Park Road:
Justin Kerstetter has met with Mr. Segursky to discuss the best options to fix the drainage issues.
Poplar Street Parking:
It has been brought to councils’ attention some residents and business owners are concerned about the parking on West Poplar Street. They feel that these cars are a potential safety issue, especially with the snow removal in the future. Per code office the cars are legally parked. Council member Katie Blume will communicate with business owner to try to resolve.
USDA Grant:
Council has received an email on a USDA Grant for up to $50,000.00. This grant is based on median income and population. Leslie Warriner is to investigate the grant guidelines and its usage. Ms. Warriner will also supply a contract for her services for council to review.
Merry Millheim:
Local businesses will be hosting Merry Millheim December 11th thru the 13th.
List of Appointed Committee Spots:
Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to reappoint Pam Winter as our Sewer Enforcement officer and Laron Horner as our Alternate Sewer Enforcement officer and to accept their fee schedule as presented, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried.
Curative COVID-19 Testing:
A conference call was held with Curative representative Joshua Mironov. Mr. Mironov discussed various options that would be available to the borough to set up testing sights for the Covid-19 virus. Options that would include Curative employees observing self-testing or administrating the test would be a drive thru testing sight, kiosk or a mobile trailer. Self-testing sights could also be set up that would include volunteers to observe the self-testing and to help register people. Turnaround time on testing is approximately 24 hours after Curative receives the test. After much discussion and per our Solicitor, the borough sponsoring any of these events opens us up to liability claims. It was decided not to pursue at this time but to refer Curative to Centre County government.
Debt Management:
Financial reports from Treasurer Sherry Corman were reviewed, the borough has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well. Our financials show that we will have the funds available to cover the upcoming projects without raising taxes.
Approval of Meeting Dates for 2021:
Katie Blume made a motion to approve the meeting dates for Millheim Borough Council, HARB and Planning Commission as presented, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Approval of Tax Resolution 2020-20:
Katie Blume made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-20, levying the tax rate for the year 2021 at the same rate of 4.00mills on the value of real property located in the Borough of Millheim as was levied for the year 2020, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Approval of Records Destruction Resolution 2020-21:
Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-21, authorizing the disposition and destruction of specific records, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
Penn Township Request:
Penn Township Board of Supervisors voted to give their code representative authorization to vote that the Penns Valley Code office be viewed as an essential business. They would like the Borough to consider doing the same. A motion was made by Beth Cowher to have our code representative to vote Penns Valley Code as an essential business at the next code meeting, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried with Robert Zeigler abstaining as he sits on the code board.
Riff Raff Pickup:
Penn Township has expressed concerns that borough residents are taking advantage of the Riff Raff collection offered to Penn Township residents on the Tuesday after Labor Day. Penn Township Board of Supervisors would like each municipality in Penns Valley to conduct a Riff Raff collection the same time each year to help residents dispose of unwanted items.
Old Action Items:
NIMS: no update
COVID-19 Related Updates:
The Borough office stills has a small supply of white cotton masks available to businesses.
Update of Solar at Sewer Plant:
Millheim Borough has been awarded the Lodestar Award, Millheim Borough Council can now publicly display its dedication to solar energy by using their branding materials. The logo indicates that Council is luminary in solar energy stewardship – all without violating certain legal rules surrounding the claiming of environmental attributes. Robert Zeigler made a motion to have Katie Blume accept the award via zoon, Steve Myers seconded. Motion carried.
Penn Street Bridge update:
Documents were presented for Robert Zeigler’s signature for the utility relocation as required by PennDot.
Master Plan Update: no report
Dam Weir/Water Screen Building Update: no report
Atlantic Broadband Update:
Due to shipping issues access to Atlantic Broadband service has been moved back to spring of 2021.
Secretary’s Report:
Council Room Tables:
Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to purchase new tables for the council room that will allow for social distancing during council meetings and meetings held by outside parties, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Patty Beckenbaugh to allocate $500.00 to purchase used desks for the borough office, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Employee Weekly Pay:
Katie Blume made a motion to honor the request of one employee to be paid weekly, with additional cost to be absorbed by the Borough, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Cleaning:
With the winter months approaching Borough staff would like to request a set cleaning schedule for the office and hallways. Council will look at possible individuals for the position.
Traffic Logic:
Training has been completed on the reports and settings for the radar signs.
Katie Blume made a motion to present each employee with a gift of $100.00 to express appreciation for their dedication to the Borough with the additional duties and adjustments that were needed to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 PM.
__________________________________________
Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer
