Author: Secretary

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

April 13, 2021

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Steve Myers, Patty Beckenbaugh and Katie Blume. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder, Solicitor John Miller, Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer and Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary. Absent Beth Cowher

Citizens Present: Travis Walker, Eden Myers, Shawna and Abbie Long

Citizens Comments: Eden Myers presented a program on the benefits as well as the need for a dog park in the Borough. Katie Blume made a motion to explore this program, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda:

Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to approve all items in the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Steve Myers, motion carried.

Roy Rupert stated the need for the pump station to be cleaned. He would like to coordinate the cleaning by Kline Services with the cleaning of the Gregg Township station and split the cost of the transportation expense. Steve Myers made a motion to schedule the cleaning of the pump station in conjunction with Gregg Township and split the transpiration expense, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

New Action Items:

Roy Rupert’s proposal:

Mr. Rupert would like to retire from his position as full time employment with the Millheim Borough. As we currently do not have another licensed representative, he proposes being rehired as a part time employee with a salary of $32,751.00 to act as a consultant for the water and sewer plants. This enables the Borough to use his current licenses until an employee obtains his license. Katie Blume made a motion to accept the early retirement request with the details of a part time position to be established based on the need of the water and sewer plants, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

PennDot Right of Way:

PennDot has presented the Borough with a right of way agreement for a section of property located on Mill Race on both sides of the Penn Street Bridge for the consideration of $2,000.00. Steve Myers made a motion to accept the right of way agreement for the consideration of $2,000.00, provided PennDot agrees to change the wording of the Agreement of Sale in Section 2, from: The Grantor warrants GENERALLY the property hereby conveyed to: The Grantor warrants SPECIAL the property hereby being conveyed. Also on the Deed page 2 first paragraph from: The Grantor warrants GENERALLY the property hereby conveyed to: The Grantor warrants SPECIAL the property hereby being conveyed. Seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

King Lease and Pollinator:

Ernst Conservation Seeds Inc. has supplied us with the cost of 30 lbs. of Northeast Solar Pollinator 3’ mix to be used to pollinate the solar array on Tattletown Road. Cost of seed is $33.50 plus shipping and handling. Mr. King’s lease is expiring and we will look at once again asking him to assist with the preparation and planting in exchange for the use of adjacent property.

HVAB (Happy Valley Adventure Bureau) grant process:

EPVCBA is proposing a Second Saturday event as well as a Millheim Fest, funds are available thru HVAB in the form of grants, using in kind services and/or cash as matching funds. These grants are to be used to support projects and advertising within Centre County.  Katie Blume made a motion to approve Robert Zeigler submitting for a grant to help support EPVCB, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

EIT Tax Deadline:

EIT tax deadline has been extended to May 17, 2021 which is the extension for filing federal and state taxes.

Revision of Penns Valley Regional Planning Committee’s Bylaws:

Katy Blume made a motion to accept the Regional Planning Committee bylaw changes as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Fountain Park and Stover Light Poles:

Light poles have been damaged by Borough snow plows at both the municipal parking lot located behind Fountain Park and the residence of Jake Stover. Our maintenance crew is working with Mr. Stover to repair the damage. We have contacted the company who originally supplied the lights at municipal lot, the exact light is no longer available but a very similar light pole can be purchased for approximately $400.00. Katie Blume made a motion to purchase two (2) light poles, from the general account, as we are not sure how long this style will be available, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Ferguson Township/Millheim Borough Partnership:

Ferguson has contacted the Borough in regards to a partnership for a special event celebrating and promoting local food, music and agriculture. Ferguson Township would be applying for a grant to assist with costs involved. Discussion was held and a Resolution will be prepared for approval at the next council meeting in support of the partnership and financing.

Town Survey:

In order for council to learn the thoughts of the residents in the borough a survey will be prepared and made available online and mailed.

Paper Alleys Roads/Signage:

Sherry Corman and Denise Immel will begin a study of any/all streets and allies that are not properly marked with signage as well as any unnamed allies or roadways.

Old Action Items:

Warriner Grant Writing:

Katie Blume made a motion to accept the contract Ms. Warriner presented at the February 09, 2021 meeting for grant writing purposes, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Confer Alley Ordinance:

Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to adopt Ordinance #267, vacating Confer Alley, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Covid 19 updates:

The Borough will be awarded Covid funding from the Commonwealth, the funds have restrictions as to how they are spent. Robert Zeigler made a motion to keep these funds separate from our general account by establishing a separate checking account with signers to be the same as general account, for these funds, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried. 

Update on government funding; no update

Code and Library Leases:

Discussion was held on waiving monthly rent for the library as they are still struggling financially.  Patty Beckenbaugh make a motion to waive the next 3 months rent to show our support of the East Penns Valley Library, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.  A letter will be sent to the library informing them of the waiver.

NIMS: no update

Update on Fire Hydrant:

Documentation has been sent to Nationwide for payment, Nationwide has accepted responsibility for payment but have not given any timeframe.

Secretary’s Report:

Maturing CD’s:

Katie Blume made a motion to allow the CDs to rollover at the going rate, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Old Desks:

The metal desks in the Borough office have been upgraded to professional wooden desks, Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to contact Centre Peace to see if they had an interest also to post on Facebook if no interest is received contact Grenoble for disposal, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Notary:

Denise Immel’s notary expires November 08, 2021.  Steve Myers made a motion to cover the expense of the renewal, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Town Wide Yard Sale:

Inquiries have been received in regards to a Town Wide Yard Sale, this event is normally held in conjunction with Millheim Fireman’s Carnival. As the carnival has been cancelled this year residents are wondering if council will support a town wide yard sale. Robert Zeigler made a motion to support a town wide yard sale from Thursday, June 17, 2021 thru Sunday, June 20, 2021 and request code waive permitting fees for these days, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to approve and pay the Nittany Office Equipment yearly service contract for in the amount of $990.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to approve and pay the invoices from Unitec for the preparation of the Chapter 94 report and  engineering fees for the Park Road bridge project in the amount of $2.300.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion Carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to allocate up to $500.00 for the purchase of high visibility shirts for the maintenance crew, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.  

Steve Myers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.

_______________________________________

Denise Immel, Secretary/ Assistant Treasurer

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

March 09, 2021

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Steve Myers, Patty Beckenbaugh and Katie Blume. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder, Solicitor John Miller, Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer and Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary. Absent Beth Cowher

Citizens Present: Travis and Megan Walker, Jennifer Cain, Leslie Warriner and Nick Engle

Citizens Comments: none

Consent Agenda:

Katie Blume made a motion to approve all items in the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh, motion carried.

New Action Items:

Vacating of Confer Alley:

Solicitor Miller asked the residents present if there were any comments or objection to the Council accepting the petition to vacate Confer Alley. With no question, concerns or objection from residents present Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to vacate Confer Alley and have Solicitor Miller draw up the necessary ordinance and advertise per Borough Code, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Reimbursement of Liquid Fuels:

Notification has been received that the Borough was in violation of bidding requirements on the 2018 paving project for Oak, Locust and South Streets. In order to receive our 2021 Liquid Fuels allocation funds used from this account for this project must be reimbursed to our Liquid Fuels account and proof of reimbursement sent to Matt Kenepp. Steve Myers made a motion to transfer $36,140.50 from the borough general account to the state aid account to meet requirements to receive our 2021 allocation, seconded Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Transfer of Trailer Title:

Steve Myer made a motion to authorize Justin Kerstetter to sign necessary documents to complete title transfer of trailer purchased from Millheim Small Engine, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Triathlon Indemnity Clause/Sponsorship:

The Triathlon committee has request the following clause be added to the approval letter sent last month: The municipality will agree to fully indemnify, save harmless and, if requested, defend the Commonwealth, Commonwealth departments and their officers, agents and employees from and against claims, suits or actions for injury, death or property damage arising from or because of the acts or omissions of the sponsor, its officers, agents or employees. Lauralee Snyder will speak to Joan Karp in order to assure that the insurance the Triathlon purchase list both the Millheim Borough and the Commonwealth Of PA and the employees of the Commonwealth and Borough as additional insured. Steve Myers made a motion to write a new approval letter authorizing the use of borough maintained roads and alleys and a certificate of insurance showing both the Commonwealth of PA, the Borough of Millheim and the employees of the Commonwealth and the Borough as additional insured, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Triathlon Sponsorship:

The Borough has received a request to be a sponsor of the Triathlon. Steve Myers made a motion to decline this request, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Discussion was then held on various ways the borough can support the Millheim Pool.

EMS Report:

The EMS report was reviewed with no questions or comments.

Millheim Web Article:

Ed Carter has submitted a news article to the Millheim Borough, requesting we publish on our web page. The article was reviewed by council, council will consider publication of article provided the sentence “Moreover, these financial management tips from the Millheim Borough can help your make most of your income and save for tomorrow.” be removed. Mr. Carter can present the revised article for review at the April meeting.

Review Spring Newsletter:

Council members reviewed the Spring newsletter and offered changes and additions. The newsletter will be revised and sent via email for additional review.

Ideas for the Betterment of the Borough:

See attached list

Old Action Items:

Covid-19 related update: no updates

Atlantic Broadband Update:

Atlantic Broadband is expected to be available by the end of April.

SR-2011 Right of Way

The borough will be receiving a right of way agreement for the SR-2011 project. Upon receipt the document will be forwarded to Solicitor Miller.

Leslie Update of Grant Writing; no update

NIMS: no update

Secretary’s Report:

The Borough is once again looking for an individual or company to clean the Borough Office, hallways, bathrooms and code office.

Letters have been sent to the residents who participated in the conversations about the unnamed alley, explaining that the Borough has no ownership of said alley and residents could consult an attorney if they wished to pursue ownership.

Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to authorize payment of Uni-Tec bill in the amount of $157.60, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to waiver the ball park mowing fee of $800.00, for the Little League organization, for the 2021, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

________________________________________________

Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer

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

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Steve Myers and Katie Blume by phone. Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer.

Citizens Present: none

Consent Agenda: none

New Actions Items:

Water Plant Computer:

Roy Rupert has informed council that the computer at the water plant is no longer operable, the plant is currently running on the emergency PLC to allow operation of the plant.  Nittany Controls has sent the specs to Dell and is awaiting a quote. The unofficial estimate is $3,000.00 to $4,000.00, which would include the new PC, possibly a new monitor, set up and SCADA installation and programming. As this is essential for the borough to efficiently operate the plant Katie Blume made a motion to purchase a new computer using the unofficial estimate of $4,000.00, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Chapter 94:

Uni-Tec has sent a reminder that it is time once again to complete the chapter 94 reporting. Steve Myers made a motion to have Uni-Tec complete and submit the report, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Fine Screen #1:

A proposal has been received from Dave Gutelius Excavating to install a new 8 inch valve and fitting at the sewer plant on line #1, total cost $6,000.00. Katie Blume made a motion to have Gutelius complete the work as soon as possible in order to support the runoff caused by the early thawing. Cost not to exceed $6,000.00, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Fine Screen #2

A seconded proposal was received by Dave Gutelius Excavating to install a new 8 inch valve and fitting on line #2, total cost $7,500.00. Steve Myers made a motion to have Gutelius complete the work necessary on line #2 as time permits, cost not to exceed $7,500.00, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Steve Myers to pay the Uni-Tec invoice of $$115.00 for engineering work on the plant screen and dam weir, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 AM

_________________________________________

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

JANUARY 12, 2021

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 7:07. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder, Solicitor John Miller, Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer and Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary.

Citizens Present: Nickelaus Engle, John Myers, Pam Winter, Travis Walker and Megan Walker.

Citizens Input:

Travis and Megan Walker requested that since the Borough has closed the alley between 138 West Main Street and 140 West Main Street, formally known as Confer Alley, they would like to petition the Borough to vacate the land formally known as Confer Alley. Solicitor Miller responded stating the request would need to be put in writing and signed by all parties involved. Upon receipt of written request, Council will take under advisement.

Pam Winter questioned if any progress had been made in the ownership of the unnamed alley beside her property. The Borough does not currently maintain the alley nor has it been ordained and residents have been mowing the property. Mr. Zeigler responded that this issue is still under investigation, all contacts needed are working from home so it makes this a lengthy process. Ms. Winter also questioned a portion of Gramley Avenue.

Consent Agenda:

Katie Blume made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried.

New Action Items:

COVID-19 related updates:

All personal protective equipment supplied to the Borough has been distributed to borough businesses. The Borough has also received the final reimbursement from Centre County Government covering COVID-19 expenses.

Snow Removal (and employee time):

Two employees were called in on New Year’s Day for snow removal. Beth Cowher made a motion to grant another day off to compensate for being called in on a legal holiday, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

During the storm in December employees worked 35.50 hours over a three day span with 22 hours being overnight hours. To show appreciation for the dedication Katie Blume made a motion to grant Adam DeGarmo 8 hours comp time, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Parental leave was discussed. Katie Blume made a motion to grant Adam DeGarmo 10 paid days as parental leave to be used at his discretion, advance notice required, within three months of the birth of his child, with the understanding that if an emergency arises he can be called back to work, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried. This policy will be presented in writing at the next meeting to become part of our HR policy.

Absentee Landlords:

Katie Blume would like to open discussion on instituting appropriate guidelines for landlords/rental property within the Borough.

Insurance Bid:

Katie Blume made a motion to approve Robert Zeigler signing the insurance documents from Doty & Hench, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Codification:

The Borough has not codified our ordinances since 2018. Beth Cowher Made a motion to have American Legal Publishing codify all ordinances thru December 2020, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Estimate on room for downstairs space in municipal building: no report

Old Action Items:

Update of Solar at sewer plant: Electric bills are decreasing. We are still working with Constellation to have the water and building accounts corrected.

Leslie update on grant writing: no report

NIMS: no update

Master Plan: no update

Secretary’s Report:

Uni-Tec Invoice:

Katie Blume made a motion to pay Uni-Tec’s November Invoice in the amount of $6,335.00, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Tax collector checking account:

Kathy Highbaugh will be attending the February meeting, in part to discuss adding our deputy tax collector to the checking accounts.

Payroll:

Salary discrepancies have been discovered in the amounts that Bollman Accounting has paid to salaried employees in 2020 resulting in an overpayment to these employees. With this error along with other minor errors, Ms. Corman and Ms. Immel would like to recommend that Council replace Bollman Accounting. Integrity Accounting has shown interest in acquiring our payroll processing. After discussion it was decided to obtain additional information from Integrity and postpone any final decisions until our February meeting.

A motion was made by Katie Blume to cut a check to Marcus Port for $120.00 for helping clear snow from Main Street on December 17/18, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to permit borough employees to take borough vehicles home in advance of severe weather which would result in employees being called out for road maintenance, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried

Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.

_________________________________________________

Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer