2020-02-11 Council Minutes

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 11, 2020

President 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, Beth Cowher and Katie Blume, Mayor Lauralee Snyder. Also in attendance Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Denise Immel and Solicitor John Miller.

Citizens Present: Carl Rote, Ian Gray, Brandon Musser, Barry Kuppel, Bill Coger, Kathy Highbaugh

Barry Kuppel requested the Borough rewrite his agreement authorizing his use of Borough woodland, around water plant, granting hunting privileges including the placement of nonpermanent tree stands and food plots. Also include a clause releasing the Borough of any and all liability. Mr. Kuppel was requested to supply the Borough with the current agreement.

Brandon Musser representing the Millheim Little League requested to lower or remove the billing to the league for the mowing of the field. A motion was made by Beth Cowher to waive the fee of $800.00 for mowing in the year 2020, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Bill Coger expressed his concerns to the wording of the current ATV ordinance. He would like to see the ordinance specifically state that ATVs fall under the exception clause and are allowed to be used for yard wok and snow removal. Solicitor Miller will review ordinance.

Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission: Code enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or concerns. No reports from HARB or Planning.

Employee Reports:

Filtration Plant:

Mr. Rupert reported that DEP will be conducting a Filter Plant Performance Evaluation on February 11, 2020 and February 12, 2020.

Mr. Rupert will be starting to rebuild the lab counter and shelves with wood to reduce the corrosion from chlorine.


Wastewater treatment Plant:

The membranes continue to operate with basically non detectable test results.

Infiltration and Inflow continue to be an issue during rain and snowmelt events. This has been an ongoing issue for us to locate, suggested getting an outside company to give us a quote.

Mr. Kerstetter informed council that the maintenance department has taken advantage of the spring like weather by patching stone alleys and trimming trees and road sides around town. The yearly face lift to the park benches and water fountain has been completed.

Mr. DeGarmo has proven to be an asset to the crew and is performing well.

A list of roads to be considered for paving was presented to council.

New Action Items:

Exoneration:

Kathy Highbaugh, Borough Tax Collector presented council with the final close out reports for Personal Taxes for the year 2019. The reports included the Exoneration Report, including the reason for exoneration and the unpaid 2019 Personal Tax report. A motion was made by Steve Myers to exonerate Kathy Highbaugh from collecting the unpaid 2019 personal taxes from persons listed on the report and turn said report over to delinquent tax collector, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Park Road: Ms. Immel will contact Matt Kenepp on the status of this project.

Millheim Pool Triathlon:

A motion was made by Beth Cowher to approve the request by Penns Valley Park and Rec. to use local roads and Millheim Fire Company for their fund raiser to be held June 27, 2020, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Resolutions for signature changes with banks:

A motion was made by Steve Myers to adopt Resolution 2020-03, Mifflinburg Bank and Resolution 2020-04, First National Bank, authorizing Robert Zeigler, Lauralee Snyder, Denise Immel and Lisa Farwell as signers on all bank accounts with two (2) signatures required, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

EMS Financial:

Financial statements were reviewed with no questions or concerns. Next EMS meeting February 12, 2020.

Town Clock:

Richard Winebold agreed to fix the clock, Vince Smith will be gathering bids to help with the necessary repairs of structure.

Part-Time Secretary-Treasurer:

Lisa Farwell has resigned her position as Part-time Treasurer/Assistant Secretary ads have been placed to fill this position.

Trash/Recycling/Bulk item bid out:

President Zeigler presented the idea of investigating the possibility of having a contract with one refuse company for the Borough residents to help reduce the cost to Millheim Borough residents. Residents in attendance voiced displeasure with this option. No further action taken.

Millheim Fire Company Parade and Carnival:

A motion was made by Katie Blume to grant permission to Millheim Fire Company to hold their annual parade and carnival on dates as stated seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried.

Petty Cash:

A motion was made by Patty Beckenbaugh to dissolve the petty cash fund and deposit remaining funds into the general account, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried.

Old Action Items:

Change Hillcrest Ave address to Stover Ave for 911:

A motion was made by Beth Cowher to change 223 Hillcrest Avenue and 227 Hillcrest Avenue to 223 Stover Avenue and 227 Stover Avenue per PEMA recommendations, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Steve Myers to grant Mr. Ilgen’s request to name the private lane to his new residence Nathan’s Lane as recommended by Centre County 911, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Committee Positions:

Leslie Warriner has agreed to be the alternate representative to Penns Valley Regional Planning. Still vacant are the vacancy board positon and the Emergency Management Position.

Small Water and Sewer Grants: no report

Weed Ordinance: no report

NIMS:

Training links have been forwarded to all council members. Elected officials are required to take IS-100 and IS-700.

New Email Addresses:

All council and employees have received instructions on setting up Borough email addresses. These addresses have been added to Borough web page.

ATV Ordinance: Solicitor Miller to review.

Committee Reports:

Councilperson Cowher continues to gather quotes for Borough insurance.

A motion was made by Katie Blume to approve the January 17, 2020 minutes as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Steve Myers to approve the January financials as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Secretary’s Report:

It was reported that the Dell computer with Windows 7 is no longer supported by Micro Soft. Ms. Immel will contact Mr. Wolken for advice.

Mr. Smith has been contacted in regards to the deterioration of the crosswalks that were installed in October 2019. He is aware of the problem and has requested we contact his once the weather gets warmer and he will replace as necessary at no charge to us.

We have received a Release of all Property Damage Claims for Ace Trucking. Solicitor Miller to review.

A motion was made by Katie Blume to permit Secretary Immel to submit the PA One Call Board of Directors as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Patty Beckenbaugh to pay West Penn Power $13,489.34 for new service  upgrade from 208V to 480V service, bill to be split 50% from water account, 25% from sewer account and 25% from general account, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Steve Myers to adjourn, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.

______________________________________________

Denise Immel Secretary/ Assistant Treasurer

Attachments