2021-05-11 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
May 11, 2021
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Patty Beckenbaugh Beth Cowher, Steve Myers 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.
Citizens Present: Nicholaus Engle and Leslie Warriner
Beth Cowher reported that the Purple Ride will be held on May 29, 2021, proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army. The Munch Ride will be held July 17, 2021 with proceeds benefitting the baby pool.
Mayor Snyder reported members of the regional planning committee held discussions on the financial situation of the Centre Hall Library and the invitation by Centre County Library and Historical to join a zoom meeting for discussion with their planning consultants. Pros and cons of having a Dollar General in Aaronsburg was also discussed.
Roy Rupert reported that during the sewer cleaning process it was discovered that damages had been done to the connectors and would need replaced. PSI’s estimate is not to exceed $7,900.00.
The consent agenda was reviewed by council. Beth Cowher made a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
New Action Items:
Human Relations Committee:
This commission is being established to help protect or assist people from many type of discrimination (housing and employment practices, people with disabilities, race, gender, economic status, etc.) while also educating people. The commission will also be able to offer advice to the Centre County Commissioners and be used as a resource for Centre County residents, Boroughs and Townships. Millheim Borough has received an invitation to have a representative sit on the newly forming Humans Relations Commission. Katie Blume made a motion to proceed with the requesting a seat on the commission provided there will be no costs to the Borough, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Library Request:
East Penns Valley Library presented council with a written request to have the EPV library statue moved to a location that would highlight the statue and serve as a reminder to the community of the existence of the library as a resource for individuals and families. A motion was made by Beth Cowher to have a platform poured on the unused stairway entrance and place the statue there, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
2 Way Radios: tabled until June meeting
LB Water Quote:
We have received a quote from LB Water to update our outdated meter reading system. Steve Myers made a motion to accept the quote as presented as this is a budgeted item, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried. Mr. Zeigler will sign the terms and conditions of sales and system will be ordered.
Cleaning Service:
TNT Cleaning Service, Rick Dunlap of Woodward presented a quote of $60.00 per hour to clean the borough office, council chambers, code office and the common areas including stairs, lobby and restroom. His estimate that it will take 2.5 hours to thoroughly clean these areas. Steve Myers made a motion to accept TNT’s proposal and have them clean the designated areas once a month, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Hazard Mitigation Resolution 2021-05:
The Centre County hazard mitigation Plan update has received “approved pending Approval status from FEMA. The County will give final approval to the plan at the commissioners meeting on May 11, 2021. The Borough has been asked to adopt this plan, which is a requirement to be eligible for mitigation grants. This adopted plan will expire in five years. Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to adopt Resolution 2021-05, accepting the Centre County 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update as the official Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Borough, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried. Copies of resolution will be forwarded to FEMA and Centre County Government.
Community Service:
Mr. Zeigler signed documentation authorizing 10 hours of community service for Braydon Cowher. Mr. Cowher will be able to perform any duties that do not require use of equipment such as pulling weeds, mulching, water sealing wooden ramp etc. Katie Blume made a motion to accept the signing of the documentation, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Survey Discussion: to allow additional time to review the questions final decision was tabled to June
Committee Work:
Going forward committee heads will need to take control of the responsibility assigned to their department.
Set up Coffee and Conversation:
The coffee and conversation will continue to be held at the Burkholder Cafe. Date and time will be announced for each event. This gives community members the opportunity to lend their voices to areas of interest or improvements for the valley.
Old Action Items:
Update and discussion of Roy’s retirement:
Katie Blume made a motion to have Mr. Rupert commit to his presence at the plants once a week, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried. Lauralee Snyder and Roy Rupert will work together to establish details on council expectations of his duties.
Millheim Walk Fest of Arts and Music/Christmas wreaths:
Downtown Business Association has requested the use of the Boroughs Christmas wreath for the above event. After discussing the age of the wreaths and how fragile the have become it was decided to deny the request. Mr. Zeigler will advise the DBA of this decision.
Pollinator Update:
Mr. King will be in Friday May 14th to sign the agreement.
HVAB Grants:
Three grants have been submitted to Happy Valley Adventure Bureau to help fund events to promote the Millheim Borough as a destination place.
Letters to state legislators:
Katie Blume will update the letter, Steve Myers made a motion approve the updated letter and cc Senator Corman and the Centre County Commissioners, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried. Council decided to not send the fair districting letter at this time.
Millheim Triathlon:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the indemnification clause as requested by PennDot and to issue the required letter including this clause to the triathlon committee in order for the committee to obtain the necessary highway permit to hold the fundraising event, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Secretary’s Report:
Steve Myers made a motion to sign Seven Mountains EMS council request to proclaim May 16-21, 2021 as Emergency Medical Services Week, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Beth Cowher to adopt Resolution 2021-06 authorizing the expenditure of $5,087.73 from the funds collected by the Borough of Millheim from the fire tax to the Millheim Fire Company No. 1 for the fire truck loan payments and workers’ compensation insurance, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
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Denise Immel, Secretary