2022-08-09 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

August 09, 2022

Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Nickelaus Engle, also in attendance Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary. Cecilia Gallup arrived at 7:10 PM. Absent Beth Cowher and Mayor Steve Myers

Citizens present: none

Citizens Input: none

A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the July 22, 2022 minutes as presented, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.

A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the June 2022 financials as presented, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.

Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission Reports:

The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments. No reports from HARB or the Planning Commission. 

Employee Reports:

It has been really dry out with little rain slowing the mowing down, but allowing us to spend more time trimming roads and cleaning roadsides. We have been patching roads and filling berms. When Rylind Construction had completed the Elk Creek bridge project with milling and paving, they had cold patch that they could no longer use. They were most likely going to take it to the land fill. It was offered to us, we just had to haul it from the location. It ended up being pretty close to 10 ton free of charge. Park Road had a very large tree come down and the fire company was called before we had a chance to get there, they had just cleared the road and we took care of the cleanup and removal.

With the Park road project complete, we had asked for a change order for all of the signs. HRI had quoted around $1,200. The price difference is not as significant as we thought but with us ordering them it was $893.20. I would estimate around 30 minutes for two of us to put all of the signs up. Switching gears towards the end of the month everyone prepared for the new Sewer Treatment Plant membranes to arrive and be replaced.

New Action Items

Contract extension for Sewer License only:

Katie Blume presented to council a new agreement for the use of Mr. Rupert’s sewer license. This agreement states that Mr. Rupert will be compensated through free use of space at the wastewater facility in return for support as needed at the sewer plant and the use of his sewer license. Robert Zeigler made a motion to accept this arrangement, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed. Ms. Blume will make noted changes and present to Mr. Rupert.

Invoices: none

2023 Financial requirements and MMO:

Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the signing of 2023 Financial Requirement and Minimum Obligation form as presented by Thomas Anderson & Associates, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. Denise Immel will email signed form.

Federal Surplus:

Nickelaus Engle made a motion to submit a new application to the Federal Surplus Property Program with Denise Immel, Sherry Corman, Adam DeGarmo and Justin Kerstetter as authorized purchasers, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.

Library Lease:

Robert Zeigler made a motion to renew the East Penns Valley Library lease for the calendar year beginning January 01, 2023 thru December 31, 2023 with rent remaining at $520.00 per month, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Fall Newsletter ideas:

Fall newsletter is due to be mailed.

Budget meeting dates:

Meeting dates to establish a 2023 budget will September 19, September 21, September 23, and September 26 if needed, all meetings except the September 23 meeting will be begin at 7:00 PM. The September 23rd meeting will begin at 8:30 AM.

Sign resolution for grant:

Cecilia Gallup made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-10 accepting the 902 grant in the amount of $55,000.00 and approving Katie Blume and Denise Immel as authorized signer, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.

Omar King Lease:

Robert Zeigler made a motion to renew the license agreement with Mr. King on the property located at the sewer plant containing approximately 5.2 acres for a time frame of 16 month, beginning September 01, 2022 thru December 31, 2023 for a fee of $300.00, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Fire Company payments:

Robert Zeigler made a motion to pay the invoices received from the Millheim Fire Company for reimbursement of the Boroughs share of truck payment truck payments (24.77%) and workers compensation (22.563%), seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion carried. Solicitor Miller will prepare a resolution for approval at the September meeting.

Old Action Items

Update on infrastructure items

SCREEN REPLACEMENT PROJECT:

The application is in technical review by DEP. Nothing new to report from July.

DCED MULTIMODAL GRANT BRIDGE PROJECT:

A site visit occurred to take measurements and photos of the Elk Creek Bridge. A recommendation is being made for the Borough pursue a concrete box culvert as a replacement for the existing

structure. This recommendation is based upon the shallow depth of the Race and the lack of cover.

If we keep the opening similarly sized, we will not need to perform more complex studies as part of

the permit application.

WWTP PROJECT – EQUILIZATION TANK:

Geotechnical Engineer has been contacted and the executed agreement of services has been submitted

back to them. Waiting for their notification when they will schedule the drilling. Once Geotech has performed the design, process will begin.

STORM WATER ISSUE – FRAZIER STREET:

Katie Blume and John Segursky will be visiting the site on Friday August 12 to look at the issues and what if anything the Borough should do as part of any remediation.

Membrane replacement update:

Membrane replacement has begun. All was going smoothly until it was discovered that five of the membranes had been damaged in shipping. Supplier will replace at no cost to the Borough.

Update on solar project:

Sel Edor explained that the solar field project has been delayed until approximately 2025, as our option agreement expires in 2024 BIA will be requesting an extension.

Committee and mayor reports: none

Secretary’s report

Empty lot sidewalks

The sidewalks on Water Street by our property are in bad repair and could present a safety hazard. Robert Zeigler made a motion to remove the sidewalk and replace with stone, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.  

HOPE Initiative:

Millheim Borough has received a request from the HOPE Initiative to place purple ribbons on trees recognizing Nation Recovery Month for the Month of September. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Domestic violence awareness month

Millheim Borough has received a request from Centre Safe to again place purple lights around the gazebo in Fountain Park in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness month. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.

Robert Zeigler made a motion to adjourned, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM

________________________________________

Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer

Attachments