2023-06-13 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
June 13, 2023
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Cecilia Gallup and Nickelaus Engle. Also in attendance Mayor Steve Myers, Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer, Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary and Solicitor John Miller. Absent Beth Cowher.
Citizens present: none
Citizens Input: An email has been received requesting council look into parking issues on Penn Street particularly a situation with neighbors who consistently parking in front of their home. As Penn Street is a narrow street resident feels this presents a safety hazard as accidents have already taken place in front of the house. Based on the information in email council members agreed this is a dispute between neighbors. Solicitor Miller to write letter of explanation to the author of email.
Millheim Borough received a request for sponsorship for the Penns Valley Penguins, our local swim team. This presents a great opportunity for local businesses to advertise their name. The letter will be emailed to the Borough businesses asking for support of the swim team.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the May 09, 2023 minutes with the correction of the spelling of Mr. Zeigler’s name from Ziegler to Zeigler, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the May 2023 financials as presented, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Employee Reports:
The nice weather has given an opportunity to get the cold patching done on all the roads, fixing the berm along roadsides is the next project. In the first week of May the new tractor was delivered and proven to be very useful. The concrete blocks have been delivered and set, creating bins at the maintenance shop to tidy the appearance of the property and become more organized. Heritage Electric put up new outlets for the Christmas decorations, this was done to allow easier access to the outlets and replace those needing repair. Street sweeping is almost complete.
Employees have requested that residents be emailed a notice about being vigilant with outdoor fires.
The water plant has been running great as usual. There have been no breakdowns or special treatment needed in the month of May. The operator has requested we put a water restriction or conserve water email or announcement together. Although our reservoir is still in good shape, flow wise, another 23 days lacking water, we will need to switch to Elk Creek. Council will be notified if a switch to Elk Creek becomes necessary.
Sewer plant is running smoothly since the new membranes were installed. Test results are coming back on point. Mr. Kerstetter has been in touch with Sel Edor about the added solar array on the property. They are going to build over top of our effluent pipe this will allow sewer repairs to be done inside the pipe by PSI Solutions as they bring a robot in to fix the piping.
New Action Items
Invoices:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the payment to Heritage Electric in the amount of $1,995.00 for electrical work to repair outlets on light poles, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to approve payment to Sensus in the amount of $1,715.50 for Auto Read software support, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Burning/Water Restrictions:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to email a water advisory to borough residents requesting them to conserve water whenever possible i.e., eliminating watering of yards, washing of vehicles, power washing decks, patios and houses. Also include in email about not leaving outdoor fires unattended. Seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Street Signs:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to purchase new street signs following our 911 mapping, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Street ordinance:
Information needs forwarded to Solicitor Miller.
Pride resolution 2023-07:
Katie Blume made a motion to adopt Resolution 2023-07, recognizing and supporting June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Octoberfest:
Millheim Fire Company has requested approval to hold Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 23, 2023 and to erect a banner across Route 45, from September 9, 2023 thru the end of event, provided permission is obtained from PennDot, Millheim Hotel and the Millheim Laundromat. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the fire company’s requests, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
APPI Renewal:
The Borough has received a request to negotiate an electricity contract. Referred to Sel Edor for input as we run with solar.
Old Action Items
Update on infrastructure:
Bid Opening:
Bids for the dam weir project were opened, two bids were received: Greenland Construction, $241,000.00 and Maverick Construction $298,400.00. As both of these bids are over budget Cecilia Gallup made a motion to reject all bids, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to rebid the project minus the demo of existing building, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Robert Zeigler made a motion to open the bids prior to the July meeting, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
DCED Multimodal Grant Bridge Project:
A site meeting was held on April 25, 2023, with a bridging company. Buchart Horn is waiting on their final proposal for the pricing. It appears that using this system may allow for both Elk Street and Plum Street to be completed. An agreement will need to execute for services based upon the grant application. The engineering fee listed in the grant application was $80,000.00
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to approve the engineering fees up to $80,000.00, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
WWTP project – Equalization Tank:
Buchart Horn has started designing the tank and the control mechanism for the EQ Tank. A preliminary design meeting will be held with Justin in the next month to finalize layout and controls. An agreement will need to be executed for services based upon the grant application. The engineering fee listed in the grant application was $40,000.00.
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to approve the engineering fee of $40,000.00, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
LSA Grant Application:
Millheim Borough was selected to receive $400,000 from the Local Share Account program. This grant is to replace the raw water line from the dam to the new main along SR 0445 and a section further down toward town. This program does not have a match component.
NPDES Renewal:
The NPDES renewal was submitted to DEP on June 12, 2023.
Update on Solar project: no report
Empty lot update:
Mr. DeGarmo is getting estimates on the cost to pour concrete, to replace torn out sidewalk. If we are going to pursue using the lot as a dog park as zoning variance would be needed as it is now zoned R1.
Fee schedule consistency:
Information will be sent to Solicitor Miller to have a resolution prepared with Borough fees. This will put all fees on one schedule.
Secretary’s Report:
We have received back payment on 108 Penn Street and a request to reinstate water service. 151 Penn Street was sent to sheriff sale on June 08, 2023, no notification has been received of buyer.
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to adjourn seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
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Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer