2024-03-12 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
March 12, 2024
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Nickelaus Engle, Beth Cottrell, Katie Blume arrived at 7:10 PM also in attendance Denise Immel Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller. Absent Cecilia Gallup and Mayor Steve Myers.
Citizens present: Bradley Musser from Penns Valley Little League
Citizens input: none
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the February 13, 2024 minutes as presented, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the February 2024 financials as presented, seconded by Beth Cottrell. 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.
Council discussed safety concerns with some of the sidewalks located within the Borough. Will bring this matter to the attention of code enforcement.
Employee Report:
The few snow storms that happened this month were handled very well and in a timely manner, aside from one snow storm the town was cleaned out. The exception was the day residents and businesses were notified 7 hours in advance, cars were not removed as requested. Mr. Rich Gallup was out to review the GEO Thermal unit. He will decide if he wants to take over the maintenance. He also stated that the “stairway” unit in the building wound not be big enough to heat the gym for the Little League, an alternate heat source would need to be installed.
New Christmas decorations have arrived. No parking signs on Center Street have been placed.
A list of roads in need or pavement or fixing has been submitted for consideration.
To park 15 cars in our empty lot on Center Street, roughly 120′ in length 15′ wide and 3″ thick for the stone lot, would require about 24 ton of 2A stone at $11.00 a ton. Two truck load, plus hauling would be approximately $458.00, borough road crew can lay and level stone to create a small parking lot.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the purchase of material necessary to complete a small stoned parking area on the Center Street lot, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to pay invoice 123560 in the amount of $2,835.00 to Buchart Horn for professional services rendered on plant screen and dam weir, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
Traffic signal maintenance agreement:
Tel-Power has been purchased by Kuharick Construction. Kuharick has presented the Borough with a maintenance agreement outlining costs for regular inspections including documenting signal structure inspections in PennDot’s traffic signal asset management system. A motion was by Beth Cottrell to authorize Katie Blume to sign proposal accepting terms and pricing, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Valley Community Business Association update:
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to adopt resolution 2024-01, which expresses support for the community and authorizes the use of local matching dollars or in-kind services in conjunction with local businesses, nonprofits, and other contributors in an amount not to exceed $10,000 to supplement a grant application to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau Tourism Grant program, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
EMS Legislative breakfast update:
Penns Valley EMS currently has one of the lowest membership fees in the county. They are so doing better financially than most. Central PA Institute is considering adding an EMS certification class to its programs.
Article for website:
Ed Carter has requested we publish his article entitled Caring in Action: How to Champion Local Caused Close to Your Heart. Robert Zeigler made a motion to authorize publication, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Town Wi-Fi options:
Options have been tabled until grant results have been received.
Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU) inspection letter review:
It has been brought to the Borough’s attention that the EDU charges to local businesses may not be accurate. A letter and survey were reviewed but further revisions need to be made prior to distribution.
YMCA food distribution:
A request has been received to allow the borough building to be used in a summer food distribution. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
90 day evaluation:
Katie Blume made a motion to remove Cim Besecker from probationary status to permanent employee, granting her cell phone reimbursement, pay increase and credit card with $2,500.00 limit, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure Updates:
Solar field at sewer:
All solar panels are installed, and all inverters have been hung. The transformer is on-site and will be
set up the week of March 11, 2024. The remaining major equipment will be on-site this month, with
mechanical completion by the end of March.
Screen replacement project:
Buchart Horn has been on site and reviewed the work they have no issues for the contractor to repair
or complete. They need to prepare final paperwork before the borough can complete final payment.
DCED multimodal grant bridge project:
Buchart Horn is working with Chilton Design to finalize the plans for bidding.
WWTP Project – equalization tank.
After some back and forth with Justin Buchart Horn has the final information needed to complete their
work. Buchart Horn is looking at finalizing the design in the next month and preparing bidding
documents. They are preparing the DEP Permit Application to have this treatment added to the plant.
Raw Water Main Replacement:
The LSA Grant for this work is in the amount of $400,000.00 to be used as follow:
• Water Main Replacement $360,000.00
• Engineering $40,000.00
Beth Cottrell made a motion authorizing Katie Blume to sign the Water Main Replacement
Agreement, as presented by Buchart Horn, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Central PA Community Action (CPCA) update:
CPCA is still looking at using our building for appointments and Calvary Church for food distribution.
Little League:
Solicitor Miller presented a prepared lease for approximately 6000 square feet of space located in the building’s basement. Mr. Musser will take the lease back for their board to review.
Pool updates:
Research has been completed, if property is no longer maintained by Millheim Lions Club it will default back to the American Legion Post 444. Grant funding has been approved by the board for a new heater and repairs. The Penns Valley swim team has committed additional funding.
Secretary’s Report:
Representative Kerry Benninghoff will be designating a portion of Route 445, from the intersection of PA Route 45 to the intersection with PA Route 192 in Millheim Borough and Penn Township as the
Lieutenant General Robert D. Springer Memorial Highway. The dedication ceremony will be held on April 02, 2024 beginning at 10:00 AM outside of the Millheim Fire hall.
Lieutenant General Robert D. Springer was born in 1933 in Millheim, PA. He enlisted in the Unites States Air Force in October of 1952. His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with service star, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon-Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with six oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Bronze Star.
Lieutenant General Robert D. Springer died August 19, 2021 in Palmyra, PA. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Robert Zeigler made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM
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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary