2024-10-08 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
October 08, 2024
Katie Blume called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with the pledge of allegiance. Council members in attendance: Nickelaus Engle, Cecilia Gallup, Beth Cottrell and Robert Zeigler. Also in attendance Denise Immel Borough Secretary, Solicitor, John Miller, and Mayor Steve Myers. Absent Cim Besecker, Borough Treasurer.
Citizens present: Amber May, John Segursky, Buchart Horn and Seth Gordon
Citizens input: Mr. Gordon expressed concerns on the proposed dog park, he believes these funds should be used to enrich the community. Suggested collaborating with Millheim Lions Club on projects,
possible skate park or tool library. Also would like to see funding for more cross walks on Main Street, improved storm drainage on Penn Street, having the Borough pay trash removal so burn barrels would be eliminated.
A dog park is minimal cost to the Borough and funding from grants is being explored, this is one item that was requested on the 2021 survey that is currently feasible and rather inexpensive.
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to approve the September 10, 2024 minutes, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the September 2024 financials, seconded by Nickelaus Engle Motion passed.
Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:
The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments. No reports from HARB or Planning.
Employee Reports:
The first two weeks of the month were spent helping residents clean up from the storm in late August. The Borough collected 11 loads of chippings, 2.5 loads of logs with 42.5 hours of labor. Along with brush cleanup sections of Park Road needed to be re-stoned. Once brush and damaged roads were cleaned and repaired, time was spent cleaning out drains and culverts. Over the past few years, we have wanted a chipper box for the truck to be used for cleanup. After this past storm time was taken to build one for the truck. This will save time and hassle during fall and spring cleaning up.
New Action Items
Invoices:
A motion was made by Cecilia Gallup to pay invoice 125397 in the amount of $3,045.00, invoice 125398 in the amount of $1,100.00, invoice 125399 in the amount of $1,250.00and invoice 125405 in the amount of $2,013.75 all to Buchart Horn for professional services rendered, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Codification Approval:
American Legal Publishing submitted a draft of the S-3 Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for review. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the S-3 Supplement, seconded by Nickelaus Engle Motion passed.
Town Hall follow up:
Based on citizen’s concerns and lack of attendance a survey will be distributed to residents to obtain opinions on the creation of a dog park on the lot on Center Street. Grant funding will be investigated, based on previous cost inquires approximately $25,000.00 would be needed.
Grant possibilities:
LSA
Main Street:
Grant could be used for sidewalks in the business district, it does have match attached, and application deadline is November 15, 2024
Liquid Fuels:
Nickelaus Engle made a motion to submit to submit a grant to Centre County for the paving of parts of Hillcrest Avenue, Cherry Street and North High Street, approximate grant request $98,000.00, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion carried.
PennDot Multimodal:
Grant can be used for streetscapes, deadline for application is November 04, 2024.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure updates:
DCED Multimodal Grant Bridge Project:
The plan is to have bidding documents completed and ready for winter bidding with construction starting in early spring
WWTP Project – Equalization Tank:
Buchart Horn is prepared to place this project out for bid. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve Buchart Horn placing this project out for bids, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Raw Water Main Replacement:
Base mapping is completed, Buchart Horn is moving forward with design documents. This project is approximately 70% complete and will be ready for spring construction.
CFA LSA Statewide Grant: There has been no movement from CFA the last grant cycle to date. Their next meeting is on November 19, 2024.
A new cycle of this grant was opened on September 1. Application will be received until November 30, 2024. A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to add the purchase of a truck and plow, for water/sewer operator use to the existing LSA grant application and resubmit, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
DEP LT2 Permit Application:
The permit application was submitted, Buchart Horn is responding to DEP comments and working with Mr. Kerstetter.
DEP NPDES Permit Letter:
The office received a letter from DEP telling the Borough it must renew the NPDES Permit prior to February 2025. Buchart Horn reached out to DEP to confirm that they have the current renewal application that was submitted in June of 2023. It was indicated that the Borough could ignore the letter. Buchart Horn has received a confirmation email to this effect.
Lease renewals:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to renew both the EPVCE and the EPVL leases, no change to the amount of rent for the library and increasing the code office to $400.00 per month for 2025, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed.
Fire Escrow review:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to advertise the Fire Escrow Ordinance as presented, seconded by Beth Cottrell. Motion passed. Solicitor Miller will publish as required.
Mixed Use Ordinance:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to adopt Ordinance #278, amending the Millheim Borough Code of Ordinance Chapter 27, Millheim Borough Zoning Ordinance, Part 2, Section 201, by adding the definition of a laundromat as a permitted use in the village (mixed use) district, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Budget dates:
A reminder that budget meeting dates are October, 16, October 23 and October 30.
Solar ordinance update:
Still being researched.
EADS Report:
Some of the field investigations have been completed. The EADS Group is working to quantify results and prepare an evaluation report for Council’s review.
Cecilia Gallup made a motion for Katie Blume to sign the Professional Service Agreement, Roadway Infrastructure Evaluation agreement as presented by the EADS Group, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Secretary’s Report:
Mifflinburg Bancorp, Inc. and Northumberland Bancorp have announced a merger forming Steel Bancorp, Inc.
It is unknown what if any impact this will have on the accounts held at Mifflinburg Bank.
We have received notice from Centre County Planning of the conditional approval of a minor land development request, proposed home occupation grief counseling services to be conducted in an 8’ by 24’ room located at 161 East Main Street. An invoice will be prepared for $2,500.00 for additional connection and EDU to 1.5.
ARPA Funds:
Recipients of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) have two options: obligate funds into contracts by Dec. 31, 2024 or return funds to the U.S. Department of Treasury.
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to adjourn, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.
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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary