Author: Secretary

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 19, 2020

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Patty Beckenbaugh, Katie Blume and Steve Myers. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder and Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Denise Immel. Absent Beth Cowher.

Citizens Present:  none

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.

Robert Zeigler and Steve Myers met with the owners of the property who had questions in regards to property lines and ownership of the foot bridge over Elk Creek. Borough council will have Solicitor Miller research deeds to determine ownership of bridge and property lines.

Employee Reports:

Maintenance Report:

Mr. Kerstetter reported that the playground is continuing to be sanitized twice a week. They will be pressure washing and painting the gazebo as soon as the weather forecast shows a few days of no rain.

They are currently marking storm drains that require cleaning, Mr. Kerstetter has received an estimate to rent a machine at $250.00 per hour to facilitate the cleaning process. Council requested an estimate of how many hours would be needed to clean the storm drains.

Sewer Plant:

Nittany Control has been in to do some rewiring to help prevent false alarms on the sensor, a sensor has also been purchased for back up.

UAJA is interested in regionalizing sludge disposal, they would also like to hear our results on dry pressing, when test run has been completed.

Water Plant:

The printer at the water plant no longer functions, staff has requested a replacement and also to purchase a printer for the maintenance office. Quotes will be collected.

Katie Blume made a motion to have Stormy Ridge Construction replace the roof on the water plant as they had the low quote and will give a seven (7) year warranty, seconded by Steve Myers, Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to have Stormy Ridge Construction replace the roof on the sewer plant as they had the low quote and will give a seven (7) year warranty, seconded by Steve Myers, Motion carried.

New Action Items:

Yard Sales:

Katie Blume made a motion to waive permitting fees on yard sales thru August 2020, limiting the sale to 3 consecutive days, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Discussion/Passage of Resolutions:

Katie Blume presented a resolution recognizing and supporting LGBTQ+ pride month June 2020. Steve Myers made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-11, as presented, Recognizing and Supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month June 2020, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-12, as presented, for Housing Security during the Pandemic, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to adopt Resolution 2020-13, as presented, for Strengthening Our Democracy, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

The above resolutions will be sent to Representative Benninghoff, Senator Corman, and Commissioners Pipe, Higgins and Dershem.

Emergency Management CD:

The Emergency Management CD has matured, balance $1064.37 plus any accrued interest, renewal rate for 18 months would be 1.0%. A motion was made by Katie Blume to transfer all funds to the General account to help cover expenses incurred during Covid-19, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Sensus Support Renewal:

The Borough has received the invoice for the Autoread Software Support Program in the amount of $1,715.95. Steve Myers made a motion to continue the support program by paying the invoice for $1,715.95, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Old Action Items:

Update on Mr. King Agreement:

As Mr. King did not want to sign the agreement to pay for the use of the land on Tattletown Road, Mr. Zeigler presented a counter offer to barter Mr. King’s services in exchange for being able to use the land.

Mr. King agreed to this counter offer, Solicitor Miller will draw up a License Agreement.

Facebook Page:

Ms. Corman and Ms. Grove were able to establish a Facebook Group page as requested.

Historian:

Mr. Brown has requested the purchase of acid free sleeves to protect articles in the archives. Steve Myers made a motion to purchase 100 Life Magazine acid free bags and 50 BCW 16X24 Newspaper acid free bags total expense not to exceed $50.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Solar Project Update:

The first payment of $50,000.00 has been sent. Grant approval has still not been received, USDA has concerns on Native American grounds and artifacts. Research is being done to clear this concern. We will continue forward with project maintaining the start date.

The bill for JS Rental has been forwarded to Mr. Edor for reimbursement from SRE.

Discussion on Previous Timbered Land:

Robert Zeigler and Katie Blume will be meeting with Larry Shreckengast and Barry Kuppel, individually, to share information on the Borough moving forward with exploring options for a solar field on the adjoining mountain ground. Robert Zeigler and Steve Myers will be meeting with Richard “Chippy” Auman for the same reason.

Master Plan:

This would be a plan for future goals, used a guideline in budgeting and millage.

Census Update:

The Borough has a 52.4% participation, the state is at 64.8%. Additional reminders to complete the 2020 Census will be placed on our Facebook group page and website. Steve Myers made a motion to do an additional mailing to all Borough residents encouraging participation, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

NIMS: mandatory for all council member

Park Road: no updates

Committee and Mayor Reports: no reports

Steve Myers made a motion to approve the May 12, 2020 minutes as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to approve the June 09, 2020 minutes as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to approve the May financials as presented, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Secretary’s Report:

Codification has not been done since May 09, 2017, with the last ordinance number 261, there have been seven ordinances passed since then. A quote will be obtained to codify the last seven ordinances.

North Central, a shredding company has reached out to the Borough offering free secured bins to assist in the destruction of old documents. Cost to pick up and destroy contents is $40.00 per bin. Robert Zeigler made a motion to have North Central deliver bins, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to enroll the administrative staff in the Municipal Secretary/Administrator online learning series offer through PSAB cost of $75.00, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 AM.

________________________________________________

Denise Immel Secretary/Assistant Treasurer

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 09, 2020

Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Patty Beckenbaugh and Katie Blume, Beth Cowher and Steve Myers. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder (arrived at 7: 15) and Secretary/Assistant Treasurer Denise Immel and Treasurer/Assistant Secretary Sherry Corman.

Citizens Present:  David Sprowls

A question has arisen on the boundary lines and ownership of a foot bridge over Elk Creek. Robert Zeigler and Steve Myers will meet with property owner. 

Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission: no reports

Employee Reports:

Sewer Plant:

Based on test results all is running well at the Wastewater plant. An inspection of the Sewer Plant with DEP was conducted over the phone with only one finding, during the bypass event in May no bypass water sample was sent for analysis.

Filtration Plant:

A quote to replace the raw water line from Route 445 to the Reservoir has been requested, total length of line is 2000 feet. The catwalk over the relocated raw waterline has been completed, giving a safer surface when adding chemicals to the day tanks.

Two quotes have been received to replace roofs on the water and sewer plants. More information was requested from contractors before a decision would be made. Tabled for next meeting.

Maintenance Report:

Solar panels have been delivered. It was necessary to rent a lift from J. S. Rentals as the panels had been double stacked and our equipment was not adequate to handle. Mr. Edor assured us that the Borough would be reimbursed the fee as the panels were not to have been double stacked.

Normal spring maintenance continues including cold patching and alley maintenance.

New Action Items:

Covid-19 CDBG:

Centre County is receiving up to $14,664,804.00 from the Covid-19 County Relief Block Grant funding, the borough has been asked for recommendations on how the funds should be distributed. After discussion it was decided to recommend the funds be distributed based on population of all the municipalities that declared an emergency. This way it’s the most fair and balanced for the municipalities that took it seriously.

Covid-19 Updates:

The time frame for waiving late charges and posting delinquent water notices has passed. The borough will post delinquent notices this month and late charges staring with the July 2020 billing. We will continue to work with businesses and residents on payment plans if requested.

Woodward Camp is set to open July 05, 2020 at 50% capacity. Concerns have been voiced by residents as to what precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 from campers coming from outside the area and outside the country. Robert Zeigler will request a copy of their Health and Safety Plan.

Council is still looking at options to help protect our residents and support local business.

Millheim Borough Welcome Packets:

Katie Blume and Beth Cowher are working to organize a Business Association for local businesses. Council will work with them to help establish a welcome packet for residents and businesses coming to the area.

New Historian:

Jimmy Brown has accepted the position of Historian, he will be managing the Historical Room. Beth Cowher made a motion to give Mr. Brown a key to the building and to the Historical Room seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Facebook Page:

Ms. Corman has requested assistance in establishing a Facebook Group page with no comments allowed. Beth Cowher made a motion to have Michelle Grove assist in the page set up and establish Ms. Corman’s email, not to exceed $100.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Update on King Agreement:

Mr. King has not signed the new agreement, he does not want to pay the same amount for what he considers to be less land. Steve Myers made a motion to barter Mr. King’s labor to help establish the pollinator at the Solar Array, the Borough will supply any seed needed and Mr. King to clear and plant, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Because of the height of the vegetation at the Solar Array, a bush hog will be needed to perform the first cutting. Katie Blume made a motion to have Roy Rupert bush hog the area for $250.00, pending that the rental on the necessary equipment exceeds $250.00, seconded by Beth Cowher. Motion carried. Mr. Zeigler will also check to see if Mr. King would be interested in cutting the vegetation in return for being able to the use the cuttings.

Discussion on Previous Timbered Land:

Mr. Zeigler has been in discussion with Sel Edor on possibly leasing part of the 340 acres by the water plant to be used for a solar field. This is an opportunity for the Borough to generate income. Katie Blume made a motion to have Mr. Edor explore options, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Discussion Resolutions:

Resolution for Housing Security during the Pandemic and Resolution for Strengthening Our Democracy were reviewed. Both resolutions required more revisions. Tabled until next meeting.

Water for Woodward Camp Pool:

Millheim Fire Company has requested the ability to open a fire hydrant on June 14, 2020 in order to obtain water to fill the pool at Woodward Gym Camp. This is a common public service most Fire Companies do. They wish to use our hydrant to speed up the process. They have a spreadsheet set up for keeping accurate totals. The overall use would be about 21,000 gallons. Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to permit the use of the fire hydrant for said purpose and to bill according to any resolutions found, if no resolution is found billing will be at current rate, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Old Action Items:

Master Plan for town: tabled for next meeting

Penn St. Discussion:

Residents are asked to please call PennDot with any and all issues and concerns.

Solar Project update:

SHPO has given approval for us to proceed, SRE is still awaiting grant approval, but is still projecting a start date of July 13, 2020.

Beth Cowher made a motion amending the motion made at the December 10, 2019 for the solar prepayment to be split 50/50 between our water and sewer accounts, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to pay SRE the first installment of $50,000.00 from the water funds, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.

Committee Positions: Emergency Management positon still needs filled.

Water/Sewer Grant Update: No information will be available until September 2020.

Census Update: As of May 24, 2020 Millheim Borough has a 23% response.

NIMS: Mandatory for all council members

Park Rd update: Uni-Tec is preparing the bid package for the bridge and is coordinating with Matt Kenepp on the project in order to request both the bridge and road bids at the same time.

Committee Reports:

Uni-Tec has inspected the Mill Street bridge, the Elk Street bridge and the Plum Street bridge a written report will be submitted for council to review.

Discussion was held on placing a temporary speed bump on State Street behind the Millheim Hotel or Stanley C. Bierly’s. Ms. Immel will check with Matt Kenepp if this is feasible.

The park gazebo is in need of painting.

Secretaries Report:

Katie Blume made a motion to accept Mr. Claar’s request to name his drive way Vulcan Lane as suggested by Centre County 911, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.

Steve Myers made a motion to approve the signing of the planned maintenance service agreement with Stanley C. Bierly for the geothermal heat pumps, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.

Katie Blume made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

________________________________________________

Denise Immel, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer