2021-04-13 Council Meeting
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
April 13, 2021
Robert Zeigler called the meeting to order with the pledging of allegiance at 7:00 PM. Council members in attendance: Robert Zeigler, Steve Myers, Patty Beckenbaugh and Katie Blume. Also in attendance Mayor Lauralee Snyder, Solicitor John Miller, Denise Immel Borough Secretary/Assistant Treasurer and Sherry Corman Borough Treasurer/Assistant Secretary. Absent Beth Cowher
Citizens Present: Travis Walker, Eden Myers, Shawna and Abbie Long
Citizens Comments: Eden Myers presented a program on the benefits as well as the need for a dog park in the Borough. Katie Blume made a motion to explore this program, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda:
Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to approve all items in the consent agenda as presented, seconded by Steve Myers, motion carried.
Roy Rupert stated the need for the pump station to be cleaned. He would like to coordinate the cleaning by Kline Services with the cleaning of the Gregg Township station and split the cost of the transportation expense. Steve Myers made a motion to schedule the cleaning of the pump station in conjunction with Gregg Township and split the transpiration expense, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
New Action Items:
Roy Rupert’s proposal:
Mr. Rupert would like to retire from his position as full time employment with the Millheim Borough. As we currently do not have another licensed representative, he proposes being rehired as a part time employee with a salary of $32,751.00 to act as a consultant for the water and sewer plants. This enables the Borough to use his current licenses until an employee obtains his license. Katie Blume made a motion to accept the early retirement request with the details of a part time position to be established based on the need of the water and sewer plants, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
PennDot Right of Way:
PennDot has presented the Borough with a right of way agreement for a section of property located on Mill Race on both sides of the Penn Street Bridge for the consideration of $2,000.00. Steve Myers made a motion to accept the right of way agreement for the consideration of $2,000.00, provided PennDot agrees to change the wording of the Agreement of Sale in Section 2, from: The Grantor warrants GENERALLY the property hereby conveyed to: The Grantor warrants SPECIAL the property hereby being conveyed. Also on the Deed page 2 first paragraph from: The Grantor warrants GENERALLY the property hereby conveyed to: The Grantor warrants SPECIAL the property hereby being conveyed. Seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
King Lease and Pollinator:
Ernst Conservation Seeds Inc. has supplied us with the cost of 30 lbs. of Northeast Solar Pollinator 3’ mix to be used to pollinate the solar array on Tattletown Road. Cost of seed is $33.50 plus shipping and handling. Mr. King’s lease is expiring and we will look at once again asking him to assist with the preparation and planting in exchange for the use of adjacent property.
HVAB (Happy Valley Adventure Bureau) grant process:
EPVCBA is proposing a Second Saturday event as well as a Millheim Fest, funds are available thru HVAB in the form of grants, using in kind services and/or cash as matching funds. These grants are to be used to support projects and advertising within Centre County. Katie Blume made a motion to approve Robert Zeigler submitting for a grant to help support EPVCB, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
EIT Tax Deadline:
EIT tax deadline has been extended to May 17, 2021 which is the extension for filing federal and state taxes.
Revision of Penns Valley Regional Planning Committee’s Bylaws:
Katy Blume made a motion to accept the Regional Planning Committee bylaw changes as presented, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Fountain Park and Stover Light Poles:
Light poles have been damaged by Borough snow plows at both the municipal parking lot located behind Fountain Park and the residence of Jake Stover. Our maintenance crew is working with Mr. Stover to repair the damage. We have contacted the company who originally supplied the lights at municipal lot, the exact light is no longer available but a very similar light pole can be purchased for approximately $400.00. Katie Blume made a motion to purchase two (2) light poles, from the general account, as we are not sure how long this style will be available, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Ferguson Township/Millheim Borough Partnership:
Ferguson has contacted the Borough in regards to a partnership for a special event celebrating and promoting local food, music and agriculture. Ferguson Township would be applying for a grant to assist with costs involved. Discussion was held and a Resolution will be prepared for approval at the next council meeting in support of the partnership and financing.
Town Survey:
In order for council to learn the thoughts of the residents in the borough a survey will be prepared and made available online and mailed.
Paper Alleys Roads/Signage:
Sherry Corman and Denise Immel will begin a study of any/all streets and allies that are not properly marked with signage as well as any unnamed allies or roadways.
Old Action Items:
Warriner Grant Writing:
Katie Blume made a motion to accept the contract Ms. Warriner presented at the February 09, 2021 meeting for grant writing purposes, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Confer Alley Ordinance:
Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to adopt Ordinance #267, vacating Confer Alley, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Covid 19 updates:
The Borough will be awarded Covid funding from the Commonwealth, the funds have restrictions as to how they are spent. Robert Zeigler made a motion to keep these funds separate from our general account by establishing a separate checking account with signers to be the same as general account, for these funds, seconded by Katie Blume. Motion carried.
Update on government funding; no update
Code and Library Leases:
Discussion was held on waiving monthly rent for the library as they are still struggling financially. Patty Beckenbaugh make a motion to waive the next 3 months rent to show our support of the East Penns Valley Library, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried. A letter will be sent to the library informing them of the waiver.
NIMS: no update
Update on Fire Hydrant:
Documentation has been sent to Nationwide for payment, Nationwide has accepted responsibility for payment but have not given any timeframe.
Secretary’s Report:
Maturing CD’s:
Katie Blume made a motion to allow the CDs to rollover at the going rate, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Old Desks:
The metal desks in the Borough office have been upgraded to professional wooden desks, Patty Beckenbaugh made a motion to contact Centre Peace to see if they had an interest also to post on Facebook if no interest is received contact Grenoble for disposal, seconded by Steve Myers. Motion carried.
Notary:
Denise Immel’s notary expires November 08, 2021. Steve Myers made a motion to cover the expense of the renewal, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Town Wide Yard Sale:
Inquiries have been received in regards to a Town Wide Yard Sale, this event is normally held in conjunction with Millheim Fireman’s Carnival. As the carnival has been cancelled this year residents are wondering if council will support a town wide yard sale. Robert Zeigler made a motion to support a town wide yard sale from Thursday, June 17, 2021 thru Sunday, June 20, 2021 and request code waive permitting fees for these days, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Steve Myers made a motion to approve and pay the Nittany Office Equipment yearly service contract for in the amount of $990.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Steve Myers made a motion to approve and pay the invoices from Unitec for the preparation of the Chapter 94 report and engineering fees for the Park Road bridge project in the amount of $2.300.00, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion Carried.
Steve Myers made a motion to allocate up to $500.00 for the purchase of high visibility shirts for the maintenance crew, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Steve Myers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Patty Beckenbaugh. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.
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Denise Immel, Secretary/ Assistant Treasurer