2024-08-13 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
August 13, 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 and Robert Zeigler. Also in attendance, Mayor Steve Myers,
Denise Immel Borough Secretary, Cim Besecker Borough Treasurer and Solicitor John Miller. Absent Beth Cottrell.
Citizens present: Kathy Highbaugh, Amber May, Jimmy Hake and Zachary Hake
Citizens input: none
A motion was made by Robert Zeigler to approve the July 09, 2024 minutes with spelling corrections, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
A motion was made by Nickelaus Engle to approve the July 2024 financials, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Treasurer Cim Besecker to monitor interest rates to assure we are getting the best return on our funds.
Code Enforcement/HARB/Planning Commission reports:
The Code Enforcement report was reviewed with no questions or comments.
Planning Commission:
Planning Commission met on July 23, 2024 for the purpose of review a requested ordinance amendment.
It is the recommendation of the Borough Planning to move forward with the necessary steps to add “laundromat” as an approved use for property within the Residential Mixed Use Zone.
The Borough Planning Commission also recommends that the Borough require the property owner to supply written documentation from DEP that the abandoned underground fuels tanks meet all of DEP Underground Storage Tank regulation and requirements before any land development plan is submitted for the property located on the corner of Pine Street and West Main Street.
No reports from HARB or the Planning Commission.
Employee Reports
July brought a mix of projects. The severe storms that traveled created some drainage issues. Drain in-lets and discharge pipes are being checked with some of the pipes on Main Street being cleaned out to insure adequate drainage. There was some storm damage on our roads and some resident’s property. Cleanup has been completed. The entrance to Pine St has been rebuilt with cold patch. Jeff Tate Paving finished up Sugar Aly and South St. Their estimator coming back August 21st to give a quote for the section of Poplar Street between Plum Aly and Locust Street. Gregg Twp. delivered cold patch. Inspections are being done on roads, paying attention to water problems, patching problems, and overall road conditions to prioritize and budget for these projects.
Flower Pots:
With the acquisition of the new baskets for Main Street, maintenance time has been reduced. With less time spent on maintenance Patty Beckenbaugh has been contacted to address the purchase of 4 additional baskets, this will put a basket on each lamp post. Ms. Beckenbaugh is a proponent of the purchase. Robert Zeigler made a motion to purchase 4 additional H2O Labor Saver 23 inch basket using beautification funds, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
New Action Items
Invoices: none
Planning Commission vacancies:
David Sprowls has tendered his resignation with the Millheim Borough Planning Commission effective August 31, 2024. Cecilia Gallup made a motion to accept Mr. Sprowls resignation, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Gonzalo Rubio submitted a letter of interest to fill the vacancy on the Millheim Borough Planning Commission. Robert Zeigler made a motion to appoint Mr. Rubio to the Millheim Borough Planning Commission seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
CC Recycling rules and regulations:
The 2024 modified Centre County Recycling Rules and Regulations were reviewed with no questions or comments.
Regional Planning Comprehensive Plan Resolution 2024-06:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to adopt Resolution 2024-06 establishing joint efforts to develop and update a multi-municipal comprehensive plan and subsequent plan updates in accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Fire Escrow Account:
Discussion was held in regards to adopting an ordinance establishing a fire escrow account. A fire escrow ordinance would require certain funds be held by the Borough to insure fire damaged structures are not abandoned. Solicitor Miller will supply a copy of the Fire Escrow Ordinance adopted by Penn Township for council to review.
Oktoberfest:
Millheim Fire Company submitted a request to approve their annual Oktoberfest to be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and to close Second Street from North Street to Church Street. Cecilia Gallup made a motion to approve both of Fire Company’s requests, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Sugar Aly request:
Rebecca Laron and Jimmy Hake, owners of Super Duper Café and Rad Wheels Skates submitted a request to close Sugar Aly and a small portion of East Poplar Street, on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, to host artists, venders and live music behind the building located at 110 East Main Street. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve their request, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed. Borough maintenance crew will deliver barricades to Rad Wheels Skates for event coordinators to place.
Minimum municipal obligations:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve the signing of the Financial Requirement and Minimum Municipal Obligation Budget for 2025 in the amount of $12,000.00, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Breezeline:
The contract with Breezeline for the internet service at the Sewer plant will expire August 2024. Breezeline has sent in a new 36 month proposal to continue the service. Robert Zeigler made a motion to approve extending the contract with Breezeline and authorizes Denise Immel to sign, seconded by Cecilia Gallup. Motion passed.
Old Action Items
Infrastructure update:
DCED Multimodal Bridge Project. Buchart Horn has been in contact with Brian Chilton and he will be completing the design work. This should be completed and ready for bid at the September meeting.
Equalization Tank:
Permit submission was delayed due to a hydraulic issue that needed to be resolved. Buchart Horn has finalized the permit and will be submitting at the end of this week
Raw Water Main Replacement:
Base mapping is completed, Buchart Horn is moving forward with the design documents. There is no change since the July meeting as we are focusing on EQ Tank and Bridge projects.
CFA Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant (DCED Mill Street):
The grant application was submitted on behalf of the Borough prior to the July 31 deadline. Buchart Horn will answer any comments that may come from DCED as they do their review of the application.
Constellation update;
Mr. Zeigler reported that Constellation submitted the post conference report to the Pa Mediator explaining that a settlement has been reached for $2,000.00, pending the final approval of Borough council. The resolution letter was reviewed by both council and solicitor Miller. Mr. Miller advised against signing the letter as written, he will draft a revision to ensure Millheim Borough is in no way absolving First Energy of responsibility and all to pursue this avenue. Nickelaus Engle made a motion to approve the signing of the letter upon Solicitor Miller revisions and acceptance of the revision by Constellation, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed.
Government Software Solutions (GSS):
Kathy Highbaugh reported that RBA is requiring a decision be made on the printing of tax statements by October 1, 2024. If the Borough stays with RBA we will be responsible for the full printing charges and mailing expense. Robert Zeigler made a motion to use Government Software Solutions as the Borough’s tax statement printing, mailing and processing system, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Zoning amendment hearing:
Upon reviewing the recommendations from Centre County Planning and Millheim Borough Planning Robert Zeigler made a motion to hold an ordinance amendment hearing on the addition of laundromat as an approved use in a residential mixed use zone, hearing to be held at 8:30 AM on August 30, 2024 in council chambers. seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Town Clock update:
Calvary is still waiting on estimates for repair work on tower. A short discussion was held on the possibility of buying or leasing the parking area from Calvary Church.
Water mitigation update:
Anne Messner and other county officials, PennDOT representatives and borough representatives are scheduled to meet on August 22, 2024 to view and discuss drainage issues on PennDot roads within the Borough.
Dog Park:
Robert Zeigler made a motion to hold a public meeting on September 10, 2024 commencing at 6:00 PM in Borough council chambers for the purpose of discussing the proposed dog park to be constructed at 100 Center Street, seconded by Nickelaus Engle. Motion passed.
Forum update:
Nickelaus Engle reported the one concern that residents keep discussing is lack of code enforcement, i.e.: property owners not taking care of weed and grass and excessive vehicles (junk) being stored on properties.
Secretary’s report
EDU follow up:
Katie Blume, Beth Cottrell and myself will get together to review the returned property reports. Owners not returning requested documentation will be contacted and an inspection will be scheduled.
Triathlon 2025:
The race committee would like to move the 2025 Triathlon to a weekend in June. What events are currently on the calendar for June 2025? Council is only aware of the Fireman’s Carnival normally held the second weekend in June.
Cecilia Gallup made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Robert Zeigler. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.
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Denise Immel, Borough Secretary