CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 15, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: President Barrasse called the meeting oft the Clarks Green Council to order at ROLL CALL: Secretary Culbertson conducted roll call. The following were present: Mr. Rinaldi, Dr. Cochran, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Toms, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Williams, Mr. Barrasse, Mayor McGraw and Solicitor VISITORS: Ben Freda, Abington Journal, George Parker, Clarks Green Zoning officer, Rick 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Weinschenk. Williams, 221 N. Abington Road and CSPD Officer Yetkowskas. PUBLIC COMMENT: No public comment. MAYOR'S REPORT: Mayor McGraw stated he received an email asking when Greenbrier Drive will be paved. Mr. Rinaldi informed the Mayor that it was not on the schedule to pave this year telling Council they can check the five (5) year plan for when streets will be paved. Officer Yetkowskas reviewed the monthly police report and have been reinforcing traffic violations with the Aggressive Driving grant. Mr. Barrasse stated a resident contacted him about Officer Yetkowskas professionalism PUBLIC WORKS: Mr. Rinaldi reported the paving project had been completed at Crest, Gordon and Short Hill. However, the tarring of the joints have stopped at Gordon. Mr. Rinaldi stated he has communicated with PAWCtelling them the front yards ofthe residents still have not been restored as well as cleaning the asphalt from catch basins. Mr. Rinaldi asked Solicitor Weinschenk whether or not the Borough would have standing to file an informal complaint with the PUC for the fact that PAWC isj just not finishing the job. Mr. Rinaldi told Council the Borough Engineers are currently working on the 2020 paving bid which will include Vassar and may include additional streets once the pricingi is determined. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council there was a clogged lateral at a Greenbrier residence, and it was determined that their pipe actually disintegrated requiring them to replace the line. Mr. Rinaldi told Council the DPW crew continues to keep busy cleaning catch basins within the Borough. Mr. Barrasse asked about the painting of the crosswalks since several people have been inquiring. Mr. Rinaldi stated they will be working on them by the end of next month or the beginning of September. Dr. Cochran asked Mr. Rinaldi who painted the yellow lines on the street and Mr. Rinaldi stated it was ac company from Hazelton, DeAngelo Brothers. Mr. Rinaldi told Council the current turning islands or legends are larger with the necessary legends needed for Penn Dot's final inspection pointing Out when PennDot did the legends in May of2014, they were significantly smaller which is interesting since DOT is requiring the larger legends. Mr. Rinaldi stated he is still working with the Engineers ona GEORGE PARKER, ZONING OFFICER REPORT: Mr. Barrasse had questions on the Orr residence located on Fairview Road noting they do not have a pool fence around their pool. Mr. Parker stated they are still doing work by the pool. Mr. Barrasse noted when he placed a retaining wall on his property a permit was needed before it was erected. Mr. Parker stated he will double-check. Ms. Igoe asked for an update on the old gas station and Mr. Parker stated he finally obtained on the necessary signatures on the submitted subdivision drawings and now the subdivision map will need to and thank Officer Yetkowskas for his service to the community. punch list with the project. be recorded. SOLICITOR'S REPORT: Solicitor Weinschenk told Council he had nothing to report treinforcing what Mr. Parker stated on the old gas station and the subdivision map. Solicitor Weinschenk asked if there was any information on SAPA. Mr. Rinaldi stated an email was recently sent trying to setup a virtual meeting. Solicitor Weinschenk asked Secretary Culbertson to forward the email to his attention. ARWA: Mr. Rinaldi reported ARWA's pension funds have been moved to Mass Mutual. Mr. Rinaldi informed Council ARWA will be re-designing their website. Mr. Rinaldi told Council the air compressor at the plant had developed some difficulties noting the Board authorized the purchase ofa new one. Mr. Rinaldi stated the Board discuss the problems the new engineers are experiencing when processing new applications for connecting to the system due to the former engineering firm refusing to provide the Authority with its files. The previous engineers, Gannet Fleming had not provided the necessary files SO the current engineers had to reconstruct the plans making the process more costly. Mr. Rinaldi told Council the Board has authorized the Solicitor to initiate legal action in retrieving the necessary files. Mr. Rinaldi reported to Council that the Authority has a significant amount of investments which were making about 2 % to 3 percent. The plant expansion and upgrade interest loans were less than what was ARWA was receiving on its investments. Mr. Rinaldi told Council, on the recommendation ofTreasurer Murphy, the Board decided they will retire $750,000 of debt which will result in saving interest on the Authority's long term debt. Mr. Barrasse questioned the EDU's on the Orr property. Mr. Rinaldi stated once he receives the information from Mr. Parker when the building permit is closed out if there is a bathroom located in the pool house the property will assessed TREASURER'S REPORT AND BILL APPROVAL: Mr. Hughes reported on the checking account balances with comparisons to last month and last year. Mr. Hughes told Council he has renewed the FNCB CD #200278057 for six (6) months at the rate of. .35 percent. The Treasurer's report was presented by Mr. Hughes and filed for audit. Current fund balances are as follows: another EDU. General Fund Checking Capital Fund Money Market Sewer Fund Checking Sewer-1 FNCB CD#200278057 Sewer-1 FNCB CD #200469681 Sewer- Wayne Bank CD State Funds Checking Total Checking/Savings $ 363,427.14 128,545.19 382,686.08 51,715.99 50,000.00 52,384.37 162.237.97 1,190,996.74 $ With no questions from Council Mr. Hughes motioned, seconded by Mr. Rinaldi to accept the Treasurer'st report and ratify the payment of the bills. Mr. Toms, Dr. Cochran, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Williams, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Rinaldi and Mr. Barrasse voted in favor. Mr. Hughes presented the Budget VS. Actual report comparing balances on the report to amounts from last year noting our revenue is down $12,000 and our expenses are higher by $50,000 stating iti is highly contributable due to the truck purchase in the amount of $45,000. Mr. Hughes reported on the sewer delinquencies stating $6,865 was collected and of the eighteen (18) letters that had been sent out to the residents for sewer delinquencies payments had been submitted by twelve (12) ofthem. Mr. Hughes motioned to waive the penalty and interest from account 0238 noting history shows that they had never missed aj payment, seconded by Mr. Rinaldi. Mr. Williams, Mr. Toms, Dr. Cochran, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Igoe and Mr. Barrasse voted in favor. Mr. Hughes told Council he has received the results for the 2019 Liquid Fuels Audit noting the results of our tests disclosed no instances ofnoncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under Government Auditing Standards. Mr. Hughes informed Council a request of$5,266.85 had been submitted to Lackawanna County for reimbursement of fees associated with the Covid-19 virus. Mr. Hughes told Council the Green Light Go Grant money has been received in the amount of $30,848.18 stating it is approximately eighty (80) percent of the amount spent on the replacement oft the signaling device at Grove Street and Abington Road. Mr. Hughes told Council the money has been deposited replenishing the Capital account. Mr. Hughes informed Council he had contacted former Councilwoman Lynne Earley informing her ofthe receipt ofthe grant funds since she had spearheaded the project while presiding on Council and thanked Mr. Rinaldi presently for his continuance oft the project. Mr. Barrasse briefly gave some history oft the Green Light Go Grant stating it was originally applied for in 2016 buti it was only a portion ofthe amount that we had just received thanking all of the Council members for their support in deciding to re-apply for the grant with the expectation of receiving more money. Mr. Hughes reported the South Abington Township has been billed for the annual pass through sewer fees in the amount of $433.20. Mr. Hughes informed Council Berkheimer had put together a model for municipalities projecting the loss of wage tax revenue during this COVID-19 Pandemic and they have projected Clarks Green Potential Quarterly reduction of $20,039.29 and Potential Monthly Reduction of $6,679.76. Mr. Hughes told Council the Borough's 2019 Financial Audit was to be reviewed at the August Council meeting but he is double checking with Leah Rosenkrans, from Murphy and Dougherty ifa virtual REFUSE & RECYCLING: Ms. Igoe told Council she had complaint that a neighbor's garbage was not being picked up at 116Nelson Street noting the owner resides in another country but there are several gentleman who occupy the house. Ms. Igoe stated the resident who complained will be BUILDING AND GROUNDS: Mr. Toms reported the awnings have been installed. Mr. Toms told Council he has received estimated costs of$534.53 from Rite Temp for the boiler repair (heating hot water system). Mr. Rinaldi told Council iti is basically upgrading our system. Dr. Cochran motioned to approve the boiler repair at an estimated cost of $534.53, seconded by Ms. Igoe. Mr. Toms, Dr. Cochran, Ms. Igoe, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Williams, Mr. Hughes and Mr. Barrasse voted in favor. Mr. Toms reported to Council that he received a schedule Service Agreement from Rite Temp stating our HVAC equipment will be checked and maintained properly. Mr. Toms stated the cost for 2020 will be 1250,2021.51280.00 and 2022...51310.00. Several Council members had questions on the scope ofservices within the agreement. Council agreed to furtherreview: after they receive a distribution of the proposed Service Agreement from Rite Temp. Mr. Toms told Council regarding the work on the concrete walkway at the side entrance he double-checked with Mr. Parker that the work will be within the handicap compliance. Mr. Williams stated we also need a van accessible sign installed in the HEALTH & SAFETY: Dr. Cochran told Council he had nothing to report this month but stated the PERSONNEL: Mr. Williams told Council the partition in the front office has been installed and employees are practicing social distancing along with wearing masks. Mr. Williams stated after reviewing with the Personnel committee an adjustment to the Borough's holiday policy has been recommended and will be discussed and reviewed at the next work session in August. Mr. Williams explained our current policy does not officially state if anl holiday falls on Saturday employees take the Friday before offorifthel holiday falls on Sunday the employees have Monday off. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Rick Williams stated he had received a complaint concerning some dead trees on a Nelson Street property in which he has verified is a dangerous situation along with overgrown vegetation. Mr. Williams told Council he has asked for help from Mr. Parker and Solicitor Weinschenk to aggressively pursue this situation noting the owner of the property has been living out ofthe country. Mr. Barrasse asked Mr. Parker to give this property his upmost attention and keep our Solicitorinformed along with all Council members. Mr. Rick Williams stated he has attended the meeting will be acceptable for her presentation. contacting County Waste. parking lot. virus is still here and we need to mitigate. meeting to ask Council's help in appointing a new chair for the Shade Tree Commission. He stated the Committee members can order the trees for the fall planting but we need a new chairperson to aid in the clerical needs ofthe Commission. Mr. Barrasse asked Councils' help in trying to fill this position and noted we will need to appoint someone to the Planning Commission since one (1) member is unapproachable. Mr. Barrasse asked if Council had any ideas or ifthey know of anyone who would be interested in serving by submitting their names. Mr. Williams told Council he is planning to attend MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: Mr. Barrasse entertained the motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Igoe motioned, seconded by Mr. Rinaldi to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 P.M. All in attendance the SAPA meeting. voted in favor. ( Gwllitio Joanne Culbertson, Secretary/Treasurer CLARKS GREEN BOROUGH COUNCILMEETING Agenda VIA ZOOM July1 15,2020 1. - CALLTOORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE- President Joe Barrasse 2. ROLLCALL-Sercay Joanne Culbertson 3. MOTION TO ACCEPT MINUTES- 4. PUBLIC COMMENT Visitors should approach the podium and state their name and address. Comments limited to 5 minutes, 5. MAYORSREPORT- Mayor McGraw Police Report- Clarks Summit Police Officer Yetkowskas 6. SOLICITOR'S REPORT- Mr. Weinschenk 7. ZONING OFFICER REPORT-Mr. George Parker 8. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE- Mr. Rinaldi 9. ARWA-Mr. Rinaldi 10. TREASURER'S REPORT AND BILL APPROVAL-Mr. Hughes 11. FINANCE COMMITTEE- - Mr. Hughes Payments, & Sewer Account Delinquencies. Waiver of late charge sewer: account 0238- Hillebrand 2019 Liquid Fuels Audit 12. REFUSE & RECYCLING COMMITTEE -Ms. Igoe 13. BUILDING & GROUNDS - Mr. Toms 14. HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE- Dr. Cochran 15. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE-Mr. Williams Front office partition 16. OLD BUSINESS 17. NEW BUSINESS 18. ADJOURNMENT NOTE' TO VISITORS: Please sign the attendance sheet and indicate ifyou wish to address Council, stating the agenda topic on which you would like to comment. Thank you.