DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023 6:00 PM MEETING MINUTES  The general council meeting was held in person at Borough Meeting Room and Present were Shawn Millard, Harry Rogers, Marc Drier, Kate Weaver, Mayor Richard Knecht, Mike Rodgers, Ann Marie Baker Borough Manager, John McCormick, Dori Rankinen, NormanJC Cowden ABSENT: Jeff Kreger Public Comment Period 1-F Paul McKinley - 137 Winter Street is the budget on the agenda and is the fire tax going to bei increased as requested in a finance meeting in June 2023. Discussion on the increase of the fire tax was had and fire service was discussed. Paul stated that the borough must set the taxes for the fire tax. Discussion on the 7000.00 that was taken out of the budget in 2019 for Motion #1 was moved and seconded (Dori Rankinen/Harry Rogers) to approve the previous month's council meeting minutes dated November 2, 2023.  called to order by Vice President at 6:00 pm.  the fire department.  Motion #1 carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht The police report was read.  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X X  The Fire Department report was reviewed with no questions. The Sewer Report was reviewed with no questions.  The Codes and Property Maintenance Report was included in the packet. Borough Manager Update - Report isi included in the packet. Reorganization meeting January 2, 2024, 6pm JrCouncil-n meeting rescheduled.  Budget Addition and corrections - review the corrections to budget onl line items that were decreased and some that were increased. This changes the amount to  674405.39 under expenses.    DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER7,2023  6:00 PM  Discussion on the budget on the Borough Manager pay was conducted. There was some confusion about the amount the borough manager was to be making. The personnel committee reviewed Borough Manger in July and advised that a bonus check was to be given to the manager to align her pay with the budget since: she was reviewed in. July. This would align heri in the future tol be reviewed in December along with the other employees and pay increases would be at the same time as employees Discussion on employee benefits line item. Mike Rodgers wanted tol know why we paid for the employees and their spouses. Borough Manger explained that this was only on eye and dental that health insurance wasj just on the two full time employees but that she has done some research and will be getting with council formally whenit is timei in July to renew. Harry Rogers volunteered to work on employee benefits with the Borough Manager. The manager will schedule a meeting with Harry after the first of the yeari in Discussion on Robert Porter Allen Park Authority - Borough Manager follow upi is to give Personnel Committee - Borough Manager made recommendations to the personnel committee and council to give the following pay increases based on the performance reviews, COLA for 2024, andr rate information from PSAB for those positions with skill sets. Assistant Treasurer Kate Weaver-i increase pay to 20.00 from 18.00 effective January 1, Part Time Employees Greg Beck and' Walt Steinbacher - increase pay to 16.001 from Seasonal Employee Dean. Jones- -increase pay to 16.00 from 15.00 effective January 1, Public Works Full Time Paul McKinley - increase pay to 25.001 from 23.00 effective Motion #2 was moved and seconded (Norman Cowden/Dori Rankinen) accept the recommendation from the Borough Manager and Personnel Committee toi increase Kate Weavers pay to 20.00 hr, Greg Beck, Walt Steinbacher, & Dean Jones toi increase pay to 16.00 hr and toi increase Paul McKinley to 25.00 hr all effective January 1, 2024.  as well.  2024 to go over her findings.  copy of the agreement to solicitor to review.  2024  15.00 effective January 1,2 2024  2024 January 1, 2024  Motion #2 carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X  X    DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2023  6:00PM X  Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  X X  Norman Cowden asked if the Borough Manager contract was going tol be discussed in the meeting sincei it was not on the agenda. The Personnel Committee gave a copy of the Borough Manager contract during the meeting to review. A question was asked by Shawn Millard to the solicitor on if they were legally permitted to approve the contract since they were in ar reorganization year, did they need to wait till the. January meeting. The council advised that there was no issue in approving prior as the Borough Mangeri is not new to the position sO there were no concerns. Borough Manger willr review the contract and get it back to council ifi there are any questions. This can be movedi into Motion #3 was moved and seconded (John McCormick/Shawn Millard) to raise the fire  the 2024 year.  tax by' % mil fori the 2024 budget. Motion #3 carries by a Unanimous Vote (5-1)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X  X X X X X X X  X  Motion #4 was moved and seconded (John McCormick/Harry Rogers) approve raising  the real estate tax 1 mil for the 2024 budget. Motion #4 carries by a Unanimous Vote (4-2)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X  X  X    DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER: 7, 2023  6:00PM  Motion #5 was moved and seconded (Dori Rankinen/Norman Cowden) tor nof renew the contract with Penn Strategies for the 2024) year which will decrease expenses by  30,000 on the 2024 budget.  Motion #5 carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X  X  X  Motion #6 was moved and seconded (Harry Rogers/Norman Cowden) approve of the 2024 General budget with the addition of payroll increases and corrections to expense  line items. Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Motion # carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X  X  X    DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER7,2023  6:00PM  Motion #7 was moved and seconded (Norman Cowden/Harry Rogers) approve oft the increase of the sewer rate to 80.00 per EDU for the 2024: sewer budget.  Motion #7 carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X  X  X  Motion #8 wasi moved and seconded (Norman Cowden/Harry Rogers) approve of the  stormwater budget for 2024 with no rate increase. Motion #8 carries by a Unanimous Vote (6-0)  Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent  X X X X X X X  X  X  Tax Collector- - There was a write ini for tax collector for DuBoistown Borough that they have till the 15th to accept or deny. Ifi the position is not accepted by the write in, then the position is open and borough council can appoint someone toi the position. Follow- Solicitor - Is still working on follow up for Heights and other legali issues with sewer hook up for one of our residents. Next meeting Marc will not be in attendance. Follow up with Heights to get the finalized documents for the Development. Mayor report - Mayor offered to work with the Fire Chief on plan for thet fire  up willl be given toi the council once the results are in.  department.    DUBOISTOWN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY DECEMBER7,2023  6:00PM  President Report - nothing tor report. Public Comment Period #2  Motion #9 was moved and seconded (Norman Cowden/Harry Rogers) to adjourn at  8:56 pm Name John McCormick Jeff Kreger Harry Rogers Dori Rankinen Mike Rodgers Norman Cowden Shawn Millard Mayor Knecht  Nomination Motion 2nd Yes No  Abstain Absent X  X X X X X X X  X  Approved:. Dab Bakess  Date: 4213024  Motion: Motnau Buda SecondDoa Rasiliiveu Date: 412/2024