Approved minutes - Regular Meeting 12/4033  Approved minutes - Special Meeting  Approved minutes Special/Workshop Meeting    Regular Meeting December 12, 2023 7:001 P.M.  The regular monthly meeting of thel Meyersdale Borough Council was called to order by President Folk, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Baer, Mr. Baker, Mr. Folk, Mrs. Gnagey, Mrs. Knieriem, Mayor Smith and Solicitor Valentine were present. Note: There were gnly 6 Council Members due to the resignation ofMr. Parisi. Brion Reiber, Street Foreman was absent. There was no: representative from the Police Department. Council Members Elect Mr. JeffI Irwin, DDS and Mr. Thomas Smith were present and were invited to sit with Council  December 12, 2023 at 7:00P.M.  and engage in the meeting. MINUTES:  Mr. Irwin addressed the parking issue brought before Council at the November 14, 2023 meeting by Mr. Dan Pletcher. It was reported that Mr. Gene Mishler does not want to give up a parking space in front ofhis building. After some discussion, Mrs. Knieriem voiced her concerns that there is a problem in the area. Mr. Smith reported that he lives in the area and expressed his opinion that the parking should be left as is. After some discussion, it was decided that this item would be deferred until after the January Reorganization meeting, Mr. Ackerman made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2023 regular meeting. Mr. Baer  then the new street committee can make an evaluation.  seconded. Motion passed. FINANCIAL REPORT/BILLS: seconded. Motion passed. GUESTS:  Mrs. Knieriem made the motion to accept the financial report and pay the bills as presented. Mr. Baker  A.) Mr. Avery Peters from First National Bank was present to introduce himself as the new Branch Manager in the Meyersdale Office. Mr. Peters distributed an information flyer regarding workplace banking. After being asked by Mrs. Gnagey, Mr. Peters reported that the interest rate on the General Fund  Account is currently 0.46%. PUBLIC COMMENT:  Mrs. Jody Saler from The GI Dayroom Coffee Shop donated $500.00 back to the Parks & Recreation from  proceeds that she had won at the Light up Night.  PRESIDENT'S REPORT: to all involved in planning the event. MAYOR'S REPORT:  Mr. Folk reported that he had received positive comments regarding the Light up Night and extended his thanks  Mayor Smith reported fines totaled $322.48 for the month.  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 1    EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR:  Noi report was given. ENGINEERS REPORT: No report was given. SOLICITOR'S REPORT:  Solicitor Valentine reported on the following:  Objections regarding Ordinance #443 and #444 (Vacating Streets) were received. It was recommended to defer action on this matter until after the Reorganization of Council in January 2024, at which time the matter would be discussed in executive session. The Electric Scooter Ordinance is being modeled after an Ordinance implemented in Pittsburgh, Pa. Solicitor Valentine will forward a draft for Council review. Advertising and adoption will Solicitor Valentine reported that anything in the public domain may be posted on the website and facebook. The following items were recommended to be considered for posting:  follow in 2024. Website/Facebook postings 1) Any public business 2) Most common ordinances  Zoning Ordinance, Building Code, Burning, Noise, Dog, Livestock, Mobile Home, etc. 3) Public events promoted by the Borough. Non Borough promoted events should not 5) Links to other websites such as Meyersdale Merchants Association, Meyersdale Solicitor Valentine made Council aware that some websites may permit the information to be scanned and uploaded, but it has been his experience that the information must be retyped.  be posted.  4) Agendas, Meeting Minutes (once approved by Council). Public Library, PA Municipal Code Alliance, etc.  Either way, the process is very time consuming.  CODE ENFORCEMENT:  Mrs. Gnagey made the motion to grant Solicitor Valentine permission to take immediate action against the property owner of326 Salisbury St. with regard to the deplorable condition oft the house. Mr. Baer seconded. Motion passed. The Redevelopment Authority of Somerset County will be contacted to request funding for A report ofj junk and debris at 7 Chestnut St. was discussed. Solicitor Valentine was to confirm if the property  demolition of the property. is owned by the Borough. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Municipal Authority Street Foreman  Mrs. Sandy Miller, Board Member reported that two new employees have been hired.  Ini the absence ofMr. Reiber, President Folk reported that the bike charging station electrical boxes had been damaged and in order to eliminate future damages, Mr. Reiber suggested installing cover boxes. Mrs. Gnagey made the motion to accept a quote from B & T] Fabrication to have metal locking cover boxes  fabricated at a cost of $345.00. Mr. Ackerman seconded. Motion passed.  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 2    Meyersdale Area Merchants Association  Mrs. Denise Gehringer reported that there was a fantastic turn out for Light up Night. MAMA will reboot after Mrs. Gnagey thanked the Meyersdale Area Merchants Association for coming together for Light up Night and spearheading the cash giveaways. The cash incentives motivated people to attend the Light up Night event. Mrs. Teri Foster was present to give a report. The newsletter celebrated its one year anniversary, grant funds will be used to purchase new: furniture and the Way We Were Club continues to digitize photos.  the first ofthe year.  Public Library  Parks & Recreation  Mrs. Gnagey reported that Keri Beth Ickes will be one of the new leaders of the Parks & Recreation. Mrs. Ickes presented three letters of interest to fill vacancies on the Board. Council decided to defer appointments until the January Reorganization meeting scheduled for January 2, 2024. Solicitor Valentine reported that the meetings must be advertised, and meeting minutes are to be kept and the Parks & Recreation Board must be organized and operated per the Borough Ordinance. After some discussion, it was decided that the ordinance will be reviewed and updated ifr necessary in January 2024. It was noted that the Parks & Recreation Board meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 7E PM and the meetings are held at the Meyersdale Elks Lodge. The Secretary  was asked to advertise the same. Meyersdale Renaissance No report was given.  COUNCIL MEMBERS- STANDING COMMITTEES  POLICEPUBLIC SAFETY Mayor Smith reported on the following: POLICE CHIEF POSITION:  Mayor Smith reported that Mr. Adam Horning declined to accept the Chief of Police position. Solicitor Valentine indicated that Council could use the pool of applicants on file to fill the position without advertising. Mayor Smith and the Police Committee will meet after the holidays to interview applicants. The vandalism problem reported at the November 14, 2023 meeting has been solved. There have been no new The Christmas wreaths were installed by the Borough and Municipal Authority workers despite a minor issue with missing bolts. Mr. Ackerman reported that the fireman will take down the wreaths after the holidays. It  reports to date.  was suggested that the bolts be put back in the brackets before storing them.  FINANCE No report was given. REFUSE No report was given.  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 3    STREBIS/BUIEDINGS FLOOD CONTROL No report was given. FARMERS! MARKET No report was given. UNFINISHED BUSINESSS: A.) Patrolman police agreement/handbook The document has not been signed. B.) E-Bike charging station grant update  Replacement of barricades will be added to the Agenda for the 1st Regular Meeting in January 2024.  Mrs. Katie Billy reported that the project is completed and has been paid for. Aninvoice to the  Borough for the $3,314.00 matching money will be submitted.  C.) Ambulance meeting  Mr. Kenneth Marteney was present and thanked Mrs. Gnagey and Mrs. Kolb for organizing the Public Hearing. The only local municipality not in attendance was Salisbury Borough. He suggested starting the process to initiate a Municipal Ambulance Service for Southern Somerset County. There were suggestions ofimplementing a Per Capita Tax as a way to provide financial support to the Ambulance  Association.  D.) Proposals for investments - Discussion  Mr. Josh Sechler and Mrs. Katie Billy were present with a report on the accounts currently with Somerset Trust. Proposals for investments was to be listed on the Agenda for discussion at the first regular  meeting in January 2024. NEW BUSINESS: A.) Announcements  There were no announcements.  B.) Police coverage in Borough & Summit Township  Mayor Smith reported that Summit Township had approached him regarding a proposal for traffic detail. There is to be another meeting with the Township in the future. It was reported that there is a  Intermunicipal Agreement Ordinance with Summit Township on file.  C.) Hierarchy System  Mrs. Knieriem reported that she was frustrated that the President of Council had not acknowledged her e-mails. President Folk replied that not every situation can be resolved immediately and it could take hours to respond. He also indicated that Council decided that all communications should be handled by the President. Mrs. Gnagey reported that after completing research, the President of Council is to conduct the meeting and has noj power over other Council Members. Mrs. Knieriem wants everyone to work together and that communication needs to be aj part ofit. There was a discussion about blind copy e-mails. Mr. Ackerman reported that he initiated the passage oft the Hierarchy System to eliminate  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 4    everyone from giving instructions to the Solicitor, which ultimately costs thel Borough more in legal fees. The Hierarchy System was also implemented to stop the practice of everyone giving instructions to the Borough employees. Because of this practice the employees do not always know what directive to follow. Mrs. Gnagey reported that the Christmas stable used for Light up Night should be taken down before there is a snow event. The stable is a temporary decorative structure that will not withstand a heavy snow load. After some discussion, Mr. Baker was asked to work with the Borough Crew to disassemble the  D.) Stable Storage  stable and store it in the basement of the community center. E.) Meyersdale Municipal Authority Appointment  Solicitor Valentine reported that to his knowledge there are four people who have submitted letters of interest and that the appointment cannot be made until the Reorganization Meeting in January 2, 2024. Solicitor Valentine reported that monetary donations for the Parks & Recreation cannot be deposited into the Frank Lucente Fund or the Harry E. Leckemby Fund. These donations must be deposited and G.) Mr. Irwin requested that the topic of current and future plans for the Community Center be added to the  F.) Monetary donations for Parks & Recreation  documented through the General Fund Account. Agenda for the 1St, regular meeting in January 2024.  H.) January meetings  Mrs. Gnagey made the motion to hold the Reorganization Meeting on January 2, 2024 and to schedule ar regular meeting for January 9, 2024. Mr. Ackerman seconded. Motion passed. These meetings will  be advertised as required. GOALSFOR2024 Ordinance Review No report given. Zoning Review No report given. New Building No report given.  Emergency Access Road Meyers Ave.  Solicitor Valentine reported that the last conversation he had with the railroad was that they are not willing to  do anything with the High Street bridge without closing other crossings.  Control Spending No report given. Flood Control rip rap  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 5    No report given.  ADDITIONAL ITEMS FORI DISCUSSION: There were no additional items to be discussed.  EXECUTIVE SESSION: into executive session. ADJOURNMENT:  Mrs. Knieriem indicated that there was a need for an executive session. No motion or second was made to enter  *Mrs. Gnagey and Mrs. Knieriem left the Council table at approximately 8:501 PM.  Mr. Baer made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50PM. Mr. Ackerman seconded. Motion passed with  Mrs. Gnagey and Mrs. Knieriem being absent during the vote.  hhinn C. dubinaw  Patricia C. Ackerman Borough Secretary  Regular Meeting December 12, 2023  Page 6    MEYERSDALE BOROUGH COUNCIL Regular Meeting 121112023 Special Meeting  GUEST SIGN IN  PLEASE PRINT Sason Pclerman 2 Tom Dotz 3 SCEE Chrstyn KaAgrteek 6Jody SAr 7S0A8 Mlew 8 WGh/ng/ 9 MOV 10 LuuzSnE MSAKR 11 AucryPeterz 12-lebni Falt  NAME  ADDRESS  TOPIC  34 meyers Aue 934 Olirgu 5T mIwbE 2 MIH ST 26SHAIS  4 lath Shauir Aslysufs A2 Mdcle  MAABMowe Drella  Eabohyst [06 Muyes Aue'  214 Ohps  hibrary  13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24  GUESTS MUST STAND WHILE SPEAKING  GUEST SIGNI IN ONEXCEL