Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting  May 2, 2022  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Sykesville Borough Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance by President Michele Yamrick. In attendance were Michele Yamrick, President; Elaine Fike, Vice President; Nathan Alvetro, President ProTem; Council Members: Kurt Kister, Ron Morris, Sherry Pruzinsky, and Gabriel "Butch" Sweka; Mayor Gail Cunningham; Solicitor Visitors present were Ronald Park, Larry and Barb Forsyth, Don Zimmerman, Tom Kundrich, Robert Mehok, Robert Luce, Brian Williams (Foreman), Earl Campbell (Sykesville Police), Monica Walker (Temporary Secretary), Alex Nelson (Courier  Nicholas Gianvito.  Express) and, Larry McGuire (Punxsy Spirit).  VISITORS CONCERNS:  Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth stated concerns that their neighbor was told by the Borough Council, Solicitor, and OIC Campbell that he could move their sandstone and drive through their yard. OIC Campbell informed that he never stated that and was not aware that it was ever: said. Mr. Forsyth stated that Solicitor Zwick researched (2012) the alley and stated that it was not a legitimate alley and Tom Kundrich stated his concerns about the bank building. He stated that there was a "hold up" with moving forward in making this the new office because the Betterment Committee was waiting on a 501c3 and COVID kept them from moving forward. He informed that the Committee has submitted a grant and plans to submit two more shortly and read in the newspaper that Council wants to demolish the building. He informed that the Committee had a walk through the building and wanted to knoww why Council reached the determination to President Michele Yamrick informed that it was never a determination to demolish the building. She informed that it was discussed but was tabled (which was howit was written in the Minutes) until Council could discuss this with the Solicitor and see what damage was done. President Yamrick stated that this topic will be discussed further tonight and probably will remain a discussion for a while. Counciwoman Sherry Pruzinsky reiterated that the article was misinterpreted. She stated that she had brought up making the area into a parking lot but again no one knew the damages that the water break had caused. She stated that Council is looking at every option. Councilman Ron Morris stated that all options were and are being looked at because the building has been the Borough's for almost six years and nothing has been done  should be split by the two land owners.  demolish.  1    with it. He informed that Council needs to look at if they want to spend more time on the bank building or move forward fixing up the current building. He again reiterated that nothing has been decided, only discussions have been Ron Park stated that after the Committee inspected the building a lot of questions were raised such as how did 800,000 gallons of water run through the building, time frame of when it happened, how often does someone check on the ATM machine, and is the building being maintained properly by the Borough. He asked on whether the meter was turned off inside or at the street. Foreman Williams stated that it was just turned off inside the building. Mr. Park's theory is that the furnace turned off and the pipes froze. Foreman Williams informed that the toilet and pipes were drained prior to the meter being turned Don Zimmerman stated that the Committee waited a long time in obtaining a 501c3 and finally got that status in 2021.Since then Tom has applied for a grant and is getting ready to send out two more. He informed that the Committee is going to be meeting with Brian Smith Representative) discussing grants/donations. He informed that the bank building is the newest on Main Street and stated that it would make a nice Borough Building, Police Department, and even an addition can be made for the Library. Robert Mehok stated that this is all volunteer work like the Town Square was and also stated Robert Luce (63 Cleveland Street) stated that he was informed by the officer that he needed to clean up his yard. He stated that he felt a little intimated (also stated he was professional and pleasant) as he thought "protocol" was to send a letter. He stated that 80% is cleaned up and he is still working on cleaning up his yard. He informed the main issue of why he is present at the meeting is because he received a $150 bill for a water meter. He informed that he spoke with President ProTem Alvetro about the issue if he could recite the matter to Council. President Yamrick stated that this will be discussed later in the meeting and Mr. Luce is welcomed to stay and be a part of the discussion.  made.  off.  that that project took a few years to accomplish.  CORRESPONDENCE:  President Yamrick presented an email from the PSAB regarding a proposed Constitution Amendment. The proposed amendment involves consideration of the extent of the authority to act under emergency circumstances (Article VI located at the Borough Office). The proposed changes will be voted on  Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at The Hershey Lodge.  2    President Yamrick presented to Council a letter from the PA Department of Transportation informing that the Borough of Sykesville has been awarded $137,188 for Borough Street Resurfacing Project contingent upon full execution ofa grant agreement (Multimodal Transportation Fund). President Yamrick informed that this letter needs to be signed and returned within 45 days or the grant award could be rescinded. A motion was made by Vice President Elaine Fike and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka to sign and return the letter.  Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS:  Ar motion to approve April 18, 2022 minutes was made by Councilman Ron Morris and seconded by Councilman Kurt Kister. Motion carried. President Yamrick informed Council that the bids for the North Park Street waterline project were opened on April 28th. She informed that the low bid (Dave Roman Excavating, Inc. ($72,750)) came in above the amount funded for the project and the Borough would have to commit $3,565 more to proceed (total committed $12,029). A motion was made by Councilman Kurt Kister and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris to commit a total of $12,029 and proceed There was an open discussion about the $150 fee for the meter installation on 63 Cleveland Street. Mr. Luce stated to Council that his lines and pipes kept freezing because the meter was not deep enough. He stated that he shut the meter off because the meter joints froze and separated causing the water to spray. He requested that the fee be rescinded or even a payment plan can be arranged. President ProTem Nate Alvetro explained that the meter plate breaks before the pipe would break. He informed that the fee is because the meter was cross threaded (water runs through the threads) which could only be done manually. President Yamrick informed that Council will discuss this issue further President Yamrick opened discussion for the proposed "No Parking Winter Maintenance" ordinance drafted by Solicitor Gianvito. She stated that an end date of March 31st was added to Section 5 as discussed last meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Counciwoman Pruzinsky to advertise the proposed ordinance regarding motor vehicles during the snow President Yamrick opened discussion for the proposed "Vacation and/or Demolition of Unsafe Buildings" ordinance. Solicitor Gianvito stated that changes would have to be made to this drafted ordinance as some areas does not apply to the Borough such as a Code Enforcement Officer. Council  with the North Park Street waterline project. Motion carried.  and advise Mr. Luce of the final decision.  season. Motion carried.  3    discussed making the Police Officer, Fire Chief, or member of Council to enforce this proposed ordinance. Council decided to discuss further in Executive Session. President Yamrick opened discussion for the bank building. She stated that options are to sell, donate, demolish, or proceed with designing the building as the new Borough Municipal Building. Counciwoman Pruzinsky suggested in getting current estimate with how much the building would be to design as the last estimate is from 2018/2019. Concerns were also discussed about where the Library would go (would the Borough have to continue to maintain two buildings). President Yamrick informed that the structure is sturdy and also informed that if the Borough were to sell/auction the building, it would have to go out for bids. There is also a stipulation from back when the Borough obtained the building (2016) that the Bank Building cannot be sold to another financial institution. She also informed that either party can terminate the agreement with As a result of the water break at the bank building, President Yamrick presented awater bill of $9,885 (water did not go through sewer per Brian Williams). After a brief discussion, Council decided to allow a five-year plan for the Sykesville Betterment Committee to continue to proceed/renovate the bank building with yearly updates of their progress. Council agreed to do routine checks in the building moving forward and also advised Foreman Williams to shut the water  the ATM with a 90-day notice.  off at the street. CREW FOREMAN REPORT:  Foreman Brian Williams informed Council that the Borough Crew will be flushing hydrants starting May 16thfor three weeks. A motion was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris to advertise the flushing  of hydrants. Motion carried. COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works:  President ProTem Nate Alvetro stated that he received complaints about grass being torn up from winter. He informed that the Borough Crew is working on President ProTem Alvetro also stated that Mack Zimmerman is still getting emergency calls from the County. President Yamrick stated that she will contact  fixing the areas currently.  Tracy Zents personally in changing that information.  4    Fingnce/Personne!:  President Yamrick informed that an invoice was missed from February from JHA Companies for the future stormwater projects. The invoice was paid as it was from February, a motion needs ratified however. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Kister to transfer $5,518.75 from the Sludge Removal Account to the General Fund Account and pay that amount to JHA Companies from the General Fund. Motion ratified. President Yamrick also received an email from Travis Long (JHA) informing that the design is finalized and the permitting process is 75% complete (should be submitted within a month). He is hoping to have a consultation I meeting with  PennVest late May or June. Ordinance, Health & Safety  Counciwoman Pruzinsky asked about the procedure of complaints against high grass. OIC Campbell informed that a warning letter with the ordinance is sent to  the home owner. Utilities:  Am motion was made was made by Councilman Kister and seconded by Councilman Sweka to continue to allow garbage customers to pay 11 months of garbage upfront and get the 12th month free (only valid for the month of July). Motion carried. Secretary Neale will notify on the water/garbage bills.  Parks, Recreation and Planning:  Councilman Kister informed Council that he met with Cory, Brooke, and 814 Hardware about the Honor Society and their goals for the Stahl Park. 814 Hardware is going to donate 20 gallons of paint and $50 worth of supplies and stain will be donated by the Park Committee. He informed that Cory is going to take over the responsibilities of the bleachers sO the Borough Crew will not have to pressure wash anything. There will be about 40 people helping with this Vice President Fike and Councilman Kister informed that they had discussed about charging Suzanne Haag (Amber Wolfe reserving) $40 to rent the Park on May 22nd due to the fact that she will be giving a donation, the date is before the rental season of the Park, and she would only have it a few hours on a Sunday. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to allow Amber Wolfe to reserve the Stahl Park on May 22nd in the  project.  amount of $40. Motion carried.  5    Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement: Attached is the April Police Summary report.  Ar motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Kister to accept and pay the Fire Department's Allocation of $18,978.01 (January-  December 2021). Motion carried.  Ar motion was made by Councilman Kister and seconded by Councilman Sweka to pay the Fire Department's truck(s) insurance at a total cost of $3,892. Motion  carried. Solicitor Gianvito: Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS:  Councilman Kister stated that he is waiting to hear from Foreman Williams and Fire Chief Kevin Yamrick about the testing results of the fire hydrant on Main Ar motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to obtain estimates on new flooring (entrance way and office), paint, and President Yamrick opened discussion about compensating employees for phone calls from Council Members. Councilman Morris stated that employees should not be called outside of business hours and if that does happen moving forward, it can be brought up in executive session whether to compensate.  Street before moving forward with the back flow.  ceiling tiles. Motion carried.  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Council went into executive session to discuss legal matters at 8:56 P.M.  ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Council reconvened from executive session at 9:43 P.M.  Ar motion was made by Counciwoman Pruzinsky and seconded by President ProTem Alvetro that $150 be paid for the damaged meter (63 Cleveland Street) with a stipulation that the owner of the property is provided with a list of resources that can assist him in caring for this debt. Motion carried  6    ADJOURNMENT:  Ar motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:44P.M.  Respectfully submitted: Aypes Pk Jaysa Neale  Borough Secrelary/reasurer  7    Sykesville Borough Monthly Police Summary  April 2022  Incidents Handled Traffic Citations Issued Criminal Citations Issued  12 7 0 1 13 0 7 0 0 7 2 0 358  Borough Ordinance Violdtions/Warning  Written Warnings Issued  Parking Tickets ssued/Warnings Issued  Summary Offenses Misdemeanor Offenses Felony Offenses  Charges Filed at Magistrates MS/POlce/Pre/ASS Court Hearings Miles Patrolled  8