Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting  November 1, 2021  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, Gabriel Sweka, and Don Zimmerman; Mayor Gail Cunningham; Solicitor Visitors present were Nick Yamrick and Brian Williams (Crew Foreman).  Nicholas Gianvito.  VISITORS CONCERNS: No visitor concerns. CORRESPONDENCE:  President Michele Yamrick presented a letter of resignation (received this morning) from Karl McCracken to Council. A motion was made by Councilman Don Zimmerman and seconded by Councilman Kurt Kister to accept Mr.  McCracken's letter of resignation. Motion carried.  OLD BUSINESS:  A motion to approve October 18, 2021 minutes was made by President ProTem Nathan Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Don Zimmerman. Motion carried. Amotion was made by Councilman Kurt Kister and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike to combine the Park General Account and the Park Fundraising Councilman Zimmerman proposed that outdoor burning hours should be Monday-Saturday from 4:00 PM-9:00PM all year. A motion was made by Councilman Zimmerman to have Solicitor Gianvito draft a new ordinance on the proposed times. Motion was not seconded. Motion will not carry. After a discussion on employee rates contributed in the UPMC Health Plan, a motion was made by Councilman Ron Morris and seconded by Councilman Kurt Kister to increase the employee rate 5%, making the total to 20%, on the employee + spouse and family UPMC plan (if eligible). Motion carried. A motion was made by Vice President Elaine Fike and seconded by Councilman Gabriel Sweka to keep the rate the same at 15% for employees that have the UPMC single and employee + child(ren) health plan. Motion carried.  Account. Motion carried.  1    After a brief discussion on potentially freezing 2022 raises for employees, Council President Yamrick informed that in January of 2021 Council decided to extend the FMLA COVID Act of 2020 (which expired in December of 2020) to the Borough employees. President Yamrick stated that in the Act, if an employee were to get the Coronavirus that employee would get paid without using their sick/vacation time for 10 days. She stated that there is now a vaccine and wanted to know Council's thoughts on extending the Act. A motion was made by Councilman Kister and seconded by Councilman Zimmerman to extend the  decided to discuss the topic more in executive session.  Act until December 31, 2021. Motion carried.  CREW FOREMAN REPORT:  Foreman Williams informed Council that Chuck's last day was on Friday for mowing. He stated that he will call Mr. Young on an "as needed" basis.  COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works: Nothing to report. Finance/Personne!:  Ar motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to renew the 2022 PSAB Borough and Councils membership dues for a total A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by President ProTem Alvetro to renew the 2022 Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of PA (AMBP) A motion was made by Councilman Kister and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve Michael Gamble's paid time off for October 28 (4 hours). Motion Ar motion was made by President ProTem Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve Karl McCracken's paid time off for October 26-October 29. President Yamrick informed Council that the Borough use to allow a boot allowance for the Borough Crew. She asked of Council's thoughts in having a boot allowance for 2022 for each Borough Crew employee. A motion was  of $242. Motion carried.  membership dues for a total of $60. Motion carried.  carried.  Motion carried.  2    made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Morris to allow up to $100 boot allowance per year (must present a receipt to the Borough) for  each full time Borough Crew employee. Motion carried.  Ordinance, Health & Safety Nothing to report. Utilities:  Councilman Morris raised questions on whether our garbage provider will propose the same garbage plan as Sandy Township with having garbage cans for each resident. Secretary Neale has not heard of this idea for Sykesville from  Waste Management.  Parks, Recreation and Planning:  Vice President Fike informed Council that 96 quarts of soup were sold at the sell and 12 more will be sold. She also informed Council that she presented $773 to Councilman Zimmerman stated that the parade went well but didn'thave as Councilman Morris proposed that the Borough ask for help (decorating, opening, closing, events, etc.) with the Park from the SCIA given that there is no committee. Councilman Kurt Kister informed that he will go to the SCIA meeting  Secretary Neale to deposit in the Park Account.  big of a turnout as last year.  tomorrow night to propose this. Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement:  Mayor Cunningham informed Council that OIC Campbell is quarantining due to his wife testing positive for the Coronavirus. She stated that he will be tested before coming back to work. She also informed that Bruce Cramer worked yesterday and will try to come in on evenings in OIC Campbell's absence.  Solicitor Gianvito: Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS:  Vice President Fike proposed to Council in giving Brian Williams and Jaysa Neale ab bonus because of their work in applying and obtaining grant money for the  3    Borough over the last year. President Yamrick stated that this can be discussed Council discussed on using a portion of the COVID grant money onrefurbishing the Borough office and building. The roof needs replaced, the basement needs redone, and the office and lobby needs an upgrade/fxing. Councilman Zimmerman stated that the money could also be used for refurbishing the bank building until the Borough can apply for grant money. President ProTem Alvetro asked what the plans are for the bank building. Counciman Zimmerman stated to move the Borough Office and Police Department to the building. President ProTem Alvetro informed that the Borough will still have to maintain two property locations due to the library not moving to the bank building, he suggested to sell the bank building. Council will think on this topic and discuss more at the next  further in executive session.  meeting.  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Council went into executive session to discuss personnel matters at 8:01 P.M.  ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Council reconvened from executive session at 8:35 P.M.  A motion was made by Councilman Kister and seconded by Councilman Morris to give Michael Gamble a $1 increase effective November 1st due to passing his Amotion was made by Councilman Zimmerman and seconded by Councilman Sweka to advertise for a full time Borough Laborer. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to allow Travis Long (JHA Companies) to sign off on Mr. Gamble and Mr. Ar motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Kister to budget a .50 cent increase for each full time ooghempoyeewoges in  water testing. Motion carried.  McCracken only if he feels secure. Motion carried.  2022. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT:  A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Don Zimmerman and seconded by Councilman Gabriel Sweka. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 P.M.  4    Respectfully ysubmitted: fas Mek Jaysa Neale  Borough Secretary/reasurer  5