Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting  February 7, 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, and Gabriel "Butch" Sweka; Mayor Gail Cunningham; Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito. Visitors present were Don Reid, Terry Laukitis, Nick Yamrick, Brian Williams (Crew  Foreman), and Earl Campbell (Sykesville Police).  Alex Nelson, Courier Express. VISITORS CONCERNS:  Don Reid was present to hear an update from Mayor Cunningham about the speeding issues in town. He informed that he was present at a meeting 3/4 months ago about this issue and hasn't seen any changes. Mr. Reid also brought up issues with people parking on Main Street during the winter months. Mayor Cunningham informed Mr. Reid that she is doing the best she can with handling this; there is only one Police Officer and he is allotted 40 hours a week. She also informed that she and OIC Campbell sat up by North Park Street pulling people over for speeding. Mr. Reid stated that Mayor Cunningham is never in her office Terry Laukitis had some complaints about snow removal. He informed when the guys are plowing, the snow/slush is hitting his front porch and vehicle in his driveway. He made a suggestion that the Borough Crew should slow down while plowing and angle the plow. Brian stated that the Crew at most does 20 MPH and stated that the new plow throws snow further. President ProTem Alvetro also informed that plowing (sometimes) you need to have some speed to get the snow over the ice curb. President ProTem Alvetro also informed Mr. Laukitis that the Crew plans on cleaning up the streets whenever the weather permits. Nick Yamrick raised concerns about Council cutting his pay rate when he helps with Borough work. Council informed that this will be discussed more in  to answer these complaints as well.  executive session. CORRESPONDENCE:  AI request form was submitted to the Borough from James Maddox requesting for any kind of forgiveness on his current water/sewer bills. Last week one of Mr. Maddox's rentals' pipe broke leaving him with a water bill of $1,211. Secretary Neale averaged his sewer bill to his monthly usage as the water did not go  1    through his sewer pipe. Questions were asked by Council on whether Mr. Maddox receives shut off notices for this property and whether the water has been shut off. Secretary Neale confirmed that the property has been shut off multiple times due to non-payment. Council discussed and decided that Mr. Maddox will owe the $1,211 for the water and the sewer can be averaged out to his monthly usage policy).Secretary Neale will call and inform him. Arate renewal for the period of 4/1/2022 through 3/31/2023 was presented to Council from United Concordia (copy located at the Borough Office). The rates remained the same. A motion was made by Vice President Elaine Fike and seconded by President ProTem Nate Alvetro to accept and approve the  renewal rates from United Concordia. Motion carried.  Two proposals were presented to Council for vegetation removal for treating the same areas as last year (map located at the Borough Office). Pest Management's (warranty included) proposal is $2,610 and Erlich's proposal is a total of $3,700. A motion was made by Vice President Elaine Fike and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka to accept and approve Pest Management's  proposal of $2,610. Motion carried.  OLD BUSINESS:  A motion to approve January 17, 2022 minutes was made by President ProTem Nate Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris. Motion carried. Councilman Kurt Kister informed Council that the SCIA does not have interest at this time with taking over the Stahl Park. However, they will take care of the decorations lights/Christmas). Councilman Kister asked if the Borough could hire someone for the weekends to check on the park. Council will further discuss this Vice President Fike informed that there were interviews tonight for the Borough Laborer position that will be further discussed in executive session. President Michele Yamrick informed Council that someone can be appointed onto Council without advertisement. President Yamrick informed that the 30 days expired. She asked for suggestions for the position. President ProTem Alvetro called Brian Mowrey (vacancy chair) to confirm that he will be here at President Yamrick informed Council that Alyssa Dixon (hired as PT Secretary) received a full time job before she could start at the Borough. After a brief discussion on hiring a temp. or a part timer a motion was made by Councilman  before spring.  the next Borough Council Meeting.  2    Ron. Morris and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka to re-advertise for a Part All permits have been approved for the Run/Walk for Someone Special which will be held April 10th with an alternative date of April 24th.A motion was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Councilman Kister to close Station Street, Main Street, West Liberty Street, and South Park Street for the  Time Secretary. Motion carried.  Run/Walk event. Motion carried. CREW FOREMAN REPORT:  Foreman Brian Williams presented a quote from L/B Water for a new line locator for $2,898.70. He stated that the line locator they have now is very old and "eats" through batteries ($30 for batteries each time). A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Kister to approve L/B Water's quote of $2,898.70 for purchasing a line locator. Motion carried. Foreman Williams informed Council that he has received the North Park Street waterline project drawings. He emailed the drawings to Travis Long (JHA) for Foreman Williams raised questions about carrying over vacation time. Council Foreman Williams updated Council that he will have prices on trucks Thursday. He also stated that the Borough could be eligible for a grant (information emailed to all members) in getting a new truck. He stated that maybe Tom Kundrich would be interested in writing a grant since he had training.  review and will have an update next meeting. decided to discuss this in executive session.  COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works:  President ProTem Alvetro showed appreciation to the guys for snow removal and thanked them for "dealing with all his phone calls". He informed Council that there was an incident where Brian slid into a tree but stated that the truck  can be fixed in the spring/summer.  nance/Personne:  Mo Kovalchick presented a request to be reimbursed $35 for a Tax Collecting training meeting. A motion was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris to reimburse Mo Kovalchick for $35. Motion  carried.  3    Ani invoice for $5,299.75 was presented from JHA Companies for the upcoming stormwater project. A motion was made by President ProTem Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Kister to transfer $5,299.75 from the Sludge Removal Account to the General Fund Account and pay that amount to JHA Companies from the General Fund. Motion carried. President Yamrick informed that Travis is waiting for the final permits and design (hopefully next week) and then he can  have a meeting with PennVest. Ordinance, Health & Safety Nothing to report. Utilities:  Counciman Ron Morris raised questions about who dumped the couch by John Fike's apartments. OIC Campbell informed him that he knew and spoke with the lady about the issue. He also stated that she had told him that John said that he would burn the couch for her. Secretary Neale informed that Mr. Fike called last week to complain about the couch, he did not mention he would dispose ofit. Councilman Morris stated that he is thinking about being the liaison for the Water and Sewer Authority Board. Councilman Sweka also stated that he is Councilman Morris also asked for an update on the issues discussed by John Sedor at the previous meeting. Foreman Williams stated that the doors/gate have been locked however the lights remain on as a safety precaution.  OIC Campbell will call Mr. Fike regarding this matter.  interested.  Parks, Recreation and Planning:  Councilman Kister informed that he responded to Brooke Chewning's letter (previous meeting) stating that the Borough would supply her with materials for the park. President ProTem Alvetro informed Council that Ms. Chewning is applying for a grant that could possibly supply her with all materials at no cost to Councilman Kister informed Council that John Duttry has started trimming the trees at the park. He is not finished with the job yet due to weather.  the Borough.  Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement:  Attached is the January 2022 police summary report.  4    Mayor Gail Cunningham informed Council that she is getting complaints about shrubbery at the intersection by the Corner One Stop. Councilman Sweka stated that Mrs. Carlson owns that property. President ProTem Alvetro stated that itis Mayor Cunningham also stated that the Borough used to plow East Main Street Ext. and got paid for performing those services (discussed last meeting). Nick  also a state road.  Yamrick informed that PennDot took over that area.  Solicitor Gianvito:  Solicitor Nick Gianvito emailed all members a sample "No Parking During Winter Months" Ordinance to review last week. Council agreed that they liked the wording and set up of the sample ordinance. Council agreed that the section about snow tires can be removed from the ordinance. Councilman Morris stated that this ordinance will most likely not be written this winter and advised Foreman Williams to get a list of "problem" streets together to put in the  ordinance to approve by next winter.  NEW BUSINESS:  President Yamrick informed Council that MedExpress in DuBois has closed permanently. The Borough uses MedExpress for pre-employment physicals and post-accident drug testing. Options were discussed such as TrueCare, QCare, DWC, or individuals' family doctor. Council decided to have individuals go to their family doctor for onysicais/arug testing for now until more information is  gathered. EXECUTIVE SESSION: 8:44 P.M.  Council went into executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters at  ACTION AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Council reconvened from executive session at 9:37 P.M.  An motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to offer Jerry Gamble ai full time Borough Laborer position starting at $13.00 an hour contingent on a pre-employee physical/drug test. Motion carried. Council decided to table the discussion of Nick Yamrick's pay until more  research is gathered.  5    ADJOURNMENT:  Ar motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:46 P.M.  Respectfully submitted: Fa Kek Jaysa Neale  Borough Secrelary/reasurer  6    Sykesville Borough Monthly Police Summary  January 2022  Incidents Handled Traffic Citations Issued Criminal Citations Issued  10 5 0 0 12 0 5 0 0 5 1 0 309  Borough Ordinance Violdtions/Waming  Written Warnings Issued  Parking Tickets ssued/Warnings Issued  Summary Offenses Misdemeanor Offenses Felony Offenses  Charges Filed at Magistrates MS/Police/Fre/AS5S Court Hearings Miles Patrolled  7