Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting  January 15, 2024  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: Don Reid and Gabriel "Butch" Sweka; Mayor Gail Cunningham. Absent were Councilman Ron Morris Visitors present were Pete Erickson, Travis Long (JHA Companies: Engineer), Brian Williams (Crew Foreman), Earl Campbell (Sykesville PD), and Michael Gamble  and Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito.  (Crew Member). VISITORS CONCERNS:  Pete Erickson stated to Council that he and residents on Hepburn Road, DuBois are going to be forming/signing a petition regarding a guard rail that is obstructing view. President ProTem Nate Alvetro informed Mr. Erickson that this matter would be handled with Sandy Township not the Borough. Travis Long informed Council that everything is progressing with the Pennvest application for the stormwater project. Permits are being obtained and he is still working with Solicitor Gianvito on easements. He stated that PennVest will have their meeting April/May that will discuss the funding amounts and the bidding process could be started June/July. Mr. Long also informed Council that the water and wastewater are in compliance, and everything looks good; the  lagoons (2) will need dredged next year.  CORRESPONDENCE:  A letter was presented to Council from Tuning Accounting Services, Inc. thanking the Borough for their business and continued business. Tuning Accounting Services name will be changed to J&M Accounting and Tax Services, Inc., as Sarah Johnson and Michelle Moore will be the new owners. A A motion was made by Councilman Don Reid and seconded by President ProTem Nate Alvetro to approve the Run/Walk for Someone Special event for the date of April 14, 2024, with an alternative date of April 21, 2024 (approval letter will be sent to PennDot for permit(s) application). Motion carried.  full copy of the letter will be at the Borough Office.  1    OLD BUSINESS:  Ar motion to approve January 2, 2024, minutes was made by President ProTem Nate Alvetro and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike. Motion carried. President ProTem Alvetro informed Council that he will have more estimates by the end of the week (Stallion, Gary & Son's, etc.). He also informed that Scott Mowrey presented another estimate of $4,750 for a 96% efficiency furnace and running a pipe out the back of the building. Council decided to table this Secretary Neale informed Council that the Water and Sewer Authority Board agreed to have a $1 increase on the water bill per month to be used for the maintenance of the storm water system. After reviewing the drafted resolution, Council realized that the date needed to be updated. Tabled.  matter until next meeting.  CREW FOREMAN REPORT:  Foreman Brian Williams presented an estimate of $4,599.99 for purchase of a new. steam jenny (gas). A motion was made by Councilman Don Reid and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka to purchase the steam jenny from NorthStar for a total of $4,599.99. Motion carried. This will be split between the  Major Equipment, Water, and Sewer Funds.  COMITTEE REPORTS:  President Michele Yamrick informed Council that she is waiting for the vacancy  seat to be filled before she assigns committees.  Public Works:  President ProTem Alvetro thanked the Borough Crew Members for all the snow removal. Councilman Reid commented to watch the yards while plowing.  Finance/Personnel:  Ar motion was made by Councilman Don Reid and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike to approve Jaysa Neale's paid time off for January 3rd. Motion  carried.  A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by President ProTem Alvetro to accept and pay Tuning Accounting'sn monthly retainer (December)  fee of $1,192.29. Motion carried.  2    The December 2023 financial reports were emailed to all board members for Ani invoice for $7,463.25 was presented from JHA Companies for the upcoming stormwater project. A motion was made by President ProTem Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Reid to transfer $4,463.25 from the Sludge Removal Account to the General Fund Account and pay that amount to JHA Companies  their review. No questions or comments were made.  from the General Fund. Motion carried. Ordinance.Health, & Safety  Aresolution was presented from Jefferson County for the Hazard Mitigation Plan. After further review, Council questioned the dates. Secretary Neale will contact  the County before the resolution is approved. Tabled.  Utilities:  President Yamrick informed Council that the garbage rates will increase from $17.50 to $18.00 monthly/unit starting February 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025, per the Borough's contract with ARC Disposal. A motion was made by Vice President Fike and seconded by Councilman Sweka to increase garbage customers monthly fee .50 cents starting February 1, 2024. Motion carried. President Yamrick informed Council that Secretary Neale received a call about the dumpsters at the park being overfilled by residents/others using it as their personal dumpsters. Bob Beck (ARC) informed that he could remove the dumpsters in the winter to solve this issue as the park is not being used. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Reid to remove the two dumpsters located at Stahl Park and have them replaced in President ProTem Alvetro informed Council that he was told that there is only one service guy (Penelec) currently that is changing streetlights.  April. Motion carried.  Parks, Recreation and Planning: Nothing to report.  Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement:  Nothing to report.  3    Solicitor Gianvito: Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS:  President Yamrick stated that a nomination list for Sykesville Citizen of the Year Councilman Sweka informed that the Water and Sewer Authority talked about and would like Michael Gamble to test for a sewer license. Foreman Williams thinks that the next classes should be in May or. June and is a 12-week course. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Vice President Fike to register Michael Gamble to take a 12-week wastewater course and test for his waslewarer/sewer license through PAI Rural Water starting May/June 2024. President ProTem Alvetro opened discussion for the $1 increase for maintenance of the storm water. Council discussed all the future complaints that will come along with passing this resolution such as taxes being raised two years in a row, garbage prices increasing, etc. It was also discussed that the $1 charge would President ProTem Alvetro also stated that the creek will need to be dredged soon. He said that Dave Roman could possibly dredge the creek depending on the permitting. Mr. Roman would dredge the creek with a mini excavator and load it into the dump truck. The cost would be around $100,000. President ProTem Alvetro stated that he will ask Solicitor Gianvito if this could be done in  award should be made and discussed soon.  Motion carried.  only affect the people residing in the Borough.  sections instead of paying the full amount at one time.  EXECUTIVE SESSION:  No executive session took place.  ADJOURNMENT:  Amotion to adjourn was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Counciiman Don Reid. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 P.M.  Respectfully submitted: fype Mle Jaysa Neale  Borough Secretaly/reasurer  4