Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting  December 21, 2020  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; Ron Park, President ProTem; Council Members: Nate Alvetro, Timothy Brown, Kurt Kister, and Don Zimmerman; Mayor Gail Cunningham. Absent but available by  phone was Solicitor CJZ Zwick.  Visitors present at the meeting were Brian Williams (Crew Foreman).  VISITORS CONCERNS: No visitor concerns. CORRESPONDENCE:  Ar request form from resident Judy Huff was presented regarding requirements for placement of a trailer on her property (18 Kaufman Drive). It was decided that Penn Safe needs to be contacted for requirements and/or permits required. Additionally, a permit will be required when demolition of the burned house occurs. Solicitor Zwick confirmed this information during a later phone call. No action is required by the Council. The resident is to be contacted with the Payment application #2 for the West Main Streel-Paradise Road Water Line Project (CDBG). Payment application is in the amount of $144, 346.68 for a Construction Cost incurred by Dave Roman Excavating through November 30, 2020. Three copies are provided, one for the Borough; two for Wm. Setree, and one for GD&F. A motion to sign the contracts was made by Councilman Don Zimmerman, seconded by Councilman Ron Park. Motion carried.  decision.  OLD BUSINESS:  Amotion to approve December 7, 2020 minutes and December 14, 2020 Special Meeting minutes was made by Councilman Ron Park and seconded by The Budget for 2021was discussed regarding the Earned Income Tax rate in the Borough. Per Solicitor Zwick, in order to raise the Earned Income Tax rate there must be a referendum which goes on the ballot, and then must be voted on by the voters. The Council Members voiced a desire to further pursue this in 2021;  Council Kurt Kister. Motion carried.  1    that Solicitor Zwick must be present at that meeting, and then a decision made President Yamrick then stated that the 2021 Budget must be settled during this meeting to allow for public ubicalon/odvetsement of the 2021 Budget prior Vice President Fike stated that she had contacted Maureen Kovalchick, Tax Collector, who informed Vice President that there are 614 residents in Sykesville, and at $12.00/mil that would by $7368.00 if only increased by 1 mil. The 2 mil increase last year made an increase of $23, 818.61.That same amount would likely be increased with a 2 mil increase for 2021. Vice President Fike stated that, in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its communiy/financial impacts, that the Council consider making no Real Estate Tax increase occur for 2021; this could possibly be offset by the proposed Earned Income Tax increase previously mentioned. A group discussion regarding how the $23,818.61 was actually created if the $7368.00 is accurate. Councilman Park stated that $12,000.00/mil (paid by the community) rather the $12.00/mil is financially more plausible. The "population" of 614 is more likely related to 614 property owners. The Council further discussed that there is a positive Dalance/cushion at this time. Councilman Alvetro voiced concerns regarding the possibility of increasing the Earned Income Tax can be jeopardized if the Pandemic continues and people are laid off, etc. A discussion ensued regarding the balance available from the CARES Act ($5085.55 at this time), no millage increase, 1 millage increase, 2 millage increase. Councilman Park made a motion to not increase the Real Estate Tax for the 2021 budget, seconded by Councilman Kurt Kister; motion carried. Councilman Alvetro opposed the motion, voicing an interestinr raising the millage by 1 to decrease the impact for the following years budget. The motion was made to rescind the zero increase motion previously carried. The Ordinance drawn up by Solicitor Zwick was reviewed however, it was unclear what the millage increase was; a call was placed to Solicitor Zwick for further information. While waiting for that call a motion was made by Councilman Park tor raise the Real Estate Tax by 1r mil for 2021; there was no second, the motion failed. Solicitor Zwick called in to the meeting and confirmed that the Ordinance drawn up was for a 2 mil increase as per the December 14, 2021 Special Meeting discussion. A comprehensive discussion ensued following  regarding that issue.  to the Council Voting/Approving the budget.  Solicitor Zwick's call.  Ar motion to raise the Real Estate Tax by 2 mils for Fiscal Year 2021 was made by Councilman Park; seconded by Councilman Alvetro. Motion passed.  2    A motion to advertise the propose the Ordinance to raise property tax by 2 mils was made by Councilman Park, seconded by Councilman Brown; motion  carried.  Tuning Accounting is to be contacted with the 2021 Fiscal Year budget changes (no Earned Income Tax increase, Real Estate Tax increase of 2 mils) for  publication.  A motion to rescind a resolution made at the Special meeting of December 14, 2020 to increase the Earned Income Tax 1% in Sykesville Borough was made by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Park. Motion carried. The Recycling Bin Sponsor Agreement was reviewed, including the timeline of previous discussions. The donation of $350.00 was made on May 4, 2020. .Site placement was discussed; the dumpster is to be placed to the left of Ideal (Kaufman Drive). The contract was reviewed. The terms are for a 3-year period with a clause allowing termination with a 30-day notice. Annual costs are $200.00. The Borough is responsible for the site. An additional donation of $300.00 was discussed between Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority and Councilman Zimmerman. A motion to proceed with the placement of recycling bins on Kaufman Drive was made by Councilman Zimmerman, seconded by  Councilman Park. Motion carried. CREW FOREMAN REPORT: Brian Williams  Foreman Williams reported that yard repair issues secondary to snow plowing will The new truck is at Spitzer Motors having warranty work done related to a power steering hose failure which occurred. The anticipated return date is Christmas. There are still approximately 25 new meters which need to be installed; the crew  be addressed by the crew in the spring of 2021.  isv waiting to pursue that until spring secondary to the COVID-19  recommendalions in place at this time.  COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works: Nathan Alvetro  Councilman Alvetro states that the crew has done a good job plowing.  Finance/Personne!: Elaine Fike  November Financial Reports were sent to all council members.  3    A Ransomware Supplemental Application was presented for discussion. The proposed application quote of $2000.00 annually is good through January 13,  2021.The application is tabled until January 2021.  Leave of absence Mike Gamble 12/9 (2 hours) through 12/11/2020; motion to approve made by Councilman Park; second by Councilman Bereavement leave Mike Gamble 12/21 through 12/23/2020; motion to approve made by Councilman Brown; second by Vice President Fike. Leave of absence Jaysa Neale 12/10/2020 and 12/17/2020; motion to approve made by Councilman Brown; second by Councilman Kister.  Brown. Motion carried. Motion carried. Motion carried.  Three new checking accounts, for major equipment purchases, for the old bank building, and for the police car, require authorized signers. It was decided the signers should be the same on all accounts. A motion to approve President Michele Yamrick, Vice President Elaine Fike, President ProTem Ron Park as signers of the new accounts was made by Councilman Brown, second by Councilman Borough Employee Christmas gifts for full-time employees was discussed. President Yamrick spoke with some crew members regarding where they would prefer and Walmart was the unanimous decision. Amotion for Walmart gift cards of $100.00 each for 5 full-time employees (total $500.00) was made by Councilman Park, second by Councilman Kister. Motion carried.  Kister. Motion carried.  Ordinance, Health & Safety Nothing new to report.  Utilities  Nothing to report.  Parks, Recreation and Planning: Kurt Kister The Borough crew cleaned the parkways.  Ar message was received from Beth stating the park walks, etc. was received.  4    Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement: Ron Park  The 2021 Police Union Contract was reviewed. The updated contract was reviewed by all Council members. A motion to accept the Police Contract for 202las written was made by Councilman Park, second by Councilman Brown.  Motion carried. Solicitor Zwick: Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS:  Councilman Alvetro reported receiving inquiries regarding the plowing of alleys within the Borough and how decisions were made regarding whether/which alleys are plowed. The Foreman Williams reports that if there is no vehicle in an  alley the alley is usually plowed. EXECUTIVE SESSION: No Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT:  Council was reminded there will be a Speciai Meeting on December 31, 2020 at A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Ron Park and seconded by Vice President Elaine Fike. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 P.M.  7:00 PM. The meeting will be advertised.  Respectfully submitted: Pat Dunworth  Interim oougnieceoy/leonue  5