Taylor Borough Council Meeting Minutes December 11, 2024 The Taylor Borough Council held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. at the Taylor Municipal Building, 122 Union Street, Taylor, Pennsylvania. President Mickavicz chaired the meeting. President Mickavicz opened the meeting with the Pledge ofA Allegiance. On Roll Call: Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes; Mayor Kavulich, Yes. President Mickavicz asked ifanyone from the public had any comment or input President Mickavicz asked ifCouncil read the minutes. Councilman McKeel made a motion. Seconded by Councilman DeAngelo. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was accepted on any agenda item, ifnone. Item A is to consider a motion to accept the Civil Service Eligibility List for 2024. There were 2 (two) candidates, both passed the written test, however, 1 (one) did not pass the physical agility test and did Appeal. Amy from Eckert and Seaman, our outside Legal Counsel represented the Borough for that meeting. The commission had a meeting last week and you will be getting the findings in your packet this evening. There is an opinion Findings of Fact, is here on file. There was 1 candidate left, usually, there are 3 (three). That list is before you, any comments or questions? The Chairman would like to make a motion to adopt Item A. Councilman Maldonato made a motion and seconded by Councilman McKeel. Item B is to consider a motion to accept the 2024 Civil Service. Annual Report. The Chair would entertain a motion to adopt Item B. Councilman DeAngelo I made a motion and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was approved. Item Ci is to consider a motion to make a conditional offer of employment for an entry level position ofFullTime Probationary Police Officer, subject to compliance with PA Act of July 14, 2020, P.L. 613, #57 mandated by law and subject to compliance with the Taylor Civil Service Rules and Regulations including the successful completion of a background investigation, physical and psychological examination. Candidate to be selected from the Certified Eligibility List submitted by the Taylor Borough Civil Service Commission. Salary and benefits in accordance with the Taylor Police Officers Association Collective Bargaining Agreement. Can I get a motion to adopt Item C. Councilman McKeel made a motion, and second by Councilman Fox. Anyone from the public, because Mr. Roche's name was not in the agenda regarding the hiring. Usually there would be 3 (three) but we only had one candidate. We don't pre-enter the names in. Seeing none, Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, Mr. Brian Roche will be offered a conditional offer of Employment with a condition outlined in the motion. Item D is to consider a motion to adopt Resolution #14 of 2024, appointing the firm ofRainey and Rainey as IndependentAuditors for the 2024 Municipal Audits, a requirement by law. Councilman Maldonado made a motion and seconded by Councilman McKeel. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, Resolution #14 of2024 is adopted. Item Ei is to consider a motion to adopt the 2025 Final Budget. broken down into the General Operating Budget-$ $4,809,465.00; Capital Budget-51.967500.00; Liquid Fuels Budget - $212,500.00. For a Total Budget in the amount of $6,989,465.00. Councilman Maldonato made a motion, and second by Councilman Fox. A voice vote was called, all Council Members were in favor and the motion was accepted. 2 Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, the 2025 Budget for Taylor Borough is hereby legally Item F is to consider a motion to adopt a Sexual Abuse Policy in the Borough for all Employees recommended by our insurance company, Davis, Gregory and Kyle. This will be for all Borough Employees. Councilman McKeel made a motion and seconded by Councilman Nezlo. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members Item G is a motion to adopt Resolution #15 of2024, Fixing the Tax Rate for the year 2025 at on Real Property Situated in the Borough ofTaylor at the Tax Rate for General Borough Purposes, The Sum ofTwenty-Two and Three Tenths (22.30) Mills on each dollar ofAssessed Valuation Resolution #15 of 2024 to be recorded in the Ordinance Book ofthe Borough ofTaylor for recording purposes as Ordinance #3 of2024. This is our gth year of no tax increase. Councilman DeAngelo made a motion and seconded by Councilman Fox. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote Resolution #15 of2024 is hereby legally and lawfully adopted. Item Hi is to consider a motion to adopt Resolution #16 of2024 ofTaylor Borough, Lackawanna County, Declaring and Confirming Ownership of Amherst Park between Sloan Street and the Cul-de-Sac as a Borough Road. AResolution will get this on our Liquid Fuel Bill. Councilman McKeel made a motion and seconded by Councilman Nezlo. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote Resolution #16 of2024 is adopted. were in favor and the motion was accepted. hereby legally and lawfully adopted. Item Ii is to consider a motion Authorizing the Chairman to negotiate and execute ac contract for Police Service for Ransom Township with concurrence from the Solicitor. As discussed previously, the total amount of the contract is $287,000.00 3 for first year. The second year a 4% increase, and the third year a 4% increase. On top oft that they will purchase a vehicle. The reason it is written this way, the Solicitor would have to agree to it as well. We are down to the financial end ofit. Solicitor has to address certain languages he had in other contracts that they had with South Abington, they also did it for Ransom at one point. Either party can terminate without cause as long as there is a 90-day written notice. With that being said, the Chair will entertain a motion. Councilman McKeel made a motion and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, No; Councilman Digwood, No; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, Item Iis hereby adopted. Item Ji is to consider a motion to make a conditional offer of employment to Joshua Thomas as a part-time landfill inspector for the Borough ofTaylor subject to compliance as mandated by the Department of Environmental Protection. Employment is part-time and on an as needed basis for hourly compensation in accordance with the budget. Councilman Maldonato made a motion and seconded by Councilman Fox. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, Yes; Councilman Digwood, Yes; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, Mr. Joshua Thomas is offered a conditional job offer of employment. Item K is to consider a motion to recommend Paul Harrison as a candidate for the EMA coordinator for the Borough ofTaylor to the Governor's Office. Under State Law an EMA serves in every municipality and Paul Harrison is a recommended name from the council. The Chair would like to entertain a motion. Councilman Digwood made a motion and Councilman McKeel seconded. Madame Secretary, can you call roll please. Councilman Fox, Yes; Councilman Maldonato, Yes; Councilman McKeel, Yes; Councilman Nezlo, No; Councilman Digwood, No; Councilman DeAngelo, Yes; President Mickavicz, Yes. After receiving a unanimous vote, Mr. Harrison's name will be submitted to the Governors Office. 4 Approval of Bills November Payroll November General Fund Open Invoices November Paid Invoices November Liquid Fuels Open Invoices Total Expenditures $164,467.66 $152,651.56 $ 6,012.53 $ 6,697.57 $329,829.32 Treasurer's Report November 2024 Local Services Tax Earned Income Tax RE Transfer Tax- - Nov. Miscellaneous Tax Duplicates RE Tax-N Nov. 2024 RE Tax Delinquent 2023 Court Fees/Police Fines Riverside/SRO PD Special Duty TCC Interest Zoning Comcast $27,031.45 $173,988.26 $8,412.70 $589.50 $5,015.00 $6,860.59 $74.18 $5,445.32 $17,500.00 $1,568.16 $1,359.00 $1,073.87 $95.00 $19,762.20 $3,809.35 $6,803.33 $15,751.00 $50,000.00 $2,902.05 Workman's Comp Refund Insurance Reimbursement PD DPW sale of surplus vehicle PD sale of surplus vehicle UCC Permits Total Revenue: $348,040.96 Financial Report November 30, 2024 General Account $ 625,006.37 5 Real Estate Tax Account Liquid Fuels Account Balance $ Veteran's Memorial Account Hero's Banner Account $ 1000.09 78,766.58 1,306.85 8,883.93 (23,241.62) (89,051.08) (398,480.43) (48710.11) (32,332.35) 60,303.17 1,456.90 3,764,126.18 516,xxx.33 60,360.87 7,682.85 503,430.55 $ $ $ Open Purchase Orders (PO's) 10 Year General Obligation Note $ Lease Obligations $ 2023 Police Comp/OT Obligations $ Other Police Comp/OT Obligations $ Escrow Funds (Taylor Commons) $ Escrow Account (General) Police Pension Fund ESL, Inc. Escrow Account Fire Insurance Escrow Taylor Police K-9 Fund $ $ $ $ $ Government Money Market Fund $ Recycling Report November - 2024 Pounds 23,460 27,540 53,120 Tons 11.73 13.77 26.56 Commingle Cardboard/Paper Grass/Brush 6 Totaling Year Total 104,120 1,168,220 52.06 584.11 The Chair will make a motion to approve the bills, Councilman Nezlo made a motion and seconded by Councilman Digwood. A voice vote was called, and all The Chair will make a motion to approve the Treasure's Report, Councilman McKeel made a motion and seconded by Councilman Maldonato. A voice vote was called, and all Council Members were in favor and the motion was accepted. The Chair asked that the Financial Report for 2024 be placed on file. Council Members were in favor and the motion was accepted. Mayor's Report During the month of November 2024, the Police Department responded to 680 incidents. There were 26 traffic crashes investigated; 162 Traffic Stops were made; and 70 traffic citations were also issued 6 non-traffic citations. Officers made 22 criminal arrests. Arrest Report's - Officer Boback - 1 arrests; Officer Feliciano -2 arrests; Sergeant Snyder - 5 arrests; Officer McDonald- 3 arrests; Officer Baizan - 2 arrests; Officer Moran- 1 arrest; Officer Zuby - 1 arrest; Officer Graham - 2 arrests; Officer Grasso - 2 arrests; Officer Kowanick. - 3 arrests. Revenues received for the month of November 2024, Special Duty: $1,568.16, Police Reports: $300.00, Magistrate Fines $4,917.64, Judicial Fines $97.68, Police Fines $100.00, Parking Tickets $30.00-7 Total $7,013.48. Next, President Mickavicz asked that the Mayor's Report for the month of November 2024 be placed on file. Then President Mickavicz asked if the public had anything to say. 7 Councilman McKeel wanted to thank all DPW and Police Department for everything they did with the Santa Parade and DPW for all the work with the decorations throughout the town. Councilman DeAngelo wanted to thank DPW and Police force for all they do also. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Chairman Mickavicz also thanked Councilman DeAngelo for the nice decorations he has bought for the borough. Getting a loto ofcompliments how nice they are. Ihereby declare this meeting adjourned. Kenneth F. Mickavicz, President LuAnn Krenitsky, Secretary 8