DAUPHIN BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES March 4, 2025 Council meeting came to order at 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL Council President Brian Cuddy Council Vice-President Kevin Musselman Councilman Pro Tem George Bechtel Councilman David Grbich - Not Present Councilman Christopher Smith Councilwoman Kathryn Burton - Not Present Councilman Steve Harris Jr. Council Member Jocelyn Long Mayor Michael McKenna Treasurer Cindy Long Administrator/Secretany Linda Durgin - Not Present Public Comments Ar moment of silence was taken to honor former Councilwoman Shirley Kannegieser, who recently passed away, for her commitment to the Dauphin Community and service on Council for many years. Brennen Kaye of 604 Erie Street discussed how she can see debris at Veterans Memorial Park from her front window. She is concerned that this is a public safety hazard, the property is being used as a dumping ground, and that the property is not being preserved as stated in the deed. Photos of the dumping and a copy oft the deed were passed around for Council. Ms. Kaye stated that there is a need to preserve the integrity of the park. Emily Rosmus of 713 Charles Road is an environmental educator. She provided facts regarding the current state of the park and its environmental impact. The waste is polluting the park, it disrupts the acidity of soil affecting ground water and PH, work needs to be completed for the ability to replant the area, the debris has caused tree roots to die, some of the fill has introduced numerous invasive species and discourages native wildlife, and degradation of the park is encouraging further environmental issues. She also pointed out that the park is a stopover point for migratory birds. Heather Freeland of 2150 Clarks Valley Rd is al lifelong resident of Dauphin and has used the parks over the years for walks and youth activities. She is concerned that picnicking is no longer encouraged and that the park looks like a parking lot and dumping site rather than a park. Joe Herbstrit of 604 Erie Street shared concerns about public safety. The park is used by baseballsoftball players. The area of Veterans Memorial Park where the fill was placed is approximately 10 feet wide by 16 feet high and is a vertical wall of material that is unstable. There is a lot of woody debris, concrete material, asphalt materials, then earth and fill. Mr. Herbstrit discussed PA chapter 102 which recommends a 3-to-1 slope for stability and encouraged Borough Council to look into a reasonable way to restore that slope and provide stability for something that is safer in the area. David Ertel of 289 Riverview Terrace was at a Borough Council meeting 2 years ago to speak about the same issue. Mr. Ertel stated that, based on GPS coordinates, the dump site is 218 feet long and the width varies 20 to 40 feet. It is 101 feet down and, in some places, up to 15 to 20 feet. This can be seen on google earth. The degradation has caused cliffs that could cause a bad injury if anyone fell. Mr. Ertel spoke to DEP and showed pictures to a representative. The DEP representative said DEP would come to look at it, it just needs to be reported. He suggested that the Borough deed the land to the Park. Authority which would allow them to use the land toward grant efforts. Kevin Macomber of 1140 Riverview Road spoke as a disabled Veteran of the community. He stated that the Borough could be facing a legal issue due to a deed that is clearly being violated. Council has knowledge of the condition and has not acted upon it to stop it, bringing liability issues and displaying negligence. Mr. Macomber suggested finding a group of concerned citizens that would like to help. Brennen Kaye made closing comments requesting the Council to take immediate action. Steady progress of this issue has been carefully documented by concerned citizens. Citizens are requesting that Council preserve the integrity of the park, requesting immediate cease of use for dumping, and would like to know a timeframe for when this problem will be rectified. Council President Cuddy expressed appreciation for the residents' thoughts and concerns about the area. With Veterans on council, as a whole, Council does consider this a special and sacred place. Explained that when Mr. Ertel presented to Council before the dedication ceremony, concerns were heard and the Borough took action up to the date of the dedication ceremony, at which many Council members were present. A chain is up to prevent vehicles and additional dumping, and the Borough gave directive to employees to no longer dump there. The Borough has found an alternative location for dumping and all dumping activity at the park has ceased. Cuddy said remedial efforts could be made; Council has not looked into that as of yet but would very much look to the community for assistance. It is important for the community to know that Council does not look at that as a dump site. This item will remain on the agenda as we continue to work toward through clean up efforts. Don Fager of 1250 Mountainview Boulevard walks by Memorial Park. He stated that the solar lights are outdated, and the flag is torn. He is requesting for these items to be replaced. Council President Cuddy asked Ryan to put the replacement of the flag and solar light on the schedule this week. Mayor McKenna expressed his appreciation for the amount of people that came out and made a presence. Dwayne Sherksnas of 404 Riverview Terrace, along with neighbors, Cory and Jaylene Ferree of 408 Riverview Terrace, reported a sewage blockage at property. Council is in receipt of a letter and timeline of events. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree called H.L. Bowman who took a camera down the pipe. H.L. Bowman thought that the main or lateral collapsed. They could not see with camera and scheduled dig for the next morning. Due to the depth of the pipe, additional equipment needed to be rented, and a second dig scheduled. The lateral was jetted out down to main and cleaned out. In the pictures, there were roots that came through the sewage main. H.L. Bowman reached out to Troy and Ryan and provided footage, stating that the mains need to be jetted out. A: secondary company was in to look at those lines. Mr. and Mrs. Ferree opened up an insurance claim. Their policy covered $9,180 of the cost. They are now looking for compensation from the Borough due to the issue being with the main. Council President Cuddy confirmed that Council has the letter and supporting documents from the residents. Council will review with engineer and additional partners and will get back to the residents within a few weeks. Acceptance of Minutes A motion made by Councilman Bechtel and seconded by Councilman Harris to accept the Minutes of the February 4, 2025; Borough Council Meeting was passed unanimously. Dauphin Borough/Middle Paxton Township EMC Report Mayor McKenna has been monitoring the ice on the river. There is no concern of water rising and the Borough is not in any state of danger or alarming status. Joint Fire Commission Report Councilman Musselman reported that there were 18 fire calls in February. Bingo is doing well. The annual recognition banquet ceremony will be at the Harrisburg County Club on April 4, 2025. Donations are coming in and are around $9,000 for the year. Parks and Recreation Report Councilman Bechtel was at Middle Paxton Township's meeting, and it was announced that April 12 will be opening day at the ballparks. Mayor McKenna may be making a speech. Team introductions start at 12:00. Engineer's Report Mike Keffer discussed the sewer blockage; Troy is in the process of getting a crew back with. specialty equipment to do more observation of the lines. The sewer lines date back to the 1960s or 1970s. There are three other houses that are connected to the old line. The line was never changed when the Riverview Terrace project was done. Most of the flow of the line gets cut off on Claster and goes down behind the park. There is a huge root blockage. Council President Cuddy is looking for recommendation or analysis to get the main fixed and flowing, and how it relates to the Ferree's request as to whether that was the cause of their problem. Did the issues with our main cause their problems to the point that it would require the Borough to act on part of their reimbursement? Met with LDI. LDI is willing to help with application for a grant and requested assistance with an estimate of the cost of activities for the grant to include new equipment and electrical work in the plant. The estimate is being developed. The LDI project is being pursued with the need of a signed agreement. Follow- up information will come when the agreement is ready for signature. McNaughton asked for Borough's input on the capacity in plant for treating sewage from their properties. Light-Heigel completed information on their sheet with Borough input; however, there are a few things McNaughton still has to do yet. Chapter 94 report needs to be signed tonight to be submitted to DEP by end of March. Soft digs coming up on High Street to look for bedrock for the construction of the new High Street line. Waiting for better weather. Solicitor's Report AH hearing took place last Thursday about the 5 citations against Mr. Johnson. The Judge found Mr. Johnson guilty on all citations and awarded the Borough a little over $8,200. Additional comments related to ongoing litigation will be kept for executive session. Executive Session will take place at the end of the meeting. Mayor's Report A quote was provided to Council for radios. Troy and Ryan's radios are no longer working properly. Mayor McKenna is suggesting CB radios in the trucks. The quote provided is per truck. Portable radios can go between $6,000 and $9,000. The CB radios would be a more cost-effective way to provide radios until we can get grant money to pay for better radios. Additional discussion took place regarding the use of the radios, how effective they are if only usable while in the vehicle, the current state of the portable radios that Troy and Ryan are using, and the potential for new portable radios to allow Borough employees to communicate with both Middle Paxton Township employees and the Fire Company. It seems that the largest use of radios occurs during plowing season. Mayor McKenna will research some grant opportunities sO the Borough Council can reconsider this in the fall. Mayor McKenna asked about the possibility of revisiting the boat ramp to address the slope and the drop off at the end of it. He is looking to regrade the slope to a point to make it easier for the fire engine to be able to back down and draft water out of the river in the event there would be a fire on River Road. Council President Cuddy said we can revisit the ramp if Mayor McKenna will draft a design. Ryan will talk to Troy to see if there is anything they can do. Sewer Delinquency / Rental Property Reports No questions. Treasurer's Report Ar motion to accept the February 2025 Treasurer's Report was made by Councilman Smith, seconded by Councilman Harris and passed unanimously. Unfinished Business Council President Cuddy stated that there are no updates for the New Community Building. We will be reentering the grant pool shortly. 511 High Street will be discussed under executive session. New Business Resolution 2025-1 - Emergency Operations Plan of Dauphin County. This resolution is signed every two years. Iti is regarding the assistance the county provides during large disasters. It establishes the link between local municipalities, the county, and state government incorporating the organizational concepts of the national response framework. Iti is a functional "all hazards" approach to manage assistance the county is likely to need or provide during a large or complex disaster. AI motion to accept Resolution 2025-01 as described was made by Councilman Bechtel, seconded by Councilman Musselman and passed unanimously. Solicitor Statler reviewed the Code of Ordinances with regard to the Emergency Management Coordinator. The Administration Chapter states that the Emergency Management Coordinator is a joint effort between Middle Paxton Township and Dauphin Borough. The appointee of the Township becomes the Coordinator, the appointee of the Borough becomes the Deputy. If someone is willing to serve as the Deputy, the Borough will put them on the agenda for official appointment. Mayor McKenna is currently looking for a Deputy. Correspondence None Committee Reports Administration = Cuddy, Bechtel, Grbich The Finance Committee met at the end of February. We are currently two months into the new year, and we are in line with the budget and spending. Public Works - Musselman, Smith Councilmen Musselman and Smith thanked Ryan and Troy for snow removal, they did a great job. The current salt supply will last throughout this year. Community Affairs = Burton, Harris Councilwoman Burton is waiting on a reply about a dog ordinance. Councilman Harris provided Councilwoman Burton with additional information to include in ordinance. Junior Council Person = Jocelyn Long No report for this month. Looking into projects to discuss at next month's meeting. ADJOURNMENT FROM COUNCIL The public meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m. A motion to adjourn the public meeting was made by Councilman Musselman, seconded by Councilman Bechtel and passed unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION Executive Session began at 8:35p.m. The subject under discussion was on-going litigation. Council meeting did not resume after the Executive Session. Attest: Approved: Cynthia Long Brian Cuddy Acting Administrator/Secretany President, Borough Council