Borough of Sykesville Council Meeting April 7, 2025 The regularly scheduled meeting of the Sykesville Borough Council was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance by Vice President Elaine Fike. In attendance were Elaine Fike, Vice President; Nate Alvetro, President ProTem; Council Members: Ron Morris, Don Reid, Gabriel "Butch" Sweka; Mayor Gail Cunningham; Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito. Absent were President Michele Yamrick and Counciwoman Sherry Pruzinsky. Visitors were Brian Williams (Crew Foreman). VISITORS CONCERNS: No visitor concerns. CORRESPONDENCE A building permit was presented to Council for installing a new single wide on piers and block at 209 Edith Street (Tori Frantz). After a brief discussion and further review, a motion was made by Councilman Don Reid and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka for Secretary Neale to sign and forward the application to Pennsate. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: A motion to approve March 17, 2025, Council minutes was made by President ProTem Nathan Alvetro and seconded by Councilman Butch Sweka. Motion carried. Solicitor Nicholas Gianvito presented a revised legal engagement letter from his law office for approval of epresenting/disting in the 2025-S1 stormsewer replacement project and explaining his fees for his legal services. This was approved at the last meeting and is the same exact letter, however, PennVest wanted a dollar amount for fees not expecting to exceed a sum amount ("Ido not expect my fees, including those to date, to exceed the sum of $18,000). A motion was made by Councilman Ron Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve and sign the revised legal engagement. Motion carried. Solicitor Gianvito received the updated engineering documents on March 31st which he forwarded to the United States Postal service, their engineer/archtect, and their real estate manager for further review. Solicitor Gianvito expressed the urgency for their review/approval as settlement date is still scheduled for April 30th. 1 Solicitor Gianvito informed Council that the documents that were provided from the railroad were not notarized and without notary he cannot file with the Recorder of Deeds. He was told by the railroad that they typically do not file any easements (which you must). He is waiting for the revised easements and is hoping to have them by the next Council Meeting. CREW FOREMAN REPORT: Foreman Brian Williams requested to order mulch to finish the parks (discussed last meeting). Council discussed and decided to finish mulching Stahl Park. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Reid to order another 40 yards of mulch from Woodbed Corp. Motion carried. Attached is a list of roads that oreman Williams suggests tarring and chipping. The total estimate is $38,495. Councilman Reid stated that the alley behind Fox's needs attention. Council requested Foreman Williams to get an estimate for paving the entire alleyway behind Fox's Pizza Den. Discussion tabled until next meeting. COMITTEE REPORTS: Public Works: President ProTem Nate Alvetro informed Council that all the roads have been swept by the City of DuBois and certain areas by the Borough Crew. He stated that if there is an area(s) missed, notify the office or Borough Crew. President ProTem Alvetro received a complaint about a gutter (12 ft.) hanging on Bob Buriak's building. He called Mr. Buriak, and it was taken down the following day. The Borough Crew purchased some coal patch and are hoping to patch roads this week. Finance/Personne: A motion was made by Counciman Sweka and seconded by President ProTem Nate Alvetro to accept and pay J&M Accounting & Tax Services Inc. $1,218.30 for their monthly retainer for March 2025. Motion carried. An invoice for $8,958.95 was presented from JHA Companies for the upcoming stormwater project. A motion was made by Councilman Reid and seconded by Councilman Sweka to transter $8,958.95 from the Sludge Removal Account to 2 the General Fund Account and pay that amount to JHA Companies from the General Fund. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve Michael Gamble's paid time off for March 12 (4 hours). Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve Michael Gamble's paid time off for March 20th. Motion carried. A motion was made by Councilman Morris and seconded by Councilman Sweka to approve Brian Williams paid time off for March 26th. Motion carried. Ordinance, Health & Safety Nothing to report. Utilities: Nothing to report. Parks, Recreation and Planning: Councilman Ron Morris asked if opening/closing and cleaning of the Stahl Park will be handled the same as last year with Secretary Neale and Secretary Walker in charge. Secretary Neale informed that herself and Monica do not mind opening/closing the park if that is what Council wanted. Council agreed to let the secretaries continue to take care of Stahl Park. Councilman Morris stated that the dumpsters delivered at the park are side by side at the end of London Street. Secretary Neale will call Hugill's and have them move the one dumpster to the other side. Foreman Williams asked Council if they wanted him to order nets for the basketball court. Council informed him to purchase chain nets. President Prolem Alvetro informed that the first baseball practice will start the second week of May Monday-Inuisday. The first game is May 12th, and the last game will be on June 12th. 3 Police, Mayor, Fire, Code Enforcement: Councilman Morris informed that the house oeside Al Drexler's old house has various junk vehicles and people have started complaining. Mayor Gail Cunningham informed council that she contacted the Sheriff's Office, and they approved to provide one deputy for the Run/Walk event held this Sunday. Secretary Neale provided Mayor Cunningham with Pat Mowrey's number to go over details about the event (times, etc.). Solicitor Gianvito: Nothing to report. NEW BUSINESS: A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Reid to continuing allowing garbage customers to pay 11 months upfront to receive the 12th month free (only valid for the month of July). Motion carried. This will be printed on the water/garbage bills. Counciman Reid asked if we receive any other bids with insurance agencies and ifit is done yearly. Secretary Neale informed council that Anderson & Kime collects bids and confirmed that it is done yearly. She also informed that the Borough is currently grandmothered into the policy we have now. Vice President Elaine Fike informed that Judy Simmons is operating a beauty shop out of her home. Foreman Williams and Secretary Neale informed that she will be charged for the business fee moving forward. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Council went into an executive session to discuss personnel matters at 7:36 P.M. ACTION AFTER XECUTIVE SESSION: Council reconvened from executive session at 7:44 P.M. A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Morris to increase Nick Yamrick's hourly wage by 25 cents effective April 14, 2025. Motion carried. 4 A motion was made by Councilman Sweka and seconded by Councilman Morris to increase Jaysa Neale's hourly wage by 25 cents effective April 7, 2025. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Butch Sweka and seconded by Councilman Ron Morris. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Mele Fype Jaysa Neale Borough Secretary/reasurer 5