November 5, 2019 Page 1 PABB01702 MINUTES Bloomfield Borough Councit November 5, 2019 Bloomfield Borough Council met this evening in regular session in the Bloomfield Borough Council Chambers with the following Council members present: President Malinda C. Anderson, Eric S. Berger, James A. Woods and Alex M. Bender. Vice President John J. Patterson V and Councilman Karl L. Cless had excused absences. Also present: Secretary Danielle Shope, Assistant Secretary Kathleen Miller, Borough Employee Damon Hartman, Borough Employee. Jacob Morrison, Mayor Arlis Krammes, HRG Borough engineer Michael T. Postick, Solicitor Richard Wagner, Bloomfield Borough Planning Commission Melanie Rowlands, BEO Harry Nazzaro, Attorney Randy Zimmerman and wife Nancy, residents Ryan and Susanne Woolever, and Brenten Dum. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEETING OPENING Recording of the Meeting - President Anderson advised the attendees that the meeting was being recorded by the Council for the accuracy oft the minutes and stated that side conversations should be conducted in the hallway SO as to not disrupt the meeting or its recording and reminded everyone that talking when someone else is speaking also disrupts the meeting and affects the recording. President Anderson further requested that those individuals in the audience desiring to speak during Public Comment identify themselves prior to speaking and they have 3 minutes to present their concern. Individuals have 10 minutes to present their concern ift they are on the agenda. President Anderson stated that Council will not deviate from the agenda and any questions should be addressed during the appropriate portion of the meeting. Approval of Minutes Councilman Woods made a motion, seconded by Councilman Berger, to approve the October 1, 2019 minutes as presented. Motion carried. Approval of Budget Minutes Councilman Woods made a motion, seconded by Councilman Berger, to approve the October 21, 2019 budget minutes. Approval of Financial Report Councilman Berger made a motion, seconded by Councilman Bender, to approve the financial report for October 2019 as presented. Motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. ENFORCEMENT Solicitor's Report Solicitor Wagner reported the pump station subdivision plan that was presented was rejected and the appropriate notice went out to the developer. The time for which to file an appeal has expired so; at this point, the matter is moot. It will probably be revisited when the new council comes in. November 5, 2019 Page 2 PABB01703 There was a hearing where the Court approved the reduction of Council from seven to five. This will be implemented one seat per election until it gets down to five. Solicitor Wagner stated that the final paperwork from the Perry County Courthouse should be received soon. Solicitor Wagner had stated at the beginning oft this year that he was going to ask not to be reappointed. He suggested Attorney Randall Zimmerman. Solicitor Wagner introduced Mr. Zimmerman and his wife, Nancy, from Mifflintown, PA. Mr. Wagner will work with Mr. Zimmerman for a smooth transition as a "no charge" courtesy to the Borough. Mr. Zimmerman spoke about his experiences in municipal law and etc. Councilman Woods, concerned about Mr. Zimmerman over-extending himself, asked how many municipalities he is currently representing. Right now, Mr. Zimmerman represents two boroughs and five townships. Mr. Zimmerman has no problem with coming to the monthly meetings. President Anderson made the motion to approve Mr. Randall Zimmerman as Bloomfield Borough Solicitor, seconded by Councilman Eric Berger. Motion carried. President Anderson invited Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman to the Borough tree lighting ceremony and next month's meeting. Enforcement Committee Report Counçilman Berger had no report. President Anderson stated she is still working with a town resident in the removal of his demolished shed debris and he is cooperating, Mayor's Report Mayor Krammes mentioned the Halloween Parade was a success. The banners have been placed for the Veteran's Parade and will stay out for Veterans Day. Wayne Lesher asked her permission for a dumpster at Main and Apple until his rental apartment is cleaned out. Mayor Krammes reported there were two parking tickets given in October and both were paid. Mayor Krammes then performed the oath ofoffice ceremony for the new Parking Enforcement Officer Susanne Woolever. Borough Enforcement Officer's Report - BEO Nazzaro reported the month was busy with events. The Halloween Parade had no issues. The Veteran's Day parade went well except for some parking issues on Barnett Woods Road. He believes Council should have placed "No Parking" signs in this area. The blocking offt the Square the day before was accomplished without a problem. He managed to calm things down between a female juvenile's father and the male juvenile who was bullying her. The male's father promised to deal with his son's behavior and Mr. Nazzaro advised the female' 's dad to contact the school since the behavior also occurs there. Mr. Nazzaro contacted a landlord due to a rental property's tenants continuing to put trash out too early despite warning. He issued several warnings for trash and old mattresses at a few properties. He spoke to people multiple times after watchingj juveniles abusing park property. He responded to a dead deer call and contacted the Game Commission to have it removed. He testified at Court regarding a loose dog from 39 West High Street. These residents continue to receive citations for the dog running loose; also, the owner was cited for animal cruelty for throwing the dog on the ground. This resident and his wife have been charged with stealing pumpkins from the Square outside the Perry County Café. There was a reported attempted break in at Join Hands and the security cameras took good pictures. There were several reports regarding rental properties including a rental that smells like weed or marijuana and loud noise that can be heard through the common wall. He and several Councilpersons responded to a tree down on South Carlisle Street. The tree was removed. ADMINISTRATIVE Announcements and Correspondence President Anderson announced the budget Meeting was held October 21, 2019. Councilman Bender stated the increase in health insurance will be approximately 7%. Bloomfield Borough had $600 budgeted to be a participating member with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. There are three tiers to the plan. $600 is the first tier. President Anderson suggested Council should go with the second tier which would be $1,200 thus giving the Borough more review hours from the Tri-County Planning Commission. She suggested this because ofthe possible November 5, 2019 Page 3 PABB01704 development ofthe Morrow farm and Carson Long. Borough Engineer Postick agreed this would bé prudent. Councilman Woods made the motion to increase this budget item from $600 to $1,200.00 to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, seconded by Councilman Berger. Motion carried. President Anderson stated she and Mrs. Shope, Borough Secretary, participated in a conference call with the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System. They are in the process of updating their contracts with all municipalities within the state. The Borough has to file an ordinance which will be sent to the newspaper on November 14, 2019 to allow for the two weeks of advertising. This will inform the public that the Borough is going to make the changes to their municipal retirement system. This will be voted on at the December 3, 2019 meeting. Water Authority Report - Mr. Albright was absent but President Anderson stated the groundbreaking dedication for Well #3 was performed October 18, 2019. Planning Commission Report Ms. Rowlands reported the Planning Commission submitted changes for zoning fees to Council for the budgeting process. They submitted draft language for changes to the zoning ordinance but after various discussions this needs to be reworked and brought up to state code regulations. She is working on this task. They had an informational meeting with the representative from Talmudic University who submitted two sets of plans for potential development of the former Carson Long Academy property which is on the east side of North Carlisle Street. Some were low density plans and some a combination of single family and town homes with a home owners association. Planning will be a big area in 2020. Zoning/Permit Officer's Report - Mr. Albright was not present but he asked President Anderson to state that he issued four permits in the month of October. One was no fee, one for a detached porch roof, one for solar panels and one for the demolition oft the house at 18 West Barnett Street. Administrative Committee Report - Councilman Cless was absent but his written report states: He spent several hours searching the borough building to find a possible water leak. A small toilet in a closet of the Diakon office was leaking. With that repaired, the problem of a huge water bill appears to be solved. Councilman Cless testified at a court hearing held October 23, 2019 regarding a recent petition submitted by Bloomfield Borough Council for the reduction of council members from seven to five. President Anderson, Vice President Patterson and Solicitor Wagner also attended this hearing. Judge Morrow rendered a favorable ruling to allow the reduction. Councilman Cless repaired the lock on the scout room door as one of the leaders had broken off the door key. He had two more spare keys made for the borough office lockbox and requested the scout leader have a new personal key made. Mr. Cless reviewed the borough building for compliance to ADA standards per request by Zoning Officer Albright. This was necessary to complete a USDA loan for the new water well. An official from COG-BIU accompanied the inspection and pointed out deficiencies as he saw it. Further review and action may be necessary. A bad spot in the center section of the Borough Building roof was discovered during a recent inspection. He requested a quote from Fisher Roofing to replace that portion oft the roof and it came in at $13,000 - $15,000. Spring 2020 replacement is anticipated. This was funded in the new budget. Councilman Cless installed a new internet modem from CenturyLink to provide an alternative internet ISP should Nittany Media' 's server be offline denying access by the secretary to complete her daily work tasks. He also repaired a computer problem with the borough Tax Collector's email account. The ballfield fence installation was completed on November 4, 2019 with the invoice for the balance due given to the Borough secretary for payment. November 5, 2019 Page 4 PABB01705 FEMA/PEMA Report Councilman Cless's written report stated he received a communication from FEMA to attend ai training seminar for Floodplain Managers to be held November 14, 2019 in Chambersburg, PA. Registration was required. PCBA/COG - Mr. Albright was absent SO there was no report. Capital Tax Collection Bureau Report - Councilman Cless's written report stated the board met on October 16, 2019 in Bloomfield Borough Council Chambers to review and approve disbursements to municipalities, the most recent audit, most recent bills and to elect new officers. Mr. Cless was appointed to the Appeals Board should future action be necessary. AESTHETICS Aesthetics Committee Report Councilman Woods thanked the Mayor, and Borough employees Damon and Jacob for putting up the decorations for the Veterans Day Parade which went well. The Christmas tree will be coming November 25, 2019 with the tree lighting service to be held December 1, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. President Anderson stated more programs and song books are being printed. She also stated thank you notes are going to be sent to the local businesses that allowed the town to hang buntings on their establishments. FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND SAFETY Finance. Insurance & Safety Report - Vice President Patterson was absent, sO there was no report. Grants No report. Personnel Committee Report- Councilman Bender reported there was an issue that arose on Face Book with a group called Perry County Talk criticizing and harassing the Borough's Code Enforcement Officer. Councilman Bender expressed his disgust about all the comments. He read the BEO job description for the record. Councilman Bender took these comments personally because he feels it is Council' s duty to protect our Borough employees. President Anderson stated that after conferring with the Borough Solicitor about this issue, the Borough may bring criminal charges against two of the perpetrators. Iti is still actively being pursued. The Council thanked Mr. Nazzaro for his service. President Anderson stated that sO many people comment on how nice a town New Bloomfield is and it is sO because we have ordinances and Mr. Nazzaro to enforce these ordinances. RIGHTS OF WAY. & OTILITIES Rights of Way & Utilities Committee Report - Vice President Patterson was absent sO no report. ADA Sidewalks HRG Engineer Mike Postick commented on the ADA sidewalks. The green light was given to the second contractor bid and will now be told to proceed. Dates should be ready by the December meeting or before SO letters can be sent out to any property owners affected by the construction oft these ADA sidewalks. HRG will send out these letters. President Anderson stated that each Council member was handed a Capital Improvement Plan by Mr. Postick at the beginning of the meeting. At the budget meeting, it was discussed that New Bloomfield will be the only municipality in Perry County that will fund a Capital Improvement Plan. They will set aside, by ordinance, every January a certain amount of money for the future in anticipation of needs that November 5, 2019 Page5 PABB01706 might develop in the Borough that would involve the sewer plant, roads, infrastructure, lighting, etc. that might arise in the next five years. Engineer Postick explained and discussed this draft plan more in detail and asked for any additional recommendations to the plan by Council members. President Anderson asked ifan ordinance needed to be put in the paper about this plan. She will contact Solicitor Wagner ifthis item needs a resolution and therefore an ordinance placed in the paper. More discussion followed. CLOSING COMMENTS There being no further business, upon motion by Councilman Woods, seconded by Councilman Bender, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 3, 2019 for a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Kattten mulhi Kathleen Miller, Assistant Secretary