CITY OF NANTICOKE SPOATURITE WORK SESSION and COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Call to Order: President, William Brown Pledge of Allegiance Invocation: City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito ROLL CALL: The following were present: Council Members, President, William Brown, Vice President, Joseph Nalepa, Joseph Dougherty, Kenneth James, Mark O'Connor, City Manager, Donna Wall, Finance Director/City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito, and Solicitor, Attorney William Finnegan. Attorney Finnegan apologized for the late start of the meeting due to an Executive Session was held to discuss personnel matters. WORK SESSION: New Business: (action Items) A motion to approve Ordinance #4 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 368-18 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to add two additional Quality of Life Violations, amending Chapter 368- 24(A) to increase certain fines and include two additional violations relative to sidewalk obstructions and prohibited occupancy in Rental Units, and amending Chapter 368-24 to add Section D to the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to provide for a separate offense for failure to abate the violation within the allotted time period. A motion to approve Ordinance #5 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 372-17(A)(3) of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to eliminate Section 372-17(A)(3)(b) relative to Housing Authority exemption and amending Chapter 372-18(D)(1)(d) of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to remove the language relative to permitted occupancy of two unrelated individuals. A motion to approve Ordinance #6 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 450-11 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to include a minimum fine for sidewalk obstructions within the City of Nanticoke. Ar motion to approve Ordinance #7 of 2025 (First Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke, amending Chapter 239 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to amend language to include Pods and Shipping Containers when referencing nonconstruction waste dumpsters, to amend Chapter 239 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to include private property as an additional permitted location for waste dumpsters, pods, and shipping containers to be placed within the City of Nanticoke, and to amend Chapter 239-2 to add definitions relative to pods, shipping containers and private property. A motion to approve Ordinance #8 of 2025 (First Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 450 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to repeal Article I and Article II and replace with a revised Article I of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances. A motion to approve Resolution #9 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council ofthe City of Nanticoke authorizing the sale of a 2001 Pierce Engine 1500/500 through the Pennsylvania COSTARS Program. AI motion to approve Resolution #10 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke authorizing the City Manager to submit the attached Traffic Signal Approval and future modifications either in writing or via electronic signature. A motion to approve Resolution #11 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council oft the City of Nanticoke declaring its intent to follow the schedules and procedures as set forth in the Municipal Records Manual approved on December 16, 2008 and amended on March 28, 2019. A motion to approve Resolution #12 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Pennsylvania, expressing opposition to Federal Legislation that would increase commercial truck size and weight limits. A Motion to approve the the Collective Bargaining Agreement (Jlanuary 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030) between the City of Nanticoke and the Local 2655 of the International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO-CLC. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: City Manager, Donna Wall had the following updates for Council: 1. The bids for demolition of 420 E. Washington Street, Nanticoke were opened today and the lowest bidder will be awarded by the Lower South Valley Landbank on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. 2. We are making progress on the demolition of the church on Prospect Street that is in serious disarray. 3. The installation of the new sign at City Hall is now complete. The DPW department did a beautiful job on the stone work and saved the city money. A Motion was made by Councilmember Nalepa seconded by Councilmember Dougherty to adjourn the work session. Motion carried unanimously. REGULAR MEETING Comments from the Public agenda items only. Mr. Frank Mizdale asked how much can the city get on the sale of the old fire truck and Chief Boncal replied approximately $60,000. Councilmember James asked what is the condition of the truck and Chief Boncal replied it has been properly maintained and it is in Fair condition. Chief Boncal stated it would be great for someone in need of parts for an old engine or a Fire Department that needs a starter engine until they can afford a new one. Old Business None New Business A Motion to approve the minutes from the April 16, 2025 Work Session/Regular Council Meeting was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember James. Motion carried 4-0. President William Brown abstained. A Motion to approve the payment of the bills in the total amount of $719,962.43 [(Payrolls) $343,299.31 (Accounts Payable) $376,663.12) was made by Councilmember Nalepa seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #4 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council oft the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 368-18 oft the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to add two additional Quality of Life Violations, amending Chapter 368-24(A) to increase certain fines and include two additional violations relative to sidewalk obstructions and prohibited occupancy in Rental Units, and amending Chapter 368-24 to add Section D to the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to provide for a separate offense for failure to abate the violation within the allotted time period was made by Councilmember James seconded by Councilmember Nalepa. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #5 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 372-17(A)(3) of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to eliminate Section 372-17(A)(3)(b) relative to Housing Authority exemption and amending Chapter 372-18(D)(1)(d) of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to remove the language relative to permitted occupancy of two unrelated individuals was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #6 of 2025 (Second Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 450-11 ofthe City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to include a minimum fine for sidewalk obstructions within the City of Nanticoke was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember James. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #7 of 2025 (First Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke, amending Chapter 239 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to amend language to include Pods and Shipping Containers when referencing nonconstruction waste dumpsters, to amend Chapter 239 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to include private property as an additional permitted location for waste dumpsters, pods, and shipping containers to be placed within the City of Nanticoke, and to amend Chapter 239-2 to add definitions relative to pods, shipping containers and private property was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #8 of 2025 (First Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Chapter 450 of the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances to repeal Article I and Article II and replace with a revised Article I oft the City of Nanticoke Code of Ordinances was made by Councilmember James seconded by Councilmember Nalepa. Motion carried unanimously. Ar motion to approve Resolution #9 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke authorizing the sale of a 2001 Pierce Engine 1500/500 through the Pennsylvania COSTARS Program was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember James. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Resolution #10 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke authorizing the City Manager to submit the attached Traffic Signal Approval and future modifications either in writing or via electronic signature was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously. AI motion to approve Resolution #11 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke declaring its intent to follow the schedules and procedures as set forth in the Municipal Records Manual approved on December 16, 2008 and amended on March 28, 2019 was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Resolution #12 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Pennsylvania, expressing opposition to Federal Legislation that would increase commercial truck size and weight limits was made by Councilmember James seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously. A Motion to approve the the Collective Bargaining Agreement (January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2030) between the City of Nanticoke and the Local 2655 of the International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO-CLC was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember James. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - Ms. Juliana Zarzycki of Seneca Drive stated her street is in crumbles and wanted to know when her street is going to be paved. President Brown asked City Manager, Donna Wall to add her street to the list of Roads that need re-paving. Mr. Thomas Brown complained about Mascaro picking up the Dumpster trash at Eastside Apartments at 3:30 = 4:30 am on Tuesdays and Fridays. City Manager, Donna Wall stated Dumpsters are privately contracted and do not fall under our Refuse ordinance for time to start pick up. Attorney Finnegan replied he will look into the City's noise ordinance to see if the ordinance will prohibit them from picking up the trash in dumpsters at that time of morning. Mr. Thomas stated 393/395 E. Grand Street is like a junk yard and the Code Officer has been made aware of this 8 months ago. Donna stated Jonathan was there to ask the resident to clean up the yard. Mark Boncal stated he will go there and take a look at it. Mr Thpmas complained about his neighbor who loved to feed the squirrels and pigeons. Mr. Thomas stated he has trapped over 34 squirrels and relocated them to game lands and there are peanut shells and pigeon poop is everywhere. Chief Mark Boncal had the following updates: -May 20th the new Ladder Truck will have its final inspection and arrive sometime in June. Chief Boncal thanked Mayor and Council for working with him to upgrade the apparatus. -May 21st & May 22nd, the fire department will be doing ladder and hose testing on the fire trucks sO Ridge Street from Market to Prospect will be closed during testing. - The week of May 19th Firehouse Concessions, formerly Firehouse Subs, will be here with a new menu of items. Proceeds benefit Pioneer Hook and Ladder Volunteer Firefighters. -Tucker Crawford was sworn in as a volunteer firefighter today. Correspondence None Announcements- The City of Nanticoke's Annual Big Bang is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025 (Rain Date Sunday, June 29, 2025). The City is now accepting applications for craft and food vendors. The Vendor Application can be obtained at City Hall during business hours, on the City's Facebook Page and Website or email Jennifer at polto@nanticokeclycon and she will email you an application. The City-Wide Yard Sale is Scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2025 (Rain Date is Sunday, May 18, 2025. The city will post a list of addresses participating in the yard sale on the city's Facebook page. Please call (570) 735-2800 ext. 101 if you would like your address added to the list by Wednesday May 14, 2025. Councilmember Comments- Vice President Nalepa wanted to shout out to all the volunteers, DPW department, Mayor and his wife and the Conservation Club for a great job with the Earth Day Clean-up. Mr. Nalepa thanked Grateful Roast for supplying the volunteers with coffee and muffins. Mr. Nalepa stated the DPW department did a great job on the sign at city hall. Councilmember James stated the Gary Gronkowski and the Conservation Club has organized the Earth Day Clean-up for many years and thanked everyone who attended to help. Mr. James thanked the Rick and DPW department for the great job on the sign. Councilmember Dougherty stated the sign looks great and Mr. Gary Gronkowski always helps out with the clean-up. Councilmember O'Connor also thanked all who were involved with the Earth Day Clean-up. President Brown had no further comments. Meeting Adjournment- Councilmember Dougherty made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember James, roll call. Motion carried unanimously. President Brown wished everyone a good night and reminded everyone that May 20th is Election Day. Meeting adjourned at 6:38 pm. Next Meeting: Work Session/Council Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 2025 @ 6:00 pm. City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito