CITY OF NANTICOKE WORK SESSION and COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Call to Order: Vice President, Joseph Nalepa Pledge of Allegiance Invocation: City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito ROLL CALL: The following were present: Council Members, Vice President Joseph Nalepa, Joseph Dougherty, Kenneth James via telephone, Mark O'Connor, City Manager, Donna Wall, Finance Director/City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito, and Solicitor, Attorney William Finnegan. Excused: President William Brown. WORK SESSION: New Business: (action Items) A motion to authorize an actuarial study for Police sick buy back for last three years of their employment and years of service increments. A motion to approve Ordinance #4 of 2025 (First 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 (First 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 (First 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. A motion to approve Resolution #8 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Resolution NO. 14 of 2022 to include amendments to Residential Permit Fees and Miscellaneous Residential and Commercial Fees. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES: Mayor Kevin Coughlin has submitted the March 2025 Department Reports for Council's review and Jennifer Polito has posted them on the City's website at www.nanticokeciycom, City Manager, Donna Wall had the following updates for Council: 1. The new Lower South Valley COG Fueling Station is now up and running. City employees will be trained this week. By purchasing fuel from the fueling station, there will be a significant savings on fuel costs. 2. A meeting was held with the County regarding the closure ofthe bridge in our Council Chambers today. Vice President Nalepa stated everyone who attended the meeting was here to make sure the bridge is replaced and a subcommittee will be formed to oversee the project that will take approximately 5 to 7 years. Donna Wall stated an RFP has gone out for the project's engineering and the County has submitted 3 of the 5 firms to PennDOT. PennDOT has been asked to change the light loop timing at Main & Kosciuszko Streets to control the backup of traffic on Main Street. Mr. Karl Schneikert asked if the bridge will be rebuilt in the same spot as the old one and Donna Wall responded, we do not know the answer to that question right now. A Motion was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor to adjourn the work session. Motion carried unanimously. REGULAR MEETING Comments from the Public agenda items only. Mr. Mike Marcella asked who is looking to buy back time and Donna stated the Police Department. Mr. Frank Mizdale asked what is a sidewalk obstruction in the ordinance and Attorney Finnegan stated something not temporary in nature. Mr. John Telencho asked what does permitted occupancy mean in the ordinance and Attorney Finnegan stated the wording does not make any sense sO we are removing it. Ms. Lynn Knight asked if vehicles were allowed to part on sidewalks and Attorney Finnegan stated No. Ms. Knight asked about trash cans left out after pick up because she sees it in neighborhood all the time and Attorney Finnegan stated we have an ordinance thar addresses the storage of trash cans. Vice President Nalepa stated we will have Jonathan look into the issue. Ms. Knight asked if 23 people living in a house on Kosciuszko Street is legal and Donna Wall replied the mayor had Jonathan go to that house to look into the complaint. Old Business None New Business A Motion to approve the minutes from the April 2, 2025 Work Session/Regular Council Meeting was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously. A Motion to approve the payment of the bills in the total amount of $406,146.99 [(Payrolls) $135,394.18 (Accounts Payable) $270,752.81) was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously A motion to authorize an actuarial study for Police sick buy back for last three years oftheir employment and years of service increments was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously A motion to approve Ordinance #4 of 2025 (First Reading), an Ordinance of the City Council oft 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. was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Ordinance #5 of 2025 (First 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 O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously. AI motion to approve Ordinance #6 of 2025 (First 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 was made by Councilmember Dougherty seconded by Councilmember O'Connor. Motion carried unanimously. A motion to approve Resolution #8 of 2025, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Nanticoke amending Resolution NO. 14 of 2022 to include amendments to Residential Permit Fees and Miscellaneous Residential and Commercial Fees was made by Councilmember O'Connor seconded by Councilmember Dougherty. Motion carried unanimously. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC - Ms. Lynn Knight of 270 Honey Pot Street asked why does City Council not want term limits. Vice President Nalepa stated that President Brown felt that when this question was on the last ballot there was a lot of confusion on the wording which caused voters to vote incorrectly and no other local municipalities have term limits. Ms. Knight asked why Mark O'Connor was chosen to fill Lesley's seat instead of Mike or John when Lesley could not fill her seat? Vice President Nalepa replied there is no rule that states we have to pick from the people who ran and lost the election. Ms. Knight asked if Jack Minsavage had Code Enforcement Certification when he was the City's Code Officer? Donna Wall stated Jack could only do code permits, no planning or zoning. Donna Wall stated Jack was qualified to do his job. Ms. Knight asked if he was qualified to approve a roof and Donna Wall replied she was not sure but she will look into it. Attorney Finnegan asked Ms. Knight if she has an issue with a property to go see Donna at City Hall instead of bringing these types of questions to Council. Mr. John Krieger stated he talked to Jack Minsavage and was told Jack took classes in Harrisburg to be certified. Donna Wall replied that anyone who is certified can be looked up on the State's website if current and not expired. Mr. Krieger asked if we can advertise a list of people who pulled permits in the city like it was done in the past. Vice President Nalepa replied that must have been a long time ago because he does not recall the city advertising a list and that would be expensive. Mr. Larry Beck thanked Chief Roke for the speed control; it is working. Mr. Mik Marcella water along access road is orange and DPW Foreman Rick Josefowicz said it was tested. Mr. Joe Renco stated water is pouring out of the Cocoa Hut. Councilmember Dougherty stated it has been happening for years. Mayor Coughlin wished everyone a Happy Easter and informed everyone thar former Councilmen Steve Duda passed away. Correspondence- None Announcements- City Hall will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025 in observance ofthe Easter Holiday. We wish everyone a Happy Easter 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 poltoenanto.eciycon 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. On April 26, 2025 the City of Nanticoke and the Nanticoke Conservation Club will be holding an Earth Day Clean Up Day. Anyone who would like to participate, please report to the LCCC Student Parking Lot by Weis Market at 8:00 am. Rain Date is May 3, 2025. Councilmember Comments- Vice President Nalepa stated he sends his condolences to President Brown and Councilmember James as they had deaths in their family. Councilmember James apologized for missing the meeting due to a death in his family. Mr. James is all good with what is decided with the bridge. Mr. James wishes everyone a Happy Easter. Councilmember Dougherty stated the meeting with the county was very productive and the pictures show why the bridge had to be closed. Mr. Dougherty wishes everyone a Happy Easter. Councilmember O'Connor wishes everyone a Happy Easter. Meeting Adjournment- Councilmember Dougherty made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember O'Connor, roll call. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:32 pm. Next Meeting: Work Session/Counci Meeting Wednesday, May 7, 2025 @ 6:00 pm. City Clerk, Jennifer W. Polito