HOME RULE BOROUGH OF EDINBORO
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
April 25, 2005
Call to Order:
The following Council members were present: Mayor H. Robert Cannell, Christopher Gillette, Clifford Allen, Robert Cogan, Mary Ann Horne, Greg Lucas, and Jean Davis, Also in attendance were: Tom Schruers, Public Works Director; Dave Zamierowski, Zoning Administrator; and Marie Lander, Assistant to the Manager. Guests included: Gary Johnson, The Meadville Tribune; Meredith Bauer; Lorie L. Bearfield; Scott M. Soltis; Rob Fisher; Susan Huff; Olive Corbett; Ella Pahls; Deanna Russell; Carol Johnson; A. Wright and Jon Foulkrod, Washington Township.
Mayor Cannell introduced the minutes from the regular Council meeting held April 11, 2005. Mary Ann Horne moved for approval of the minutes, and Clifford Allen seconded. The minutes were approved by a voice vote of 7-0.
Ella Pahls, 87 Penn Drive, Edinboro 16412. Ms. Pahls, the Director of the Edinboro Food Pantry, thanked Council and the Borough for housing the Food Pantry in the municipal building since 1982. She reported they had a dilemma because the Food Pantry needed more space. The Food Pantry’s needs have grown and continued to grow with service to 170 households, with eighty individuals coming each week to get one bag of food containing eleven items. Households with six or more people receive an extra bag.
Ms. Pahls explained that they needed to keep three weeks ahead in case they did not have something at the Second Harvest Food Bank or in case they did not have the funds to purchase items. The real problem was that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) told them they could not ask for proof of income to give out government food. This would possibly bring in more people since all they needed to do was write their names and addresses and give an assurance that they met the financial qualifications. If more people came, then they would need more food. With government food they needed more space, including another freezer, so they could keep one partially empty to defrost one at a time. They had to keep government food separate from regular food and off the floor on pallets. They also required space, two inches from the wall so they could rotate food, giving out the oldest first. Cleaning was also a problem with so much inventory and so little space.
Ms. Pahls informed Council that they had received a computer, a fax and a scanner. The Second Harvest Food Bank would like them to set up and fax orders back and forth, but with only two feet of space for the computer and printer, it was very hard to do that each week. When registering individuals, she used the hallway and recreation room downstairs, if it was available. The files and records needed to be kept for four years, and they also took up space. She asked if Council could do anything to get them more space.
Robert Cogan asked when the Food Pantry was open. Ms. Pahls informed him they distributed food to clients on Tuesday, and on Friday they collected the supplies. She stated that she needed space that could be locked. She felt the classroom once used by the autistic students was a possibility. Mr. Cogan volunteered the Borough fax for her use once a week until she found a solution to her problem.
Mayor Cannell turned this request over to the Streets, Building & Grounds Committee with Tom Schruers to look into the space, her needs, and the possibilities. Ms. Pahls was asked if she had investigated other area setups. Ms. Pahls informed them that Waterford and Cambridge were too small and Albion and Corry might have possible sites. Kip Allen thanked her and her Board for all they did, but he was wondering what residents she served. Mrs. Pahls stated it was the General McLane School District serving Edinboro, Washington Township, Franklin Township, McKean Township and some Cambridge Springs residents. Mr. Allen asked that the breakdown for those municipalities be obtained for Council. Mrs. Pahls stated that they also delivered to Edinlake Apartments and Chestnut Knolls Apartments to some of the handicapped. She informed them that the Board had talked to Dennis Porto, Washington Township, the Edinboro Mall, and the owner of the building that formerly housed Pots & Pansies, but nothing was affordable. Mr. Allen was wondering if Washington Township’s old building could be used. Ms. Pahls stated they went there three times and no space was available. Greg Lucas stated he would meet Ella Pahls tomorrow around 1:00 P.M. with Tom Schruers to discuss the problem further. Jean Davis asked what freezers they presently had. Mrs. Pahls stated she had three (3) freezers and two (2) refrigerators. Mr. Cogan asked what agency had informed her of these requirements. Mrs. Pahls stated the State Department of Agriculture, Mr. Guth. He did not give a timeline, but if this were not done, he would pull state food from them. Mayor Cannell stated they would explore whether or not they could help.
Lorie Bearfield, P.O. Box 542, Edinboro, PA 16412, was present to discuss the parking lot on Short Street. She had been talking with Northwest Savings Bank, which wanted to build downtown, but the frontage on her property was fifty-four (54) feet, and they needed seventy-five (75) feet of frontage. She was inquiring into the possibility of purchasing eighteen (18) feet of the parking lot. They needed enough space for a drive- through, and she had been talking to the bank’s representatives. The representatives had not contacted the Borough as quoted in the newspaper.
Ms. Bearfield stated that she also went to a local realtor in January 2005 after she purchased the Mill Street laundry and attached apartments. She was trying to get new businesses into the Borough. She asked the realtor to see what he could find and market the property for her. Without her knowledge, the realtor took the Erie representative of Northwest Savings Bank all over Washington Township looking at property. She stated that fifteen (15) years ago in 1990, she owned the parking lot under discussion, but it was turned over for $50,000.00 by Dr. Esper before the Borough acquired it through eminent domain. She wanted to see more happening downtown and wanted to know what the Council’s decision would be so she could contact Northwest Savings Bank regarding this location.
Greg Lucas asked Solicitor Marsh if it were legal to lease or sell the property. Solicitor Marsh stated it depended on how it was obtained. The process would be to see how it was obtained, then to see if it was legal to sell it. If the parking lot was redesigned, they would lose about five (5) parking spaces. Kip Allen stated that if they used grant monies, it was possible they would have to refund the grant money. Jean Davis stated that it was purchased because they were looking for more parking downtown. Mayor Cannell directed Marie Lander to research how the property was obtained and what agreement was made and whether they could work with Lorie Bearfield or not. Ms. Bearfield stated she was happy they would look into it and thanked them.
Solicitor Marsh wanted the minutes to reflect that his law firm acted as solicitor for the Northwest Savings Bank, and he also represented the architect. If asked, he would give his opinion, but he must inform Council that he was the representative of the two (2) entities.
Because no one else requested time to speak, the Mayor moved on to Committee Reports.
Committee Reports:
Finance Committee:
Mary Ann Horne reported that they met today to review invoices and purchase orders. The committee saw no problems with the invoices and purchase orders reviewed.
The committee met April 18, 2005 to review the 2004 audit with the auditors, Felix and Gloekler, as well as the 1st quarter review. In the meeting today they reviewed the purchase orders noted in the audit, and they were either for emergencies or not a safety issue or major concern.
Ms. Horne stated that they reviewed the material from Ms. Lander’s research regarding the Coaxial Cable Franchise agreement renewal. They also discussed this in executive session before this meeting. The committee was informed of a couple of classes that Ms. Lander would be attending regarding Excel worksheets and Windows security that would be of no cost to the Borough. The committee also reviewed the police wages using the new contract and made adjustments to bring it in line.
Mr. Cogan stated that the Solicitor recommended getting another firm to help with the renewal of the franchise agreement. Mr. Polnor’s fee seemed high at $8,500.00 Mr. Cogan stated he acquired the information from the website and felt they should look at new ordinances, because the ones Mayor Cannell had were as old as the Borough’s. He stated that the committee should evaluate Coaxial’s service. By the agreement, Section 60A, Coaxial should have applied thirty-six (36) months prior or from April 9, 2002 to October 9, 2002, but instead was applying by Section I. They needed to work with Coaxial.
Clifford Allen asked if the audit was a compliance audit and wondered if everything recommended was corrected. Ms. Lander stated they had not been all addressed yet. Mary Ann Horne added that it was noted that we were not in debt, and it was a clean audit. They needed to work on the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) 34 infrastructure for the 2005 audit.
Ordinance Review Committee:
Jean Davis explained that the committee was working on the final draft of codification. Dave Zamierowski and the Planning Commission had reviewed the pertinent information. The committee would meet again on Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 9:00 A.M. to continue its review.
Personnel Committee: Clifford Allen asked for an executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss the Manager search and to get guidance from Council.
Public Safety Committee: Mayor Cannell stated they would meet April 28, 2005 at 6:30 P.M. They would also ask the police to review a request for a stop sign at Harrison Drive.
Streets, Buildings, & Grounds Committee: Greg Lucas set the meeting for April 26, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. to review replacing the concrete in front of the municipal building and to meet with Ella Pahls, Director of the Food Pantry, regarding her request for more space in the municipal building.
Mr. Lucas also reported that the new gabion baskets looked great along Mallory Run. He also stated that they should be starting to lay blocks at the new bathhouse near Billings Park. The pad was in, and they were on schedule to be done by the end of May.
Mayor Cannell stated that they were a week late in asking Erie County Council if it wished to use the Borough’s municipal building since it had just accepted the use of Washington Township’s building and would not be out in this area for another two (2) years.
Solicitor Marsh reported that the Borough Council and Municipal Authority met in executive session tonight regarding two matters. They discussed the Cable TV Franchise renewal and the update on DEP vs. Edinboro, EHB Docket No. 2004-017R. No decision was made involving these matters.
Correspondence from Solicitor Marsh was in the packet for review.
Mayor Cannell introduced the bills for payment. Mary Ann Horne moved for approval of the submitted bills totaling $95,960.48, and Jean Davis seconded. With no objections, the motion was approved by a 7-0 voice vote.
Mary Ann Horne moved, and Jean Davis seconded to approve the payroll ending April 9, 2005, paid April 15, 2005, totaling $49,457.54, and the motion passed by a 7-0 voice vote.
At this point in the meeting Mr. Gillette had to leave.
Emergency Management:
Correspondence from Erie County regarding the evaluation of Erie County’s Public Safety operations and Municipal Emergency Management Organization Programs was in the packets for discussion. Tom Schruers, reported that the meeting room across from the police department was going to be readied as the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with connections to the internet, a phone, and hot boxes. They should be ready for flood season.
Police:
The monthly police reports and K9 reports were available for review.
Code Enforcement/Planning/Zoning:
The monthly report was available for review showing building permits to date for 2005 at $2,439.00 with a total construction value to date of $1,158,199.
.
Public Works:
The monthly report was available for review.
Community Development/Project Coordination: In the packets was a monthly report including a synopsis of the recycling grant application that had been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in conjunction with Edinboro University of PA (EUP). Portions of the grant application had been approved by the DEP, and EUP would receive recycling equipment. Also included were the Erie County Community Recycling Figures for 2003 and a reminder of the special bulk trash pickup on May 7, 2005.
Community Liaisons:
Chamber of Commerce: Mary Ann Horne stated she had a call in to Rene Thayer regarding the July 4th Festival.
Environmental Shade Tree Advisory Committee: Mary Ann Horne reported she was waiting for a copy of the minutes since she was working the day of the April 14, 2005 meeting.
EVFD Board Liaison: Mr. Cogan reported that they meet May 1, 2005.
Washington Township Liaison: Jean Davis reported that the Washington Township Council meeting was routine. The Engineer revised the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to receive ten (10) Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) annually in problem areas. The Council also discussed changing the distribution of the Township newsletter and using the Township’s website to distribute the newsletter rather than mail it. Ms. Davis thought this would be a good idea for the Borough also.
Watershed Association: The annual meeting would be held at Nick’s Place on April 28, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. The Annual Beach Cleanup Day would be May 7, 2005 from 9:00 A.M. to noon.
Joint Municipal Planning Commission: The commission met April 13, 2005. Dave Zamierowski reported in Chris Gillette’s absence because Mr. Gillette had to leave the meeting. Mr. Zamierowski stated they would be scheduling three (3) public hearings, one (1) in each municipality as well as one (1) public meeting. After the public hearings and public meeting and the forty-five (45) day comment period, the plan would then go to each municipality’s Council for approval and implementation.
Mr. Zamierowski wanted to thank Ms. Stablein for reviewing the draft of the Joint Municipal Commission Comprehensive Plan after work and for correcting any errors. The second draft was delivered to Consultant Tom Granny’s office Thursday so that he could make the final changes in order to provide the commission with the final draft at its next meeting, May 11, 2005.
Mayor Cannell reported that Robert Cogan and he had attended the Law Symposium organized by the Knox Law Firm and had brought back information for the Finance Committee and others.
Communications:
Correspondence from the 911 Task Force was included in the packets.
Gene Zorn of the Tax Consulting for the Elderly (TCE) program thanked the Borough for the use of its facilities.
The Edinboro Triathlon Committee thanked Tom Schruers and his staff for work done.
There were communications from the Erie County Executive concerning a Revenue Sharing Plan and Platea Borough regarding an MTR issue. There was also a Dale McBrier news release of April 18, 2005 and a response from Congressman Phil English to Ms. Coffin’s letter.
Also enclosed was a letter from Robert N. Odell, 115 Harrison Drive, requesting a stop sign on Harrison Drive. This matter was turned over to the Police Department to review and report back to the Public Safety Committee.
A letter was received from Cassandra Arbuckle, a concerned student, regarding the Emergency and Municipal Services Tax (EMST) and the use of water by the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department (EVFD) in washing personal vehicles. Dave Zamierowski volunteered to respond to her, informing her that it was a volunteer fire department and these individuals had to be available for emergency calls. There was the small benefit of washing cars, and the EMST funds were being used to improve street safety, for police and plowing snow, etc.
Because there was none, the Mayor asked if they were ready for an executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Kip Allen moved for an executive session at 8:20 P.M. to discuss a personnel matter of the manager search. Jean Davis seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned to executive session.
Upon returning at 8:55 P.M., Mr. Allen thanked Council for its guidance regarding the management prospects.
There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Cannell asked for a motion for adjournment.
Clifford “Kip” Allen moved for adjournment, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 P.M.
ATTEST:
_______________________________ _________________________________
Assistant to the Manager Marie Lander Mayor H. Robert Cannell
Home Rule Borough of Edinboro Council Meeting
HIGHLIGHTS
April 25, 2005
· Payment of bills
· Minutes
· Payroll
·
·
POSTPONED
· Delaying Ordinance 514 indefinitely being reviewed by Ordinance Review regarding dumpsters.
· Recreation Committee to review July 4th festival
· Building, Streets & Grounds – Food Pantry request more space
· Public Safety – Request for stop sign Harrison Drive (Police study first)
· Ordinance Review to review final Codification for adoption
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
· Finance May 9 1:30 am
· Public Safety Committee April 28th 6:30 p.m.
· Building, Streets & Grounds 1 p.m. April 26, 2005
· Ordinance Review – Continue review codification final printing 4/27/05 9 a.m.
· Watershed Association Lake side Cleanup May 7, 9 a.m.
· Bulk Trash Pickup May 7th
· Find out how Short Street parking lot was purchased 1989 – if CDBG or grant - find out agreement (Vicki to research with Erie)
· DZ- write letter to Cassandra Arbuckle – regarding concern
· Police - stop sign study on Harrison Drive – Report to Public Safety Committee findings and recommendations
· Public Safety Meeting - April 28th 6:30 p.m. – Chief to attend
HOME RULE BOROUGH OF EDINBORO COUNCIL MEETING
April 25, 2005
6 p.m. Joint Executive Session with Municipal Authority
7:00 P.M. Regular Meeting
I. Call to Order of the Regular Council Meeting by Mayor Cannell
II. Roll Call: Clifford “Kip” Allen __, Bob Cogan ____, Jean Davis ____, Christopher Gillette ____, Mary Ann Horne ____, Greg Lucas ________, Mayor H. Robert Cannell ______, Manager _NONE___, Solicitor Marsh ___, and Marie Lander, Assistant to the Manager ____.
III. Approval of Minutes
· Regularly Scheduled Meeting, April 11, 2005
Action: Motion to approve minutes
IV Public Participation
A. Ella Pahls – Food Panty
B. Lori Burfield – Parking & New business
C. Any one wishing to speak on agenda
1. Finance Committee/Pension Committee/ Negotiation Committee - Mary Ann Horne
a) Committee Met April 25th 1:30 p.m.- Report
b) Met April 18th to review 2004 with Auditors and 1st quarter review
c) Cable TV Franchise Renewal -
2. Ordinance Review Committee –Jean Davis
a) Codification – Return of final draft from Penns Valley
b) Sign Ordinance
c) Grease Ordinance
d) Dumpster Ordinance 514 – Ordinance postponed for further review by committee
e) Noise Ordinance
f) Commercial
3. Personnel Committee – Kip Allen - update
4. Recreation/Lake/Environment – Kip Allen
a) July 4th Festival
5. Public Safety – Chris Gillette
6. Street, Buildings, and Grounds – Greg Lucas
7. Committee of the Whole -
B. Solicitor's Report:
1. DEP V. Edinboro Commonwealth Court Docket No. 835 M.D. 2003
2. Edinboro v. DEP, EHB Docket 2004-016R - Appeal of the ban letter
Consolidated with Edinboro v. DEP, EHB Docket No. 2004-017-R, Appeal of Undated Assessment
a) Correspondence from Solicitor – FYI
b) Met in executive session tonight with Authority -
3. Edinboro Police & EUP Police- correspondence - FYI
C. Management's Report:
1a. University Impact Study
a) staff compiling information needed (most sent) – FYI
2. Finance –
a) Authorization to approve bills to be paid April 25, 2005
Action: Motion to approve bills totaling $ 95,960.48
b) Authorization to approve payroll
Action: Motion to approve payroll ending April 9, 2005, paid April 15, 2005, totaling $ 49,457.54
c)
3. Personnel
4 Public Safety
Emergency Management
1) Correspondence from County of Erie
Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
EVFD
d) Police – Monthly Reports
e.) Employee Safety Committee
5. Code Enforcement/Planning/Zoning
6. Public Works – Monthly Report
a) Sanitation
b) Building & Property
c) Streets/Storm Sewers/Signals/Signs-
d) Park & Recreation
e) Lake
f) Dam
g) Recycling Leaves
7. Wastewater Collection & Treatment
8. Water System – Monthly Report
9. Community Development/Project Coordination – Monthly Report
a)
D. Community Liaisons
1. Public Relations/Cable TV - Bob Cannell
2. Chamber of Commerce – Mary Ann Horne
3. Environmental Shade Tree Advisory Committee – Mary Ann Horne met 4/14/05
4. Erie County Borough –
5. Erie County Planning Liaison – Chris Gillette
6. EVFD Board Liaison – Bob Cogan
7. PLCM Campus Community – Bob Cannell – Attended meeting 4/19/05
8. PLCM Local Group – Kip Allen
9. Washington Township Liaison – Jean Davis (Mayor Cannell Reporting)
10. Authority – Jean Davis
11. EUP Administration – Bob Cannell
12. Watershed Association – Mary Ann Horne
13. Joint Municipal Planning – Chris Gillette – Met April 13 th
E. OTHER OLD BUSINESS:
1) “TO DO LIST” of Management – Council Committees assigned to assist in Manager’s absence as needed. – update (Recycling Performance Grant information as requested prior)
2)
· Robert N. Odell, 115 Harrison Drive – REQUEST for stop sign
· Gene Zorn, TCE program – Thank Borough for use of facilities
· Edinboro Triathlon – Thank you for work done by staff and Tom Schruers
· Concerned student – Cassandra Arbuckle
· 911 Task Force
· Erie County Executive – briefing concerning Revenue Sharing Plan
· Platea Borough regarding MTR issue
· Dale McBrier – news release April 18th
· Congressman English – response to Ms. Coffin’s letter
·
VIII. Adjournment
REMINDERS:
Finance Committee April 25, 2005 1:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY April 25, 2005 6 p.m.
Next Council Meeting MAY 9th 7:00 p.m.
2005 Council Meeting Schedule:
April 25, May 9, May 23, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25,
August 8, August 22, September 12, September 26, October 10, October 24, November 7, November 21, December 5 at 7 p.m.
and December 19 @4:30 p.m.
©Copyright APRIL 2005