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Middletown Borough Council Minutes

November 19, 2013

November 19, 2013 Middletown, PA 17057 The November 19, 2013 meeting of the Middletown Borough Council was called to order at 7 p.m. by Council President Christopher R. McNamara. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the following Council members answered roll call: Barbara Arnold, Donald Brooks, John Brubaker, Robert Louer, Judy Putric, David Rhen, Scott Sites and Christopher R. McNamara. Councilors, Sue Sullivan was absent. Also present were Mayor Robert G. Reid, Borough Manager Tim Konek and Borough Secretary Chris A. Courogen. Prior to public comment, Councilor Putric moved to amend the agenda by moving the executive session to the end of the meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilor Brooks and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. PUBLIC COMMENT Tom Handley said he spoke with Council President McNamara and the other newly elected Council members about setting up an orientation meeting. He provided Council President McNamara with a list of information he was requesting to help get up to speed prior to assuming office in January. Jack Still presented Council with a list of homes for sale in the Borough. Jim Curry commented on the school districts high school building project hearing the previous night and voiced his support of the plans to build a new school. Mike Bowman commented he also had been at the hearing and was not convinced, claiming the school board tour of the current building only showed parts of the building in bad shape. If the building as a whole was as bad as they say it is, said Bowman, then somebody should be charged with dereliction of duty for allowing conditions to deteriorate to that level. He also commented on the FEMA HMGP buyouts program. Council President McNamara explained the process the Borough followed in the HMGP project and why it had approved upfront payment for buyout properties rather than awaiting FEMA funding to complete the transactions. Rachelle Reid asked if the Borough would be reimbursed for the HMGP expenditures. Council President McNamara said yes. PRESENTATIONS Dan Anderton, of Dewberry, presented an update on the downtown revitalization project and the Emaus Street extension project. STAFF REPORTS

Middletown Borough Council Minutes

November 19, 2013

Managers Report Manager Konek reported additional money may be available for the purchase of two additional homes through the HMGP program. He also updated Council on the need to award demolition contracts for HMGP Phase Two properties. Also, Konek reported on a proposal for the vendor for the software used by the Finance Department to conduct an audit of the Boroughs use of the software and to provide updated training. He also asked Council to take steps to amend two ordinances impacted by recent court or arbitration decisions and reported on a request from the Historical Society to store logs from the former Mansion House. Following discussion of the software proposal, Councilor Arnold made a motion to authorize the expenditure of $7,500 for an audit/training for the financial accounting software package . The motion was seconded by Councilor Putric. Following further discussion, it was approved by a 7-1 vote, with Councilor Sites dissenting.. Secretarys Report -- Secretary Courogen reported a status update on the Boroughs application for funding by the Dauphin County Gaming Grant and Dauphin County Infrastructure Bank. He also reported 250 signs would be popping up around the Borough as part of the notice process for the proposed new zoning law. Councilor Rhen made a motion the Borough adopt Resolution No. 589 for the year 2013 establishing bank accounts for FEMA/PEMA HMGP reimbursements. The motion was seconded by Councilor Putric. During discussion, manager Konek explained FEMA/PEMA were requiring separate accounts be established for every HMGP project in order for the Borough to receive reimbursement. The motion passed by a unanimous 7-0 vote, with Councilor Sites abstaining. Councilor Louer made a motion to award the demolition contract for FEMA Phase 2 Project 7 to Farhat Excavating, in the amount of $20,400. The motion was seconded by Councilor Putric and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Councilor Louer made a motion to award the demolition contract for FEMA Phase 2 Project 8 to Farhat Excavating, in the amount of $10,550. The motion was seconded by Councilor Arnold and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote.

Councilor Brubaker asked why one home from Phase 1 had not yet been demolished,. Secretary Courogen explained the homeowner was still trying to resolve issues with their bank that had delayed closing on the property. COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Works/Utilities Councilor Louer reported on the need to make repairs to the roofs of the Main Street Gym and Borough Hall. He also reported on plans to demolish the old electric department garage and the need for a new aggregate/salt storage facility for the Public Works Department. At 7:47 p.m., Council recessed to executive session to discuss matters pertaining to potential litigation, real estate, and personnel. Council reconvened at 9:32 p.m., with

Middletown Borough Council Minutes

November 19, 2013

Council President McNamara announcing matters pertaining to potential litigation, real estate, and personnel had been discussed. Councilor Brooks made a motion to advertise an ordinance amending the police pension plan to remove language regarding a killed in action benefit which was removed from the police contract by the Act 111 arbitrator. The motion was seconded by Councilor Arnold and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Councilor Louer made a motion to advertise an ordinance amending Chapter 164 of the Borough Code to remove a reference to recycling fees in compliance with a recent court decision. The motion was seconded by Councilor Putric and approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Councilor Louer made a motion to authorize utilizing the Keystone Purchasing Network to contract with Lobar Construction for projects totaling $558,089 to repair the roof of the Main Street Gym and Borough Hall, remove the holding cells from the old police station, demolition of the old electric department garage and renovations at the Public Works Department. The motion was seconded by Councilor Arnold. Council President McNamara said the funding would come from the Capital Improvement Fund and the planned sale of the old highway department facility. The cost of each project was also broken down as follows: - Borough Hall roof (including the MCSO) $207,000 - Demolition of old electric garage $110,000 - Removal of holding cells $8,645 - Public Works renovations $114,275 - Main Street Gym roof $117,185 Council President McNamara said the roofs had received piecemeal repairs in the past, but needed to be replaced. The public works renovations were needed for operational concerns, including having a bay to accommodate the Borough garages lift. Councilor Sites asked if the lift could be put in the old electric department garage, but Councilor Brooks pointed out problems due to the second floor and Council President McNamara said the former codes officer had reported the building had serious codes issues. The motion was approved by a unanimous 8-0 vote. Council President McNamara announced the December 2 meeting would feature a public hearing on the proposed new zoning ordinance and the December 3 meeting would feature a presentation on the Boroughs proposed 2014 budget.

Councilor Sites made a motion to adjourn. It was seconded by Councilor Putric and approved by unanimous consent. At 9:45 p.m., the meeting was adjourned.

Middletown Borough Council Minutes

November 19, 2013

Borough Secretary

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