YOE BOROUGH PG. 1
150 NORTH MAPLE STREET
YOE, PA 17313
The regular monthly meeting of Yoe Borough Council was held on February 7, 2012 at the Yoe Borough Municipal Building, 150 N. Maple Street, Yoe, PA. The meeting was called to order by the President of Council Sam Snyder at 7:02PM beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council Members in Attendance:
Sam Snyder
Tom Allar
Seth Noll
Barry Myers
Wendy Coble Tyson
George Howett
Others in Attendance:
Sandy Sterner, Secretary-Treasurer
Dana Shearer, Maintenance Supervisor
Regan Strausbaugh, Resident/ Council at Large
Nicole Ehrhart, Solicitor
Steve Malesker, Engineer
John Sanford, Mayor(arriving later in the meeting)
Patrick Wolfe, Dallastown Cougars Representative
Jerry Pickel, Wildlife Enforcement Officer
Jason Housel, Resident of 47 N. Main Street, Yoe.
Swearing in of Regan Strausbaugh
Councilman Snyder said first on the agenda, we do have an open council seat. Let the record reflect that under Section 903 of the Borough Code, the designated winner of the
last election failed to qualify within the appropriated ten days so the seat is vacant.
Without further adieu, I think everyone has had the opportunity to talk to Regan over
the last few months and get to know him, its finally time to bring him on board
officially. Councilman Snyder issued the oath of office to Mr. Strausbaugh. I, Regan
Strausbaugh, do solemnly swear, that I will support, obey and defend, the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and I will discharge
the duties of my office, with fidelity. Councilman Noll asked if we have to vote or
have a motion. Councilman Snyder said no, so we sort of did vote him back when
he couldn’t take office at that time.
Minutes Page 2
Councilman Snyder asked if everyone had an opportunity to look over the minutes from
the prior meeting, any additions or corrections. Councilwoman Coble Tyson said yes,
just minor. Under nominations, first paragraph, second sentence, let the record reflect
I think we have some missing words like all of those who, that all of those who certified
as winner. We have something missing. All we have is that were certified as winners.
It should be something like. all of those who were certified as winners and all we have is
let the record reflect that were certified as winners. Councilman Snyder asked which
paragraph? Councilwoman Coble Tyson said under Nominations, fourth paragraph.
Second sentence beginning with let the record reflect. Councilwoman Coble Tyson said
I think it should state all of those who. Something to that affect, all of those who
were certified as winners. Councilman Snyder said so we can change it to all of those
who. Councilwoman Coble Tyson said correct, we can add that, from that to the were
to make it correct. Councilman Snyder asked any other additions or corrections?
A motion to accept the minutes of January 3, 2012 with the noted addition by Councilman Allar. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Coble Tyson.
All in favor. Councilman Snyder said motion carried.
Visitors
Councilman Snyder said Jessica Geer is not present.
Councilman Snyder said Patrick Wolfe. Mr. Wolfe said I’m here on behalf of Cougar
Baseball. I have been in contact with Sandy about getting reservation for the field
for the summer, we have two season coming up, we have a spring season and a fall
season. A break in the season from the middle of June to the end of July. I would
like favorable consideration requested for the use of the field. I did call, he said
he would not be interested if he couldn’t have the field for three to five days a week.
He wants for a bigger block of time. At the same time his season ends as well.Typically for the fall league it’s the last week in October but we have it listed until November 4th
if needed. Councilman Allar said so after November 4th, it could be used for the
men’s football league if needed. Mr. Wolfe said yes. We are planning on doing some
field work, putting some grass on level, we have to do the water thing first, then
work on the grass in field. We will work on that. Councilman Allar said don’t forget
stay in touch with him. Councilman Snyder said I have one comment on your letter,
it says for both seasons you will be using it from 5PM until dusk on weeknights,
and 8AM till dusk on Saturdays. Just to let you know, ironically as of tonight we
are going to be passing an ordinance that the park closes and the park also includes
the ball field, once it passes tonight we will have a definition and it will be closing
at sunset. Sunset is defined as the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon
in the west as the result of the earth’s rotation, the exact times vary daily throughout
the year and to be calculated using any current, printed or published, electronically
or bound almanac. I just wanted this note because you wanted it till dusk and now
we are closing it technically at sunset. Mr. Wolfe said sunset is fine. Councilman
Visitors(cont.) Page 3
Allar said if there is any complaints or problems. Mr. Wolfe said any complaints
or concerns, I am willing to give you a schedule that we’ve got published and realize it
is a working document and changes on a weekly basis. If there is a concern about a
field or usage of the field, you’ve got to in touch with me, my contact information is on
the letter. I know who is on the field. I am the most knowledgeable on who is on the
field on any given night. If there is any problems, you want to give me a call by all
means, I’ll take down the information. The secretary asked if the portable potty will
be taken care of this year. Mr. Wolfe said yes. The secretary asked the certificate
of insurance, double check with your insurance agent in case you’ve changed I don’t know to make sure that in April we should get that. Mr. Wolfe said you should have
that current one. The secretary said I do, I have a problem when people change
insurance agents I don’t get it, I have to bug people, I am making you aware that I
still need it. And also the portable rental, it should be removed before Halloween,
always make sure it is off of the field before Halloween because previous years
people have knocked down the portable potty during Halloween. Mr. Wolfe said
you haven’t had a problem with that within the last years. The secretary said no,
you have been doing really good, but I am giving you this verbal reminder.
A motion was made by Councilman Allar to allow the Cougars to use the field
at the specified times. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Coble Tyson.
All in favor. Councilman Snyder said very good and thank you.
Councilman Snyder said Mr. Pickel. Mr. Pickel said its that time of year again.
Here is a contract for your signature for 2012. There are two amendments
to it, one has to do with $5.00 additional fee for set ups for traps and the other
one is, you had two contracts last year, one was for overall for taking care
of pigeons in the five block area down here, I wrapped everything into
one contract this year. The ten dollar fee for each pigeon is now twenty,
reflected in this contract here. Those are the only two changes. Councilman
Myers asked so its twenty dollars per bird. Mr. Pickel said yes, which was
in the second contract last year. So I just did it in one instead of having
two pieces of paper. Councilman Allar asked did we catch anything at
the Smith property? Mr. Pickel said we never caught anything at the
Smith property. Councilman Snyder asked questions or comments? A motion
to accept the 2012 Wildlife Contract with Mr. Pickel by Councilman Allar.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Myers. All in favor. Councilman
Snyder said motion carried.
Councilman Snyder asked any other visitors that would like to be recognized?
My name is Jason Housel, I live across the street from Mr. Allar. I won’t take
a lot of your time up but, I wanted to let you know my concerns about the
traffic, a lot of traffic. I made a few phone calls to PENN DOT, they said if
the borough would make a recommendation to go ahead to do a study they
could maybe change the signage, put some stop signs at some spots, maybe
Visitors(cont.) Page 4
something like that. I’ve got an email here, I can share with everybody,
it simply says that they get complaints every day at the police station about
traffic. I know you guys don’t have a lot of resources. I’m not asking for anything
crazy but I do live right there. As they come down the hill, they speed up, they
go thirty to go through the light and stuff like that. What the solution is, I don’t really
know. But I wanted to bring it to your attention. Do you want to see that email
at all? Councilman Myers asked is that the email from PENN DOT. Mr. Housel said
its actually from York Area Regional Police Department. I spoke with Gary Ishman,
from PENN DOT, nice guy. He said that they will, PENN DOT will change
signage rather than going ahead and having a traffic study, he said to speak with
somebody, maybe the mayor. Take your time and look at the information. It is
an issue, I know you are trying to clean up the town but who wants to move into
a town where the traffic runs down the main highway into town. Its like Route
30, out there, sincerely. I moved here last June been here a year and half, its
horrible. I leave this with you if you’d like. Councilman Myers said and he said
they would change signage,what? Mr. Housel said maybe put high speed stop
sign or something. Councilman Myers said typically you are not allowed to put
a stop sign out for speed. We tried that in the borough on another street and we
got hammered for it. Mr. Housel said I guess what my concern is, I have no
idea how you conduct business, I’m not here to tell you what is in your job,
there is an issue, a huge issue. Councilman Myers said I’m not arguing that point.
Mr. Housel said and again, if you could put a stop sign at my house, maybe seven
feet, or eight feet away, keep the cars from going 45MPH, its very, very unsafe.
Its unsafe for me to be out there in a snow truck. Its something to think about,
I’m sure if its that way in front of my house, its that way all the way up the
street. People use it as a thorough fare. Its useful for the people of Yoe, but
people from Dallastown, Red Lion are using that, to go up and down and its
not benefiting the people who live in Yoe. Councilman Noll said so we know,
what section of the street are you talking about? Mr. Housel said I live at
47 N. Main Street. Really there is no place for police to sit. Put a stop sign
somewhere at Water Street, make people slow down, force them to slow
down. Councilman Noll said you are talking about Main Street itself. Mr.
Housel said something I don’t know, they said they wouldn’t put speed
bumps out there, they did say, there are some manholes that are below
grade on the road, which should be raised up and its your responsibility
of the water/sewage company not the borough self. People that come
down with trucks, and hit that, my whole house rattles. Councilman Noll
said PENN DOT was the one that came to the borough about two years ago and
that point, in my opinion didn’t give us anything. Its been PENN DOT’s rule
if there is anything that they can go back on the municipality, at one point, they
do that, so. I’m not saying its not a problem, I am giving you the background.
Mr. Housel said I’m not here to attack anybody, I thought about it and thought
about it and I’d thought I’d verbalize my concern a little bit and it is a real
issue. I don’t mind traffic. It’s a lot of traffic, very little of the traffic goes 25MPH.
Visitors(cont.) Page 5
Councilman Noll said they put lines down near my house on the south end. We
can pass it along to the mayor and he can request a speed check in that area at some
point. Councilman Snyder said they can’t, too close to the intersection. Councilwoman
Coble Tyson said they come around that corner almost air born, a thousand times
on that corner. Councilman Snyder said just to let you know what we’ve been up
against, I’ve been on council for twenty years, and it has been a problem for
twenty years. Barry was on even before me, its been a problem since he’s been on.
When it comes to enforcement, you can only put the speed enforcement if its within
so many feet of an intersection they don’t allow it. They have to have so much
distance to have a sight distance because the lines have to be so far apart so
they can calibrate them. There is only so many areas where the police can actually
get the lines so they can use the VASCAR. When it comes to PENN DOT, we have
heard this numerous times, that they don’t allow stop signs for speed enforcement.
So if your issue is enforcing speed, they wouldn’t even consider putting in a stop
sign. They may consider something like, timing of the light, if that would help
but that isn’t going to really affect the speed. You just naturally pick up speed
coming down that hill, and pick it up coming down this side of the hill. The other
problem that we face is 24 and 74 are main collectors for the lower end of the county
to York City. The only arterial collector to get from one side to the other is right here.
If you think about it, if you are familiar with the area, the only other way you can
get from one side to the other, is going into Walnut Street, Chestnut Hill and then
over eventually get to Belle Road and eventually get to there but there is no
straight shot. I was actually on the York County Transportation Steering Committee,
and that was one of the things that we were trying to identify, was trying to get
another collector street from that side of the county, or even York Township to
the other side. Which they are actually looking at the St. Charles in there but there
is not way to get them from Springwood Road over, again we are in a nasty spot.
So traffic, so its going to increase probably, the more development we get around
here. Its just a natural collector. Mr. Housel said are there any plans to combat that,
I’m just curious? Councilman Snyder said we have laughed about it for years,
that we need a bridge built one side of the hill to the other, to bypass Yoe. I mean
its not an easy, easy fix, not at all. Councilman Allar said one of the issues, which
I didn’t realize until I rode with one of the patrol officer’s is, the officer have
the discretion when they set these speed traps, some can be 10 miles over, some
are fifteen, some are even higher than that. Maybe we can have some sort of
arrangement through John, we really want to hold it that point. We site it at
less than ten. Councilman Snyder said that’s the problem with VASCAR.
Councilman Allar said that’s what they claim, fifteen or twenty, they are going
to do thirty, that right there could be an issue. You and I talked when we
were doing the budget, about more speed traps. We didn’t drop the budget,
we’re going to keep the same number of units. So lets do something about it.
Councilman Snyder said and again, they have increased because I see them,
they are up on our side because that is where they can get them. They are up
there and they are on either side of George. Mr. Housel said I didn’t want to
Visitors(cont.) Page 6
take a lot of your time, I just wanted to bring my concern to you. I thought
the stop sign would be one of the cheapest ways, even if you would
run it cross wise. I know the school bus stop right there at Water St.
Maybe to justify a stop sign and cross walks. I’m sure there are ways
around it, or something that could be done, to be cheap and make
it functional. Councilman Allar said the only idea that is cheap,
would putting two stripes going down, hold it back. Completely
putting stripes down, psychologically appears that the road is smaller,
that slows traffic down. Federal Department of Transportation will
use. LTAP is the place to go and have them come in. And ask them
about that, and they are so cheap. Mr. Shearer said as far as LTAP,
there not going to actually do the study for us, we would have to have
someone do the study. Councilman Allar said didn’t they come in
and do it on Broad Street? Mr. Shearer said what we did there, they,
what we did they, a study using their monitors. That was the one time
deal where they installed them. Any other time, we install them,
they will issue the information. But as far as a traffic calming study,
we would have to get a transportation engineer to do the study.
Councilman Allar asked why can’t they come in and do the same
devices on Main Street? Councilman Myers said they would probably
do that. Mr. Shearer said like I said, the first time was the training
session for me to install. I would have install, we would have to do
two studies. Councilman Allar asked I thought you were certified?
Mr. Shearer said I wasn’t certified, they just came down and showed
me how to nail them down. I went to LTAP’s traffic calming class.
But you’re talking about, striping and all that, I’m thinking because
it’s a state route, we’re going, you have to get a study done from
an engineer standpoint to be able to do that. Remember when we
had conversations about striping on Main Street before. Specially
when we had to fight with them on the yellow line past Yoe Park.
So we would need a stamped engineer opinion to be able to
get that striping. That’s probably one of the few traffic calming
things that you’re going to get. Like you said, stop signs would
be out of the question. Councilman Myers said I can’t believe they
told him that, that leaves him to believe that PENN DOT would do it,
and we’ve all been down that road, at work I’ve been down that road,
they just. Mr. Shearer said I can show you in the PENN DOT pub
212, where that’s the warrant, that’s not an acceptable standard for
a warrant to install a stop sign. And the reason that they don’t install
stop signs, is because what they found is that, that actually increase
speed, because they have to, mentally they figure they have to make
up that time. That’s why through that area, because I live on
the other side of that intersection, I know exactly what you are talking about.
I live on the corner going up the hill or coming down. And I see it in
Visitors(cont.) Page 7
front of my house too because they accelerate coming down the hill
because they don’t want to have to stop. They want to get through the light.
Mr. Housel said the other way, they zip around that corner at that bend
and pick up speed. Mr. Shearer said the other thing is, they prefer education
and enforcement, before they go for more traffic calming measures. So first
off, we should hammer the police for enforcement on there as much as
possible. Make use of the mobile speed limit sign, which I believe that does
record, to be able to get a report off of. That would get us, numbers as far
as speeds, what our 85% speed is, the average speed. Councilman Snyder
said I think that is what is going to kill us, of anything we want to do as
far as traffic calming. We tried this up on Broad Street because we felt there
was a big speeding issue up through there. What we found is in order to
enact these speed calming devices, because I actually had it worked out to
get these speed humps and everything. You have to hit a certain ratio of the
amount of vehicles that are actually speeding. Not that one person that
is going 50 MPH but the majority of the people that travel that daily are speeding.
I think when you honestly look at it, you’ll never come close to those numbers
down there because every time you hit a red light especially at five o’clock,
traffic is backed up to my house, and they have to slow down. So, when you
look at the percentage of vehicles that are actually going through there, I don’t think
you’d ever hit that 15% are speeding because they’re naturally are going to have
to stop. At least 85% of the people are stopping at the light. I think that is what
is going to kill us when it comes to that. I do think though, at the very least,
can get the mayor to request the speed limit sign and that would give us some
hard data. Mr. Shearer said another thing, and I have pondered this on Main
Street further up the hill. Mr. Housel asked you do believe there is an issue here?
Mr. Shearer said I know there is. Councilman Myers said I think we all agree with
that. Mr. Shearer said we all agree that outside the morning rush and evening
rush. there are problems especially after the evening rush through up through
ten o’clock there is a real big problem. 4 to 6AM there is a real big problem.
One of the other things that I was kicking around was possibly asking if we
would like to look at a permanent speed sign like the one that is on the trail.
There’s some solar powered devices out there that are speed limit sign you can
add it with a posted speed limit sign, flashing sign that gives you the speed.
Maybe that is something you would like to look at. Give them that visual
of what their speed is and that kind of goes toward the education stand point
of we’re showing them that this is the speed problem, you are speeding.
Outside of that, one of the things the state legislature has had for years failed
to do, give us local enforcement, radar. And you know that is something
if you want to work with our higher elected officials and let them know,
we need to start pushing this, It’s a problem everywhere, for whatever
reasons, they handcuff the police and don’t allow them. I think we’re the
only state in the nation that doesn’t give our local law enforcement, radar.
Mr Housel said thanks for listening, I came out to share my concern and hope
Visitors(cont.) Page 8
if the phone call to the local police department doesn’t’ work out or can’t figure
out what to do, that its not just a lost issue. That the Borough of Yoe says
we have traffic problems, something has to be done somehow, somewhere.
Councilman Allar asked that mayor check into the discretion that the officers
use on the minimum that they use to site for speeding.
Solicitor’s Report
Adoption of Ordinance 2012-02
Councilman Snyder said Ordinance 2012-02, an ordinance amending the Yoe
Borough Code of Ordinances Chapter 16, Parks and Recreation, to amend
the definition of trespass, to add the definition of sunset and sunrise and
to prohibited conduct and to provide for restricted areas. All the changes that
were discussed at last month’s meeting were already included and that
was revision was circulated around. Is there any further discussion?
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to ordain, ordinance 2012-02.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Allar. All in favor. Councilman
Snyder said so be it ordained. Councilman Snyder asked that a copy be
sent to the police. The secretary said she would copy the police and
send to Keystate Publishers, Ordinances 2012-01 and 2012-02 and the
first resolution to try to get them to update it. Councilman Snyder said
when you send this ordinance under cover to the police you want
to add a second note about the parking ticket for parking fines. We
never heard back. We just want to remind them, we never heard
any response.
Solicitor Ehrhart updated the council on the quiet title action. The two
defendants, we took judgment against. All the defendants except Claycomb,
we have judgment. Claycomb, the letter went out to his attorney, John and I went back on forth on whether we should do an easement versus a license and we opted to do the
license because that is more protective of what the borough wanted. So that went out
to his attorney, what we did was the isolated area, that C. S. Davidson did a legal
description of, just give him access to the shed. He did review that with his attorney,
he was okay with that portion. Its good as long as he owns the property. He transfers
the property over the license terminates. This will be a recorded document, it doesn’t run with the land so. I’ve also reserved your right for whatever reason, you need to get into
the property and the shed is in the way, you are allowed to get into that property. So I reserved all your access rights. Hopefully that will be signed and get it back to you
next month for your action and signature and get that recorded. This is the last piece
of the quiet title, so its done. Councilman Allar asked does it state about maintenance
on that document? Solicitor Ehrhart said the area with the shed will be his maintenance.
Councilman Allar asked but its clear that it doesn’t come back on us? Solicitor
Ehrhart said I don’t think I specifically said that he will maintain that area, I can
Solicitor’s Report(cont.) Page 9
certainly add that in. Councilman Allar said we said at the last meeting, that you
would send that out so we could get a look at it. See what area on the map it was.
Solicitor Ehrhart said it has gone out.
Solicitor Ehrhart said John said there were some questions on document
retention and on establishing a policy. I did send over today, it was
a big document. The law as regards to document retention and a sample
resolution from Springettsbury Township. Basically what you can
do is adopt the Municipal Records Manual. Last approved December 16, 2008.
If you adopt it as your policy, you will use that policy. Its very specific.
If you want to do that, you need to pass a resolution. That follows up
if you don’t have one. Councilman Noll said I saw it came in this afternoon,
its 108 pages. I can pass it around. Councilman Snyder said, it’s a 108 page
document, if we pass it, we have to follow it. Who is to say if we don’t have a
policy, whose to say what we need to save or have or threw something out.
Once you pass it you do have to follow it. Discussion continued. Councilman
Noll asked that this document be reviewed for a month.
Solicitor Ehrhart said John had mentioned that you wanted the standard
list of denials for right to know. There is a section under the right to know law,
708.b, which lists the thirty exemptions. I will send them to you via email.
Councilman Noll said it would be good to know.
Solicitor Ehrhart said the follow up with York Township and the DEP agreement.
They didn’t take action on the agreement which was before them in January.
They tabled it. Steve Hovis told me they tabled it. He said they would act
on it this month, so I should have for you next month.
Solicitor Ehrhart said on the Mill Creek Interceptor. I let Steve Hovis know
the borough’s position, that you want to be limited in your involvement,
and that you would review any draft agreements and that you didn’t want
your solicitor attending meetings to talk about the agreement. I did forward
the point of contact information of Seth Noll to Mr. Hovis. They will keep
Seth in the loop.
Solicitor Ehrhart said the last thing was the easement sent over by Jake Romig.
Both Steve and I reviewed it and we left him know it was appropriate and
we didn’t have any comments on it. It was just a drawing and legal.
Solicitor Ehrhart said we sent correspondence to Mr. Reidel. It is appropriate
to break into executive session to discuss land acquisition.
Councilman Snyder said just to clean up solicitor before we go into executive
session. We had a request from the SPCA to entertain the idea of an ordinance
Solicitor’s Report(cont.) Page 10
for tethered dogs. It will be here for people to consider. They are planning
on their officers for enforcement if we were to consider it. Discussion
continued. Councilman Snyder said the minutes reflect that there is
a consensus of council that at this time we are not going to act on their
request.
Executive Session
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to enter into executive session
at 7:59PM. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Coble Tyson.
All in favor.
Reconvening of Regular Meeting at 8:24PM
Councilman Snyder said let the record reflect that the council discussed
land acquisition.
Solicitor’s Report(cont.)
Councilman Noll said just something to think about. This has to
do with a presentation that was put out, on liability with the
volunteer firefighters because of our relationship and falling under
the new law that was passed on cancer with municipal rates for
workers comp. There were a couple questions that they had,
one was with new hires are they screened for cancer and are
they considering that and the other one was there have been some
instances at events that fire company personnel have been hurt for
whatever reason at a fund raiser, there is a gray area of what is
or isn’t covered by workers comp. I don’t know if we ever talked
about that kind of stuff. Councilman Myers said we have always
been covered. Councilman Noll said I don’t know if we have any
policies on that kind of things. Councilman Snyder said in our
ordinance it is outlined as any fire company officially sponsored
event, like fire police at a parade. Councilman Myers said at one
time you had to come to council for every event but it became
too cumbersome for the borough council that is how that ordinance
came about. Councilman Noll said it is something to think about.
Discussion continued. Councilman Noll said there was some question
on background/child safety checks, do you do any of those types of checks?
Councilman Myers said anyone coming in gets a background check.
We do a state background check with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Councilman Noll said Megan Law violation? Councilman Myers said
if you apply to the fire company, I would go into Megan Law and check
myself. I would circle around the area where you live. Periodically,
Solicitor’s Report(cont.) Page 11
I’m not the fire chief any more, I would set down at some point, I do it with my
employees, I just pull up their name on docket, if I knew they were in Ocean
City, I would go into Maryland and check. Discussion continued. Councilman
Noll said if anything would happen, it would come back on us. Councilman
Myers said other than handling workers comp, you guys don’t run the fire
department. Councilman Noll said any lawsuit, it becomes legal fees possibly
for us. I am going to hear more about this coming month, they are telling us
our workers comp rates are going to sky rocket over this new cancer coverage.
Discussion continued. Councilman Noll said I bring it up because it could
have an impact on our budget for this year and if you are seeing anything
on the legal side because of this firefighting cancer side of things you need
to be aware of. And to see if we need to do anything with teeth on background/child safety protection. It sounds like we have the fund raisers covered, if they are doing
fund raisers they are covered in that. Councilman Myers said it probably wouldn’t hurt to have her look at the ordinance again and make sure our firefighters are covered at a
legitimate volunteer when it is a fund raiser. Councilman Noll said a fire company sponsored, you will have it in your minutes. Councilman Myers said there are probably
a couple more things the fire company should do, I know at work we pull drivers license. To make sure that you have license. Background checks we do every other year.
I would like to see us to do a national review, but it costs $140.00. Councilman Noll said
do you check for violations on their drivers license. Councilman Myers said I never
asked for a license. But I do my docket thing, to check into the drivers. Councilman
Noll said at our work, we send a paper around to list any violations that you’ve
had. Councilman Myers said our county policy, if you get a violation you need to
tell your supervisor about that violation. Councilman Noll said maybe both parties
need to review that. Councilman Snyder said Part 4 in Chapter 1, recognizing the fire department. Solicitor Ehrhart will review the ordinance.
Councilman Snyder said for your information, we received notice from ISO that
they wanted to thank Fire Chief Barry Myers and Ms. Connie Stokes for their
cooperation for the public protection classification survey. ISO has completed
its analysis of the structural fire suppression delivery system in the community and our
rating a 6 effective May 6, 2012. The lower number, the better. Our previous rating
was not reference.
Councilman Allar said just for your information that Mr. Reidel’s lawyer is Mr.
Blankenstein.
Mr. Shearer said I started the fee letters for 2012 and this concerning 53 N. Church
Street. That’s the property that Code Administrators has issued notices to vacate
for unsafe conditions. I’m looking of the opinion of the solicitor and council, in
my opinion I don’t feel we should be sending them a renewal for their license for
2012 because the property is determined to be unsafe by our building code official.
I’m afraid we will be confusing the situation if we request them to pay a license
Solicitor’s Report(cont.) Page 12
fee for a property that we determined unsafe. I did not revoke the license, Code
Administrators deemed the property unsafe. I haven’t officially sent anything to them.
Is there something I should have done, or something I need to do now? Councilman
Noll said I think they should be sent a letter saying their license has been revoked and
we aren’t renewing for 2012 until Code Administrators concerns are taken care of.
Councilman Snyder said my thought, if they are no longer licensed and we aren’t
offering them a license, then technically they don’t fall under the auspices of the
property maintenance code that says they are an unsafe structure. The only way
they got deemed an unsafe structure was because it fell in the guidelines to go
in and inspect. Say you have to bring this up to a certain code. Now if you are
having them bring it up to a certain code how, what’s your authority to bring
them up to a certain code if you’re saying, you’re just a regular single family
dwelling. Discussion continued. Solicitor Ehrhart said the ordinance applies no matter if they are residential or commercial, it doesn’t matter. Mr. Shearer said I’ll draft up a letter
and email up to you for your review. Solicitor Ehrhart said it would be a non renewal.
Engineer’s Report
Mr. Malesker said Nicole already touched on the draft for the conservation easement
that has been submitted to DEP by Jake. Councilman Allar said I reviewed the
cease and desist order that came down and asked Solicitor Ehrhart if she had
ever seen what came down from the Corps of Engineers. We have been under
a cease and desist for about two years now. Solicitor Ehrhart said she doesn’t know
if she has a copy. Councilman Allar said C. S. Davidson had asked the Corps
of Engineers to come down for a field visit. They were not happy with our wetland,
we were at fault. They went back and sent us a letter that said the performance
of the work is in non compliance from the Department of Army authorization
including general and special conditions,in violation of section 404 of the Clean
Water Act. Your performed work in non compliance with the use of authorization,
cease and desist in conducting any further work of this nature in the waters of
the United States. They finished the letter, be advised that the performance of
non compliance is the result of the referral of violation with the U. S. Attorney’s
office of civil or criminal prosecution or the assessment of a class 1 administrative
penalty not to exceed $27,500.00. Since my name was on it, I tried to clean this
up. In recapping: there are three main items. 1. Identification of an alternate
wetland mitigation site to successfully create a minimal of .76 acres of wetland
In other words the wetlands we had out there were in violation and we had
to find something else. We already built the basins and ruined the wetlands out
there. They were not functioning to their satisfaction. We already done that
and that is what the Mill Creek side of this is, further down stream. 2. A wetland
mitigation plan consistent with the requirements in 33 C of 403.2 for compensation
mitigation for loses of aquatic resources. And that has been prepared and that
has already been sent forward as well. 3. A draft conservation instrument provides
long term protection to the alternate wetland mitigation sight. Draft conservation
Engineer’s Report(cont.) Page 13
instrument that is developed that is consistent with the enclosed template, the
conservation easement or declaration of restricted covenants that conservation enclosure
one. We’re not going send forward a draft we’re actually going to finalize it. I was hoping to at this meeting to finalize the easement, put a cover letter on it, and send
it to Mike Danko for relief of this cease and desist order. I talked to him on the
telephone, well they never give a clear answer, I think he will be okay on this. We
don’t know when these people will get around to looking at it, at least, get the
system started something on his desk. And I can follow up with phone calls and
so forth. That’s the main document which we are good to go on. Rettew has
put that together for us. As to what the York Township commissioners are looking
at, is a land owners agreement, that is mainly for DEP, to allow us to go onto the
property and DEP will reimburse us for construction. We can’t go forward until
we have the land owners agreement. We don’t have the DEP permit yet. You are okay
on that. Between meetings, I’d like to get that letter together and some notes will
be coming Jake, and I want to look at the, and get Sam to look at them. and attached
the conservation easement. Mr. Malesker asked have you seen the conservation
cause, do you want me to forward that to everyone. Councilman Allar said Nicole
should have a copy of record, maybe you want to send her a copy. Mr. Malesker
said okay.
Mr. Malesker said the next item, Church Street/Mason Avenue bridge repairs,
the permit will be submitted this week. I was going to submit it the same time
as the DEP permit for the gabion repairs. That project, the mayor, Dana and I
met with FEMA on January 18th to discuss the undermining of concrete
scour section. Which he approved to go ahead with those repairs. But we also
discussed the gabions, he checked with his supervisor, he is going to pay for
the repair of the gabions directly behind/between Strobecks and the fire
company. So I have the permit ready to be signed for that. Before I pass
that around, I wanted you to consider something, instead of using gabions
for the plug in. I have one of Kinsley’s products here. K Rock. The last page
of the engineer’s shows a cross section. Discussion continued about the
current gabions and K rock. It was decided to use K rock for repairs.
A motion to sign the DEP permit was made by Councilman Allar.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Myers. In favor of motion:
Councilmen Snyder, Howett, Strausbaugh and Councilwoman Coble
Tyson. Abstaining: Councilman Noll. Mr. Malesker said while we are on
this, for Church Street, the wing walls down stream are partially gabion,
partially concrete, but those to be replaced too. Would you consider using
this same thing, for the wing walls at Church Street? It would be a good
application too, the other option would be a cast and place wing wall. Which
is going to be expensive. That is really the only other option there. Liquid
fuels won’t use the K rock but weren’t we using the capital funds anyway.
Nothing would be sent to liquid fuels anyways. The secretary said if
these K rocks save money then we wouldn’t have to take as much out
Engineer’s Report(cont.) Page 14
of capital reserve. Councilman Allar said one are where these may be is
down at the Mason Avenue Bridge. There are some gabions there that
are really bad. Mr. Malesker said I said Church I meant Mason, downstream
of Mason. Councilman Allar said they are really hanging out, did you take
the FEMA people there? Mayor Sanford said we walked the entire creek,
I based our walk on what we talked about. Mr. Malesker said that’s been
going on, we have documentation from reports that I’ve done that, that’s
been going on. Councilman Allar said I think that storm pushed some more,
they are rotating terrible. Mr. Malesker said he made it clear it wasn’t
for maintenance work.
Councilman Allar asked you are moving ahead on the permits for the bridge?
Mr. Malesker said signed those between the last meeting and this meeting.
Councilman Allar said how long does that take? Mr. Malesker said its
been taking between two and three months to get something back. Councilman
Allar asked do you know why it took the church three weeks, they actually
have their permit? Mr. Malesker said because that guy previously worked
for DEP. I don’t know, that’s typically how long it takes for us to get that
kind of work. Discussion continued on the cost of engineering.
Councilman Noll asked do we have to do anything with Dallastown on the
material bid? Mr. Malesker said I believe its going to be discussed at
the next meeting. I talked to Connie, she didn’t believe there would be a problem,
it would benefit us both. Councilman Noll said Connie wanted to know what
projects we were doing and paving in the next couple years, because of doing
water work. The secretary said whenever one does a CDBG application,
water work could be coordinated at the time of the project. If we knew,
coming up, we had a check list of what we are going to do, she was going
to make note of that, for the water authority projects. Mr. Malesker said
we talked about a long term plan. It helps to have as starting point. The
secretary told her that we were going to top Broad Street.
Councilman Snyder said we received an email about the MAP program on
DCED, they are accepting applications. Three groups for funding are:
shared services, consolidating or regionalizing municipal services, community
planning including comp plans and zoning/subdivision ordinances and
flood plain management and reimbursement of administrative and enforcement
costs pursuant to the flood plain management act 166. The only thing I thought
of is we have zoning covered, the comp plan we have the bill for that, that
is a done deal. Shared services, can’t think of anything we have planning for that
the only thing I was thinking was flood plain management, I don’t know
know what is coming under this easement agreement. I know there is going
to be another mitigation inspection report, five years of monitoring, I don’t know
Engineer’s Report(cont.) Page 15
if something like that would qualify. Mr. Malesker said I don’t think so, but I can
check with Ben, he’s got his flood management certification. Councilman Snyder
said could we tie in this land if we purchase it, that is part of the flood plain management.
Our timeline with that, if they would reimburse us for something we are currently working on. Mr. Malesker said I think its more for a flood plain ordinance update,
that would enforcement. I can still look into that.
Maintenance Report
Mr. Shearer reported continuing winter ops as needed.
Mr. Shearer asked if we are interested in entering into the 2012-2013 salt contract,
our deadline is March 15, 2012. Councilman Myers said I would think so. Mr.
Shearer said between last fall and this year, we are up to 110 tons total. We got
five loads so far. We estimated 100, we were figuring of having to take 60 to get
up to the 140%. Between now and April we may have another load in.
A discussion with Councilman Noll, Councilman Myers and Mr. Shearer to discuss
the joint equipment/materials bid with Dallastown was set for February 15, 2012
at 3:30PM at the municipal building.
Mr. Shearer said I have assisted John with getting the paperwork for FEMA/PEMA.
Mr. Shearer said the 2012 property maintenance inspection letters are mailed except
for a few addresses I have to verify yet. Rest of those out by the end of the week.
And get that letter to Nicole for 52 N. Church Street also.
Mr. Shearer said we talked about the pump, 3.0 hitch pump for the back of the
tractor. I have not heard back yet. I will probably contact the factory direct.
Councilman Myers said Dallastown said via the email that they have a pump.
Mr. Shearer said they have small trash pumps. They have the small pumps to
pump out during excavation.
Councilman Allar asked about the notice in the packet for pest applicator
recertification. You know where I am going with us.
Mr. Shearer said Tom had brought to my attention, during the storm last month
when we had the couple inches of snow, that it looked like across the alley way
at Clark Alley at the gabion baskets from the Shertzer property, the duplex homes.
At the common driveway that they had plowed a portion of the snow across the
alley way and over towards the creek, you can see some damage to the gabion
baskets. Councilman Allar said there were a couple issues: first, if we have
the proper ordinances, not only putting snow in the creek but the fall people
put leaves in the creek, that might lead to a problem. Do we have what we need
Maintenance Report(cont.) Page 16
to enforce? So should we have education/posting, to let residents know that
we don’t do these things in the creek. Councilman Snyder said I would think
it would be covered under our MS 4. Snow you can’t put that out in a
public thoroughfare. Discussion continued. A letter will be sent to Mr. Shertzer
of awareness of the issue and as a reminder no snow is allowed in creek and
aware of further damage at the gabions. Councilman Snyder suggested an article be put
in the newsletter.
Zoning Officer’s Report
Councilman Noll said there was total of 12 miles and 2 ½ hours. He picked up the
zoning hearing board decision, picked up a decision for Karen Siegel, its all
related to the zoning hearing board.
Councilman Noll reported that the house that is across from me, the one that
was broken into, we had question last time on what needs to be done to move
to the next level. We have to prove that he is living there, I talked to Norm.
If we can get a witness, that he co habited over night. The fact that he is
still getting mail there, we need to prove that he is living there. Councilman
Myers said was there a police report. Councilman Noll said no one was
there.
Councilman Noll said keep a watch around town, there are water leaks around
town. My wife saw water shooting out the building on the second floor at
the property at 179 S. Main Street. The water leak wasn’t in the street,
the house is abandoned. The water was turned off.
Appointment of Code Enforcement Officer
Councilman Noll said we have a couple options in front of us. I didn’t get any
more response to the police officers, we were considering. We did interview
one police officer, he decided the job wasn’t for him. We have two people
that were interviewed and are interested in the job. I do believe in the near
future, Red Lion is going to tell us, they don’t want the zoning side. I called
Code Administrators and they do provide code enforcement in other municipalities,
it’s more money than what we were looking at. Discussion continued. The committee
consisted of Councilman Allar, Councilman Noll and Mayor Sanford. The committee
recommends that Patricia(Patti) Myers be appointed to be Yoe Borough Code
Enforcement officer, effective March 1, 2012. Councilman Noll said Patti had
offered while she is training, $13.00 per hour, in a few months jump up to
$15.00 an hour. A motion was made by Councilwoman Coble Tyson made
a motion to hire Patti Myers, as code enforcement officer for Yoe Borough
effective March 1, 2012, with pay criteria above. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Howett. In favor of motion: Councilman Noll, Councilman
Appointment of Code Enforcement Officer(cont.) Page 17
Allar, Councilman Strausbaugh and Councilman Snyder. Abstaining is Councilman
Myers.
Councilman Snyder said the letter went out to Patti McGonagle along with a copy
of the resolution. Councilman Noll said I will stop back up again and talk
to her. The secretary said Mrs. Scritchfield will be going to the zoning administration
course.
Emergency Management Agency Report
Councilman Snyder said we already went over the FEMA application info.
Councilman Snyder said we received a letter from the County of York asking
to add York County ATR as an automatic response. Councilman Myers
said you already did that. Mayor Sanford said it’s a follow up. There was
confusing why we received the letter.
Councilman Snyder said we received this letter from the County of York,
asking that you have your designee for EMS response, send them an
updated list of DLS and ALS for each box. Councilman Myers said we
did that too, it doesn’t make sense. Councilman Snyder said that is
what I signed for Ted. The secretary said I just wanted to make sure
we didn’t miss something.
Mayor Sanford addressed to new Councilman Strausbaugh that there is
a class that we would like you to take. Councilman Snyder said all
elected municipal officials have to take it for emergency management,
and what your role is as an elected official. NIMS training. You can
do it online at your leisure, you do get a certificate. I don’t think Wendy
has taken the course yet. We need the certificates so we are in compliance
with FEMA and PEMA rules and regulations. Technically we were told
they could hold up reimbursements if everyone isn’t certified. He’ll get with you.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Sanford said you have the report in front of you.
Mayor Sanford said one correction on the date for the FEMA walk through, it
is to be January 18.
Mayor Sanford said one item with the gentleman from 47 N. Main Street,
asking for his name. We had a conversation on speeding issues. Councilman Snyder
said I went over the speed limit sign issue that was discussed under visitors.
Mayor’s Report(cont.) Page 18
Mayor Sanford said on the back of my report is the November/December police
report. Also a total for 2010 versus 2011.
Councilman Allar said on the 25th of January you went to the police commissioners
meeting, it had to do with reporting. Were there any comments, I know Dallastown
and Red Lion had issues. Mayor Sanford said I didn’t understand how some
of the time was logged. There was some questions on how the school resource
officer were being charged out. Apparently there are no administrative hours
being billed to the school districts, its all service hours. Some of the boroughs
were questioned that. The rest of it seemed to be pretty straight forward. I think
there is some miscommunication on how it is being billed. There was questions
since York Township and Red Lion cut back, how it is spread out. They are not
replacing any of the retired officers. That will help balance it out. Councilman
Allar said so the commissioners understand that there is almost a revolt going
on, they have to take that serious. Mayor Sanford said that has been expressed
at several commissioners meetings. Discussion continued.
Councilman Myers said for the FEMA things, I’d like to thank John for doing it.
Its a lot of work.
Secretary’s Report
The secretary said we received a thank you from Stacy Blessing for her
Christmas gift.
The secretary said the financial statements for 12/31/11 were distributed
for your review.
The secretary said the auditors will be conducting their audit on February 13, 15. and 17th, at the borough office. From 8AM until 3:30PM.
The secretary said I put information in the ordinance book for Councilman Strausbaugh.
I need your email address and phone number for everyone that needs it.
Councilman Snyder said other items, we received the year report for calls and
dispatches from Yoe Ambulance. Of particular note there were 63 total calls
for Yoe Borough, 61 from Station 36 and 2 from Station 19. There is more
details in there. Another job well done to Yoe Ambulance.
Councilman Snyder said we also received the latest breakdown from York
Adams Tax Bureau for the period 1/1/11 to 12/31/11, this is going to
be an extremely big year because of still having the distributions from
2010, 2009. We can’t count on it now. Actually distribution Act 32 will
be done monthly basis.
Secretary’s Report(cont.) Page 19
Councilman Snyder said we also received the annual report, which is actually
from the sewer authority for 2011.
Councilman Snyder said we received a request from Steve Chronister, President
Commissioner, indicating that contact be made to Senator Mike Waugh for
ending property taxes and asking our support on official letter head. The council will have a short letter sent that we support property tax reform.
Unfinished Business
Councilman Allar said Seth asked me what is going on with the comp plan, so I
am asking you its been eight/nine months. Councilman Snyder said we got a bill,
when I spoke to Dianne about the zoning issue, I told her that Yoe Borough
is done with it. She said that they still had to look over as the borough, Dallastown
still had to look over it, and after that it would go on to York County Planning.
Councilman Allar said so you know, because we don’t get in trouble or challenged later.
The first step it has to go out for comment to all the surrounding municipalities,
the school district and county. The Municipal Planning Code says within forty five days.
If they don’t send anything in, then there is no comment. The important thing is
any comments that come in, we don’t have to accept. I was going to use Red Lion,
to send them out and get it together. It is whatever you want to do. Once all that is
done at the end, at the end of the 45 days, then we go into the public meeting phase.
The planning commission respectively will have a public meeting, then the municipality. If we don’t have one, it will fall on the council to have a public meeting. Explain
what we are doing. My thought was to, take the public meeting seriously. This
is probably the most important document that we’ve had produced in Yoe for a couple decades. We need to do a serious out reach. I think we need to do a flyer around town.
If you don’t do a decent outreach then you can be subject to a challenge later, or a law suit. This is very important part of the process. Once you do the public meeting then you have step three. Then we vote on it, and pass it by resolution. Then it would be done.
It took the committee about three and half years. This is it. Councilman Snyder said
they are aware of it. I told them we passed it, we approved it, its good to go in
Yoe Borough. Do what you need to do? Councilman Myers said who did you
contact? Who is leading up the project? Dianne? Councilman Allar said Dianne
is technically our point of contact for DCED. I will call her and give her a little kick.
Nothing has happened in nine months on this.
New Business
Councilman Allar said just a quick comment, it talks about newly elected municipal
training. I definitely recommend that, there are handouts and information.
Payment of Bills Page 20
Councilman Snyder said there is one additional bill, Media One : $242.40.
A motion was made by Councilman Noll to pay the bills as listed along with
the additional bill. The motion was seconded by Councilman Allar. All in
favor.
Adjournment
A motion was made by adjourn the meeting at 10:40 PM by Councilman Howett.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Snyder. All in favor.
