COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY OF CORRY 7:00 PM JULY 5, 2016 Mayor Campbell opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call found Council members Bresler, Drake, Gernovich, and Hamilton present, along with City Manager Biondi, City Solicitor Carney and Fire Chief Sproveri. City Engineer Maas and Chief of Police Shopene were absent. ROLL CALL (1) Amend agenda to add under Unfinished Business 10 (a) Paving Projects and (b) Discussion on removal of down town canopies. (2) Mayor Campbell motioned to appoint Lisa Jordan as acting Clerk. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bresler, which carried unanimously. AMEND AGENDA APPOINT ACTING CITY CLERK (3) Minutes of the meeting on June 20, 2016 were presented for approval: a. CDBG Meeting: Mr. Bresler made a motion to approve the minutes; Mrs. Hamilton seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. b. Regular Council meeting minutes: Mr. Bresler made a motion to approve the minutes; Mayor Campbell seconded the motion, which carried unanimously. APPROVE COUNCii MINUTES Hearing of the Public: Tom Willis, of 248 Worth St, asked to discuss the plan for property located at 251 Worth St. This property has been an issue in the neighborhood for years. Mr. Willis stated he contacted the Code Enforcement Officer, Kathy Hendricks, about 1-1/2 years ago, regarding the condition of the property and was told she too had found multiple issues with this property, however, had not heard anything else from her since. Approximately 2 weeks ago, he met with Ms. Hendricks to inquirer about the status of the property and she informed him that she was forbidden to condemn the property due to the old City Administrator and because of who owned the property, referring to the Dave Johnson family. Mr. Bresler stated that he wanted to be very clear that we have rules and the rules apply to everyone, no exceptions. It doesn't matter who you are and what you do or what you think of yourself, we have one set of rules that apply to everyone, whether it's from code enforcement to ordinances to anything and that is my position. Mr. Gernovich stated the CNI (Corry Neighborhood Initiative) does try to blighted properties and asked if this was on their list. Mr. Biondi commented this property is not currently on their list. Mayor Campbell noted that this property was on their list previously, but had been taken off due to the listed price. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC Mr. Willis inquired as to what can be done now with this property, any Mr. Willis did meet with Jason Biondi and they both walked about around the property. Jason contacted the home owner to discuss the repairs to the back foundation and to get the house sealed from varmints. The home owner is currently gathering quotes to have this work completed. The work would have to be permitted and foundation inspected thru B.l.U. Mr. Willis stated the house was a drug house, people constantly corning and going, he and other neighbors are concerned and frustrated with the progress and don't want to tolerate the situation anymore. The property has been vacant for about 9 months and there are no utilities turned on at this time. Mayor Campbell suggested that Mr. Biondi talk with Code Enforcement Ms. Hendricks, to find out more information on the process of condemning the house and investigate and where we are from doing this. Mr. Biondi says we are stopped at this time, but are moving forward with the recent issues that have been voiced to get resolution. Mr. Willis asked if someone will be contacting him to give updates. Mayor Campbell would be contacting them with that someone 1
Mr. Willis spoke with Ms. Hendricks and she said that they would now have to file a formal complaint, which was the process that was adopted by Council at the pt of this year. Mayor Campbell stated that end of the year when Mr. Mangini made his exit in December we stopped all processes due to we knew there were issues with how things were and were not proceeding. Now with having Mr. Biondi and Chief Shopene working together, we can begin to move forward, however, this process takes time. Troy Jaggi, of 12488 Thompson Rd, stated he owns multiple properties in the of Corry and is frustrated with the Code Enforcement pertaining to the Rental Registry Program. He has paid approximately $8k into the Rental Registry Program to make his rentals one of the nicest in town, brand new from top to bottom, everything is new. On April 11, he received an inspection by B.l.U., Steve Wilt, on his property at 315 Delaware St, who found a broken receptacle plate, and other safety hazard violations, coded as a 5, including ceiling height and stairway. He came into the Bldg to fill out an form, which he thought he appealed everything on his inspection sheet prior to the already scheduled May inspection, so he did not show up for the inspection. He is most upset about receiving an invoice from The City for his 3 rental properties for inspections at for these items that he believed he did appeal in full and feels he should not have been charged. He is tired of paying the inspections costs for these small infractions. The inspection cycle is every 2 years. Mr. Biondi, stated that Lisa Jordan has contacted B.l.U. to see why the bill came thru for City of Corry to invoice Mr. Jaggi. The original fee includes your initial inspection and a follow up inspection. We are working on reviewing this specific situation with B.1.U. and will get back to you. Mr. Bresler asked Mr. Biondi to meet with B.1.U. along with Mr. Carney to see where we are with the Rental Program and review the issues. Mayor Campbell agreed that there is issues with the Rental Registry Program system overall and that we need to review the issues along with B.l.U. and the whole program in order to move forward. It was the intention that after the first year (2012) that the RR Program was instituted, Council was to review the process and make any necessary changes they saw fit. Unfortunately, this has not happened. The Appeals Board is not in place. After the previous City Manager left in December of 2015, the Code Enforcement Officer, Ms. Hendricks, was put under the supervision of the Chief Shopene to have the opportunity to learn more from a law enforcement side to be able to use in the Rental Registry Program. All these changes take time to fix and with the other issues piling up, some items got pushed to the side for the time being. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC Mr. Gernovich stated that the ordinance needs to be revised and put high on the priority list. Mr. Biondi addressed Mr. Jaggi and stated that we know that there are issues with the Rental Program, however, what B.1.U. and Code Enforcement are enforcing is what we currently have in place, we can address each of the however, for now these are the rules of engagement until something is changed. Fire Chief Drew Sproveri, of 1139 Mead Ave, asked to have the parking situation near Mound St & Mead Ave investigated. Quite often cars are parked on Mead Ave near the blind hill by Mound St, which is a narrow strip, and a poor vision area and wants to see if anything could be done, such as post no parking signs. Jeff On ink, of 140 W. Bond, that the stretch between Mead and Mound narrow and a poor vision area, especially if you are trying to pull out of Mound St onto Mead Ave. Mayor Campbell asked Mr. Biondi to check with Chief Shopene to see about the parking on the Street and our options. Rex Messenger, of 173 Random Rd, questioned Mr. Bresler comment in the previous council meeting that the property owner having the sale is responsible for people parking on the streets. Mr. Bresler reiterated that it is adviseable for the person having the sale to control the parking situation themselves. Mr. Biondi will check 2
with Chief Shopene to ensure it is a focus when the officers are on patrol. The Corry Journal has a yard sale packet and potentially the City could add literature referring to tips for parking when hosting a yard sale. Rex Messenger, of 173 Random Rd, cross walk lines be painted on Worth St, near the Corry Manor. Solicitor Carney stated that creating a area in the City R.O.W. would not be advised and would be a liability to the City and with the speed limit, it would not be recommended. Mr. Messenger also asked about painting cross walk near the Brazil Nut on Center St. Dave Moats spoke up and said that Penn Dot advised about yrs ago, not to use this area as a cross walk. Karen Silvis, of 514 Grand St, stated that North on Worth St, near Perkins, that a person in a wheelchair was going down the middle of the Street without any flags or reflective gear to be able to see them. Jeff On ink, of 140 W. Bond, with Karen and wanted to know why the State of Pennsylvania doesn't a motorized wheelchair as a vehicle that wou Id require them to buy insurance and add lights. Troy Jaggi, of 12488 Thompson Rd, inquired about what the incentive is to buy blighted properties in Corry and get them back on the tax roll, oppose to residents incentives for demolishing them. Mayor Campbell with that this is a however, it is out of the realm of Council. Mr. Gernovich stated that this was up at a recent CNI Meeting and Mike Baker, of 234 Worth St, stated if distressed houses for lower costs, an occupancy permit required and they need to be brought to current codes on the house, no awards for band aids. (4) Mayor Campbell made a motion to receive and file the letter from Crew Mr. Bresler seconded the motion, and carried unanimously. Mayor Campbell stated would not be talking about this issue in Public, as it is still under litigation CORRESPON DENC (5) Mayor Campbell made a motion to receive and file the letter dated June 20, 2016 from local business owners requesting CDBG funds be used for resurfacing the parking lot on N Center St between Something and the Elk's Club. Mr. Bresler seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Mr. Bresler said we should refer it to the Erie Housing Authority to see if they agree and revisit all the other parking lots in town as well. (6) decided to move this to the work session on Monday, July 11, 2016. There is in additional monies for paving for another street, need to decide on started the last week in as the will be UNFINISHED BUSINESS (7) Removal of downtown The bid from Guzik Concrete & Masonry for and the project was put out for additional quotes. Quotes received were as follows: a. Michael Baker $3,500 b. Jackson Sam Baressi Tree Service $4,500 $5,000 was Mayor Campbell made a motion to receive & file proposals. Mrs. Hamilton seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Mayor Campbell made a motion to approve the bid from Michael Baker for $3500, pending proof of insurance. Mrs. Hamilton seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Mr. Baker preferred to do the work on a Wednesday afternoon, if possible. Mayor Campbell stated that they appreciated all 3 proposals. Mr. Gernovich stated that we need to remember that we are adding something to the budget, removing of the down town canopy expense was not originally planned. CANOPY RFP APPROVAL 3
(8) Mr. Gernovich requested that a regular council meeting be held at another location as in years past. It was suggested to possibly hold a fall meeting at the Community Center due to there is no air conditioning in the gym. Mr. Biondi will coordinate the date and time with Keri, possibly September. The meeting location would need to be advertised. NEW BUSINESS (9) Mr. Bresler presented bills in the amount of $292,850.16, for the purpose of motion to reduce the amount by $998.29, as a member of Council is reimbursed. The total check approval will be $120,026.48. He made a motion that the bills be paid when funds are available and properly signed. Mrs. Hamilton seconded the motion and carried unanimously. Mr. Bresler made a motion to pay Mrs. Hamilton in the sum of $998.29 for the reimbursement of the liquor license at the North Hills Golf Course and for hamburgers purchased at Sam's Club for the golf course to sell. Mr. Drake seconded the motion, and carried unanimously with the exception of Mrs. Hamilton, who abstained from the vote. BILL LIST (10) Mr. Bresler announced we have received the 2015 audit from Maloney, Reed, Scarpitti & Company for 2015 and is available for inspection as are the 2015 audit recommendations and are available to anyone that would like to review them at the Administration Building. (11) Mrs. Hamilton wanted to remind everyone to attend the of Appreciation Day for 1st Responders, including police and military. The event will be held at the Corry VFW on Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 11:30am l:oopm and BBQ with free hotdogs. 2015 AUDIT SAFETY DIRECTOR COMMENTS Mr. Drake gave an update on what the streets crews have been working on. a. Patch work taking from Worth St to Route 6. b. Finished patching in Ward and moving into the l5' Ward. Installed fire hydrant on Route 6. d. Repaired leaking valve in front of Munsee's driveway on Route 6. Next week installing fire hydrant NE Sciota Rd on Route 6, and more street repairs, barring unforeseen circumstances. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR COMMENTS (13) Mr. Biondi gave updates the action items from the last meeting and work session. " In regards to the parking on one side of streets near 124 E (between Concord & King) as resident doesn't have a driveway, reviewed with Chief Shopene and not changing parking rules for one location in town but review alternate " Utility poles on W. Washington St, new are installed and awaiting for the other utility companies to transfer their services from old pole to new pole, this could take another 7-10 days. We are working thru the proper channels to get this resolved. " Alley near Washington & Gold St, has been grated and brined, resident was notified. " He asked to meet with Mr. to show him the flag that rope needs " Shady Ave, water pooling at the culvert pipes, the end of were cleaned & we did do jetting on some of the sluices, issues should be resolved.., Random Rd will be tarred & chipped, once have a date, the residents in that area will be notified. " Opening bids moved back to Council Meetings was approved and on next set of bid openings, we will schedule it and advertise prior to the regular meeting.., Public Work session project for this year, to start we need to develop a potential project list and will work with Council & Mayor for ideas or if the Public has any input to contact him. " 602 W. Washington, no immediate for that property to be taken down, will continue to investigate. CITY MANAGEF ACTION ITEMS 4
" Mead Park Assoc., Maddy Johnson was emailed with reminder to submit request for annual Mead Park stipend from the City. " Transfer of Erie County LCB license for the Corry Country Club to City of Corry and voted and approved and notification that Joanne Smith took care of. Mayor asked Mr. Biondi about Milling bids, and if they had been sent out. Mr. Biondi responded they haven't all been sent out as of yet. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC Tom Willis, of 248 Worth St, requested more Police to monitor the speed limit, as people are going 50-60 mph. Mayor Campbell stated that they will address with Chief Shopene. Rex Messenger, of 173 Random Rd, inquired about handicap parking in city lots and streets. Mr. Gernovich stated he met with Terry Williams and they did a count citywide, but he needs to follow up to see where we stand overall and investigate the (14) Mayor Campbell announced the following meetings " Monday, July 11, 2016, 7 pm Chambers. " Monday, July 18, 7 pm followed by a session. MEETING SCHEDULE Mayor Campbell made motion to the meeting; the motion was seconded by Mrs. Hamilton. ADJOURN 5