SHAMOKIN - The city's oft-maligned parking meters could be replaced by year's end.
That announcement, along with approvals to abolish the Rock Street skate park and finalize a plan for the refinancing and restructuring of $2.2 million in debt, was made during Monday's city council meeting.
Steve Bartos, city clerk, said he's currently working with three different companies to potentially replace the city's 650 parking meters - both electronic and traditional.
Bartos said he'd likely have a plan for council members to consider at next month's meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 10.
Shamokin's parking meters accept quarters only, a move made at the start of 2011, with the time doled out varied among the city's sections in which meters are installed.
Skate park
Councilman R. Craig Rhoades, chairman of the parks and recreation committee, motioned to shut down the skate park, citing criminal activity such as vandalism. The move was seconded by William R. Strausser and the motion passed 4-0, with Rhoades, Strausser, William D. Milbrand and Mayor George S. Rozinskie Jr. in favor.
Councilman Michael A. Snyder was not in attendance.
What seemed to force council's hand was the cost to replace fencing progressively vandalized beyond repair - $5,500, plus an annual increase of $500 to the city's liability insurance.
There is no immediate timetable for the park's closing.
Rhoades appeared disappointed to make the move to close the skate park, and said as much after the meeting: "It really bothers me to have to do this."
Council has a long-term plan for the parcel of land, though. Rhoades said the area could be added to the neighboring Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool and converted into a children's splash area.
Debt refinancing
Council voted 4-0 to move forward with a 10-year fixed-rate refinancing plan on four outstanding bank notes totaling $2.247 million.
The move will fix two tax-exempt notes at 3.75 percent and two taxable notes at 5.70 percent and reduce the outstanding debt amount to $1.277 million at plan's end.
It will also reduce the city's total payments on the four notes by $102,042.97 this year, with approximately $25,000 saved annually afterward through 2016.
After 10 years, the tax-exempt notes will have variable rates of 6.09 percent, capped at 9 percent, while the taxable notes will have variable rates of 7.09 percent, capped at 12 percent.
After 10 years, future council members could decide whether to stick with the variable rates, seek fixed rates or shop for another refinancing and restructuring plan.
Office move
Council voted 3-1 to relocated the city's treasurer and controller offices from city hall to a neighboring building that once housed the tax collection office.
The move was made to provide office space for the city's new code enforcement officer, Rick Bozza.
Milbrand, Rozinskie and Strausser voted to approve the plan. Rhoades voted against it, citing the costs of operating two buildings.
Strausser seemed to agree with Rhoades sentiment, but said there were pros and cons to the move, adding that the treasurer's new location was originally designed for that function.
Insurance changes
Council adopted changes to employee life insurance and dental plans.
By a 4-0 vote, council switched from Standard to Hartford for its employees' life insurance plans. The move is estimated to save $1,425.60 annually.
The same vote brought about a change from Dentrix to United Concordia Advantage. While the city's annual premium increased from $1,484.35 to $1,628.30, it also brought about greater basic coverage for plan members - from 80 percent to 100 percent.
The annual program deductible increased from $1,000 to $1,500, and a lifetime orthodontic maximum previously unavailable is now set at $800.
The changes were previously approved by the employees.
Bartos said the changes to the life insurance coverage allowed for the slight increase in dental coverage.
In other news, council voted to enter a contract for cell phone service with Verizon Wireless and cancel its existing agreement with Sprint at no cost. The city will receive seven new cell phones at no cost and the move, Bartos said, will reap an estimated $500 savings annually.
Also, the city voted to advertise for a street department laborer.