Monthly Business Meeting Minutes- January 2, 2019
The
Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on Wednesday,
January 2, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
Council
President, Kris Cardiff, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of
Allegiance and Moment of Silence.
Roll
Call of Attendance by Borough Secretary, Nina Solivan:
(Present) Kris Cardiff, Council President
Craig Alexander, Solicitor
Zackery
Cole, Councilmember Don Glenn, Engineer
Leslie Peters,
Councilmember Louis
Corrales, Public Works Foreman
Cheryl Petersen, Councilmember Brian Lindbloom, Fire Chief
Joshua Sanders,
Councilmember
Casey Shoub,
Councilmember
Ed Llewellyn, Mayor
(Absent) John Eliyas,
EMC
Notice
of Executive Sessions held January 2, 2019, for litigation purposes.
Minutes: A motion “to accept the minutes of December 4, 2018, regular
meeting” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Cole. The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Payment of Bills: A motion “to approve the expense voucher list dated, January 2,
2019” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Cole. The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Public Comment:
Delores
Sutton 601 Brinton Avenue- Ms. Sutton questioned the status of the slide at
Seventh Street and Brinton Avenue. Ms. Sutton also questioned why water service
was terminated with no notification. Ms. Sutton informed council that Irwin is
dredging the creek, questioned if Trafford has any plans to do the same.
Borough
response- Councilman Cardiff stated the slide will be covered under the
engineer’s report. Councilman Shoub stated Irwin is not dredging their creek,
that is part of the expansion of the sewer plant.
Mark
Petrovich 123 Bradford Square Drive- Mr. Petrovich questioned the status of Bradford Square Phase II
and requested an update on the right of way.
Borough
response- Solicitor Alexander stated there is a holdup with one of the prior
heirs. Once that is cleared up access to the right-of-way can be obtained. This
was also presented in executive session. The borough may have to get involved
with condemning the right-of-way to get the ball rolling. Mr. Petrovich questioned what grounds does the borough have to
intervene into a civil matter. Solicitor Alexander stated we are looking into
what the borough’s options are, hoping the heirs get this rectified as soon as
possible.
Larry
George 320 Cavitt Avenue- Mr. George presented information on behalf of the
Trafford Business Association. The intent of the association is to raise funds
to make improvements around town. There was research done on other communities
regarding portable AED’s and the association thought it would be a great idea
to raise the funds to purchase an AED for the police car. It never crossed our
mind that the department would not want them. We sincerely apologize if we
offended anyone. I still think this should still be looked at. We have a lot of
things planned for 2019 around town. Mr. George presented a picture of
storefronts that were fixed up by volunteers with a little bit of paint and
putty. Fire Chief Lindbloom has been a tremendous help, he was able to get us
in contact with his supplier. Mr. George stated he has reached out to the Chief
on several occasions but the Chief has not returned any of his calls. The duty
is to protect and serve. The facts are the facts, the evidence is overwhelming
the police get to the scene two to six minutes before the ems.
Borough
response-Councilman Cardiff stated to get in touch with the Mayor to possibly
set up a meeting with the chief.
Joan
Monroe 513 Zone Street- Ms. Monroe stated the Christmas lights on Cavitt Avenue
look great. Secondly, the lights in the library parking lot are either not
working or not bright enough. It’s too dark.
Borough
response- Public Works Foreman Lou Corrales stated he will check on the timer
in the morning.
Don Glenn, Engineer:
The
BY Park restroom renovation project is underway. Swede Construction has all of
the plumbing in place, the interior has been painted, and the stall partitions
have been installed along with the grab-bars. The project should be completed
soon.
There
have been a few complications with the Seventh and Brinton Avenue Slide repairs.
GeoBuild, the contractor responsible for putting in
Soil Nails was able to get the first set of nails in place while trying to put
in the second set, the contractor hit a waterline. The water company mismarked
their waterline during the one call. The waterline was marked eighteen feet
from the painted one call marking. The water company was unaware that their
waterline runs along the curb line. The water company’s map shows the waterline
where the initial one call marking was placed. The water service in that area
has been temporarily disabled. The water company put on a temporary coupling
that failed and sent out for another. The water service should be restored
within the next hour or so. Don stated he will be meeting with the water
company in the morning to relocate the waterline where the original one call
marking is located. This will shut our project down until the waterline has
been moved. Depending on the new location of the waterline we may not be able
to install the third set of soil nails as intended. If that is the case, I may
have to come up with a different scheme. In addition to the waterline break our
curb has moved, we now need to look at additional work with a wall or a new
curb line. A lot of things are up in the air until I meet with the water
company and the contractor as soon as I have a plan I will reach out to
council.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned when the water line is being moved will residents be without
water. Don stated the old line will continue to be in use until the new line
has been tested and passed.
Councilman
Cardiff questioned if the water company will be held liable? Don stated the
borough is not responsible and will be speaking with the water company.
A
letter was sent to PennDOT regarding water flow onto Route 130 that caused an
accident. Public Works Foreman Lou Corrales stated there was a road cut in for
the APEX Well Pad on the Drakulic property located in
Penn Township. When the road was cut in the water runoff was directed onto
Route 130. Mr. Corrales contacted Penn Township Code Enforcement and they were
able to provide the contractors’ information. The contractor informed Mr.
Corrales he was in Des Moines, Iowa and do whatever that needed to be done and
that the contractor’s son will meet Mr. Corrales to re-pay the borough for the
resources that have been spent on this issue. Mr. Corrales stated there is an
issue and we are aware we are trying to get the issue taken care of as quickly
as possible.
Code Enforcement: Councilman Sanders reported there were ten occupancy inspections
filed, two follow-up occupancy inspections completed, and eleven new occupancy
permits issued. There is one zoning permit in process. There was one abandoned
vehicle ordinance violation, one trash ordinance violation, one property
maintenance ordinance violation, one zoning ordinance violation, and one
occupancy ordinance violation.
Solicitor: Mr. Alexander stated all of his items were addressed in executive
session along with the resolutions on the agenda.
Trafford VFD: Fire Chief Lindbloom stated there were two hundred and twenty-five
calls for the year, which is up approximately twenty calls from the previous
year. Chief Lindbloom highlighted there were fifteen fire calls for the year,
with approximately two million, eight hundred and two dollars’ worth of
property was at risk and damages were minimized to one hundred, and forty-six
thousand. The average response time for the year for ems related incidents was
six minutes and for fire-related incidents was just over seven minutes. The
national average to be on scene is nine minutes and we are under that. Included
in Fire Chief Lindblom’s report were pictures of the Wallace Avenue bridge
debris in Brush Creek. The hillside is deteriorating, there is a tractor-trailer
ten feet away from the deteriorating hillside. Fire Chief Lindbloom stated it
will be a lot easier to have the property owner move the trailer now while it
is on top rather then it falling into the creek. Fire Chief Lindbloom also
included information regarding ASHER (Active Shooter Hostile Event Response).
This is an unfortunate reality, at your leisure please read the report. In 2002
the fire department wrote a grant to obtain AED’s for the police vehicles and was
successful and received one AED. At that time there was only one car on duty.
Overtime AED’s expire. The ones we had we did have some success with, several
officers we had used them. The importance of having someone on scene starting
CPR doing chest compressions and resuscitation is the key to saving someone but
when you add the AED to the CPR the survival chance increases. We have
certified instructors on staff and can provide training for free as well as a
refresher training. Fire Chief Lindbloom informed council that bus drivers are
using the public restrooms during the day but calling the fire department after
hours to open the doors.
WHT: Mayor Llewellyn reported the Trail event that is scheduled for
June 1, 2019, is still in the works. Mayor Llewellyn is requesting a member of
council be present at the trail meetings. They are the second Tuesday of the
month at the Lamplighter. There will be a community project with business
owners and vendors at the BY Park, it has been reserved for that day.
Councilman Cardiff questioned if the business association is paying for the
rental fee. Mayor Llewellyn was under the impression it was decided at the last
meeting the pavilions were able to be used for this event council stated that
was not the case.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Llewellyn reported for the month of December there were a
total of one hundred thirty-five calls, ten criminal cases filed with
additional pending investigation, and fifty-four citations were issued.
Sanitation: Councilman Shoub reported the
pavilion at the Terrace Playground has been removed.
Presidents Report- Councilman Cardiff stated he is in the process of forming a
better follow-up communication to public comment. Councilman Cardiff stated he
able to get in contact with Senator Kim Ward’s office but is unsure if she will
be able to attend the next workshop meeting. Once a confirmation has been made,
he will place the information on the website.
Nomination for Vacant Council Position
Councilman Cardiff announced the individuals who submitted letters
of interest Mike Burnett, Steve Perovich, Patricia Paola and Delores Sutton.
A roll call vote for nominations was
taken.
Councilman Cardiff and Councilman Shoub nominated Steve Perovich.
Councilwoman Peters, Councilwoman Petersen, and Councilman Sanders
nominated Patricia Paola.
Councilman Cole nominated Michael Burnett.
Solicitor Alexander stated the nominations are now between
Patricia Paola and Steve Perovich.
A roll call vote between the two candidates will be needed.
Councilman Cardiff, Councilman Cole, and Councilman Shoub voted
Steve Perovich.
Councilwoman Peters, Councilwoman Petersen, and Councilman Sanders
voted Patricia Paola.
Councilman Shoub asked Solicitor Alexander if Mr. Perovich could
still sit on the Zoning Hearing Board for the upcoming hearing on January 17,
2019. Solicitor Alexander stated as long as Mr. Perovich has not been sworn in
yet he may participate in that hearing. Councilman Cardiff questioned how long
Mr. Perovich has to be sworn in. Solicitor Alexander cited the borough code
section 903: Right of council to declare seat of member vacant for failure to
qualify. If an individual, elected or appointed as a member of council and
notified of election or appointment refuses or neglects to qualify as a member
of council within ten days following the beginning of the individual's term of
office, unless prevented by sickness or necessary absence from the borough, the
council, acting without the individual, may declare the individual's office as
member of council vacant and may fill the vacancy in accordance in the way we
just did. Solicitor Alexander stated he would like to look into this further to
see if there is any possibility to extend the timeframe to allow Mr. Perovich
to participate in the upcoming hearing.
Councilman Cardiff thanked the individuals who submitted letters
of interest for the open council position, it is an election year if you are
interested in running please familiarize your self with the county election
bureaus website on how to file and please run for a position. There are three
seats this year that are up.
Appoint Official Newspaper
A
motion “to appoint the Penn-Franklin News as Trafford Borough’s official
newspaper” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Cole. The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Recreation board Appointments
A
motion “to appoint Nick Petrucci and Mary Dobos to the Trafford Borough Recreation Board with terms
expiring December 31, 2021” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by
Councilman Cole. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
2019 Sewage Rates
A
motion “to approve a resolution setting the 2019 Sewage Rates” was made by
Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Shoub. Councilman Cardiff stated
the borough is not raising its rates, this is due to Alcosan. Alcosan had a
press release stating the rates will continue to increase 7% each year until
2021. Councilman Cardiff thanked the sewage department and the administrative
staff for keeping a tight budget which allows the borough to not have to
increase its rates.
The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Eliminating Member Contributions
A
motion “to eliminate member contributions into the Trafford Borough Police
pension plan for the 2019 calendar year” was made by Councilwoman Peters and
seconded by Councilwoman Petersen. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
BY Park Restroom Renovation
A
motion “to authorize a contract with Swede Construction in the amount of
$31,350.00, for the BY Park restroom renovation project” was made by Councilman
Shoub and seconded by Councilwoman Peters.
Councilman
Cardiff mentioned the other quote received for this project was in the amount
of $42,200.00 and is a significant saving. Councilman Cardiff also mentioned the
funding for the project is money from Westmoreland County Community Development
Block Grant. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Seventh Street and Brinton Avenue Slide
A
motion “to authorize a contract with GeoBuild,
utilizing funds from the sewage fund, to install soil nails to reinforce the
Seventh Street and Brinton Avenue Slide” was made by Councilman Shoub and
seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried unanimously
6-0.
Advertisements for Various Boards
A
motion “to approve an advertisement seeking letters of interest for the Planning
Commission, Vacancy Board, and the Zoning Hearing Board. Letters must be
submitted by Wednesday, January 30, 2019, by 4:30 p.m.” was made by Councilman
Sanders and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
New Business
Councilman
Cardiff stated with Councilwoman Morrow’s resignation that leaves the position
of council vice-president vacant.
Councilwoman Petersen nominated Councilwoman Peters, Councilwoman
Petersen nominated Councilwoman Peters, Councilman Cole nominated Councilman
Shoub, and Councilman Cardiff nominated Councilman Sanders.
A roll call vote for nominations was taken.
Councilman Cardiff voted Councilman Sanders, Councilman Cole voted
Councilman Shoub, Councilwoman Peters voted Councilwoman Petersen, Councilwoman
Petersen voted Councilwoman Peters, Councilman Sanders voted Councilman Shoub,
Councilman Shoub voted Councilwoman Peters.
The vote is now between Councilwoman Peters and Councilman Shoub.
Councilman Cardiff, Councilman Cole, and Councilman Sanders voted
for Councilman Shoub.
Councilwoman Peters, Councilwoman Petersen, and Councilman Shoub
voted for Councilwoman Peters.
There was a split vote 3-3, Mayor Llewellyn broke the tie and
selected Councilman Shoub as Council Vice-President. Motion Carries.
Mayor Llewellyn announced the funding has been secured to purchase
a memorial bench in memory of Renee Capetta. Mayor
Llewellyn stated he will coordinate with public works and then present the
location to council.
Adjournment
Councilman
Cardiff announced the work session to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at
7:00 p.m. in the Manchester Room.
Councilman
Cardiff announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at
7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
A
motion “to adjourn” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman
Shoub. The motion carried unanimously.