Monthly Business Meeting Minutes- Wednesday, November 7, 2018
The
Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on Wednesday,
November 7, 2018, at 7:02 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
Council
President, Kris Cardiff, called the meeting to order.
Mr. and Mrs. Fike
led the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence and thanked Council. Mr. Fike informed the audience Veterans Day in on Sunday, please thank all of your fellow veterans for their
service.
Roll
Call of Attendance by Borough Secretary, Nina Solivan:
(Present) Kris
Cardiff, Council President Ashely
Stack, Borough Manager
Zach Cole,
Councilmember Craig Alexander, Solicitor
Leslie
Peters, Councilmember Don Glenn, Engineer
Cheryl
Petersen, Councilmember Brian Lindbloom, Fire Chief
Joshua
Sanders, Councilmember
Casey
Shoub, Councilmember
Ed
Llewellyn, Mayor
(Absent) Council
Vice-President Carol Morrow, John Eliyas, EMC
Notice
of Executive Sessions held Wednesday, November 7, 2018, for litigation.
Minutes- A motion “to accept the minutes of October 2, 2018, regular
meeting minutes” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman
Sanders. The motion carried unanimously
6-0.
Payment of Bills- A motion “to approve the expense voucher list dated, November 7,
2018,” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Cole. The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Public Comment
Patricia Paola 74 First Street: Mrs. Paola stated
the trains are back to normal, she contacted the DEP and was informed there is
nothing that can be done, they are exempt from the
idling law. Mrs. Paola also questioned the status of the bill list still not
being on the website. Mrs. Paola also stated she has
not heard anything regarding her code complaints that have been filed.
Council response: Councilman Cardiff stated the
bills will be posted after they have been approved. Adam Hlad, Code Enforcement
Officer stated the complaints that were filed are in progress letters have been
sent and one was addressed.
Carol Richardson 225 First Street: Ms. Richardson
gave an update on Holiday Happenings, there have been three meetings thus far. Requesting cookie donations. Thanked public works for
getting all of the decorations together. Ms. Richardson also questioned two
budget line items 406.450 and 459.450.
Council response: Borough Secretary Solivan stated
406.450 has increased due to the proposed purchase of
new front doors for the borough building which is a safety concern. Borough
Manager Stack stated 459.450 has increased due to
cleaning costs.
Jeff Contillo 424 Homewood Ave: Expressed concerns
for the road condition on Homewood Avenue specifically the section between Fifth and Sixth Street. There is no stop sign at the
corner of Fourth and Homewood and is concerned there will be a fatal crash. Mr.
Contillo also questioned a street light that is no longer there.
Council response: Council President Cardiff stated
next year we will hopefully be able to get back to our paving program, which
includes a street evaluation. The mayor will coordinate with the police
department on placing a stop sign at Fourth and Homewood. Councilman Shoub will
be evaluating the street lights within the next couple of weeks.
Don Glenn, Engineer
-
Brinton and Seventh Street Slide: Don stated council should hold a
special work session to discuss financing/grant opportunities. This needs to be addressed as soon as possible, the only solution
to this is to install a Powell Solider Beam Lagging Wall due to the topography.
On a positive note, our sanitary and storm sewers are sound but are in
jeopardy. The roadway is being undermined if we do not address this we will
lose it. Secretary Solivan questioned if the funds may be taken out of Liquid
Fuels, Don stated they may. This is critical and we need a plan of action.
-
Mckee Asphalt: The asphalt company will be in
later this week weather dependent, to perform the work on Bruce Street and
Ardennes Court.
-
Don submitted a report concerning the replacement of the sidewalk along
Edgewood Avenue.
-
Murrysville Road: Victor Paving is requesting a 50% payment of the
Murrysville Road project, with Don’s recommendation of providing the borough
with a letter stating Victor Paving will fix the inlets on Fourth Street and
Viaduct Way and will be paid the remaining 50% upon completion of all
work. A motion “to pay Victor Paving 50%
of the retainer the borough is holding contingent upon the completion of all
work” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders. The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Administrative Reports
Borough Manager- The temporary hire will be starting on Tuesday, November 13,
2018. The borough was recently informed by Morgan Stanley that they will no
longer be administering our police pension plan, currently working on a
resolution, and RFP. We will need to work closely with our pension consultant,
solicitor, Teamsters Local 205 and the police department. There is nearly
$700,000.00 currently in the fund. Alcosan has notified the borough with the
2019 increases, the service fee will increase by $1.09, and the consumption fee
will increase by $0.52, the new minimum bill will be $118.33. This is not a
borough increase, this is an ALCOSAN increase. The borough office will be
closed on Monday, November 12, 2018, in observance of Veteran’s Day.
Code Enforcement- Code Enforcement Officer Adam Hlad reported there were twelve
new occupancy inspections, eleven follow-up inspections, with eight new
occupancy permits issued. Twelve grass/weeds complaints with seven abated, five
total trash/garbage complaints with two abated, four property maintenance
complaints with two abated. Mayor Llewellyn questioned burning 90 First Street, Fire Chief Lindbloom stated you cannot burn building
material. Adam Hlad stated they are allowed on the property, just not inside
the structures.
Borough Solicitor- Solicitor Alexander stated he will advertise the preliminary
budget.
EMS- There were twenty-six calls for the
month of September, with one call being handled by North Huntingdon. There were
twenty-five calls for the month of October, with one call being handled by
North Huntingdon.
Trafford VFD- Fire Chief Lindbloom reported there were twelve total calls for
the month of October. Chief Lindbloom reminded all of those in attendance to
change the batteries in their smoke detectors. November 10, 2018, is the 200
club fundraiser get your tickets, there are only seventeen left.
EMC- No report.
Rec Board- Rose Frollini reported the Halloween
event was a success, there were 65 children in
attendance. The legion allowed everyone inside due to the weather.
TECDC- No report.
WHT- No report.
Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn reported for the month of October there were one
hundred fifty-two service calls, sixty-nine citations were issued, and ten
criminal cases filed with additional pending investigation.
Committee Report
Community Development- Councilwoman Peters reported the Bells of Peace Ceremony will be
held at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Sunday, November 11, 2018. Reimagining
Westmoreland has posted their draft countywide comprehensive plan, it is pretty
cool take a look in your spare time. Savvy Citizen is up and running, fine-tuning
the notification alerts. Councilman Cardiff questioned if everything has been
coordinated regarding the admins of Savvy. Councilwoman Peters stated she has
been working on coordinating schedules with the mayor and Chief Disso.
Coordinating schedules for six people is tough especially when those who
volunteer work during the day.
Presidents Report- Councilman Cardiff stated there was only
one nomination for the Volunteer of the Year Award. Was
hoping to have more than one nomination. Will accept
nominations here tonight if anyone has any suggestions. The one
nomination received came from Melissa Edwards who nominated Betty Capets who is
the Director of Trafford Food Bank. A motion to “nominate Betty Capets for the
2018 Renee Capetta Memorial Volunteer Award” was made
by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried
unanimously 6-0.
Receive 2019 Budget
A motion to “receive and advertise the Borough
Manager’s 2019 budget” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by
Councilwoman Peters.
Advertise Millage Ordinance
A motion to “advertise an Ordinance
setting the millage rates for 2019. The proposed millage rate is 28.5 mills
for general government services and 3 mills for debt service, with no increase
from 2018” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders.
Councilwoman Peters questioned the last time taxes were
raised, Secretary Solivan stated in 2015.
The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
CBA Public Works
A
motion to “Ratify the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Trafford Borough,
Teamsters Local Union No. 205, and the Trafford Borough Public Works
Department” was made by Councilman Shoub and Seconded by Councilwoman Petersen.
The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Appointment to Rec Board
A
motion to “Appoint Tanya Funk to the Trafford Recreation Board, filling a term
ending December 31, 2019” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by
Councilman Sanders.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if this would be a conflict of interest being she is a
part-time playground employee. Solicitor Alexander stated there is no conflict.
The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Jeffery Associates
A
motion to “Approve the final payment to Jeffery Associates for $5,000.00, for
the Fairmont Playground Project” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded
by Councilman Shoub.
Borough
Manager Stack stated this payment was approved by the Rec Board at their meeting, we are having an issue with the basketball court.
There are chunks of pavement coming up, which is being addressed.
The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
2019 Ford F350
A
motion to “Approve the purchase of a 2019 Ford F350 for the Trafford Borough
Public Works Department from Tri-Star Motors for $63,620.00, with five annual
payments of $13,891.89.” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by
Councilman Sanders.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned how long this will last, and does this price include
everything that they need?
Borough
Manager Stack stated the truck is fully outfitted and the payment will be split
between the general and sewage fund. This will allow them to service more area
in the borough when plowing snow. It will take several weeks before receiving
the new truck, once we receive the new truck we plan to place the white Ford
F150 and the old red F550 dump truck on Municibid. We will be able to get more money on the F150
on Municibid as opposed to a trade in value.
Currently with the red F550 down the borough only has two truck
capable to plow snow.
The
motion carried unanimously 6-0.
New Business
Councilman Shoub stated while at Tri-Star getting
the bid for the new Public Works, he inquired about the police car that council
has already agreed to purchase and was informed it is not even in the process
of being built. The borough should not expect to receive that vehicle until
spring of 2019. The Durango is currently nickeling and diming us. Tri-Star did
have on the lot a Ford F150 fitted as a police vehicle. The payments would be
an additional $1,000.00 per year, the Chief wanted permission to explore this
option if there are no other routes. The one advantage of getting a pickup
truck is the resale value.
A motion to “Allow the Chief of Police to explore
alternate options for a police vehicle up to $8,000.00 per year” was made by
Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders.
The motion carried unanimously 6-0.
Adjournment
Councilman
Cardiff announced the next regular business meeting will be held Tuesday,
December 4, 2018, at 7:00 pm in the Markosek Council Chambers.
A
motion “to adjourn” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman
Cole. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.