Trafford Borough

Monthly Business Meeting Minutes- December 1, 2020

The Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on Tuesday, December 01, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., VIA Zoom.

Council President, Kris Cardiff, called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence.

Roll Call of Attendance by Assistant Manager Nina Solivan:

(Present) Kris Cardiff, Council President Craig Alexander, Solicitor  

                                Steven Perovich, Council Vice-President Ashley Stack, Borough Manager

Zack Cole, Councilmember Adam Hlad, Code Enforcement Officer

Christopher Corrales, Councilmember                                            

Ralph Deabner, Councilmember

                                Leslie Peters, Councilmember     

                                Casey Shoub, Councilmember

(Absent) Ed Llewellyn, Mayor Charles Miller, Emergency Management Coordinator 

Minutes: A motion "to accept the minutes of the November 4, 2020, regular council meeting" was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilwoman Peters. The motion carried unanimously 7-0. 

Payment of Bills: A motion "to approve the expense voucher list dated December 1, 2020," was made by Councilman Perovich and seconded by Councilman Shoub. The motion carried unanimously 7-0. 

Public Comment:

Councilman Cardiff read the rules for public comment.

Dolores Sutton 601 Brinton Avenue: Mrs. Sutton questioned the memorial bricks, mainly the brick dedicated to Alex Lenaro. 

Councilman Perovich stated he and Councilwoman Peters compiled a list of the remaining bricks into categories. We are hoping to place all of the veteran memorial bricks in Veteran's Memorial Park. We will need to add something to the website to let people know they can retrieve their brick if they would like because we are not going to place them back into the ground, as they are not the proper type of brick to be placed in the ground. Manager Stack stated if anyone does want their brick, please email or call the borough offices with their information and the information pertaining to the brick/bricks. 

Brandon Lacina 430 Brinton Avenue: Mr. Lacina reported that the business association, in conjunction with Code Officer Hlad, collectively are working on a business guide. The guide will consist of what buildings are available, what banks are willing to business in Trafford, and reference sheets on how to go about it. The TBA hopes to have this completed by the end of the month; any input from the council would be greatly appreciated. Secondly, Mr. Lacina requested an update on the Forbes Road closure; the area's businesses are concerned. Also, Mr. Lacina encouraged all to shop locally as businesses are struggling due to the pandemic. Lastly, Mr. Lacina stated 2021 WHT memberships are available at Digital Trafford and Lisa's Bike Shop. 

Manager Stack stated she had not received any updates regarding Forbes Road. Chief Lindbloom said the last correspondence he had received was the email he forwarded to Manager Stack, which stated mid-December. 

Mayor Edward Llewellyn joined the meeting at 7:06 p.m. 

Borough Manager's Report: Manager Stack reported the final leaf collection of 2020 provided by Waste Management would be on December 10. The borough has received the Allegheny County Municipal Cares Grant of $1,537.49. We will also receive the Westmoreland County Municipal Cares Grant for $30,000.00; both grants were included in the 2021 budget. The general fund balance is approximately $551,808.00. The liquid fuel balance is approximately $107,046.00. The recreation fund balance is approximately $5,126.00. The sewage fund balance is approximately $786,538.00, and the Veteran's Memorial Park fund balance is approximately $8,429.00. 

Mayor's Report: Mayor Llewellyn reported for November there were a total of one hundred six service calls, with seven criminal complaints filed and seventeen citations issued. Mayor Llewellyn stated two officers would be working the Twinkle Tour; Officer Homes and Officer Zubach. If there is an emergency that the police need to respond to, the fire department will cover the officer's posts. 

Community & Economic Development: Councilman Perovich stated he did not have anything to report this evening.  

General Government & Finance: Councilman Corrales reported he plans to meet with the committee in the upcoming week to discuss the code enforcement officer position. 

Parks & Recreation: Councilwoman Peters stated she did not have anything to report this evening.

Planning, Property, & Ordinances: Councilman Deabner reported the code committee is still working on changes. Councilman Deabner thanked Adam for all his services and hard work. He had been extremely helpful, and wished him well.

Public Safety: Councilman Cole stated he did not have anything to report this evening. 

Public Works & Sanitation: Councilman Shoub stated he did not have anything to report this evening. 

Presidents Report: Councilman Cardiff thanked Adam for his services.

Code Enforcement Officer Hlad thanked the council for the opportunity and the admin staff. He has appreciated his time here and thanked the residents for working with him.

Approve 2021 Budget

A motion "to receive/accept the borough manager's 2021 budget" was made by Councilman Perovich and seconded by Councilman Shoub.

Councilwoman Peters questioned if the budget up for approval includes funds for the BY Grant. Manager Stack stated yes, it also shows the veterans fund and leaves a surplus of $34,602.00.

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2021 Fee Schedule 

A motion "to approve the 2021 Fee Schedule" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Deabner. 

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2021 Millage Rates

A motion "to approve the ordinance setting the millage rates for 2021. The proposed millage rate is twenty-eight and a half mills for general government and three mills for debt service" was made by Councilman Deabner and seconded by Councilman Shoub.

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2021 Sewage Rates 

A motion "to approve a resolution for the 2021 sewage rates" was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Corrales.

Councilman Perovich questioned if this resolution only addresses the borough's rates. Manager Stack stated this resolution covers all fees. The borough's fees (maintenance/debt service) are not increasing; however, ALCOSAN's fees (service/consumption) are. The new minimum quarterly bill starting January 1, 2021, will be $127.71. Solicitor Alexander stated we are a passthrough for ALCOSAN.

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2021 Meeting Schedule 

A motion "to approve the 2021 Council Meeting Schedule" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Cole.

Regular meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Discussion meetings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

2021 Meeting Schedule Advertisement

A motion "to approve the borough manager to advertise the 2021 Council Meeting Schedule" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Perovich.

The motion carried unanimously 7-0.

New Business

Councilwoman Peters announced the Twinkle Tour is scheduled for this Saturday. The tour will start at Fifth Street down Cavitt Avenue. The committee has worked very hard, and we have high hopes for this event to be successful. Councilwoman Peters thanked all the members of the community who helped make this event happen. 

Assistant Borough Manager Solivan thanked Adam Hlad for all of his services and wished him well on his new endeavor. Councilman Perovich concurred. 

Manager Stack stated Adam had done a fantastic job. I don't think people know everything he has accomplished for this community. He is irreplaceable, and he is leaving big shoes to fill. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. He was a great fit and will be here to help us in the future if needed. We wish you nothing but the best. 

Mayor Llewellyn stated he had received all positive feedback regarding Adam's services. He will surely be missed. 

Councilwoman Peters thanked Adam for his services and efforts towards the code updates.

Councilman Perovich questioned the status of PAT. Solicitor Alexander stated we had not received any further correspondence. 

Adjournment

Councilman Cardiff announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, January 5, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.; the location will be determined at a later date. 

A motion "to adjourn" was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman Deabner. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.