Trafford Borough

Monthly Business Meeting Minutes- March 2, 2021

The Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at 7:03 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 Ed Llewellyn, Mayor      

Christopher Corrales, Councilmember            

                                            Leslie Peters, Councilmember  

                                            Casey Shoub, Councilmember

(Absent) Ralph Deabner, Councilmember Charles Miller, Emergency Management Coordinator 

Councilman Cardiff announced an executive session held prior to this meeting for matters of litigation.

Minutes: A motion "to accept the minutes of February 2, 2021, regular council meeting" was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman Perovich. The motion carried unanimously 6-0. 

Payment of Bills: A motion "to approve the expense voucher list dated March 2, 2021" was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried unanimously 6-0. 

Public Comment:

Councilman Cardiff read the rules for public comment.

Manager Stack read an email sent on behalf of Bill Mence residing at 517 Brinton Avenue, "My Name is Bill Mence. I reside at 517 Brinton Ave. I like to announce to all council at the borough of Trafford about the traffic backup on the Trafford Veterans Bridge during rush hour. Many of us, including myself, find ourselves sitting in traffic that is back up to Fox's Pizza in Pitcairn during rush hour, that may pertain 4pm to 5pm. Could it be possible to have a Trafford officer to control the service box that controls the traffic lights on Brinton and 5th Ave interchange for only that hour until Forbes Road is open? In order to get traffic more flowing, many of this traffic is due to the 18 wheeler's that have to turn to get into the Trafford Industries. Thank You Bill Mence". 

Manager Stack stated the majority of the traffic is due to Forbes Road being closed. Manager Stack stated she did reach out to PennDOT for an update and was informed the utility work had been completed with plans for an early April completion date. Manager Stack stated we are not permitted to change the timing of the lights; it is to be performed by a PennDOT certified engineer. Solicitor Alexander added it might require a traffic study. Councilman Perovich stated at some point within the last three months and the light timing has changed. Manager Stack stated she would reach out to her contact at PennDOT to see if they could provide any help or guidance. Mayor Llewellyn suggested the timing may have gotten messed up due to the power outage. 

Dolores Sutton, a resident of 601 Brinton Avenue, came before the council to inquire about the Forbes Road project's status and Port Authority layovers at Haymaker Village. Mrs. Sutton also questioned which roads are due to be paved this year and if there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for the children. Mrs. Sutton informed the council that Port Authority is turning around in Christian Life's parking lot when they should not be. 

Manager Stack stated she had not received any further update regarding Port Authority. Christian Life Church will need to contact Port Authority directly as our agreement was for the busses to turn around at BY Park. Manager Stack stated there would be bid openings on March 11th for Viaduct Way and Fourth Street and Inwood and Mary Street. Councilwoman Peters stated the recreation board plans to host an event and share the details in her report. 

Borough Manager's Report: Manager Stack stated the hiring committee for the Code Enforcement Officer position conducted interviews last week and will be conducting second interviews next week. Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority notified the borough that water shut-offs would resume in April. The borough will begin posting delinquent properties prior to shut-offs; there are 230 delinquent accounts. Clean-up Days will be held Friday, May 14, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The general fund balance is approximately $452,157.00. The liquid fuel balance is approximately $96,444.00. The recreation fund balance is approximately $4,884.00. The sewage fund balance is approximately $820,897.00, and the Veteran's Memorial Park fund balance is approximately $8,091.00. 

Mayor's Report: Mayor Llewellyn stated he was unable to obtain the police report this month. 

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

General Government & Finance: Councilman Corrales stated he did not have a report this evening. 

Parks & Recreation: Councilwoman Peters reported she is still drafting the DCNR grant application for a second attempt for ADA compliance at BY Park. Councilwoman Peters reported the Recreation Board will be hosting an Easter Bunny Hop, with six scheduled stops around town on April 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Councilman Perovich mentioned PTARC is still hoping to provide some activity for the summer. Councilwoman Peters stated she has been in contact with Linda regarding ideas for a summer program. 

Planning, Property, & Ordinances: Councilman Shoub reported there are plans to have an additional code meeting within the next two weeks. 

Manager Stack stated our interim code officer reached out to say the quality of life ordinance has been extremely helpful.  

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 additional to report. 

Presidents Report: Councilman Cardiff stated it's fish fry season. Please be careful with parking and be safe. 

Recreation Board Reduction 

A motion "to approve the amendment to Ordinance 721, Chapter 43, Section 2, Composition, of the Trafford Borough Code, decreasing the number of Recreation Board Members from seven to five" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Shoub. 

Councilman Cardiff stated this amendment was at the request of the Rec Board.

Councilwoman Peters stated the board is still looking for a fifth member.

The motion carried unanimously 6-0.

There was an item listed on the agenda to make a payment to General Recreation in the amount of $484.00 for the replacement of the wiggle ladder at Terrace Playground. Prior to the meeting, Manager Stack received an email from Larry George of the Larry George Agency stating he planned to cover the wiggle ladder's cost. The council thanked Mr. George. 

Memorial Guidelines

A motion "to approve the guidelines recommended by the Trafford Borough Recreation Board for memorials located on borough property" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Perovich. 

Manager Stack requested a meeting with Councilwoman Peters and Councilman Perovich to simplify and streamline the provisions of the guidelines. 

Councilwoman peters agreed. 

A motion "to table the motion" was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Peters. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.

Appointment to Civil Service 

A motion "to reappoint Christopher Corrales to the Trafford Borough Civil Service Commission with a term expiring December 31, 2022" was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Corrales. 

The motion carried unanimously 6-0.

Consent of Sale 315-317 5th St

A motion "to grant the Westmoreland County Tax Claim Bureau consent for the sale of 315 and 317 5th Street, Trafford, Pennsylvania, 15085, tax map no. 36-03-03-0-162" was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Perovich. 

Manager Stack stated this is a formality required by law. 

The motion carried unanimously 6-0.

Reconstruction of Homewood Ave

A motion "to approve the borough engineer to seek proposals for the reconstruction and repaving of a portion of Homewood Avenue" was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Corrales. 

Councilwoman Peters questioned if we would be receiving proposals for all four options. Manager Stack stated no, only the option recommended by Don, which was option 3. 

The motion carried unanimously 6-0.

New Business

No new business came before the council. 

Adjournment

Councilman Cardiff announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.; the location for both meetings will be determined at a later date. 

A motion "to adjourn" was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman Perovich. The motion carried unanimously 6-0.