Monthly Business Meeting Minutes- May 7, 2019
The
Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on Tuesday, May 7,
2019, at 7:01 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 Ed
Llewellyn, Mayor
Casey Shoub, Council Vice-President Craig
Alexander, Solicitor
Zackery
Cole, Councilmember Don Glenn, Engineer
Steve Perovich,
Councilmember Louis
Corrales, Public Works Foreman
Joshua Sanders, Councilmember Ashley
Stack, Borough Manager
Leslie
Peters, Councilmember Adam
Hlad, Code Enforcement Officer
Cheryl
Petersen, Councilmember Brian Lindbloom,
Fire Chief
(Absent) Emergency
Management Coordinator John Eliyas
Notice
of Executive Session held May 7, 2019, for legal matters.
Minutes: A motion “to accept the minutes of the April 2, 2019, regular
meeting” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Cole. The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Payment of Bills: A motion “to approve the expense voucher list dated May 7, 2019”
was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman Shoub. The motion
carried unanimously 7-0.
Public Comment:
David
Lersch 806 5th Street: Mr. Lersch informed council he is the President
of The Well Corporation, a community outreach program. Mr. Lersch is trying to
obtain funds to purchase a building in town to help facilitate programs for
those in need of rehab, the homeless, etc. We apologize for stepping on
anyone’s toes by setting up outside.
Borough
response: Solicitor Alexander stated the borough has allowed other groups in
the past to use borough property on weekends but not during a work day or a
night when meetings are held. We do want to accommodate the Well’s needs,
please contact the borough manager to get a plan together on the best location,
time, and day of the week.
Ken
Meyer 229 First Street: Mr. Meyer came before council to express a need for an
ordinance that prohibits feeding deer. Mr. Meyer stated there is a neighbor
feeding deer and this has caused significant damage to the neighbor’s shrubs,
flowers, and plants. He alone has spent over $500.00 on deterrents and nothing
helps.
Borough
response: Solicitor Alexander stated there is not a current ordinance
prohibiting feeding wild animals for the Borough of Trafford. Solicitor
Alexander stated he has prepared an ordinance similar in another community he
represents. Solicitor Alexander stated drafting an ordinance to prohibit the
feeding of the deer is permissible.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if Mr. Meyer has tried fencing as a deterrent. Mr. Meyer’s
stated the way his property is set up a fence is not practical.
Councilman
Perovich questioned what direction the deer come from. Mr. Meyer stated down
Murrysville Road and up through his back yard up to the Terrace.
A
motion “to have Solicitor Alexander draft an ordinance to prohibit the feeding
of deer” was made by Councilwoman Petersen and seconded by Councilman Sanders. The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Fred
Widhalm 307 First Street: Mr. Widhalm came before council and stated there are
too many deer and it should not be permissible to feed them.
Delores
Sutton 601 Brinton Avenue: Ms. Sutton came before council and inquired about
the status of the landslide at Seventh Street and Brinton Avenue. Ms. Sutton
questioned if Sixth Street will be paved this year due to the large potholes.
Ms. Sutton also questioned who will be running for council. Ms. Sutton also
questioned the status of the prostitution ring that was mentioned in the TRIB.
Borough
response: Councilman Cardiff stated the slide will be covered under the
engineers’ report. Councilman Cardiff stated you can find out who is running
with the election bureau, but others may be written in. As for the prostitution
ring, we cannot comment on police investigations. Mayor Llewellyn stated the
prostitution issue has been handled by the police department.
William
Sonnik 641 Sixth Street: Mr. Sonnik came before council to inquire about a
vendor permit for events to sell light up toys and blow up animals. Mr. Sonnik
questioned if he would be allowed to sell these items at the Memorial Day
parade.
Borough
response: Borough Manager Stack stated Mr. Sonnik would need to fill out a
solicitation permit application. Councilwoman Peters questioned if Mr. Sonnik
was inquiring about the trail festival or all festivals in general. Mr. Larry
George asks that Mr. Sonnik does not sell anything during the Memorial Day
celebration out of respect for our fallen soldiers.
Larry
N. George Jr. 320 Cavitt Avenue: Mr. George a member of the Trafford Business
Association came before council to request the support of council for a grant
opportunity. Mr. George informed council the grant has been submitted to the
County but needs the support of council to administer the grant as a 501c3.
Borough
response: Councilman Cardiff stated in his opinion this is a wonderful opportunity,
but council should not take risks with taxpayer dollars the grant would not be
tax payer dollars but the individuals who would be administering the grant are
paid by taxpayer dollars. Councilman Cardiff stated there is not one person on
council who does not want to see great things for this town. Councilman Cardiff
questioned which 501c3 was listed on the submitted grant application. Mr.
George stated we were given permission to submit the grant application
contingent upon councils vote this evening. Councilman Perovich asked Mr.
George if he has reached out to other 501c3s’ in town. Mr. George stated the
Business Association will not be working with the TECDC for various reasons but
will reach out to the other entities if council does not wish to work with the
Business Association. Borough Manager Stack stated she has written grants
before and she feels supporting documentation from the property owners giving
permission to the Business Association would have helped. The concern without
having a letter of support is the property owner may come back and say you are
not permitted on my property, I will not provide a dollar match. Mr. George
stated he has never written a grant before but feels this would still be a
great opportunity.
Lynwood
Leeman 334 Fourth Street: Mr. Leeman came before council to address various
maintenance issues at Memorial Park. Mr. Leeman also questioned why no member
of council ever has a committee report. Mr. Leeman also questioned why the
police do not ticket the individuals parked along a yellow curb.
Borough
response: Councilman Cardiff stated Memorial Park was cleaned up during
clean-up days. Carol Richardson a member of the audience stated the storm
inlets are packed with leaves and debris and has already spoken to the public
works director. Borough Manager Stack stated she will have public works assess
the dead trees throughout Memorial Park. Councilman Cardiff asked Mayor
Llewellyn to pass along the concerns regarding the yellow line parking to the
police department.
Patricia
Paola 74 First Street: Mrs. Paola questioned council on the status of the
Mellon Bank Building. Mrs. Paola stated the Trafford Business Association is
trying to do the right thing for this town. Council needs to put their neck out
and support this grant opportunity. Mrs. Paola thanked public works for a great
job during clean-up days. Mrs. Paola questioned where the revenue from the ball
fields go. Mrs. Paola also questioned how items get on the agenda. Mrs. Paola
stated it seems as though there are secret meetings and we as the taxpayers
want and need to know what is going on.
Borough
response: Councilman Cardiff stated the Mellon Bank Building will be addressed
under the solicitors’ report. Councilman Cardiff concurred with Mrs. Paola on
the need to get the town cleaned up. Borough Manager Stack stated the only
revenue received for the ball fields this year was $100.00 from the senior
league which goes back into the general fund. Borough Manager Stack stated a
lot of the items on the agenda are from the discussion meeting or previous
meetings. Solicitor Alexander added it is up to the council president and the
borough manager to set the agenda so there is some talk between the two.
Mark
Petrovich 123 Bradford Square Drive: Mr. Petrovich questioned on what legal
ground did the borough have to condemn a 1/5 interest of the right-of-way pertaining
to Bradford Square phase II. Mr. Petrovich also questioned whom he could keep
in touch with for status updates pertaining to the project.
Borough
response: Solicitor Alexander stated the condemnation action has been filed
there is a five-party interest for the roadway. After reviewing the recorded
plan, I don’t think any reasonable person could differ the interpretation that
those five people are subservient to the borough’s interest in the roadway. It’s
written right on the plan that the borough has an interest in that dedicated
roadway. The title company with regard to the development is taking the
position that the 1/5 interest needs to be settled in order to develop the
public roadway. The 1/5 interest lives in Spokane Washington which is part of
the problem and does not care what is happening here. We have filed the action
with no preliminary objections filed from the 1/5 interest. We are moving
forward and have been put the department of revenue on notice because we are
dealing with an estate. We do not have a status update on the project at this
time until the court approves the action filed to develop the roadway into a
public roadway. I assume the project is at a standstill at this time. Borough
Manager Stack stated she called Maronda and has not heard back, as Solicitor
Alexander stated it is a waiting game until the condemnation has been granted.
Councilwoman Peters questioned if Maronda will need to go back before the
Planning Commission. Solicitor Alexander stated they will need to go before the
planning commission to approve the sub-division of the lots. Borough Manager
Stack informed Mr. Petrovich to call the office with any questions or concerns.
Don Glenn, Engineer:
Don
reported he met with Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority and they will be
milling and placing a new wearing surface on Seventh and Brinton Avenue this
week.
Don
reported the BY Park renovation project is complete and will need a signature
from the secretary for the closeout of the grant.
Borough Manager: Borough Manager Stack reported physical and written exams have
been completed for the individuals who submitted an application for the police
department, next will be the oral exams. The results will then be submitted to
the Civil Service Commission for their approval and eligibility list. This is
extremely important many of our part-time officers are scheduling less and less
time. We are now paying our current full-time officers’ overtime to cover the
gaps in the schedule. Sewage bills for the period of November 14, 2018, to
February 7, 2019, have gone out and are due May 22, 2019. Everyone who reported
not receiving a sewage bill for the last round was contacted to make sure they
all received a bill this round. Public works will be working four ten-hour work
days during the period of June 3, 2019, to August 30, 2019. This has been done
in the past and proven effective but is not considered a past practice. This
will be done as a probationary program. With the mobilization and materials on
site during longer daylight hours will allow public works to complete projects
in one to two days versus longer periods of time. At any point in time if I or
council feels this is not effective the schedule will revert back to eight
hours a day five days a week. The
Westmoreland County Trail Town Festival will be held on June 1, 2019, at BY
Park between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. This is a community event if anyone would
like to become a vendor please call the office for details.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if there is a task list to rationalize the ten-hour work
days. Borough Manager Stack stated she does have the list. Councilwoman Peters
stated she had asked for the list at the work session but never received it.
Councilman
Cardiff expressed concerns for the safety of the public works department
regarding longer warmer days. All precautions must be taken to avoid heat
exhaustion and or any heat-related injury.
Code Enforcement: Code Enforcement Officer Adam Hlad reported there were ten new occupancy inspections, four follow-up occupancy
inspections needed, six follow-up occupancy inspection were completed, twelve
occupancy permits were issued. There was one zoning permit in process, and four
zoning permits were issued. There was one building permit in process and one
building permit issued. There was one street opening/ grading permit in process
and one permit issued. There were three grass/weeds complaints in process, two
garbage/trash complaints in progress, six property maintenance violations in
progress, and one animal complaint abated.
Grass/Weeds
complaints include:
Cavitt Avenue- Filing complaint with magistrate on
5/10 if not in compliance.
8th Street- Spoke with property
management company, work order issued.
Garbage/Trash
abated include:
Brinton
Avenue- Waste Management bagster has been sitting for extended period in rear
of property. Abated.
Garbage/Trash
in progress include:
8th
Street- Garbage scattered around property. Spoke with property management
company, work order issued.
8th
Street- Trash bags accumulated and abandoned in front of garage. Final
notice being mailed, waiting for a week or so to see if the grass gets cut.
Property
Maintenance in progress include:
Shady Lane-
Property neglected, weeds overgrown. Violation notice mailed to homeowner. No
response. Violation notice stapled to front door. Left message for listing
agent, waiting to hear back.
Stewart
Street- Homeowner submitted storm water management plan.
1st
Street- Per Magistrate Kistler, property owner has until 5/15 to remove
all construction debris. Will file additional complaint if not in compliance.
Hearing scheduled for 5/20 for follow-up.
Cavitt
Avenue- Abandoned building. Filing complaint with magistrate on 5/10 if not in
compliance.
8th
Street-Property is abandoned. In serious disrepair, holes in roof, possible
structural issues. Referred to CEA for condemnation.
Duquesne
Avenue- Storm water runoff impacting neighbor, causing damage. Potential for
Borough to assist through installing small curb to assist water in making it to
the storm drain, having Public Works give opinion.
Dog,
abated:
E Gilmore Avenue- Dog not being
cleaned up after. Spoke with dog owner.
Occupancy
in progress include:
Fairmont
Avenue- Waiting on owner to schedule inspection.
8th
Street- Owner is in process of making repairs.
Solicitor: Solicitor Alexander stated the Mellon Bank Building is still in
litigation, we have been in court two or three times. Every time we have gone
to court there has been some sort of agreement to allow the owner to submit a
plan to CEA and take a break to allow the owner a chance to make the necessary
repairs according to the plan that was submitted. We recently went back to
court a few months ago, Mr. Alexander filed a motion to resume the hearing and
obtained a hearing date on April 3, 2019, the lawyer for the property owner
objected to the motion because he did not have an opportunity to file a
response to the motion. The lawyer then filed a lengthy response stating the
owner did everything he was supposed to do in order to be issued the proper
permits to demolish the property. Solicitor Alexander stated this is a very
dangerous situation and someone could be seriously injured. Our in-house Code
Enforcement Officer Adam Hlad has visited the site and has drawn up multiple
code violations and will be submitting them this Friday.
EMS: Borough Manager Stack reports there were twenty-nine calls for the
month of March with four calls referred to North Huntingdon EMS and thirty-six
calls for the month of April with two calls referred to North Huntingdon EMS.
Anytime a call is referred to someone else it is because resources are
committed to other incidents.
Trafford VFD: Fire Chief Lindbloom reported the fire department sold three
hundred sixty hoagies and thanked all who purchased. Councilwoman Peters
questioned if there will be any more hoagie sales this year. Chief Lindbloom
stated it takes about ten-man hours per person which equates to one hundred-man
hours total to order, prep and prepare the hoagies. The fire department is a
501c3 and would love to partner with anyone who is trying to fix up dilapidated
buildings. The fire department would just like to incorporate fire and life
safety improvements.
EMC: No report.
Rec Board: Rose Frolinni reported the Easter Egg Hunt went well there were
sixty-three children in attendance. Rose thanked the fire department and the
police department. The Rec Board purchased two picnic tables for the new
pavilion at the Terrace Playground. The playground program will be starting
June 10th and will be offered at Fairmont and the Terrace.
TECDC: Carol Richardson thanked all of those who participated during
clean-up days and was very nice to see children participate with their parents.
The TECDC cleaned up Brinton Avenue, Cavitt Avenue, and the Memorial Park.
Cleaned up branches in the park and raked the leaves. Public works agreed to
picking up the piles of debris and look at the gully alongside the ramp.
WHT: No report.
Mayor’s Report: Mayor Llewellyn reported for the month of April there were a
total of one hundred and thirty-seven documented calls, eleven criminal cases
filed with additional pending investigation, and twenty-eight citations were
issued. Mayor Llewellyn raised a safety concern regarding staples in the picnic
tables at BY Park. Mayor Llewellyn stated there is an anonymous tip line for
the police department the phone number is (412) 375-3013.
General Government: Councilman Perovich stated he and Councilman Cardiff attended the
Borough’s Association banquet on April 26th. Councilman Perovich
stated he has talked with Ted Kopas and Gina Cerelli to put some pressure on
North Folk Southern to push giving the Westmoreland Heritage Trail the last
section of rail that ends in town.
Finance: No report.
Community Development: Councilwoman Peters stated there are seven hundred and sixty-one
subscribers to Savvy Citizen and that she is still working with the Emergency
Management Coordinator to get our EOP and NARM updated.
Public Safety: No report.
Public Works: Councilwoman Petersen stated any complaint that is received she
sends to the borough manager.
Sanitation: Councilman Shoub stated clean-up days was a success we were able
to fill up all the dumpsters. Councilman Shoub thanked the public works and all
the volunteers who came out to help.
Presidents Report- Councilman Cardiff stated the polling places have changed and
every registered voter should have received a letter in the mail stating the
new location for both districts is St. Regis Parish. The primary election is on
May 21, 2019.
Change Order to Swede Construction
A
motion” to authorize a $4,379.54 change order for the concrete pad installation
in front of the BY Park restrooms, this includes a borough payment of $729.54
to Swede Construction with the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and
Development paying the remaining $3,650.00” was made by Councilwoman Peters and
seconded by Councilman Shoub. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Advertise for 2019 Street Paving Project
A
motion “to authorize the Borough Engineer to advertise for the 2019 street
paving project” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Cole.
Borough
Manager Stack stated we have about $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 to work with. The
engineer along with public works will be reviewing all the streets and will
compile a list.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Final Payment to GeoBuild
A
motion “to authorize a payment of $55,000.00, to GeoBuild for the emergency
road stabilization at the Seventh Street and Brinton Avenue Slide” was made by
Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders. The motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
Authorize Special Exception for Trail Towns Festival
A
motion “to authorize a special exception for fundraising, amplified sound and
permission of licensed animals at BY Park on Saturday, June 1, 2019, for the
Westmoreland Heritage Trail Towns Festival” was made by Councilman Cole and
seconded by Councilman Shoub.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned what a licensed animal is considered. Borough Manager Stack
replied a dog.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Payment to ARM Moonwalk
A
motion “to authorize a payment of $280.00 to ARM Moonwalk for the operation and
rental of a bounce house on Saturday, June 1, 2019, for the Westmoreland
Heritage Trail Towns Festival” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman
Perovich.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if the company is licensed and insured. Borough Manager Stack
replied and stated yes, and this is why we have a member of the company coming
as an operator and not one of our borough employees.
Councilman
Cardiff questioned if this is the borough’s contribution. Borough Manager Stack
stated the funds will be taken out of the military celebration line item
457.000, this is where the public works, police and admin staff’s wages will be
taken out from as well.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Authorize Sale of 2012 F150
A
motion “to authorize the sale of the 2012 F150 for $14,301.00 to Robert
Greenland” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Cole.
This
item was listed on Municibid for a few weeks, the borough was only offered
$5,000.00 as a trade-in. The final bid of $14,301.00 will cover the first
payment for the new truck.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Authorize Sale of 2000 F550
A
motion “to authorize the sale of the 2000 F550 for $13,100.00 to Ryan Joyce”
was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Shoub. The motion
carried unanimously 7-0.
Park Cleaning Services
A
motion “to authorize cleaning services for BY and Westmoreland Parks for
$120.00 a weekend for the summer rental season” was made by Councilwoman Peters
and seconded by Councilman Perovich”.
Borough
Manager Stack stated William Holby will be between both parks for four hours
and Saturdays & Sundays during the entire rental season making sure the
pavilions and bathrooms are clean and picking up any debris throughout the park.
If Mr. Holby is unavailable for a weekend one of our public works will cover.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if he will be provided a task list, Borough Manager Stack
stated they’re down there daily and they pretty much know all that needs to be done.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Termination of Services Agreement
A
motion “to authorize a written notice of termination of service to CEA,
effective July 15, 2019, and to continue with litigation at an hourly rate” was
made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Perovich.
Borough
Manager Stack stated in recent months we have had several different properties in
town in which they were asked for information and received little or no
response. Borough Manager Stack stated she does not feel the borough is getting
what the original intent was. CEA is very knowledgeable. CEA is currently
receiving all of the money for permits the borough only keeps a 15%
administrative fee. As for the July 15th
effective date, the agreement we have with CEA it specifically states a 60-day
written notice.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Adam Hlad Rate Change
A
motion “to authorize an hourly rate of $25.00/hr. to Adam Hlad for code
enforcement and building inspections beginning July 15, 2019”. Was made by
Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders.
Borough
Manager Stack stated since Adam has come into the role as Code Enforcement
Officer residents are seemingly happy. The residents often expect Adam to be in
the office and have office hours. With the approval of the motion, Adam will
have set office hours with some flexibility. Borough Manager Stack stated in
the past when Mark Lazzaro did both in house there was a lot of positive
feedback and is constantly being referenced. Adam has obtained some certifications
and will be able to go under the direction of the other code enforcement
officers for any certs he has not obtained yet and will cover the borough for
U.C.C. related permits and all of the monies will be coming back to the
borough. Borough Manager Stack stated to start Adam will be at a minimum of
24/hrs. per week. Solicitor Alexander along with the borough manager will work
together on a written agreement to cover the costs of study materials and
testing, it is an investment on the borough’s part. Currently, eighty percent
of our occupancy fees are being paid to the code enforcement officers and if
this motion is approved one hundred percent of the fee’s will be brought back
into the general fund budget. Borough Manager Stack stated any permitting under
U.C.C will be paid out to one of the other BCO’s we currently have on staff at
the rate of $300.00 per month.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Partner with Trafford Business Association
A
motion “to partner with the Trafford Business Association for a 2019 Revitalizing
Westmorland grant through the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County” was
made by Councilman Cole but failed for a lack of a second.
Adjournment
Councilman
Cardiff announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, June 4, 2019, at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
A
motion “to adjourn” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman
Sanders. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.