Trafford Borough
Monthly
Business Meeting Minutes- July 2, 2019
The Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on
Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at 7:02 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 Nina Solivan Assistant Borough Manager:
(Present) Kris
Cardiff, Council President Ed
Llewellyn, Mayor
Casey Shoub, Council Vice-President Dane Dice, Solicitor
Zackery Cole, Councilmember Don
Glenn, Engineer
Steve Perovich, Councilmember Ashley
Stack, Borough Manager
Joshua Sanders, Councilmember Adam Hlad, Code Enforcement
Officer
Leslie Peters, Councilmember Brian Lindbloom, Fire
Chief
Cheryl Petersen, Councilmember
(Absent)
Emergency Management Coordinator John Eliyas, Public
Works Foreman Lou Corrales
Minutes: A motion “to accept the minutes of the June 4, 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 July 2, 2019” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman
Sanders. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Public
Comment:
Larry
George 320 Cavitt Avenue: Mr. George reported the Trafford Business Association
will host their second annual power wash and paint day on Saturday, August 10,
2019. Mr. George asked council for approval to resurface the concrete wall
where the new LED sign is. The Trafford Business Association will hire a
contractor at the rate of $95.00, to scrape off the old paint, power wash, and
resurface. He would resurface the wall with a paint and concrete mixture in the
color grey.
The
second request from the Trafford Business Association is a program by the name
of Adopt a Plot. Similar to PennDOT’s adopt a highway. The program would allow
volunteers to take care of certain plots of property to keep the areas free of
weeds, plant new flowers, and shrubs, and replace the existing mulch. For
example, the borough’s parking lot at the corner of Fourth Street and Cavitt
Avenue. There are two areas alongside the parking lot that need some upkeep.
The bench needs re-stained, the weeds need to pulled, the shrubs need to be shaped.
My company would be willing to adopt these areas with council’s approval.
Borough
Manager Stack questioned if the contractor will oversee the volunteers during
the wall resurfacing. Mr. George stated the contractor has put together a
proposal to which Mr. George will send the borough a copy of. Borough Manager
Stack questioned if the contractor is insured, Mr. George stated yes.
Councilman Cardiff questioned will the proposed work conflict with the union.
Borough Manager Stack stated no, this work would need to be contracted out. It
is not something public works would handle. Councilman Cardiff questioned what
would be needed to move forward with this. Borough Manager Stack stated the
council’s approval. Solicitor Dice suggested an indemnity agreement stating the
borough will hold no liability.
A
motion “to have the solicitor and engineer work with the borough office to
begin the first steps towards the wall resurfacing project” was made by
Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilwoman Peters. The motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
Borough
Manager Stack stated regarding the Adopt a Space program there will need to be
an itemized list of all that you’re planning to do, so that she may take the
list to the union for approval or disapproval and then to the council if the
union approves. Councilman Shoub suggested two areas in town that need
attention, both Welcome to Trafford signs. There is one on Route 993 just below
Westmoreland Park and the other on Route 130 just past the BY Park before the
Urban’s. Historically these areas were taken care of by the Beautification Club
and did not conflict with the union.
Delores
Sutton 601 Brinton Avenue: Ms. Sutton questioned if the remainder of Brinton
Avenue will be paved from the Bridge to Sixth Street. Also, questioned if
council has come up with a street paving list.
Borough
Manager Stack stated we are planning to spend approximately $90,000.00 with possible
additional funds from the closeout of the Murrysville Road project. The current
proposed list of streets to be paved are Inwood Road between Sixth Street and
Zone St up to Jackson Avenue. The intersection at Sixth and Brinton Avenue. A
strip on Duquesne Avenue near Third Street. A possible PA Water and Sewer Grant
for Meadow Street that will address some of the very costly drainage issues. We
are hoping to have the bids back and on the August agenda. Councilwoman
Petersen questioned the underpass and the large hump after. Borough Manager
Stack stated there are several issues with the underpass and until Northfolk Southern fixes those issues first it would be a
waste of taxpayer funds. Councilman Perovich stated there is a major safety
concern with the underpass with the condition of the road.
Stan
Rudge (WHT Rep) 108 Sheer Street, Jeanette, PA: Thanked the borough and all the
individuals involved for making the trail event such a success. Mr. Rudge
presented the borough with a donation of $250.00.
A
motion “to accept a donation from the Westmoreland Heritage Trail for $250.00”
was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Sanders. Councilwoman
Peters questioned if the funds could be placed into the parks and recreation
line item since we do not have a celebration line item. Borough Manager Stack
stated we do have a celebration line item, or we could use the funds to repay
some of the wages that were expended for the event. The motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
Brandon
Lacina 430 Brinton Avenue: Mr. Lacina presented a draft of the business
directory map that the Trafford Business Association is planning on placing
around town and at BY Park. Mr. Lacina stated the business association is
planning on keeping all the signage uniform to what is already at BY Park. The
Trafford Business Association is gathering phone numbers, emails, etc. for the
directory map that not only includes businesses but other important locations
such as the borough building, the fire department, the public works garage, etc.
Mr. Lacina thanked Councilman Cardiff for placing information on the website
regarding a combination fundraiser that will benefit both the Historical
Society, the library, and the Trafford Business Association. The fundraiser consists
of restored prints of historical photos for purchase.
Councilman
Cardiff questioned if there was a timeline on the directory project. Mr. Lacina
stated the Trafford Business Association is looking to have everything
installed early to mid-September before the weather starts deteriorating.
Councilman Cardiff questioned how long the turn around time would be to produce
the map. Mr. Lacina stated approximately two to three weeks.
A
motion “to approve the placement of the Trafford Business Association’s
business directory map signs contingent upon working with the borough office
and public works” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilwoman
Peters. Councilwoman Peters questioned what the size of the sign will be. Mr.
Lacina stated approximately 3ft by 4ft. The placement of the sign will be
adjacent to the park rules sign. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Councilman
Cardiff asked the audience if there were any additional public comments. Which
there were none.
Engineer:
Don Glenn reported the work at the intersection of Seventh Street
and Brinton Avenue has finally been completed. The contractor and the paving
company both did a nice job. The tree removal project in Brush Creek under the
Wallace Avenue Bridge has begun and will continue tomorrow weather permitting.
Lastly, Mr. Glenn stated he is looking to meet with Borough Manager Stack to
review the street paving list for a possible amendment to include Viaduct Way
and Fourth Street.
Borough
Manager: Borough Manager Stack reported the
borough parking lot on Cavitt Avenue, across from the post office will be
closed for repairs within the next several weeks. The police will post notices prior to the
close. The Public Works Foreman and I will be meeting with Adam Prince from
Glenn Engineering in two weeks to discuss the most cost-effective and
beneficial MS4 projects for the borough as per the DEP permit requirements.
Opst and Associates will be working on our 2018 Audit in late July. Manager
Stack stated she will be applying for a Community Development Block Grant
through Westmoreland County Planning and Development – the deadline is at the
end of September. The application will be focused on infrastructure and paving
projects within the borough. The borough is eligible for a little over
$80,000.00. If approved, the funding will not be released until late 2020.
Manager Stack received a letter from the Beautification Club stating they will
no longer be taking care of the planters or flower beds at the borough building
and BY Park, nor will they be tending to the “Welcome to Trafford” signs near
Westmoreland and BY Parks. Manager Stack reviewed a list of tasks public works
was able to complete during the ten-hour day pilot program. The crew mulched the
Terrace Playground, cut back
vegetation in front of the footbridge and trimmed several trees at BY Park, saw cut and patched E Homewood, as well as
patched other areas around the borough,
remediated the slide at BY Park, reviewed the 2019 paving list with myself and
Engineer Don Glenn, cut three dead trees on Forest Avenue, cleaned and/or
repaired over 25 catch basins, Repaired broken soap dispensers in borough
restrooms, and lastly Worked with State Pipe to camera the sanitary line on
Inwood and will be coordinating with myself and Engineer Glenn to obtain quotes
on the repair.
Code
Enforcement: Code
Enforcement Officer Adam Hlad reported for the month of June there were fifteen
new occupancy inspections, seven follow-up occupancy inspections needed, four
follow-up occupancy inspection were completed, five occupancy permits were
issued. There were two zoning permits in process, and one zoning permit issued.
There was one building permit in process and two building permits issued. There
were four street opening/ grading permits issued. One demolition permit issued.
There were nine grass/weeds complaints four in progress with five abated, one
abandoned vehicle in progress, three garbage/trash complaints in progress, six
property maintenance violations with five in progress and one abated, and one
occupancy violations in progress.
Grass/Weed complaints include:
Woodlawn. Abated.
835 8th. Grass mostly cut,
high weeds remain, waiting on Summary Trial notice from magistrate.
804 8th. No action taken.
Waiting on Summary Trial notice from magistrate.
Murrysville Rd. Posted violation
notice, abated.
Adrian Ave. Trying to find
current ownership.
302 Duquesne. Filed complaint with magistrate. Working with
owner to apply for Westmoreland County Demolition program.
90 1st. Abated. Owner
provided season long service agreement to magistrate Kistler.
8th St. Abated.
1st St. Abated.
Abandoned Vehicle in progress:
Pine St.
Spoke with property owner, will be removed by late July.
Garbage/Trash/Debris in progress include:
804 8th St. Trash
bags accumulated and abandoned in front of garage. Waiting on summary trial
notice from magistrate.
Pine St. Large pile of debris.
Spoke with property owner, will have it cleaned-up and organized by late July.
Cavitt. Pile of debris from
tree trimming. Spoke with owner, removed.
Property Maintenance in progress include:
Fairmont Ave. General property
maintenance issues, Mark discussed with homeowner who will be working to
improve conditions.
Shady Ln. Property neglected,
weeds overgrown. Councilwoman Peters has organized a group of willing neighbors
to tackle the job of clearing brush/weeds and cutting the grass. We are waiting
on a liability release form to be signed by the Administratrix for work to
commence.
Stewart St. Storm water
management project scheduled to begin this weekend.
501 Cavitt Ave. Work on securing the
building has begun.
5th
St. Trees encroaching on sidewalk. Mailing final violation notice.
Property Maintenance abated include:
90 1st
St. Magistrate issued fines.
Occupancy in progress include:
Brinton
Ave. Waiting on ruling from Zoning Hearing Board to issue Occupancy permit.
Councilman Cardiff questioned what does securing the building at
501 Cavitt entail. Mr. Hlad stated per the order Mr. Yager
is to remove the falling parapet, secure all accessible entry points, remove
any broken windows.
Councilman Perovich stated 90 First Street looks a lot better than
it has.
Solicitor: No report.
EMS: No report.
Trafford
VFD: Fire Chief Lindbloom reported for the month of June there were eleven
emergencies. Three of those were rescue emergency medical services calls, four
for hazardous conditions with no fire, two good intent calls which are calls we
get dispatched to other towns and are then canceled while in route, and two
false alarms. For the month of June there were one hundred eighty-eight
non-emergency medical transports. With an average response time for fire-related
calls is five minutes, and five and a half minutes for ems related calls which
both are under the national average of nine minutes. Chief Lindbloom also
stated included on the back of his report is a survey of what the borough saves
by having an all-volunteer fire department. The weather is very dry this week,
please be careful when using fireworks.
EMC: No report.
Rec
Board: Rose Frolinni reported there are
about 40 children registered at both playgrounds. Mrs. Frolinni also thanked
Councilman Shoub and public works for accepting the delivery, and the assembly
of the new picnic tables at the Terrace Playground.
TECDC: No report.
WHT: No report.
Mayor’s
Report: Mayor Llewellyn reported for the
month of May there were a total of one hundred forty-two service calls,
twenty-five citations were issued, and twelve criminal cases filed. For the
month of June there were a total of one hundred forty-five service calls,
twenty-nine citations were issued, and ten criminal cases filed. Mayor
Llewellyn mentioned the Trafford Girls 13U Softball team won the regular season
championship and the playoffs. The Trafford Girls 18U Softball team went
undefeated the entire season.
General
Government: No report.
Finance: No report.
Community
Development: Councilwoman
Peters stated there are eight hundred and six subscribers on Savvy Citizen. The
Bushy Run 5K fundraiser will be held on July 14th. Councilwoman
Peters questioned if Borough Manager Stack knew who installed new benches at BY
Park. Manager Stack stated she did not have the chance to investigate.
Public Safety: Councilman Cole stated the
Pennsylvania State Police has released information regarding the new firework
laws in Pennsylvania. Consumers can now purchase and use “Class C” or “consumer-grade”
fireworks that include firecrackers, Roman candles, bottle rockets, and similar
fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material. They
cannot be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express
permission of the property owner. They cannot be discharged from or within a
motor vehicle or building. They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or
building. They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure,
whether or not a person is actually present. They cannot be discharged while
the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or
another drug.
Public
Works: No report.
Sanitation: Councilman Shoub reported the public works crew does like the
ten-hour shifts. They have been able to accomplish a lot more with the extra
hours in a day.
Presidents
Report: Councilman Cardiff stated council
is looking for nominations for volunteer of the year award. Nominations can be
submitted to the borough office or any one of the members of council.
Councilman Cardiff is looking to change the committees at the August meeting
with additional comments from council and the borough office. Councilman Cardiff
thanked Councilwoman Peter's for working with the code review committee, glad things
are back on track with that and it’s greatly appreciated. Councilman Cardiff stated during his countless hours of
researching other borough websites the borough does not have a true
prominent logo. Councilman Cardiff stated we might've had one back in the day,
but we don’t have one now. Councilman Cardiff suggested maybe somebody would
like to work on a logo or if an organization wants to make a community contest
out of designing one it could help to rebrand the town.
Kovacs’ Resignation
A
motion “to accept Officer Christopher Kovacs’ resignation from the Trafford
Borough Police Department” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by
Councilman Shoub. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Hire Stephen Zubach
A
motion “to approve the hire of Stephen Zubach as a full-time
police officer for the Trafford Police Department at the rate of $21.97 per
hour” was made by Councilman Sanders and seconded by Councilman Cole.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if Mr. Zubach would be replacing Officer
Kovacs. Borough Manager Stack stated Kovacs was a part-time officer. This had been advertised
previously and the Civil Service Commission did approve the list. When we last
tested, we only had one officer on our previous eligibility list and that is
one of our current officers. The Civil Service Commission met last week and
approved the posted civil service eligibility list. Mr. Zubach
was the number one candidate on that list and received the Chief of Police's
recommendation per his background check. Our
current overtime budget is at 91% and we are only halfway through the year because
we've had to have full-timers cover part-timer shifts. The part-timers are not
taking as many shifts because they're working multiple jobs. We have over $64,000 remaining in our part time wages. So, the
cost of hiring a full-time officer now would be covered in those wages for the
remainder of the year. The Police Chief and I have discussed about next year
budgeting. The part-time line item would be drastically decreased, and those
funds will be moved to the full-time line item and this would bring more scheduling
stability.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned if the borough would be receiving school resource officer
funding from the school district again for the up-coming school year. Manager Stack replied yes, and has already
spoken to the superintendent and asked for an additional increase in wages due
to the borough purchasing an active shooter policy. To which he told me to
include that in the invoice.
Councilman
Cole questioned if Mr. Zubach is a current part-time
officer. Manager Stack stated there were no internal applicants.
Councilman
Cole questioned how many full and part time officers are employed by the
borough. Manager Stack stated there are four full time officers and five part
time officers.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Codification of Ordinances
A
motion “to approve payment up to $5,700.00 to General Code to codify and
supplement legislation for Trafford Borough for the years 2013 through 2018”
was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Perovich.
Borough Manager Stack
explained the E Code that you can find online on the borough website is where
you can find all the borough’s ordinances. E Code stay’s on top of our
codification. We should be doing this annually and this is something that has
not been done due to cost and personnel. I sent them all our previous
ordinances once I came in from the previous years. E Code just recently emailed
me and stated this needs to be done since it has not been done since 2011. I did talk to the solicitor last week about it
and he said that we need to do this immediately. This is money that needs to be
spent. I will be putting this under
406.450 other general government under contracted services. I've spoken to the
E Code rep and they will plan on contacting the borough annually from this
point on. If there are any new ordinances it will not be nearly as costly. Borough Manager Stack stated after this codification of seven
years we will be codifying annually, and the cost should not exceed $1,500.00.
Councilwoman
Peters suggested placing this in the budget so the committee can make
recommendations. Manager Stack stated any recommendations from the
committee would have to go before the board. They would have to be advertised
as an amended ordinance or a new ordinance and then that would have to be voted
on by council.
The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Winter Traffic Services 2019-2024
A
motion “to approve the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2019-2024
Winter Traffic Services Resolution” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded
by Councilman Cole.
Borough
Manager Stack stated this pertains to any road that PennDOT is responsible for,
but our guys cover during the winter months. The estimate they provided is
approximately $44,000.00 over this period of time. This does sometimes
fluctuate if we have a severe winter.
The
motion carried unanimously 7-0.
New Business
Discussion
on Trafford Emergency Services, a business, using the borough building for
operations.
Borough
Manager Stack stated this was brought up at the last meeting and this was one
of those things that wasn’t even on the agenda so everyone would have the
opportunity to talk, councilmembers, the fire department, and residents.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned were there questions from the residents?
Manager
Stack stated there were lots of questions from the residents.
Councilwoman
Peters stated that’s why we talked about having a meeting with EMS and the fire
department
Manger
Stack stated there was, but I didn't see a reason. It's not a sunshine where
people should be privately speaking whenever it's public.
Councilwoman
Peters I was just wondering if you had a meeting with them, that's all.
Manager
Stack stated No, I did not. That's why I put it on the agenda for everybody for
public comment. We didn't even get into it last time and there really wasn't
anything legally per sunshine law that would require us to be behind closed
doors to discuss it.
Councilwoman
Peters stated it is a matter of Real Estate. We could have executive session on
that and had a discussion amongst council members.
Manager
Stack stated its taxpayer money being used. How is it real estate? I don't
understand.
Councilwoman
Peters stated It’s borough property you're stating in the statement here.
Councilman
Cardiff stated let me bring you up to speed. As the borough solicitor, he can
interject and let us know what it is according to the state borough code on how
to handle such a matter. So, in brief the TEMS closed down about a year or two
ago. A new service was opened up at the TEMS building to provide transfer
services in which I believe that the fire department has a role in, they have
Trafford Emergency Services. Brian you can correct me at any time. I'm just
trying to lay a basic synopsis here. The ambulances have been moved from there
to the fire department that's located within the borough building. They are
running the ambulances out of there as a transfer service. The question that
residents have been having the old ems building is up for lease. Is it okay to
have a business running out of the borough building?
Manager Stack added to which was not discussed
or approved with council or discuss with the administration. We currently pay
for the private fire water service for the trucks, the electric, the gas and
the sewage. Which is all on the same
meter. So, the borough is paying all of that's, we're using taxpayer funds for
that. And that's what I've had a lot of residents. I had a former councilman
come in and specifically say, why aren't they metered separately, why aren't
they paying rent? This is why we've been getting a lot of calls here in the
borough office regarding this because it was never discussed publicly.
Councilwoman
Peters questioned Mr. Lindbloom if there was an agreement when this building
was built with the borough as to usage?
Councilman
Cardiff suggested prior to proceeding we should ask solicitor Dice for a
statement let’s give him a moment to think on whether or not we should proceed
in public or if it's something to deal with executive session of matters of
real estate.
Solicitor
Dice stated the executive session exception is something you can invoke should
you so desire. I can say that under the executive session law it is to consider
the purchase or lease of real property. So, if you wanted to discuss this in
executive session as it does pertain to a lease, I believe you could, that
being said it's up to this council. The executive session law is permissive to
executive sessions.
Councilman
Cardiff stated since we're not discussing a lease or anything, it's more of an
informational discussion.
Solicitor
Dice stated, I think if you want information from members of the public,
members of this business or fire department it's appropriate to hold it out in
the open at the same time. If there are any deliberations you wanted to have in
executive session, I believe you would be able to as per the open meetings law.
Councilman Cardiff questioned Solicitor Dice
if it is permissible to proceed.
Solicitor
Dice stated absolutely.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I’ll start off with a statement, because, I didn’t my fault
for not reading the draft agenda on Facebook or on the website, so I didn’t
really prepare for this until this afternoon. So I plugged a few comments
together on what I thought you were going to discuss tonight so I’ll go ahead
and read the statement I prepared and then I’ll answer the few things that you
did talk about, if that’s okay. Briefly
this afternoon, in a few minutes I prepared a little statement here – it’s
pretty quick cause I thought I was going to have to read it in executive
session and had to get it under two/three minutes. Dear Borough Elected Officials, I see on the
agenda under New Business that you intend to have a discussion about the
ambulance running a business in the fire station with this in mind I have a few
items to make you aware of before you proceed with your discussion like I said
I was going to do it in Public Comments.
The fire department and the ambulance are one service, okay, and we have
been for two years this month. Though we
have parked the ambulances in the old ambulance space for most of the time all
operations have been here in our offices.
You, Council, told us to do this – in late 2016 and it’s disappointing
that you don’t remember because it was a very big deal… in late 2016, Borough
Council sent out requests for proposals for EMS coverage of Trafford. They have
their own reasons for that. It was at that meeting the council designated Penn
Township EMS as the borough’s emergency medical service provider. It was at
this meeting that council told us the fire department there was because we
didn't have ambulances in service at that time and the borough needed to
designate someone that night and they designated Penn Township EMS. Council
also said in a quote, it's only a one-year agreement, so go get your ambulances
in service and we can revisit this next year. That was councilman Ledwich and
President Cardiff, so we did. Our costs 100% our cost. We consider the fire
department to be at least part owners of the spaces we occupy. The areas for
the fire department vehicles were basic and minimal during the construction
process. The third floor was an attic. The fire department paid to build out
these areas. We have all the invoices and canceled checks to prove this.
However, if you feel otherwise, we could sit down and discuss it further.
Speaking of discussing it further. Every month I come here in person to submit
my report. When I’m finished, I always ask, are there any questions for me?
There are rarely any it seems to me that I'm often ambushed at these meetings
with questions that can surely be answered in another setting. I'm here nearly
every day in this building. I can be reached by phone, text or email 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. I'm reachable. I say that every month. Council
President Cardiff has sat down with the fire department only one time in eight
years since he’s been on council and that was to discuss the closing of TEMS in
2016. Councilman Cole has been public safety committee chair for over two years
He has never met with the fire department. To be fair, he did schedule a
meeting once, but he didn't show up and he's yet to reschedule that. I was
invited to one department head meeting with our borough manager since she was
hired two years ago. The only discussion related to the fire department at that
meeting was about snow removal at the fire station. My point is this, the communication
between us seems to be one way from us to you at the monthly meetings and I
just, I think we can do better than this. If it is your position that the
volunteer fire department should pay rent to the borough, I urge you to rethink
this. You currently pay nothing for fire protection, absolutely nothing. Do you
really think it's fair to ask our volunteers to respond to emergencies for
free, trained for free, provide public safety education for free. Perform
maintenance for free, fundraise for free and extreme circumstances risked their
lives for free and then turn around and ask them to pay you for the privilege.
This board doesn't seem to know what we know someone's going to call for help.
The child is choking, and mom can't breathe. Grandma fell again. A tree or
wires blocking a road. The vehicle is crashed. My house is on fire. We must be
ready to respond. It takes training time and money to accomplish this. You
don't seem to realize that one of these dedicated volunteers may be injured or
risk their lives for you tonight. Do you really want to them to pay you for
that privilege, this campaign to the citizens of Trafford that elected you to
do. Aren't there other issues you should be working on? I urge you to rethink
this and open up lines of two-way communication with your volunteers. Thank
you. Then that was my statement. So, I already said the disappointing thing,
but this is longer than a three-minute conversation during public comments. The
borough is always paid for the hydro maintenance. Always. We've been here since
1904.
Borough
Manager Stack stated she didn't include the hydro.
Chief Lindbloom interjected I understand.
Other than that, water, sewage, electric and we're talking about an impact of
nearly nothing. There are four people here during the day and they're only here
to get an ambulance and leave, come back and do reports and leave if they use
the bathroom once or twice. I've ventured guess that you can't even measure it.
And I, I venture a guess if there were separate meters, we'd be paying that
bill. We have been paying all the utilities, all the maintenance, all the tires,
all the fuel, all the vehicles, all the insurance, all the equipment, all the
training, every single cost that comes with this borough that we use to pay has
been on us since 2008 okay. We raise it. We lease the building as $30,000 a
year that we could use to help support us. We've been spending from our savings
and spending from our savings. Eventually it will all be gone. We bought the
building across the street to return it. We also renting the building brings
businesses to town, which is what we're supposed to be doing. We bought the
building across the street to revitalize a blighted property that burned in
2005 and it sat vacant. Since then, our intent is to rehab, refurbish, and be
able to make that, return that to a usable piece of property and seek income
for the fire department from the rental of that property. Other departments
have a bar, a bingo we don't want a bar. Okay. We don't have space for a Bingo.
It costs us too much to rent the room. It's not cost effective. Okay. We're
doing the best we can to protect you for free. It seems like once or twice a
year I got to come up here and defend something like this when everybody walks
past me to get here to come and ask me about it, pick up the phone and call me,
pick up the phone and call me. Okay. Um, I came out believe that you're getting
that many inquiries and if they are, it's simply because they don't know. They
don't get the information in a three-minute conversation and now they also
don't stop by and ask us. There are 14 volunteer firefighters, there's eight
people on the ambulance, 20 people that you could talk to. You don't have to
talk to me. Okay. So that's my statement. Now, if there's any questions of mine
that I'm happy to answer it, but I'm ready not to talk about this anymore until
we can sit down and a mature adult conversation. We can bring out the
documents. My names on the plaque, the building. Okay. I've been here every
meeting since 2001 okay. A lot of you don't know the history. I'm not holding a
grudge. You don't know what happened and how we got here, and you don't know
what it takes to keep running it. And we all do it for free. Okay. 24 hours a
day, seven days a week for free. So, let's rethink this before we come out and
in challenges. I know that you're just answering some public comments. I don't
mean to be, it's not personal. I'm happy to come here every month and answer
questions, but I can't get it done in three minutes. You got to sit down with
me.
Borough
Manager Stack stated there's a number of things there have been since I
started. You and I met actually, I came upstairs, and you gave me a tour and we
discussed that was enough.
Chief
Lindbloom stated okay so twice.
Manager Stack stated No, but they're in there
been other times we'll, but you at that time we, I talked as soon as I started
getting inquiries about the, the fire department and I'd said it could you just
because you had said that we could put so much money into this and I had said
if you could give me receipts so I could have copies of that and I believe you
need to talk to uh, um, Tom Dobrinick about it.
Chief
Lindbloom stated Yeah, there were some things there. I'm waiting for this
meeting and we keep talking about we're going to yeah.
Manager Stack stated that was, if, if I had,
then I could have a record.
Chief Lindbloom stated to bring a bunch of
papers is not, that doesn't do it justice. It took us three years to talk about
it and we formed the committee. It took three more years to build.
Manager Stack stated that's why we're having a
public discussion.
Chief Lindbloom stated there's more history
than a few pages.
Manager
Stack stated that's why we're having a public discussion because this has been
an ongoing thing.
Chief
Lindbloom Okay I'll do it, but I mean if I bring you $185,000.00 worth of
receipts all these problems go away. I think our problems are bigger than that.
I think their communication.
Manager
Stack stated no, but the taxpayers also want to know.
Chief
Lindbloom stated the tax payers did not put a nickel into what we paid, we
raised the money. Manager Stack stated that's the past. Chief Lindbloom stated
the taxes are the four mills to pay the $2 million loan. I understand now that
loans 3 million for 30 years it was 2 million for 20 won't be built it. The
building didn't get bigger. Right. I know you got to do business, you got to
absorb other costs and other debts and to the same loan.
Manager
Stack interjected that was prior to her employment.
Chief Lindbloom stated I know prior to you I'm
not Casey is the only person who's been on council this whole time. I'm not
blaming you. All I'm saying is that we talk more, we won’t have these problems.
Manager
Stack stated that goes both ways when we hear it every day. When I receive
calls about the Pitcairn fire truck being housed in our building.
Chief
Lindbloom interjected I will talk to you about it.
Manager
Stack stated I called you because we were receiving resident complaints. Why is
there Pitcairn truck in the borough building. Chief Lindbloom stated he called
the next day.
Manager Stack stated No, and then I had to ask
you for a letter. It doesn't matter if the police housed another vehicle, they
would have called me if the public works were to house another vehicle, they
would have called me.
Chief Lindbloom stated we're part owners.
We're at least part owners of it. We have complete control of what goes on in
our spaces. The police don't ask me if they can park their car in front of my
building. I don't even think I would have to ask anybody to park a truck
inside. But you called, you made an inquiry the same day you had the letter
from me.
Manager
Stack stated but I had to ask after resident complaints and then people are,
why are we housed? I did call her insurance provider and make sure because
there's a number of issues.
Chief
Lindbloom stated the borough is an additional insured we covered all this. I
respond within the same day.
Manager Stack stated but you're saying that
the line of why you didn’t call me initially and just say that, Pitcairn has
asked about housing the vehicle here.
Chief
Lindbloom stated you don’t call me if you can have a delivery in this building.
I own part of this building. I take care of my area but if you come into mine,
public works tells me before they come in, if you have to come in and you call
me, I don't come into your area, why would I think to do that? But you're right
and I willing and all future endeavors. I promise you.
Manager Stack stated that's the thing the
whole housing the business. You said at our last meeting that is a business
that Trafford Emergency Services.
Chief Lindbloom stated Trafford emergency
services is one entity. One entity. Okay. How you do business. There are
multiple different checking accounts for multiple different things that you
have. We have the same thing. We have people that do different jobs. You have
the same thing. It's a business. The fire department's been in business since
1904. Okay. And we continue the fact that we merged with the ambulance is what
you told us to do, the fact that you're not here every day, finding out how
we're doing and whose fault is that? I'm here every month.
Manager
Stack stated you never asked for permission to house a business in the borough
building. That's why I'm getting questioned.
Chief Lindbloom stated It was built for us.
We've been in a building since day one.
Manager Stack stated the Trafford Emergency
Services, the ambulance service that you're using here.
Chief Lindbloom stated there's no such thing
anymore.
Manager Stack stated the carrier service that
you're using as transport service.
Chief Lindbloom stated I moved a truck in. If
I buy a new fire truck, I gotta call you. To ask if I
can park it here.
Councilman Cardiff stated let me interject for
a moment here. I think that the whole discussion and I appreciate your, your,
your statement and I appreciate you coming after myself and Councilman Cole for
not visiting with you. I apologize. Um, we can go and we can have lunch anytime
you want, whenever you want to do. That's fine. I think the, the, the issue at
hand was Why was it not communicated to the borough that this was happening,
that you're moving these ambulances down here. That's all I'm saying. As a
courtesy in the minimal.
Chief Lindbloom stated I had no direction from
council.
Councilman
Cardiff stated very minimal but that's kind of common sense though I would say.
Chief
Lindbloom stated exactly. We’ve been at it since 1904, we've been in this
building since day one. How is the communication?
Councilman
Cardiff stated you're talking about communication and I'm not attacking you.
Chief
Lindbloom stated tell me what you want.
Councilman
Cardiff stated communication with the borough office so they know it's there so
we can make sure that insurance will cover whatever it is that we have in that
building.
Chief
Lindbloom stated all six vehicles are owned by the fire department.
Councilman
Cardiff stated that's fine but the end of the day though, it is the borough's
building. Councilman Cardiff questioned on paper if the borough building blows
up who’s problem is it?
Chief
Lindbloom stated weather we’re listed on the deed or not we pay for our area.
Chief Lindbloom stated we're covered by insurance.
Councilman
Cardiff stated you guys are, but it's the boroughs.
Manager
Stack stated their vehicles are insured. What I'm saying is if something
happens to the borough building it’s the boroughs responsibility.
Chief
Lindbloom stated we have a two-million-dollar policy for insuring us for
everything and the borough is an additional insured and has been that way.
Manager
Stack stated when I have to walk through with EMC and I'm going into the fire
department, they, because we are paying the tax payers, the residents here are
paying this taxes work. So, when you're running a transport service as a
separate entity.
Chief
Lindbloom stated we are not, it's the same thing.
Councilman Perovich stated that’s your bingo
Brian, right?
Chief
Lindbloom stated the ambulance is my bar, the rental property is my bar, my
Bingo, my hoagie sales. Okay. How we can't sell that many hoagies.
Councilman
Cardiff stated so why is it that one of these meetings when you're up here, you
didn't just say, we're going to be moving the ambulances over the fire
department?
Chief
Lindbloom stated honestly, no one's ever asked me for that information before,
before thought and I was up here at the end of it. I said, are there any
questions for six months?
Councilman Cardiff stated you report on
everything else which is great but why didn't that, those couple of words.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I guess it's the same reason you didn't think to ask me.
Councilman
Cardiff stated and the only reason why is because we want to make sure that
we're legally covered on behalf of the taxpayers of the borough.
Chief
Lindbloom stated that seems like a communication thing, right? You could've
asked me.
Councilman
Cardiff stated we're supposed to make sure that we're keeping the taxpayers
safe, but also, you know, just when residents call us and say, why is this
happening? We're not saying I don’t know. The tax payers are like, well, aren't
you the borough? Aren't you supposed to know what's going on within your
properties and everything? We should and you're absolutely right. There needs
to be a communication change. Yes. Yes.
Chief
Lindbloom stated No, that's it. I'm available 24 seven to answer any of your
questions and I promise it quick and speedy response.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I also want to clarify one other thing is you had mentioned when
les race asked at the one meeting about the uh, property across the street, the
clubhouse building. You had told everybody that you had purchased it privately
because it was, it was a family member or was it in the family and you wanted
to keep it.
Chief
Lindbloom stated absolutely not misinformed or somebody misspoke from day one.
The Fire Department purchased it. Okay.
Councilman Cardiff stated Just want to make
sure.
Chief
Lindbloom stated it was John Walko’s building. The only thing I mentioned is
that he's been a longtime supporter of the fire department and we reached it
very mutually beneficial agreement for the sale price. the first month we owned
it, we cleaned it up because the trees when you cleaned it up.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I was asked about it and I just wanted to have an answer.
Chief
Lindbloom stated you see a lot of people report a lot of things they hear to
you it's frustrating and nobody ever asks us.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I know people say a lot of things.
Chief Lindbloom stated it was in the real
estate transfer who owned it, who bought it. So that's public information. I'm
happy to share everything. I stayed up here every month and brag about
everything we do. If you want to hear that kind of stuff it’s a boring place to
hear about daily business like that. We've been protecting you for almost one
hundred and fifteen years.
Councilman
Cardiff stated at the end of all this for right now I guess it's just we need
to have common courtesy with each other and have more communication. Let's
build from there.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I understand. I know how it builds animosity because I get
aggravated when I hear about it here and walk past you.
Councilman
Cardiff stated for me you understand there is no Animosity form me, I'm pretty
straight forward things that it's, we just want to make sure the borough's
protected. I'll be asking the taxpayers, that's all.
Councilwoman
Peters stated I think we need to make it clear on whose space is whose so that
avoids confusion moving forward.
Chief
Lindbloom stated it was all done on a hand shake. Nobody has leases it was a
handshake, but that's the way they chose to do it.
Councilman
Cardiff stated but a lot of things like that in the borough have happened years
back.
Chief
Lindbloom stated It's too late, we're in, we bought it.
Councilman
Cardiff stated but in a court of law If anything would ever happen.
Chief
Lindbloom stated well I welcome that opportunity.
Councilman
Cardiff stated, you know what I mean? No, no. I'm not saying with the Fire
Department, I'm saying it's like somebody got hurt downstairs or something. You
know what I mean? In a court of law, when you go there and you tell the judge,
oh well, you know, we're part owners on it over a handshake what's the judge
going to do?
Chief
Lindbloom stated well I mean we need an agreement. Insurance and all those
items there because we are responsible. Manager Stack stated the structure is
insured under the borough though that's the thing is it's still under us.
Councilman
Cardiff stated we want to make sure.
Manager
Stack stated that’s what I’m trying to get across.
Chief
Lindbloom stated if you or someone were to get hit by a brick falling off it,
that would belong to you. If they slip and fall during a tour of my station
that's under me.
Solicitor
Dice stated can I clarify something that's probably obvious here talking about
a court of law. If somebody slips and falls, it's your building is my
understanding and then under your insurance or the borough is listed as an
additional insured what's going to happen is, you're both going to be sued.
That's just the way these things work. People want as many parties as they can
get in there. One of the big questions I had is the borough additional insured
and you answered that before I could ask it. So again, it would seem that the
borough is covered two ways so to speak. That being said, there is nothing
wrong with trying to just get some formal agreement that specifies how this
will work. I mean if both parties wanting.
Manager
Stack stated so that means if something would happen with the transport,
anything with that, if something would happen to one of their employees, even
the that borough, we could technically be held liable as well. Even if we're
listed as the additional insured, if it's something in his station and happens
with one of his ambulance transports.
Solicitor Dice stated if it's in your building
and it applies to your building.
Manager
Stack stated I’ve been getting so many questions since day one, since day one
I've been getting hammered.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I want to put your mind at ease and that we were professional
company.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I agree with councilwoman Peters that I think that things need
to be clarified.
Councilwoman
Peters stated Yeah, let's put a red straight line down the middle.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I don't want to just come present a bunch of stuff here and
not have any context or conversation.
Councilman
Cardiff stated but do you understand where we're coming from too?
Chief
Lindbloom stated I do. I’m available all you gotta do
is call.
Manager
Stack stated as soon as you mentioned that the last meeting about the business,
I immediately called our insurance broker and he said we need to have, we need
to have the copy in our office of us being additional, but as per us talking
before about the receipts back that think last year maybe or even when I first
started.
Chief
Lindbloom interjected yeah, I’m wait for this magic meeting. unfortunately, and
I don't mean to be, I don't mean this to sound rude, but uh, my only job was to
report to the president of council and my only obligation to report to council
is how I spend his money. That's it. We're a private company. We're a private
corporation. We're housed here. Yes, we're part owners or leasers. But I'm here
to answer any question you have, but I'm sorry, I'm just saying I don’t mean to
be rude.
Manager
Stack stated your contradicting yourself.
Chief
Lindbloom stated just that I don't think to say I need.
Manager
Stack stated you're contradicting yourself. You just said that you want an open
line of communication, but you only have to answer to him. You don't need to.
Chief Lindbloom stated I’m only required by
law is report to counsel how I spend their money. Okay. But for the past
practices, I'm here every month to answering every question and you'll get that
from any fire department. They're real private about their stuff. We're not,
we're wide open. You want to see the books? Come see the books. Do you want to
see the audits? Come see the audits. We're very open. We have been since you've
been on council since you've been on council 20 years you've been on council.
We're very open. All I'm saying is my first thought is not to, I need to call Ashley
and tell her because that's never happened before. Your first professional
borough manager we've had, okay, we've had other people, but you've by far
taken us way further than we've been before. Okay. If you'd like copies of
insurance. Absolutely.
Manager Stack stated our broker said it was
required.
Chief Lindbloom stated when you asked me for
the rosters for your workers comp and I ain't going
to offer it, we pay half of what you pay. I don't know why you pay so much. My
ambulance service, which is the highest rate for workers comp is halfway of
what you pay and I offer you to meet with our broker to see if you can get it
cheaper and save you some money. I've liked some of it back but you know, I've
never come here asking you for money. We raised it ourselves. Okay. I don't
think we're in a position to start paying rent. Okay. We do need to have some
formal agreements available anytime to talk.
Councilman Cardiff stated I say we put a
bookmark in this. I think it was a good discussion.
Chief
Lindbloom replied Yeah.
Councilman
Cardiff stated got a lot out. You got, you understand where we're coming from.
You understand where we're coming from. We get where you're coming from. We're
going to talk to Craig and see what we need to do and like I said, what
Councilwoman Peters said, I agree with her that I like to have finite
definitions on things. You know what I mean?
Manager
Stack stated It would make my job a lot easier.
Councilwoman
Peters stated black and white is good.
Councilman
Cardiff replied absolutely because again, it's like in the court of law. I have
to look at it that way. I mean, it's a handshake. It's not gonna
mean anything. So we just want to make sure that everybody's where they're
supposed to be and everything's fine and we'll go from there. I think that's a
good way to go from here.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I’m the same as you. I get it. I get tired of explaining it.
It's frustrating to the guys because this is the same group that basically
hears us being, you know, in some cases attacked. I know sometimes we don't
mean it that way, but that's how it seems to the average person then I ask them
the next day to come around here and sell a Hoagie or sweep the floor. Uh, it's
hard to keep that morale going. Okay. I still have most of the people we started
with, uh, some of them are left because of that, because of the, the rhetoric.
It always seems to happen in the worst possible time. We have our fund drive
letter going out next week, and now you know, all the, in the social media and
everything is going to be a turmoil between the fire department and the fire
services.
Councilman
Cardiff stated they're busy with other things. Trust me, this is probably the
best time for you in social. They're preoccupied right now. I am kind of
disappointed that the people that were on there, didn't show up tonight, just
throwing that out there.
Chief
Lindbloom stated they have other more important things to worry about.
Councilman Cardiff stated let's continue the
discussion. Let's talk. We're going to talk to Craig Like I said, are anybody
disagree with me on that? That our job is to protect the taxpayer’s money of
this town.
Manager
Stack stated, “I would love a formal agreement”.
Councilman
Cardiff stated i just want to make sure that.
Councilwoman Peters stated if I may, sir. Talk to Craig schedule a meeting and
so everybody can be present. Everybody can here the same thing and just get it
taken care of.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I concur.
Chief
Lindbloom stated Yeah. Well I agree. There's gotta be
something better than what we're currently doing. So I welcome the opportunity.
Councilman
Cardiff stated I think that's a great opportunity for everybody.
Chief
Lindbloom stated the insurance paperwork is at my fingertips so I can come sit
down with my whole portfolio and you can tell me what counts.
Manager Stack stated I need a copy of your
saying we were listed as an additional insured. I need a copy of that. Yeah,
that's what he said. Okay. Cause I called him immediately as soon as you called
it a business last meeting.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I just with the insurance guy Friday, you know, to make sure
we're all thinking we got a new like, so our new workers comp was half of what
you paid last year.
Councilman
Cardiff stated Okay, let's, let's go from here. Okay, let's do that. This is an
opportunity to build, correct?
Chief
Lindbloom replied Yeah.
Councilman
Cardiff stated You're agreeing.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I mean we got some great things going on next door come see
it. Okay. Okay.
Councilman
Cardiff stated you agree this is an opportunity for us to build it?
Chief
Lindbloom stated I'm here. Okay. I've been here.
Councilwoman
Peters stated just say yes, just say yes.
Chief
Lindbloom stated I've been here. I've said it, you know, sometimes yes doesn't do
it though.
Councilman
Cardiff stated and that's what we need to do. We need to all work together and
build. So, let's go from there.
Chief Lindbloom replied I agree.
Adjournment
Councilman
Cardiff announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at 7:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers.
A
motion “to adjourn” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilwoman
Peters. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.