Trafford Borough
Monthly Business Meeting
Minutes-Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
The Trafford Borough Council held its monthly business meeting on
Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at 7:01 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
Council President Kris Cardiff, called the meeting to order; The
Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and a moment of silence observed.
Borough Secretary, Nina Solivan commenced roll call;
(Present) Kris Cardiff, Council
President Edward
Llewellyn, Mayor
Carol Morrow,
Council Vice-President Ashley Stack, Borough Manager
Zach Cole, Councilman Craig Alexander, Solicitor
Leslie Peters,
Councilwoman Don Glenn, Engineer
Cheryl Petersen,
Councilwoman Brian Lindbloom, Fire
Chief
Casey Shoub,
Councilman
(Absent) John Eliyas,
EMC
Council conducted an executive session for personnel and legal
matters prior to this council meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Minutes- A motion
“to accept the minutes of the June 5, 2018, regular business meeting” was made
by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried
unanimously 6-0.
Payment of Bills-
A motion “to approve the expense voucher list dated, July 3, 2018” was made by
Councilwoman Morrow and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried
unanimously 6-0.
Public Comment-
Delores Sutton 601 Brinton Avenue: Ms. Sutton questioned if the Wallace Avenue Bridge project has
been completed and if so when will the repairs be made at the intersection of
Sixth Street and Brinton Avenue. Ms. Sutton asked council if landlords are
required to acquiring occupancy permits and check references for new tenants,
the town has a lot of undesirables these days. Ms. Sutton questioned if water
is getting into someone’s basement is that the landlord’s problem or the
tenants? Also questioned where the memorial bricks went? Ms. Sutton reported
there is a catch basin that needs to be repaired on E Homewood Avenue.
Borough response: Councilwoman
Morrow informed the public starting Mid-August our Code Enforcement Officer
will be citing landlords if they are not getting occupancy permits fines can
range anywhere from $100 - $1000 a day. Regarding the water in the basement if
you are a tenant it would be your land owner’s responsibility. The memorial
bricks are down at the public works building and will be placed around the new
sidewalk at the borough building.
Pat Paola 74 First Street:
Ms. Paola reported the trains have not subsided, she cannot sit outside due to
the fumes and noise. Ms. Paola stated the conductors are now taunting the
residents of First Street by blowing their horns. Ms. Paola stated she will be
contacting the DEP to find out what kind of poisons are being released into the
air.
Secondly, Ms. Paola informed
council years ago there were information meetings, where residents were able to
gripe. Council then would add the issues to the agenda at the regular council
meeting. Ms. Paola stated we are no longer a community and we need to go back
to that. Ms. Paola questioned why it was taken away and what do we need to do
to get the meetings back?
Borough response: Councilman
Cardiff stated he reached out to Jordan Fry of the state transportation
committee, Mr. Fry informed Councilman Cardiff he has tried on the state level
and they are difficult to deal with he will try reaching out on the federal
level. Borough Manager Stack informed Ms. Paola that there are still work
session meetings, they are held quarterly except in the summer due to low
turn-out.
Ann Lecure 205 E. Gilmore Avenue:
Ms. Lecure reported to council on June 8, 2018, around 8:00 p.m. an individual
tried to take her son from her yard. Ms. Lecure called the Trafford Police Dept.
and took the scenario very lightly. The PD stated a woman would not try to take
a child. The woman ran up a 45% grade in my front yard with her arms out and
yelled come here to her son. The PD did not put a report out to the residents
to look for a car, or to look for the woman. Ms. Lecure called the news to see
if they could put something out and they said the Trafford PD would have to
call them. Ms. Lecure stated she immediately called the PD and was told the
news does not sound interested in her story it’s the news’ job to call them. No
one did anything, they didn’t put a notice out to all the children playing
outside. They didn’t think it happened even when he described a car in detail,
he described a woman and the officer was putting words into his mouth. The
issue was handled very unprofessionally. Ms. Lecure called Monday morning and
spoke with the Chief of police and the Chief informed Ms. Lecure the PD did
take the issue seriously, now that its three days later there is no reason in
panicking the neighborhood with this story. Pennsylvania is #9 for child
trafficking in the country. Our School teachers have been trained to recognize
child trafficking and apparently our police here are not informed. Ms. Lecure
has had issues since then, but I do not have the confidence in our police
department. If the police cannot take the potential abduction of a child
seriously then what can be. This is a disservice to the community and to my
family.
Borough response: Mayor Llewellyn
will speak with the Chief on this issue.
Gillian Graber 110 Belleauwood Blvd: Ms. Graber would like to advocate for curbside recycling. Would
also like to advocate to change the speed limit on Belleauwood Blvd from 25 mph
to 15 mph we have children who play and bike along our road. Ms. Graber stated
across the street and up the hill in Bradford Square the speed limit is 15 mph.
Would also like to see in the future, a crosswalk from Belleauwood Blvd to the
Woodlawn Playground people come flying down the hill. Would also like to talk about
an injection well ordinance, feels that Trafford needs one.
Borough response: The
recommendation to change the speed limit will be forwarded to the police
department.
Borough Engineer-
Borough Engineer Don Glenn,
reported the Wallace Avenue bridge repairs phase one and two have been
completed.
Independent Contractors have
submitted a final invoice for the ADA curb ramps and was rejected there are a
few things that need done for example paint the crosswalks and replace the
signs.
A letter was sent to North Folk
Southern regarding the wing wall and repairs that are needed along the
underpass.
The contractor for Murrysville
Road showed up today to televise the sewer and informed Mr. Glenn there are
three inlets that are buried, and 200 ft of the line is in great condition. Mr.
Glenn informed the public all the inlets from Route 993 and up Murrysville Road
will all be replaced.
The BY Park restroom will need
re-advertised in the fall.
Administrative Reports-
Borough Manager- Plan on
scheduling a meeting with our Waste Management rep to discuss options for
recycling, we have received various complaints on the removal of the bins, but
the borough cannot afford the contamination charges. Sewage payments are due
July 5, 2018, the administrative staff is looking forward to a smoother next
round of bills. Working with the code enforcement officer, CEA, and our
solicitor to bring chapter 85 U.C.C up to date. The 2017 audit will be
commencing the beginning of August.
Code Enforcement-
Report on file.
Solicitor – No report.
EMS- Councilwoman
Morrow stated there were a total of thirty-two calls for the month of June with
twenty-nine calls being handled by PT Ambulance and three by North Huntingdon.
Trafford VFD- Fire Chief
Lindbloom reported the fire department received thirteen calls. The fund drive
will be out soon.
EMC- No report.
Recreation Board
– Rose Frollini Treasurer of the recreation board reported Fairmont Playground
is just about finished some of the fencings is missing, a swing set, a gate and
the pavilion still has a sunroof. We sent the last reimbursement request to the
state and we will hold on to that until everything is done. The playground
program is going well there are thirty-five children registered at Fairmont and
forty-two children registered at the Terrace. The pavilion on the terrace is
just not sufficient anymore. There was one quote given from our costar vendor
for $19,000.00 we will be reaching out for a few more. The Act 13 money came in
higher than budgeted for because it came in higher we can contribute $1500.00
towards the new BY Park Fountain.
TECDC- Carol
Richardson reported the bike rack has been ordered and will be in by the end of
next week. Members of the trail association have volunteered to put the rack
together and install the rack on trial property. We will not need to bother the
public works department.
WHT- Councilman
Cole reported the week of July 9th the trail will be closed for drainage
repairs from Murrysville to Saunders Station in Monroeville. Signs will be
posted.
Mayor’s
Report- Mayor Llewellyn reported there
were a total of one hundred sixty service calls with fifty-one citations filed
and twelve criminal cases filed with additional pending. In addition to routine
patrol, twenty-eight additional hours of traffic monitoring were complaints
have been received as well as 30 hours of foot patrol.
The Durango has over 100,000 miles there is no air conditioning
and was just in the shop again. Possible replacement for a new vehicle with a
three-year term.
Councilwoman Morrow questioned if the borough can Lease a police
Vehicle? Solicitor Dice stated she has not heard of a leased police vehicle due
to all the mechanics inside the vehicle.
Committee Reports
Community Development-
Councilwoman Peters stated she is still exploring a community notification
system. Nixel is not an affordable option and we don’t want to pass that along
to the residents. Pitcairn has just launched an app, so I will be exploring
that. Westmoreland County has launched a
Code Red Alert system all you need to do is sign up on the county website it
will inform you of weather and amber alerts. The zoning board along with
Councilwoman Peters and Petersen are still meeting and going over the codes.
Presidents Report-
Wishes everyone a Happy Fourth of July, be safe and do not hurt yourself.
Appointment of Councilperson
Council President Cardiff
announced the names of the individuals who submitted letters of interest;
Dominick Frollini, Brian Lindbloom, John Daykon, and Joshua Sanders.
A roll call vote for nominations
was taken.
Councilman Cardiff, Councilman
Cole, and Councilwoman Morrow voted for Joshua Sanders
Councilwoman Peters and
Councilwoman Petersen voted for Brian Lindbloom.
Councilman Shoub voted for John
Daykon.
Solicitor Dice stated the vote is
now between Brian Lindbloom and Joshua Sanders. A roll call vote between the
two candidates will be needed.
Councilman Cardiff voted Sanders,
Councilman Cole voted Sanders, Councilwoman Morrow voted Sanders, Councilwoman
Peters voted Lindbloom, Councilwoman Petersen voted Lindbloom and Councilman
Shoub voted Sanders. 4-2 Sanders.
A motion “to appoint Mr. Joshua
Sanders to the vacant council seat with a term expiring on December 31, 2019”
was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilwoman Morrow. The motion
carried 5 to 1 Councilwoman Peters voted no. The motion carries.
Mayor Llewellyn then administered
the "Oath of Office" to the newly-appointed member of Council Mr.
Joshua Sanders.
Nicely Building Approval-
A motion “to approve the construction of a warehouse and office on Brinton
Avenue, lots 318, 320, 322, and 324, owned by Richard and Kathleen Nicely” was
made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilman Cole. The motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
All American Baseball Indoor Training Facility- A motion “to approve the construction of an indoor training
facility and parking lot at the existing All-American Baseball Complex” was
made by Councilwoman Morrow and seconded by Councilman Cole.
Councilwoman Peters questioned if
this is allowed because they do not own the property. Councilwoman Morrow
informed Councilwoman Peters that there is an agreement between the property
owner CBS Viacom and All American.
Borough Manager Stack stated the
information regarding the proposed training facility had previously been
discussed at the planning commission meeting and has been signed off on by the
borough’s engineer.
The motion carried unanimously
7-0.
New Fountain BY Park
A motion “to approve the purchase
of a new fountain for the BY Park not to exceed $5000 with $1500 from the Rec
Board account” was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman
Shoub.
Councilwoman Peters stated the Rec
Board will be donating $1500.00 towards the purchase of a new fountain.
Borough Manager Stack stated she
has received two quotes one for $3400 and the other for $4000, due to the size
of the lake we require a higher (2) horsepower in order to aerate properly.
The motion carried 6-1
Councilwoman Morrow voting no due to not knowing where the funds will be coming
from.
Riley Resignation-
A motion “to accept the resignation of Patrolman Joseph Riley from the Trafford
Borough Police Department” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by
Councilman Shoub.
Councilman Sanders questioned why
he is resigning, Councilman Shoub stated he received a full-time offer.
The motion carried unanimously
7-0.
Varner Resignation-
A motion “to accept the resignation of Patrolman Scott Varner from the Trafford
Borough Police Department” was made by Councilman Cole and seconded by
Councilman Shoub. The motion carried unanimously 7-0.
Full-Time Police Officer Advertisement
A motion “to approve an
advertisement for the position of full-time Trafford Borough Police Officer”
was made by Councilwoman Peters and seconded by Councilman Sanders.
Mayor Llewellyn stated the
Penn-Trafford School board has approved a resource officer for the Trafford
Elementary/Middle School. PTSD will provide the borough with $37,000.00 for the
resource officer.
Councilwoman Peters questioned if
the full-time hire will replace the two part-timers. Mayor Llewellyn stated no,
we will still need to hire part-timers.
Councilman Cardiff questioned if
the money being provided to the borough for the resource officer is a one-time
thing or the school board decides to cancel the program the borough would be
responsible for the additional officer.
The motion carried unanimously
7-0.
Storm Water Management Ordinance
A motion “to adopt the updated
Storm Water Management Ordinance to replace the borough’s current ordinance
#694, Chapter 172” was made by Councilman Shoub and seconded by Councilwoman
Morrow.
Borough Engineer Don Glenn stated
a stormwater management ordinance must be passed to match the mandate or you
must create your own which will cost thousands of dollars and there is no
reason to recreate the wheel. There is nothing wrong with the old ordinance
just needed an update.
The motion carried unanimously
7-0.
New Business
Councilman Cardiff welcomed Mr.
Josh Sanders to the council.
Adjournment
Council President Cardiff informed
the audience the next regular business meeting will be held Tuesday, August 6,
2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers.
A motion to “adjourn” was made by
Councilman Cole and seconded by Councilman Shoub. The motion carried
unanimously 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Nina M. Solivan
Borough Secretary/Treasurer