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