Trafford
Borough Regular Meeting Minutes January 10, 2023.
1. Call
to Order
2. Moment
of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call done by Nina Mulnix
Council
Present: Councilmember
Bayko, Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Corrales, Councilmember Perovich,
Councilmember Shoub.
Other
staff present: Mayor
Llewellyn, Solicitor Chelsea Dice (on behalf of Craig Alexander), Borough
Manager Jaime Peticca, Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix, Engineer Don Glenn.
4. Notice
of Executive Session held December 6th, 2022, for matters of personnel and
litigation.
Councilmember Cardiff stated there is a
correction on the agenda item # 4 - Notice of Executive Session held on January
10, 2023, for personnel and litigation.
5.
Approve the December 6th, 2022,
Regular Council Meeting minutes.
a.
Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b.
Second: Councilmember Bayko
c.
Discussion: No discussion
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
6.
Approve the December 2022 expense voucher
list.
a.
Motion: Councilmember Bayko
b.
Second: Councilmember Corrales
c.
Discussion: No discussion
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
7.
Public Comment
a. Public
Comment for all matters which the public has concern. No public comment or
questions on agenda items will be received after this point.
b. Public
comment for motions not listed on the agenda will be received when called for
c. Borough
Response
Dolores Sutton (601 Brinton Ave)- Ms. Sutton
provided a code complaint form to council, and verbally stated there is a
garbage concern that multiple bags of trash are being thrown behind the 601
Brinton Ave property. The landlord claimed he would take care of the issue and
has not to date. Ms. Sutton would like an update regarding the police
investigation from October 29th, 2022. Ms. Sutton asked if the
borough has a 2023 Waste Management garbage collection schedule.
Borough Response:
Mayor Llewellyn
stated he has a response that will be provided in his report on the agenda.
Councilmember
Cardiff stated that the borough manager will forward the complaint form to code
enforcement for follow up.
Councilmember
Cardiff suggested for Ms. Sutton to reference Waste Management’s website for
collection dates and entering Trafford’s zip code on that site.
Councilmember
Perovich commented that you can also call Waste Management and set up a phone
call reminder.
Mark Horgas (132 7th Street Ext)-
wants to know the legality and allowance of sewage funds to be used for payroll
for the borough manager’s salary. Mr. Horgas indicated there is nothing in any
borough codes regarding the usage of public utilities to be used for payroll.
Mr. Horgas would like to know how this is allowed when there is a 2.8 million
loan from 2014 with an annual payment that won’t be paid off until 2047. Mr.
Horgas asked for his concerns to be addressed.
Borough Response:
Acting Solicitor
Chelsea Dice asked does Trafford Borough portion out a portion of the sewage
budget to go towards the managers salary? Councilmember Cardiff replied yes.
Ms. Dice requested the opportunity to do some research on this subject before
providing a response.
Manager Peticca commented
that the auditors for Trafford Borough are aware of the usage of the sewer
funds.
Councilmember
Cardiff indicated there was an article published a few months ago that reported
on the borough manager and her salary. There were inaccuracies with that
article, and it was mentioned in a previous public meeting. The borough will do
the research and provide a firm answer.
Mark Frydrych (7 Meadow Street) Thanked
council for all the work done on Meadow Street and handed out photos to show
how nice the street looks. Mr. Frydrych stated there is commercial garbage that
is piling up on the neighbor’s property; other than the garbage everything is
great with Meadow Street.
Borough Response:
Councilmember
Cardiff asked Mr. Frydrych to fill out a code complaint form for code
enforcement to investigate.
Keith Cerqueira (25 Bluff Street) stated he
is having problems with multiple neighbors harassing him over parking. There is
a neighbor Justin that arrived on his quad and stated that Mr. Cequeira’s cars
are junk and need to be removed. There is now no parking on the side of Bluff
Street and Mr. Cerqueira has concerns over dead trees in the area that are
preventing him from parking his cars in those areas of the street, because he
can’t park on the side where there is no parking. The cars are not junk
property; they are classic cars. Councilmember Cardiff interjected that Mr.
Cerqueira is approaching the 3-minute allotment to speak. Mr. Cerqueira
indicated there were no problems until no parking signs were placed. Mr.
Cerqueira is asking council to remove the no parking restrictions on Bluff
Street.
Acting Solicitor
Chelsea Dice commented if council so desires they can make an option to change
the ordinance, if they don’t it remains the same with no parking. Providing the
cars are registered and properly insured and it’s a public street and you are following
the rules and regulations you are not in violation. The no parking ordinance
was adopted many years ago, it just hasn’t been enforced. Just because it
wasn’t enforced does not mean it doesn’t exist. Council has heard your request,
and they will review and discuss how to proceed.
Councilmember
Cardiff replied council has your concerns documented on the recorder. This is
something that council will discuss further for a resolution.
8.
Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn
Engineering
a.
Report submitted – Don Glenn stated that his
office is waiting to hear from Alcosan to coordinate a meeting regarding the
bypass system, and when that meeting is scheduled it will be communicated to
Manager Peticca. The other update is going to be the readings from the rain events
for the month, the findings will determine if we can eliminate the meters.
b.
Public comment on Mr. Glenn's report: No
discussion
c. Glenn
Engineering dismissed from meeting
9. Mayor's
Report- Mayor Llewellyn provided a response to Ms. Sutton: When there is an
active and ongoing incident/investigation, the police department are not going
to provide an update until it reaches a conclusion. Pre-releasing information
could jeopardize the investigation, and these investigations take time. The
results of the investigation for the incident that took place on October 29, 2022,
a male was arrested and charged with multiple charges and is pending a court
date. Mayor Llewellyn also read the December Police Report to council and the
public. Mayor Llewellyn brought
to the attention of council that there’s been multiple cars driven down the
hillside on the backside of Edgewood and Duquesne Avenues. The suggestion would
be to place a sign there. The mayor also commented that he and Chief Disso will
be available on January 26th for the Junior Council Person.
10.
Committee Reports
a.
Community
& Economic Development (Chair Steve Perovich/Co-chair Justin Batzel) – Councilmember
Perovich commented we are moving forward with Scenic Pittsburgh for the
comprehensive plan.
b. General Government & Finance
(Chair Pat Bayko/Co-chair Chris Corrales) –
Councilmember
Bayko stated there was nothing to report.
c.
Parks
& Recreation (Chair Justin Batzel/Co-chair Steve Perovich)
Councilmember Perovich stated
there was nothing to report.
d.
Planning,
Property, & Ordinances (Chair Casey Shoub Co-chair Zack Cole)
Councilmember Shoub read the code
enforcement’s December report to council and the public and added BCO Adad Hlad
had one building permit for a garage.
e. Public Safety (Chair Chris
Corrales/Co-chair Pat Bayko)
Councilmember
Corrales advised the residents of Trafford to keep vehicles and personal
property locked up, due to several break-ins.
f.
Public
Works & Sanitation (Chair Zack Cole/Co-chair Casey Shoub)
Councilmember Shoub stated there
was nothing to report.
g.
Junior
Council Person (JCP) Report
Councilmember Cardiff stated
Miss. Moroca wasn’t present for this meeting.
h.
President
Kris Cardiff
Councilmember Cardiff followed up
with the mayor’s mention of the next JCP rotation which is going to be the
police department on January 26th.
The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs from Harrisburg will be
doing a statewide article about the JCP. Councilmember Cardiff went on to thank
the Mayor Llewellyn, Councilmembers Corrales and Perovich for making the JCP
program a success. In March we will be looking forward to doing an exchange
meeting with our neighboring Irwin Borough.
11.
Motion to approve Resolution
1-2023 Fee Schedule
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Shoub
b.
Second: Councilmember
Corrales
c. Discussion:
No discussion
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
12. Motion
to approve Resolution 2-2023 Police Pension Member Contribution
•
The Borough of Trafford Police Pension Plan are hereby set at 0% of
compensation for calendar years 2018, 2019 and at 1% of compensation for
calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Corrales
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion: Manager
Peticca stated that an audit is being performed on the pension for the last
five years and this is something that needed to be stated that the Police did
not pay compensation for those two years and they are moving forward at the 1%
for 2023. Nothing is changing with the contract.
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
13.
Motion to ratify bonus
to Tony Gockel for $825.00 for performing foreman duties for 11 weeks.
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Shoub
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion: No
discussion
d.
Vote: ROLL CALL VOTE-
Councilmember Bayko-Yes, Councilmember Cardiff -No, Councilmember Corrales-No,
Councilmember Perovich- Yes, Councilmember Shoub- Yes.
Motion
Carries 3, 2, 2 (Absent)
14.
Motion to approve Penn
Trafford New as the official newspaper for Trafford Borough for 2023
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Shoub
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion:
Councilmember indicated there is a correction to say Penn Franklin News
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
15.
Motion to approve
Resolution 3-2023 Disposition of Records
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Shoub
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion: Manager
Peticca stated this resolution is to cover all requirements we are following
under the county municipal records manual prior to 2016 for record retention.
d. Vote:
5, 0, 2 (Absent)
16.
Motion to approve
Ordinance 1-2023; 188-62 Parking Prohibited at all Times, Meadow Street change
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Perovich
b.
Second: Councilmember
Bayko
c. Discussion:
Manager Peticca stated this is just the follow up to the advertised motion
prior.
d. Vote:
5, 0, 2 (Absent)
New Business
Vacancy
in Planning Commission, Recreation Board (2 openings), and Representative for
Westmoreland Heritage Trail.
Manager Peticca- if
anyone has any questions contact the borough office. We will need a letter of
interest for those wanting to apply.
Girl
Scout cookies selling March 4th, 5th, ,10th, 11th,
18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th.
Motion on the
floor to allow The Girl Scouts of the USA to sell cookies in the library
parking lot on March 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th,
18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th.
a. Motion:
Councilmember Shoub
b. Second:
Councilmember Corrales
c. Discussion:
No discussion
d. Vote:
5, 0, 2 (Absent)
Comprehensive
Plan committee
Councilmember Cardiff would like
to form a committee not just of council. It would start out with council as the
plan is put together, then will branch out to the public.
Manager
Peticca indicated we would like to have involvement from residents and business
owners to be part of this. We will need to arrange meetings accordingly.
Councilmember
Perovich stated we would like to have 5-6 volunteers participate.
Old Business
Cavitt
Avenue Parking Lot
Manager Peticca- this
item was originally tabled, now we need to progress forward with a bid or
auction. The bid may have been too high last time, as there was no interest.
Recommendation to list
the Cavitt Ave parking lot at $18,000.00.
Motion on the floor to
auction the parking lot at Cavitt Ave with a minimum bid of $18,000.00.
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Corrales
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion:
Councilmember Cardiff advised the auctioneers to handle the process. Manager
Peticca corrected the motion on the floor- to advertise.
Councilmember
Cardiff asked Councilmember Corrales if he would like to amend the motion on
the floor to Advertise a public auction setting the minimum bid of $18,000.00.
Motion
on the floor amended to Advertise a public auction of the Cavitt Ave parking
lot setting the minimum bid of $18,000.00.
a.
Motion: Councilmember
Corrales
b.
Second: Councilmember
Perovich
c.
Discussion: No
discussion
d.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
17.
Adjournment
a.
Announce the next
regular council meeting for Tuesday, February 7 th, 2023, at 7:00
p.m. in Council Chambers. Discussion Meeting will be held on February 21st,
2023, at 6:30 PM.
b.
Move to adjourn: Councilmember
Shoub
c.
Second: Councilmember
Corrales
d.
Discussion: No
discussion
e.
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
Respectfully submitted.
Nina Mulnix- Borough
Secretary