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 Cole, Councilmember
Perovich, Councilmember Shoub
Council not
present: Councilmember Batzel, Councilmember Corrales.
Other staff
present: Mayor Ed Llewellyn, Solicitor Craig Alexander, Borough Manager Jaime
Peticca, Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix, Borough Engineer Don Glenn.
4. Notice of Executive Session held February
7th, 2022, for matters of personnel and litigation.
Councilmember Cardiff made mention of the year “2023.”
5. Approve the January 10th, 2023, Regular Council
Meeting minutes.
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Cole
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
6. Approve the January 2023 expense
voucher list.
a. Motion: Councilmember Bayko
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
7. Approve the November 15th,
2022, Regular Discussion Meeting Minutes
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
8. Amend December 6th, 2022,
Regular meeting minutes to reflect 7 votes not 8 votes for item numbers 5, 6,
12, 13, 14,15,16, and 17. Change votes
from 8 to 7 on the motion to set the rate of the beverage service, motion to
hire Scenic Pittsburgh for Comp Plan, and motion to purchase skid loader.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Cole
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff
commented- this is to correct a typo for the minutes approved in January.
d. Vote: 5, 0 2 (Absent)
9. 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) Handed a
thank you letter to council. Ms. Sutton read from the paper thanking the
council members, the Mayor, Code Enforcement, and the Police for all the things
they’ve done for her and the borough in the month of January. She stated she is
appreciative of everyone doing their jobs and taking care of things in Trafford.
Borough
Response: Councilmember Cardiff deferred
to The Mayor for comment.
The mayor replied, “Thank
you to Ms. Sutton.
Jim Drnjevich- (220 Cavitt
Ave) Mr. Drnjevich is speaking for Trafford American Legion. Mr. Drnjevich is
asking council to approve a committee meeting on February 15, 2023, at 7pm at
the Legion to form to plan/organize for the Memorial Day Parade and Program.
The meeting is open to council members, the mayor, borough staff, and the
community to attend. Mr. Drnjevich can be reached via email to answer any
questions.
Borough
Response: Councilmember Cardiff asked if Mr. Drnjevich’s request is something that
needs a motion?
There
is a motion on the floor to allow the Trafford American Legion to hold their
annual Memorial.
Day Parade and Program as they’ve done in the past.
a. Motion: Councilmember Cole
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
Mark
Horgas- (132 7th Street Ext) stated that he approached council last
month about the usage of Sewage funds to portion out for the Borough Manager’s
salary. Mr. Horgas stated this is an open record request that he would like addressed/responded
to in a public meeting. An additional concern of Mr. Horgas was the borough
ordinances and lack of enforcement, specifically to ordinance 1-2021 Borough of
Trafford quality of life. There is a neighbor located at 135 7th
Street Ext that is in violation of code. The concerns are the number of
unworthy road vehicles, a flatbed trailer used for purposes of hauling these vehicles
on, and the trailer is loaded with a washer and dryer on it being used for
storing those appliances. The property is becoming an eyesore and would like
the ordinance to be upheld and enforced.
Borough
Response: Solicitor Alexander commented that he spoke with his associate
Chelsea Dice in regard to the salary concern, and the portion of those funds
can be allocated to the borough managers salary because
she is performing duties relevant to sewage. There are no issues in doing so.
Manager
Peticca replied with a comment to Mr. Horgas- The fiscal management handbook
published by the PA Department of Community and Economic development references
the allowance of sewage funds on page 12 and on page 42 it gives different payroll
capabilities. The handbook states that this option is completely legal.
Manager
Peticca- replied to the neighbor concern of Mr. Horgas. The borough has pictures
from code enforcement from various times, a citation written to the property
owner, relevant to the junk cars. The washer and dryer concern are not in
violation of any code in the borough’s ordinances. The most recent picture that
was shown to council from January 27th showed the vehicles and
debris have been removed. Any items that are hidden or
can’t be seen from the road cannot be cited because code enforcement cannot access
the property without consent, at this time consent has not been given.
Mr.
Horgas asked if anyone has been by the property lately. There are additional issues
that are not being addressed. The washer and dryer are still a violation of code.
Councilmember
Cardiff stated that the borough already provided a response to Mr. Horgas’s comments.
Solicitor
Alexander replied to Mr. Horgas the law doesn’t allow the government to go onto
private property and search for violations. If it cannot be seen from the
street a citation cannot be issued. The property owner has not given the
borough access to their property.
10. Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn
Engineering
a. Report submitted: Mr. Glenn commented on
his report- Glenn Engineering is still awaiting a response about the LSA grant that
was applied for last year. The grant will be used to fund a paving project in
the borough. Mr. Glenn mentioned to council an advertisement should be placed
soon about the paving work while contractor work is slow, and rates are down. The
next item being reported on is flow monitoring. Glenn Engineering will be waiting
for a rain event to prove the borough is not responsible for the overflow.
b. Public comment on Mr. Glenn’s report
c. Glenn Engineering dismissed from meeting.
11. Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn read the
January police report (see attached) to councilmembers and the public. There
are other items to discuss on the agenda.
12. Committee Reports
a. Community & Economic Development
(Chair Steve Perovich/Co-chair Justin Batzel)
Councilmember Perovich- There was a meeting with Scenic Pittsburgh
on Thursday February 02, 2023, about moving forward with the borough’s comprehensive
plan and zoning. Meetings will take place every two weeks, and a committee will
be formed, as things develop.
b. General Government & Finance (Chair
Pat Bayko/Co-chair Chris Corrales)
Councilmember Bayko- There is nothing to report.
c. Parks & Recreation (Chair Justin
Batzel/Co-chair Steve Perovich)
Councilmember Perovich stated- Larry George has been working with
the boy scouts replacing the life ring boxes at BY Park. There have been some
donations from Home Depot for the projects.
Manager Peticca stated- the final project should be completed by
May.
d. Planning, Property, & Ordinances
(Chair Casey Shoub/Co-chair Zack Cole)
Councilmember Shoub read Code Enforcements January report (see
attached) to councilmembers and the public.
e. Public Safety (Chair Chris Corrales/Co-chair
Pat Bayko)
Councilmember Bayko- There is nothing to report.
f. Public Works & Sanitation (Chair Zack
Cole/Co-chair Casey Shoub)
Councilmember Cole- There is nothing to report.
g. Junior Council Person (JCP) Report- Miss
Moraca was absent.
h. President Kris Cardiff-
Councilmember Cardiff commented – The JCP report and the January
rotation for Miss. Moraca was initially to be with the police department but had
to be rescheduled, instead a municipal round table meeting was held with Irwin
borough members. The meeting provided a nice experience to show the importance
of working with other municipalities. The police department rotation will take place
in February or March. As the program comes to an end in May, Councilmember
Cardiff stated he would like to hold a mock council meeting with Miss. Moraca as council president and have several participants
to act as councilmembers and provide a public comment segment and allow Miss
Moraca the chance to run the whole meeting. The borough will welcome Miss Moraca
back next year and will start to work on recruitment for next year’s program.
13. Managers Report- Ms. Peticca reminded the residents
that sewage bills are due Feb 15, 2023. Included in the manager’s report was information
about the upcoming Westmoreland Heritage Trail event. WHT
will be showcasing their trail at Trafford Borough’s BY park this year,
with that the members of the trail will be looking for activities for the community.
Karen Cercone is the contact person if there are any questions.
Councilmember Cardiff-
stated this is a very exciting opportunity to be a part of our community.
14. Motion
to Advertise to authorize the Civil Service Commission
meeting to initiate civil service examination.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this
is implemented for future action.
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
15. Motion to approve Mike Ley as Westmoreland
Heritage Trail Representative for Trafford Borough of the Regional Trail
Council.
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Cole
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
16. Motion to approve the 2023 Sable Kennel
agreement at $100.00 per month and will be in effect for 24 months until
February 2025.
a.
Motion:
Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this
is for Borough Animal Control
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
17. Motion to approve the additional police
services for communities Westmoreland County Housing Authority
Agreement.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff state the county
pays for a police officer to be posted at the W.C. Housing building.
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
18. Motion to
accept Officer Ronald Waros resignation
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
19. Motion to approve the purchase of a 2023
Dodge Durango AWD police vehicle for $53,917.20 plus $449.00 for document and
title transfer with 10% down at signing.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this
is done periodically because of the wear and tear on the vehicles. The vehicle is
a 2017 and it’s showing signs of needing to be replaced.
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
20. Motion to hire 2 Part-time police officers
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Cole
c. Discussion: Councilmember Perovich asked
if we are down 2 police officers? Mayor Llewellyn
replied yes, and we have 2 candidates for the part time positions.
d. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
21. New Business
· Discussion on Cavitt Lot – Variance
Borough manager Peticca stated to move forward with an auction for
the lot we need to ensure we will be granted a variance, that
was factored into our Manchester Parking area, and it has been determined there
is ample parking. We will seek a variance from the zoning hearing board.
Solicitor Craig Alexander – confirmed to sell the lot a variance would
need to be granted by the zoning hearing board. A motion could be made to move
forward with an application to the Zoning hearing board.
Motion on the floor to Apply for a Variance
with The Zoning Hearing Board for the Cavitt Ave parking lot.
Motion: Councilmember Shoub
Second: Councilmember Perovich
Discussion: No discussion
Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
· All American Baseball – South Trafford
Ballfields
Representative Tony Sarnowski (111 Bradford Sq Drive) proposed a
request to council for allowance/usage of the S. Trafford Ballfields to hold
their ball tournaments. The field would be needed for 3-4 weekends, and a possibility
of usage of the fields next year.
1. We promise to keep the fields in better condition
and improve the fields.
2. It will provide an opportunity for the girls’
softball teams to open concession stands for fundraising.
3. 8 teams per field, 5 on Saturday,
different teams on Sunday. There stands to be about 600 people throughout the borough
patroning local businesses generating revenue for the borough.
4. Dates for use of the large field are May
06th, June 03rd, June 10th .
Dates for use of the small field are April 29th, and May 20th.
There would be work on the large field needed to fit out size, we are
requesting to bring in dirt to dig out the infield.
Councilmember Cardiff- shared his concerns over traffic, parking,
and safety. The parking lots are not very large, and all options need to be
explored by safety personnel to get the best solution to handle all the traffic.
It was suggested that All American look into shuttling spectators from the Stewart
Station ballfield to S. Trafford ballfields. Council is asking for more
specific logistics from All American before proceeding with an approval or
denial.
Fire Chief Lindbloom - commented with some parking marshals and
traffic control and pre-preparations there could be a way to expand parking and
arrange this to work.
Councilmember Perovich- commented that parking is the biggest
concern, and speeding on Wallace Ave is something to consider.
Mayor Llewellyn -commented he will discuss the idea with the
President of the girls softball league and find out
their scheduling arrangements for the fields- as softball sign ups are this
upcoming weekend.
15. Old Business-
Councilmember Cardiff stated there is no old business
18. Adjournment
a. Announce the next regular council meeting
for Tuesday, March 7th, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Councilmember
Cardiff stated he added to the agenda on the website the upcoming meeting is
for information only, and it is a discussion meeting held in the Manchester
Room on Tuesday February 21, 2023, at 6:30pm.
b. Move to adjourn: Councilmember Shoub
c. Second: Perovich
d. Discussion: No discussion
e. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)
Respectfully
Submitted,
Nina Mulnix
Nina Mulnix
Borough Secretary