Trafford Borough Council Meeting Minutes

April 4th, 2023

1.       Call to Order- Meeting called to order at 7:01pm

 

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 Llewellyn, Solicitor Alexander, Borough Manager Peticca, Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix, Engineer Don Glenn.

 

4.       Notice of Executive Session held April 4th, 2022, for matters of personnel and litigation.

 

5.       Approve the March 7th, 2023, Regular Council Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

6.       Approve the March 2023 expense voucher list.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Bayko  

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

7.       Level Green Lions Club- Representatives Jeff Jordan and Todd, have been tasked to speak to council and the community with hopes to re-establish the Trafford Borough Lions Club. The Lions are looking for a community representative from Trafford.  

 

8.       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) provided a handout to councilmembers. Ms. Sutton stated there was a noise complaint in her building on March 13, 2023, where she called 911 to report. Ms. Sutton claims the officer who responded was rude and arrogant and made her feel that the reason for her calling 911 was not valid. The name of the officer will be provided to the mayor after the meeting. Ms. Sutton is requesting that something be done about a vehicle that is parked on 6th Street in a various dangerous way.

 

Borough Response: Mayor Llewellyn stated he would get the name of the officer from Ms. Sutton after the meeting. Mayor Llewellyn will speak to Chief Disso tomorrow about the vehicle concern on 6th Street.

 

Mark Horgas (132 7th Street Ext) is inquiring about a speed study on State route 130. Mr. Horgas stated that he spoke with a representative from Penn Dot and the borough needs to work in conjunction with Penn Dot to set up a speed study. This was mentioned at a previous meeting and Mr. Horgas is requesting a status update on the speed study. Mr. Horgas also expressed concerns about the amount of heavy truck traffic, the speeding, and the amount of traffic through state route 130.  Mr. Horgas is requesting help with this issue from the police department, the borough, and Penn Dot.

 

Borough Response: Manager Peticca indicated she spoke with our Penn Dot representative about conducting a speed study, and it was mentioned that it would be at the discretion of Penn Dot. We’ve made them aware of these concerns and it is up to them how they want to proceed.

 

Mr. Horgas was insistent that Penn Dot was placing ownership of the speed study on the Borough.

 

Councilmember Cardiff requested that the borough follow up with Penn Dot for a statement on how to proceed with a speed study request.

 

9.       Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn Engineering

a.      Report submitted. Mr. Glenn provided an update regarding the LSA grant that was applied for and approved for paving projects. The approval item is on the agenda, and it is recommended to award the paving project to El Grande. Don Glenn will be reaching out to Harrisburg to further proceed with the funding of the LSA grant. A grant for the BY walking trail has been applied for, a determination announcement for the grant will take place in the fall. Interceptor update: There were two rain events that occurred on March 23rd & 25th and there have been no bypasses during the month. Mr. Glenn and Manager Peticca will proceed to act and pull the monitors in the month of April providing there are no bypasses and avoid any charges to the borough. The final item is the Hillcrest project, there will be a contractor going to the area to address any complaints the borough has received. The contractor is asking for a list of all resident properties that need addressed so all the issues can be resolved all at once. There is a settlement problem at state route 130 and Prospect Street, Penn Dot once acknowledged that they had no responsibility although it’s their road. The borough manager sent them a letter and received a response suggesting the borough should monitor the street and have public works take measurements. It was recommended that the borough not act and recommend the borough solicitor send Penn Dot a letter.

b.     Public comment on Mr. Glenn’s report

c.      Glenn Engineering dismissed from meeting.

 

10.    Mayor’s Report- The mayor read the March Police Report (see attached) to councilmembers and the public. Mayor Llewellyn provided a safety statement to all residents to be mindful of speed and watch for children as warm weather approaches.

 

11.    Committee Reports

a.      Community & Economic Development (Chair Steve Perovich/Co-chair Justin Batzel)

Councilmember Perovich reported the borough is continuing to meet with Scenic Pittsburgh. There is an interest with the boy scouts and Larry George to conduct Eagle Scout projects within the borough, a meeting will take place with Mr. George to organize what those projects will be.

b.     General Government & Finance (Chair Pat Bayko/Co-chair Chris Corrales)

Councilmember Bayko reported she met with the borough manager to complete a quarterly review of the budget. Councilmember Bayko praised Manager Peticca for her efforts with the budget.

c.      Parks & Recreation (Chair Justin Batzel/Co-chair Steve Perovich)

Councilmember Perovich reported that PTARC playground program will be starting June 12, 2023, to August 04, 2023. The park at Woodlawn has been added this year, alongside Fairmont and Terrace, they will operate on alternating days from 9 am to 1 pm and there is no fee to attend. Councilmember Cardiff asked if a recreation board report was received. Councilmember Perovich responded NO.

d.     Planning, Property, & Ordinances (Chair Casey Shoub/Co-chair Zack Cole)

Councilmember Shoub read Code Enforcement’s March report (see attached) to councilmembers and the public.  

e.      Public Safety (Chair Chris Corrales/Co-chair Pat Bayko)

Councilmember Cardiff stated Councilmember Corrales was absent.

f.      Public Works & Sanitation (Chair Zack Cole/Co-chair Casey Shoub)

Councilmember Cole stated there is nothing to report.

g.     Junior Council Person (JCP) Report

Councilmember Cardiff stated Miss. Moraca was absent.

h.     President Kris Cardiff

Councilmember Cardiff reported that he will be holding a JCP presentation tomorrow (April 5th, 2023,) at Penn Trafford High School for candidates for the next JCP in the fall. The JCP rotation for April will take place at the Trafford Borough Police Dept. The JCP rotation for May (11th), will be a mock council meeting. Miss. Moraca will conduct the meeting with a mock agenda and have outside participants and borough staff provide a public comment segment, and other items on an agenda. A pizza party will be planned afterwards as thank you for participation in the meeting and a celebration for Miss Moraca completing the JCP program. Councilmember Cardiff included that Trafford Borough will be receiving the Pennsylvania’s Governors Award for local government excellence on Wednesday April 12th, 2023. Councilmember Cardiff will be accepting the award on behalf of Trafford Borough. The award was given to the borough for the work done with the JCP. Councilmember Cardiff acknowledged this award is a huge honor and only a few are selected to receive such an award. Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Shoub and Manager ceremony and Miss. Moraca. Councilmember Cardiff stated how proud he is of the JCP award and the JCP program and the positivity it provides to the borough. These types of programs provide important roles for our youth to get them involved for leadership positions. Councilmember Cardiff thanked everyone for their well wishes, attendance and everyone’s help with the JCP program and the award opportunity.

 

12.    Managers’ Report- Manager Peticca gave a quarterly update on the budget. Budget to actual numbers are as follows: General Fund 14.5% to budgeted income and 12% to expenses. Sewage Fund 20% to budgeted income and 28% to expenses. Manager Peticca spoke about clean up days taking place May 5th & 6th. The bricks will be staged in the library parking lot area on Saturday May 6th for pick up. Anyone interested in picking up their brick please come out on that day.

 

 

13.    Motion to accept El Grande as the 2023 paving company and to pave East Gilmore, East Homewood, East Fairmont & Bruce intersection, Jackson Ave, Westmoreland, and Fifth Street. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Cole  

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff mentioned funding for this is from the LSA grant in the amount of $209,200.00 and the rest will be from the Liquid Fuels account in the amount $176, 596.75. State Senator Kim Ward was instrumental for Trafford Borough receiving this grant.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)   

 

 

14.    Motion to approve the American Legion to purchase military flags for bridge. 

a.    Motion: Councilmember Bayko needs to amend the motion.

Motion to approve the American Legion to hang military flags on the poles on the Veterans Bridge.

b.    Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.    Discussion: No discussion             

d.    Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

15.    Motion to accept Police Officer Gerald Myers official resignation from Trafford Borough Police    Department effective Monday March 13th, 2023.

a.    Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.    Second: Councilmember Cole

c.    Discussion: No discussion

d.    Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

 

16.    New Business

•        Vacancy Board members needed.

Solicitor Alexander stated when a vacancy occurs, the council has 30 days to fill the vacancy. If that is not done in 30 days, the vacancy goes to the vacancy board to fill. The vacancy board consists of the six remaining council members and the vacancy board chair. The vacancy board chair serves as the tie breaker. Councilmember Cardiff asked anyone interested in the vacancy chair to submit a letter of interest to the borough office.

 

•        Online bill payment fees

Manager Peticca reported the borough has been reviewing fees associated with our online bill payments. The borough has paid over $3,000.00 just for quarter one of this year. The borough is presenting an alternative option with an e-check payment that is a free option to the customer. There is a processing fee of .95 for each transaction and a flat $5.00 charge to the borough. An example was given: if all payments were processed via e-check in quarter one the amount of fees would have only totaled $433.95 vs the $3,000.00. Online payments will still feature a card option, but fees would apply for customers to pay.

 

Councilmember Bayko stated those using a credit card to pay a sewage bill (a minimum bill) of $138.34 would be charged $4.16 for the fee which is based on 2.65% plus a $0.50 transaction fee. Councilmember Bayko stated the borough should not have to incur these costs and it will cost the borough around $13,000/$14,000 yearly for someone to use a credit card. More information is needed before a motion can be made.

 

Councilmember Perovich asked would the $4.16 be plus the $0.50 for the minimum bill?

 

Manager Peticca provided the calculation of the fee listed below.

 

Example: 138.34 x 2.65% = $3.66 + $0.50 = $4.16 the $4.16 would be the fee paid by the customer at the time of check out when submitting their sewage bill.

 

Councilmember Cardiff and Manager Peticca provided a summarization: When using the online bill payment service there will be two payments options 1. Using a credit card (w/a fee) 2. E-check (free).

 

Councilmember Cardiff mentioned this was on the agenda so a motion can be made.

After further discussion it was decided that more information needs to be made available to the public before acting on this item.  The online bill payment fees will be on the agenda at the next discussion meeting.

 

•        Recreation Summer Playground Program

Councilmember Cardiff indicated that this was covered under the park and recreation report.

 

•        The library utilizes Manchester room for book sale. 

Manager Peticca stated that the library approached the borough requesting to utilize the Manchester Room for a Friday(2nd) and Saturday (3rd) in June for their book sale. The room is getting booked rather quickly. The borough secretary indicated the June dates are available, but there have been inquiries about the open availability of the room for the same day as the library. 

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated that we do want to help the library but prioritizing the rentals is a priority for income.

 

Chief Brian Lindbloom suggested to council that we open council chambers as use to the library for their book sale.

 

Borough Secretary will reach out to the library about that option.

   

17.    Old Business

 

• Cavitt Lot -LSA Grant 

Manager Peticca wanted to bring to the attention of council that there is a grant application option for the Cavitt Lot. The application process will open in June/July, and there is a waiting period for qualification.

 

Councilmember Cardiff commented there is a good chance we will be approved for the grant. It would be something to consider.

 

Council members agreed to not move forward will the sale or auction of the Cavitt Lot and have further discussion about the grant application option.

 

 Adjournment

a.      Announce the Discussion meeting for Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. Manchester Room

b.     Move to adjourn. 

c.      Motion: Councilmember Cole

d.     Second: Councilmember Perovich

e.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated the discussion meetings are a relaxed version of a council meeting that allows for open discussion with the public to engage in feedback, suggestions, and ideas. Manager Peticca mentioned there may be a representative from Duquesne Light attending this meeting.

Before the motion to adjourn Councilmember Cardiff read out loud a no open burn warning handout provided by fire chief Brian Lindbloom.

f.      Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Nina Mulnix