Meeting Minutes for Trafford Borough Council Meeting

July 11th, 2023

 

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

 

2.       Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance

 

3.       Roll Call done by Nina Mulnix

 

Council present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Corrales, Councilmember Dapra, Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Shoub.

 

Council not present: Councilmember Cole.   

 

Other staff present: Mayor Llewellyn, Solicitor Chelsea Dice (on behalf of Craig Alexander), Borough Manager Jaime Peticca, Code Enforcement Officer Andrea McCord, Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix, Engineer Don Glenn. 

 

4.       Notice of Executive Session held July 11th, 2023, for matters of personnel and litigation.

 

5.       Approve the June 13th, 2023, Regular Council Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich   

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra   

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

6.       Approve the June 2023 expense voucher list.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Bayko  

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote:  6, 0, 1 (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

 

Lynwood Leeman- (334 Fourth St) Mr. Leeman had two items that he was addressing from the last council meeting that have not been resolved. The first concern are stones that are 3ft out onto the roadway from the alley located on Catherine Street. The second concern was the curb that was not fixed properly around Fifth Street and the alley in the 400 block. Mr. Leeman spoke about a new concern on Catherine Street, the road was torn up for a sewer line repair and hasn’t been restored properly, the road has speed dips, and they need to be filled in.

 

Borough Response:

 

Manager Peticca asked for clarification about the curb that needs repair.

Mr. Leeman indicated the curb pulled out and then was turned upside down when it was repaired. Manager Peticca asked Mr. Leeman to give the location of the curb. Mr. Leeman replied it is in the 400 Block of Fifth Street and at the back of Fairmont on the corner by the alley. Manager Peticca stated she will have Public Works look at the curb and will ask them to access the speed dips on Catherine Street.

 

Clara Piccuillo- (109 Cavitt Ave) Ms. Piccuillo spoke about concerns she has with her neighbors at 107 Cavitt Ave. The neighbors have bird nests that are interfering with her ability to access her back porch. Ms. Piccuillo stated she has filled out complaint forms in the past and nothing has been done to help. Ms. Piccuillo also praised the hard work of the Public Works Department.

 

Borough Response:

 

Manager Peticca asked Ms. Piccuillo to clarify whose property the bird nest is on.

Ms. Piccuillo stated the nest is on the neighbor’s property, but it is affecting her property with the bird dropping on some porch furniture and the side of her house. Manager Peticca stated she would verify with code enforcement if there is any legal action that can be taken.

 

Solicitor Chelsea Dice commented that there is nothing in Trafford Borough Ordinances that could enforce this issue. This turns into a civil matter between Ms. Piccuillo and her neighbor. Ms. Piccuillo could file a trespass action stating they are attracting an animal that is dispensing feces on her property. One other suggestion was mentioned that if this nuisance becomes hazardous or a health concern, code enforcement could assess and make that determination.

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated that the Borough Manager and Code Enforcement can have a conversation for a resolution.

 

Timothy Martin- (413 Duquesne Ave) Mr. Martin came to the meeting to Thank everyone involved for their efforts and action against the property located at 122 7th Street Ext, and the high grass. Mr. Martin would like to know if the grass maintenance is something that will be done on a regular schedule.

 

Borough Response:

 

Manager Peticca- commented that the borough had been working with the bank regarding the grass for property at 122 7th Street Ext. The borough manager thanked Mr. Martin for his kind words. The process does start over for grass maintenance, and code enforcement can reach out to a contact at the bank to see if a schedule will be in order. Manager Peticca stated there is a possibility that nothing will be done until the bank receives another citation. The borough will continue to reach the bank to resolve.

 

 

 

8.       Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn Engineering

a.      Report submitted. Mr. Glenn reported on the status of the consent order. There were no bypasses reported in the month of June during significant rain events. Mr. Glenn continued to report that he is hopeful the monitoring can stop, and the meters can be removed in August or September. The next item discussed was the grant being awarded to Trafford by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler for sanity sewers. There will be a meeting with Councilmember Shoub, Manager Peticca, and Public Works foreman Lou Corrales to discuss the upcoming repair work. The borough will start its focus on Bluff Street. The amount awarded to the borough is $290,000.00.

b.     Public comment on Mr. Glenn’s report: Councilmember Shoub asked Mr. Glenn to inspect the catch basins on Murrysville Road the next time he is in the borough. There appears to be some deterioration of the road that should be addressed this year.   

c.      Glenn Engineering dismissed from meeting.

 

9.       Mayor’s Report- There was no police report provided for June. Mayor Llewellyn congratulated the 10U softball team on their championship win.  

 

10.    Committee Reports

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

Councilmember Perovich- stated the borough received a request from a resident asking to complete a community service project on August 16th. It’s part of keeping America Beautiful and will entail cleaning up trash throughout the borough. Councilmember Perovich wanted to thank the Public Works crew for the updates they made at the Viaduct way intersection. Councilmember Perovich stated there are a few things that will be discussed on the agenda about the Comprehensive plan.

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

Councilmember Bayko reported that she met with Manager Peticca to review the second quarter report of the budget and shared some numbers to date: Income received is about 72% to budget, and expenses is about 46% to budget. The preparations for the 2024 budget will begin in September.  

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

Councilmember Cardiff indicated that Jesse Dapra has been appointed to the chair position starting in August.

Councilmember Perovich gave an update on the PTARC playground program. The program had a good turnout this year. PTARC was hiring a part time recreation director information is on the Trafford Borough website.

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

Councilmember Shoub deferred to Code Enforcement McCord who was present to read her June report to councilmembers and the public. 

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

Councilmember Corrales spoke about the Meet and Greet with the Police and Fire Department that took place last year and anticipates doing another one this year. The event would be planned to take place at Westmoreland Park in the late summer or early fall, more information to come.

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

Councilmember Shoub reported that the paving had been completed on the Terrace, Jackson Avenue, and Westmoreland Road. The roads were all sealed and look good, a significant amount of paving has been completed in the borough. 

g.     Junior Council Person (JCP) Report- Miss. Moraca was not present due to summer break.

h.     President Kris Cardiff

Councilmember Cardiff reported the JCP program will start back up in September with Miss Moraca returning and two new members participating. Councilmember Cardiff welcomed Jesse Dapra to the board and appointed him to the Parks and Recreation Chair. 

 

11.    Managers’ Report 

 

Manager Peticca mentioned in her report that paving has been completed, and the borough will request Mr. Glenn review the concerns on Murrysville Road. Manager Peticca spoke about several different Grant opportunities the borough has begun to apply for. The LSA grant for the Cavitt Lot, a low volume and dirt road grant for a repair of Hird Road, the DCED grant for streetscaping opportunities and an Intermodal grant for additional streetscaping projects in the borough.

 

12.  Motion to appoint Casey Shoub to the Planning Commission for a 2-year term ending December 31st, 2025.

a.   Motion: Councilmember Bayko

b.     Second: Councilmember Corrales

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca Stated-This is to replace a 3rd person that has been absent, so this position is an addition.   

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

13. Motion to approve the Planning Commission to meet and review the changes to the Zoning Ordinance, zoning map updates, and sign ordinance proposed by the Comprehensive Planning Committee and potential street-scaping grant opportunities. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca mentioned Mr. Demko from Scenic Pittsburgh was in attendance regarding any questions. Manager Peticca thanked everyone for their time and efforts putting together the comprehensive plan. Councilmember Cardiff presented one question for Mr. Demko regarding multiple signs that are in the borough. Would those signs be allowed to remain under a grandfathered allowance? Mr. Demko replied: Any current use would still be allowed; the new changes would happen when the ordinances are validated. Mr. Demko from Scenic Pittsburgh also thanked everyone for their efforts in implementing some much-needed changes and updates to the plan. Mr. Demko also stated he would be around after the meeting for any further questions or comments. Solicitor Chelsea Dice added there will need to be a public hearing because council is mending the zoning ordinance. After the planning commission meets and makes their recommendations, the next step needed would be to make a motion to advertise for a public meeting (giving 30 days’ notice) at the next council meeting. This allows time to alert the County and other entities of such changes.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

14.  Motion to approve the All-American Developers Agreement.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Dapra

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Perovich asked for some background information. Manager Peticca replied All American Baseball had proposed an indoor baseball facility back on July 03, 2018, that was voted on and passed by Councilmembers Morrow and Cole. The plan didn’t move forward due to Covid 19 restrictions. Manager Peticca continued to state that there were no changes to the agreement or the original plan, and this agreement is in place to protect the borough and it aligns with what is expected by the developer.   Councilmember Bayko asked if this building will generate tax revenue? Manager Peticca replied Yes. Manager Peticca also stated this is only one of the things required to move forward with the building, a bond is also the next item needed. A meeting with Dan Ninemire and the DEP is scheduled to take place in July as well.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

15.  New Business

 

·       Approve Hoagie Sale for PT girls’ tennis team on August 26th, 2023, in the Municipal Parking lot from 11am-1pm. 

 

Motion on the floor to approve the PT girls’ tennis team’s hoagie sale on August 26th, 2023, in the Municipal Parking lot from 11am-1pm.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Dapra

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub 

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated making the motion is just a formality, we allow other organizations the same use for their sales.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

16.  Old Business

 

Councilmember Bayko asked about a request for an electronic speed sign that was discussed at a prior meeting, what was the result as to why one can’t be utilized?  Councilmember Corrales replied: the amount for a sign was not in the budget, they are very costly, but it is something that will be looked at to budget for next year.

 

 Adjournment

a. Announce the next Council Meeting in Council Chambers on August 8th, 2023, at 7:00 pm

b. Move to adjourn. 

c. Motion: Councilmember Dapra

d. Second: Councilmember Corrales

e. Discussion: Mayor Llewellyn pointed out the date on the agenda for the next council meeting shows August 08, 2023, but it should be August 01, 2023.  Manager Peticca apologized for the typo.

f. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Nina Mulnix.

Borough Secretary.