Councilmembers
present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Cardiff, 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 Peticca, Code Enforcement Andrea McCord, Borough
Secretary Nina Mulnix,
Other
staff not present: Engineer Don Glenn,
- Kristopher Cardiff
- Ralph Deabner
- Steven Perovich
- Casey Shoub, Sr.
Councilmember
Cardiff (President) took his seat with the board and conducted the rest of the
reorganization meeting, and he thanked everyone for the nomination and stated
he is very happy to be trusted to serve in the President seat again for another
term.
Community &
Economic Development: Chair: Councilmember
Perovich
Co-Chair: Councilmember Dapra
General Government
& Finance: Chair: Councilmember
Bayko
Co-Chair:
Councilmember Cole
Parks &
Recreation: Chair: Councilmember Dapra
Co-Chair:
Councilmember Perovich
Planning, Property, & Ordinances: Chair: Councilmember Shoub
Co-Chair:
Councilmember Deabner
Public Safety: Chair:
Councilmember Cole
Co-Chair:
Councilmember Bayko
Public Works &
Sanitation: Chair: Councilmember Deabner
Co-Chair:
Councilmember Shoub
Solicitor:
Craig Alexander of Bruce Dice & Associates
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Borough Engineer: Don
Glenn of Glenn Engineering
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Official Borough Newspaper: Penn-Franklin News
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Emergency Management Coordinator: Charles Miller
a. Motion: Councilmember Bayko
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Borough Secretary/Assistant Borough Manager: Nina Mulnix
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Borough Manager: Jaime
Peticca
a. Motion: Councilmember Bayko
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Ambulance Service Provider: Penn
Township Ambulance
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Planning Commission for a three-year term: Cory Delsignore
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Planning Commission for a three-year term: Jim Comunale
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Recreation Board for a three-year term: Melissa Daykon
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Recreation Board for a three-year term: Jodi Kerston
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year
term: David Hykes
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year term: John Daykon
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Call for Vote: 5, 0, 1 (Absent)
Member of Council to serve as a representative to the
Recreation Board: Appoint Councilmember Dapra
** The reorganization part of the
meeting has ended; this is the start of the regular council meeting **
Newly
elected Councilmember Deabner joined councilmembers on the platform for the
meeting.
Roll call
was done at the start of the Reorganization Meeting with 5 Councilmembers in
attendance. With the joining of Councilmember Deabner there were 6 members present
for the regular meeting.
Carol Zeravica
(753 7th Street) inquired if anything has been decided about the
zoning changes.
Borough
Response:
Manager Peticca
stated that topic about the zoning changes is on the agenda.
Mark Horgas
(132 7th Street) expressed concerns about a neighbor on 7th
street and their junk vehicles. Mr. Horgas stated that he submitted pictures via
email to the borough solicitor, the borough manager, and code enforcement, and
would like to know why this neighbor continues to be allowed to have these
recreation vehicles when there is no valid registration or inspection and are
not roadworthy. The neighbor works on these vehicles in the dark hours of the
day being very concealing about what he is doing. A few other neighbors have expressed
noise concerns because of the fabrication work that is being performed on the vehicles,
however they could not attend the meeting. Mr. Horgas is asking council members
to address these concerns. Mr. Horgas also asked for contact to be made with
the local politician’s office to ask about a flashing red/amber light to be placed
at the intersection of route 130 and Forbes Road for traffic control, as that
is a dangerous intersection.
Borough
Response:
Manager
Peticca did acknowledge receipt of Mr. Horgas’ s email and stated currently there
is nothing in our code of ordinances that indicates that the concerns mentioned
are in violation of anything. If there is a noise violation it is recommended
to contact the police, to clarify the noise needs to be happening consecutively
for a period of ten minutes or more. There is nothing that prohibits someone
from working on their vehicles on their property.
Code
enforcement spoke to the concerns about covering items/vehicles with traps. The
borough cannot automatically assume that because something is covered that it
is inoperable or a junk vehicle. There are many reasons why someone could cover
items. The ordinance states that if the borough believes that something is wrong,
and the property owner does not allow us to see what is under a tarp or cover
of some sort then the borough can consider the covered item to be junk. To
prove that the vehicles are without registration and inspection evidence would
need to be shown to the borough that a law enforcement officer ran that plate
and provided proof that they are not registered. Also mentioned regarding outside
footage provided to the borough will not be upheld in court, the person submitting
the videos and photos would need to be summoned to testify in court.
Mr. Horgas rebutted
that the borough’s code specifies that vehicles that are not utilized, unregistered
needs documentation, there are no plates on these vehicles.
Councilmember
Cardiff asked if this topic can be discussed after the meeting.
Manager
Peticca added one more comment about this topic before moving on. Manager
Peticca read verbatim from our ordinance: Any motor vehicle which is either unable
to move under its own power or does not have a valid registration plate or valid
and or current inspection or has any of the following physical defects broken
windshields, mirrors, or other glass, one or more flat or open tires or tubes,
missing doors, windows, hood, trunk, or other body parts. Any body parts with
sharp edges including holes resulting from rust Missing tires, disassembled chassis,
parts apart from the motor vehicle stored in a disorderly fashion or loose in
or on the vehicle. Broken vehicle frames, suspended from the ground in an unstable
manor, leaking or damaged oil pans, gas tanks which can cause a fire, exposed
batteries containing acid, open or damaged floorboards, damaged bumpers pulled
away from the perimeter of the vehicle, broken grill with protruding edges,
other such defects that could threaten the health, safety, and welfare of the
citizens of the borough of Trafford. There are no violations based on the items
listed above that we can tell without having permission to be on the property. There
is also nothing in the ordinance that restricts a property owner from working
on said vehicle any time day or night.
Councilmembers
Shoub and Perovich stated the traffic concerns at the intersection of Forbes
and route 130 has been an ongoing issue over the years and there were concerns
about electricity and ownership of a red light being installed in the area. The
borough can reach out to state representative Dunbar’s office to seek assistance.
Mark
Frydrych (7 Meadow Street) inquired about the recent County property tax
increases, and asked where Trafford stands with those increases- will residents
see an increase like other municipalities.
Borough
Response:
Councilmember
Cardiff commented on the tax rate increases. There are several municipalities that
are dealing with inflation of prices. Trafford Borough had no tax increase for
2024, and there have not been any tax increases in recent years. The administration
work very diligently to ensure there is no excess spending, and they monitor and
review the budget very closely throughout the year.
Manager
Peticca also reported that there has not been a tax increase this year, but
stated the future is very uncertain with the rise of inflation. The end goal is
not to raise taxes, but the economy is going to determine what course of action
would need to be taken.
Don Glenn
was absent from the meeting, and Manager Peticca stated there was nothing to
report.
Public comments
began regarding the mayor’s statement. A concerned resident stated that the
cops were called to respond to the incident, but they did not arrest the individual.
There were two separate calls placed to 911 that night. The resident also made
mention that the cops have been to this property for 3 or more incidents within
the 90-day required time frame.
The mayor
stated that it was mentioned at the last meeting that the person that called the
police did not want to file a complaint. He would follow up with the Chief of
Police to confirm the second call. The mayor stated again for the police to
continue with the complaint they need to have the caller be the witness and
file the complaint.
Councilmember
Cardiff asked for any further discussion to be conducted at another time and
proceeded with the meeting.
Councilmember
Perovich reported that the new Coffee shop has been up and running with good
compliments, and the next new business to open in the same area will be the WYE
Brewery. A meeting took place with the WHT representatives regarding parking at
the BY area for the upcoming traffic this spring season, discussions are still
underway.
Councilmember
Bayko reported the 2024 budget is in place.
Councilmember
Dapra reported that the next Recreation Board meeting will be January 30th
in council chambers, and he invited anyone from the public to attend.
Councilmember
Shoub reported that Adam Hlad (BCO) completed his occupancy inspection of the brewery
and that they should be set to open soon, and Adam also performed an occupancy
inspection of the new location for the ambulance service that recently moved out
of the Trafford Borough building. Councilmember Shoub deferred to Code Enforcement
McCord to read her December report.
Councilmember
Bayko stated there was nothing to report.
Councilmember
Shoub stated that the department of Public Works is now fully staffed.
Councilmember
Cardiff thanked Councilmember Perovich for stepping in and conducting the December
meeting. Councilmember Cardiff also thanked everyone for their involvement in
preparing the 2024 Budget. Councilmember is excited to work with everyone
during the upcoming year and he also welcomed Councilmember Deabner to the
board. Councilmember Cardiff deferred to Ally Moraca to cover the JCP program
topics.
JPC Report-
Miss Moraca
stated the most recent thing for the JCP members was attending the holiday parades
in the municipalities. The upcoming JCP rotation will take place on January 23rd.
Councilmember
Cardiff also mentioned there are neighboring municipalities that are interested
in creating their own JCP program and a few councilmembers from Mount Pleasant
and Manor may attend the meeting on the 23rd.
Manager
Peticca welcome Councilmember Deabner to council. There are a few changes mentioned
that are happening in the borough building, there are changes being made to our
phone and internet systems to fiberoptic and moving away from Comcast, saving the
borough an estimate of $1,032.00 monthly. Manager Peticca quoted some numbers for
year end of 2023. Year to date for the General
fund: The income was $1,890,000.00 which was 93% of our budget of 2 million. The
expenditure was $1,706,000.00, which was 84% of our budget of 2 million. The
Sewage fund: The income was 1,332,000.00 which was 79% of our budget of 1.6
million. The expenditure was $1,158,000.00 which was 69% of our budget of 1.6
million. There will be a close on everything in 2024, to remain within our
guidelines in an effort to not raise taxes.
Manager Peticca
stated the proposed updates to the fees are as follows: $7.50 per &1,000 of
construction cost, with a $75.00 minimum. We are also looking to add an issuance
fee for commercial, industrial, and multi-family structures that fee would be
$300.00 plus the square footage fees. The current fee schedule regarding the
square feet are as follows:
(0 to
10,000 sq ft is $0.35 /10,001 to 20,000 sq ft is $0.30/ 20,001 to 50,000 sq ft
is $0.25)
It is also
proposed to change the permit fees for Residential and Commercial Solar Panel
Arrays. That rate proposal is in increase to $300.00 from $150.00.
The justification
to increase the rate was discussed and it was decided that it would bring our pricing
current in comparison to other municipalities.
There is a
motion on the floor to accept the 2024 Fee Schedule- Changes to UCC Commercial renovations
fees.
Manager
Peticca stated this is a requirement to have by our insurance carrier. All
employees and volunteers will be required to sign a document. Trafford Borough
has a no tolerance for sexual abuse or misconduct.
There is a
motion on the floor to approve Resolution 2-2024 for Sexual Abuse Misconduct.
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Bayko
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
Manager Peticca
provided a recap on where the proposed changes stand. There have been multiple groups
and entities within the borough working together to make some changes to our zoning
and implementing a sign ordinance and LERTA ordinance. There was a public
hearing in November that brought up a lot of questions and concerns over
property that was proposed to change from a R-1 district to an R-3 district.
That meeting ended without a defined resolution. To move forward with all the
other proposed changes there needs to be a conclusion. There will need to be a public
hearing again, to close out the items that are opposed before we can implement
any of the other proposed items.
Solicitor
Dice- confirmed the steps that are needed to be taken to hold a Public Hearing
on the zoning changes. When a date is decided the borough will gather all the recommendations
from the planning commission, and the residents can testify about their
concerns, and council can have a discussion regarding the outcome, and the recommendations
do not need to be followed from planning, council can make any changes deemed
necessary if those changes are de minimis. If there is a whole district being
changed as an example a change from an R-1 to an R-2 a change of that nature
would need resubmitted to the county for approval. When the Public hearing is
closed out council can then enact whatever ordinance they choose. The public hearing
will be the record that goes before the court of common pleas if someone were to
appeal the decision. The public meeting will need to be readvertised, given 30 days’
notice with two publications, and a court reporter will need to be present. It
was recommended to have the hearing on a day that doesn’t co-inside with
another meeting to allow time for all comments and concerns.
Councilmembers
decided to hold a public meeting on February 20th at 7pm.
There is a
motion on the floor to hold a Zoning Ordinance Public Meeting on February 20th
at 7pm in the Manchester Room.
Volunteer of
the year award:
Councilmember
Cardiff stated this is an award that council had done in the past, but paused this
award during Covid, after some discussion with the mayor it was decided to bring
back the Volunteer of the year award. This is an award to recognize those who
selflessly support the borough and do good things for the municipality.
Manager
Peticca announced there was one nomination and it was Jeff Contillo.
Mayor
Llewellyn suggested that councilmembers make a motion to vote on the nomination.
There is a motion
on the floor to accept Jeff Contillo as the volunteer of the year for 2023.