Trafford Borough Council Meeting Minutes

April 02, 2024

 

 

1.     Call to Order: Councilmember Perovich called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.

 

2.     Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance

 

3.     Roll Call done by Nina Mulnix

 

Councilmembers present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Deabner, Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Shoub.

 

Councilmembers not present: Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Cole, Councilmember Dapra.

 

Other staff present: Mayor Llewellyn, Solicitor Alexander, Borough Manager Peticca, Borough Secretary Mulnix, Engineer Don Glenn.

 

4.     Notice of Executive Session held April 2nd, 2024, for matters of personnel and litigation.

 

5.     Approve the March 5th, 2024, Regular Council Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Deabner

b.     Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

6.     Approve the March 2024 expense voucher list.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Bayko  

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (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

 

James Fike – (206 Duquesne Ave) came to the meeting on behalf of the Trafford American Legion. There is work to commence on the Trafford Veterans Park, which is being funded from the Trafford Memorial Fund Account. The repair work being conducted will involve removing paving stones and creating a more professional-looking park. There will be bids placed for a contractor to perform the work. A handout of the design/plan was provided to councilmembers.  It was mentioned that everyone involved in the project is hopeful that it will be completed by Memorial Day.

 

Borough Response: No response given - no response needed.

 

Maria Rocco – (302 Shadow Wood Court) handed out a petition to councilmembers. Ms. Rocco was in attendance to inquire about the proposed zoning changes for the parcels in her community; she stated that she felt this decision process has been ongoing for a long period of time and the residents deserve a status update tonight. Ms. Rocco had some additional questions about the advertising of events that take place in the borough, and where is the follow-up to find out if an event was successful. There are other municipalities that utilize flyers and ads in the paper, rather than just word of mouth and social media sites.   

 

 

Borough Response

 

Manager Peticca stated that the consensus was that there is NOT going to be any zoning changes brought forth to the seven parcels. This was for a zoning ordinance proposal, there was never any development planned for the parcels. Manager Peticca stated regarding advertising: it costs money to advertise in multiple newspapers, other municipalities may have different options within their volunteer groups that help support those advertising costs. Our borough advertised the recreation boards Easter Egg Hunt in the Penn Franklin News, and it was posted to media sites.

 

Councilmember Perovich stated there is a group known as the TECDC that has been revitalized and its purpose and goal is to organize and plan future events for the community.

 

8.     Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn Engineering

a.      Report submitted.

Don Glenn commented on his report. There was a handout provided to councilmembers demonstrating the outline of the consent order that the borough is mandated to reduce flows by 10%. Glenn Engineering has obtained a rain barrel from Three Rivers Wet Weather to be installed to be in compliance with the consent order. The grant for the BY project was awarded and the project is soon to begin with El Grande being the contractor, and a contractor still needs to be assigned for the electrical work. Glenn Engineering received two RFPs for the electrical portion: One from Keystone Electric in the amount of $10,506.00 and the other from Wilkins Electric in the amount of $15,500.00. Don Glenn stated his office still needs to contact the contractors to discuss the description of work placed within their bids. Don Glenn recommended that council could award the bid subject to further review by Glenn Engineering and the Borough Manager. Don Glenn commented on agenda item number 16, as soon as this is approved this evening Derry Construction is ready to begin work.

b.     Public comment on Mr. Glenn’s report:

Manager Peticca asked Don Glenn if the BY Park will need to be closed to the public while construction is occurring. The response provided was that it will be a heavy construction zone, a closure will need to happen for a portion of the project. Those dates still need to be defined with the project and the contractor.

c.      Glenn Engineering dismissed from meeting.

 

9.     Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn read the March Police report to councilmembers and the public. The mayor stated the Police Department will be hosting the JCP rotation on April 16th at 3pm.

 

10.   Committee Reports

a.      Community & Economic Development (Chair Steve Perovich/Co-chair Jesse Dapra)

Councilmember Perovich reported that the new business (Harmony Holistic Essentials) on Cavitt Avenue is holding an upcoming grand opening on April 6th, 2024. 

b.     General Government & Finance (Chair Pat Bayko/Co-chair Zach Cole)

Councilmember Bayko- reported that there will be a report given at the May meeting.

c.      Parks & Recreation (Chair Jesse Dapra/Co-chair Steve Perovich)

Councilmember Perovich stated there is no report in Councilmember Dapra’s absence.

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

Councilmember Shoub read the March code enforcement report to councilmembers and the public.

e.      Public Safety (Chair Zach Cole/Co-chair Pat Bayko)

Councilmember Bayko stated there was no report.

f.      Public Works & Sanitation (Chair Ralph Deabner/Co-chair Casey Shoub)

Councilmember Deabner reported that clean up days are coming up on May 3rd and May 4th.

g.     Junior Council Person (JCP) Report

JCP member Greg Maynor spoke about the March rotation that took place at local magistrate Tyburski’s office. It was a group experience with the Irwin borough JCP members. Greg also mentioned for the April rotation the borough is housing a field trip for the Penn Trafford elementary school students to participate in department rotations at the borough building. (this includes public works, fire, police, and admin.) The JCP members are also participating in a recruitment for new members at the high school on April 3rd.

h.     President Kris Cardiff

Councilmember Cardiff was absent- there was no report.

 

 

11.   Manager’s Report – Manager Peticca stated that the borough has been awarded grant funds to repair the Cavitt Lot, and she stated that the borough hopes to begin work on those repairs in the near future. Manager Peticca also extended her thanks to everyone who took quick action on the working fire that occurred on Duquesne Avenue on March 21st. Manager Peticca also spoke about the new speed sign that has currently been placed on Brinton Ave (in the direction of the elementary school). The speed sign has the capability to be moved, and that will be placed in different areas when determined by the police department.

 

12.  Motion to advertise for the Civil Service Commission to meet and certify the Civil Service list for 2024.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

13.  Motion to appoint Bethany Carolus to the Recreation Board for term ending 12/31/2027.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Deabner

b.     Second: Councilmember Bayko

c.      Discussion: Councilmembers stated that it was nice to see volunteers.

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

14.  Motion to advertise to amend Chapter 64 Article II: Licenses required for premises and devices to confirm a ticket machine is a required device, and to exclude Lottery Machines from this requirement. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca stated this was brought to the attention of councilmembers, and it was decided that the Lottery machines should not be part of this ordinance, this motion is to eliminate that verbiage from the ordinance and remove the lottery machines from the fee schedule.

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

15. Motion to approve Resolution 5-2024 Health and Safety Policy for Trafford Borough statement

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Bayko

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca stated the safety committee wants to have a resolution statement that is designed to put safety first to combat workers comp claims and lower mod rates.

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

16. Motion to approve Derry Constructions 2024 paving bid in the amount of $201,247.80. 

    1. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
    2. Second: Councilmember Shoub
    3. Discussion: Councilmember Perovich stated this is for 2024 street paving in the borough.  
    4. Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

17.New Business

 

Manager Peticca stated this was covered under Glenn Engineering’s report, and it was the recommendation that we can award the electrical project to the contractor with further review.

 

There is a motion on the floor to award Wilkins electric pending further review.

 

Discussion and questions were asked after the motion. Several Councilmembers were unclear about Glenn Engineering’s recommendations. The report stated to award the bid to Wilkins Electric, but also noted that new RFPs could be placed out for advertisement and reject the two received today. It was decided to postpone awarding the project to a contractor.

 

The motion on the floor was rescinded.

 

It was decided to place this item on the agenda at the upcoming discussion meeting. The borough will advertise a special voting meeting. This will give Glenn Engineering a chance to review the project bids in more detail and make a more defined recommendation.

 

 

Manager Peticca stated the Police Department send a request to the County for this equipment, and the county awarded the request. The County will cover all fees associated with the license plate reader including the installation cost for one year. The borough will then be responsible for maintenance and annual fees. The county has not responded to the specifics on the type of equipment and costs. Manager Peticca further stated there is an agreement to sign if council decides to accept the grant.

 

A motion is on the floor to accept the agreement for the license plate readers.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Deabner

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

 

Resident James Fike spoke about the renovation project at Veterans Park earlier in public comment.

 

Councilmemebr Perovich stated the borough appreciates the work the American Legion is doing to make the Veterans area look nice, and more information will come forth about the Memorial Day Parade.

 

18.Old Business

 

No old business to discuss.

 

Prior to adjournment there was a discussion regarding the need to make a motion to change the discussion meeting to a special voting meeting.

 

There is a motion on the floor That the discussion meeting on Tuesday April 16th, 2024, at 6:30 pm in the Manchester Room will be changed to a special voting meeting if necessary.

  1. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
  2. Second: Councilmember Shoub
  3. Discussion: No discussion
  4. Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)

 

Adjournment

  1. Announce the next Discussion Meeting on April 16th, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the Manchester Room.
  2. Move to adjourn: Councilmember Deabner
  3. Second: Councilmember Shoub
  4. Discussion: The time was misprinted on the agenda, and it should have been 6:30pm. 
  5. Vote: 4, 0, 3 (Absent)