1.     Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 7:00pm

 

2.     Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance

 

3.     Roll Call done by Nina Mulnix

 

Councilmembers present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Dapra, Councilmember Deabner, Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Shoub

 

Councilmembers not present: Councilmember Cole

 

Other staff present: Mayor Edward Llewellyn, Solicitor Craig Alexander, Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix, Borough Engineer Don Glenn.

 

Other staff not present: Borough Manager Jaime Peticca. 

 

4.     Notice of Executive Session held February 20th and March 5th, 2024, for matters of personnel, real estate, and litigation.

 

5.     Approve the February 6th, 2024, Regular Council Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

6.     February 20th, 2024, Discussion Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Dapra

b.     Second: Councilmember Perovich

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

7.     Approve the February 2024 expense voucher list.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Bayko

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

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

 

Carol Zeravica- (753 7th Street) stated she was attending the meeting to inquire about the decision made regarding the proposed zoning changes.

 

Janice Zuzik (361 Sjz Lane) stated she was attending the meeting to express concerns about rezoning the parcels, and asked how it pertains to spot zoning.

Maria Rocco- (302 Shadow Wood Court) provided a signed petition to councilmembers and stated she was attending the meeting to represent herself and those in the Shadow Wood court that oppose the proposed zoning changes.  The residents in the Shadow wood area oppose change that would bring more traffic and people to an area that is already heavily traveled and congested. Ms. Rocco asked why there are not other areas in Trafford being looked at for new development.

 

Raymond Rocco- (302 Shadow Wood Court) stated that he strongly opposes building multi family dwellings on the properties that have the proposed zoning changes.

 

Carol Zeravica- (753 7th Street) spoke again to bring attention to the number of geese that were at the BY Park.

 

Brian Copeland (241 Timber Drive) stated he and his mother were attending the meeting to oppose the development of any multi family housing on the properties that have the proposed zoning changes.

 

Janice Zuzik (361 Sjz Lane) spoke again and asked an additional question regarding the R1-R2-R3 changes and when they went into effect in Trafford.

 

Borough Response

 

Councilmember Perovich provided some background information about the zoning changes. Last year in 2023 members of council and the planning commission met with Dave Demko from Scenic Pittsburgh to review some zoning changes for the borough, and the opposed changes were recommendations from those meetings. There has been a public hearing and a discussion meeting to hear from all residents that wanted to speak regarding the proposed changes.  Councilmember Perovich commended and thanked all residents for speaking their concerns on the matter.

 

Councilmember Cardiff also stated he shared the same view on the matter as Councilmember Perovich.

 

Solicitor Alexander provided some information regarding where the changes stand now. There is a meeting scheduled with Scenic Pittsburgh and the planning commission to review and make any possible revisions and taking into consideration the wishes of the public. The borough is taking all the concerns brought up very seriously.

 

9.     Report from Borough Engineer, Glenn Engineering

a.      Report submitted.

Don Glenn reported that his office has conducted the annual waste load management report. This is a report for the sanitary sewer system, which is submitted to the DEP, ALCOSAN, and the Allegheny County Health Department, a copy of the report was provided to councilmembers. The second item covered under Don Glenns report was Agenda item # 23 to award the Sewer project to S & E Utility Co, there was a preconstruction meeting held with the contractor and it was expressed there will be no change orders granted to the project, and the amount of the project is the final amount. Don Glenn stated that it was amicable to both the borough and the contractor and Don Glenn confirmed that we can award the contractor the project. The next item that was discussed was another agenda item (#18). The DCED Covid 19 grant opportunity does not require matching funds to apply. The final item discussed was the bid proposals for the BY-Park walking trail. The lowest bidder for the project was Murin and Murin, however he rescinded his bid as his calculation for the bid was incorrect. The next lowest bid was from EL-Grande, and it is recommended that the bid is awarded to him. There is a second part to this project that is for electrical work- it is recommended that RFPs are sought out for. Don Glenn stated there was a GTRP grant in the amount of $140,000.00 to cover the cost of the project.  A motion does not need to be made tonight to award this to EL-Grande, but if a motion is made it is recommended that is awarded subject to the review and approval of council, the borough manager and the engineer.  

b.     Public comment on Mr. Glenn’s report- No comments regarding the report.

c.      Glenn Engineering dismissed from meeting.

 

10.  Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn read the February Police report to councilmembers and the public. Mayor Llewellyn urged motorists to be mindful with the change of weather to watch for children, obey speed signs, and be alert of anyone on bikes and motorcycles.

 

11.   Committee Reports

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

Councilmember Perovich – stated there was nothing to report.

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

Councilmember Bayko – stated there was nothing to report.

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

Councilmember Dapra – stated the Recreation Board is hosting an Easter egg hunt on March 23rd, with a sign-up deadline on March 16th. The egg hunt event is from 10am to 12pm with the egg hunt starting at 11am. The sign-up link is on Trafford Boroughs website.

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

Councilmember Shoub – read the February Code Enforcement report and the BCO report to councilmembers and the public.

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

Councilmember Bayko – stated there was nothing to report.

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

Councilmember Deabner – stated there was nothing to report.

g.     Junior Council Person (JCP) Report

JCP member Ally Moraca – stated for the February rotation they attended Irwin Borough’s council meeting and received a proclamation award for the JCP program.

h.     President Kris Cardiff –

Councilmember Cardiff - stated that he is working with the local Magistrate (Judge Tyburski) to organize the next JCP rotation with their office. Councilmember Cardiff stated that the borough is looking for volunteers to help with clean up days on May 3rd & 4th. Anyone interested in helping can email Councilmember Cardiff. It was mentioned that there has been an issue with the borough website, it has not been functioning properly for the last 2 weeks. The borough’s tech support is working to correct the issue.   

 

12.   Manager’s Report – Secretary Mulnix stated from Manager Peticca’s report that the Police Department received funding from the County for 2 police tasers and 2 portable radios.  Funding was provided in the amount of $4,000 for the tasers and $5,000 for the portable radios.  

 

13.  Motion to appoint Jeff Contillo as the Vacancy Board Chair.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner  

c.      Discussion: Solicitor Alexander stated the term will be to December 31, 2024.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)  

 

14.  Motion to hire 2 Seasonal public work employees at the hourly wage of $14.00 per hour for the 2024 summer season.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Deabner

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this would be to assist with grass cutting season.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

15.  Motion to appoint Sara Pape to the Recreation Board for term ending 12/31/2025.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

16.  Motion to appoint Kris Cardiff as Trafford Borough’s PSAB voting delegate.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Bayko

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this would be for the PSAB for different events representing Trafford to the association.

d.     Vote:  6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

17.  Motion to appoint Jaime Peticca as Trafford Borough’s PSAB voting alternate.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Bayko

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this is the same as the previous motion.  

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

18.  Motion to apply for the DCED’s Covid-19 multi-Purpose Facilities program grant to expand the police station, move police evidence room out of the elevator shaft, create a new sally-port with new evidence room, and install an elevator for the municipal building for ADA compliance.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this was covered under Glenn Engineering’s report.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

19.  Motion to advertise for Trafford Borough to adopt the International Fire Code

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: Solicitor Alexander stated an ordinance will need to be drafted and advertised.  

d.     Vote:  6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

20.  Motion to purchase the All-Traffic Shields 15 speed sign with radar pole for $5,952.55 with 3-year warranty, and iCloud reporting application. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub 

b.     Second: Councilmember Bayko

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this is for a radar sign w/detailed reports to help with speed control.  

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

21.  Motion to accept Andréa McCord’s – Code Enforcement Officer’s, letter of resignation effective February 19th, 2024.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Dapra

b.     Second: Councilmember Deabner

c.      Discussion: No discussion.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

22.  Motion to accept Jim Communale’s resignation from the Recreation Board effective February 20th, 2024.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

23.  Motion to award the South Trafford Sewage Project bid to S&E Utility in the amount of $286,084.00.  We received $201,628.00 grant from the county and would therefore utilize $84,456.00 from the sewage fund for the remainder of project costs. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: No discussion.

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

24.  New Business

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated this was the last item that was covered under Don Glenns report and recommends that council moves forward with a motion.

 

Motion on the floor to award EL-Grande in the amount of $113,705.00 for the BY Park Grant project and RFPs sought to install the electrical service.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Perovich stated he would like to see this project get underway.  

d.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated that a motion is not necessary this evening and can be done next month.

 

Solicitor Alexander stated he cannot attend the changed date of June 11th but can make sure we have representation here on his behalf.

 

Motion on the floor to move the Tuesday June 4th Council meeting to Tuesday June 11th.

e.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

f.      Second: Councilmember Shoub

g.     Discussion: Solicitor Alexander stated that date change will need to be advertised. 

h.     Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)

 

25.  Old Business

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated the ordinance needs to have some verbiage changed and revise the ordinance and make an exception for lottery machines.

 

Solicitor Alexander stated the ordinance would need to be advertised for the revision, and it was decided to place the item for vote on the next meetings agenda.

 

 

Adjournment

a.      Announce the next Regular Council Meeting on April 2nd, 2024, at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers.

b.     Move to adjourn: Councilmember Dapra.

c.      Second: Councilmember Perovich

d.     Discussion: No discussion

e.      Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)