1. Call to Order – Councilmember Cardiff
called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
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: Solicitor Alexander, Borough Manager Peticca, Borough Secretary
Mulnix, Engineer Penn E& R
Other staff
not present: Mayor Llewellyn
4. Notice of Executive Session held June 11th,
2024, for matters of personnel and litigation.
5. Approve the May 7th, 2024, 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 May 2024 expense voucher
list.
a. Motion: Councilmember Bayko
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
7. Approve the April 16th, 2024,
Discussion Meeting Minutes
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca
clarified this is to correct the misprint of April 19th on two
agenda items. The discussion and special meetings took place on April 16th,
this is to correct, and reflect accurately for the record.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
8. Approve the April 16th, 2024,
Special Meeting Minutes
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Bayko
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
9. 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
There was no one
on the sign-up sheet to speak during public comment
Before closing
Public Comment:
Jason Smith (109
Hird Rd) asked who he can direct questions to regarding stormwater mitigation.
Councilmember
Cardiff advised Mr. Smith to speak with Manager Peticca after the meeting.
10. Report from Borough Engineer, Penn E&R
a. Report submitted: Amber from Penn E
& R spoke about two items from her report. The first item was regarding the
Trafford Borough Parking lot project. It was discovered that there is some
subsidence within this lot that a normal milling and paving job will not be remedied.
It was recommended to council to seek a geotechnical consultant to determine
the appropriate type of remediation. Penn E & R proposed to have the public
works department do the excavation of the lot and partner with the geotechnical
consultant. The cost to consider for the supervision of the test pits and the
geotechnical recommendation per the observation would be $8,190.00. The second
item covered under the engineer’s report was the 6th Street
Improvement Project. Trafford Borough was awarded CBDG funding in the amount of
$255,995.00 for improvements. It was mentioned that Penn E & R will
coordinate with Manager Peticca to initiate engineering design work.
b. Public comment on Penn E&R’s report- Councilmember
Cardiff asked that if the borough were to move forward with paving the lot it
would most likely resort back to its poor condition again? Amber confirmed you
would see cracking in the pavement, it would be best to remove the materials
that are causing the subsidence.
11. Mayor’s Report – The mayor was absent,
there was no report to give.
12. Committee Reports
a. Community & Economic Development
(Chair Steve Perovich/Co-chair Jesse Dapra)
Councilmember
Perovich stated there was a meeting with the Friends of the Riverfront regarding
the Heritage trail to generate plan ideas on how to link the trail between
Rankin, Braddock, Pitcairn and other neighboring communities.
b. General Government & Finance (Chair
Pat Bayko/Co-chair Zach Cole)
Councilmember
Bayko stated there was no report.
c. Parks & Recreation (Chair Jesse Dapra/Co-chair
Steve Perovich)
Councilmember
Dapra stated the recreation board is holding the Flavor Fest event on Sunday
June 23rd, from 1pm to 5pm. There will be food truck vendors and
others onsite for the event. Councilmember Dapra stated t the BY park project
has been completed. And lastly in this report it was mentioned that the
recreation board would like to begin fundraising for the construction of a
platform/performance stage at the BY park for local bands to utilize and bring
entertainment to the park.
d. Planning, Property, & Ordinances
(Chair Casey Shoub/Co-chair Ralph Deabner)
Councilmember
Shoub read the May Code Enforcement report to councilmembers and the public.
e. Public Safety (Chair Zach Cole/Co-chair Pat
Bayko)
Councilmember
Deabner asked councilmembers if anyone had an update on the sidewalk for the
Trafford VFD. Manager Peticca stated there has been several attempts to reach
and ask Fire Chief Brian Lindbloom, when there will be plans in place to move
forward with the sidewalk repair. Councilmember Cardiff stated this was
contingent upon the purchase of the property in 2019, and there have been five
years gone by with no progress. Councilmember Bayko asked if anything can be
done about the issue. Solicitor Alexander advised that something can also be
done, and it was recommended to have some discussions with Manager Peticca for
a resolution.
f. Public Works & Sanitation (Chair Ralph
Deabner/Co-chair Casey Shoub)
Councilmember
Bayko stated there was no report.
g. Junior Council Person (JCP) Report
Councilmember
Cardiff stated the JCP mock council meeting took place on May 17th, and
the graduating seniors were presented with plaques for their participation in
the program. Councilmember Cardiff also stated there are new JCP members to
approve on the agenda.
h. President Kris Cardiff
Councilmember
Cardiff stated in his report that he, Manager Peticca, and Secretary Mulnix
attended the PSAB annual conference in Hershey, this was Trafford’s first time
attending in several years. There was a record-breaking attendance at the
conference and 11 boroughs from Westmoreland County were represented there.
There were multiple training seminars attended and exhibitors’ booths that were
explored. Councilmember Cardiff spoke about the ten year of service award that
he was presented with at the award luncheon. It was noted that the conference
was rewarding and beneficial and is highly recommended that Trafford Borough
participate again next year.
13. Manager’s Report – Manager Peticca spoke
about the experience at PSAB conference and how the knowledge was invaluable.
The two seminars that proved most important were Ethics and the challenge of
hiring police in 2024. The ability to network and meet others from the
commonwealth helps make connections to help each other through whatever each
municipality is facing. The conference was very beneficial. Manager Peticca
also covered in her report that the South Trafford project is upon completion,
the borough received the first invoice to be paid out in the amount of
$272,363.09, for the sewer lines. The final bill and amount are yet to be
received. We received $201,628.00 from the Covid relief fund that helped fund
this project. The first invoice will need approved for payment to be disbursed.
Another item covered under the report was the last few items being finished by
El Grande at the BY park the borough should see an invoice for payment. There
is a motion on the agenda to pay the invoice for the electrical portion of that
project. Manager Peticca spoke about the efforts the new recreation board is making
and their upcoming plans to design and create a music stage for events at the
BY park. Manager Peticca also mentioned the beautification of the borough that
Annette Costlow has been doing and the want she has to purchase additional
flowers for a section of the public works flower bed, and a special thanks to
Annette for what she does for the borough. Lastly a special thanks were given
to Councilmember Bayko for being in the office to help keep the office open and
answering the phones will the office was in Hershey for the conference.
14. Motion to accept Ridgecrest Court as an
official Borough Road to receive liquid fuel funds
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Deabner
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
15.
Motion
to advertise to update Chapter 160 Sewer Laterals.
a.
Motion:
Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca stated
this ordinance has some old language that needs to be removed and brought
current for consistency and clarity purposes.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
16. Motion to approve Chapter 202 Zoning
Ordinance, 202-10 Comprehensive Land Use Table; 202.11 Central Business
District Overlay District.
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Deabner
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca stated
this is Ordinance 3-2024, this is all the zoning changes that the borough has
been working on. Manager Peticca stated there are updates to the permitted uses
to a Central Business District, mixed use development, and new construction.
This ordinance will amend the existing one.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
17. Motion to vacate Chapter 164 Signs
adopted by the Borough 10-3-1989 and replace it with Ordinance 1-2024-
Signs.
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
18. Motion to approve Ordinance 2-2024
The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) Act establishing tax
exemptions from property tax for certain deteriorated Industrial, Commercial,
or other business property.
a.
Motion:
Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca
explained the exemption schedule, the first year being a ten-year exemption
at 100%, second year at 90%, until the ten-year ends. There will be an
application process and guidelines to be met to qualify for the exemption as
explained in the ordinance. The streets that apply to this are Brinton Avenue and
Cavitt Avenue down from Sixth Street to First Street, including the Commerce
Center and the Liberty Property Parcel. Councilmember Bayko stated the property
will be taxed as it is, and any new improvements are what qualifies as tax
exemptions. Councilmember Perovich stated that other local municipalities have
implemented this tax exemption and have been very successful in their
revitalization efforts. Councilmember Cardiff stated this is something that has
been discussed in the past and an opportunity presented itself to execute this
change and he stated he is very happy to see this item considered.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
19. Motion to approve Chief Disso’s retirement
calculation conducted by Feaster Pension, LLC.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca stated
she is still working with Feaster Pension on the dollar amount, there was a
discrepancy with the amount, and it came down to a timing issue not having it
ready in time for the meeting.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
20. Motion to approve the 5-year Winter Maintenance Agreement
Renewal; Resolution 6-2024.
a.
Motion:
Councilmember Shoub
b.
Second:
Councilmember Perovich
c.
Discussion:
Manager Peticca confirmed this is through Penn DOT and covers 5.3 miles that
the borough agrees to maintain and received funds for doing so.
d.
Vote:
6, 0, 1 (Absent)
Gregory Maynard, Dylan Claypool,
Hanna Walters, Ella Malloy, and Cecilia Doughty.
· Fix up the “triangle” in front of the bathroom at the
B-Y park.
Manger
Peticca stated there has been some discussion with Mr. Jeff Contillo about
planting some vegetation at the BY park to honor a member of his family. Councilmember
Cardiff suggested that Jeff Contillo present a drawing or plans of the outlined
request before councilmembers would approve the idea. Jeff Contillo spoke at
the podium about his idea. It was suggested that he would like to plant a
Japanese Maple Tree in the triangle section of the park and then landscape with
mulch and other items to aid in the beautification of the park. He stated he
would work and partner with the Trafford Recreation Board and dedicate his time
to the project. In addition, Jeff Contillo would like to request a plaque be
dedicated and displayed in his dad’s honor because of their love for the BY
park. Mr. Contillo will put together the plans and provide them to everyone
before the July council meeting.
· B-Y bike restrictions around inner circle of pond.
Manager Peticca stated that
now that the BY park project has been completed there have been some concerns
brought to the borough’s attention regarding the safety of those walking, and
fishing while bikers are riding their bicycles within the inner circle of the
pond. There are some narrow parts of the trail by the hill where people are
fishing and casting their fishing line, it is causing a hazard. With those
concerns it has been brought to the attention of councilmembers to discuss any
actions or restrictions to be put in place. Manager Peticca suggested that only
walkers are permitted in that inner circle area, and then biking can resume
after entering the pathway. Councilmember Shoub also mentioned the number of
cars permitted down at the BY pavilions be addressed. Manager Peticca stated
that the pavilion renters would be given a laminated parking pass to allow one
vehicle to be beside the pavilion to load and unload in a ten-to-fifteen-minute
time frame. The goal in mind is to keep the pathway as nice as long as
possible.
Councilmember Cardiff stated
the safety of everyone that utilizes the walking path often such as walkers or
anglers should be the highest regard.
Councilmember Cardiff asked
for a motion for the following:
There is a motion on the floor
for the Borough to restrict bicycles around the inner circle track surrounding
the pond.
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated there will
be signs implemented to post those restrictions.
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
Councilmember Cardiff asked if
there needs to be something more specific in writing for the parking pass at
the pavilions? Manager Peticca replied that language can be added to the rental
reservation, and have that information communicated when they sign out the key.
Councilmember Cardiff asked if we need to have that wording first before
approving? Solicitor Alexander stated that the borough can have it subjected to
him by preparing an agreement. Councilmember Dapra suggested that council
consider a weight limit for the vehicles traveling to the pavilions. Councilmember
Cardiff asked for a motion. Councilmember Perovich asked if this would be an
amendment to what is already in place. Manager Peticca stated there is nothing
currently in the borough’s ordinances that limits or restricts types of
vehicles that can be parked at the pavilions. Solicitor Alexander suggested
that council members work on the language and bring this item back to the next
meeting. Councilmember Cardiff recommended that the item is tabled until the
language is put together unless there is a motion on the floor. Councilmember
Shoub mentioned that the area is busy with rentals and the wording should be
addressed rather than wait. Solicitor Alexander mentioned if there are some
general restrictions, Councilmember Shoub rebutted and stated that he would
like to see only a vehicle that has a pass can go down on the path to the
pavilion. Manager Peticca read items from the recreation borough ordinance,
there is no mention about restrictions related to the parking or driving a
vehicle to the pavilions, however there is mention about loading and unloading
being permitted to 15 minutes in the pavilion rental reservation terms and
conditions.
There is a motion on the floor
to only allow vehicles that have a parking pass to be permitted down at the BY
park pavilions.
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: Solicitor Alexander stated this
restriction is in addition to what is already in the books. Manager Peticca
clarified any vehicle with a pass can load/unload for the time frame of fifteen
minutes and then return to the parking lot. There would be no need for signs, the
new language and the parking pass would be added to the rental agreement
d. Vote: A roll call vote was called for. 5, 1, 1
(Absent)
Yes
Vote: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Dapra, Councilmember Deabner,
Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Shoub. No Vote: Councilmember Cardiff.
· Parking All American, Westmoreland Road
Manager Peticca provided some
pictures to councilmembers regarding the issues that were brought to the
borough’s attention. There was parking taking place on both sides of
Westmoreland Road that was creating issues, a speed limit sign was knocked down
and run over, and garbage left everywhere. Manager Peticca stated she emailed
the property owner Dan Ninemire to see if he would be receptive to larger
garbage cans stationed at the entrance of their location, and/or chaining the
cans to the fence. Parking would need to be discussed amongst council. It would
be recommended for All American Baseball to utilize the parking spaces beside
their new building construction.
Councilmember Cardiff stated
that there isn’t anything that can be done to regulate on-street parking if
motorists are parking correctly. Trafford Police Department has been actively
ticketing in instances where motorists are parking where not permitted. Councilmember
Cardiff asked about the enforcement of parking near the railroad tracks.
Manager Peticca confirmed with Solicitor Alexander that if the parking is
taking place off the street on the railroad right of way, the railroad
maintains that exclusively, and the railroad is not subject to the boroughs
zoning regulations.
Councilmember Deabner
presented his concerns with the parking issue, the entire way down the street
there were cars parked and one car was passable on that street. In addition,
there were people just walking down the middle of the street not paying attention.
Councilmember Deabner stated he doesn’t want to see someone get hit by a moving
vehicle and get hurt.
Councilmember Perovich stated
that he believes people park on Westmoreland Road out of convenience, rather
than walking from the other side of the fields. Councilmember Perovich also
discussed his concerns of motorists not stopping at the stop sign on
Westmoreland Road, he mentioned that he witnessed several cars not abiding to
the sign.
Councilmember Bayko suggested
that ticketing be enforced to help control the illegal parking and issues
happening there.
Manager Peticca recommended
that if action is taken on roads where curbs are painted for no parking that
signs be placed for enforcement, and the ordinance is updated to reflect that
change.
Councilmember Cardiff
suggested that this information is communicated to ALL American as a reminder
to remind their patrons of these items, and increased enforcement from the
Police Department as necessary.
Councilmember Perovich
suggested having a meeting with Mr. Ninemire to address concerns by the end of
the year to create some dialog for everyone’s expectations.
Councilmember Bayko stated
that there has been garbage left out everywhere, and that should be brought to
their attention. Councilmember Bayko stated there are a lot of people coming
into this town and we could expand on that opportunity.
Councilmember Cardiff
recommended that we plan a meeting with Mr. Ninemire, put together a list of
items of concern, and give them an opportunity to address the issues, and
continue/maintain our current enforcement of violations.
· Trafford Parking Lot Paving Project – test pits and
geotechnical recommendations to address the existing sinkhole prior to paving.
Manager Peticca stated her
recommendation would be to pursue the expense to proceed with the test pits as
instructed by the borough engineer Penn E & R. It was stated there is money
in the budget to allow us to do this.
Councilmember Cardiff stated that
he also recommends proceeding with this action, since we just passed the LERTA
tax exemption to improve the business district, not having the parking lot
operational would just set any forward progress backwards.
Motion is on the floor to approve the cost $8,190.00
for the supervision of the test pits and geotechnical recommendation and
observations for the Cavitt Avenue parking lot.
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Perovich
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 6, 0, 1 (Absent)
26.Old Business
No Old Business to discuss
Adjournment