Meeting Minutes for Trafford Borough Discussion Meeting

September 17^th, 2024

1. Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Councilmember Cardiff at 6:32pm.

2. Moment of Silence

3. Roll Call – done by Secretary Mulnix

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

Councilmembers not present: Councilmember Dapra, Councilmember Deabner

Other staff present: Mayor Llewellyn, Manager Peticca, Secretary Mulnix

4. Guest Speaker – Protect PT

Manager Peticca introduced Gillian Graber Director of Protect PT.

Ms. Graber stated to everyone that Protect PT is a citizens’ group that helps protect communities in Westmoreland and Allegheny County. Their purpose is to empower residents to speak and engage with councils and legislators.

Some of the topics brought to the discussion meeting were pollution concerns, shale gas drilling, and how Protect PT partners with communities to organize protective ordinances.

Topic Unconventional Oil and Gas Development

Ms. Graber stated that she worked with Trafford in 2015 and brought awareness to the need to enact an ordinance for protection from these types of Oil and Gas development.

Members from Protect PT spoke about the dangers that are uncovered from fracking, ranging from water contamination, air pollution, and the amount of industrial equipment that moves into communities.

Injection Wells – are different than fracking wells, injection wells are where they dispose of waste. Where Fracking Wells generate gas. It was stated that these types of wells can lead to radioactive pollutants in the air, and water in addition to other carcinogens and chemicals.

Protect PT shared a presentation of maps showing where there are conventional wells surrounding Allegheny & Westmoreland County that could be utilized for activity.

There was some further discussion emphasizing the need to build on and strengthen the ordinances that are currently in place in Trafford.

There was a question and answers after Protect PT’s presentation.

Question: How long does it take to create an ordinance?

Answer: There is a process where the ordinance can take several months to create. The proposed ordinance is drafted by the borough and can be forwarded to Protect PT for review. The ordinance is then advertised for a public hearing, and then after public feedback is given the ordinance is forwarded to the County for review. Upon approval from the county, it can be presented to council members for a motion to approve at a council meeting.

Protect PT finished their presentation and stated that they are a local organization and can be reached at the offices in Harrison City.

5. Discussion

a. Any other items of discussion

§ Tom Dobrinick- assistant fire chief spoke about an incident that happened with security cameras at the upper level of the borough building and fire station. There was a window that was left open on the 3^rd floor and that prompted the borough manager to go upstairs and close the window and notice the camera and remove it. Mr. Dobrinick stated the camera is used for protection of items that are in those locations. Mr. Dobrinick claims the cameras were removed illegally, because the cameras are private property and did not belong to the borough. Mr. Dobrinick is asking for the cameras to be allowed to be reinstalled for their personal safety and the safety of their belongings.

Manager Peticca stated that while closing the window on the 3^rd floor it was observed that the camera was not facing the interior of the building but on the exterior facing the parking lot and fourth street. There are many concerns over the placement of this camera. The borough has possession of the cameras and will return them. Manger Peticca stated that council will need to approve any reinstallation and placement of these cameras.

Mr. Dobrinick rebuttable and stated that as a landlord he allows tenants to have cameras on his properties to protect their belongings, and stated it is their right to do so. That is all that we were trying to do is protect our property because there are people that are entering and exiting the area that we do not always know who they are.

Manager Peticca stated she would hope that the fire department would know who is entering that part of the building. Mr. Dobrinick clarified his statement and stated they are not aware of borough employees that utilize and access the third floor.

Manager Peticca stated moving forward the borough is asking for information about if the cameras are to be permitted, where they will be located, what type of cameras, what system they will operate under, who will all have access as an administrator (ex: someone from council as this is a taxpayer funded building). Mr. Dobrinick disagrees with that request for two administrators and would like to reinstall them.

A suggestion/question came from a resident asking if there would be periodic checks on the cameras. Manager Peticca responded without administrative access we would not be able to.

Councilmember Cardiff stated he would like the opinion of the solicitor before granting approval or proceeding.

§ Joan Monroe asked what the status is on the former Mellon Bank Building sidewalk issue- that is the only area that does not have a sidewalk. And the building on Firth and Cavitt Ave, it’s been observed that the back side of the building is collapsing.

Manager Peticca stated that the Fire Department owns that parcel, and the borough has taken them to the local magistrate, and they have been found guilty and they appealed the decision which has been at the Court of Common Pleas. It is of the opinion of the borough that they need to install the sidewalk, however the fire department believes that they do not.

Manager Peticca stated that Frontline Estates, LLC, is the owner of the other parcel in concern. The borough has a court date scheduled at the local magistrate for September 30^th to address the building. There was work being performed on that building without obtaining the proper permits and other documentation needed as they had been informed of. The borough is doing everything possible to hold them accountable.

§ There was a resident that spoke about an article published in the Tribune Review, about Councilmember Cardiff’s behavior at his former place of employment and the investigation taking place. What will be his status on council?

Manager Peticca stated that there is currently an ongoing investigation. Manager Peticca also urged everyone to consider that the council’s position is completely separate from any place of employment. The borough has all the proper clearances on file to address any of those questions or concerns.

Councilmember Bayko stated that Councilmember Cardiff is innocent until proven guilty and that all of council is behind him.

§ A resident in attendance spoke and said that Kris Cardiff has an impeccable record.

§ A resident in attendance further commented and stated that it is bad public relations for the borough to have the person in charge of the council representing Trafford while they are under investigation.

Manager Peticca stated that we all represent Trafford.

It was recommended that anyone that has additional concerns or questions about the current investigation should contact the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office instead of getting the information from any media outlets.

§ Rose Schopp asked what control the borough has over the ballfields at All American, regarding the garbage, and parking issues. It was asked if they can place a dumpster on the property, after their games there are multiple times, residents go around cleaning up the trash that they leave behind. It had been suggested in the past when a parking issue arose that us residents could phone him personally and he would resolve the issue and that would never happen. It was mentioned by the patrons of the ballfields that there is a charge by All American to park under the bridge, and they chose to park in other locations to avoid those fees.

Manager Peticca stated the most recent conversation with Dan Ninemire was that he has someone on his staff that is supposed to be cleaning up garbage, this is the first time that it has been mentioned recently. The borough can certainly let Mr. Ninemire know of the issue. Manager Peticca stated that if parking is still an issue, we can contact Dan to ask questions and resolve the issues.

Councilmember Perovich stated that before the tournaments start again in the spring that the borough should organize a meeting with Mr. Ninemire to discuss these problems.

Manager Peticca suggested that there be no parking stated on the East or West side of Westmoreland Road, as there are no restrictions. Rose Schopp stated there is a parking ordinance you are not permitted to park on Westmoreland Road between First and Fourth Street on either side of the road. Manager Peticca stated that it is something that the police should be enforcing. Mayor Llewellyn stated there would need to be signs up.

§ Brian Lindbloom stated that if restaurants have to offer so many parking spaces to the number of tables in their establishment, why couldn’t All American limit the number of games to have less cars there. All American has been renting the South Trafford Ballfields and is causing parking issues down there. In addition to parking, they create a lot of noise at that field on a Sunday morning. There are multiple residents that are being impacted by the patrons of All American just parking wherever they please in South Trafford.

§ Rose Schopp stated there are abandoned cars that are along the roadway that no one does anything about, at points they are either registered and not inspected or vice versa. The gentleman that owns them comes to charge the batteries and just leaves them there. He did move them from the railroad tracks when he was told about moving them.

§ Brian Lindbloom stated that Westmoreland Road is the widest street in Trafford and has parking on both sides and two lanes of traffic. This is because it is within 100 feet of the right of way of the railroad. Wallace Avenue is only 17ft wide and there should be no parking on either side, and signs placed may help.

§ Rose Schopp also commented about the abandoned house down on Adrian Avene.

Manager Peticca stated that the parcel is currently at the local magistrate.

6. Adjournment

a. Announce the next regular council meeting on October 1^st, 2024

b. Move to adjourn Councilmember Bayko

c. Second: Councilmember Perovich

d. Vote: 4, 0, 2 (Absent)

Respectfully submitted,

Nina Mulnix

Borough Secretary