1.     Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance

 

2.     Roll Call - completed by Borough Secretary Nina Mulnix

 

Councilmembers present: Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Dapra, Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Schopp, Councilmember Shoub.

 

Councilmembers not present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Deabner  

 

Other staff present: Mayor Llewellyn, Solicitor Alexander, Manager Peticca, Secretary Mulnix, Code Enforcement Hamill, Borough Engineer Penn E&R Amber Yon.

 

3.     Notice of Executive Session held February 4th, 2025, for matters of personnel and litigation.

 

4.     Approve the January 7th, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Schopp

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)

 

5.     Approve the January 2025 expense voucher lists.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)

 

6.     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

 

Lynwood Leeman (334 4th Street)- came to the meeting to address three concerns. Mr. Leeman asked if Catherine Street was going to be on the list of streets for paving this year. Mr. Leeman asked if ALCOSAN is going to continue to raise the rates on the sewage bill, it was mentioned that as a senior citizen on a budget it is difficult to have expenses to pay the high bill. Mr. Leeman also inquired about the status of the abandoned building on Cavitt Avenue/5th Street.

 

Borough Response:

 

Manager Peticca replied that the borough is assessing all the streets for the paving schedule, and the list will be ready for bid come March or April. The borough will then review the cost estimates that are presented.

 

Solicitior Alexander provided a comment regarding ALCOSAN: The current increase is set to continue through 2026, the borough is predicting that ALCOSAN will submit a new increase plan starting in 2027.

 

Solicitor Alexander provided comment regarding the Cavitt building: The owners have been taken to the local magistrate and have been cited for violations on multiple occasions. There have been cooperative efforts between them and the borough.

 

7.     Report from Borough Engineer, Penn E&R

a.      Report submitted. Amber Yon commented on her report and provided updates on the current projects in the borough.

b.     Public comment on Penn E&R’s report- There were no questions or comments on the report.

 

8.     Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn read the January police report to councilmembers and the public. Mayor Llewellyn also mentioned that the borough is seeking a full-time police officer, and the department is currently accepting applications.

 

9.      Committee Reports

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

Councilmember Perovich stated the TECDC has been creating many activities for the community. Councilmember Perovich deterred to TECDC President Jeff Contillo to provide an update. Mr. Contillo stated that the TECDC meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of every month, and anyone is welcome to attend. TECDC is working with local businesses to help them advertise and promote their businesses. The recreation board is hosting the annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 12th, 10am to 12pm at Westmoreland Park. The American Legion is organizing a flea market on April 27th time to be determined.  TECDC is working with the recreation board on Flavor-Fest. There will also be a community yard sale planned in early August, and an Oktober fest to be planned for September.     

b.     General Government & Finance (Chair Pat Bayko/Co-chair Rose Shopp)

Councilmember Bayko was absent, there was nothing to report.

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

Councilmember Perovich stated that the recreation board is planning the Easter Egg hunt, and Flavor-Fest on June 22nd. The recreation board is looking into entertainment options and are hoping for a bigger turnout than last year. The Penn Trafford Elementary school will be dedicating the new playground on April 5th, thanks to PTARC for their large donation.

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

Councilmember Shoub deferred to Code Enforcement, and Officer Hamill read his January report to councilmembers and the public.

e.      Public Safety (Chair Rose Schopp/Co-chair Pat Bayko)

Councilmember Schopp stated there was nothing to report.

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

Councilmember Shoub stated that the borough is in the process of completing interviews for a full-time position for Public Works.

g.     Junior Council Person (JCP) Report

JCP Member Claypool stated there was no JCP January rotation. The JCP members are currently working with Penn Trafford’s Principal to organize the local government day at the borough for the fourth graders.

h.     President Kris Cardiff

Councilmember Cardiff stated that the next JCP rotation will be February 19th.

 

10.   Manager’s Report – Manager Peticca stated that the borough received grant funds from Scott Electric in the amount of $25,000.00 to retrofit the borough building, the public works building, and the police station with led lights. This will also entail cost savings on the Duquesne light bills in the amount of $7,000.00.  Manager Peticca stated that she and the public works foreman will be attending a Roundtable discussion meeting at the Westmoreland County Conservation District on February 28th.

 

11.   Volunteer of the Year Award – Andres Capets

 

Mayor Llewellyn presented the Renee Copetti Volunteer of the Year Award to Andrew Capets

 

12.  Motion to approve the Future Business Leaders of America Proclamation 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

A proclamation for the Future Business Leaders of America was presented to the following JCP Members:

-        Dylan Claypool

 

13.   Motion to approve Ordinance 1-2025- Injection Wells

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca stated this is to provide health safety and welfare of all the residents and their property to ensure compliance with the laws and ordinances for the issuance of zoning permits to enable injections wells.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

14.  Motion to approve the International Fire Code Ordinance 2-2025

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Perovich

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this motion has been discussed in previous council meetings.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)   

 

15.  Motion to approve Ordinance 3-2025, reducing the Recreation Board members from 7 to 5 members.    

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Schopp  

c.      Discussion: No discussion. 

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

16.  Motion to ratify the November Discussion meeting minutes for the Recreation Board Budget in amount of $5,000.00 for events in the 2025 fiscal year.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra  

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Perovich stated the rec board is very happy to receive the funds from the borough.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)     

 

17.  Motion to ratify to advertise to hire a full-time Department of Public Works laborer

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Schopp  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

18.  Motion to accept full-time police officer Gavin Scholl’s resignation effective 1/20/2025.  

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.     Second: Councilmember Schopp  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)   

 

19.  Motion to approve the handicapped sign for 509 Duquesne Avenue

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra

c.      Discussion: Manager Peticca stated this was reviewed and approved by Police Chief Disso.  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)   

 

20.  Motion to approve the .50 increase for Nina Mulnix

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)                                 

 

21.  Motion to approve Kris Cardiff as the 2025 Voting Delegate and Jaime Peticca s the Alternate Voting Delegate for 2025.   

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Perovich

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this is for the PSAB and their voting conferences. Manager Peticca stated the conferences are a very rewarding experience, you get to be involved with state legislators and vote on items moving through the process.  Councilmember Cardiff stated that it is a great opportunity for Trafford Borough to be a part of.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

22.  Motion to accept Jamie Holmes-Ward’s resignation from the Recreation Board  

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich  

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

23.  Motion to approve Jeffrey Contillo to the Recreation Board with a term ending 12/31/2027

a.      Motion: Councilmember Schopp

b.     Second: Councilmember Perovich  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

24.  Motion to approve to advertise to bid the police expansion project pending the receipt of Jeffery Schroder’s architectural drawings and plans.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub

b.     Second: Councilmember Dapra  

c.      Discussion: No discussion  

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

25.  Motion to approve Local Government Day for the 4th Grade Trafford Elementary School on April 11th organized by the JCP Committee, Borough Administration Staff and TES Principal, Mrs. Horvat and TES teachers.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Schopp  

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated this is an event that was developed last year, and it is great to see the JCP members organize this again.   

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

26.  Motion to approve Clean Up Days on Friday May 2nd 12:00pm-8:00PM and Saturday May 3rd 8:00 am-4:00pm. 

a.      Motion: Councilmember Shoub  

b.     Second: Councilmember Perovich  

c.      Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated the borough is excited to get this scheduled, as it is a big day, and anyone interested in volunteering can sign up to do so.

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)  

 

 

27.  New Business

·       Signage for South Trafford Ballfield’s on 1st Street and possible action

 

Manager Peticca stated that it has been brought to the attention of the borough that there is a significant amount of traffic that is traveling to a road with a dead end instead of proceeding to the South Trafford ballfields. Residents in that area are asking for larger signage or an arrow sign to indicate the correct way to go. Discussions continued and it was decided that the signs there currently are small and need updated. It was recommended that proposals on new signage are gathered and then presented to councilmembers in a future meeting with more information.

 

·       Waste Management Contract ending in 2025 possible action to advertise and bid

 

Manager Peticca started her comment by acknowledging the great relationship that the borough has with our current route manager, any issues that come up with trash collection his response time is very quick and receptive.

 

Councilmember Cardiff stated he is suggesting that the borough invite a representative from Waste Management to the April discussion meeting. The residents can come to the meeting to ask questions and gather information from Waste Management. The proposed contract will be placed for a bid for all refuse providers to provide their proposals.

 

Solicitor Alexander stated he will review the contract specifications with the borough manager.

 

Councilmember Cardiff suggested that the borough reach out to potential providers and ask if they could attend the April discussion meeting to provide information on their services and possible quotes.

 

Solicitor Alexander listed some providers that could possibly submit a bid: Waste Management, Consolidated Groups such as Republic Services, County Hauling, MR. BIGGS.

 

A motion is on the floor to advertise the bid for the garbage contract starting in 2026, under the direction of the borough manager and the borough solicitor for proposals starting the beginning of March.

a.      Motion: Councilmember Perovich

b.     Second: Councilmember Shoub

c.      Discussion: No discussion

d.     Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)

 

 

28.  Old Business

 

There was no old business to discuss.

 

 

Adjournment

    1. Announce the next Discussion Meeting on February 18th at 6:30 pm in the Manchester Room
    2. Move to adjourn: Councilmember Shoub
    3. Second: Councilmember Schopp  
    4. Discussion: Councilmember Cardiff stated there will be a guest speaker at the discussion meeting, but it is yet to be determined who that will be.
    5. Vote: 5, 0, 2 (Absent)

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Nina Mulnix

Borough Secretary