1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order by Councilmember Cardiff at
7:02 pm
2. Moment of Silence & Pledge of
Allegiance
3. Roll Call- completed by Borough
Secretary Nina Mulnix
Councilmembers
present: Councilmember Bayko, Councilmember Cardiff, Councilmember Dapra,
Councilmember Deabner, Councilmember Perovich, Councilmember Schopp,
Councilmember Shoub
Other staff
present: Mayor Llewellyn, Solicitor Alexander, Manager Peticca, Secretary
Mulnix, Code Enforcement Hamill, Engineer Penn E&R Amber Yon.
4. Notice of Executive Session held February
18th for matters of property and litigation.
5. Notice of Executive Session help March 4th,
2025 for matters of litigation and personnel.
6. Approve the February 4th, 2025
Council Meeting minutes
b.
Second:
Councilmember
c.
Discussion:
No discussion
d.
Vote: 7, 0
7. Approve the February 18th
Special Meeting Minutes.
a. Motion: Councilmember
b. Second: Councilmember
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
8. Approve the February 2025 expense
voucher lists.
b. Second: Councilmember
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
9. Guest Speaker – Westmoreland County Coroner’s
Office
Timothy Carson Coroner provided Councilmembers
and others present with the County’s 2024 Annual Report. Mr. Carson mentioned some
information about that report:
Mr. Carson spoke about the program that
the coroner’s office participates in where he and members of his staff go to
local high schools during prom season and create mock crashes alongside local
fire departments to demonstrate the effects of drunk/distracted driving to students.
Mr. Carson also spoke about the program
Cribs for Kids that his office has partnered with Allegheny County to
participate in: it’s a program that gathers donations to purchase cribs for
households that do not have a crib for their child. The program is implemented
to prevent child death from co-sleeping. The program has collected donations
that allowed the purchase of 50 cribs since the program was enacted in 2023.
There are also safe sleep classes to attend.
Mr. Carson left business cards with
his contact information if anyone had any questions or concerns.
10. Jim Drnjevich – Memorial Day Parade
information
Jim Drnjevich
and James Fike spoke about the upcoming Memorial Day Parade and some changes
that will be made this year. It was mentioned that councilmember Rose Schopp
will be coordinating this event this year not the American Legion.
Mayor
Llewellyn spoke confirmed with Mr. Drnjevich that the Legion will still organize
the program after the parade at the American Legion. The American Legion will
assist Rose Schopp with anything she might need.
Councilmember
Cardiff stated that this will not require any action since it is not a borough coordinated
event. Councilmember Rose Schopp is acting as a community member for a
community event.
11. 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
Mark Horgas (132
7th Street Ext) stated that he has concerns about the amount of heavy
truck traffic that has been going through the borough hauling dirt from Cleveland
Price to Meadowbrook Road. The noise, dirt, speeding, and no police presence to
monitor these trucks. The Tri Axles are traveling from their destination with
an empty load but feel the need to use the truck’s jake brake instead of placing
the truck in a lower gear- just causing noise instead of slowing down. How are trucks
able to travel on these roads when no one knows the amount of weight since
there is no scale on sight. They are taking a toll on our roads and
infrastructure. Mr. Horgas asked council members how long this activity will be
taking place.
Manager
Peticca replied that the route the trucks are traveling on are Penn Dot state
owned roads, and the business corporation that is conducting this work is not located
in the borough, so we are not privy to the scope of work. It was also mentioned
that the borough cannot require them to be bonded as they are not borough owned
roads.
Councilmember
Cardiff asked if there are any enforcement processes for speeding of the vehicles
or violations that are being seen.
Solicitor
Alexander stated that the officers do not have radar but could utilize a
stopwatch while following the vehicle to monitor the speed. The best course of
action would be to request the presence of the State Police or other Penn Dot agency
to inspect the trucks.
Councilmember
Perovich asked if there are any signs or language that can be implemented for
the prevention of brake retardants/jake brakes for the future.
Solicitor
Alexander replied that the borough can look at those ordinances to determine if
those types of signs have any validity. Solicitor Alexander stated that he will
investigate that further.
Mark Horgas came
up to the podium to make an additional comment. Mr. Horgas stated that he has
reached out to Penn Dot about the signs that can be enforced: Penn Dot stated a
grade equal or greater than 4% the trucks have to use their engine brake and that
cannot be enforced. Mr. Horgas proposed that the speed limit be lowered to 25mph
for any trucks over 20,000lbs and that sign be placed as you enter Trafford
Borough on State route 130. Mr. Horgas stated that he has spoken with a state representative,
and they confirmed the state does not control that because the state police do
not patrol that road, it is the municipality’s responsibility to take care of
the infrastructure and set the speed limits.
Manager Peticca
stated that type of request would require that an engineering study be
performed first.
Mr. Horgas also mentioned
he had requested that it be conducted in the past, and it has never been done.
Solicitor
Alexander responded that the borough would investigate that concern.
12. Report from Borough Engineer, Penn E&R
a. Report submitted. - Amber Yon commented on
her report.
b. Public comment on Penn E&R’s report-
Manager had one
comment on the All-American fill placement- once the conservation district
approves the application, the borough would like to know the route of travel so
we can request a bond for the road.
Mayor
Llewellyn asked Amber Yon when the work on the police expansion might be able
to begin. Amber replied that she would like to have the advertisement ready this
month and allow 3-4 weeks for the bid process.
13. Mayor’s Report- Mayor Llewellyn stated
there was no report- The Police Chief is on vacation, and there will be two
reports to cover next month.
14. 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 Rose Schopp)
Councilmember
Bayko stated there was nothing to report.
c. Parks & Recreation (Chair Jesse Dapra/Co-chair
Steve Perovich)
Councilmember
Perovich stated he attended the Rec Board meeting on Monday February 28th.
The rec board is currently planning the Easter Egg hunt and Flavor fest. The
rec board is discussing the elements of a fishing derby.
d. Planning, Property, & Ordinances
(Chair Casey Shoub/Co-chair Ralph Deabner)
Councilmember
Shoub deferred to Code Enforcement, and Officer Hamill read his February report
to councilmembers and the public.
e. Public Safety (Chair Rose Schopp/Co-chair
Pat Bayko)
Councilmember
Schopp stated there was no report
f. Public Works & Sanitation (Chair Ralph
Deabner/Co-chair Casey Shoub)
Councilmember
Deabner stated that interviews have been conducted for the public works
position and an offer letter will be extended to the applicant following the
meeting tonight.
g. Junior Council Person (JCP) Report
JCP Member
Claypool stated that the JCP rotation in February was meeting with the borough
solicitor and gaining knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order. Mr. Claypool also
confirmed that there will be a presentation of the JCP program given to the
local cub scout pack 201.
h. President Kris Cardiff
Councilmember
Cardiff stated that he, Jeff Contillo, and Andrew Capets all met recently to
discuss and develop a rebranding logo/look for Trafford Borough. There will be more information to
come.
15. Manager’s Report – Manager Peticca stated
that the borough has paid out approximately $40,000.00 for road salt out of the
liquid fuels account. Manager Peticca also reported that the borough is
currently gathering all the required information to start the 2024 general
audit and the workers compensation audit.
16. Motion to accept police officer David
Judy’s resignation effective March 1st, 2025.
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Deabner
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
17. Motion
to hire Full time Public Works Laborer, Damien Stewart.
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
18. Motion to approve Holistic Essentials
Special Events application for April 4th, 2025
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Discussion: Manager Peticca stated that
Harmony Holistic is requesting use of the library lot for the Special Event
Permit to celebrate Harmony’s 1 year anniversary. Public Works will close the
lot at 2pm till the end of the event (8pm). Councilmember Cardiff asked if the
closing of the library lot would cause any disruption to the borough
office operations and garbage collection? Manager Peticca stated that the
library closes at 2pm, and the back parking lot could be used to conduct
business if needed, and the garbage is collected in the morning.
d. Vote: 7, 0
19. Motion to approve HET Corporation remove
and replace the sidewalk concrete for Cavitt Avenue parking lot in the amount
of $9,410.00
a. Motion: Councilmember Shoub
b. Second: Councilmember Deabner
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
20. Motion to advertise to change the June 3rd
Regular Council Meeting to June 10th due to the PSAB Hershey
training conference.
a. Motion: Councilmember Perovich
b. Second: Councilmember Dapra
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
21. Motion to approve the PA Fish and Boat
Commission to utilize Pavilion #2 free of charge for a free educational fishing
class for local Cub Scouts #201 on Thursday June 26th. Reservations will be made under Cub Master.
a. Motion: Councilmember Dapra
b. Second: Councilmember Deabner
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
22. New Business
· 2025 Street Paving and possible action
Manager
Peticca stated that Penn E&R did mention the street paving schedule in
their report. The borough is looking to place the project out for bid by next
month for estimates. The preliminary list of streets to pave are Catherine
Street, East Edgewood Ave, Edgewood Ave, Fourth Street to Second Street, a
piece of Second Street (Adrian to Brinton), and a section of Wallace Avenue
(curb to curb repair).
Councilmember
Deabner asked if the core sampling would need to be conducted before making a
motion.
Manager
Peticca stated the borough can still conduct the core sampling but for Penn E
& R to proceed with the preparation of the bid package we still need to
advertise.
** A motion is on
the floor to have Penn E&R advertise for 2025 Paving program bids. **
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: Councilmember Perovich
confirmed that the list of streets suggested were the streets recommended by
the borough manager. Manager Peticca stated that the list of streets for paving
was put together with the input of the borough engineer and the public works
foreman.
d. Vote: 7, 0
· Road crack sealing program and potential
action
Manager
Peticca stated that she has been gathering information/quotes from two
companies that provide road crack sealing equipment. This is a beneficial
service to have for preventative maintenance on the borough roadways. The first
quote was from Seal master: The equipment would be rented, and the cost covers the
machine, the materials needed, training of the machine along with delivery and
pick up for $2,975.00. The other company
that was contacted was double the price of Seal master. Manager Peticca stated
that after utilizing the equipment we could investigate the cost to possibly purchase
that equipment in the future.
Councilmember Perovich
asked when the last time the roads had been sealed. It was mentioned that Seal
master had brought this equipment to the borough in the past to provide a demonstration,
but the service was never conducted.
Councilmember Perovich
asked the borough manager if there are funds available in the budget for this
service. Manager Peticca confirmed that we have budgeted funds for that line
item for street repairs, and for the paving project. Manager Peticca stated
that the main focus is to get the borough roadways to a high-quality standard
and maintain them.
** A motion is on
the floor to approve the rental of the crack/seal device and material from Seal
master in the amount $2,975.00. **
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
· PA Small Water and Sewer Grant application
and possible action
Manager
Peticca stated that Penn E&R mentioned this in their report. This would be to
improve the drainage, stormwater and sewer line on Bluff Street. This grant
would allow the borough to complete the repairs for both stormwater and sewer.
The deadline to submit the application is April 30th. Manager
Peticca stated that Penn E & R would provide the scope of the project and
the estimates and that she would complete the and submit the grant application.
** A motion is on
the floor to have Penn E&R, and the Borough Manager apply for the PA Small
Water and Sewer Grant.
a. Motion: Councilmember Deabner
b. Second: Councilmember Shoub
c. Discussion: No discussion
d. Vote: 7, 0
23. Old Business – There was no old
business to discuss.
Adjournment
Respectfully
Submitted,
Nina Mulnix
Borough Secretary