City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting May 8, 2018 Minutes  A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room and called to order on May 8, 2018 at 7:00PM by Council President, Sean Snowden.  Pledge of Allegiance  Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Michael Deelo, Chris King, Margaret McKean, Adam Rathbun (arrived at 7:25), Alex Sebastian, Sean Snowden, Jarrod Thomas. Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Tom Hamilton, Chief Dan Madgar and Solicitor Shannon Steele. Absent: Jim Perini  Visitors in attendance (signed in): Jim Woolley, Gisela Reichel, Rich Majors, Midge Sefton, John Barrett, Dan McKeel, Rick Sprecker, Aaron Cook Approval of minutes Ms. McKean – Correction needed on the April 10, 2018 meeting minutes in the Public Participation section; Mr. Deelo’s response to Mr. Bott should read “Homeowners are responsible for paving alleys”. Motion by Mr. Andres to accept the April 10, 2018 Council meeting minutes and the April 24, 2018 Working Session meeting minutes. Seconded by Ms. King. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report  April 2018 end of month reports and balances reviewed.  Mr. Deelo – this month the Municipal Authority will be paying off the incurred debt of the water meters purchase  Reports will be filed for annual audit Review invoice and authorization to pay bills Motion by Mr. Andres to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Ms. McKean. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation –  John Barrett, 294 East Second Street – Distributed a letter dated May 8, 2018 and August 3, 2017 to council members requesting councils assistance in getting a response from the Beaver Borough Municipal Authority. o Questioning if the Municipal Authority is legally allowed to mandate the residents pay for the installation of new water meters and if there were funds left over in the Municipal Authority reserve. o Mr. Barrett attended the May 2017 Municipal Authority meeting to express his concerns in which he did not receive a response from the Board. May 8, 2018 Page 1  o Mr. Barrett was contacted in December 2017 from the Municipal Authority Solicitor via phone with a proposal from the Municipal Authority which he stated he did not accept. The only acceptance will be not to pay for the meter or the installation. o Mr. Snowden – Requested the Borough Solicitor contact the Municipal Authority Solicitor to have a response letter to Mr. Barrett as soon as possible.  Rich Majors, 694 5th Street – o Sidewalks in the Business District are too crowded with restaurants having tables on them  Mr. Andres stated restaurants are to keep a 3’ throughway. Mr. Sprecker will stop by the restaurants reminding them of the ordinance. o Dogs are in the parks without leaches  Mr. Sprecker will remind the residents of the ordinance requiring dogs be on a leach  Joleen Vongray, 1185 7th Street – Stated even though they have a permit to build their garage, they were instructed to stop construction since an ordinance was not put into place. o Solicitor Steele –  Amendments to the ordinance passed by council in the past were not properly advertised nor did council legislate on it.  As of January 2018 she and her firm represent Beaver Borough. They have drafted the revised ordinance. The next step is for the Beaver County Planning Commission to review. They have 45 days to review then a public meeting will be scheduled.  Borough Engineer and Planning Commission have reviewed and removed some sections that require additional discussion and public participation.  Solicitor Fedeles spoke to the Vongray’s attorney and stated the foundation can be put in as long as the height of the structure does not exceed 22’ high.  Motion by Mr. Deelo to approve as pending legislation, the amendments to the Beaver Borough Zoning Ordinance as recommended by the Beaver Borough Planning Commission and reviewed by Engineer and Solicitor with the requisite review to be given to the Beaver County Planning Commission and proper advertisement and public hearing. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian.  Ms. McKean – Concerned with the process of not advertising and giving the neighbors an opportunity to address their concerns unless this situation is an exception. o Solicitor Steele – This was passed two years ago and was acted upon. This is not a comprehensive change to the ordinance. o Mr. Snowden – Vongray’s applied for the permit and was approved with the height of 22’.  Roll call vote: Mr. Thomas – Yes, Ms. McKean – Yes, Mr. Andres – Yes, Ms. King – Yes, Mr. Sebastian – Yes, Mr. Rathbun – Yes, Mr. Deelo – Yes, Mr. Snowden – Yes. Motion passed on the indicated roll call vote, 8-0.  Aaron Cook, 459 Commerce Street – o Crowded parking in the area. Asked for permit parking to be extended past Canal Street towards 5th Street  Mr. Madgar stated court house employees should be parking in the parking garage. Asked Mr. Cook if he could provide a couple license plates of cars that continue to park there during working hours. May 8, 2018 Page 2  o Some old street signs that were taken down, the posts are still in the ground causing a safety hazard.  Mr. Madgar stated he will look into the issue to have them removed. Mr. Snowden announced there will be an Executive Session regarding real estate and personnel. Motions are not expected after the Executive Session. Reports – Commissions / Authorities Council of Governments (COG) – No report Business District Authority – Inactive Civil Service Commission – Reported by Midge Sefton  Met today to review the six applications received of which all six met the standards o May 19, 2018 – Physical Agility test o June 5, 2018 - Written test Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) – No report Planning Commission – No report April 16, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet Tree Commission – No report  Mr. Madgar stated 8 trees in the Business District have been planted; Additional trees will be delivered through next week.  Ms. King asked if the sprinkler system could be tested in the Business District  Mr. Snowden and Ms. McKean – Arbor Day was a success. Appreciate the Shade Tree Commission, students that presented poems and drawings as well as all the volunteers for their hard work.  Mr. Thomas asked if a letter was mailed to the Shade Tree Commission regarding denials of removing trees. o Solicitor Steele – Yes, letter was mailed requesting copies of denials be mailed to council o Mr. Madgar – Once we receive a copy of the denial letter he and the Code Enforcement Officer will look into the situation o Mayor Hamilton- Appreciates all the volunteers on the Shade Tree Commission Code Enforcement Officer Report – Reported by Mr. Sprecker  April 2018 report enclosed in council packet  Some residents are unaware of the chicken ordinance Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) – No report  February 22, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet  Ms. McKean – Last meeting was held on April 26, 2018 regarding a Historic Preservation Plan for Beaver’s National Historic District. Considering guidelines for major renovations and new construction in the Historic District. May 8, 2018 Page 3 Municipal Authority – Reported by Mr. Rathbun April 18, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet Council Committee Reports Public Safety/Code Enforcement – No report Finance – No report Highway – No report Mr. Thomas stated since the Columbia Gas contract is completed, the sidewalk bid and paving bid can be prepared and advertised General Government – No report Mr. Deelo stated a citizen contacted him to set up a meeting regarding the possibility of organizing funding to have entertainment throughout the Business District, he will keep council informed. Code Enforcement – No report Recreation – No report  Mr. Thomas asked if there was any decision made regarding the possibility of a new basketball court and the upkeep of the volleyball courts in Shaw Park o Mr. Madgar stated the Dr. Guzetti was given the cost estimate of the basketball court in February. He will contact them to see if they have reviewed the proposal and report back to council. o Mr. Madgar will contact the school to see if they use the volleyball courts and if so, will discuss the maintenance of them. Reports Manager’s Report – Reported by Chief Madgar  Reviewed the March 2018 Managers report  Pipe ruptured in the police department, approximately 2” of water in the office and cell area. The insurance carrier was contacted.  Met with Vanport Municipal Authority regarding the salt shed. Our Engineer is completing the drawings to forward to our Solicitor to write up an agreement. Will keep council informed.  Mayor of Industry stated he would like to extend the current police contract ending in 2019 for another 5 years. o Pushed out until 2023 with $5,000 yearly increase ending at $208,000 which is equivalent to 4 mill of taxes o Industry and Vanport contracts generate approximately 7 mill of taxes o Mr. Thomas asked if $5,000 is enough of an increase and if a 5 year contract is standard or should it be a 2 year contract  Solicitor Steele – 5 year contract is standard, however there is a Pull Out clause with a 90 day written notice in the contract. May 8, 2018 Page 4  o In the last 14 years the Borough has raised taxes 6 mills generating $300,000. We estimate our costs going up approximately $80,000 to $100,000 a year. o Will discuss further during the work session  Betty Burk stated the new Beaver Life magazine is very nice, an asset to the community President’s Report – Reported by Sean Snowden Quay Park Committee – First meeting is scheduled for June 4th at 7:00PM. Three members of council are on the committee. Council authorized money for the study, the committee needs to see if money can be raised for the improvements. Mayor Hamilton – No report Police Chief Madgar – No report Fire Department – No report Emergency Management Coordinator – No report Borough Engineer – April 2018 monthly report enclosed in council packet Solicitor Report – Finalized the Columbia Gas contract for reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks. Commends Dan Martone for his time and technical aspects regarding the funds to be reimbursed to the borough. He also assisted her with the language in the agreement with is now ready to be signed. Old Business Motion – Spring Lane Sign Motion by Mr. Thomas that following the recommendation of the Planning Commission “Beaver Street” be added to the street sign at the northwest corner of Fifth Street and Spring Lane. Seconded by Ms. McKean. Voice vote passed unanimously. New Business Motion – Shade Tree Commission – Resignation Motion by Ms. King that Beaver Borough Council accept Frank Blaskowitz letter of resignation as a Shade Tree Commission member effective May 1, 2018. Seconded by Mr. Rathbun. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion – QuickBooks / intuit – Primary Contact Motion by Mr. Andres that Beaver Borough Council approve Debbie Hindman to be the Primary Contact for QuickBooks / intuit effective May 1, 2018. Seconded by Ms. McKean. Voice vote passed unanimously. May 8, 2018 Page 5 Motion – Highway Department promotions Motion by Mr. Thomas that Beaver Borough Council approve the promotions of Brian Grove, Brian Koslosky and Chris Trent to the level of Apprentice 1 effective May 1, 2018. Seconded by Ms. King. Voice vote passed unanimously. Mr. Snowden requested a moment of silence in the memory of Mrs. Patricia Colavincenzo. 8:47PM – 9:25PM Executive Session regarding real estate and personnel. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Andres. Seconded by Mr. Thomas. Voice vote passed unanimously Adjourned at 9:25PM Submitted by Debbie Hindman May 8, 2018 Page 6