City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting November 13, 2018 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room and called to order on November 13, 2018 at 7:00PM by Council Vice-President, Alex Andres. • Pledge of Allegiance • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Michael Deelo, Chris King, Margaret McKean, Adam Rathbun, Alex Sebastian, Jarrod Thomas. Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Tom Hamilton, Chief Dan Madgar and Solicitor Garen Fedeles. Absent: Jim Perini, Sean Snowden • Visitors in attendance (signed in): Judy Cashdollar, Cheryl Hansen, Midge Sefton, Dan Martone, Charles Casbourne, Emily Riba, Rick Sprecker, Robert Rice and Tommi Wagner. Approval of minutes Motion by Mr. Thomas to accept the October 9, 2018 Council Meeting minutes and the October 23, 2018 Working Session meeting minutes. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report • October 2018 end of month reports and balances reviewed • Finance Manager’s 2019 reports enclosed in council packet • Reports will be filed for annual audit Review invoice and authorization to pay bills Motion by Mr. Sebastian to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Mr. Thomas. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation –  Judith Cashdollar, 899 7th Street o Brought to the council’s attention that the slide at the pool had not yet been covered for the winter.  Emily Riba, 382 Laura Street o Asked for an update regarding the construction on Laura Street.  Chief Madgar apologized for the delay of construction, it was due to some setbacks from the construction company and out of the borough’s control. o Requested an impact study to be done for future construction projects. o Ms. Riba shared concerns of the health and safety of residents on Laura Street. o Ms. Riba asked council to extend the 0% interest offer as a courtesy to the residents on Laura Street.  Chief Madgar expressed that council is currently only offering 0% no interest for the first 12 months and any suggestions would be considered and discussed by council. November 13, 2018 Page 1  o Ms. Riba thanked Mayor Hamilton and the police department for their prompt response to her calls.  Charlie Lee, 384 Laura Street o Asked that the borough give more updates to residents regarding the construction on Laura Street. o Asked the borough if residents would receive an itemized bill regarding the sidewalks on Laura Street.  Mr. Martone informed Mr. Lee that the borough will not have the invoices in until the project is completed. The invoices will include what the street cost is, what Columbia Gas is paying, and what the resident is responsible for. o Mr. Lee asked if the Columbia Gas delay would increase the cost of the paving bid.  Mr. Martone explained that it would not affect the cost of the bid. o Mr. Lee asked council why Laura Street was not done in sections, rather than doing the entire street at once.  Mr. Martone explained that it was more efficient and cost effective to do the entire street. o Mr. Lee asked council if street sweeping could occur during the day instead of at night.  Chief Madgar stated that the idea has been previously considered but due to the amount of traffic in town during the day, it is more affective to street sweep at night. o Mr. Lee asked council if a quieter street sweeper could be budgeted.  Chief Madgar said that council could consider budgeting for new equipment. Reports – Commissions / Authorities Council of Governments (COG) – Reported by Mr. Andres • October 25, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet. • Ms. McKean addressed the increased railroad traffic through Beaver and questioned who is responsible within the county to inspect railroad tracks and bridges to make sure they are safe.  Solicitor Fedeles suggested that Ms. McKean reach out to PennDot with any questions regarding the railroad tracks and bridges. Civil Service Commission – Reported by Ms. Sefton • September 24, 2018 and October 15, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet. • Mr. Andres thanked the Civil Service Commission for their efforts on behalf of council. • Mr. Deelo asked Solicitor Fedeles and Vice-President Alex Andres if the elected solicitor for the Civil Service Commission is required to have borough council approval.  Solicitor Fedeles explained that because the elected solicitor for the Civil Service Commission does not require any monetary compensation, approval from council is not required. Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) – Reported by Mr. Martone • Zoning Hearing Board will meet on December 3, 2018 at 7:00PM for a variance request from Mark Essey. Variance request is to place a rear addition onto the building located at 342 Dravo Avenue in the SC zoning district. November 13, 2018 Page 2 Planning Commission – Reported by Mr. Martone  October 15, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet. Tree Commission –  August 27, 2018 and October 1, 2018 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet Code Enforcement Officer Report – No report Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) – Reported by Mr. Rice • Canceled the HARB October/November meeting. • Next HARB Meeting will be December 12, 2018 Municipal Authority – Reported by Mr. Deelo • October 15, 2018 Borough Engineer report and October 17, 2018 Municipal Authority meeting minutes enclosed in council packet Council Committee Reports Public Safety/Code Enforcement – No report Finance – No report Highway – Reported by Mr. Thomas  The Highway Committee directed the Borough Engineer to revise and correct letters sent to residents on Laura and Park Streets regarding payments towards the sidewalk restoration project. General Government – Reported by Mr. Deelo  Beaver Borough 5 Year Strategic Plan dated November 8, 2018 enclosed in council packet. Recreation – No report Reports Manager’s/Police Report – Reported by Chief Madgar • Reviewed the October 2018 Managers report enclosed in council packet. • A resident, who would like to remain anonymous, donated $35,000 to the borough for the installment of intersection cameras and License Plate Recognition cameras (LPR). The cameras should be installed by January 2019. • Borough Engineer report dated November 12, 2018 regarding the review of Borough Building HVAC and Fire Station roof replacement proposals enclosed in council packet. President’s Report – No report Mayor Hamilton – • Stated how important it was for the town to have the intersection cameras put in place. November 13, 2018 Page 3 Fire Department – No report Emergency Management Coordinator – No report Borough Engineer – Reported by Mr. Martone  October 2018 Borough Engineer monthly report enclosed in council packet  Mr. Thomas asked when the borough would be billing Columbia Gas. o Mr. Martone explained that they may submit a reimbursement invoice to Columbia Gas after an administrative invoice is discussed. Mr. Martone expects to submit the invoice the following week.  Mr. Thomas asked if Columbia Gas’s reimbursement would be received in 2018 or 2019. o Mr. Martone stated that the invoice requires the invoice to be paid within 30 days. Solicitor Report – No report Old Business Motion – Impound Lot Ordinance for Police Department Motion by Mr. Sebastian that Beaver Borough Council authorize the Solicitor to advertise the attached Ordinance establishing an impound lot for the Beaver Borough Police Department and establishing regulations and fees for vehicle storage. Seconded by Ms. McKean. Voice vote passed unanimously. • Mr. Thomas asked where the impound lot would be located. • Chief Madgar stated the location will be at the Georgetown Lane property Motion – Medical Marijuana Zoning Provisions Motion by Mr. Sebastian that Beaver Borough Council refer the pending ordinance regarding medical marijuana in the Gateway Commercial West (GCW) district to the Beaver County Planning Commission and the Beaver Borough Planning Commission for review. Seconded by Ms. King. Voice vote passed unanimously. • Solicitor Fedeles explained that this makes the dispensary and growing process a conditional use in the Gateway Commercial West District. Conditions and definitions would be added to the ordinance. This is another step in the formal process to make this an ordinance. Motion – Street Performances Ordinance Motion by Mr. Sebastian that Beaver Borough Council authorize the Solicitor to advertise the attached Ordinance establishing regulations for Street Performances in Beaver Borough. Seconded by Ms. King. Motion tabled. • Mr. Thomas questioned the $25 permit fee, Mr. Andres agreed he thought it was too much. • Chief Madgar explained that if the permit was returned, the $25 permit fee would be refunded. • Ms. McKean suggested that the permit be issued for a long period of time. November 13, 2018 Page 4  • Chief Madgar explained that the permit fee was to have some sort of control of what performances were taking place in town. • Solicitor Fedeles stated that the fee could be lowered if desired by council. • Mayor Hamilton agreed with keeping control of performances but does not want to discourage anyone from performing in town. • Chief Madgar questioned what would happen if someone wanted to obtain a permit on the weekend. • Mr. Andres questioned if performances would need to be obtained during special events, Light up Night etc. Motion by Mr. Thomas that Beaver Borough Council table the Street Performance Ordinance to discuss further at the next Work Session. Seconded by Mr. Rathbun. Voice vote passed unanimously. New Business Motion – Tax Increase of 3 Mills Motion was not made Motion – Tax Increase of 2 Mills Motion by Mr. Mr. Deelo that Beaver Borough Council move forward with an ordinance to approve a tax increase from 24 mills to 26 mills effective January 1, 2019. Seconded by Mr. Rathbun.  Chief Madgar read statements on behalf of Mr. Snowden and Mr. Perini that explained they are both in favor of a 3 mill increase for 2019.  Ms. McKean asked if council voted for a 3 mill increase, could 1 mill be designated for capital improvement to be transparent with tax payers on what council’s plan was. o Mr. Kennedy explained that categories could be used but a time limit would also need to be set with it.  Mr. Rathbun stated his concern of raising taxes higher than needed without a plan already in place. Mr. Rathbun explained that he would rather have a plan in place to justify raising taxes 3 mills. He also stated that he believes it would be easier for residents to plan for a 2 mill increase and then a 1 mill increase if needed the following year instead of all at once.  Mr. Deelo and Mr. Thomas agreed with Mr. Rathbun’s statements and are in favor of a 2 mill increase.  Mr. Andres shared his concerns of not having a plan for a 3 mill increase but also his concerns of having to raise taxes again the following year.  Mr. Kennedy predicted that the borough would need to raise taxes again within the next few years if council voted for a 2 mill increase.  Mr. Deelo explained that the borough is able to go get funding whenever needed due to its good credit ratings. November 13, 2018 Page 5   Mayor Hamilton explained that he saw benefits to both a 2 mill and 3 mill raise but ultimately believes council should vote for a 3 mill raise because 2 mills would only break the borough even. The Mayor does not want to see any services cut from the residents.  Ms. King agreed with the Mayor’s statements and believes a 3 mill increase would be justified, considering it has been so long since the taxes have been raised.  Mr. Sebastian stated that he agreed with Mr. Rathbun, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Deelo for a 2 mill increase.  Chief Madgar and Ms. King suggested a motion for a 2.5 mill increase.  Ms. McKean agreed with Mr. Andres that the borough has not done an ideal job of forward planning. Ms. McKean stated that many situations come up unexpectedly within the borough and there is nothing set aside in the budget for those unknown costs next year. Unexpected costs for the rental registration, hiring another person etc., are not currently budgeted. She agreed that 2 mills would break the borough even but the borough needs to consider if they want to go to the bank when unexpected funds are needed and then pay interest on those funds. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Thomas – Yes, Ms. McKean – No, Mr. Andres – Yes, Ms. King – No, Mr. Sebastian – Yes, Mr. Rathbun – Yes, Mr. Deelo – Yes. Motion passed on the indicated roll call vote, 5-2. Motion – 2019 Preliminary Budget Motion by Mr. Thomas for Beaver Borough Council authorize the Solicitor to advertise the 2019 Preliminary Budget to include a 2 mill tax increase to be adopted at the December 11, 2018 council meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously.  Mr. Kennedy, Finance Manager, will adjust the property tax by $115,208 Motion – Civil Service Rules and Regulations Motion by Mr. Sebastian that Beaver Borough Council approve the revised Civil Service Rules and Regulations related to Section 3.08 – Rejection of Applicant adding “or abusing alcohol” to 3.08c to read as: “Illegally using a controlled substance, as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substance Act (Public Law 91-513, 12 U.S.C. § 802), or abusing alcohol”. Seconded by Ms. McKean. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion – HVAC replacement for the Beaver Borough building Motion by Mr. Thomas, based upon the recommendation of the Borough Engineer, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the submitted proposal by Air Systems Mechanical, Inc. in the amount of $34,478 to replace the HVAC equipment at the Beaver Borough building in accordance with the proposal specifications. This recommendation is conditional upon review by the Borough Solicitor. Seconded by Mr. Deelo. Voice vote passed unanimously. November 13, 2018 Page 6 Motion – Roof replacement for the Beaver Borough Fire Station Motion by Mr. Rathbun, based upon the recommendation of the Borough Engineer, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the submitted proposal by Brad Burns General Contracting for Option 2 (Owens Corning Duration shingle) in the amount of $48,380 to replace the Fire Station building roof in accordance with the proposal specifications. This recommendation is conditional upon Brad Burns issuance of a signed bid quote for option 2 and upon more thoroughly reviewing and potentially improving the ventilation of the Fire Station building roof. Additionally, this recommendation is conditioned upon review by the Borough Solicitor. Seconded by Mr. Deelo. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Deelo. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Adjourned at 8:45PM Submitted by Rebecca Roberts November 13, 2018 Page 7