City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting March 9, 2021 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held remotely on Zoom due to COVID- 19 social distancing restrictions. Meeting was called to order on March 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM by Council Vice President, Alex Andres. • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Frank Bovalino, Michael Deelo, Margaret McKean, Jim Perini, Adam Rathbun, and Alex Sebastian. Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Tom Hamilton, Solicitor Garen Fedeles, Borough Manager/Chief of Police Dan Madgar, Borough Secretary Debbie Hindman, Borough Engineer Dan Martone, Finance Manager Andy Kennedy, Officer Ken McCoy. Absent: Chris King, Sean Snowden • Visitors in attendance: Midge Sefton, Whitney Conjeski, Louis Constant, Charles Copeland, and Carole & Robert Snider Approval of minutes Ms. McKean requested a correction of minutes listed on page 2 of the February 23, 2021 Work Session minutes. Motion by Mr. Bovalino to accept the February 9, 2021 Council meeting minutes and the February 23, 2021 Work Session minutes as corrected. Seconded by Mr. Deelo. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report –  February 2021 end of month reports and balances reviewed.  Reports will be filed for annual audit. Motion by Ms. McKean to accept the February 2021 Treasurer’s Report as submitted. Seconded by Mr. Rathbun. Voice vote passed unanimously. Review invoice and authorization to pay bills Motion by Mr. Bovalino to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Mr. Deelo. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation –  Charles Copeland – 102 Windy Ghoul Drive  Attending as a member of the Heritage Foundation, on behalf of Ms. McKean and her motion on the agenda tonight for the Water-lot Project. Mr. Copeland stated that he cannot speak on behalf of the Heritage Foundation however, he believes the Foundation will back the program at their meeting next week. Will be giving her guidance, not financial support. Suggests the Borough should provide in-kind backing. March 9, 2021 Page 1 Reports – Commissions / Authorities Council of Governments (COG) – Reported by Mr. Andres  February 2021 minutes enclosed in council packet. Civil Service Commission – No report Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) – No report Planning Commission – Reported by Mr. Martone  February 15, 2021 draft minutes included in council packet.  Short-Term Rental Ordinance for Beaver Borough will be discussed at the next Work Session. Several Planning Commission members will be in attendance.  Mr. Perini asked to have the Planning Commission review the February 23, 2021 Work Session minutes, page 4 documented discussion prior to the next Work Session.  Quay Park – Plans on having the new sidewalks laid out to be installed by the Highway Department sometime this spring.  Stage design is being completed by Mr. Renninger  Mr. Madgar – Mr. O’Leary confirmed with the doners of Friends of Beaver Parks approved the paying for the construction of the stage, lighting, electrical, tree trimming, landscaping and other amenities with the $60,000-$70,000 already donated. Tree Commission –  Mr. Madgar – Reminder that council approved $5,000 for Mark Rohm to trim trees or remove trees, as approved by the Shade Tree Commission, that our Highway Department cannot reach. o Arbor Day is scheduled in April – following State and CDC guidelines. Code Enforcement Officer Report –  February 2021 report from Code Enforcement Officer enclosed in council packet. Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) – Reported by Mr. Deelo  Attended last HARB meeting regarding the recommendations the Historical Preservation Commission has for the Borough’s current Historic Preservation Ordinance. HARB will be presenting these changes to the Planning Commission then the Planning Commission will recommend changes to the Borough Council. Looking to expand the areas of interest to new construction and rehabilitation of residential and commercial. Municipal Authority – Reported by Mr. Deelo  Reviewed the February 17, 2021 meeting minutes enclosed in council packet.  Disinfectant system will be changed during the first quarter of this year from chlorine gas to sodium hypochlorite. March 9, 2021 Page 2 Council Committee Reports Shaw Park/Pool –  Mr. Andres – Would like to keep the Pool Committee together and add a Financial Exploratory Committee. o Mr. Rathbun – The Borough does not have the resources to fund this project, it will take community fundraising efforts and grant options to complete the project. Estimated 3-4 years at the minimum. Suggests this conversation be continued at the next Work Session. Public Safety / Code Enforcement – No report Finance – Reported by Mr. Perini  Mr. Perini asked Solicitor Fedeles who he can talk to regarding the understanding of what property owners can expect after the reassessment.  Solicitor Fedeles stated the County plans to gather the data, come up with an assessed value for each parcel throughout the county then hold seminars and work sessions to give the public an overview of the process and what to expect. Everyone will receive a proposed assessment in the spring of 2022. At that time, if the property owner has any questions, they’ll be able to contact the County to explain the value of their assessed property. The taxed assessed values are then scheduled for 2023. Highways –  Mr. Martone –Youngblood Paving will be completing the professional patch work on 4th Street next week then professional patches will start on College Avenue and River Road. Mid to late April will mill or overlay 4th Street.  Mayor Hamilton – Reached out to Representative Kahl to repair state road in front of Wendy’s and on Market Street between 4th and 7th Street. General Government –  Mr. Andres – Suggests to revisit the 5-year plan with a rough outline of what projects to prioritize and what projects can wait until later. Recreation – No report Reports Manager’s/Police Report – Reported by Mr. Madgar  Reviewed Borough Manager report provided in council packet.  Meeting with a representative of the Beaver County Waste who also works with DEP o Still waiting on the DEP 902 Recycling Grant in the amount of $101,250 for the leaf machine and recycling bins. March 9, 2021 Page 3  o Not eligible for any other grants until next year. However, meeting with the representative to make sure we are meeting DEP guidelines regarding the new recycling area, we can track our expenses (concrete, dividers, signage, etc.) and submit for reimbursement. o Clock Tower – Need to repair and add possible enhancements for speakers for public service announcements, music, etc. Chamber of Commerce stated they may be interested in supporting the effort as well. President’s Report – Reported by Mr. Andres  Read a statement from President Snowden regarding the Water-lot Project motion on the agenda: o My suggestion would be for counsel to at the very least table this discussion until we have more clarification to whether or not the Heritage Foundation is will to pay this and or what is the overall goal with the water lot. We are basically being asked to vote on a blank check where we will fill in the amount at a later date. With the current financial situation the borough is facing, I do not believe that we should be spending money in this manner. Mayor Hamilton – Reported under the Highway Department section Fire Department –  Solicitor Fedeles and Mr. Madgar stated a meeting with Fire Chief Grosskopf and Municipal Authority will be in the near future regarding the location of the Fire Departments training locations. Emergency Management Coordinator – Reported by Mr. Perini  Will not have the normal June exercise due to COVID-19. Borough Engineer and Borough Municipal Authority Engineer –  Borough Engineer February 2021 report included in packet.  Municipal Authority Engineer mid-January 2021 through mid-February 2021 report included in packet. Solicitor Report – No report Motions Ms. McKean – Background of the motions - The Borough will not pay for anything outright except for in- kind assistance if full grant funding is provided – she’ll be seeking grants to cover the costs as outline in the Markosky proposal. Asking the Borough agree that the Heritage Foundation front the request grant funding which is a 501C3. Ms. Roberta Good will raise this proposal at their board meeting to send the request to the Allegheny Foundation. Assuming we do get grant money, she is requesting the Borough cover in-kind cost in regards to the repair of the reservoir structure and the reconstruction of the spring house behind it. Not asking for direct funds. March 9, 2021 Page 4 Motion – Water-lot Project Motion by Ms. McKean, I move that Beaver Borough Council support the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation’s willingness to seek grant funding for the Water-lot Project, as proposed by the Markovsky Engineering Firm. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Discussion:  Ms. McKean – Restoration cost may not be that much as listed in the proposal.  Solicitor Fedeles – Study is a professional service – does not have to go out to bid. Depending on the cost of the work – that may need to go out to bid.  Mr. Sebastian – No money will be spent until possibly after the study is done. o Ms. McKean – If she cannot get any grants, she’ll come back to council stating that she wants to submit as a Keystone Grant and needs 50% of the money. In the time being she’ll try to locate grant money.  Mr. Martone – Feasibility study in three components to do an evaluation seems excessive. He spoke to Brighton Township regarding the hill erosion.  Ms. McKean – Spring House and Reservoir are what needs to be restored. Hillside erosion and stormwater drainage can be looked at in the future.  Mayor Hamilton – In favor of preserving the water-lot and putting in signage, however, concerned this project is excessive.  Ms. McKean - The 501C3 is just to solicit grants. Roll call vote: Mr. Sebastian – Yes, Mr. Bovalino – No, Mr. Andres – No, Ms. McKean – Yes, Mr. Deelo – Yes, Mr. Perini – Yes, Mr. Rathbun – Yes. Motion passed on the indicated roll call vote: 5-2. Motion – Borough assistance for Water-lot Project Motion by Ms. McKean, Assuming full grant funding is awarded for the Reservoir and Spring House components for the Water-lot Project, I move that Beaver Borough Council agree to provide in-kind (e.g., labor, materials, equipment) Borough resources for these components. Seconded by Mr. Perini. Discussion:  Mr. Madgar – What amount of work is being requested and how much time? What is the scope of work?  Ms. McKean – Need to fix crack in ceiling of reservoir, remove vegetation on top, masonry in back, reconstructing Spring House and remove soil cover from stone. If more complicated, then they need to think about different funding. o Mr. Martone – Structural analysis will be part of the study  Mr. Rathbun – Recommend tabling until we know the borough cost  Ms. McKean – This is needed to put in the body of the grant that the borough will provide in- kind contribution to help support the grant funding.  Mr. Madgar – Turnaround time? March 9, 2021 Page 5  o Ms. McKean – Would like to have completed this year  Solicitor Fedeles – Concerned with obligating employees, motion should be amended Amended motion: Motion by Ms. McKean, Assuming full grant funding is awarded for the reservoir and spring house components for the water lot project, I move that Beaver Borough Council agree to provide in-kind (e.g., labor, materials, equipment) Borough resources for these components. The resources provided by the Borough workers would be consistent with what Borough workers can perform and subject to their availability at the Manager’s discretion. Seconded by Mr. Perini. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Deelo. Seconded by Mr. Perini. Voice vote passed unanimously. Adjourned at 9:03 PM Submitted by Debbie Hindman March 9, 2021 Page 6