City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting March 14, 2023 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room and was called to order on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM by Council President, Alexander Andres. • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Michael Deelo, Roberta Good, Whitney Learn- Conjeski, Margaret McKean, Jim Perini, Alex Sebastian, Sean Snowden, and Amy Stettler. • Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Thomas Hamilton, Chief of Police and Borough Manager Dan Madgar, Borough Solicitor Garen Fedeles, Borough Engineer Dan Martone, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Sprecker, Debbie Hindman, and Rebecca Phillips. • Absent: None. • Visitors in attendance (signed in): Steve McGrew, Robert Snider, Elaine Savoldi, Cheryl Hansen, Marilyn Vogel, Jim Todd, Chuck Copeland, and Jim Woolley. Approval of Minutes Motion by Ms. Good to accept the Council Meeting Minutes of February 14, 2023 and Work Session Minutes of February 28, 2023. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. • Ms. McKean requested that her comments made under Public Safety/Code Enforcement at the February 14, 2023 Council Meeting include her safety concerns of the crosswalk near SS Peter & Paul Church on Third Street. Treasurer’s Report – • February 2023 Financial Report included in the Council Packet. Motion by Ms. McKean to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Review invoices and authorization to pay bills Motion by Mr. Snowden to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Ms. Learn- Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation • None Planning Commission Recommendation of changes to Chapter 27 Zoning – Presented by Mr. Martone • Self-Storage/Truck Terminal/Warehouse/Accessory Parking • Home Based Businesses • Day Care/Homes March 14, 2023 Council Meeting Page 1 Reports – Commissions / Authorities Council of Governments (COG) – Reported by Mr. Andres • Reviewed presentation from Terri Cunkle of DCED. • Reviewed train derailment in East Palestine. o Mr. Snowden – Encouraged residents to contact their local legislative representatives so their voices and concerns are being heard. o Mr. Fedeles – A Community Open House will be held on March 16, 2023 from 6pm-8pm in Darlington. Representatives from Beaver County, Department of Agriculture, EPA, PEMA and others will be attending to answer questions from residents.  Ms. Good – Requested that this information be posted to the Borough’s social media. Civil Service Commission – Reported by Mr. Todd • The ad to request applications was advertised on February 21, 2023 and applications will be accepted until March 27, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. • The next meeting will be held on March 27, 2023 Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) – Reported by Mr. Martone • A Zoning Hearing has been scheduled for March 20, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. to review a request for a variance from the minimum rear yard setback distance to place a rear garage attached to a proposed dwelling on a vacant lot located at 723 Second Street. Planning Commission – Reported by Mr. Martone • Next meeting will be held on March 20, 2023. The Planning Commission is open to suggestions of new projects for the Planning Commission to look into. Tree Commission – No report Code Enforcement Officer Report – • February 2023 Code Enforcement Officer’s report included in the Council Packet Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) – Reported by Mr. McGrew • Thanked Solicitor Fedeles for his assistance through the drafting process of their proposed ordinance. • Ms. Savoldi reported that on March 2, 2023 HARB voted to recommend Laura Wingard to be appointed to HARB to fill the current vacant position. Ms. Savoldi reviewed Ms. Wingard’s qualifications to Council encouraging approval of Ms. Wingard’s appointment. o A motion will be placed on the March 28, 2023 Work Session agenda to appoint Ms. Wingard to the HARB. March 14, 2023 Council Meeting Page 2 Municipal Authority – Reported by Mr. Deelo • Meeting minutes from February 7, 2023 and February 15, 2023 included in the Council packet. • The Municipal Authority Engineer’s report was distributed to Council at the meeting. • Reviewed the motion on the agenda to draft an ordinance that would regulate grease disposal in the business district. Mr. Deelo discussed the need for these regulations to protect the infrastructure of the Municipal Authority. • Reviewed the Municipal Authority’s regulations on chloride set by PaDEP. The Municipal Authority has not been meeting these limits and are exploring different options to manage the situation. o Mr. Martone explained that this is not a health hazard and PaDEP is aware of the situation and the Municipal Authority continues to work with PaDEP. • Mr. Deelo notified Council that the Municipal Authority is exploring water supply options with Beaver Falls. Nothing has been determined as they have only begun preliminary discussions. Mr. Deelo will continue to keep Council updated. • Mr. Martone reviewed agreements with different communities to supply water to residents in case of an emergency. Pool Committee – Reported by Mr. Andres • Reviewed structure of committee and fundraising structure options. • Ms. Stettler – Was asked by a resident if the fundraiser on the Pool Committee was being compensated. o Mr. Andres stated that Dan Reed, the fundraiser was donating his time to the Pool Committee’s efforts. Council Committees Finance – Reported by Mr. Perini • Briefly reviewed the Treasurer’s report and notified Council that low account balances are normal at this time of year and tax revenue should start to come in the next month or two. General Government – No report Highways – Reported by Mr. Madgar • Continuing to work with Columbia Gas and expecting to have the first paving bid out within the next few weeks. • Ms. Stettler thanked the Borough’s Highway Department for laying topsoil along River Road Extension to level the new widened area of the road. • Mr. Andres recognized the Highway Department for clearing the roads quickly during the recent snow. Public Safety / Code Enforcement – No report Recreation – No report March 14, 2023 Council Meeting Page 3 Reports Manager/Secretary Report – Reported by Mr. Madgar • An amendment to the agenda is being requested to add an additional motion to approve final payment to Jet Jack, Inc for the completion of the 2018 Curb and Sidewalk Replacement project. The Borough office was notified that morning that final payment was being requested. • Liquid Fuels payment of $136,438.29 was deposited on March 1, 2023. • Addressed concerns of the low amount of police applications picked up and returned. Reviewed surrounding areas that are also hiring and their starting salary. • Continuing to work with Beaver Area School District to extend current the School Resource Officer agreement. Mayor Hamilton – No report President’s Report – Reported by Mr. Andres • Reviewed the completion of the Church Tour and recognized the vibrant religious community within Beaver Borough. • Thanked the Police Department on behalf of the Fort McIntosh Club for their assistance during their St. Practice Day. Police Department – No report Fire Department – Reported by Mr. Perini • Reviewed February 2023 Fire Department report included in the Council Packet Emergency Management Coordinator – No report Borough Engineer – Reported by Mr. Martone • February 2023 report included in the Council Packet. • Ms. Stettler gave update of status of the old bathhouse renovations. Regular meetings are being scheduled and will continue to update Council. • Waiting on a response from Norfolk Southern regarding the agreement changes to complete work on the side of River Road to repair a damaged stormwater drain near Linn Park. Solicitor Report – Reported by Mr. Fedeles • Reviewed status of the Beaver County Property Reassessment. Letters will be mailed to residents next week with a tentative property value. Residents will have the opportunity to ask for a review/appeal the tentative value. Questions should be directed to the Beaver County Assessment office. March 14, 2023 Council Meeting Page 4 Motions Amendment to Agenda Motion by Mr. Snowden, I move that Beaver Borough Council amend the current agenda to add a motion of final payment to Jet Jack, Inc. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. Final Payment to Jet Jack, Inc. Motion by Ms. Good, per the attached recommendation of the Borough Engineer dated March 14, 2023, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve final payment to Jet Jack, Inc. in the amount of $17,973.75 for the completion of the 2018 Curb and Sidewalk Replacement Project. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. • Ms. Stettler – asked if this would be a new expenditure to the current budget • Mr. Fedeles – these funds have been held as a retainer until the project was completed Resignation of Emergency Management Coordinator Motion by Ms. Good, based on the attached letter, I move that Beaver Borough Council accept the resignation of Dave Meers as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Beaver Borough effective February 9, 2023. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Appointment of Emergency Management Coordinator Motion by Mr. Sebastian, I move that Beaver Borough Council appoint James Perini as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Beaver Borough effective immediately. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. Authorization to Draft Ordinance for Inspection and Maintenance of Grease Traps Motion by Mr. Deelo, following the recommendation from the Beaver Borough Municipal Authority, I move that Beaver Borough Council authorize the solicitor to draft an ordinance for inspection and maintenance of grease traps. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Donation of Equipment Motion by Ms. Learn-Conjeski, I move that Beaver Borough Council accept the donation of the attached list of equipment from Hometown Happenings. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion to adjourn the meeting into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations by Mr. Sebastian. Seconded by Mr. Perini. Voice vote passed unanimously. Meeting entered into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. Executive Session ended at 8:42 p.m. Submitted by Rebecca Phillips March 14, 2023 Council Meeting Page 5