City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting April 9, 2024 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room and was called to order on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00 PM by Council President, Sean Snowden. • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Michael Deelo, Roberta Good, Todd Hindman, Whitney Learn-Conjeski, Margaret McKean, Sean Snowden, and Amy Stettler. • Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Tom Hamilton, Chief of Police and Borough Manager Dan Madgar, Solicitor Garen Fedeles, Finance Manager Andy Kennedy, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Sprecker, Debbie Hindman, and Rebecca Phillips. • Absent: Alex Sebastian • Visitors in attendance (signed in): Jim Woolley and Robert Snider Approval of Minutes Motion by Ms. Good to accept the March 12, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes and March 26, 2024 Work Session Minutes. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report – • The March Treasurer’s report and police vehicle report was provided in the Council packet. Review invoices and authorization to pay bills Motion by Ms. Stettler to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Mr. Hindman. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation – None Council Committees Finance – No report April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Page 1 General Government – • Mural Request o Mr. Madgar – Explained that the request to put a mural on the brick wall located in front of 312 College Avenue. The brick wall is Beaver Borough property. A photo of the requested mural was presented to Council. o Mr. Sprecker – Stated that the business located at 312 College Avenue has requested to paint the mural. The proposed mural advertises for the requesting business.  Ms. Learn-Conjeski – Addressed concerns that if the business would move locations, the mural would need to be painted over.  Mr. Madgar – Would like to see the wall spruced up but is concerned if other businesses request to put advertisements on the wall as well. Asked Council to consider giving the requesting business the same amount of space that was granted to a previous business for a sign rather than a mural.  Mayor Hamilton – Explained that the wall was originally placed there during the Streetscape project to hide dumpsters and electrical boxes. Previous signage has damaged and discolored the wall. The brick wall was chosen to match the brick wall behind the flag pole on the corner of Third Street and College Avenue.  Ms. Stettler – Asked if some type of fee could be charged to those who wanted to advertise on the wall.  Mr. Snowden – Addressed concerns of the size of the proposed mural and that it would not match the original Streetscape plan.  Ms. McKean – Asked if the requesting business could make the proposed mural/signage smaller and have an agreement that it must be painted over if the business would move.  Mayor Hamilton – Addressed concerns that once the wall is painted once, it will always need painted and therefor no longer match the original Streetscape design. Mayor Hamilton suggested an awning that would designate the business.  Mr. Andres – Would prefer to see a mural promoting the community rather than an advertisement for one business.  Mr. Snowden – Asked Mr. Sprecker to speak with the business to present another idea, as there is no interest at this time to approve the current design but would consider alternative options. Highways – Reported by Mr. Madgar • The Borough Engineer has met with Youngblood Paving to review the upcoming paving project. Paving is expected to begin at the end of April pending weather. • A meeting with Columbia Gas has been scheduled in May to discuss any upcoming projects they have planned. Public Safety / Code Enforcement – • Mr. Hindman – Asked for an update on the reflective and adhesive material for the crosswalks. April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Page 2  o Mr. Madgar – The material has been ordered, will get an update as to when it will be delivered and installed and will report back. Recreation – • Ms. McKean – Reviewed meeting at the Waterlot. The area is being reviewed for future DAR Fort McIntosh chapter projects. Reports Manager/Secretary Report – Reported by Mr. Madgar • The Rochester Beaver bridge will be closed on Friday, April 19th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Detours will be in place. Heavy traffic is expected throughout Beaver. Social media alerts have been sent out. The Rochester Monaca bridge will have alternating traffic during this time. • Mr. Fedeles stated that the Rochester Monaca Bridge is expected to fully close in June 2024. • The tennis courts located at Shaw Park will be closed starting Monday, April 15th for resurfacing being completed by the Beaver Area School District. The tennis courts are expected to be closed through July 2024. • The renovations to the old pool house are ongoing. The majority of the inside is completed and drainage issues are being addressed in the back stage area. • A draft fee schedule for the renovated pool house was presented to Council. The draft fee schedule and an alcohol policy will be discussed at the April Work Session. Mayor Hamilton – • Recognized the Recreation Committee, Highway Department, and Borough Staff for the upgrades made to Bouquet Park. • Mr. Madgar recognized the Highway Department and Mike Ricci for their work to replace the park picnic tables. • Ms. Stettler addressed concerns of the dog waste being left in Linn Park. • Mr. Sprecker stated that he continues to monitor the area. • Ms. Stettler asked that more fines be issued and that a police officer sit at the park to monitor. Ms. Stettler also asked that additional cameras be considered in the area. • Mr. Madgar stated that dog waste bags will be ordered to be placed at the parks for those who may forget or need a bag. The Humane Society has been contacted to have their officers take extra passes by the parks and the Beaver Police officers has been notified to take passes by the parks as well. President’s Report – No report Police Department – No report Fire Department – No report April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Page 3 Emergency Management Coordinator – Reported by Mr. Madgar • The position of Emergency Management Coordinator is still open. Would like to explore with the Beaver County COG if there could be a partnership for multiple communities to share an Emergency Management Coordinator. • Solicitor Fedeles will look into this to see if this is a possibility. Borough Engineer – • March 2024 Borough Engineer report included in the Council packet. Solicitor Report – Reported by Mr. Fedeles • Records were received from the Train Station regarding their alcohol policy and correspondence with the PA Liquor Control Board to serve alcohol at their facility. After reviewing, it was determined that alcohol that is not being sold and is being served to those in attendance, does not require a permit. • Qualified entities can apply for a Special Occasion Permit to allow alcohol to be sold at an individual event. Special Occasion Permits would also need to be approved by Beaver Borough Council. This would be the responsibility of whoever is renting the facility. • Ultimately, Beaver Borough Council will need to decide if they want to permit alcohol on the property or not. If it is determined to be permitted, any licensing needed through the LCB would be at the responsibility of the individual renting the facility.  Mr. Hindman asked what liability could fall on Beaver Borough if something were to happen that involved alcohol. • Mr. Fedeles – Feels confident that the responsibility could not be put on Beaver Borough as no representatives would be serving the alcohol. A waiver has been drafted if alcohol is permitted to have the renter agree to. The Borough’s insurance carrier has also been notified that this is an option and they did not indicate any concerns.  Council will discuss an alcohol policy at the April Work Session. Motions 2024 Beaver County BOOM Sponsorship Motion by Ms. Learn-Conjeski, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the Silver Sponsorship at the rate of $1,250 in support of the 2024 Beaver County BOOM annual fireworks display. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. • Additional discussions regarding increasing this sponsorship amount for future years. Columbia Gas Aid to Construction Agreement Motion by Mr. Deelo, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the Columbia Gas Aid to Construction Agreement for $35,053.31 to provide gas service for the Borough’s Highway Garage and the Municipal Authority’s Water Treatment Plant. This cost is to be split with the Municipal Authority with each responsible for $17,526.65. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Page 4 Payment to Stefanik’s Next Generation Contracting Company Motion by Mr. Deelo, based on the Borough Engineer’s written recommendation, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve a partial payment of $13,650.77 to Stefanik’s Next Generation Contracting Company, invoice #24-0025-1 dated March 21, 2024 for the labor and equipment to repair the embankment failure between River Road and the railroad tracks opposite of Linn Park. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion by Ms. McKean to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m. Submitted by Rebecca Phillips April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Page 5