City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting May 14, 2024 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room and was called to order on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00 PM by Council President, Sean Snowden. • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Roberta Good, Todd Hindman, Whitney Learn- Conjeski, Margaret McKean, Alex Sebastian, and Sean Snowden. • Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Tom Hamilton, Chief of Police and Borough Manager Dan Madgar, Solicitor Garen Fedeles, Sergeant Ken McCoy, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Sprecker, Debbie Hindman, and Rebecca Phillips. • Absent: Michael Deelo and Amy Stettler • Visitors in attendance (signed in): Jim Woolley, Robert Snider, Dawna and Dennis Bott, Midge Sefton, Ellen Kretchmar, and Cheryl Hansen. Approval of Minutes Motion by Ms. Learn-Conjeski to accept the April 9, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report – • The April Treasurer’s report was provided in the Council packet. Review invoices and authorization to pay bills Motion by Ms. Good to authorize and pay submitted invoices for the Borough. Seconded by Ms. Learn- Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation – • Dennis Bott, 640 5th Street o Addressed concerns with a residence that has high grass. Provided photos of the property that is not compliant with the Borough code. The information was given to the Code Enforcement Officer to address the issue. o Asked if gravel can be added to Harlem Lane to even out the roadway. Mr. Madgar stated that this area would be given to the Road Department to address the issue. • Jim Woolley o Thanked Council for the improvements and ongoing work being completed at Bouquet Park. • Ellen Kretchmar, Ward 2 May 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 1  o Asked how many grants have been submitted this year. Mr. Snowden stated that this information was not readily available to answer but the Borough and Police Department are always looking for grants that would be a good fit for the community. o Asked Council if money has been set aside to complete projects in 2025. Mr. Snowden stated that budget discussions have not begun for 2025 at this time. o Asked why a police report is not provided to the public, similar to Brighton Township. o Asked if any plans were being made for the Borough building. Mr. Snowden stated that there are not discussions regarding the Borough building at this time. • Ms. Good and Ms. Sefton recognized National Police Week and thanked the Police Department for their work to keep the community safe. Sergeant McCoy stated that the Police Memorial Ceremony would be held Thursday and Friday this week to honor and recognize the Police in Beaver County. Council Committees Finance – Reported by Mr. Madgar • Review of the hill side repair continue with the Finance Committee and how it will affect the budget later this year. • Capital Fund is low and a strategic plan will be needed moving forward to build the reserves back up to cover any unexpected costs in the future. The low Capital Fund is likely the result of taxes not being raised for many years. • Ms. McKean asked that an update be given on how much has been used of the loan received to complete the Pool House renovations. • Mr. Hindman asked for an update on the Festival Funds account and if the funds had been redesignated. o Mr. Madgar stated that the funds were originally raised for parks and recreation. The funds could be moved to the General Fund and used for recreation expenses. Discussions can continue at a future Work Session. General Government – • Ms. McKean asked for an update on the Beaver Life Magazine and if Beaver Borough needs to look for another vendor to produce the magazine. o Mr. Madgar has been in contact with Pacer Studios for an update on the Spring mailing date. The issue should have gone out almost two months ago. Moving forward, the Borough will only have two magazines per year to ensure there are more articles focused on Beaver Borough. The Borough office is still waiting on a response of an updated mail date for the Spring magazine. Will continue to keep Council updated. Highways – Reported by Mr. Madgar • Ms. Learn-Conjeski complemented the ongoing paving work in town. • The paving that is happening now is carryover from 2023. Half of the paving to be done this year will be completed in the next few weeks, then after Columbia Gas completes some ramp and sidewalk work, the second and final half will be completed. May 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 2 • Gave update of most recent Columbia Gas meeting. Columbia Gas reviewed potential work to begin at the end of 2024 and into 2025. Public Safety / Code Enforcement – • No report Recreation – • Reviewed a draft fee schedule for rentals of the Pool House building. • Ms. McKean asked that the Clark Park signage be added at the Clark Park Memorial and asked when the existing plaque that was damaged would be repaired. Ms. McKean also suggested lower maintenance plants be put around the memorial. o Mr. Madgar stated that the signage will be installed once the light pole is placed. The damaged plaque will be repaired once proper surveillance of the area is installed. o Ms. McKean addressed concerns of the roof of the memorial leaking. Asked that this be looked into. o Mr. Andres complimented the renovations to Clark Park with the new lighting and trees. • Signage options for the renovated Pool House building will be reviewed at the next Work Session. Reports Manager/Secretary Report – Reported by Mr. Madgar • The hill-side Spring Clean-Up will be held on Saturday, May 18th. • The 2023 audit was completed. • Beaver Borough received $50,000 from the Beaver County Recreation & Tourism Grant for the Pool House building renovations. • Received second and final Beaver County ARP Grant reimbursement payment in the amount of $99,494.34 for the repairs on the River Road hill side. • Pet waste bag dispensers have been installed at all playgrounds, the central parks, and the pavilion at Shaw Park. • Beaver Borough has applied for the Pennsylvania Parks Fund Grant in the amount of $50,000 for improvements to Linn Park. There is no match required for this grant if it is awarded. • Beaver Borough was contacted by PennDot for a maintenance agreement to replace ADA ramps along Market Street. This agreement makes Beaver Borough responsible for $42,626 toward the project. This will need to be budgeted for 2025. • Reviewed draft signage provided in the Council Packet. This sign would be a partnership with the Beaver Area School District to replace the current signage at the corner of 5th and Buffalo Streets. Beaver Area School District facilities and the renovated pool house building would be advertised on the sign. The top portion of the sign is proposed to be digital and will not impact nearby residential property. • Business provided a second draft of a mural to be placed along College Avenue for Council’s review. This will be discussed further at the next Work Session. May 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 3 • The Borough has received letters from the Beaver Police Association and the Beaver Municipal Employees association to begin contract negotiations. • Reviewed the motion on the agenda to appoint a new Emergency Management Coordinator. Chief Meers of the Fire Department recommended Mr. Kowalski for the position and reviewed his qualifications. • Detective Jim Degori will be receiving the Special Victim Award from the District Attorney’s Office at the Police Memorial this week for his work, arrests, and prosecution of multiple cases. • Reviewed email provided in the Council Packet from Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School asking for speed bumps to be considered in front of the school. This will be reviewed further at the upcoming Work Session. • A request was submitted to PennDot from Beaver Borough to conduct a study at the intersection at 5th Street and Market Street/Dutch Ridge Road. Results of the study are expected in 8 to 12 weeks. • Reviewed conference call with engineering company to review traffic and pedestrian safety on Third Street and other areas in town. An in-person meeting with the engineers will follow soon. • Mr. Madgar notified Council of the passing of a pedestrian who was hit crossing Third Street last Thursday evening. PennDot has been notified of this incident. • Mr. Snowden urged pedestrians to be extra cautious while crossing the street. • Ms. McKean asked if PennDot could consider removing the crosswalk at Third and Wayne Street. Mayor Hamilton – • Reviewed the 27th annual Arbor Day. • Reviewed meeting with Shell Focus Group President’s Report – • Announced that Ms. Good, Mr. Hindman, and Mr. Sebastian will serve on both contract negotiation committees. • Asked for an updated report from the Pool Fundraising Committee as of the status of what funds have been raised to this point. • Mr. Andres stated he would have a report prepared for the next Work Session. • Mr. Snowden recognized Detective Degori and all of the Beaver Police officers for their work to keep the community safe. Police Department – No report Fire Department – No report Emergency Management Coordinator – No report Borough Engineer – No report Solicitor Report – Reported by Mr. Fedeles • Reviewed that both union contracts expire at the end of 2024. Mr. Fedeles has received proposals from both groups and will share that information out to the Negotiation Committee. May 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 4 Motions Woodford Excavating LLC Invoice Motion by Mr. Hindman, based on the Borough Engineer’s written recommendation, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the Woodford Excavating LLC invoice #6801 dated March 21, 2024 in the amount of $58,861.01 for limestone and materials to repair the embankment failure between River Road and the railroad tracks opposite of Linn Park. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Comcast Franchise Agreement Motion by Ms. Good, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the attached Comcast Franchise Agreement effective immediately for 10 years. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Team Force Invoice Motion by Mr. Hindman, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the Team Force quote #356-9124 dated May 10, 2024 for one 2023 Ford Police vehicle to be upfitted with emergency equipment in the amount of $16,079.00. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce Wine Festival Motion by Ms. Learn-Conjeski, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the request from the Beaver Area Chamber of Commerce for the organization to host the annual Wine Festival in the Borough’s Business District on September 14, 2024. The event is to be coordinated through the Borough Manager who will involve the Police Department as needed. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Appointment of Emergency Management Coordinator Motion by Mr. Sebastian, based on the recommendation of the Chief of the Fire Department, I move that Beaver Borough Council appoint John Kowalski as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Beaver Borough effective immediately. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Pool House Rental Fee Schedule Motion by Mr. Andres, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the attached Option 2 fee schedule for 2024 rentals of the Pool House Community Center. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Roll call vote passed 6-1. Ms. McKean opposed. Motion by Ms. Good to adjourn. Seconded by Mr. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Submitted by Rebecca Phillips May 14, 2024 Council Meeting Page 5