City Council

Borough of Beaver, PA Council Meeting November 12, 2024 Minutes • A regular scheduled meeting of Beaver Borough Council was held in the Community Room of the Beaver Borough Municipal building and was called to order on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM by Council President, Sean Snowden. • Council Representatives in attendance: Alexander Andres, Michael Deelo, Roberta Good, Whitney Learn- Conjeski, Margaret McKean, Alex Sebastian, Sean Snowden, and Amy Stettler. • Borough officials in attendance: Mayor Thomas Hamilton, Chief of Police and Borough Manager Dan Madgar, Solicitor Garen Fedeles, Sergeant Ken McCoy, Finance Manager Andy Kennedy, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Sprecker, and Debbie Hindman. • Absent: None • Visitors in attendance (signed in): Midge Sefton, Ron Stidmon, Rosemary Stidmon, Rick Sprecker, Nathan Bradley, Emerson Bradley, Tristan Haffey, Brian Haffey, Bob Bickerton, Jim Woolley, Bill Gleason, Robert Snider, Ellen Kretchmar. • An Executive Session was held from 6:30 PM until 6:52 PM prior to the scheduled meeting to review contract negotiations. Approval of Minutes Motion by Ms. Learn-Conjeski to accept the October 8, 2024 Council Meeting Minutes and the October 22, 2024 Work Session Minutes. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Treasurer’s Report – • The October Treasurer’s 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. Sebastian. Voice vote passed unanimously. Public Participation – • Jim Woolley, Beaver Resident o Complemented the Road Department and Police Department on their work for this year’s Veteran’s Day Parade. November 12, 2024 Council Meeting Page 1 Council Committees Finance – Reported by Mr. Hindman and Ms. Stettler • General discussion of the 2025 draft budget o A possible tax increase of approximately 2 mills was reviewed. o Ms. McKean stated that she spoke with the Police Chief from the Beaver County Regional Police and was given a “back of the envelope” estimate of what they believe two police officers would cost. Ms. McKean believes that Beaver Borough should explore regionalizing police with the Beaver County Regional Police Force or Brighton Township. • Reviewed the 2025 draft fee schedule General Government – • Ms. McKean is looking for more information as to who provided a memorial plaque at the Fort McIntosh site. Ms. McKean believes that a memorial tree may have been placed in the incorrect location and is attempting to resolve the issue. o Mr. Madgar suggested reaching out to the Shade Tree Commission, as they may have a record of the memorial plaque and tree. Will try to contact some residents who may have some information as well. Highways – Reported by Mr. Sprecker • Columbia Gas is expected to complete their work on East End Avenue in approximately two weeks. • Columbia Gas will be providing a tentative work schedule for 2025 soon. More information will be provided as made available. Public Safety / Code Enforcement – • Ms. Sefton reported that the Civil Service Commission continues to work on the updates to the current Rules and Regulations. A final draft is expected to be presented soon. Recreation – • Mr. Madgar stated that PSAB was contacted by the Borough office for any ordinances or information they have on E-Bikes. PSAB stated that they do not have anything on file regarding E-Bikes. o Mr. McCoy explained that there is a current ordinance with bike restrictions. Reports Manager/Secretary Report – • Salt contract through COSTARS o 2024-2025 = $85.32/ton  2022-2023 = $79.28/ton  Estimated pricing for the 2025-2026 season is $89.59/ton • Asked Ms. McKean for clarification on who is handling potential donations for the waterlot project. November 12, 2024 Council Meeting Page 2  o Ms. McKean explained that this may need to be determined on what organizations are approached for donations and potential requirements for the grant application. More information will be provided once available. • Mark Peluso of Town Center Associates will be attending the next Work Session to review Beaver’s community vibrancy based off of demographic comparison. • Reviewed the Veteran’s Day Parade and the Veteran’s Luncheon hosted at the Pool House Civic Center building, organized by Pam Learn. • Reviewed a resolution required to submit for a grant for six pedestrian crosswalk systems. The grant application is requesting $116,268.00 and is a no-match grant. • Street sweeping is expected to be suspended by mid-December. Mayor Hamilton – • Thanked everyone involved in the Veteran’s Day Parade and the luncheon. • Ms. Learn-Conjeski asked for more information about a letter received by residents regarding lead in pipes. • Mr. Deelo explained the federal mandate to eliminate lead water lines in 10 years. The Beaver Borough Municipal Authority has been actively replacing lead water lines as discovered during projects. Home owners are responsible for their water lines and the replacement of a lead line from their home to the main line. Therefore, the Municipal Authority sent letters to all residents within Beaver Borough to put them on notice that they may have a lead line that needs replaced and further investigation may be needed. President’s Report – No report Police Department – • Ms. McKean suggested a police officer be present at the intersection of Sharon Road and Leopard Lane after large events in town. Borough Engineer – No report Solicitor Report – No report Mr. Sebastian stated that he was resigning from Council effective at the end of the council meeting due to a conflict of interest with his current employer. Mr. Sebastian thanked Mayor Hamilton, Mr. Madgar, and the Council for the years he served with them. Mr. Sebastian asked Council to consider Mr. Robert Bickerton as his replacement. Motions Appointment of Historical Architectural Review Board Member November 12, 2024 Council Meeting Page 3 Motion by Ms. Good, Following the recommendation by the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), I move that Beaver Borough Council appoint Daniel Franus to the HARB to fill an unexpired term. This term expires December 31, 2026. Seconded by Mr. Hindman. Voice vote passed unanimously. 2024 Donation to Beaver Area Memorial Library Motion by Mr. Hindman, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the donation of $28,500 to the Beaver Area Memorial Library. This item is approved in the 2024 budget. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. Beaver Borough Municipal Employee Association 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement Motion by Ms. Good, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the tentative agreement with Beaver Borough Municipal Employee Association for a collective bargaining agreement from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Resolution 2024-06 PennDot Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement Motion by Mr. Deelo, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve a Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement with PennDot for installation and or modification of all traffic signals within Beaver Borough. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. Resolution 2024-07 Pedestrian Crossing Grant Motion by Mr. Sebastian, I move that Beaver Borough Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the submission of a grant to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for $116,268.00 to be used for pedestrian crossing systems within the Borough. Seconded by Mr. Hindman. Voice vote passed unanimously. Add Motion to Agenda Motion by Mr. Andres, I move that Beaver Borough Council add a motion to the agenda to accept the resignation of Alex Sebastian, effective immediately. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Accept Resignation of Alex Sebestian Motion by Mr. Andres, I move that Beaver Borough Council regretfully accept the resignation of Alex Sebastian effective immediately. Seconded by Ms. Stettler. Voice vote passed unanimously. Add Motion to Agenda Motion by Mr. Snowden, I move that Beaver Borough Council add a motion to the agenda to appoint Bob Bickerton to fill vacancy left on council by Alex Sebastian. Term to expire end of 2025. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Appointment of Council Member Motion by Mr. Snowden, I move that Beaver Borough Council appoint Bob Bickerton to fill the vacant seat of council through December 31, 2025. Seconded by Ms. Learn-Conjeski. Voice vote passed unanimously. Motion by Ms. Stettler to adjourn. Seconded by Ms. Good. Voice vote passed unanimously. Adjourned 8:42pm November 12, 2024 Council Meeting Page 4 Submitted by Rebecca Phillips November 12, 2024 Council Meeting Page 5