City Council

BOROUGH OF CONWAY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers, 801 First Avenue, Conway, Pennsylvania April 19, 2023 MEETING was called to order at 7:01 p.m. with Mr. Scott Levenson presiding. The following members of Council and officials of the Borough were present: Mr. Scott Levenson, Mr. John Antoline, Mrs. Jocelyn Hertneky, Mr. Mark Hertneky, Mrs. Patty Then, Mayor Debbie Rose, Borough Secretary Margie Nelko, and Borough Engineer Emile Ketterer. ABSENT: Mr. Tim Antoline Mr. Joe Bohach PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items): None REORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES: The reorganization list was ordered received and filed as presented. Borough Solicitor Kate Diersen entered the meeting at this time (7:05 p.m.) RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: Pastor Jared Bellan of the Church of the Redeemed ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. FINANCE & GRANTS COMMITTEE REPORT: Mr. Levenson, Chairman of the Finance & Grants Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. List of Bills - A list of expenditures for the time period of April 6, 2023 through April 19, 2023, in the amount of $18,739.68 from the General Fund, expenditures in the amount of $70.00 from the Liquid Fuels Fund and expenditures in the amount of $22,237.58 from the Water & Sewer Fund were presented to Council for review. After some review, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mrs. Hertneky to approve the List of Bills as presented was unanimously carried. 2. Budget Reports – These reports were ordered received and filed. 3. Treasurer Report – These reports were ordered received and filed. There was some discussion regarding the Gross Street sewage backup and the corrective steps taken. These step(s) should be done every six (6) months and that some companies offer a guarantee for root removal. The Borough Secretary stated that the ARPA Report has been completed by the deadline. PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. There was discussion regarding Valley Rage proposing the Borough order two (2) port-a-johns for the ballfield on behalf of their group. The Valley Rage will pay for the extra port-a-johns and an extra cleaning service on Sunday. PLANNING, ZONING & ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hertneky, Chairman of the Planning, Zoning & Ordinance Committee, presented Council with an update regarding the following issue(s): Page 01 04-19-2023  1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment Quotes – Harshman CE Group, LLC, HRG, Inc. & Mackin Engineering – Quotes were received from each of the above listed companies to update the Conway Borough Zoning Ordinance Book. The Harshman CE Group, LLC quote was well below the other quotes. Mr. Hertneky will follow up with Harshman CE Group to clarify the quote received. There was discussion regarding whether the rental fees are amended by Ordinance which will need advertised. The Borough Solicitor stated that she would look for the draft that was completed prior to her taking over our account. PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT: Mr. Levenson presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. BVRPD Budget – There was some discussion regarding the proposed budget for the BVRPD which requires Council’s approval. After some review, the motion of Mrs. Hertneky, seconded by Mrs. Then to approve the BVRPD Budget as proposed was unanimously carried. 2. BVRPD 2023-2027 Police Contract – There was some discussion regarding the proposed five (5) year police contract for the BVRPD which requires Council’s approval. After some review, the motion of Mrs. Hertneky, seconded by Mrs. Then to approve the BVRPD 2023-2027 Police Contract as proposed was unanimously carried. 3. BVRPD Chief Labor Agreement – There was some discussion regarding the proposed Chief Labor Agreement for the BVRPD which requires Council’s approval. After some review, the motion of Mrs. Hertneky, seconded by Mrs. Then to approve the BVRPD Chief Labor Agreement as proposed was unanimously carried. 4. BVRPD June 4, 2023 Operational Date – The BVRPD will be operational beginning June 4, 2023. The Borough of Conway will pay the officers their normal pay rate for hours worked up through midnight on June 3, 2023. 5. BVRPD Sick Time, Vacation Time and Freedom Bonus Buyback – There was some discussion regarding the Borough buying back the police officer’s sick time, vacation time and the Freedom Borough Bonus. Notification from the employee should be submitted before June 3, 2023, for any unused sick or vacation time that the employee wishes to sell back. After some review, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Hertneky to approve the buy back of sick time, vacation time and the Freedom Borough Bonus was unanimously carried. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Rose presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s): 1. Police Reports (04/2023) – This report was ordered received and filed. Baden Borough has sent out Appreciation Dinner Invites for April 28th at the Baden Legion and a presence from Conway Borough would be appreciated. There was some discussion regarding the regulations of political signs. It was noted that there is a fee of $1.00 per sign, private property postings are not billable, private property postings may be put up at any time and postings are not permitted on Borough owned property. ENGINEER’S REPORT: 1. 2023 Roadway Program Bid Results – Results from the April 17, 2023, bid opening for the 2023 Roadway Program Bid Results were submitted to Council for review. The Borough Engineer recommended awarding the bid to Protech Asphalt Maintenance, Inc., who was the low responsible bidder for repaving of Hiland Avenue (Foote Street to Sampson Street) for $129,677.60. There was discussion regarding what Page 02 04-19-2023  roads need paved, available funding and what is required to permit using Liquid Fuels Funding. This matter was tabled until the next regular scheduled meeting. The Borough Engineer stated that Columbia Gas has not started any significant paving and are working on sidewalks. SOLICITOR’S REPORT: 1. 1st Response Medical Service – This matter will be discussed in Executive Session. CORRESPONDENCE: 1. Harshman CE Group, LLC – Monthly Report –This document was ordered received and filed. OLD BUSINESS: 1. BVRPD Gym – No update at this time. 2. BVRPD Office Lease Agreement – There was discussion regarding different options for leasing and how it would be calculated. After some discussion, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mrs. Then to approve a Lease Charge of $730.00 per month for the remainder of 2023 and an increase of 5% annually thereafter was unanimously carried. 3. Beaver County Assessment-801 First Avenue (Municipal Building) – The Borough Secretary presented Council with an update regarding the lack of an assessment letter for the Municipal Building. 4. Rental Inspection Program – This matter was discussed under the Planning, Zoning & Ordinance Committee portion of the meeting. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Resolution No. 2023-02 – A Resolution regarding a PA Small Water and Sewer Grant Program Cost Adjustment for the 11th Street Waterline Replacement Project, as requested by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, was presented to Council for review. After some discussion, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Hertneky to adopt Resolution No. 2023- 02 was unanimously carried. 2. Resolution No. 2023-03 – A Resolution regarding a PA Small Water and Sewer Grant Program Cost Adjustment for the 10th Street & 3rd Avenue Waterline Replacement Project, as requested by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, was presented to Council for review. After some discussion, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mrs. Then to adopt Resolution No. 2023-03 was unanimously carried. 3. Our Lady of Peace Subdivision – A proposed two (2) lot subdivision consisting of 0.48-acres was presented to Council for review. The Conway Planning/Zoning Committee and the Beaver County Planning & Redevelopment Commission have both reviewed the subdivision. The subdivision would separate Stephens Hall from the Our Lady of Peace Church parking lot. The Church of the Redeemed would-be purchasing Stephens Hall and leasing the church parking lot. There was discussion regarding whether the proposed lots would be conforming, the lack of existing parking/creating less parking for Stephens Hall and that a variance maybe required. The Borough Solicitor will review the subdivision submittal and make a recommendation to Council. 4. BCRCOG 2023 Summer and Winter Road Commodities Bid Tabulation – This was ordered received and filed. OTHER BUSINESS: None Page 03 04-19-2023 PUBLIC COMMENT: None. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. Levenson requested Council go into Executive Session regarding a potential litigation matter at 8:56 p.m., as per the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Hertneky. On the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Hertneky to reconvene at 9:06 p.m. was unanimously carried. There being no further business, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Hertneky to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. was unanimously carried. Margie L. Nelko Borough Secretary Timothy Antoline President of Council Motion(s) made and/or Council consensus decision(s): 1. Approve the List of Bills 2. Approve BVRPD Budget 3. Approve BVRPD 2023-2027 Police Contract 4. Approve BVRPD Chief Labor Agreement 5. Approve Police Sick/Vacation Buy Back and Freedom Borough Bonus 6. Approve BVRPD Lease Charges for remainder of 2023 and then annually 7. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-02 8. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-03 Page 04 04-19-2023