City Council

BOROUGH OF CONWAY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers, 801 First Avenue, Conway, Pennsylvania July 19, 2023 MEETING was called to order at 7:00 p.m. with Mr. Tim Antoline presiding. The following members of Council and officials of the Borough were present: Mr. Tim Antoline, Mr. John Antoline, Mr. Joe Bohach, Mrs. Jocelyn Hertneky, Mr. Mark Hertneky, Mr. Scott Levenson, Mrs. Patty Then, Mayor Debbie Rose, Borough Secretary Margie Nelko, representing the Borough Solicitor Mr. Jacob Leyland and Borough Engineer Emile Ketterer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items): None. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: None. MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: The Public Works Supervisor was not in attendance. This report was ordered received and filed. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT: The Fire Chief was not in attendance. This report was ordered received and filed. EMA COORDINATOR’S REPORT: The EMA Coordinator was not in attendance. No Report. BVRPD REPORTS: Mr. Levenson, Chairperson of the Beaver Valley Regional Police Department (BVRPD) Board, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. 2023 BVRPD Payments – There was some discussion regarding the monthly payments from each of the participating municipalities and whether paying for the year instead of monthly is an option. 2. Split A/C Quotes – This matter will be discussed under the Finance & Grants Committee Report. 3. BVRPD Gym – There was some discussion regarding the grant update(s) and the possible ways to eliminate the water leak along the outside wall of the proposed gym room. ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. FINANCE & GRANTS COMMITTEE REPORT: Mr. Levenson, Chairperson of the Finance and Grants Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. List of Bills - A list of expenditures for the time period of July 6, 2023, through July 19, 2023, in the amount of $18,938.30 from the General Fund, expenditures in the amount of $381.67 from the Liquid Fuels Fund and expenditures in the amount of $8,066.85 from the Water & Sewer Fund were presented to Council for review. After some review, the motion of Mr. Levenson, seconded by Mr. 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 possibility of researching new A/C units for the Council Room, the Borough Office and possibly the Conference Room and Mayor’s Office. There was also discussion regarding the possibility of shutting down the boiler to save money as long as it does not ruin the boiler by doing so. After some review, it was the consensus of Council to acquire quotes for the A/C Units. Page 01 07-19-2023 The Borough Engineer reported that the water grant meeting was held on July 18th and the grant is being delayed until September 2023. The Borough Engineer recommended moving forward with the standby for the 11th Street Water Line Repair. PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: Mrs. Hertneky, Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. Catherine Drive Park – The old playset has been removed and the area will be cleared so that it can be used as a green space. There was discussion regarding the need for mulch at the playground located at the Borough Building and that the Public Works Department will be constructing a guide to help with the drainage issues. There was discussion regarding weeds growing up the fence line located on 9th Street and who was responsible for removing them. PLANNING, ZONING & ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Mr. Hertneky, Chairperson of the Planning, Zoning & Ordinance Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. Rental Ordinance – There is no update at this time. Mr. Hertneky is waiting on feedback from Council. PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. Mr. Bohach announced that Engine 492 will be going in for pump testing and an inspection next week. The Fire Department will also be repaving the parking lot and getting bids for the awnings. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. There was discussion regarding the need to trim the tree branches along the fence behind the Borough Building. MAYOR’S REPORT: 1. Community Day Update – An update was presented to Council which included the need for volunteers, help with selling tickets, the need for Chinese baskets. The Public Works Department will be setting up the tents. The old fire truck will be on display. ENGINEER’S REPORT: 1. Columbia Gas Variance Hearing Update – The Borough Secretary updated Council with information on the meeting date, time, the abutting neighbor letters, and packets for the Zoning Hearing Board. 2. 3rd Avenue Curbs – The Borough Engineer explained to Council the procedure regarding who is responsible for repairing the curbs, the pictures that were taken and the findings. There was an update regarding the Columbia Gas/Youngblood Paving project for 2nd Avenue. Columbia Gas proposed not paving 2nd Avenue because they will be moving a transmission line along the railroad in 2025 and they do not want to have to dig the street back up and then pave it again. Columbia Gas would like to meet with Council to discuss this matter. After some review and discussion, it was the consensus of Council that this is unacceptable, that the work needs completed according to the contract and that Council does not want to further discuss the matter with Columbia Gas. SOLICITOR’S REPORT: 1. Parking Ordinance Discussion – There was discussion regarding the possibility of consolidating parking regulations, fines, and if updates can be done by Resolution, which would be the easiest way to do so. Page 02 07-19-2023  2. 2nd Alley Vacation to 1408 Dupont Street – The proper paperwork and Ordinances were sent by the Borough Solicitor to Beaver County Courthouse for processing. It seems that the deed does not have a complete description. The Borough should not have to do anything more than what has been done. CORRESPONDENCE: 1. Pennsylvania DEP Drought Watch Notice - This document was ordered received and filed. 2. Harshman CE Group, LLC – Monthly Report –This document was ordered received and filed. There was some discussion regarding paying fees to send non-complying matters to District Magistrate Howe only to have him grant extensions instead of fines. 3. Norfolk Southern Railyard Sample Analysis Report (Dated 07/03/2023) – This document was ordered received and filed. OLD BUSINESS: 1. 2nd Avenue Fire Hydrant – There was some discussion regarding why the fire hydrant has not been replaced when we have the hydrant to do so. Mr. J. Antoline will look into this matter. 2. Auditor Proposals – This matter was tabled until the Finance & Grants Committee has an opportunity to review the proposal(s) received. NEW BUSINESS: 1. 2022 Short Term Disability Dividend – This document was ordered received and filed. 2. MRM 2023 PLT (Property & Liability Trust) Dividend Distribution – This document was ordered received and filed. 3. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) 30-Day Engineering Model Notification-Ohio River Restudy - This document was ordered received and filed. 4. Pennsylvania DEP Environmental Mitigation Community Fund/Grant - This document was ordered received and filed. OTHER BUSINESS: None PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Hammil (not signed in) asked for an update regarding the sidewalk along 11th Street and asked who cleans up that area. Mr. J. Antoline stated that the area was sprayed, and the sidewalk is part of the waterline replacement project. The Borough Secretary was asked to send letters to the tree owners requesting them to trim their trees along 11th Street. Ms. Hammil asked the Borough Solicitor if letters to residents regarding the vacating of streets were sent in 2022 and did these vacations get included on the assessments? The Borough Solicitor stated that they should have but you may need to contact their office at the Beaver County Courthouse to be sure. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mr. T. Antoline requested Council go into Executive Session regarding a personnel matter at 8:08 p.m., as per the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Levenson. On the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mrs. Hertneky to reconvene at 8:44 p.m. was unanimously carried. Page 03 07-19-2023 There being no further business, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mrs. Hertneky to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 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. Consensus to acquire A/C Unit quotes 3. Consensus for Columbia Gas to complete work according to the contract Page 04 07-19-2023