City Council

BOROUGH OF CONWAY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Council Chambers, 801 First Avenue, Conway, Pennsylvania December 20, 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, Borough Solicitor Kate Diersen and Borough Engineer Emile Ketterer. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: None PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items): None ADMINISTRATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT: Mrs. Then, Chairperson of the Administration & Public Relations Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. Sunshine Law Questions – Committee Meetings – There was discussion regarding questions on the recent changes to the Sunshine Law regarding action taken on matters not on the agenda. It was determined that Committee Meetings need a completed agenda and minutes which includes the Planning/Zoning Committee. Council Committee Meetings do not need an agenda or minutes. 2. COVID-19 ARPA PA Small Water & Sewer Grant Decisions (December 19, 2023) – The Borough Engineer reviewed the $150,000.00 grant that was received for the 10th and 3rd Waterline Replacement Project instead of the 11th Street Waterline Replacement Project that was needed. There was discussion regarding reaching out to state representatives for help in reallocating the grant monies. The Borough Engineer left the meeting at this time (7:13 p.m.) 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 December 7, 2023, through December 20, 2023, in the amount of $100,960.86 from the General Fund, expenditures in the amount of $1,502.39 from the Liquid Fuels Fund and expenditures in the amount of $30,539.64 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 – This report was ordered received and filed. PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. 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 Update – The Borough Solicitor is working on this matter. Page 01 12-20-2023  2. Grass Cutting Quote Revision – A revised quote from Hall Lawn Care to cut grass and weed in the mulch beds at the ballfields, Gratty Park, Buttermore Park and the Borough Building Complex was submitted to Council for review. There was discussion regarding if a part-time employee was considered for this service. PUBLIC SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT: No Report. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE REPORT: Mr. J. Antoline, Chairperson of the Planning, Zoning & Ordinance Committee, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. Sewer Jet Service Quote – A quote was received from Tri State Maintenance via email on December 14, 2023, for jetter and/or camera truck services. There was discussion regarding acquiring a quote from Robinson Pipe and then schedule services with the lowest bidder. Mrs. Then requested an update regarding the sewer plant truck. MAYOR’S REPORT: No Report. Mayor Rose stated that the Letters to Santa were responded to along with gifts for each child. Coloring books and crayons were purchased for distribution from Santa on the firetruck. These expenses were paid from the Community Day monies. BVRPD REPORTS: Mr. Levenson, Chairperson of the BVRPD Board, presented Council with updates regarding the following issue(s). 1. Gym – Clear Hallway/Room – There was discussion on cleaning out the room designated for the gym, the hallway area and how the items could be removed. The BVRPD received grant monies from Beaver County to help with gym equipment. 2. Resolution – Warrantless Replacement – This matter was postponed until the next regular scheduled meeting. ENGINEER’S REPORT: 1. 11th Street Waterline Replacement Bid Award – This matter was discussed during the Administration & Public Relations Committee portion of the meeting. SOLICITOR’S REPORT: No Report. There was some discussion regarding a proposed meeting with Baden Municipality Authority. CORRESPONDENCE: 1. MRM Trust WC Loss Activity Report -October 1, 2020 – December 6, 2023) - This document was ordered received and filed. 2. Norfolk Southern Railyard Co. Sample Analysis Report-Dated 12/04/2023 – This document was ordered received and filed. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Holiday Discussion Update – This matter will be discussed in Executive Session. 2. Conway Water System Consolidation – Mr. Levenson stated that the Beaver Falls Municipality’s Engineer reached out for more information which was provided by our Borough Secretary and Assistant Secretary. Page 02 12-20-2023 NEW BUSINESS: 1. Resolution No. 2023-08 – A Resolution fixing the tax rate for the year 2024 to comply with the county wide reassessment was presented to Council for consideration. The Borough Solicitor proposed the following amendment to the resolution (and the Borough is then permitted to increase that rate so that there is no more than a 10% increase in tax revenue for the Borough. The Borough of Conway has determined that final tax rate to be 3.96 mills). After some discussion, the motion of Mr. Levenson, seconded by Mrs. Then to adopt Resolution No. 2023-08 as amended was unanimously carried. 2. Ordinance No. 568 – Establishing the 2024 Tax Rate – An Ordinance levying and valorem real estate taxes and fixing the tax rates for the fiscal year 2024 was presented to Council for review. The Borough Secretary verified that Ordinance No. 568 was adequately advertised under the Borough Code. After some review and discussion, a motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Levenson to adopt Ordinance No. 568 was unanimously carried. There was some discussion on the reassessments having an impact on the amount of real estate taxes that would be paid by residents. 3. Resolution No. 2023-06 - A Resolution authorizing a fifteen (15%) percent Sewer Rate increase beginning the first quarter of 2024 was presented to Council for review. After some discussion, the motion of Mr. Levenson, seconded by Mr. J. Antoline to adopt Resolution No. 2023-06 was unanimously carried. 4. Resolution No. 2023-07 – A Resolution authorizing a three (3%) percent Water Rate increase beginning the first quarter of 2024 was presented to Council for review. After some discussion, the motion of Mr. Levenson, seconded by Mr. Bohach to adopt Resolution No. 2023-07 was unanimously carried. 5. 2024 Budget Adoption – The Borough Secretary verified that the advertising and viewing availability requirements were completed as required. After some review and discussion, the motion of Mr. Hertneky, seconded by Mrs. Then to adopt the 2024 Budget as presented was unanimously carried. Mr. T. Antoline thanked everyone for a job well done. 6. GRB Law Reappointment Request – This matter was postponed until the next regular scheduled meeting. OTHER BUSINESS: None PUBLIC COMMENT: None There being no further business, the motion of Mr. J. Antoline, seconded by Mr. Levenson to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m. was unanimously carried. Margie L. Nelko Borough Secretary Tim Antoline President of Council Page 03 12-20-2023 Motion(s) made and/or Council consensus decision(s): 1. Approve the List of Bills 2. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-08 3. Adopt Ordinance No. 568 4. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-06 5. Adopt Resolution No. 2023-07 6. Adopt 2024 Budget Page 04 12-20-2023