Borough Council

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Personnel ELLWOOD CITY BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M. – COUNCIL CHAMBERS September 18, 2023 MINUTES CALL TO ORDER President George Celli called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL Present: Mr. Barry, Mr. Cragle, Ms. Dici, Ms. Lamenza, Mr. Ovial, Ms. Williams, and Mr. Celli Also Present: Borough Manager Kevin Swogger and Solicitor Ed Leymarie Absent: Mayor Anthony Court INVOCATION – John Davis – First Church of God PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mr. Cragle read into the Minutes the Borough’s proposal to the Ellwood City Area School District relative to their proposed Softball Field in Ewing Park. The Borough’s offer on 9/6/23 was: Property: Women’s field (upper field) at Stiefel Park Term: Initial 30 years for $1.00 total. Begin negotiations for renewal at 25 years at School District’s option for 20 years Insurance: Responsibility of School District (Borough of Ellwood City named as an additional insured) Maintenance: Responsibility of School District (Borough will assist with labor for maintenance upon request) Capital Improvements: Responsibility of School District Subletting: Not permitted, without Council approval Utilities: Electric – Responsibility of School District Port a Johns: Responsibility of School District An email dated 9/12/23 from Dr. Wesley Shipley was as follows: “I wanted to email you and let you know that the entire board considered the borough's offer to lease Stiefel field last evening. After discussion, the board agreed that leasing the property does not meet our objective to move our softball team closer to our athletic complex where we hold football, soccer, track, cross country, and tennis competitions. In addition, there is a continued concern with providing significant upgrades to property that we ultimately do not own. I spoke publicly last evening about our previous meeting with you, members of council, and your solicitor and I informed the public of your offer and the reasons why we have decided to continue with our original plan to build the new softball facility at the Ewing Park School grounds. Mr. Celli was in attendance at our meeting and can attest to my public statements. Thank you for your continued support of Ellwood City Area School District moving forward.” Borough of Ellwood City Regular Council Meeting – 9/18/23 Page 2 of 4 VISITORS 1. Emily Denome, 304 Wood Street – RE: School District’s proposed softball field 2. Lynn Jones, 327 Orchard Avenue - RE: School District’s proposed softball field 3. Chuck Fatulla – RE: traffic & speeding 300 block Division Ave & 4th St. COMMUNICATIONS APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Special Meeting 8/3/23 and Regular Meeting 8/21/23 A motion was made by Mr. Cragle, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting held 8/3/23 and the Regular Meeting held 8/21/23, as submitted. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS: Pre-Paid Voucher List 9/13/23 and List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 9/13/23 A motion was made by Mr. Cragle, seconded by Ms. Lamenza, to approve the Pre-Paid Voucher List dated 9/13/23, in the amount of $566,633.86, and the List of Vouchers to be Paid dated 9/13/23, in the amount of $149,638.15. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: A motion was made by Ms. Dici, seconded by Ms. Williams, to approve the Departmental Reports, as submitted. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. BID OPENINGS ORDINANCES 1. Fee Established for Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Mr. Ovial, to adopt an ordinance, as submitted, establishing a fee ($200) when Advanced Life Support (ALS) services is required to assist an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provider and are required to accompany a patient to a receiving facility. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. RESOLUTIONS 1. Confirming Receipt of 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) A motion was made by Ms. Lamenza, seconded by Ms. Williams, to adopt a Resolution, as submitted, confirming receipt of the 2024 Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) by September 30, 2023. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL Finance: (Williams, Lamenza, Dici) Health/Public Safety: (Ovial, Lamenza, Cragle) 1. Agreement – Lawrence Co. Housing Authority (Police Services) A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Mr. Ovial, to approve the Agreement, as submitted, with the Lawrence Co. Housing Authority relative to police services. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 2. Advertise Ordinance – Loading/Unloading Zone – Birch Way A motion was made by Mr. Ovial, seconded by Ms. Lamenza, to advertise an amendment to the traffic ordinance establishing a loading/unloading zone on Birch Way, both sides, from 4th Street to a point 76 feet east. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. Borough of Ellwood City Regular Council Meeting – 9/18/23 Page 3 of 4 3. Suspend Alcohol Ordinance – EC Area Chamber’s Fall Fest & Car Cruise A motion was made by Ms. Dici, seconded by Mr. Barry, to approve suspending Part 10, Chapter 1066, subsection 1066.03 (a) of the Codified Ordinance Book pertaining to the prohibition of alcohol. This suspension only applies to participants of the EC Area Chamber’s “Fall Fest & Car Cruise” event held September 30 from 11am – 5pm. Event insurance shall be purchased, naming the Borough of Ellwood City as an additional named insured. All necessary State and County permits shall be in place for this event. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. Public Works: (Barry, Williams, Ovial) 1. Award Bid – Street Sweeper A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Ms. Dici, to award the bid for a used street sweeper (2008 International Navistar) to Golden Equipment Co. in the amount of $125,000. This amount will be paid from the General Fund and General Capital Reserve Fund. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. Utilities: (Dici, Barry, Williams) Parks/Recreation: (Cragle, Lamenza, Barry) 1. Pickleball Court Request – Victory Church A motion was made by Ms. Williams, seconded by Mr. Barry, to approve the request by Victory Church to use the Pickleball Courts in Ewing Park September 3 - November 12, Sundays from 5:30pm – 7pm. Roll call vote. All voted against. Motion failed, 7-0. Administration/Personnel: (Lamenza, Ovial, Cragle) 1. Resignation – Joseph Howard (part-time Patrolman) A motion was made by Ms. Dici, seconded by Mr. Cragle, to accept the resignation of Joseph Howard (part-time Patrolman), effective immediately. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 2. Resignation – Joyce Lutz (Crossing Guard) A motion was made by Mr. Cragle, seconded by Ms. Williams, to accept the resignation of Joyce Lutz (Crossing Guard), effective 8/16/23. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 3. Rental Agreement – Butler Co. Community College A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Mr. Cragle, to approve the Rental Agreement, as submitted, with the Butler County Community College to use the auditorium in the Municipal Building for the teaching of college preparation courses. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 4. Rental Agreement – John DiBuono for 311 College Street A motion was made by Ms. Dici, seconded by Mr. Barry, to approve the Rental Agreement, as submitted, with John DiBuono to use the building at 311 College Street for a family recreation center. Roll call vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 5. Employment – Lia Schuster (Crossing Guard) A motion was made by Mr. Barry, seconded by Mr. Ovial, to hire Lia Schuster as a School Crossing Guard at the rate of $13.00/hour, contingent upon the successful completion of all background checks and clearances. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. 6. Employment – Mia Muraca (Animal Control Officer) A motion was made by Ms. Dici, seconded by Mr. Ovial, to hire Mia Muraca as Animal Control Officer at the salary of $5,000 (prorated for 2023) contingent upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. Community Development/Buildings: (Ovial, Barry, Cragle) Borough of Ellwood City Regular Council Meeting – 9/18/23 Page 4 of 4 Blight: (Dici, Ovial, Barry) Technology: (Cragle, Williams, Dici) UNFINISHED BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS MAYOR’S REPORT MANAGER’S REPORT VISITORS 1. Chuck Fatula – RE: School District’s proposed softball field 2. Emily Denome, 304 Wood Street – RE: School District’s proposed softball field 3. Lynn Jones, 327 Orchard Avenue - RE: School District’s proposed softball field ANNOUNCEMENTS Trick or Treat – Tuesday, Oct 31, 5-7pm ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned on a motion by Ms. Dici, seconded by Mr. Cragle. Voice vote; all in favor. Motion carried. ____________________________________ Linda M. List Borough Secretary