Borough Council

MAY 20, 2015 7845 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. prevailing time with President Michael Moses presiding. ROLL CALL: Davis Absent Marone Present Kostelnik Present Olack Present Kushner Present Stephenson Present Moses Present Six members present, one absent (Davis). Mayor Kelly present. CITIZENS COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone that the Minutes of the April 21, 2015 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PROVIDING FOR TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM REAL PROPERTY TAXATION, FOR SPECIFIED TIME PERIODS FOR CERTAIN INCREASES IN ASSESSED VALUATION OF IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING REPAIRS, CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION, MADE ON INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL OR BUSINESS PROPERTY IN A DETERIORATED AREA IN THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA; PRESCRIBING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURING SUCH EXEMPTIONS AND THE PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS ORDINANCE; RESCINDING BOROUGH ORDINANCE NO. 1090_(LERTA). _______________________________________ Motion by Olack, seconded by Kostelnik the Ordinance be enacted. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. Resolution given No.1196. B. RATIFY RESOLUTION TO HAVE ON RECORD A STATEMENT CONFIRMING THE APPLICATION FOR THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN FORMALLY REQUESTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 FROM THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY (RAAC) FOR THE CURRY HOLLOW ROAD STREAM BANK STABILIZATION PROJECT.____________________________________________________________ Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack the resolution by adopted. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. Resolution given No. 1290. C. RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, WHEREAS, THE BOROUGH FINDS THAT THE ACT 537 SPECIAL STUDY, CONDUCTED BY CHESTER ENGINEERS, WHICH PROVIDES FOR REUSE OF TREATED WASTEWATER BY WESTWOOD GOLF CLUB CONFORMS TO  MAY 20, 2015 7846 APPLICABLE ZONING, SUBDIVISION, OTHER MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES AND PLANS, AND TO A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF POLLUTION CONTROL AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Olack the resolution by adopted. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. Resolution given No. 1291. D. Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack to approve application and participation in the Duquesne Light LED Streetlight Conversion Pilot Program. Program will covert 10 current streetlights to LED streetlights at a cost of $109 per light, total cost $1,090. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried E. Motion by Marone, seconded by Kushner to approve hiring of 5 staff members for the free summer lunch program that will run 4 days a week (Mon-Thurs) from June 15-July 30, 2015 at an hourly wage of $10.00. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. F. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Olack to approve advertising to accept bid proposals for a used paver. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. G. Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack to approve the purchase of a 2006 Chevrolet Van from the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Authority in the amount of $4,500.00. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays, one abstention (Kostelnik), one absent (Davis). Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development ……………………………………….…………Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the month of April 2015. Mayor Kelly questioned how the Borough tracks home businesses. Mr. Anthony replied there is an Ordinance; however we have nothing in place to enforce this if the business is run out of the home and has no signage. Solicitor DiLucente said the business is required to file with the state. Police……………………………………………………………………….Chief Ken Davies No report. Mayor Kelly explained that Chief Davies was here but had an emergency and had to leave. Mr. Moses said everyone received a copy of the report at the start of the meeting. Public Works…………………………………………………………………..…James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Department Report for the month of April 2015. Mr. Hess thanked the Sanitary Sewer Authority with their assistance regarding the sewer backup at the Borough Building last week. Mr. Hess mentioned streets on the paving list in addition to spot and micro paving.  MAY 20, 2015 7847 Mr. Hess said micropaving work will be done on Pennsylvania Avenue Worton Boulevard between Pennsylvania Avenue and Homestead Duquesne Road Diller Avenue Marion Drive Sanial Drive Timothy Drive Skyview Drive Mr. Hess said Borough crews will pave Kentucky Blue Drive Sylvania Avenue Roberts Street between Sylvania and Henry Avenues Vermont Avenue from Mellon Street to Taft Avenue Faidley Street to Pennsylvania Avenue Monroe Avenue from Morton Drive to Lebanon Church Road Maine Avenue Mr. Hess said spot paving will be done on Duquesne Avenue. Recreation …………………………………………………………………Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo reported the following: 1. Saturday, May 23, 2015 will be the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at Mitchell Paige Memorial Park. 2. A Community Park clean-up day will be May 26, 2015. Volunteers from various high school groups will participate. 3. Community movie night will be held on May 30, 2015 at the West Mifflin Little League Baseball Complex. 4. The Recreation Department will be hosting a free summer lunch program at Homeville Elementary beginning June 15th and will run through July 30th. 5. The Community Park arts and crafts will begin June 15th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The program will end on July 31th. 6. Community Day will be held on Saturday, August 29 th from noon-6 p.m. at the Allegheny County Airport. 7. A $100,000 CIFT grant was approved from the county. The grant was submitted as part of a multi-phase plan to enhance our Community Park. EMS…………………………………………………………………Asst. Chief Brian McCaffry Asst. Chief McCaffry read the EMS report for the month of April 2015. Asst. Chief reminded everyone this is National EMS week. Mr. Marone wanted to thank everyone involved in the tractor trailer accident this week.  MAY 20, 2015 7848 REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly reported on Monday, he along with Mr. Kamauf and Mrs. Kushner met with the new executive director of the Airport Authority. They discussed improvements to the Allegheny County Airport. Mayor Kelly reported it was a very positive meeting. Mayor Kelly also commented that Council needs to address the overpricing of towing fees to the public when generated by the police in an emergency. Mr. Moses agreed that structured guidelines are needed. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente thanked Mr. Anthony for the LERTA Ordinance. Solicitor DiLucente reported there will be a hearing at the Court of Common Pleas for B & R Holdings. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Antonelli reported the construction of the Curry Hollow Road Storm Sewer project has been on hold due to the interference between the replacement storm sewer and an existing water line. A payment application has been received from Niando for materials stored at the job site. Mr. Antonelli also noted he has worked with Mr. Kamauf and Mr. Hess on the Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Fund (GEDR) for the Curry Hollow Road Stream Bank Stabilization. The proposed project includes construction of a new retaining wall, replacement of guide rail and roadway restoration. Mr. Antonelli reviewed the consolidation of two lots on Home Street. A review letter recommending conditional approval has been issued. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Financial Report for the month of April 2015. Mr. Kamauf reported an auction was held on the old Borough Building and that the bids were not accepted. Mr. Kamauf recommends Council to approve a second advertisement so we may continue the process for another auction. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid along with the partial payment to the contractor on the Curry Hollow Road Project. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried.  MAY 20, 2015 7849 NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack for a second advertisement for the second auction of the old Borough Building on Lebanon Church Road. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to advertise for bids of road paving and micro paving. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Davis). Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue said Council had already answered his comment for the hearing of B&R Holdings. He commented on his dissatisfaction of the LED street lights on Commonwealth Avenue. Mr. Marone stated it is a courtesy of the Borough to provide street lights and they are primarily for intersections and not to light up the entire street. Mayor Kelly said he was quite happy with the new lights. Mr. Thompson also wanted to know why a police escort was used for a wide load of a vehicle from B&R Holdings through the city of Duquesne. While Chief Davies wasn’t there to comment, it was discussed that it is very common for companies to pay to have these services if available. Ray Kochis 416 Commonwealth Avenue spoke in great detail about the street lights and safety hazards Commonwealth Avenue. After further discussion with members of Council and the Mayor, Solicitor DiLucente explained that it is not the duty of governmental entities to provide lighting for the streets or a resident’s yard. Mr. Hess said there are two more lights to be installed on Commonwealth Avenue. John Koczka 4333 Everlawn Street wanted to know how long the old Borough Building has been for sale and questioned the legality of the current real estate contract. Mr. Kamauf said it has been for sale for approximately one year. Solicitor DiLucente replied everything that has been done with regards to the potential sale of the building has been legal which is why the Borough is having auctions to sell the building. Bob Kranack 232 Bellwood Road commented about the towing situation in West Mifflin. He thought the rates were very high in comparison to the city of Pittsburgh. It was agreed this situation will be looked into as discussed earlier. Mr. Kranack also expressed concern about the auction of the old Borough Building. He believed more advertising should be done before the second auction. It also was agreed more advertising is needed. ADJOURMNENT: Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. prevailing time.