Borough Council

AUGUST 18, 2015 7859 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 6 p.m. prevailing time with President Michael Moses presiding. ROLL CALL: Davis Present Marone Present Kostelnik Present Olack Present Kushner Present Stephenson Absent Moses Present Six members present, one absent (Stephenson). Mayor Kelly present. CITIZENS COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue requested clarification of Agenda Item C. Mr. Kamauf replied this is a motion to advertise the ordinance and further discussion will take place at next month’s meeting. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Olack, seconded by Kostelnik that the Minutes of the July 21, 2015 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays one absent (Stephenson). Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone to approve the purchase of two (2) 2015 Ford Interceptor Utility Model K8A-AWD for the West Mifflin Police Department at a cost of Forty-Two Thousand Four Hundred Sixty-Nine Dollars ($42,469.00) each for a total cost of Eighty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Eight Dollars ($84,938.00). Funds for this purchase coming from the Federal Forfeiture Account. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent, (Stephenson). Motion carried. B. Motion by Olack, seconded by Davis to approve advertising a Public Hearing for the conditional use authorization for the New England Elementary School at 2000 Clairton Road, for Wednesday, September 9, 2015 (prior to the scheduled Caucus Meeting). Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent, (Stephenson). Motion carried. C. Motion by Marone, seconded by Kushner to approve advertising of an ordinance for the storage of unregistered and uninspected vehicles. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent, (Stephenson). Motion carried. D. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Olack to approve the purchase of a 4 Ton Falcon Asphalt Recycling Hot Patcher from A&H Equipment at a cost of $37,721.00, COSTARS #25-044. Funds for this purchase coming from Liquid Fuels Account. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Stephenson). Motion carried.  AUGUST 18, 2015 7860 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the month of July 2015. Mr. Davis asked about the Wendy’s Restaurant construction. Mr. Anthony replied neither Wendy’s nor Panda Express have been in touch with the Borough. Mrs. Kushner asked if we have heard anything about Century III Mall to which Mr. Anthony replied we haven’t heard anything from the Mall either. Police……………………………………………………………………………Chief Ken Davies Chief Davies read the Police Department Report for the month of July 2015. Mr. Moses asked if the spring malfunction in the guns is being resolved. Chief Davies remarked that he cannot get a response from the manufacturer. Solicitor DiLucente said this will be put on notice. Public Works…………………………………………………………………...…….James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Department Report for the month of July 2015. Mr. Hess reported that he has been in contact with Pennsylvania American Water Company about the water line breaks on Duquesne Avenue. PAWC has agreed to replace the lines. Mr. Hess also reminded everyone about the Recycle Event being held this Saturday, August 22, 2015 at the Allegheny County Airport. Mr. Moses asked what is left in this year’s paving project. Mr. Hess said it is almost completed. Recreation………………………………………….………………………….Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo reported the Recreational Department held its first Movie Night on Friday, July 31st with over 75 people in attendance. Mr. DiCenzo reported Community Day will be held Saturday, August 29 th from Noon-6pm at the Allegheny County Airport. The Borough’s Website and Facebook page has more information about the events taking place throughout the day. Mr. DiCenzo reported NIRA has conducted a survey for the location of the basketball courts at the Community Park. He also reported he has been in contact with Duquesne Light in regards to a grant that would support the cost of putting lights around the basketball courts. Mr. DiCenzo reported he had met with representatives of the Carpenters Union for their volunteer day at the Community Park. Mr. DiCenzo reported the summer lunch program was a success. Over 728 meals were served during the 6 week program. Mr. DiCenzo said the annual Halloween party will be held Saturday, October 24th at the High School.  AUGUST 18, 2015 7861 Mr. Marone questioned if security will be needed once the basketball courts are completed. Mr. DiCenzo replied the gates will be unlocked and perhaps the Police will do a ride through and lock the gates. EMS................................................................................................................Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of July 2015. Chief Plunkett reported he has met with Police, Fire Departments and Mosites Construction about the Homeville Bridge Project to review safety points in the event of an emergency. A question was asked when the Flu Shots will begin. Chief Plunkett said it will probably be in October but exact dates will not be published until the vaccines are available. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly reported he will be meeting with the District Attorney on August 28 th to deal with some police matters. Mayor Kelly reported he will announce the Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year at Community Day. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Mr. DiLucente referred to the Agenda Item to approve advertising of the Ordinance for the storage of unregistered and uninspected vehicles and he reported that this should be prepared by the next work session to present to Council. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Jovanovich reported per the last communication with PAWC, the water line relocation at Curry Hollow Road was to be started in early August. We are awaiting confirmation from PAWC. Upon completion of the water line relocation, Niando Construction will be scheduled to install the replacement storm sewer. Mr. Jovanovich reported the Notice to Proceed for the 2015 Road Paving Program was issued to Peter J. Caruso & Sons. Mr. Jovanovich reported ACA Engineering will be on site at the Public Works Building to perform core sampling of the floor slab. Mr. Jovanovich reported NIRA’s survey crew will be on site at the Community Park for the survey of the basketball courts. Mr. Kostelnik commented about the condition of the Soccer Field. Mr. Hess replied there are plans to re-seed. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of July 2015.  AUGUST 18, 2015 7862 Mr. Kamauf said he has been meeting with department heads to begin putting together the budget for 2016. Mr. Kamauf reported that a consumer finance website, Nerdwallet, has named West Mifflin the best place in Pennsylvania to start a business. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Olack, seconded by Kushner that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Stephenson). Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack to approve the hiring of Patricia Gougler as a substitute school crossing guard pending all clearance and appropriate background checks. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Stephenson). Motion carried. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Olack to approve a $200.00 donation to the Memorial Appreciation for Veterans. This event will be held at the Community Park on September 20 th. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one absent (Stephenson). Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Ken Mach 116 Division Street who is a school crossing guard spoke about the lack of communication and notification of the job status, schedules, pay scale and uniforms which he said his in in disarray. Mr. Kamauf explained there is money allocated in the budget for supplies and uniforms. Mr. Kamauf said he will check with Ted Cale for more information in regards to schedules, etc. Virginia Harbst 249 Curry Hollow Road presented Council with a petition for the Borough to take over road maintenance of Wilson Drive, located off Curry Hollow Road. She gave a brief history of the road along with road dimensions. She argued that as a taxpayer of West Mifflin, along with the other residents of Wilson Drive, she should have the same road maintenance as the rest of West Mifflin’s taxpayers. Mr. Kamauf stated that Wilson Drive is a private road. The Borough’s Ordinance states that before a road is adopted, it needs to meet certain specifications. He also stated that other than road maintenance, Wilson Drive still benefits from the Police and Fire Departments. Mr. Kamauf stressed that Borough rules do not allow us to take over this road and the Borough is not allowed on private property. Mr. DiLucente said that this issue is not limited to West Mifflin. Mr. DiLucente also remarked that doing road maintenance would be a violation of the law. Another resident of Curry Hollow Road who did not identify himself addressed Council about the terrible condition of the Wilson Drive area. He said the road is so horrible that he doubted if emergency vehicles could navigate quickly around the pot holes. He claimed he has damaged his own vehicle from pot holes. He pleaded for any type of help from the Borough. Again, Mr. DiLucente said this is private property and compared it to someone’s driveway and that this is the responsibility of the property owner. Mr. DiLucente concluded by saying if Council did act upon this situation, Council could have a Surcharge Action brought against them by any West Mifflin citizen. Jeanne Vogt 412 Commonwealth Avenue asked if there was a weight limit for trucks on Commonwealth Avenue. She stated that due to construction and detours tri-axel trucks have been starting through this street before 4 a.m. and these trucks have been repeatedly going  AUGUST 18, 2015 7863 through the same pot holes which have become increasingly larger. Mr. Marone stated the weight limit has been lifted temporarily due to the detours and construction. Chief Davies said that they will be monitoring these trucks and hopefully with the reopening of Mifflin Road this will redirect traffic. Mr. Marone stated the Borough will be in contact with Penn Dot and the water company to fix these holes. Sean O’Connor 207 Curry Hollow Road stated the worst hole on Wilson Drive is within the easement of his property. He questioned if he could get any help by a surplus of Borough’s supplies. Again, as stated before the Borough is not permitted to work on a private road and the way supplies are ordered, there is very little surplus. Mr. Anthony stated that the details of private roads are indicated in the homeowner’s deeds. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Davis that the Meeting by adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. prevailing time. Motion carried.