Borough Council

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 7875 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. prevailing time with President Michael Moses presiding. ROLL CALL: Davis Present Marone Present Kostelnik Present Olack Present Kushner Present Stephenson Present Moses Present Seven members present, absent none. Mayor Kelly present. CITIZENS COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone that the Minutes of October 20, 2015 be approved. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING: 2016 BUDGET PROPOSAL Solicitor DiLucente opened the Public Hearing for comments or questions on the 2016 Budget Proposal. Hearing no requests for comments or questions Solicitor DiLucente closed the Public Hearing. Mr. Kamauf reviewed some of the highlights of the budget. He said next month’s meeting will have the formal vote so the public can review the budget. He stated that department heads begin meeting in July and give ideas to Council. Mr. Kamauf said the proposed budget will have a Real Estate Tax increase of one-third of a mill. This proposed budget would increase paving, replace equipment, and expand recreation programs. He said the Borough is looking to hire four additional police officers and three or four additional public works employees. AGENDA ITEMS: Prior to voting on the following motion considerable discussion was heard in regards to a communication tower to be erected on Skyline Drive. Verizon’s attorney and engineer presented much evidence about the flagpole design versus the monopole design. The engineer reported that a monopole tower with multiple antennas provides better coverage than a flagpole design the Borough Planning Commission set as a condition. Following their comments President Moses decided to put the monopole design to a vote. A. Motion by Marone, seconded by Stephenson to approve the Conditional use Authorization request from Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless, for the applicants proposed construction of a 125’ communication tower at 2627 Skyline Drive, West Mifflin, Pa 15122 with the condition of approval based on a monopole design. Roll Call: Six ayes, one nay. (Olack) Motion carried. B. RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF RESTAURANT LIQUOR LICENSE INTO THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN.______________________ Motion by Davis, seconded by Kostelnik the resolution be adopted. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Resolution given No. 1293.  NOVEMBER 17, 2015 7876 C. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY VACANT RECOVERY PROGRAM APPLICATION FOR LOT & BLOCK #0185-A-00084. Motion by Olack, seconded by Kostelnik the Resolution by adopted. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Resolution given No. 1292. D. Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone to approve Site Plan for a 1248 Square Foot Addition to the Meineke Muffler repair garage located at 4103 Kennywood Boulevard. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve the Waste Agreement with Mosites Construction for concrete material for the Homeville Bridge Project. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. F. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Kushner to approve the decommissioning and sell at auction the following Police Vehicles: Unit # Make Model Year VIN Mileage 245 Ford CRN VICT 2008 2FAFP71V88X115988 116,133 249 Ford CRN VICT 2009 2FAHP71V99X115427 108,798 Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. G. Motion by Marone, seconded by Kostelnik to approve Peter J. Caruso, Inc., Contractor’s Final Payment Application, in the amount of $16,559.29 for the 2015 paving work completed. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development……………………………………………..……Walter Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the month of October 2015. Police…………………………………………………………………….….Chief Ken Davies Chief Davies read the Police Department Report for the month of October 2015. Public Works…………………………………………………………..…………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Department Report for the month of October 2015.  NOVEMBER 17, 2015 7877 Recreation…………………………………………………………………Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo reported the following: The Halloween event was a huge success. He thanked members of Council and the Recreation Committee. Light up Night will be on Thursday, December 3rd beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Borough Building. A reception will follow at the Skyview Fire Hall. Teachers participated in a community wide cleanup on Tuesday, November 3rd. Park and litter cleanup were part of the plan. Applications are still being accepted from residents for a seat on our Recreation Committee. The position is for a 2 year term. Work is currently being done on the Borough’s Website. One of the new features on the site will give residents the opportunity to enroll as volunteers for any event we have in the Borough throughout the year. Four basketball hoops for the Community Park have been purchased through the CITF Grant. The cost of the basketball hoops was $12,800.00. Mayor Kelly asked about the trade unions that were supposed to volunteer for projects at the Community Park. Mr. DiCenzo said this has been pushed back until the spring. EMS……………………………………………………………………..Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of October 2015. Chief Plunkett reported there are about 150 flu shots available. Chief Plunkett said he is going to Harrisburg this weekend for a Rescue Service of the Year Award along with other Chiefs from SHACOG. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly congratulated the EMS for their award. Mayor Kelly said he would like to get started on the civil service application for next month’s agenda. He said he would like to see one or two officers hired by April. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente reported his firm has completed: Review of the application for the Allegheny County Economic Development Site Plan. Review of the Waste Agreement with Mosites Construction. Review of the transfer of the liquor license for the Century Square Theater. Review the Verizon application for the communication tower. Review the bid schedule and specifications for demolition of 615 Laura Avenue.  NOVEMBER 17, 2015 7878 One of the things Solicitor DiLucente wanted to address with Council is to finalize an ordinance for the criteria of towing in the Borough. This should be prepared for the December meeting. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Jovanovich reported the following: A report had been issued on the Public Works Building concrete slab assessment. The report addresses three options for the repair/replacement of the elevated floor slab. The site plans have been reviewed for the proposed addition to the Meineke Muffler facility for compliance with Borough ordinances. Completed bid documents for demolition at the home at 111 2nd Avenue. Change Order No. 1 for the Curry Hollow Road Storm Sewer Replacement has been prepared and issued. The remaining work on the project is the bituminous overlay paving. The paving was scheduled for the week of November 9th. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Financial Report for the month of October 2015. Mr. Kamauf said he would begin advertising for Board appointments that are set to expire. The positions are as follows: Vacancy Board – 1 appointment – 1 year term Civil Service Board – 1 appointment – 6 year term Sanitary Sewer Authority – 1 appointment – 5 year term Zoning Hearing Board – 1 appointment – 3 year term Baldwin EMS Board – a member of Council will serve on this board. Mr. Marone asked about the status of the sale of the old Borough Building. Solicitor DiLucente replied November 20th will be the final day that anyone else can counter offer and after that a contract can be entered into. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Davis, seconded by Kushner that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Olack, seconded by Stephenson to approve naming Paul A. Fisher as agent of record for group healthcare benefits offered through UPMC. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  NOVEMBER 17, 2015 7879 Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone to approve the software license agreement between the Borough of West Mifflin and AMCA Systems, LLC for ACA TaxTrack Software at a cost of $2,295.00. License fee will cover the filing requirements for 2015 tax year for IRS Forms 1095-c and 1094-c. Approval contingent upon solicitor review and approval. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Olack, seconded by Kostelnik to approve Contractors Partial Payment Application No. 2, which is the final payment, to Niando Construction, Inc., for work completed at Curry Hollow Road, under the Curry Hollow Road Storm Sewer Upgrade Project, CITF Grant application NO. 1314-citi-108 as recommended by the Borough Engineers. With payment to be released when contractor has fully and properly completed and submitted grant required documentation. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Karen Santoro 131 Castle Drive questioned if the Borough is considering switching garbage collection from the Public Works Department to a private firm. Mr. Kamauf replied the Boroughs garbage collection is in the proposed 2016 budget. He also said we always have to look at every option and at some point this may be something Council will need to explore. Mr. Moses remarked that we are only one of seven boroughs in the County that collects its own trash. He said additionally that landfill fees increase every year. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue questioned whether the B & R Holdings court case has been settled with Judge James. Mr. Anthony said Mr. Rodgers of B & R Holdings has completed everything that was assigned by Borough Council and the case is closed with Judge James. Jay Goonetilleke 404 Dennison Drive questioned where he can read the proposed budget. Mr. Kamauf said copies are at the Borough Building and on the Borough’s website. Mr. Goonetilleke questioned if veterans are given preference for the police officer positions. He was told they are given first preference and not one veteran has taken the civil service test. Mr. Goonetilleke questioned if it was a conflict of interest if a Borough employee could be on the School Board. He was told this was not a conflict of interest. ADJOURNMEMT: Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 prevailing time.