Borough Council

AUGUST 16, 2016 7926 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. prevailing time with President Scott Stephenson presiding. ROLL CALL: Kushner Present Olack Present Marone Present Davis Present Stupar Present Kostelnik Present Stephenson Present Seven members present, absent none. Mayor Kelly absent at Roll Call. Mayor Kelly arrived at 6:10 p.m. CITIZENS COMMENTS: James Jasinski 1 Cameron Drive asked why one of the new Police vehicles was purchased out of the General Fund and not of the Federal Forfeiture Fund. Mr. Kamauf explained one vehicle was budgeted out of the General Fund. The budgeted amount has to be spent before funds can be taken from the Forfeiture Fund. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Olack, seconded by Davis that the Minutes of the July 19, 2016 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Olack, seconded by Stupar to approve the purchase of 2016 Ford Interceptor Model K8A-AWD from Day Ford, Inc. through the SHACOG Joint Purchasing Bids for the West Mifflin Police Department at a cost of Forty-Two Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars ($42,579.00), funds to come from the General Fund. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack to approve the purchase of 2015 Ford Interceptor Model P2M-AWD from Day Ford, Inc. through the SHACOG Joint Purchasing Bids for the West Mifflin Police Department at a cost of Thirty-Eight Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($38,295.00), funds to come from Federal Forfeiture. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Olack, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the hiring of Walter Wesoloski as a substitute Crossing Guard at a wage of $11.22 per hour, pending successful completion of background check and clearances. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. D. Motion by Marone, seconded by Olack to approve application for PLGIT (Pennsylvania Local Government Investment Fund) P-Card Program. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  AUGUST 16, 2016 7927 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………….……..Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the month of July 2016. Police……………………………………………………………………………Chief Ken Davies Chief Davies read the Police Department Report for the month of July 2016. Chief Davies reminded the public to lock and remove valuables from vehicles. Public Works…………………………………………………………………….....James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Department Report for the month of July 2016. Mayor Kelly arrived. Recreation…………………………………………………………………….Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo reported the following: a. Movie night at the Community Park is rescheduled for Friday, August 26 th. b. Community Day will be held at the Allegheny County Airport on September 10 th from noon till 6 p.m. c. The Arts and Crafts Program and the Free Summer Lunch Program conclude this week. d. Mr. DiCenzo provided Council a rough draft of the Recreation Department new fees. EMS……………………………………………………….………………..Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of July 2016. Chief Plunkett said he was notified this week that the EMS Department was chosen EMS Service of the year for the state of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Emergency Service Council. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly expressed his deep appreciation for all the volunteer work and donations collected at the Duquesne Annex Fire Hill for the displaced residents from the massive fire at the Duquesne Place Apartments last month. Mayor Kelly announced the recipients of Citizen and Business of the Year. Gene Staudt and Voyager Jets were the winners for this year.  AUGUST 16, 2016 7928 REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Phil DiLucente said that everything was covered in the Executive Session and had nothing else to report. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Balewski reported there was a meeting about the Basketball Courts. Paving should be done in about 2-3 weeks along with the fencing. The project should be completed by late September. Mr. Balewski said the final amount of the 2016 Road Paving Programs will be $316,457.90. The original amount was $371,000.00. The savings was due to Public Works doing much of the prep work. Mr. Balewski said he is beginning design on the Adult Fitness Park on Kansas Street. Mr. Marone asked about enlarging Shelter #2 at the Community Park. Mr. Balewski said drawings will be submitted. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of July 2016. Mr. Kamauf said he has begun to work on the budget for next year. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone 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 Marone to authorize payment in the amount of $316,457.90 to Caruso Paving for the completion of the micro paving program. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: John Koczka 4333 Everlawn Street said he has noticed a lot of absenteeism at the Council Meetings. Mr. Olack responded by saying all Council members put in a good effort and by law the Borough is only required to have one meeting a month, that being the voting meeting. Mr. Koczka said he noticed a lot of Police cars at Kennywood Park. He wondered if the Borough gets paid for this. Chief Davies said Kennywood Park compensates the Borough 100% for the use of the Police Officers. Kristie England 543 Edgewood Avenue expressed her concern about her neighbors. She claimed there is a lot of drug activity there along with pit bull dogs and a lot of night time noise.  AUGUST 16, 2016 7929 She said the residents have suspended licenses along with unregistered vehicles. She said her parents who live there are elderly and her mother recently was hospitalized with severe heart problems. She had requested and received from the Police Department a handicapped sign that goes directly in front of her home. These neighbors deliberately park at this sign. Mr. Stephenson asked if these neighbors were owners or renters. Ms. England said they were renters. It was also noted that Edgewood Avenue is a public road. Mr. DiLucente said he needs to research the law to see if blue handicap lines can be painted on a public road. Mayor Kelly said he has spoken to the other residents and they said since they have a handicap placard on their car they are also entitled to park at the handicap sign. Ms. England said they had new steps installed in front of her house but the neighbors park right in front of the steps. Chief Davies said since it is a public street anyone can park where ever they want. Mr. Stephenson said our solicitor will research the handicap line issue and get back to Ms. England as soon as possible. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue wanted to know if there have been any interested buyers in the old Borough Building. Mr. DiLucente said there has been no interest in the building from anyone. Mr. Thompson said he understood there has been a notice of violation sent to his neighbor and was there any more information on this. Mr. Anthony said there have been no additional complaints from the person who initially filed the complaint. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street commented on a dog attack recently in his neighborhood. He commended the officer in handling the situation well. Mr. Jasinski asked how the Borough will handle regulations on E-Cigarettes. He said the Police Department has more important things to do instead of policing convenience stores and does the Police Department get reimbursement for this. Chief Davies said the law hasn’t gone into effect yet and his department gets no reimbursement. Mr. Jasinski said since pizza shops will be selling wine in the future, will their employees be able to handle the sales. Mayor Kelly said this is the same as restaurants selling alcoholic beverages and every employee has mandatory training through the state. The owner is liable for the sale of alcohol. Mr. Jasinski wanted Mr. Hess to explain the process of micro sealing. Mr. Hess explained it is a mixture of cement, oil and an aggregate that is purchased from a company in Somerset, Pa. He added the life expectancy is about 6-7 years and it’s about half the cost of paving. Mr. Jasinksi asked Council if anyone was familiar with a lawsuit between the State of Washington vs. Comcast Cable. No one on Council was familiar with the lawsuit. It’s a class action lawsuit filed by the Attorney General for 100 million. He wanted to bring this to the attention of Council. Mr. Jasinski asked if the old Borough Building is winterized. Mr. Kamauf stated there are still tenants in the building and it is not winter yet. Mr. Jasinski asked if any consideration was given to the lighting comment he brought up at last months’ meeting. Mr. Stephenson replied Council has not. Mr. Jasinski asked if the Borough population is growing or shrinking. Mr. Anthony said new homes are being built and sold at Westwood Golf course. Mayor Kelly said he believes the population is slowing growing. Mayor Kelly asked if Council received his email in regards to creating a brand or logo for West Mifflin. Mr. Stephenson said the response has been positive. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Olack, seconded by Marone that the Meeting be adjourned, Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. prevailing time.