Borough Council

JULY 17, 2018 8051 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 6:39 p.m. prevailing time with President Scott Stephenson presiding. ROLL CALL: Kushner Present Inglis Present Stupar Present Kostelnik Present Santoro Present Marone Present Stephenson Present Seven members present. Mayor Kelly present. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street questioned Agenda Item 7 C, where liquor license transfer requested by Watami was coming from. Mr. Kamauf replied it was coming from Pittsburgh. Mr. Jasinski questioned Agenda Item 7 I, if there would be any repercussions for the stop signs being added on Century Drive. Solicitor DiLucente replied the form and substance of it is accurate. Mr. Jasinksi questioned Agenda Items J and K Mr. Inglis replied it is and outlet for businesses to express concerns and to work with Council. He commented this will also help to bring new businesses into West Mifflin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Marone, seconded by Kostelnik that the minutes of the June 2018 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to accept Allegheny County Act 167 Municipal Grant in the amount of Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.00) and authorize the Borough Manager to sign the grants documents on behalf of the Borough. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve advertisement of RFP for Municipal Waste Disposal Service. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve advertisement for a Public Hearing for Liquor License Transfer requested by Watami. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried D. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve Easement Agreement between the Borough and John Fischetti Jr. for installation of storm water line, pending final survey from the Borough Engineer and Easement Agreement approval of the Borough Solicitor. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  JULY 17, 2018 8052 E. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve Police Mutual Aid Agreement between the Borough and SHACOG. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. F. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve hiring of Edward Dijunas, Donald Ryan and Carol Walker as school crossing guard at a rate of $11.50 per hour, pending successful completion of background check and clearances. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. G. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve the purchase of 2018 Chevrolet Equinox from Turnpike Chevrolet at a cost of Twenty-two Thousand Three Hundred Thirty Five Dollars ($22,335.00) under COSTARS contract number 26-113. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. H. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone authorizing the Borough Manager to execute an easement agreement for traffic signals associated with the Speedway project located on Kennywood Blvd. specifically Lot & Block 238-H-190. The Borough Solicitor & Engineer have reviewed and approved the traffic signal easement. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. I. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to grant the request from Tech One associates for a modification to the approved traffic plan for the Century Square development. The modification would be for the removal of the “No Left Turn” sign located at the intersection of Mountain View Drive and Century Drive. Also there would be the installation of two “Stop Signs” on Mountain View Drive to allow left turns from Century Drive. The Borough Engineer & Solicitor have reviewed and approved the traffic analysis. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. J. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve the creation of an Economic Development Board. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. K. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to advertise for Economic Board members. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of June 2018. Police………………………………………………………………Acting Chief Michael Ragan Chief Michael Ragan read the Police Report for the Month of June 2018. Public Works…………………………………………………………………………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Report for the Month of June 2018. Recreation……………………………………………………………………..Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo read the Recreation report for the Month of June 2018. EMS……………………………………………………………………….Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the Month June 2018.  JULY 17, 2018 8053 REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly commented that he talked to the inspector regarding the Union Railroad Bridge and a field inspection will be done. He also said a One Thousand Dollar ($1000.00) grant was approved for Community Day from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. Mayor Kelly questioned the Homestead Lions group Park rental fee be waived. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente commented the speedway signal pole easement agreement, and the easement agreement for sewer installation and maintenance for sewer system at 2318 Worton Blvd were prepared for and assessment appeals were filed the results will be ready in approximately 6 weeks. Solicitor DiLucente commented assistance was given to Mr. Kamauf with the RFP landfill agreement which will be 10 years at the end of the year. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Ms. Bennett updated on the Lower Bull Run culvert replacement other grant options are being explored when the results are returned executing the contract will be continued. Ms. Bennett commented on the Micro Surfacing project the contract documents were received from Caruso and the contract will be executed that contract and getting the project started. Ms. Bennett commented the storm water management ordinance and the Act 167 compliance was awarded a Two Thousand Dollar ($2000.00) grant. Ms. Bennett commented the Kansas Ave. Park will have a survey done this week to set up the easement for the storm water issue. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of June 2018. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Kushner, seconded by Stupar that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Marone to approve the fee being waived for the Homestead Lions for the West Mifflin Community Park rental. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue questioned Agenda Item G and who purchasing the Chevrolet Equinox was for. Mr. Stephenson explained car dealerships won’t lease vehicles to Municipalities anymore and the one that was found that accepts COSTARS is from Turnpike Chevrolet. Mr. Thompson questioned the Building at 3000 Lebanon Church Road being sold.  JULY 17, 2018 8054 Mr. Kamauf commented the building is still under negotiation with the insurance company from the water damage when the final determination letter is received the next steps can be taken to sell the building. Dolores Jefferson 3120 Virginia Avenue questioned the playground in the Homeville area and why updates are not being done. Ms. Jefferson commented receiving other grant money should be used to update this playground. Mr. Kamauf replied we have received a grant and we are currently doing a feasibility study, once it is completed then next steps will be taken. Ms. Jefferson commented there is also vandalism at that playground and since the police station moved there are no police patrolling the area. Mr. Marone commented the Police officer count is down and the crimes have risen. Mr. Stephenson commented the Council is working on the hiring more Police officers. Mr. Dicenzo replied there have been updates done to that park. Kevin Jordan 3516 Duquesne Avenue commented updating the playground would be beneficial for group activities and keeping trouble away. Mr. Jordan questioned if background checks would be done for the hiring of the Police Officers. Mayor Kelly replied the background checks are very thorough. Ms. Jefferson commented on high grass on vacant lots that causes an issue on the roads. Larry Walker 3110 Virginia Avenue commented on high grass and weeds for various locations and making numerous phone calls complaining about it. Dave Rivera 128 Main Entrance Drive commented on issues he’s having with maintenance of a property near his home, and not having phone calls returned. Mr. Anthony replied that there is a process to go through with the courts and it does take time. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street requested an update regarding demolition for 3114 Duquesne Avenue. Mr. Anthony replied he was not aware of this property, and will follow up on the property. Mr. Jasinski questioned Mr. Marone regarding flashing lights being installed for emergency situations at Homeville Fire hall. Mr. Marone replied he will look into the cost. Mr. Jasinski read statistics for unemployment, office space, retail space and vacant properties and ways to make West Mifflin grow. Mr. Kamauf replied there have been numerous new businesses and that council is trying to do everything they can. Mr. Stephenson commented on real estate transfers and the high prices houses are selling for. Mr. Jasinski questioned Solicitor DiLucente regarding medical marijuana and if we are up to date on codes.  JULY 17, 2018 8055 Solicitor DiLucente replied there are designated areas in the state, parameters and a points system. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Stupar, seconded by Kushner that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm prevailing time.