Borough Council

DECEMBER 18, 2018 8072 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on December 18, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. prevailing time with Steve Marone presiding. ROLL CALL: Kushner Present Inglis Present Stupar Present Kostelnik Absent Santoro Present Marone Present Stephenson Absent Five members present. Mayor Kelly present. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street questioned the tax rate increase, and read statistics about the borough that he brought with him. Mr. Kamauf replied with factual comments regarding why there is an increase. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue questioned where Lot & Block 386-F-238 property sale was located. Mr. Marone replied with location. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Stupar, seconded by Inglis that the minutes of the November 20, 2018 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson).. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING AND REENACTING THE REAL ESTATE TAX RATE OF 8.88 MILLS FOR THE YEAR OF 2019 AND IMPOSING DISCOUNTS, PENALTIES AND INTEREST THEREON. Solicitor DiLucente opened the Public Hearing. Hearing no comments, Solicitor DiLucente closed the hearing. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kushner Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. B. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR  DECEMBER 18, 2018 8073 BEGINNING JANUARY, 1 2019 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2019 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN. Budget - $16,252,291.00 Liquid Fuels Budget $500,000.00 Capital Projects Budget $300,000.00 Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kushner Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. C. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING AND ESTABLISHING THE SALARIER AND WAGES OF VARIOUS EMPLOYEES IF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN FOR THE PERIOD CEMMENCING WITH THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN JANUARY, 1, 2019 AND CONTINUING FORWARD UNTIL OTHERWISE AMENDED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Motion by Stupar, seconded by Kushner Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. D. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the appointments: William Bennett to the Civil Service Commission, term to expire December 31, 2024. John Munsie to the Sanitary Sewer Authority, term to expire the First Monday of 2024. Jim Dorney to the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire December 31, 2021. Shannon Hinkle to the Planning Commission, term to expire December 31, 2022. J. Douglas Resetar to the Planning Commission, term to expire December 31, 2022 Stephen Keron to the Planning Commission, term to expire December 31, 2022. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. E. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the Borough of West Mifflin Insurance renewals with Travelers including: Property, Inland Marine , General, Law Enforcement, Public entity, Employment, Auto and Cyber Liabilities, Auto Damage and Umbrella Coverage at an annual cost of Two Hundred Sixty One Thousand Five Hundred Three Dollars, (261,503). Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. F. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the Borough insurance renewal with Excalibur Insurance Management Services, LLC for Workers Compensation and Employment Liability Insurance at an annual cost of Three Hundred Seventy Four Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Seven Dollars, (374,827.00.) Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. G. Motion by Inglis, seconded by to approve and advertise 2019 Caucus and Legislative Meetings of Borough Council. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried.  DECEMBER 18, 2018 8074 H. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the sale of Borough Property, Lot & Block 386-F-238. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. I. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve and change the cost of 3 years tax Certification from the Tax Office from $15 to $30. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of November 2018. Police……………………………………………………………………….Chief Tony Topolnak Chief Tony Topolnak read the Police Report for the Month of November 2018. Public Works…………………………………………………………………………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Report for the Month of November 2018. Recreation………………………………………………………………………...Stephen Keron Mr. Keron read the Recreation report for the Month of November 2018. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of November 2018. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: No report. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente reported on the safety issue for the road by the mall and that an agreement is now in place. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER:  DECEMBER 18, 2018 8075 Ms. Bennett commented on the Lower Bull Run culvert replacement and work should be started around the second week of January. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf reported after everything is finalized with the turnpike commission it will be released. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Kushner, seconded by Stupar that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays (Two absent; Kostelnik, Stephenson). Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: No new business. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Rick Saporito 625 Shady Lane questioned when Lower Bull Run will be open. Mr. Kamauf commented the contract and grant are in place and the work will roughly begin in January with a 30 day completion. Mr. Saporito questioned Homestead Duquesne Road water runoff and turning to ice. Mr. Kamauf commented they are county roads. Mr. Hess commented it is ground water and we are in contact with the county regarding the situation. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Ave. questioned stats and reports being put on the website for residents. Mr. Thompson questioned the property at 4821 Buttermilk Hollow Road and the activity there without an occupancy permit. Mr. Thompson commented on the microphones and voices are hard to hear. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street questioned residential rental properties and a 3 stroke program being put in place. Mr. Kamauf commented it is still being looked into and making sure things are being done the proper way. Mr. Jasinski commented other boroughs have things in place. Mr. Anthony commented the property owner has to have the 3 strike program in the lease before it can be put in place. Solicitor DiLucente commented there a lot of things that would need to go in to an ordinance, and it is being looked at and constructed. Mr. Jasinski commented there needs to be some movement on this subject. Mr. Jasinski questioned any movement on the 1200 Lebanon Church Road borough building. Mr. Kamauf commented we are looking into several entities to do with that property. Mr. Jasinski questioned if the police would be getting a dog, and if we will get a new dispatcher. Mr. Kamauf commented the dispatchers are fully staffed, but at some point a part time dispatcher may be added on. ADJOURNMENT:  DECEMBER 18, 2018 8076 Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:20 pm prevailing time.