Borough Council

FEBRUARY 18, 2020 8128 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on February 18, 2020 at 6:46 p.m. prevailing time with President Steve Marone presiding. ROLL CALL: Moses Present Kushner Present Santoro Present Inglis Present Kostelnik Present Stephenson Present Marone Present Seven members present. Mayor Kelly present. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: No citizen comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Kostelnik that the minutes of the January 21, 2020 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Moses A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE BOROUGH MANAGER TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL APPROVAL TO THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND SIGN THE APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE MUNICIPALITY. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the 2 lot subdivision requested by John R. Rossi of the parcel #7 Lot Block 559-M-090 located at 1014 New England Road as recommended by the Engineer and Planning Commission. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the Preliminary and Final site requested by Liberty Pultrusions located at 1575 Lebanon School Road for a 1260 square foot addition to their facility as recommended by the Engineer and Planning Commission. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays Motion carried. D. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve a contract with Firewicz Construction Inc. for the replacement of 2 steel exterior doors and hardware at the West Mifflin Police Station in the amount of $3,197.00. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve and authorize SHACOG to pay McNabb Contracting for the demolition completed with the CDBG year 44 Grant in the amount of $47,000.00 (Forty Seven Thousand Dollars). Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. F. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the use of office space at 1020 Lebanon Road, to Senator Jim Brewster to use as Satellite Office. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  FEBRUARY 18, 2020 8129 G. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve and accept a Temporary Easement Offer from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in the amount of $3,300.00 for property Lot & Block 239-K-75 located at Homeville Road and Castle Drive. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. H. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the installation of a Stop Sign on Irwin Drive at its intersection with Glenburn Drive. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. I. Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Inglis to appoint James Hess to the open position on the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Authority, term to expire the First Monday on 2022. Mayor Kelly commented the rules are 1 elected official and the rest at large, so there’s no conflict for Mr. Hess. Mr. Stephenson questioned how many applications were received. Mr. Kamauf commented 2 applications. Mayor Kelly questioned if Mr. Hess believes job openings should be advertised. Mr. Hess replied he does. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays, one abstention. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of January 2020. Police………………………………………………………………...…Chief Anthony Topolnak Chief Anthony Topolnak read the Police Report for the Month of January 2020. Public Works…………………………………………………………………………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Report for the Month of January 2020. Recreation………………………………………………………………….……..Stephen Keron Mr. Keron read the Recreation Report for the Month of January 2020. Mayor Kelly recommended having a backup person attend the food handling class for the summer program. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of January 2020. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly reported he may have found a plan to create a demolition fund. Solicitor DiLucente commented there is a program called Act 152 we could become a part of. A $15.00 (Fifteen Dollar) fee for deed transfers can be charged, the money would then go into an account for demolition. The act was not passed yet, but could be a great opportunity. Mayor Kelly questioned if we should send a letter of support for the Act 152 program. Solicitor DiLucente replied the Mayor, and all members of Council should sign the letter. Mr. Anthony commented we need to look into how much West Mifflin would actually receive. Mayor Kelly commented on a situation Mr. Jasinski had called him about regarding a business being ran out of a Section 8 home. Mayor Kelly has not been able to find anything out yet through the County. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR:  FEBRUARY 18, 2020 8130 Solicitor DiLucente reported he will be meeting with Bob Macey to discuss exactly how the money for the Act 152 program would be disbursed. Solicitor DiLucente reported he spoke with an attorney whose client was looking to purchase a piece of property. If a piece of property doesn’t meet the criteria for the vacant property recovery program, West Mifflin should have something similar in place. Solicitor DiLucente reported in regards to Veterans preference if the spouse of the military person is deceased or disabled would they get the same benefit. The answer is Yes and the Statute is 51 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 7101. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Ms. Bennett gave updates for grant closeouts, the paperwork has been submitted for County approval. For the Kansas Park project she is working on obtaining the required paperwork from the Vendor. Ms. Bennett reported the $100,000.00 grant for the GEDF grant for Livingston Road is still on hold, because we are still waiting for the go ahead from the County to proceed. Ms. Bennett reported there is a plan in place for the Community dog park, and that she is working with the Community Foundation. The plans and survey work will be sent to the Planning Commission. Ms. Bennett reported Curry Hollow road was drilled yesterday. Initial findings are there are voids in the road, but we have to wait for the full report. Ms. Bennett questioned the details of the water situation on Livingston Road. Her recommendation is for the homeowner to have to manage the water on his property. Steve Marone commented the water is coming from his sump pump, but the closest storm drain is 300 yards away. Solicitor DiLucente commented this is private property and it needs to be remedied by the homeowner. Mayor Kelly questioned if it would be in our benefit to keep track of the costs for the Public Works department, and to file a lien against the property. Solicitor DiLucente replied this would have to go through the court if there is a violation. Mr. Anthony commented with this situation causing a public nuisance and a citation has been sent to the property owner. On this situation to have the sump pump drain going into a pit could possibly cause the water to go onto a neighbor’s property. There is no easy way to do it other than storm water lines. Solicitor DiLucente commented the homeowner does have due process time, and a lien can’t just be filed. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of January 2020. Mayor Kelly questioned if we got any updates on the paving of Lebanon Church Road. Mr. Kamauf replied we have not gotten any formal updates. Mr. Kamauf will reach out to see if there are any changes. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Kushner, seconded by Inglis that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve donation of Pavilion at the Community Park to West Mifflin School District on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  FEBRUARY 18, 2020 8131 Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to amend and change the fee schedule for garbage collection; residential multiple item pick up to define a limit of 10 cubic feet in total. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve 5 year renewal agreement with IntegraOne for Barracuda Backup server, at a total cost of $11,010.14. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve 5 year support agreement with DES for firewall support at a cost of $11,375.67. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Patti Pulkowski 475 Livingston Road showed pictures of the ice situation from last year, and this year. Her concern is that it is a hazard and doesn’t want anything bad to happen. Ms. Pulkowski requested that something be done to stop this problem. She wanted to be informed of future plans to resolve this problem. Mayor Kelly questioned if warning signs can be placed as a preventative measure. Solicitor DiLucente commented it would be wise for the Borough to put some type of signs. Mayor Kelly questioned if sand bags, and cones to redirect the water would work. Mr. Marone replied the water needs to cross the road to get to the storm drain. Solicitor DiLucente commented if something does happen this will be a liability for the Borough. Solicitor DiLucente commented the Mayor does have the power to declare a state of emergency and shut the road down if need be. Adam Schlott 390 Kaywood Drive is addressing the same issue on Livingston Road. Mr. Schlott has children with disabilities, and also kids walk that way for the bus stop and this issue needs addressed. Mr. Schlott commented he also was getting water. He installed a sump pump with a pit to collect the water and he did not cause any issues for water running onto the road. Charles A Shoaf 5 Goldstrohm Avenue spoke regarding the Village shopping center. Mr. Shoaf commented when the Village shopping center was sold the wrong amount was recorded for the sale, and is affecting taxes. Mr. Shoaf alerted Allegheny County of the mistake, pulled the deed and saw the discrepancy. Mr. Shoaf wanted to bring this information to Councils attention. Mr. Kamauf explained LERDA to Mr. Shoaf and explained that he wrote it, and Mr. Shoaf had wrong information. Mr. Kamauf, Council, and the Mayor tried to explain the process to Mr. Shoaf. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue questioned if there is anything new with the old Borough Building. Mr. Thompson questioned if lines could be painted on the curbing on to indicate the turning coming into the parking lot. Mr. Marone commented in the spring he will have Mr. Hess add it to his list. Mr. Thompson commented this issue on Livingston Road could have been prevented if the bigger picture was looked at when the rules were put into place. Dave Marshall 2220 Reuben Drive as a citizen wanted to express the faith he has in the West Mifflin Police Department. Mr. Marshall next spoke as a member of the School Board commented Dr. Hoover has no issue with anyone that has Allegheny County Health Department ratings using their facilities. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street questioned if anyone knew about the Borough contract went through with the Public Works Department. Mr. Kamauf replied it is not complete yet, there is a final vote done at a meeting. Mr. Jasinski questioned if Mayor Kelly was aware Homestead got a Police dog. Mayor Kelly commented he is 100% behind having a K9, but its Councils decision. Mr. Jasinski questioned Solicitor DiLucente if he looked into the 3 strikes and you’re out program. Solicitor DiLucente replied he has met with Mr. Evashavik and they feel it would not be conducive to West Mifflin Borough, because it violates a person’s civil rights.  FEBRUARY 18, 2020 8132 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Kushner, seconded by Stephenson that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm prevailing time.