Borough Council

DECEMBER 15, 2020 8167 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on December 15, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. prevailing time with President Steve Marone presiding. ROLL CALL: Moses Present Kushner Absent Santoro Present Inglis Present Kostelnik Present Stephenson Present Marone Present Six members present. Mayor Kelly present. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: No citizen comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Moses that the minutes of the November 17, 2020 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Six ayes, no nays. 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 9.38M MILLS FOR THE YEAR 2021 AND IMPOSING DISCOUNTS, PENALTIES AND INTEREST THEREON. Solicitor DiLucente waited a moment to see if there were any questions regarding Agenda Item A. Mr. Kamauf added the tax rate is staying the same, and there is not a tax increase for the year 2021. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8168 B. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2021 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2021 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOROUGH CODE FOR THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN. Budget- $16,568,531.00 Liquid Fuels Budget $500,000.00 Capital Projects Budget $300,000.00 Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING AND ESTABLISHING THE SALARIES AND WAGES OF VARIOUS EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN FOR THE PERIOD COMENCING WITH THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN JANUARY 1, 2021 AND CONTINUING FORWARD UNTIL OTHERWISE AMENDED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mayor Kelly asked if anyone saw the resolution prior to tonight. Mr. Marone questioned if it was the salaries of the non-union employees. Mr. Marone stated yes he got it today. Mayor Kelly thought there should be some discussion about the salaries. Mayor Kelly commented Mr. Kamauf has done a superb job and he is well under paid. Mr. Marone commented there was discussion in the executive session, but the Mayors phone call got disconnected somehow. Mr. Kostelnik reported he got information from SHACOG. Mr. Kostelnik shared the information with the room and whoever was on the phone, not knowing the Mayor got disconnected. Mr. Marone commented after the resolution is voted on, discretionary raises can be given throughout the year if the budget allows it. Mr. Marone commented the information Mr. Kostelnik got will be disbursed this week, then there will be a discussion. Mr. Stephenson explained he abstained because he wants to see all of the performance reviews. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays, one abstain. Motion carried.  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8169 D. Motion by Moses, seconded by Inglis to approve and advertise the 2021 Legislative and Work Session Meeting Calendar. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the consolidation of two parcels Lot and Blocks 181-C-217 and 181-C-216, lots are located at 1636 Greensprings Avenue, Planning Commission and Engineer have reviewed and recommended approval. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays Motion carried. F. Motion by Moses, seconded by Inglis to approve the appointment of Greg Hlasnik to the Sanitary Sewer Authority, term to expire the first Monday 2026. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. G. Motion by Moses, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the appointment of Dale Pavlik to the Zoning Hearing Board, term to expire December 31, 2023. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. H. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the appointment of Steve Marone to the Planning & Zoning Commission, term to expire December 31, 2024. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays, one abstain. Motion carried. I. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis to approve the appointment of Jessica Pavlik to the Planning & Zoning Commission, term to expire December 31, 2024. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. J. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis to approve the appointment of James Jasinski to the Civil Service Commission, term to expire January 23, 2026. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. K. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Moses to approve General Code to codify Ordinances No. 1214, 1215, 1217, 1218 and 1220. Cost not to exceed $2,025.00. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of November 2020. Police………………………………………………………………...…Chief Anthony Topolnak  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8170 Chief Anthony Topolnak read the Police Report for the Month of November 2020. Public Works…………………………………………………………………………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Report for the Month of November 2020. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of November 2020. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly reported the business and citizen of the year committee have selected the candidates. This year’s response has been better than any of the previous years. Mayor Kelly announced the citizen of the year is Peter Roy from the Terrace Nazarene Church. Mayor Kelly listed the numerous things Peter Roy did for the community during the pandemic. Mayor Kelly announced the business of the year is Mulligans Sports Bar & Grill. Mayor Kelly stated not only did he offer services, but his business was directly affected. Mulligans also supports our events. Mayor Kelly stated along with Council President Marone are honored to present these awards. In person presentations will take place at a later date. Mayor Kelly reported we were approved for a grant that equates to half of the cost of the Police body cameras. Mayor Kelly reported he took an order of bicycles today that were donated by Mr. Richard Bazzy of Shultz Ford. The bikes will then be distributed. Mayor Kelly asked Solicitor DiLucente for an update of the federal bank recs proceeding with Moonbeam. Solicitor DiLucente reported it is reserved for executive session, but it is progressing. Mayor Kelly asked for feedback regarding his presentation to Council for a disinfecting program for vehicles. Mayor Kelly stressed doing anything we can to help curve the pandemic. Mr. Marone reported after speaking with the insurance carrier it is not recommended that we do this at this time since it is so contagious right now. Mr. Marone suggested Mayor Kelly speak with the insurance carrier regarding the matter. Mr. Kamauf commented the insurance carriers were hesitant on insuring for the liability side.  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8171 Mayor Kelly commented it is a new program that no one is doing. Police could be answering calls and getting infected at any time. Mr. Kamauf replied they were explaining it is not our normal coverage. Mayor Kelly commented after speaking to Mr. Kamauf twice today why he wasn’t told about the insurance conversation. Mr. Kamauf replied he thought this would be a full discussion in executive session. Mayor Kelly commented this is new and doesn’t fall under the realm of traditional Police work but the Police do other things than traditional Police work. Mayor Kelly stated we owe it to our residents to try to stop the spread. Mr. Marone commented the fire Chief at the fire station he volunteers at would not put them at risk more than they already are for normal calls. After some discussion Mr. Marone commented this can be discussed further. Mr. Stephenson asked Mayor Kelly who is on the committee that chooses the citizen and business of the year, and how does someone get appointed to that committee. Mayor Kelly replied when the program was first started it was decided that no one on Council gets to vote, and to make it anonymous. Mr. Stephenson commented there is a misconception that Council picks the citizen and business of the year. Mr. Stephenson asked if it is anonymous how someone get appointed. Mayor Kelly replied there are 5 people on the committee. Mayor Kelly said he would let Council know when someone drops off of the committee. Mr. Stephenson commented he has been asked numerous times how someone would get on the committee or how does someone get nominated. Mr. Stephenson said he replies that he doesn’t know. Mayor Kelly said it is working the way it is and authority isn’t being abused. Mr. Stephenson commented he still has not got an answer to the question. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente commented everything was reserved for executive session.  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8172 REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Ms. Mowry updated Council regarding the slide that occurred on Curry Hollow Road. Ms. Mowry spoke to the attorneys, and was told they would be reaching out to Solicitor DiLucente. Ms. Mowry reported she is in the process of scheduling the final study group meeting for January for the DCNR grant. A final draft will then be presented to Council. Ms. Mowry reported the amphitheater grant isn’t due to be announced until spring. Ms. Mowry reported she is waiting for the specs from the County for the Livingston Road storm water management project. The project should be started spring or early summer. Ms. Mowry commented work has started on the Duquesne Avenue culvert replacement. Ms. Mowry reported the Curry Hollow project will also start in spring or early summer. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of November 2020. Mr. Kamauf commented there were challenges this past year. Mr. Kamauf thanked Council, the Solicitor, and Engineer for the unprecedented road we went down, and making the right decisions for the residents and the Borough. Mr. Kamauf thanked all the departments and employees for everyone’s hard work this past year. Mr. Marone thanked Mr. Kamauf and staff that helped with the budget this year. It was a tough year to make ends meet without having to raise taxes. Mr. Marone thanked Andy in IT for setting the offices up to work from home. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Inglis, seconded by Stephenson that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Five ayes, no nays, one abstain. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: No new business. CITIZENS COMMENTS:  DECEMBER 15, 2020 8173 No citizen comments. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Inglis that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm prevailing time.