Borough Council

JULY 20, 2021 8199 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on July 20, 2021 at 6:47 p.m. prevailing time with President Steve Marone presiding. ROLL CALL: Moses Present Kushner Present Santoro Present Inglis Present Kostelnik Absent Stephenson Present Marone Present Seven members present. Mayor Kelly absent due to official Borough business CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: No citizen comments. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Moses that the minutes of the June 15, 2021 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BROOUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN RELATIVE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF BROUGH EMPLOYEES PENSION, ANNUITY, INSURANCE AND BENEFIT FUND OR FUNDS, TO AMEND CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PENSION PLAN OR PROGRAM APPLICABLE TO THE NON-UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES OF SAID BOROUGH AND TO RESTATE IN ITS ENTIRETY SUCH PENSION PLAN OR PROGRAM. Solicitor Greg Evashavik opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Evashavik read the summary of the Ordinance. Hearing no questions or comments, Solicitor Evashavik declared the Public Hearing closed. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Stephenson Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. RESOLUTION OF COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN APPROVING THAT THE ACQUISITION AND SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION OF A PARCEL OF VACANT PROPERTY KNOWN AS LOT AND BLOCK NUMBER 181- H-253 WOULD BE IN ACCORD WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE MUNICIPALITY Mr. Kamauf commented the address for the lot and block is 3710 Greensprings Avenue Motion by Inglis, seconded by Stephenson Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro to approve the opening of Special General Funds account for Federal Stimulus Funds with First National Bank. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony was absent but submitted the Community Development Report for the Month of June 2021.  JULY 20, 2021 8200 Police………………………………………………………………...…Chief Anthony Topolnak Chief Anthony Topolnak read the Police Report for the Month of June 2021. Mr. Kamuaf asked if we followed up on the request for the stop sign in Riverview. Chief Topolnak replied he is still looking into it. Mr. Marone commented there has been an excess of calls over the last month. Between the Police, fire and EMS every call was handled without any harm. Public Works…………………………………………………………………………James Hess Mr. Hess read the Public Works Report for the Month of June 2021. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of June 2021. Chief Plunkett commented they have a new ambulance on the road. Mr. Marone asked if the color scheme is still the same. Chief Plunkett replied yes it is. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly absent REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor Evashavik reported they have continued being busy with Tax assessment appeals. Solicitor Evashavik commented the results have been very strong and we are having great success. Solicitor Evashavik commented this will result in a substantial increase in revenue. Solicitor Evashavik stated the closing of the old borough building would be in August, and everything seems to be on schedule. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mrs. Mowry reported there has been a shortage in materials needed for the Livingston Road storm water management project. Mrs. Mowry reported once the road resurfacing, and micro surfacing contracts are returned to Peter J Caruso & Sons the work can be scheduled to be completed. Mrs. Mowry reported she is working with Public Works to come up with options for the repair of a collapsed storm pipe on Melvin Road. Mr. Marone commented the Willock Road project is underway. Mr. Marone commented Police, EMS, and fire are stationed there now. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of June 2021. Mr. Kamauf reported we have received a portion of the stimulus money, which will go into the approved account being opened at First National Bank. For accounting purposes the money will be kept separate. There are regulations and stipulations for the spending, so it will kept separate. Mr. Kamauf reported the audit and the pension audit was completed.  JULY 20, 2021 8201 Mr. Marone commented there will be a movie night on July 30. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kushner that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Inglis, seconded by Moses to waive the vendor fees and use of booths for the September 25, 2021 arts fest. Mr. Kamauf commented we still need to follow protocol and the forms will still need to be filled out so we know what vendors are there. Mr. Kamauf commented he will get the forms from the Community Development Department. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue commented he went to a hearing for the property located at 4821 Buttermilk Hollow Road regarding a sheriff sale by the credit union. The owner then pulled it off the sale. Mr. Marone commented it could be multiple people owed money on the property. Mr. Evashavik commented he’s guessing a tax lien claim was filed. Mr. Thompson commented there was a deal being worked out. Mr. Thompson commented when the property was originally sold by Prism Ambulance they took $50,000.00 from the Borough a few months before they closed. To his understanding when an entity like that takes government money, they have to put it up for auction. Mr. Thompson asked if he was correct Solicitor Evashavik replied where the money came from. Mr. Thompson replied they were behind on bills and received a $50,000.00 donation. Solicitor Evashavik replied he’s not sure how the first part even happened. Solicitor Evashavik commented it does not need to go up for auction, but there would have to be a plan or lien in place to repay the money. Mr. Kamauf commented he believes that is what we paid them for their service. Mr. Thompson commented it was a donation the same way we donate to the fire halls. Solicitor Evashavik commented it only goes up for auction if we have a secured claim. Ray Rost 211 West Avenue commented the West Mifflin Community Foundation is doing their 2nd annual arts festival at the airport on September 25, 2021. Mr. Rost requested the fee to be waived for the vendor permits. Mr. Rost also requested to borrow the booths that were previously used for Community Day. A few Council members asked the cost of the vendors permit. Mr. Kamauf replied he believes it is $50 for a 2 week license. Mr. Marone asked if this is a fundraiser for the foundation.  JULY 20, 2021 8202 Mr. Rost replied they are having a program which is the only way they will make money. Mr. Rost stated they are not charging the vendors. Mr. Rost commented it is more of a showcase, and also live performances. Mr. Marone asked the deadline for the book ads. Mr. Rost replied September 1, 2021. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Kushner that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:03 pm prevailing time.