Borough Council

AUGUST 15, 2023 8321 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on August 15, 2023 at 7:02 p.m. prevailing time with President Scott Stephenson presiding. ROLL CALL: Topolnak Present Davis Present Santoro Present Inglis Absent Kostelnik Present Moses Present Stephenson Present Six members present. Mayor Kelly absent. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Harry Thomson 6679 Adams Avenue – Mr. Thompson asked for an approximate cost for the Agenda Item A, West Mifflin Borough approving transfer of Stormwater sewer system to West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Authority. Mr. Thompson also asked what the bill each moth would be for the residents. Mr. Kamauf replied that there is no cost to transfer. Mr. Thompson asked if there will be a bill for residents each month. Mr. Stephenson replied that the Sewer Authority would be responsible for the monthly billing, and that there was a public hearing for this matter. Mr. Thompson stated that residents were unaware of the public hearing. Mr. Davis responded that the hearing was advertised. Mr. Kostelnik commented that it was in the Valley Mirror as well as on the West Mifflin Sanitary Sewer Authority website. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street - Mr. Jasinski asked if the Borough will lower the tax base for each household due to the charges that will be applied by the Sewer Authority. Mr. Jasinski inquired about the hiring new employees for the Sewer Authority, and if we could transfer employees of the West Mifflin Public Works Department to the Sewer Authority to offset costs. Mr. Stephenson stated that the Stormwater Management is government mandated and West Mifflin is not the only Borough putting the system in place. Mr. Kamauf added DEP mandated the Stormwater Management, the study was completed years ago.  AUGUST 15, 2023 8322 APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Santoro that the minutes of the July 18, 2023 Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN TRANSFER OF THE MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, REPAIRS, CONTROL AND OVERSIGHT OF THE BOROUGH STORMWATER SEWER SYSTEM TO THE WEST MIFFLIN SANITARY SEWER AND STORMWATER AUTHORITY. Solicitor DiLucente opened the Public Hearing. After hearing no comments, Solicitor DiLucente closed the Public Hearing. Motion by Davis, seconded by Topolnak Roll Call: Five ayes, one abstained. Motion carried. B. RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERHSIP PROGRAMS FOR THREE YEARS, 2024, 2025 AND 2026. Motion by Moses, seconded by Kostelnik Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Moses to approve the agreement between the Borough of West Mifflin and Hera Property for Abandoned Real Property Registration. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays Motion carried. D. Motion by Davis, seconded by Moses to approve agreement between the Borough of West Mifflin and South Hills Area Council of Governments, whereas, pursuant to the administrative requirements of the ACED pertaining to the granting and allocation of funds, Municipality requests that SHACOG act as its agent and administer the ACT 152 Program. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Topolnak to approve decommission and send to auction Police Vehicle #239, 2008 Chevrolet VIN# 2G1WB58N189242727. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  AUGUST 15, 2023 8323 DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of July 2023. Mr. Anthony provided a copy of a site plan that was received by the planning commission today for a new drive-thru restaurant on Lebanon Road near Irwin Run Road. Mr. Anthony stated that the new restaurant, called Sunset Burgers, will be added to the agenda for September 11 Zoning Hearing. Police……………………………………………………………..…...Chief Gregory McCulloch Chief McCulloch read the Police Report for the Month of July 2023. Public Works……………………………………………………………….…Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo read the Public Works Report for the Month of July 2023. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of July 2023. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly was absent. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente reported that Earth Retention Systems reached out to him regarding the trail landslide near Kennywood. Solicitor DiLucente spoke with Mr. Kamauf and was informed that the Borough of West Mifflin does not own that property. Solicitor DiLucente communicated the information on to a representative of Earth Retention Systems. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Elyes from KLH Engineer reported that he and Mr. DiCenzo have been in contact with Independent Enterprises who will start paving next week. Independent Enterprises is projected to have the project finished by next week, weather permitting.  AUGUST 15, 2023 8324 REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of July 2023. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Davis, seconded by Moses that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Mr. Davis reported the last movie night for the season will be held at the Community Park on August 18, 2023. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue – Mr. Thompson stated that the Calendar on the Borough Website is hard to navigate and asked if it is possible to have the Zoning and Council Meetings schedule easier to read. Mr. Thompson noted that the Garbage Collection days and Routes are easier and would like the Council Meetings to be the same. Mr. Thompson spoke with Verizon FiOS and was told that Comcast has been working with the West Mifflin Borough to keep other companies out of the area. Mr. Kamauf replied that Verizon requires 99% of coverage for the FCC to allow service to the area. It is not a decision made by the Borough and Mr. Kamauf would welcome the competing services if they were available. Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street - Mr. Jasinski would like to praise Officer Brown of the West Mifflin Police Department. Mr. Jasinski said that Officer Brown has responded to his neighbors house several times and went out of her way to help. Mr. Jasinksi asked if there are any plans to have safety checks in our area in regards to what happened in Plum Borough, to calm the nerves of West Mifflin residents. Mr. Kamauf suggested calling the gas company with any concerns, as they will come investigate. Mr. Jasinski asked if there are any cooling stations in West Mifflin Borough. Mr. Kamauf replied that the Borough currently has no plans, as the weather has not been extreme enough to require cooling stations.  AUGUST 15, 2023 8325 ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Inglis, seconded by Santoro that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 pm prevailing time.