Borough Council

November 21, 2023 8837 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on November 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. prevailing time with President Scott Stephenson presiding. ROLL CALL: Topolnak Present Davis Present Santoro Present Inglis Present Kostelnik Present Moses Present Stephenson Present Seven members present. Mayor Kelly present via phone. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street – Mr. Jasinski asked how much money has been invested in the Westwood Golf Course project. Mr. Kamauf replied he does not have that information. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Topolnak, seconded Davis by that the minutes of the Council Meeting be approved. Roll Call Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Davis, seconded by Inglis to approve Preliminary and Final Site Plan for the construction of a Temporary Concrete Batch Plan for Golden Triangle Construction Co. at the property located at 4810 Buttermilk Hollow Road. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. Motion by Moses, seconded by Santoro to approve advertising for the following Board openings; Zoning Hearing Board (10, Vacancy Board (1) and Sanitary Sewer Authority (1). Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Topolnak to approve Annual Service Agreement Renewal with Building Control System, Inc. for Temperature Controls System at the property located at 1020 Lebanon Road, at an annual cost of Five Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Two Dollars ($5,562.00). Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. to approve annual Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. D. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Davis to approve purchase of 2024 Battle Electric Chassis and New Way Packer Body at a cost of Six Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($625,700.00). Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis to approve purchase of two (2) ChargePoint Express 250 Stations, to include accessories, software, and installation at a total cost of Eighty-One Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy-Eight Dollars ($81,778.00) from National Car Charging LLLC, through COSTAR contract. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  November 21, 2023 8838 F. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Davis to approve advertising bid for demolition of property located at 429 Mellon Avenue West Mifflin. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. G. Motion by Topolnak, seconded by Moses to approve the hiring of Kimberly Pollack as Crossing Guard for the Borough of West Mifflin at a rate of $12.50 per hour. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. H. Motion by Davis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve ratifying the agreement with WGL Energy Services, inc. as Electric supplier to the Borough for 12 months at a fixed price of $0.30200/CCF. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. I. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Davis to approve ratifying the agreement with WGL Energy Services, Inc. as Electric supplier to the Brough for 22 months at a fixed price of $0.07059/kWh. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. J. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Topolnak to approve sending Police Vehicle 240, VIN # 1HGCM66306A017987 to auction. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of October 2023. Mr. Anthony noted that the Carsala’s Car lot arbitration hearing was successful and there was a fine of $50,000.00 issued. Mr. Stephenson asked if there was a cease-and-desist order or can the lot keep operating. Mr. Anthony replied that until all appeals for the hearings are completed, they can continue to operate. Police…………………………………………………………….…...Chief Gregory McCulloch Chief McCulloch read the Police Report for the Month of October 2023. Chief McCulloch stated that the Police Department along with Froggy Radio and Walmart will have the annual toy drive. They will be giving gifts to the children of Homeville Elementary School on December 18, 2023, and Clara Barton Elementary School on December 20, 2023. In past years they have been able to have enough toys left over to donate to other communities. Public Works……………………………………………………………….…Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo read the Public Works Report for the Month of October 2023. EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett read the EMS Report for the month of October 2023. Chief Plunkett said they are excited to see everyone at the Light Up the Night Event on Thursday November 30, 2023. Mr. Davis added that the Borough’s Light Up the Night Event will be from 6pm-8pm Thursday November 30, 2023, at the Borough Building.  November 21, 2023 8839 REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly received a request for a donation to the Salvation Army. Has been in touch with the Hudson Group, who are interested in building affordable senior housing on the middle school property. Mayor Kelly stated that the Dravosburg Police Department reached out and asked if we had a need for them to take some of the Borough’s calls. Chief McCullough does not think we should pursue the help. Mayor Kelly thanked Richard Bazzy from Shultz Ford South for donating 200 turkeys to the residents of West Mifflin. Ms. Santoro asked who the turkeys were donated too. Mayor Kelly replied they were delivered to Monview Heights, Riverview and other residents of the Borough. Ms. Santoro was asking how they decided who to donate to, as the rest of the council wasn’t aware and may have known needy residents. Mayor Kelly said they delivered to the residents that have been donated to in the past for being on Salvation Army list, and that it was a last minute phone call he received. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente stated they are attending a status conference with Judge McGinley. By December 22, 2023 he has to prepare briefs as it pertains to Century III Mall. The judge is willing to provide either party with an extension, however the Borough is tired of hearing the same excuses. Solicitor DiLucente reported that he is in communication with Mr. Zappala and they are exchanging information regarding this matter. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Matt reported the Public Works building project is about 50% complete and hopeful to be completed by January. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of October 2023. PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Davis, seconded by Topolnak that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: Motion by Moses, seconded by Santoro to approve amending the agenda for tonight’s meeting to include the hiring of a patrol officer for the Borough of West Mifflin Police Department. Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  November 21, 2023 8840 Motion by Moses, seconded by Topolnak to approve the hiring of Herman Sayre as a patrol officer for the Borough of West Mifflin Police Department to approve the hiring of Herman Sayre. Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. Mayor Kelly asked for a donation to the Salvation Army to be included in the budget. Solicitor DiLucente responded that it would be an improper or illegal act with the residents’ funds to donate. Solicitor DiLucente said he would get a legal ruling for next month’s meeting. Chief McCullough stated that he would like to thank the council for the new hire, Herman Sayre and that he is going to be a great addition to the Police Department. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Jim Jasinski 4100 Home Street – Mr. Jasinski said he asked about microphones three months ago and the right to be able to hear the meetings. Solicitor DiLucente responded that yes Mr. Jasinksi did ask and yes you do have the right to hear. Mr. Kamauf replied that he has been looking into it and has received three quotes, but the cheapest quote is $16,000.00. Mr. Jasinski would like to see proof of the quote. Mr. Kamauf has a paper copy to show Mr. Jasinski after the meeting. Mr. Jasinski asked if there are any plans for public input regarding Westwood Golf Course. Solicitor DiLucente replied that anyone who is at the public meetings and work sessions is welcome to share their thoughts. Solicitor DiLucente also said Council is taking this very seriously and taking all precautions to safeguard the Community’s money. Mr. Jasinski asked if the sale of Storm Water was placed out for bid. Mr. Kamauf asked why it be placed for bid if there’s no sale, it is being transferred. Mr. Jasinksi asked if the Borough has had the Storm Water appraised. Mr. Kamuaf responded that there was value study done by engineers. Mr. Jasinksi asked why it was not put out for the public to see. Mr. Kamauf said that Council has it and is being reviewed, but nothing has been voted on. Mr. Davis asked if Mr. Jasinksi was talking about the Sewer Authority or the Storm Water. Mr. Jasinski replied the Storm Water, whatever we’re paying $7 a month for. Mr. Kamauf replied that it is DEP mandated and West Mifflin Borough is following that. Mr. Jasinski asked what the revenue was for this month. Mr. Kamauf said he will email to Mr. Jasinski. A little over a million from general fun from last month.  November 21, 2023 8841 The end of the year is when the large payments are due. MMO, fire departments. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Santoro, seconded by Davis that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm prevailing time.