Borough Council

February 20, 2024 8851 COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF WEST MIFFLIN met in regular session in the Municipal Building Council Chambers on February 20, 2024 at 6:37 p.m. prevailing time with President Scott Stephenson presiding. ROLL CALL: Topolnak Present Davis Present Santoro Present Inglis Present Kostelnik Present Moses Stephenson Present by phone. Six members present. Mayor Kelly present by phone. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Santoro, seconded by Kostelnik that the minutes of the January 16, 2024, Council Meeting and January 2, 2024 Reorganization Meeting be approved. Roll Call Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. AGENDA ITEMS: A. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis to approve purchase of Two (2) 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe for the West Mifflin Police Department from Whitmoyer Auto Group under COSTAR #013-E22-264 at a cost of Fifty Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($50,500.00) per vehicle for a total cost of One Hundred and One Thousand Dollars ($101,00.00) Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. B. Motion by Santoro, seconded by Topolnak to approve purchase a 2024 Ford Police Interceptor Utility for the West Mifflin Police from Whitmoyer Ford under COSTAR #013-E23-302 at a cost of Forty-Three Thousand Dollars ($43,000.00) Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. C. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Topolnak to approve purchase of Kubota 4wd Tractor, with Finishing Mower and Brush Hog from Golden Eagle Equipment for the Public Works Department at a cost of Thirty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Twenty-Eight Dollars and Ninety-Four Cents ($39,228.94), under COSTAR Contract #031121. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays Motion carried.  February 20, 2024 8852 D. Motion by Kostelnik , seconded by Inglis to approve purchase of Exmark 60 Kawasaki Zero Turn Mower for the Public Works Department at a cost of Ten Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Nine Dollars and Twenty Cents ($10, 479.20) under COSTAR Contract #205634. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. E. Motion by Topolnak, seconded by Kostelnik to approve demolition contract with Palko Excavating for demolition of property located at 429 Mellon Avenue, at a cost of Twenty-One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($21,5000.00). Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. F. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Kostelnik to approve the Borough Engineer to advertise for Bids for the Curry Hollow Road Repair Project. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. G. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Inglis to approve the Borough Engineer to advertise for Bids for the West Mifflin Community Park Pickleball Courts Project. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. H. Motion by Inglis, seconded by Topolnak to approve the Four (4) Year Collective Bargaining Agreement January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027, between the Borough of West Mifflin and the West Mifflin Public Works, General Warehouseman and Employees Union Local 636. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. I. Motion by Kostelnik, seconded by Topolnak to approve agreement between the Borough of West Mifflin and Borough of Pleasant Hills for temporary holding of detained persons. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried. J. Motion by Topolnak, seconded by Kostelnik to approve use of Kenny Field by West Mifflin High School Baseball March 4 – May 10, 2024, Monday – Friday from 3:00pm to 5:30pm. Roll Call: 4 ayes, no nays, 2 abstained. Motion carried. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: Community Development…………………………………………………...Walter B. Anthony Mr. Anthony read the Community Development Report for the Month of January 2024 Police……………………………………………………………..…...Chief Gregory McCulloch Chief McCulloch read the Police Report for the Month of January 2024  February 20, 2024 8853 Public Works……………………………………………………………….…Anthony DiCenzo Mr. DiCenzo read the Public Works Report for the Month of January 2024 EMS…………………………………………………………………………Chief Todd Plunkett Assistant Chief McCarffrey read the EMS Report for the month of January 2024. REPORT OF THE MAYOR: Mayor Kelly asked the council to consider purchasing traps for coyotes and racoons that could be loaned to West Mifflin Residents due to the coyote population. Mr. Topolnak asked Mayor Kelly how the animals would be disposed of after they were trapped. Mayor Kelly responded that it would be part of the release form that is signed by the resident that the animals would be disposed of in a wildlife area or away from residential area. Mr. Topolnak said that not everyone will have the money to call in a service to remove the animals. Chief McCulloch spoke with the Game Commission and found that they will not come into a populated area to remove wildlife. Mayor Kelly thanked employees and Borough Manager for their efforts for where they are at with Moonbeam and Century III Mall. REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR: Solicitor DiLucente read the report for January 2024. REPORT OF THE ENGINEER: Mr. Eliyas read the report for January 2024. REPORT OF THE BOROUGH MANAGER: Mr. Kamauf read the Finance Report for the month of January 2024 PAYMENT OF BILLS: Motion by Topolnak, seconded by Santoro that all bills properly approved by the Finance Committee be paid. Roll Call: Six ayes, no nays. Motion carried.  February 20, 2024 8854 NEW BUSINESS: Motion by, seconded by Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. Motion by, seconded by Roll Call: Seven ayes, no nays. Motion carried. CITIZENS COMMENTS: Mark and Mary Cooper 1739 Clairton Road – Mr. Cooper spoke with Community Development regarding the Dump Site on 885, in a residential area. Mr. Cooper would like to know how this business is allowed to operate in a residential area. Solicitor DiLucente responded to Mr. Cooper’s questions that there was a grading permit granted to Sailor Excavation on March 23, 2023, and is valid for one year. Mr. Anthony added that a grading or fill permit can be granted at any location in the Borough. Mr. Anthony said he will investigate the accusations of selling gravel from the residential location. Albert Pacella 124 Saniels Lane – Mr. Pacella said that the 885 Dump Site has been created a ramp to get back and forth, and now there is large area where the water collects so when we have a lot of rain, there will be stagnant water creating a health issue. Harry Thompson 6679 Adams Avenue – Mr. Thompson stated that according to the Pennsylvania State law, as soon as the dump site on 885 started receiving payments for the dumping it becomes a business and makes it illegal. Solicitor DiLucente said that they will investigate, as this is the first time they have heard about it. Mr. Thompson asked that Council to get new microphones as he is tired of dealing with not being able to hear the meetings. Eileen Straub 200 Castle Drive – Ms. Straub saw her neighbor moving in new cages and wanted to make council aware. Ms. Straub asked if that was legal or against the code. Mr. Anthony stated he would have to investigate it, and that the hearing is coming up next Monday (February 26, 2024) before the magistrate.  February 20, 2024 8855 Rob Vitablo 1743 Clairton Road – Mr. Vitablo is former police offer and school resource offer, wanted to bring the vehicle violations that are occurring at the 885 Dump Site to Chief McCulloch’s attention. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by, seconded by that the Meeting be adjourned. Meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm prevailing time.