Minutes 8/28/12 - Elizabeth, Pennsylvania



BOROUGH OF ELIZABETHJune 26, 2018Regular Meeting of CouncilMembers Present:Paul Shaner, Robin Payne-Main, Chad Rager, Julius Brown, Gregory Huschak, Cynthia Morris, and Andrew MiklosAbsent:NoneAlso Attending:Solicitor Krisha DiMascio, Police Chief Timothy Butler, and Mayor Barry Boucher Recorded by:Pamela Sharp, SecretaryOrder/Pledge of AllegianceThe regular meeting of Council was called to order at 7:00-PM by Council President Paul Shaner. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. President Shaner stated that, prior to the Council meeting, Council members met in an executive session to discuss personnel matters. In addition, the meeting is being recorded for the purpose of minute-taking. VISITORSNone.APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by C. Rager and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the Minutes of the May 22, 2018, regular meeting of Council. All in favor, motion was carried.PAYMENT OF BILLSA motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by C. Rager to authorize the payment of the invoices on the Payables Report dated June 22, 2018. All in favor, motion was carried. A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C. Morris to authorize the payment of $25,000 against the Tax Anticipation Note. All in favor, motion was carried. REPORTSMayor ReportMonthly Complaint Report - May 2018 Alarm16?Animal complaint3?Assault10?Assist citizen3Assist EMS15?Assist fire6?Assist Police11?Burglary2Civil complaint3?Criminal mischief3?Detail1?Disabled vehicle6Disorderly conduct4?Dispute1?Disturbance1?Domestic7DUI4?Fraud1?Harassment1?Hazardous conditions8Local ordinance2?Missing person -181?Motor vehicle crash17?Motor vehicle theft1Narcotics4?PFA1?Property2?Public drunkenness2Suspicious person10?Theft4?Traffic complaint12?Utility complaint4Warrant2?Weapons2?Welfare check4?Subject stop2K9 2?Suspicious vehicle2????Total:?180Treasurer’s ReportPresident Shaner read the following Treasurer’s Report:Treasurer's Report05/19/18 - 6/22/18Bank AccountBank BalanceIncomeExpenseEnding BalanceGeneral Fund 37,767.00 221,573.88 75,341.65 183,999.23 Payroll 163.46 29,565.66 29,525.07 204.05 Special Projects 621.74 - - 621.74 K-9 Fund 18,435.03 3,025.00 13,274.99 8,185.04 Liquid Fuels 48,193.46 7.16 - 48,200.62 Money Market 5,008.34 0.21 - 5,008.55 Totals 110,189.03 254,171.91 118,141.71 246,219.23 Fennimore Escrow 9,627.67 0.08 - 9,627.75 LoansMaturity DateLoan AmountPrincipal PaidBalance OwedFCB - TAN12/31/2018 75,000.00 597.00 74,403.00 FCB - Car Loan9/6/2018 38,000.00 35,954.38 2,045.62 PNC - Car Loan5/1/2019 39,500.00 31,719.54 7,780.46 PNC - Mortgage3/31/2023 115,000.00 21,773.11 93,226.89 PNC - K-9 Car Loan2/4/2021 55,431.52 21,196.22 34,235.30 Totals - 322,931.52 111,240.25 211,691.27 A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C. Morris to accept the Treasurer’s Report dated June 22, 2018. All in favor, motion was carried.SolicitorPlanning CommissionSolicitor DiMascio said that Council needs to appoint five people to the Planning Commission since no letters of interest were received. The following individuals were appointed to serve on the Planning Commission: Cynthia Morris, 1-year term; William Boucher, 2-year term; Charles Smith, 3-year term; Jeremy?Rager, 4-year term; and Garrett Kimmell, 4-year term. A motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by G. Huschak to accept the Planning Commission appointees. All in favor, motion was carried.Council Seat VacancySolicitor DiMascio said that Council needs to appoint a person to fill the Council seat that was vacated by Devie Rollison. A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by R. Payne-Main to appoint Andy Miklos to fill the Council seat that was vacated by Devie Rollison. All in favor, motion was carried.Andy Miklos was sworn in by Mayor Boucher. Paving Contract with EBMASolicitor DiMascio said that Council needs to approve the paving contract with the Municipal Authority for the Cemetery Hill area paving project in the amount of $46,710.00. This project will be paid using Liquid Fuels funds exclusively. A motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the paving contract with the Municipal Authority for the milling and overlay of portions of Church, Cemetery, Clay, Harrison, Patterson, Ellsworth and Stewart streets in the amount of $46,710.00. This project will be paid using Liquid Fuels funds exclusively. All in favor, motion was carried.President Shaner said that, next year, they hope to be able to work on 3rd Avenue through 9th Street on Bayard. Stormwater Management OrdinanceSolicitor DiMascio said that Allegheny County has established a Stormwater Management Ordinance, and they are requiring all municipalities to adopt and implement their own Stormwater Management Ordinance. The County provided a sample ordinance for municipalities to use. The Borough’s engineer reviewed the sample ordinance and recommended that the Borough approve it. She added that she also reviewed the sample ordinance, and she recommends that Council approve it. This needs to be done by the end of July. Solicitor DiMascio stated that the ordinance needs to be advertised so that Council can approve it at the July meeting. A motion was made by G. Huschak and seconded by C.?Morris to authorize the advertisement of the Borough of Elizabeth Stormwater Management Ordinance providing for the adoption and implementation of the provisions of the Allegheny County Stormwater Management Plan, so that Council may take action on this ordinance at its July meeting. All in favor, motion was carried.The County is offering grants of up to $2,000 to assist in the cost of adopting this ordinance, including advertising costs.? Glenn Engineering has estimated that their fees will likely be under $100. A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by R. Payne-Main to apply to the County for a grant to cover the implementation costs of the Stormwater Management Ordinance. All in favor, motion was carried.Building Inspector ReportNo report.Animal ControlNo MITTEESFinance and BudgetNo report.Public SafetyFBI FundsG. Huschak said that the Borough has a bank account through First Commonwealth Bank that it does not use. He would like to use this account to accommodate the FBI funds that the Police Department will soon be receiving. The Borough Secretary said that the Borough had to open a checking account with First Commonwealth Bank as a condition of a car loan agreement. This account, which currently has a balance of $621.00, is slowly being drained by monthly inactivity charges. She asked for Council’s authorization to transfer the balance of this account into the General Fund as soon as the FBI funds are deposited. This way, the FCB checking account can be used exclusively for the FBI funds. A motion was made by C. Morris and seconded by R. Payne-Main to transfer the balance of the First Commonwealth Bank checking account into the Borough’s General Fund as soon as the FBI funds are deposited, and to use the First Commonwealth Bank checking account exclusively for the FBI funds. All in favor, motion was carried.Police Chief Butler said that the FBI income is the result of a major drug bust in which the Elizabeth Borough Police Department played a large role. He anticipates that the Police Department will receive between $200,000 and $300,000. Solicitor DiMascio said that these funds may be used only for Police Department equipment; it is not to be used to pay salaries.Construction Zone Speed LimitPolice Chief Butler said that the speed limit within the construction zone on Hwy 51 is 30-MPH. There are currently three different speed-limit signs in this area, so the Police Department is not able to enforce the speed limit within the construction zone. He has left messages with Swank Construction, Walsh Equipment and PennDOT about this matter. PennDOT Bridge ReplacementPresident Shaner said that PennDOT notified the Borough that it will be submitting an application to the PA DEP for the bridge replacement project at McKeesport Road over Fallen Timber Run. The project will begin in the summer of 2019. PennDOT will remove the current structurally-deficient bridge and replace it with a two-lane, precast, reinforced concrete box culvert structure or feasible mendation of EBVFC from PA State PolicePresident Shaner said that he received a letter dated June 5, 2018, from the Belle Vernon Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police commending the actions of the Elizabeth Borough Fire Company during the recent storms. C. Rager said that his Fire Department got called up to Jacob’s Creek to assist the Dawson County Fire Department with the search for a missing male who had presumably drowned. There were heavy rains and thunderstorms that day which made the search of Jacob’s Creek especially treacherous. After several hours, the Elizabeth Borough Fire Company found and recovered the body of the drowning victim. C. Rager said that the River Rescue training that they have received has been invaluable and has saved a lot of lives.Emergency Management CoordinatorCharles Smith stated that, during the month of June, the Elizabeth Borough Fire Company responded to 57 calls for assistance. Of those 57 calls, 10 were for the Swift Water Rescue Team. On June 20th, they assisted multiple Allegheny County fire departments in various jurisdictions, and they made 27 rescues down at the Trolley Stop Bar and Restaurant. He calculated that they made a total of between 57 and 59 rescues during the storms.Drug BustPolice Chief Butler stated that two weeks ago, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s office, the Police Department had a large drug bust in the 700-block of 3rd Avenue. The bust included 56 bricks of heroin, some ecstasy, some cocaine, a stolen gun, and an SKS rifle.Public WorksNo report.Parks and RecreationR. Payne-Main said that Kids’ Day was such a big success. The weather was nice during the entire event, and the turnout was great. She thanked Julius Brown for his generous donation of drinks, and she thanked Chad Rager for all of his hard work. R. Payne-Main said that she is working on having a “Movie Night” sometime in September down at the river front.R. Payne-Main said that she just learned that the Pittsburgh Penguins, in partnership with KaBOOM, are giving out grants for playgrounds. She has a friend who is helping her to complete the grant application which is due by August 10, 2018. She said that she hopes to get a new playground for the Borough.J. Brown said that he is working on organizing the 2nd Annual Eric Hussey Memorial Basketball Tournament to take place in August. Since there were so many participants last year, he would like to get Tee-shirts for all of the players this year. It is a lot of fun and it is for a very good cause.Ordinance Solicitor DiMascio said that at the next workshop meeting, they will be discussing codification of the Borough’s ordinances.PersonnelNo report.Economic DevelopmentNo report.PlanningNo report.OLD BUSINESS At the previous meeting, Council reviewed a special event application for a fishing tournament called “Catch Them for a Cause” with proposed event dates of August 21st and 22nd. Approval of this event was tabled because it conflicted with Forward Township’s Community Day. R. Payne-Main said that the planner of this event, T.E.A.C.H. Fayette County of Connellsville, has a lot of people from Connellsville who will be attending this event. These participants would not otherwise be attending the Forward Township event which is scheduled for the same weekend. The Bait Shop is sponsoring this event, and many people have already committed to being there. A motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by C. Morris to approve the special event application for “Catch Them for a Cause.” All in favor, motion was carried.NEW BUSINESS Kidsfest Special Event ApplicationPresident Shaner said that the Borough received a special event application from Greater Elizabeth Church Association to hold its Kidsfest event in the Borough on Saturday, July 21, 2018. They will be using the river wharf as well as the Elizabeth Borough Fire Department parking lot. It is a free event for young children and families that will include food, treats, games, crafts, and water activities on the fire hall premises. Solicitor DiMascio said that the applicant checked the “no” box on the application where it asks if insurance is required. She said that the event organizer needs to provide the Borough Secretary with a copy of their event insurance before holding this event. A motion was made by R. Pain-Main and seconded by G. Huschak to approve the special event application for Kidsfest, to be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, contingent upon the event planner providing proof of event insurance. All in favor, motion was carried.Teal Lotus Gift Shop Special Event ApplicationPresident Shaner said that the Borough received a special event application from the Teal Lotus Gift Shop for its grand opening on July 1, 2018, at 209 Plum Street, form 11:00-AM to 3:00-PM. They are requesting that this section of Plum Street be blocked off to traffic for the duration of this event. A motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by C. Morris to approve the special event application for the grand opening of the Teal Lotus Gift Shop to be held on Sunday, July 1, 2018, contingent upon the applicant providing the Borough with proof of event insurance. All in favor, motion was carried.Lower Plum Street Special Event ApplicationLori Kolodziej from the Plum Street Committee said that they are getting over 300 people at their Plum Street concerts. Because of the unusually large crowds, concert goers are gathering on Lower Plum Street by the M&M Uniform store, and this portion of Plum is not blocked off from traffic. Since this poses a serious safety issue, she is requesting that they be allowed to put up safety cones on Lower Plum Street so that traffic cannot turn up the street from 2nd Avenue during concerts. Unlike the main section of Plum Street, the Lower Plum Street area will only be blocked off from 6:00-PM to 9:00-PM. A motion was made by R.?Payne-Main and seconded by C. Morris to approve the Lower Plum Street special event application to allow the Plum Street Committee to put up safety cones on Lower Plum Street during the concerts. All in favor, motion was carried.Lori Kolodziej said that they would like the Borough to provide at least two additional trash cans for the Plum Street events. Police Chief Butler asked Lori Kolodziej and Lynn McHolme if it is possible to not fill the Borough trash cans with dozens of glass beer and wine bottles. Glass is extremely heavy, and once the glass bottles are in the trash bins, it is impossible to remove the trash bags from the waste receptacles. President Shaner said that the Borough should provide large blue barrels rather than trash cans for the concert events.Solicitor DiMascio asked whether the Plum Street Summer Concert Series has event insurance. Lynn McHolme, who was in the audience, responded affirmatively. Solicitor DiMascio said that they need to provide proof of event insurance to the Borough Secretary as soon as possible.Sinkhole on Plum StreetLori Kolodziej stated that there is a large sinkhole on Plum Street and the adjacent sidewalk in front of the pizza restaurant. This hole appears to be growing in size and is now a safety concern. Police Chief Butler said that the last company to open this portion of the street/sidewalk was the gas company. They may not have restored the sidewalk properly. President Shaner said that he will approach the gas company about this. Police Chief Butler said that the sinkhole may also be caused by a broken sewage line. He will ask Mike Zrenchak to take a look at it tomorrow. President Shaner asked C. Rager to take a look at it in the meantime to see if the sinkhole area can be made safer until its cause is determined.Riverfront ProjectPresident Shaner said that the Municipal Authority will have the overlook area functional and safe in time for Riverfest. Also, the Borough was recently awarded $50,000 in additional grant money for the Riverfront project. C. Rager stated that Representative Saccone is also promising to help the Borough get additional funding for the project. President Shaner said that he will be meeting with the engineers tomorrow at around 5:00-PM to determine the best ways to use this grant money to fix up the Riverfront area. He invited everybody on Council to join him.Appointment of a New Vice President of CouncilSolicitor DiMascio stated that Council needs to appoint a new Vice President of Council. President Shaner nominated Chad Rager. No other nominations were offered. Those in favor: President Shaner, R. Payne-Main, J. Brown, G. Huschak, C. Morris, and A. Miklos; Those not voting: C. Rager abstained because he was the nominee. Motion passes 6:0. PUBLIC COMMENTSNone.GOOD OF THE ORDERNone.ADJOURNMENT With no other business before this Council, a motion was made by R. Payne-Main and seconded by J.?Brown that the meeting be adjourned at 7:58-PM. All in favor, motion was carried.I enter these Minutes into the public record having been duly recorded and accepted at a public meeting.Respectfully submitted,Pamela J. Sharp, Secretary ................
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