Minutes Council Chambers Executive Session 6:00pm Tuesday, May 14th, 2024-6:30 PM  Borough of Ambridge - Meeting of Borough Council  I.  Call to Order /I Roll Call Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro  Also in attendance: ChiefDeLuca, Assistant ChiefGorecki, Borough Manager Mario Leone,  Mayor Tina Iorfido-Miller  II. Invocation - Rick Thornhill, Senior Pastor, New Hope Community Church Ambridge  III. Pledge of Allegiance  IV. Public Comment on/offAgenda Items (5 minutes per speaker)  Russell V. Bailey Jrand Helen Ann DeSimone of650 Park Road, Ambridge, PA 15003 spoke to address concern of speeders on Park Road. Many drivers run through stop signs. Mr. Bailey offered toj purchase speed bumps from Amazon to slow drivers down. Ms. Tessaro stated this has been an ongoing problem. Borrower Manager Leone stated these are called speed humps and it does cause a liability issue in the event a car is damaged. Mr. Slagle stated this is more complex than just applying an aftermarket speed hump across the road. All agree we need to see what can Dan Gitner, 2011 Duss Avenue stated that he went to get his house reinsured because ofh his tax increase. When the insurance company came out, they said they will cancel his insurance ifhis sidewalk is not fixed. The sidewalk is torn up due to new gas lines being installed. Ms. Tessaro stated she will have Mr. Leone reach out to the gas company to see what is delaying the repair. Mr. Askar stated that the issue will be addressed. He then brought up the issue of Waste Management having issues with their building behind his house. He stated he contacted code  be done to address the issue.  enforcement to have Waste Management fix the building.    Rhett Walls, 1002 11th Street, requested an ordinance for skateboarding on the streets. Mr. Askar stated the main reason for the ordinance is liability. Ms. Tessaro stated they could check into the ordinance. Mr. Askar stated they understand his concern and will investigate it.  V. Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes  April 9th- Regular Meeting April 23rd. Workshop Meeting Motion by Mr. Basalyga. Second by Mr. Cafarelli.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill  Vote e Y e e Y e e Y . Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  7-0 Motion carries.  VI. Approval to ratify and pay the Bills and Expenses:(For the month of April)  1. General Fund 2. Grants / Special Project Fund 3. Recreation Fund 4. 2021 Capital Note 5. ARPA Fund 6. Escrow Fund 7. Drug Investigation Fund 8. Police Grant Fund 10. Bicentennial Fund 11.1 Fire Department Grant Fund  Unpaid: $90,928.08 Paid: $237,382.40  Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $1,100.00 Unpaid: $3,728.60  Paid: $1,813.22 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $109,864.04 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $3,199.85 Paid: $0.00  9. Fire Apparatus Replacement Fund Unpaid: $0.00  Ms. Tessaro stated there are some items in the General Fund that are Bicentennial Fund expenditures. Mr. Leone stated they will do a transfer back to the General Fund ofthose  expenses.  -2-    Motion by Mr. Basalyga. Second by Ms. Gilliam.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill  Vote e Y e Y Y Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0. VII. Consent Agenda  Those matters included under the consent agenda are self-explanatory and are not expected to require further review or discussion. Items will be enacted. by one motion. Ifdiscussion is desired by any member ofCouncil, that item must be removed from the consent agenda and  consideredseparateb.  Motion to approve 2 Items listed on the Consent Agenda.  1. 2.  Borough Financial Report - acknowledge receipt oft the Borough Treasurer's Report for Consider granting approval for Handicap parking space for Paula Dudash 355 Maplewood  May 2024.  Avenue as approved by the Police Department. Motion by Mr. Gill. Second by Mr. Prentice.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr.Gill  Vote e Y e Y . Y . Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0.  IX: New Business  1. Consider/Discuss: Action to approve the terms oft the. Ambridge Borough Fire Department collective bargaining agreement as agreed upon by the Boro and union with caveat that the only matter pending  3.    is the pension issue (Defined Benefits VS Defined Contribution) which is still under review; and, once resolved will be aj part oft the overall collective bargaining agreement to be executed by both parties. The agreed upon terms and conditions (as signed by the union) is attached as an exhibit.  Motion by Mr. Basalyga. Second by Mr. Cafarelli.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr.Gill  Vote e Y e Y Y Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0.  2. Consider/Discuss: Action to Approve the annual contract for Police contracted services for the Housing Mr. Gill asked ift there were any changes in the contract. ChiefDeLuca stated that the Borough will be  Authority of Beaver County. (contract attached).  getting a little more per hour.  Motion by Mr. Cafarelli. Second by Mr. Basalyga.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill  Vote e Y e Y e Y Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0.  3. Consider/Discuss: proposed modification and adjustments to Streetscape design.  Mr. Leone stated they had a positive meeting with owners of businesses on Merchant Street. The issue ofal bump-out by Ambridge Wholesale Tire looks to be resolved. Mr. Newhouse from Economy Electric was present, and Mr. Leone allowed him to address council in regard to his parking lot across the street from his building. Ms. Tessaro asked ift there was anything they could do to address the gravel lot and make an aesthetic. Mr. Newhouse stated that he would be willing to put fence up and possibly pave the entrance to the parking lot sO that they could still have access to the lot. He is willing to work with the Borough in any way to help resolve the issue. Mr. Leone stated that the consultants will look to see how they can address the issue and Mr. Leone stated he will continue to communicate with Mr. Newhouse and the consultants. Ms. Miller Iorfido thanked the business owners  for their participation in the meeting earlier in the day to address their concerns.  4-    No action necessary. exceed  4. Consider/Discuss the hiring of Part-Time Social Media Director an hour rate of  and not to  hours per week/month.  Ms. Gilliam stated that she and Mr. Prentice have narrowed it down to two candidates. Mr. Leone stated each candidate proposed what their suggested rate and number ofl hours would be. Mr. Prentice stated both candidates were at $25.00 per hour for 10 hours per week; not to exceed 20 hours per week. Mr. Leone stated there may be more hours needed at the onset to get the project started. Mr. Askar agreed that it should be 101 hours per week, not exceed 20 hours per week. Mr. Leone added that the individual will be hired as a 1099 employee and not a Borough employee. Mr. Askar will draft an  agreement to that effect. Will table the hiring until the workshop.  NO ACTION.  5. Consider/Discuss: Lease Agreement with Ambridge Chamber of Commerce and Harkins Mill Winery Mr. Leone stated Mr. Askar drafted a lease between the Chamber and the Borough, and then a second lease between the Chamber and Harkins Mill Winery. The lease needs to be presented to the parties and Mr. Leone and Mr. Askar will continue negotiations with both parties. Mr. Askar stated the lease can be terminated with 30 days' notice. Ifnoise complaints, nuisances, etc. become an issue. Mr. Askar addressed Mr. Cafarelli's concern regarding the Borough'sl liability and Mr. Askar stated that the leases do cover and indemnify the Borough. Mr. Askar stated no action is necessary until signed  as prepared by the Solicitor.  agreement is reached.  6. Consider/Discuss Hiring Seasonal/Part-time (24-32 hrs.) help at $16.00. hour.  Mr. Leone, with the recommendation ofOfficer Phan, suggests Borough offer employment to Gage Schneider, pending passing physical and drug screening. Mayor Miller-lorfido requested we try to hire  Ambridge residents.  Motion by Mr. Cafarelli. Second by Mr. Basalyga.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill  Vote . Y a Y Y Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0.  7. Discuss resident parking situation in the Henning Street Park area.  Ms. Tessaro stated ai few residents are currently parking on the Borough property. It's been like this for several years. We don'tallow overnight parking in any other Borough parking lots; we should enforce the parking restrictions here as well. Ms. Miller-lorfido said this will become an issue ifthe  5-    residents aren'tallowed toj park there. Mr. Basalyga suggested letting them park there until it becomes aj problem. Wel have extra parking on the other side ofMerchant for overflow. ChiefDeLuca said there have been a few issues with residents that would not move their cars when requested by police. All agreed that ifre residents do not follow the direction ofthe police department, the car should be towed. Ini the interim, council agreed to see ifj parking becomes an issue, it can be addressed at that  time.  8. Consider/Discuss Borough Event Requests for the Bicentennial Block Parties.  Ms. Tessaro said three individuals submitted event requests. Ms. Tessaro asked ChiefDeLuca how much it would cost the Borough toj provide Police services for all the events. ChiefDeLuca stated the issue is trying to get officers to work split shifts to man the barricades. Need officers for the Parade, block parties in the evening, as well as the events for Sunday. ChiefDeLuca said they would need 11 to 12 officers to cover the extra patrols. His suggestion was to see exactly who is participating and what they are planning. Details provided were vague. Chief] DeLuca said he does have the parade and the car cruise covered. Assistant Fire Chief Gorecki said the Fire Department will assist the Police Department. Ms. Tessaro stated council will get more information from the businesses. Police Mayor Miller-lorfido asked ifall the Bicentennial banners were up: yet. Mr. Leone advised we don't own the poles and need aj permit from Duquesne Light to put the guide wires on their poles and Penn Dot approval to hang a banner across one oftheir roads. Many ofthe old guide wires are fragile and need to be re-supported. Mr. Leone stated without proper permits the Borough should not hang anything across a PennDOT road without their permission simply for liability issues.  Department and Fire Department will work on manpower.  Committee Reports  1. Public Safety Committee - Mr. Prentice  Mr. Prentice stated he has a meeting with both Chief's scheduled for next month.  2. Mayor's Report - Mayor Tina Miller-lorfido 3. Code Committee - Russ Basalyga  Mr. Basalygas stated that code has been enforcing the high grass ordinance and they worked on the  contract with the Borough and the Fire Department. 4. Public Works Committee - No meeting was scheduled this month.  5. Parks and Recreation Committee - Ms. Gilliam/Mr. Leone  Mr. Leone stated that the park is just about ready to go. Public Works has been working diligently tog get the final touches on the Splash Pad and the park. Looking to make sure everything is functioning. Public Works will retest the system on Thursday or Friday to retest the system. Discussed the hours that the park will be open and whether the park will lock automatically. Also, possibly make sure the police will double check the locks to make sure the gates are closed and locked at night. Ms. Gilliam wanted to thank the citizen, John Thomas, who helped clean up the    graffiti in the park at gth Street and Park Road. May 16th will be a meeting for the Festival of  Churches.  6. Engineer's Report - Dan Slagle  Mr. Slagle is following up with Columbia Gas. He wants to know exactly where they are working, what they are doing, etc. He stated some areas were unable to be viewed with a camera.  7. Solicitor's Report - Mr. Askar  Mr. Askar stated the Deeds for the two properties that sold will be completed. Also, a reminder that ap public hearing for a new liquor license will be held on May 28, 2024, at5 5:30PM.  8. Manager'sl Report - Mr. Leone  Mr. Leone mentioned the streetscape project, Henning Park. Working with Senators Casey and DeLuzio regarding some grants. We did receive a $25,000.00 grant from the Pennsylvania Historic Commission. Also, the Pa. Realtors Association provided a grant of$15,000 for a internship and a $3,000 grant to help fund the Social Media position and create a newi marketing strategy for the new  Ambridge.  X. Official Reports Motion to accept Official Reports. Motion by Mr. Basalyga. Second by Mr. Prentice.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill  Vote e Y e Y . Y Y  Council Ms. Gilliam Mr. Prentice Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Vote Y Y Y  Motion carried 7-0. XI. Other Unfinished Business  Discussion continued about Junior council between Ms. Tessaro and Mr. Leone. Mr. Cafarelli discussed the color ofthe concrete sidewalks where the streetscape project is taking place. Mr. Askar added that ifColumbia Gas creates al hazard within the Borough, they would be liable for any  injuries caused by said hazard.  XII. Adjournment Workshop Meeting: Regular Meeting: Announcements: Turtle Racing: May18th Bicentennial Celebration: June gth & gth.  NEXTMEETING OF BOROUGH COUNCIL:  Tuesday, May 28th, 2024 at 6:30 PM Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 6:30 PM  7-