MINUTES Council Chambers  Borough of Ambridge - Meeting of Borough Council Tuesday, December 12th, 2023-6:30 PM  I.  Call to Order/Roll Call Present: Mr. Basalyga  Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Mayor Miller  Also Present: Mario Leone, Fire ChiefLarrick, Lt. Chickos, Solicitor Chesney (via phone), James Invocation - Rick Thornhill, Senior Pastor, New Hope Community Church Ambridge  Brunner/NIRA  II.  III. Pledge of Allegiance IV. Presentation:  Certificate of Appreciation to Annie Lee's Kitchen - Lethera Harrison & Terry Stenhouse  V. Public Comment on/off Agenda Items (5 minutes per speaker)  Jodi Gill - 909 11th Street - We had the Coffee with a Cop at Old Crow and was great success. Tony, Jerome and John (ChiefDeLuca) were there. Thanks to everyone involved. Want to do more events in the future. Chiefspoke about what he wants to do with Crime Watch. It was a great event.  VI. Approval of Previous Meeting's Minutes  October 10th- Regular Meeting - previously tabled.  Motion by Mr. Basalyga to approve the October 10th Regular Meeting minutes; seconded Comment by Mr. Leone that confirmation of October 10 comments were made.  by Mr. Cafarelli. Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote No Yes Yes 5-1  November 14th-1 Regular Meeting seconded by Mr. Basalyga. Council Mr. Basalyga  Motion by Ms. Gilliam to approve the November 14th Regular Meeting minutes;  Vote Yes  Council Mr. Gill  Vote Yes    Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Yes Yes  Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Yes Yes 6-0  November 28th- Workshop Meeting seconded by Mr. Cafarelli. Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller 1. General Fund 2. Grants /S 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 Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Motion by Mr. Dunn to approve the November 28th Workshop Meeting minutes;  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  VII. Approval to ratify and pay the Bills and Expenses:(For the month of December)  Unpaid: $95,633.92 Paid: $1,010,378.10 Unpaid: $318,022.50 Paid: $ 59,733.19  Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00  Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00 Paid: $0.00  9. Fire Apparatus Replacement Fund Unpaid: $0.00  Unpaid: $1,300.00 Paid: $0.00  Motion by Mr. Dunn to ratify and pay the Bills and Expenses for the month ofl December; seconded  by Mr. Basalyga.  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  VIII. Consent Agenda  Those matters included under the consent agenda are self-explanatory and are not expectedto require further review or discussion. Items will be enacted by one motion. Ifdiscussion is desired by any member ofCouncil, that item must be removedj from the consent agenda and Borough Financial Report - acknowledge receipt of the Borough Treasurer's Report for Consider the request fori installing a sign ini the area of 600 Block of Glenwood Avenue Motion by Mr. Gill to approve two items listed on the Consent Agenda; seconded by Mr. Dunn.  considered. separately. December 2023.  Motion to approve 2 Items listed on the Consent Agenda.  1. 2.  "Slow Down Special Needs/Autism Child. Ared"  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  -2-    IX: New Business  1. Consider Action to Approve the advertising of Bids for the Merchant Street Streetscape Project as Motion by Mr. Basalyga to approve the advertising of bids for the Merchant Street Streetscape Project Comment: Mr. Leone advised that Sean Garrigan of SGA is here to present an update on where we are and what's to be expected. There are also some drawings on the front table. Mr. Garrigan outlined that the construction documents are complete; advised ofaccommodation for handicap entrances; replacing the curbs; screening for some ofthe parking lots. Blend ofmaterials for concrete areas. Perennial plantings. Light poles will match 4th-gth with an updated fixture. Proposing to bid the project as base bid with everything and created flexibility on some oft the elements due to bidding is unpredictability. Pre-bid meeting after the first of the year and have the bids due by end ofJanuary. May be able to award bid in February. Estimate 12-month timeline for end of construction. Lead times for some ofthe components are questionable. Mr. Leone provided additional comments about the "deducts" included in the package. Multimodal Grant for 11th Street traffic signal project. Will need coordination with PennDOT. Mr. Cafarelli asked about street storm drains and sewer lines being camera-ed prior to work beginning to ensure there aren'tissues. Mr. Leone said all entities have been advised. Mr. Garrigan advised all catch basins are being replaced. There was some discussion about  recommended by our consultants from SGA.  as recommended by our consultants from SGA; seconded by Ms. Gilliam.  the contract with SGA amending the scope oft their work.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  2. Consider Action to Advertise Ordinance 1327 Repealing Ordinance 1272 amending the Civil Service Motion by Mr. Dunn to advertise Ordinance 1327 Repealing Ordinance 1272 amending the Civil Comment: Mr. Leone explained the change requested to the Civil Service rules. This was  Rules.  Service Rules; seconded by Mr. Basalyga. recommended by ChiefDeLuca.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote No Yes Yes 5-1  3. Consider Action to authorize the final payment #3 to Independent Enterprises, Inc. in the amount of Motion by Mr. Basalyga to authorize the final payment #3 to. Independent Enterprises, Inc., in the amount of $68,467.95 to close out the 2023 Road Paving Contract; seconded by Mr. Dunn. Comment: Mr. Cafarelli asked ift this was the final payment regarding Henning Park.  $68,467.95 to close out the 2023 Road Paving Contract.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes No Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote No Yes Yes 4-2  -3-    4. Consider Action to Appoint the vacated Council seat of Beth DeVincent for an unexpired term that Motion by Mr. Basalyga to appoint Scott Prentice to the vacated Council seat of Beth DeVincent for Comment: Mr. Leone asked ift the swearing in could take place at the December 28, 2023, meeting.  ends on December 315t, 2025.  an unexpired term that ends on December 315, 2025; seconded by Mr. Cafarelli. Mr. Leone will confirm with Magistrate Korol his availability for that date.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  5. Consider Action to. hire a Part-Time Executive Assistant.  Motion by Mr. Basalyga to hire Richard Dobrosielski, Jr., as Part-Time Executive Assistant; seconded  by Mr. Cafarelli.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  6. Insurance Renewal - we may need to wait until the 28th if quotes are not in. This item was tabled due to  unavailability of quotes.  Committee Reports  1. Public Safety Committee - Mr. Dunn stated that the Public Safety Committee did not meet. There was not much from the last meeting. The ladder truck will be worked on. The Police Department 2. Mayor's Report - Mayor Miller met with PennDOT with Ms. Gilliam, Ms. Tessaro, and Mr. Dunn. One of the recommendations is to ask Council to request letter to PennDOT regarding safety study can be done. Ifasafety study is requested and PennDOT makes recommendations, Council has to 3. Code Committee - Mr. Basalyga expressed his pleasure in working with ChiefLarrick on some ideas for Code Enforcement and progress on their contract. They are doing a fabulous job. Mr. 4. Public Works Committee - Mr. Cafarelli there was not a meeting, but there will be a meeting before the holidays. Mr. Leone advised that we need to make a decision on the skid steer once quotes are 5. Parks and Recreation Committee - Ms. Gilliam does not have anything to report. Discussion continues regarding rules and regulations for the parks. Mayor Miller asked Mr. Dunn about his goal for fundraising for St. Jude's Children Hospital. His goal for 2023 is $13,000.00. 7. Solicitor's Report - Solicitor Chesney stated we have been dealing with more code violations and summary appeals. Solicitor Chesney relies on Code Enforcement inj prosecuting those. Commended ChiefLarrick and Assistant ChiefGorecki because their records have been clear, concise and up to 8. Manager's Report - Mr. Leone provided updates on renegotiation of our health care to provide savings to the Borough and provide the same coverage to the employees. Also been shopping the property liability and workers' compensation policies. This has not been done in the last two budget years. The competitive process should provide some savings. The process is tedious and is a lot of work. Mayor Miller asked ifh he is also shopping the short-term disability policy due to an issue  will discuss the guns buy-back. There will not be a meeting this week.  be prepared to follow through on their recommendations. Dunn suggested a meeting with Magistrate Korol.  finalized.  6. Engineer's Report - Mr. Brunner did not have anything else to report.  date that makes prosecuting those claims easier.  4-    within the Police Department. Mr. Leone will work on eye, dental, and short-term disability next year. Mr. Leone stated he has submitted two LSA Grants. LSA is Local Share Account from the casino revenues. Mr. Brunner assisted with the Road grant for $407,901 for roads on last year's list, but we didn'th have sufficient funds forit. The Equipment Grant is for $451,982 tol help fund new Police cars, a squad vehicle for the Fire Department, and dump truck and mini-excavator for the Road Department. Also working on a CLG (Certified Local Government) grant. This pertains to the Historic District grant ini the amount of $25,000.00 to help develop better guidelines for HARB. This grant deadline is February 4, 2024. Also submitted a Creative Community Arts Grant for $100,000.00 ($25,000.00 over four years). Mr. Leone announced the County Economic Development Corporation has ai new initiative for ai mini-grant of $10,000.00 to any new business that opens in downtown districts. Currently our district is defined as Merchant Street from 4th to gth Street. Received guidelines this week and in communication with the Director of CEDC to see if we can have that district extended further down Merchant Street. Itis a three-year program and will lobby to expand the district. $600,000.00 allocated across the nine downtown districts in Beaver County. Also working on solar initiative for the Borough on putting solar panels on the Borough Building. On December 13, Mr. Leone will attend a meeting/workshop at Racoon State Park called Community Matters. Ms. Tessaro asked about the port-a-pots at the parks. Mr. Leone stated they should have been removed Décember 1. Parks have been winterized. Mr. Gill asked Mr. Leone about the EV charging stations at the Borough building. They were serviced, but according to Lt. Chickos they are still not working. Itappears that the public stations are working, but the two police  stations are not. Mr. Leone will follow up again. X. Official Reports - Motion to accept Official Reports.  Motion by Mr. Basalyga to approve the Committee Reports; seconded by Ms. Gilliam.  Council Mr. Basalyga Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mayor Miller  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Council Mr. Gill Ms. Gilliam Ms. Tessaro Motion Carried  Vote Yes Yes Yes 6-0  XI. Other Unfinished Business XII. Adjournment  Motion to adjourn by Mr. Cafarelli at 7:56 p.m.; seconded by Mr. Dunn; all in favor.  NEXTMEETING OF BOROUGHICOUNCL:  Workshop Meeting: Announcements:  Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at 6:30 PM  Reorganization Meeting: Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 6:30 PM  Borough Office will be closed December 25th & 26th and January 1St.  5