BOROUGH OF AMBRIDGE Council Meeting: March 10, 2020 Ambridge Borough Building  MINUTES  The March 10, 2020 meeting of Ambridge Borough Council was called to order at 6:30PM within Council Chambers of the Ambridge Borough Building, 600 11th Street. Mr. Mikulich announced that the Council met for an executive session prior to this meeting to  discuss personnel and legal matters.  Roll Call: Present:  Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Mrs. Miller Mr. Mikulich Mrs. Tessaro Mayor Drewnowski Solicitor Start Mr. Cafarelli  Also Present: Borough Manager Kauer, Chief Romutis, Chief Gottschalk, Engineer Suehr and  Absent:  Invocation - thei invocation was conducted by Pastor Rick Thornhill, New Hope Community Church. After the invocation, Mr. Mikulich lead a moment of silence for Mrs. Kay Aloe, a former  member of Council who recently passed away.  Pledge of Allegiance  Presentations Solicitor Start made a comment on behalf of Council regarding Beemac Trucking's appeal of their variance denial to the Court of Common Pleas. He stated that he realizes that many citizens are here tonight to call upon Council to join in the appeal. The Solicitor stated that he talked to the Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor today and confirmed that Mr. Patterson will defend the unanimous ZHB decision in Common Pleas Court. Solicitor Start explained that Mr. Patterson is being paid by the Borough to do this and the Borough Council supports him in this effort. Solicitor Start explained thati iti is his advice to leave it to Solicitor Patterson, sO the Borough taxpayers are not paying two attorneys that essentially are doing the same work. He added that the Borough officials are well aware of the citizen's present settlements and opposition of Beemac,  and that the Council will not be voting on the matter unless a motion is made. Citizen's Participation On/Off Agenda Items (5 minutes pers speaker)  1. Mr. Michael Shoecraft, Ambridge Towers, stated that the Ambridge Police Officers advised him to come to Council as hei is seeking Council's consideration to reestablish dedicated patrols at the County Housing facilities in the Borough. He stated that he is concerned about 2. Ms. Anne Bacher, 956 Beaver Road, thanked the Solicitor for his statement, but stated that she is concerned that the effort to not officially intervein doesn't look good. She stated that we need to show that we are all in this together and asked how that can be done. Solicitor Start stated that the ZHB decision specifically calls out the Borough's position on this matter.  known drug dealers and prostitutes in his building.    3. Mr. Rico Elmor, 302 Reno St, Rochester, introduced himself to the community. Mr. Mikulich asked him to continue his conversation after the meeting with the residents outside of the meeting. The Borough Council meetings are not for campaign purposes. 4. Pastor Rick' Thornhill, New Hope Community Church, stated that his church has an after- school career program where Chief Romutis recently gave a presentation about becoming a police officer. He stated that the Chief did an excellent job and that as a community we need 5. Rev. James Hamilton, 1134 Maplewood Avenue, expressed concerns abouti the Beemac Trucking proposal and the possible pollution it may bring to our community. He asked for 6. Dennis Lapic, 1427 Church Street, thanked Council for endorsing the action of the ZHB. He stated that the ZHB accepted multiple documents as evidence in their process to render a decision, including Beemac's loan applications. He stated that Beemac will be spray painting trucks at this proposed facility and received funding for three forklifts to load and unload steel pipe. He stated that the loading of pipe is an industrial use and is not compatible next to a Historic District residential neighborhood. He asked Council to review the ZHB evidence. 7. Mrs. Erin Ninehouser, 1116 Duss Avenue, thanked Council for supporting the ZHB and the Historic District. She stated thati iti is important to preserve the progress being made in the community. She questioned how future events like the Down Hill Derby would ever be possible in the future on 14th Street if the Beemac facility was constructed.  torecognize our Chiefs as they do great work. Council to stand with and support the ZHB.  Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes  February 11, 2020 taken: Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried. Borough Bills and Expenses taken: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.  Mr. Flannery made the motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Mrs. Miller; a roll call vote was  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Motion to pay the bills was made by Mr. Flannery, seconded by Mrs. Tessaro; a roll call vote was  General Fund Grants / Special Project Fund Recreation Fund Escrow Fund Police Pension Fund Service Employees Pension Fund Firemen's Pension Fund Drug Investigation Fund Fire Apparatus Replacement Fund  Unpaid: $111,136.74 Paid: $14,976.67  Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $131.25 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00 Unpaid: $0.00  Paid: $0.00  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried. Consent Agenda:  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  2    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 of Council, that item must be removed from the consent agenda and considered Motion to accept items 1 through 2 listed on the Consent Agenda; all were in favor.  separately. 1.  Borough Financial Report- - acknowledge receipt of the Borough Treasurer's Report.  Treasurer's Report March 10, 2020 Marilyn Sheleheda- Treasurer General Fund Analysis  $634,218.41  General Fund Bank Account Balance: as of:  -March 10, 2020 -3:00 pm -March 10, 2020 -3:00 pm $468,909.03 $296,015.38  $155,988.70 AII (including todays checks) Outstanding Checks as of: -March 10, 2020 -3:00p pm  $478,229.71 Available Balance as of:  Totals that cleared the bank are as follows:  Deposits:  GeneralF Fund Debits: Bank Summary:  -which include the following: 61 Checks 2 Payroll (s)  $138,142.38 $157,873.00  Other Fund Balances as of March 10, 2020 3:00 pm Ambridge Bicentennial 2024F Fund. Ambridge Boroughl Drug Investigation Fund Ambridge Fire. Apparatus Replacement Fund Escrow Disbursement. Account Grants/Special Funds Recreation Fund Sinking Fund  250.00 $6,711.89 $3,494.04 $8,455.46 $5,843.62 $35,833.11 $4,767.11  $219,335.07 Liquid Fuels Fund  $284,690.30 Total Other Funds Balances (RestrictedUse)  2.  Approve internment road closures of Merchant Street on March 18, 2020 between 8AM and 8PM between 9th and 11th Streets for filming being done at the old Borough  Building.  New Business Items for Discussion:  A. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-3, al Resolution of the Borough of Ambridge, proclaiming Saturday, May 2, 2020 as Arbor Day in Ambridge. Motion was made by Mrs. Miller, seconded by  Mr. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  3    B. Motion to authorize the advertisement and public display of Ordinance No. 1317, an Ordinance of the Borough of Ambridge amending the existing Borough of Ambridge Firemen's Pension Plani in order to amend the plan to add defined contribution features and to comply with Federal and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws and regulations in effect. Motion was made by Mr.  Flannery, seconded by Mrs. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  C. Motion to authorize the execution of an addendum to the employment agreement with Mark J. Romutis to provide additional vacation time. Motion was made by Mr. Flannery, seconded by Mr.  Dunn; a roll call vote was taken: Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  D. Motion to authorize participation in the state 2020-2021 Costars Road Salt Contract. Motion was  made by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mr. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  E. Motion to authorize the purchase of al Dinkmar Leaf Master trailer from Stephenson Equipment Company at state Costars contract price of $49,998.00. (Note: 95% of the purchase price of the new machine is to be, paid from the awarded DEP recycling grant.) Motion was made by Mr.  Flannery, seconded by Mr. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  F. Consider action to authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare specifications and bid the paving of the Public Works Yard at 422 11th Street, and further authorize the bid alternate of the paving of 10th Street between Glenwood Avenue and the Busway. (Note: paving of the Public Works facility is 95% paidi from the awarded DEP recycling grant.) Motion was made by Mrs. Miller,  seconded by Mr. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:    Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried. Committee Reports  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Public Safety: Mr. Flannery reported that both departments remain very active on addressing various issues and projects. He stated that annual staff performance reviews are underway within the Fire Department. Regarding the Police Department he stated that the Chief is working on updates to the computer reporting software and that the Chief partnered with Aliquippa PD and the Sherriffs Department to assist us with traffic control should there be congestions on the Ambridge-Aliquppa Bridge during the upcoming closure of the Mr. Flannery stated that the Committee agreed on the additional vacation time for Chief Romutis and stated the Committee is discussing providing our officers with Narcan for drug Mayor's Report: Mayor Drewnowski reported that Coffee with a Cop is following the meeting with Chief Romutis at the Library. He invited all to attend. The Mayor stated that there were two drug busts last month, both taking heroin off of the streets. Chief Romutis urged citizens livingi ini the Ambridge Towers to call the police with concerns, he stated that all tips are acted upon. He also reported that the license plate reader cameras Mr. Mikulich questioned the Chief on the status of purchasing and equipping our officers with Body Cameras. Chief stated that he was waiting on direction to proceed, costs may be around $10,000. Mr. Mikulich directed the Chief to coordinate the purchase with the Manager Code Enforcement Committee: Mrs. Tessaro reported that annual rental and fire inspections are actively underway. She reminded the public oft the upcoming electronics  Sewickley Bridge. overdoses calls.  at 4th Street will be up soon.  and proceed.  collection event on March 28 at the Borough Building. Public' Works: Mr. Gill reported the following:  Snow removal work underway for the season - all trucks ready and have been Street sweeping for the year starts Monday April 6th and runs every other week Cleaned catch basins and swales throughout town on rainy days. Litter has been very bad throughout the community; the crews have been New Leaf Vac Machine- crew reviewed demo units in Zelienople and Ohara  out multiple times treating roads. through October 2nd.  dedicating al lot of time to picking up litter. Crew built 10 extra horses for blocking roads.  Township Equipment Maintenance: o o o o signs.  Tk1-b bearing replaced on salt auger Tk3-i inspected and transmission line repaired. Tires were replaced on the Skid-steer start of sweeping season.  Streetsweeper is at Golden Equipment for spring maintenance before the Sign maintenance is on-going, replacing missing signs and repairing damaged locations. Crew has been actively refacing faded stop and street sweeping  5    Ongoing maintenance has been dedicated to filling potholes and repairs to Foreman responded, marked and reported multiple PA-One Call requests.  multiple alleys.  Parks: Mrs. Miller reported that the Committee will be meeting on Thursday of this week with state officials to go over the plans and the grant application oft the proposed Henning Street Engineer's Report: Engineer Suehr reported that he is working on getting quotes for a couple of small road projects and assisted the Manager with estimates for commercial  playground project.  demolition grant applications.  Official Reports roll call vote was taken: Council Mr. Cafarelli Mr. Dunn Mr. Flannery Mr. Gill Motion carried.  Motion to accept the Official Reports; was made by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mr. Flannery; a  VOTE Absent Mrs. Miller Yes Mrs. Tessaro Yes Mr. Mikulich Yes Mayor Drewnowski  Council  Vote Yes Yes Yes  Other Unfinished Business - Mrs. Tessaro reported that the Laughlin Library Board met on February 20th. She stated that the Library has a soup cookoff fundraising event scheduled for  March 28th and the costi is $5 to participate. Mr. Mikulich wished everyone al happy St. Patrick's Day.  Adjournment - Respectfully submitted:  Motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Tessaro; motion carried unanimously  - meeting was adjourned at 7:15PM.    Joseph Kàyer Borough Manager/Secretary