BOROUGH OF AMBRIDGE Council Meeting: May 10, 2016 Ambridge Municipal Complex  MINUTES  Executive Session - Personnel and Legal Matters Council Chambers of the Ambridge Municipal Complex.  The May 10, 2016 meeting of Ambridge Borough Council was called to order at' 7:00PM within the  Roll Call: Present:  Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Mr. McCoy Mrs. Miller Mr. Mikulich  Alsol Present: Absent:  Borough Manager Kauer, Solicitor Start, Borough Engineer Suehr, ChiefMann, Chief  Gottschalk and Code Enforcement Officer Clark.  Mr. Cafarelli and Mayor D'Ambrosio  Invocation given by! Mrs. Barbara Costa of the Trinity School of Ministry.  Pledge of Allegiance Presentations  Recognition of the Ambridge Police Department - National Police Week/National Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2016. Mr. Mikulich stated that in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 designating May 15 as Peace Officers' Memorial Day, and the week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Each year our nation loses between 140-160 law enforcement officers in the line of duty. National Police Week held May 11-1 17 each year in' Washington, D.C. honors the service ands sacrifice ofU.S. law enforcement officers. The Ambridge Police. Department consists of11 full-time officers, 10 part-time officers and one K9. Each officer performs various specialty roles within the Department including MCSAP Truck Inspectors, School Resource Officer, K-91 Handler, and Community Oriented Police Officer. The APD responds to over 1,200 calls fors service each month andi is under the direction of! Mayor Richiel D' Ambrosio and ChiefJ James Mann. This weekl he asked that everyone please take a moment to thank our officers while yous see them out onj patrol. Their service and sacrifice to the citizens of Ambridge is appreciated and  valued.  Citizen's Participation On/Off Agenda Items (5 minutes per speaker)  Mrs. Lorianne. Burgess, 5701 Merchant Street, stated that the Ambridge Police Department is always 100% professional and thanked them for their service. Shes stated that parking is becoming aj problem on Merchant Street due to the new businesses int that block. She suggested that the Borough install directional signage to the four public parking lots in the downtown area. She also stated that she has seen some suspicious activity at the corner of6"h Street and Melrose. Avenue. ChiefMann encouraged her to call the police every time you would see suspicious activityi int the community. Mrs. Miller questioned if callers could remain anonymous?  ChiefMann stated yes they can.    Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes April 12, 2016 Council Meeting Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried Treasurer's Report:  Mrs. Caldarelli made the motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Mrs. Miller. A roll call vote was taken:  VOTE Absent Mr.McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Council  Vote y Y Y  President Mikulich reviewed the Treasurer's Report with Borough Council:  Treasurer's Report May 12, 2016 MarilynSheleheda- -Treasurer General Fund Analysis  $980,272.67 $22,586.53 $957,686.14  General Fund Bank Account Balance as of: -(May 12, 2016) -4:00p pm  AII Outstanding Checks as of: Available Balance as of: Totals are as follows: Deposits: Debits: -which include the fol 93 Checks 2 Payroll (s) Other Debits:  (May" 12, 2016) -4:00 pm -(May 12, 2016) -4:00 pm  906.866.29  General Fund Summary:  $536,527.27  $164,477.38 $141,849.89 $230,000.00 (transfer into Sinking) $200.00 (NSF ck retumed)  Other Fund Balances as of (May 12, 2016) 4:00 pm Ambridge Fire Apparatus Replacement Fund Grants/Special Funds Liquid Fuels Fund Escrow Disbursement, Account Recreation Fund 2015 Road Construction Fund 2015 PIB Note Sinking Fund Sinking Fund Ambridge Borough Drug Investigation Fund  $4,739.59 $82,519.90 $184,691.10 $46,256.38 $29,522.91 $687,720.45 $0.00 $334,707.09 $7,515.38  $1,377,672.80 Total Other Funds Balances (Restricted Use) Manager Kauer reported that the Borough has received its credit rating as part of the current on-going bond issuance. Hes stated that thel Borough received an "A"rating from Standards and Poors Motion tol Pay thel Bills (Unpaid: $88,420.38/Paid: $72,240.59) was made by Mr. McCoy, seconded by  Borough Bills and Expenses Mr. Dunn; a roll call vote was taken:  2    Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried New Business Items forl Discussion:  VOTE Council Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote Y Y Y  1. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2016-5, a Resolution oft the Borough of Ambridge adopting and enacting policy identified as the Ambridge Borough Employee Handbook. Motion was: madel by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Drewnowski. Mr. Mikulich stated that all of Council, Mayor, Solicitor, Department heads and Union Stewards have had a chance to review the handbook, receiving input from some members of Council and the Solicitor. A roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Absent Mr.McCoy Y Y Y  Council Mrs. Miller Mr. Mikulich Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote Y Y Y  2. Motion to authorize the payment of $501,202.74 to A. Folino Construction representing Pay Application No. 2 for the 20161 Road Program. Motion was made by Mrs. Drewnowski, seconded by  Mr. McCoy; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Council Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote Y Y Y  3. Motion to authorize the disbursement of $10,121.48 from the applicable Ambridge Employee Pension Plans to CIMI Investment. Management, Inc. for second quarter 2016 investment services (Police Pension: $6,326.36, Firemen's Pension: $2,839.07, Service Pension: $920.04.) Motion was made by  Mr. McCoy, seconded by Mrs. Miller; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Council  Vote Y Y Y  4. Motion to approve a dedicated on-street handicapped parking space in front oft the residence at 449 Duss Avenue as recommended byt the Ambridge Police Department. Motion was madel byl Mrs. 5. Motion to authorize the advertisement and public display ofOrdinancel No. 1285, an Ordinance oft the Borough of Ambridge, County of Beaver, Commonwealth of] Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 27 (Zoning) of thel Borough Code of Ordinances, specifically amending portions oft the Zoning Map by rezoning areas along aj portion ofl Merchant Street from Commercial to new base districts (Community Business District, Midtown! District and Gateway South District) and establishing provisions therefore; additionally establishing regulations pertaining to signs in all commercial districts; contingent ona favorable determination from thel Beaver County Planning Commission. Motion was made byl Mr. McCoy, seconded by Mrs. Caldarelli; the Borough Manager explained that this Ordinance has beeni in  Drewnowski, seconded by Mrs. Caldarelli; motion carried unanimously.  3    development: for over five years by thel Downtown: Development Committee. Ity will focus on two objectives, Right-sizing of our Business District on Merchant Street between 4th Street and 12th Street where it creates three new zoning districts that willl help support the right type of! businesses in the Downtown and thes second aspect of this Ordinance is to create regulations for commercial signage. Mr. Mikulich echoed Mr. Kauer's comments and encouraged the Council to move forward. The Manager added that the proposed Ordinance willl have tol be reviewed by the Beaver County Planning Commission and that they have thirty days to respond back with their comments and input. A roll call  vote was taken: Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Council Absent Mr.McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote y Y Y  Motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for a sign permit fora ai new: sign proposed on the Merchant Street façade, however denying the Certificate of Appropriateness: for thes sign permit for the banner sign on the 14th Street façade at 303 14th Street. Motion was made byl Mr. McCoy, seconded by Mrs. Caldarelli; Code Officer Clark stated that the HARB agreed that the proposed sign on the Merchant Street side oft the building was approved as it fits the character oft thel Historic District, however thes sign proposed and already hung on the 14th Street side is not appropriate for the character oft the district and should be modified. The applicant was advised to redesign that sign andj present  new plans back to the HARB. A roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Council  Vote Y Y Y  7. Motion to grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for façade improvements to 1415) Merchant Street based on ther recommendation of thel Historical Architectural Reviewl Board. Motion was made by  Mrs. Caldarelli, seconded by) Mrs. Drewnowski; a roll call vote was taken:  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried Committee Reports  VOTE Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Council  Vote Y Y Y  Code Enforcement Committee: Mrs. Caldarelli reported thati ini regards to the recent codel letters sent out toj property owners on Merchant Street that had property maintenance code violations, 19 properties have painted or made repairs, 63 are working with the Code Officer tol bring the properties into compliance, two are condemned and 9 are receiving certified final notices. She also reported that the Committee met with a group of citizens and members of the Planning Commission on May 4t to discuss urban agriculture within the Borough. She stated that the Committee needs to consider all: residents in the Borough before ar recommendation is made. Mrs. Miller stated that it is nice to see the many buildings on Merchant Street being painted and Mr. Dunn questioned aj parcel in the 2001 block of] Park Road that has high grass. Thel Manager explained that thej parcel is owned by Beaver County and that communication: has been made with the  cleaned up.  4    County Public Works Department tol have the grass cut. Mrs. Caldarelli requested the citizens to feel Public Safety: Chief] Mann reported that the Drug Forfeiture Fund now has approximately $7,400, and that thel Department is waiting on a substantial check from the County. He stated that funds continue tol be turned over to the District Attorney's office and that we are still waiting on the County to auditt the safety deposit box that contains older drug forfeitures. The Chief also added that drug arrests continue tol be up within the Borough. Mrs. Miller stated that shei is proud of the work the Chief ChiefGottschalk: reported that the Fire Department is still waiting tol hear back from FEMA ift the fire truck grant is awarded or not. He also added that equipment made possible by this year's State Fire Chiefl Mann introduced new Part-time Officer Mike Truskowski. Officer Truskowski reported that he isag graduate of Ambridge Area High School andi isa a current member oft the United States Air Force. Hes stated that hel has completed two tours of duty overseas and also serves as aj part-time police officer Public Works: Mr. Mikulich stated that members ofCouncil need to finalize the list ofr roads that should be completed as part of the 2017 Road] Program. Hes stated that we: should have a decision made by. July sot the Engineer can design and prepare the project's specifications. Mr. Mikulich also stated that filming of the Netflix TV Show Mindhunters" is currently underway at the former Borough Building at 10th and Merchant Streets. He stated that the community should be proud that another movie is being filmed in town. It was reported that they are also filming at the Bridgetown Parks: Mrs. Miller reported that the upper roadi in) Panek Park has been paved. She also made a motion, seconded byl Mr. McCoy to donate $500 from the Recreation Fund to the. Ambridge Fireworks Committee for the 20161 Independence Day Fireworks Show; a roll call vote was taken:  free to report property maintenance complaints tot the Borough Office.  and] Department is doing to battle drug abuse within our community.  Granti is now coming in and being put into service.  inl Baden and Conway.  Taphouse and Maple Restaurant.  Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Absent Mr. McCoy Y Y Y  Council Mrs. Miller Mr. Mikulich Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote Y Y Y  Mrs. Miller thanked Mrs. Marilyn Sheleheda and the Fireworks Committee for all of their hard work to bring back 4" ofJuly Fireworks to town. Mr. Mikulich also thanked the Ambridge Volunteer Fire Department for also sponsoring the fireworks. He also encouraged the residents to take advantage of the free resident passes to Old Economy Village this year. He stated that all: residents are eligible for Engineer's Report: Thel Engineer reported that all of the road work as part oft the 20161 Road Program is complete with the exception ofChurch Street and line painting. He also reported that he is still working on the design work for thes storm sewer outfall repairs that are needed under the Ambridge- Motion to accept the Official Reports; motion was made by Mrs. Drewnowski, seconded by Mrs.  the free pass and can get it by visiting the Old) Economy Visitor's Center.  Aliquippa Bridge. Official Reports 1.  Miller; a roll call vote was taken: Council Mr. Cafarelli Mrs. Caldarelli Mrs. Drewnowski Mr. Dunn Motion Carried  VOTE Council Absent Mr. McCoy Y Mrs. Miller Y Mr. Mikulich Y Mayor D'Ambrosio  Vote y Y Y  5    Other Unfinished Business  Mrs. Miller questioned! how many petsI residents could have? Mr. Mikulich replied that the Code of Ordinances allow for two pets peri residence. Mrs. Caldarelli stated thats she does not believe that residents should have more than two pets within the Borough. Code Officer Clark stated that the Code Committee did discuss amending the Code toj possibly allow more pets; however proposing residents would then have to Mrs. Drewnowski questioned Code Officer Clark on what is being done about feral cats within the Borough. Code Officer Clark reported that the Borough lends out traps to requesting residents, and then iti is up to the Mr. Mikulich reported that the annual Memorial Day Ceremony willl bel held on Monday, May 30th at] PJ Caul Motion to adjourn was made by Mrs. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Drewnowski; motion carried unanimously-  register them annually. It was agreed to discuss thisi issue further in Committee.  resident to take the caught cat to thel human society. Park. The program is available online on the Borough website.  Adjournment-  meeting was adjourned at 7:461 PM  Respectfully: submitted: S  /  Borough Manager/Secretary