EMSWORTH BOROUGHCOUNCIL 171 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Business Meeting Minutes- - January 10, 2024  Council Members Present - William Bauer, Kathleen Dine, Abigail Donovan, Daniel Lenz, Benjamin Others Present - Alexander Nalevanko, Mayor; Robert L. McTiernan, Esq., Borough Solicitor; Dennis President Bauer called the January 10, 2024, business meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance and Roll Call, President Bauer called for approval ofthe December 10, 2023, Meeting Minutes  Nalevanko, Michael. Mary, Kevin Yurkovich  J.F Flynn, P.E., Borough Engineer; Cathy Jones, Borough Secretary  and the. January 2, 2024, Reorganization Minutes.  MINUTES APPROVAL  MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, second by Mr. Mary to approve the December 10, 2023, Minutes as distributed. Motion carried: Yea: Messrs. Lenz, Mary, Yurkovich; Abstain: Ms. Donovan. Not on council December 10, 2023: Ms. Dine; Messrs. Bauer, and Nalevanko. Minutes as distributed. Motion carried by roll call with Ms. Dine abstaining.  MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, second by Ms. Donovan to approve the January 2, 2024, Reorganization  PUBLIC COMMENT  -John Tadler, 28 Hiland - thanked council for serving the com: nunity but was distressed to read things -Josie Ramsey, 240 Greenwood - requested an update on 18 Hiland for a proposed short-term rental. Mr. -Dave Wexler, 78 Courtney - agreed with Mr. Tadle'scommentsand requested Mr. Lenz step down from -Terry Kuehner, 18 Center - appalled with the Facebook posts from Mr. Lenz, does not want him to represent the borough, asked him to step down; after more than 20 years, she never knew this side ofhim. -Ed Fincke, 215 Bryson - has known Mr. Lenz for forty years and they agree to disagree on matters. -Krista Staley, 222 Pennsylvania - concerned about Facebook postings and expects fair treatment for all;  posted on social media by Mr. Lenz and called them untenable and hateful. Yurkovich replied the Zoning Hearing Board had denied this requ uest at their meeting.  council.  not disparaging one group; and is hopeful a toxic member can be removed. MAYOR'S REPORT - Alexander Nalevanko, Mayor Public Safety: OTPD: 79 calls, including 12 medical emergencics; EVFC: 44 calls Mayor Nalevanko will bei meeting withotPDChiefHamy int the neari future; Mayor Nalevanko announced he would be attending the Allegheny County Mayors Association Meeting on January 18. PSMA - Mayor Nalevanko requested membership in this may or association. MOTION by Mr. Lenz, second by Ms. Dine to approve membership for Mr. Nalevanko in the amount of $70 for the PSMA. Yea: Ms. Dine, Messrs. Lenz, Nalevanko, Bauer; Nay: Ms. Donovan, Mr. Yurkovich; Abstain: Mr. Mary.  Motion carried.  PRESIDENTS REPORT - Willam B. Bauer  Committee Assignments were previously distributed to Council by Pres. Bauer.  Appointments:  Allegheny County Boroughs Association (ACBA), Delegate - MOTION by Mr. Lenz, second by Mr. Nalevanko to name Alexander Nalevanko as the. ACBA Delegate. Motion unanimously carried by roll call.    Business Meeting Minutes January 10, 2024 Page Two  ACBAAIeme-MOTION by Mr. Lenz, second by Mr. Nalevanko to name William Bauer as the ACBA PA State Association of Boroughs (PSAB), Delegate - MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, second by Mr. Mary to name Abigail Donovan as the PSAB Delegate. Motion unanimously carried by roll call. PSAB Alternate MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, seçond by Ms. Donovan to name Michael V. Mary as the QV Council of Governments (QVCOG) - MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, second by Mr. Mary to name Abigail Donovan as the QVCOG Delegate. Nay: Messrs. Lenz, Nalevanko; Yea: Ms. Dine, Donovan;  Alternate. Motion unanimously carried by roll call.  PSAB Alternate. Motion unanimously carried by roll call.  Messrs. Mary, Yurkovich, Bauer Motion to Reorganize  MOTION by Mr. Yurkovich, second by Ms. Donovan to Reorgar nize Council. Discussion: Mr. Yurkovich stated Pres. Bauer did have control of the meeting and the mayor should not be aiding in running the meeting. Pres. Bauer stated hei is committed to work with the council. After listening to the public comments regarding Mr. Lenz's social media postings, Ms. Donovan stated it was in the best interest of council to remove Mr. Lenz. Sol. McTiernan advised only the voters ofthe borough can vote to remove Mr. Lenz. Mr. Yurkovich announced he was not removing himself from council but he refused to sit at the table with Mr. Lenza after the public comments; Ms. Donovan and Mr. Mary followed Mr. Yurkovich to the audience. Sol. McTiernan noted there was still a quorum for the meeting to move forward. Yea: Ms. Donovan, Messrs. Mary, Yurkovich; Nay: Ms. Dine, Messrs, Lenz, Nalevanko, Bauer. Motion to Reorganize failed. QVCOG, Alternate - MOTION by Mr. Nalevanko, second by Mr. Lenz to name Alexander Nalevanko as the QVCOG Alternate. Motion carried by roll call: Ms. Dine, Messrs. Lenz, Nalevanko, Bauer.  BOROUGH SOLICITOR REPORT: = Robert L. McTiernan, Esq. Elected Officials Course, with the first session scheduled Saturday. BOROUGH ENGINEER REPORT - Dennis J. Flynn, P.E.  Sol. McTiernan announced Tucker Arensberg is a sponsor of the Local Government Academy Newly  Mr. Flynn announced the DCED PA Small Water and Sewer Grant was awarded to the borough in the amount of $293,899, which is 85% ofthe total project estimate. A GROW grant had previously been awarded for 23% oft the estimated project cost. Mr. Flynn's repo ort was distributed to council. 2024 Road Paving Program - Gateway Engineers has developed the 2024 list and Mr. Flynn will meet  with the Infrastructure Committee regarding the 2024 road pavingprogram.  COMMITTEE REPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE: - Daniel Lenz No Report COMMUNITY - Benjamin Nalevanko Administration who is supportive of the project.  Mr. Nalevanko reported he is working on a Junior Council Person Program along with Avonworth    Business Meeting Minutes January 10, 2024 Page Three DPW - Daniel Lenz  Mr. Lenz learned the DPW trucks have not been taken to Mike Adams for repairs. Mr. Fashian, DPW, informed council he has been working with Ohio Twp. DPW for anything relative to the trucks.  FINANCEPERSONNEL  MOTION by Ms. Dine, second by Mr. Lenz to pay the bills as presented along with thei following additions: Comcast $166.29; Columbia Gas $44.57; Tri State Maintenance $280; PIRMA Insurance $41,876.  Motion carried by roll call: Ms. Dine; Messrs. Lenz, Nalevanko, Bauer.  OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS  ACBA Annual Banquet - MOTION by Mr. Lenz, second by Mr. Nalevanko to send two officials, Mayor Nalevanko and Pres. Bauer, to the ACBA Banquet at the Rivers Casino on Feb. 3ata cost of $85/person. PSAB Plus Membership - Mayor Nalevanko.reported on this training program which includes discounts for the newly elected municipal official camp. MOTION by Mr. Lenz, second by Mr. Nalevanko to authorize $450 for the PSAB Plus membership. Motion carried by roll call: Ms. Dine, Messrs. Lenz,  Motion carried by roll call: Ms. Dine, Messrs. Lenz, Nalevanko, Bauer.  Nalevanko, Bauer. PUBLIC COMMENT  Mr. Yurkovich requested updates ont the 235-237 Center Avenue project as well as the Holy Family Institute building project; questioned who is taking the callouts for snow removal; who is working on the web site, in the past the president and vice president had posted borough information on social media but Mr. Yurkovich does not want Mr. Lenz posting on the borough's web site; concluded that he did pick up his J Josie Ramsey - urged the audience to use their power and consi ider to run for an elected position. - Debbie Lenz, 247 Camp Horne Road - called the audience outb ursts a witch hunt as her husband's social Terry Kuehner - urged the audience to vote out Mr. Lenz when his term expires and consider running. Jaime Mary has lived ini the borough over 20 years and it is troubling that a vote to reorganize failed in order to remove Mr. Lenz as vice president of counçil; this is an embarrassment for the community.  letter from the mayor. Pres. Bauer will look into answering these updates.  media postings are his opinions.  ADJOURN  Pres. Bauer Adjourned the council meeting at 7:25 p.m.  Respectfully Submitted, Tipumay GATHY JONES Borough Sgcretary