BOROUGH OF TARENTUM ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING 6:30 P.M. SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 6:00P.M. EXECUTIVE SESSION  36G0 613  1. CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEIGANCE  2. ROLL CALL Joe Davidek Erika Josefoski Tim Firko Pete Varos Eric Carter Greg Schmitt Raymond Kerr Mayor Magnetta Solicitor Clark Chief Vakulick Michael Gutonski  3. MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 17, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING RESOLVED, motion to approve by Councilman Davidek, seconded by Councilman Kerr, to approve the minutes of the August 17, 2015 council meeting with unanimous votes by council.  4. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS REMARKS:  Jim Bowser, 314' West gth Avenue, Tarentum, to Mayor Magnetta, remarking about the Fall Festival being held in support of Summit Hose and thet flyer that Mayor Magnetta sent out being on Borough letterhead, feels it should have been done privately or on Summit Hose letterhead. Ithink you should  reimburse the Borough taxpayers.  REMARKS: MAYOR MAGNETTA  Summit Hose paid for all the mailings. Iknow-whatisent out.  1    5. PRESIDENT'S REPORT PRESIDENT FIRKO  Busy month working with the manager and solicitor on many things, including finances. We have had! 5 applicants for the position of code enforcement officer  and we will vote on one tonight.  3661  6. MAYOR'S REPORT  MAYOR MAGNETTA Calls for service for August 2015: Calls for service 495; action necessary 346; no  action necessary 149; arrests 22; Citations issued 106; Total accidents 12; Accidents with injuries 3; Fines collected $3,561.91. Fines collected for the year  $33,332.63. Parking tickets issued 26.  ***NOPOLICE CHIEF'S REPORT THIS MONTH***  8. MANAGER'SI REPORT REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  Itwill come up for a vote tonight to refurbish the water tanks that we currently have as we don't have the funds necessary to put in new ones. We're also working on getting two sewer lines repaired. We will discuss the rain gardens. Paving will start next week on Monday. The 4th Avenue Bridge project will start once the county approves the revision on the grant money, that project will begin. We have applied for some grant money to replace water valves, storm sewer inlets and replacing the water line on West 7th Avenue.  .SOLCTORSREPORI REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  I've been working on a wide range of things, including some resolutions tonight int terms of real estate, and this will all come upi in the meeting tonight.  COMMITTEE REPORTS  A. - ADMINISTRATIVE,EMPLOVEE RELATIONS, FINANCE COMMITTEE  Tim Firko, Eric Carter  1. RESOLUTION TOI PAY SEPTEMBER BILLS.  2    Upon motion by Councilman Carter, seconded by Councilman Varos, RESOLVED, this Council approves the payment oft the SEPTEMBER 2015 bills. Upon roll call, the resolution was adopted with unanimous affirmative votes. 2. MOTION TO HIRE DANIEL FERRARI AS CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Carter, seconded by Councilman Kerr, to hire Daniel Ferrari as code enforcement officer. Motion passed by a roll call vote from all Council present with six (6) affirmative votes and one (1) negative vote.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  Will put a vote ont this and also request that you call a vote by roll call.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  Requests specifics of the potential hire.  309613  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Dan Ferrarii is a US veteran, ex-police officer who has code enforcement exposure and has worked with district justices. Hei is from Freeport Rd.i in Creighton. He is currently on a disability from police work from Oceanside, CA. There were 3 who had impressive backgrounds, yet Dan seemed rise above the  Has an impressive background and has a level head. other2. Ithink he will fit in the Borough and serve well.  3. MOTION TO AMEND ORDINANCE: 11-02 TO ALLOW AI PORTION OF FUNDSTOBE USED FOR REPAIRING W. 7H AVE. BRIDGE WATER LINE, DREDGING OF WATER INTAKE AND SATISFY AN OUTSTANDING BILLTO LB WATER FORI METER REPLACEMENT. RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Carter, seconded by Councilman Kerr, motion to amend ordinance 11-02. Motion passed by a roll call vote with unanimous votes by  all council present.  B.  WATER COMMITTEE Joe Davidek, Pete Varos  1. MOTION TO ADVERTISE FOR BIDS TOI RENOVATE 500,000 GALLON WATER STORAGE  TANK.  3    RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Davidek, seconded by Councilman Carter, to advertise for bids to renovate the! 500,000 gallon water storage tanks. Motion passed  by a unanimous vote by all council present.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  The approximate cost is $400,000. The work would start int the spring. Some preliminary work at the site needs to be done, making sure that the isolation valves are working properly and that the area is clear and open.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  We really didn't need to buy the property on' W.13th Street for the new water tanks. No denying we were conned into buying the property. The property will sit there wasteful because there's too much bad stuff underneath it. 2. MOTION TO ACCEPT BID FROM THREE RIVERS DIVING LLCI FOR DREDGING OF WATER INTAKE FOR THE AMOUNT NOT1 TO EXCEED 62,000 DOLLARS. RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Davidek, seconded by Erica. Josefoski to accept the bid from Three Rivers Diving. Motion passed by unanimous roll call vote bya all  council present.  3. MOTION TO ACCEPT BID FROM RUDZIK EXCAVATING IN THE AMOUNT OF 87,000 RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Davidek, seconded by Councilman Kerr, to accept the bid from Rudzik Excavating. Motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote by  FOR THE INSTALLATION OF 11 WATER ISOLATION VALVES.  all council present.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  The $87,000 is paid for by grant. There's no Borough money ini that.  ***NOI ELECTRIC COMMITTEE REPORT THIS MONTH*** D.P PUBLIC SAFETY AND CIVIL SERVICE COMMITTEE  164636  Tim Firko, Erika. Josefoski  4    35637  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  For the month of August 2015, Eureka Fire Rescue, 261 fire calls representing 63 personnelhours. 3calls were mutual aidt to Springhill Borough, Jessup, and  Frazer.  EMS, 246 calls representing 864 personnel hours. Total company training hours for the month are 27.  From Arden Garner, this came after the agenda meeting: Please consider erecting 15-minute parking signsi in front of ours store. Yes, we do have a parking lot, but many of our patrons use canes or wheelchairs and front oft the store access should be for them, but they can't usei it due to employees of  Community Life.  REMARKS: CHIEF VAKULICK  Ineed to check into that. Ibelieve we have those signs in front oft the MAC machines andi in other places, but Ineed to check intoi it.  REMARKS: MAYOR MAGNETTA  Ibelieve we should table it until next meeting.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Regarding asking for a stop sign coming down Center Street, I'd like to geta  little history.  REMARKS: CHIEF VAKULICK  We've only had two accidents as farl back as '06 and both were tractor trailers who sideswiped telephone poles. We've never had a problem there. By right, vehicles crossing the railroad have right of way and we should yield to them. I see no need for a stop sign there. I've been here since '97 and Idon't think  we' ve ever had much of a problem.  ***NO PROPERTY & ZONING, LIBRARY & HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT THIS MONTH***  5    F. STREETS & SANITARY SEWERS COMMITTEE  3666  Eric Carter, Tim Firko  1. MOTION TO ACCEPT BID FROM RON GILETTE INC. IN THE AMOUNT 0F143,975.91 RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Carter, seconded by councilman Davidek to accept the bid from Ron Gilette, Inc. Motion passed by a roll call vote with four (4)  FOR THE FINAL PHASE OF STREETSCAPES.  affirmative votes to three (3) negative votes.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  Ist this is the 5th and 6th Avenue project?  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  This final phase involves planting vegetation in the flower box that runs the length of the train station, building up the curb on the parking lot side oft the station, four catch basins that are on' Wood Street and 2"d Avenue, and minor  paving on Corbet Street.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN KERR  Is this money coming from the grant? And what are the negatives?  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  This money is coming from the grant, not to exceed $150,000. This is a project we inherited, and l'm not happy with it. Inr my personal opinion, Is say we just finish it sO that we don'thave an unfinished project sittingi in the middle of town. Negatives include some possible engineering fees and also being looked  down upon for not moving into the final phase.  REMARKS: MAYOR MAGNETTA  want to make sure that this does not exceed the grant. Thel last streetscape rani the Borough over $100,000, which was supposed to be a grant, but it was over. The Boroughi isi in bad shape financially. It was put in bad shape bya former manager who didn't do thej job properly. Every project in the past few years has been over budget. We'll bes starting on our budget next month andl I hope money falls down from somewhere. And it's shame what's happened to  6    356613  this town. We had close to $500,000 in our reserves and now we're down to $80,000. He was taking money out ofe electric and water funds, transferring it over into the general fund without this council knowing what was happening.  Something needs to be done. This was a crime.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  Mayor, just understand that you don't have to approve this; council doesn't have to approve this motion. The $143,0001 is grant money. We can'tgo over $150,000. We'll have about 10 engineer's fees, $10,000 we'll have to pay. It's probably a good idea to make ai final decision about this now. We already did pay $7,000 to the engineers for a previous streetscape project.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN KERR  Mike, I'd like you to find out the difference in the engineer's fees. Grants help  the Borough, too. Should we table this?  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Even ifit's $500, that's $500 we shouldn't have to pay.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  If we table this, we'llj just! have to pay the engineers longer. With the $143,000, there'sa provision that states that if Gilette needs to go another route to complete the project, it'll take us right up to the $150,000. Asiti is, we'd have to pay $10,000 in engineer's fees. We've already paid over $60,000i ine engineering fees for the other project and it's brought us up to almost $100,000 in total for  the streetscapes.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  Remember, this isn'twhat it's going to cost int total, because there will be  maintenance involved, too.  REMARKS: MAYOR MAGNETTA  That stack of papers that Mike hasi is change orders ofi increases, decreases,  increases, on all these other projects. It's ridiculous.  7    B2O  REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  I've worked with al lot of grants before and you do compliance review. Has anyone looked at this grant to seei if there's any kind of penalty that would be incurred if we got this far with the project and then didn'tcomplete it?  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  The records were really poorly kept and just find bits and pieces ofg grant paperwork. I've been through all the paperwork, but haven't found any definite  answer.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN KERR  So we don't even have a copy of the grant and the Solicitor is saying we could be  penalized?  REMARKS: COUNCILWOMAN JOSEFOSKI  III be at the COG meeting on Wednesday, if you wanted to wait and Icould talk  to them.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  Gilette was the only company that bid. Idon't know why. llet the engineers know Tarentum is not fond of what's happened with our finances. The amount oft this final streetscape will definitely not exceed $150,000, not by one penny.  G. PARKS & RECREATION COMMITTEE Erika. Josefoski, Greg Schmitt  1. MOTION TO GRANT LOCAL STEEL WORKERS PERMISSION TO USE BAND SHELL OCTOBER: 3RP FROM 8 AMT TILL! 5PM FOR AF FAMILY PICNIC/RALLY. RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilwoman Josefoski, seconded by Councilman Kerr, Motion to grant local steel workers permission to use band shell on October 3rd. Motion  Passed by a unanimous vote by all council present.  8    3BA.  2. MOTION TO GRANT C.J. THIMONS AND FAMILY PERMISSION TO HOLDA5K FAMILY FUN WALK OCTOBER 4"FROM 7:00 AM1 TILL NOON ALONGI'AVENUEFROM MARNATOBRACENADGE LINE. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GOTOT THE AMERICAN RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilwoman Josefoski, seconded by Councilman Kerr, Motion to grant C.J. Thimons and family permission to holda! 5K family fun walk October  CANCER SOCIETY.  4th. Motion passed by unanimous votes by all council.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  Imet this young man and his grandmother, veryi impressive. He's got sponsors all over the country who will bei involved. The staging area will be at the marina  and the entire lengthof1"Avenuer will be closed.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN KERR  This kid isar real go-getter, runs cross country, came in 4th out of 800 inar race recently in Ohio. He calls up these sponsors andi is sO professional, they don't know they're dealing with a kid, they think he'sa coach or something. Great  kid.  3. MOTION TO PLACE ASPHALT CURB AND FILL IN RAIN GARDEN WITH TOP SOIL AND GRASS SEED AND PLANT 21 TREES TO MATCH THE EXISTING ISLANDS IN LOT. RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilwoman Josefoski, seconded by Councilman Kerr, Motion to place asphalt curb and filli in rain garden. Motion passed with unanimous  Votes by all council present.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  Ist this the area where we went down there and looked at it?  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  The asphalt leads up to the rain garden area, sO there would be no drainage. You'd have to excavate the parking lot 301 feet back and put a grade down to it. Looking at the existing islands, they have grass and trees, sO they are essentially their own rain gardens. We'll have drainage, grass, and trees, and at a minimal  cost.  9    36.8  4. MOTION TO MARK ENTIRE RAIN GARDEN PROJECT COMPLETE ANDI NOTTO RESOLVED, upon motion by Councilwoman Josefoski, seconded by Councilman Davidek, Motion to mark the entire rain garden project complete. Motion passed bya  PROCEED WITH ANY EXISTING PLANS.  Unanimous roll call vote by all council present.  REMARKS: COUNCILWOMAN, JOSEFOSKI  Boo Fest will be on October 24th this year. Tickets will be given out on October The fall festival is this weekend and there will be dances, pie tasting, rides, crafts, benefits, and scarecrow contest. Same as always, but always getting  5th through gth from 11:00 to 1:00.  better.  ***NOAVN/COG COMMITTEE REPORT THIS MONTH*** ***NOKOZ COMMITTEE REPORT THIS MONTH*** J.R REDEVELOPMENT & REVITILIZATION COMMITTEE MAYOR MAGNETTA, RAY KERR, MICHAEL GUTONSKI  1. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2-04 GIVING AUTHORITY TO MANAGER GUTONSKITO APPLY FOR ANY AND ALL GRANTS AVAILABLE THAT ARE RELEVANT TO TARENTUM BOROUGH INCLUDING A: 150,000 DOLLAR MTF GRANTTO PURCHASE 215 CORBET ST. FOR COMPLETION OF THE CORBETS ST. UNRESOLVED, upon motion by Councilman Kerr, seconded by Councilwoman Josefoski, motion to approve Resolution 2-04. Bya a six (6) negative to one (1)  REALIGNMENT PROJECT.  affirmative vote, this motion wasi not passed.  REMARKS:  It'sactually 105.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  Would you mind telling me and the people ini the audience what this is all  about?  10    829303  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  A1 few years back a project was started to take a portion of Corbet St. from 2nd Ave. to3r Ave. to widen that street, taking existing buildings, tearing them down, and building the new facility that is there right now. The funding to purchase the final building never came through and it's the only building still standing. The developeri is very unhappy. The tenants int the new! building were promised a small parking area but now see this small old building that was never taken care of. The argument could be made that the Borough is somewhat  responsible for this situation.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Int those meetings that we've had, is there a chance we can litigate this and win?  REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  There is clearly more than one safety hazard, because when that building was not taken down, the contract was allowed to be changed and left a common wall that is falling down. The land is in limbo who owns it and we have the problem of being in compliance with the grant. We need to realign everything. We aren't in compliance. Thisi is worthwhile and will clean up a lot ofp problems, number one, safety. We've had litigation involving this and various requests. I think if we were going to litigate this, we wouldn't win, so it's best to go this  route and not add any more taxpayer money.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN DAVIDEK  So $105,000 would purchase the building and the land? Idon'twant us to get stuck with more land that this builder could say he doesn'twant, just like we got  stuck with the hill and the land on' W.7th.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  They're in no position to purchase the building. This grant money is the only way to get the building purchased. They're matching 30% oft the amount for this grant, which is approximately 45,000, sO they are named in the grant. It's In order for us to get this grant, we had to have a bill of sale and we had to have an appraisal done, which was done by the developer. Ineed to talk to the  $105,000 and that $40,000 is included into it.  tenants in the building.  The plan was always to make the building gone.  11    2633  REMARKS: ROB  lwould take that down brick by brick, because it's the only thing I have for my family. They're going to make ita a parking lot. And I'have put sO much work and effort into that building. The vape shop is laughing at mel because of all this. Ifl buy the building, you guys are still going to ripi it down because you want to Iflbuy the building and do everything I can to make it safer, are you guys still going to ripi it down, are you going to vote for that? Istarted there. Iwas the 4" vape shop to open in the Pittsburgh area. People came from Ohio to visit my store. Ido not want to be relocated. Ifidon'tg get to buy the building, I'm grew upi in' West Tarentum and people don't want to go to there. There'stoo Ihave done everything 1C can to make that building safer and make it look better, I'mi trying to raise $15,000 fora a down payment. My shop brings in $20,000a month in sales. donate al lot ofr money to the police and fire departments. And iflcan't get that building, I'm going to move and take my money someplace I'm trying to overcome that $105,000 by doing $110,000 to buy the building. Thisi is everything for my family. Iputi in at least 10-15 grand of my own money. And iflmove, I'm still trying to find the money for news store. My landlord told It's all falling on my shoulders because Idon't know what I'm going to do, how to feed my family. Either my back's going to be broke again or I'm going back to  make the street wider.  moving my shop to Lower Burrell.  much drug activity. Ido not want to move there.  and Iwill continue to do SO.  else.  me he would sell me the store for75.  the military.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Regarding the street widening, I don'tthink that's our intention other than to Rob, all we can tell youi is the process will not happen overnight and we  make the area safe. sympathize.  12    REMARKS:  36.683  MANAGER GUTONSKI  I'm sorry to hear that. It's not the Borough's sfault. It's the previous people who were involved. We will do everything in our power to get you into a great  location. We don'twanty you to leave Tarentum.  REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  Iwould like to revisit this next month, the right for Mr. Gutonski to apply for grants. This particular grant application came up rather quickly. He was trying  tos solve a problem, and think we should revisit this.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Let's change 2-04t to only apply to giving Councilman Gutonski the right to apply for any and all grants that are relevant to the current Borough.  2. MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 2-04 GIVING AUTHORITY TO MANAGER GUTONSKI TO APPLY FOR ANY AND ALLI RELEVENT GRANTS FOR TARENTUM Resolved, upon motion by Councilman Kerr, seconded. Joe Davidek, to approve (new) Resolution 2-04, giving authority to Manager Gutonski. Motion passed by  BOROUGH.  unanimous votes of all council present.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  We are going to be responsible for that building unless the Solicitor can finda a  reason why we'r re not.  REMARKS: CHIEF VAKULICK  Ithink we'd be open to al lawsuit.  REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  One problem is not completing what we said we were. They have a row of brick, duct work from the old building. Ini the past we've been cited in the appeal to tear it down. We have: some real public safety issues here.  13    366  REMARKS: ROB  Am lallowed to help the Borough tear downt that wall and the extra? Iwould be  willing to do that.  REMARKS: SOLICITOR CLARK  Ifisaid yes, you would be trespassing. I'd love to see that wall disappear, but right now we're in a quagmire. There are a lot of liabilities involved here. There  are also competing interests.  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Couldn't he check with the owner of that building who owns that wall, Zamponi and work something out on ripping that wall down? Rob, check with Mr.  Zamponi. Youg got a vote ofs support.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  This thing is dead in the water.  11. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS  REMARKS:  Jim Bowser, 314 W. gth Avenue. 3 things. Not thei first time in the last 40 years the Borough had management issues. This seems to be something that runs in Second thing, Ithink you should try to work with this man. This guy is willing to give more than your grant. He's willing to do that work and support his family. You should consider him and help him. He's not causing you any trouble and  the history oft this town.  will do what he can toi fix the building.  REMARKS:  Sandy Collins, 209 Main Street. 2 questions on the streetscaping. Where there any other bids other than Gillette's. And can that money be used elsewhere in  the Borough?  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  No, no one else bid. And yes, that money can only be used in that area.  14    36827  REMARKS:  Gina Lambda, 512 East 6th Avenue. What's the effective date ofe employment for  the code enforcement officer?  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  Tomorrow, We need to notify him he's been hired.  REMARKS:  Robert Farr, 215 Corbet Street. The new code enforcement officer, will he be  full-time or part-time?  REMARKS: PRESIDENT FIRKO  He will be part-time until he gets his certifications and works with the solicitor and Borough manager to get those things. He'll be ona contract that if he leaves before this time is up, Tarentum Borough will be reimbursed fora alll his  costs to send him to school.  REMARKS:  Jim Bowser: Mike, did you get the bill lowered for all the electric meters?  Because you said it was reading like 70,000. And the one grant tried to go after the old locomotive. Also, this guy needs ai fair chance.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  We did. We lowered it to $35,000 after they removed all the fees and penalties. Please, Jim, look into all the facts and don't make assumptions.  REMARKS: COUNCILMAN: SCHMITT  I'dI like to thank the Mayor, Council, and all citizens for their understanding in  my time of absence. Things are improving.  15    360678  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  For those who don'tk know, his wife was attacked by a dog, had serious injuries to her face, and has had to undergo serious plastic surgery. Long road of  recovery. We all have to prioritize sometimes.  REMARKS:  Walt, 917 Corbet Street, where the new sidewalk is. Ihave a problem with some people parking and blocking my parking. Canl paint a yellow line?  REMARKS: CHIEF VAKULICK  No, we should do that for you.  REMARKS: MANAGER GUTONSKI  IlI talk to Public' Works ini the morning. We'lldot that fory you.  ADJOURNMENT  Motion by Councilman Davidek, seconded by Councilman Schmitt to adjourn. There being no further business to come before Council, the meeting of September 21, 2015 was unanimously adjourned at 7:59 PM.  16    3006S  RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED  -  MICHAEL GUTONSKI BOROUGH MANAGER