WEST HOMESTEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL Caucus /Work-Shop Meeting  March 7, 2023 Minutes  Call to Order  President Baran called the meeting to order at 6:15 P.M.  Roll Call  The roll was called to establish a quorum. Present were, Ms. Cain, Ms. Ferson, Mr. Harhai, Mr. McLaughlin, Ms. Scolieri and President Baran. Mr. Guzzi was absent. A quorum was  established.  Borough Manager Bill Etherington, Mayor John Dindak, Solicitor(s) Stan Lederman and Michael Lederman, Engineer Mark Brashear, Borough Secretary Donna McMichael were also present. President Baran asked if anyone in the audience had any questions not included on the  agenda. No response.  The Caucus was turned over to Borough Manager Bill Etherington Hot Topics and Actions from Prior Month Meeting  Manager reviewed the Hot Topics for discussion. Manager provided status on the frozen pipes bursting on Christmas Day. Insurance estimate shows $22K with $1K deductible. Update from Police Pursuit on November 16, 2022. RTK request was denied due to open investigation. Mark Hamilton will be the attorney representing ouri insurance (Hub Int'). Lowes Theater won an appeal on the valuation assessment. This will reduce RE Tax Manager suggested we continue to investigate and get more information on the Business Privilege Tax /N Mercantile Tax before we apply to our businesses ini the Borough. Manager discussed the process related to the open position for a new police officer to  Work should begin from Extreme Restoration in early April.  Income by $26K.  replace Officer Lincoln.  Engineering  Code Enforcement (See Slide Show for more details)  Manager, once again, discussed the numerous Code Violations, repeat offenders that require escalation to citations, potential properties for demolition or Sheriff Sale. The 5 properties within the Borough which have been "Posted" by BIU showing "No Occupancy" has been reduced to only 2. Manager explained that this is the "Process" and progress will eventually be made. Solicitor noted that the next court hearing for the Guardian Angels Building is scheduled for April 13, 2023.    Manager reiterated that Code Enforcement is a "Process" which takes time and involves various actions with multiple players involved that must perform actions for the process to work in a timely and accurate manner. The inspection on Walnut Street was performed showing street lined with garbage cans as the most noticeable improvement that requires immediate attention.  Manager reminded Council that the Borough Properties Committee included Code Enforcement on the agenda for each meeting to not only discuss the respective 454 West gth Avenue performing mechanical repairs due to noticing the disposal of See Slide Show for more details and Code Enforcement Report for 2023.  properties, but also discuss ways of improving the process. oil. We will have another meeting with Mr. Ford.  Streets Repair - General  Streets for 2023 = Vivjon Drive, Schauffler Drive, West Hazel Way, Kran Drive. Bids received will be opened at next month's Legislative Meeting. Need to put a plan together on the repair of Basic Avenue Retaining Wall. Appears that the I-Beams are structurally secure, but the railroad ties need to be replaced. PADEP Consent Order Manager shared Engineering document on PADEP Consent Order requirements, timeline of activities and fines associated with missing timelines. Mark has several deadlines for reporting: Due Diligence Report, Annual Waste Load Report, and Nine Minimum Controls Report. No update on the West Run Stream Project with Army Corp. of Engineers. Mr. McLaughlin voiced his concern about the cost of Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan - Manager advised Council that the final summary of the Plan was presented during a Zoom Meeting on 01/12/23 at 41 P.M. The next step would be the Public Notice, then the implementation to the owners oft the Plan. Calhoun Field Improvements - (See Slide Show) Manager provided Council with the current expenses for this project ini terms of the value added for the residents VS. the replacement of existing asphalt. Manager working with DCNR/DCED and Pashek-MTR on new funding that will hopefully cover close to 100% of the project. Recent update: A NEW DCED Grant - Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program will be applied for by Riverfront Park - Scope of Work & Timeline = Pashek MTR ($40K Grant), $34K DCNR, $6K Borough. 1.8. Acres along Mon River. Council agreed to move forward with the project. This project had to extend for 1 more year due to the Alcosan Tunnel project.  Laterals failing inspection to homeowners in the Northern Region.  the Manager.  Authorities/Boards/Commissions  See Slide Show Zoning Approvals/Matters See Slide Show    Committee Reports  Administration Manager/Secretary,  Several Council members attended the dinner hosted by Senator Brewster at Rock Bottom Restaurant. Good discussions on issues that need addressed. Manager asked for a last call on attending the ALOM Spring Conference. Still working on final wording to be used on Rules and Regulations for the parks. Administrations Role in Code Enforcement (See Slide Show)  Borough Properties /E Blighted & Vacant - (Ms. Scolieri) /( (Mr. Harhai)  Committee meet on 02/14/23 to review a spreadsheet showing all properties that are under review. Including: Demolition, Sherriff Sale, Land Bank, and also Code Manager recommended the Committee meet monthly in order to show progress in this area of concern. Meetings will be scheduled for 2nd Tuesday at 4 P.M...  Enforcement Notices of Violation or Citation Status.  Community Affairs (Ms. Ferson)  The Administration is still finalizing the wording on the Rules & Regulations to include the  Leash Law. Include NO SOLICITING, NO LOITERING.  Personnel (Ms. Scolieri)  Manager advised Council on the resignation of Officer Derek Lincoln effective January 24, 2023, in consideration of his remaining PTO. Chief Rozzo introduced the effectiveness of hiring an additional "Flex" Officer to reduce Overtime Expense in 2023.Council agreed to the hiring of the "Flex" officer to help reduce overtime expense.  Public Safety (Mr. Harhai) - See Slide Show - Police Report for 2023 Reviewed Police Report and Minutes/Actions from Public Safety Meeting. After Route 837 project, need to enforce NO PARKING. Move to Public Safety Meeting. Council rejected the use of No Parking Signs. Manager will inform the Chief of Police on Councils vote to NOT ENFORCE these STATE LAW violations.  Public Works (Mr. Mclaughlin/Manager, See Slide Show PW Report for 2022 Glenn to work with Manager on "Preventive Maintenance" for Vehicles & Equipment. Council is recommending adding a light pole to run electricity for the corner of Manager is still searching for a location to house PW Vehicles and Equipment. Manager provided Waste and Recycling numbers. (See presentation)  Edgewood/Pinewood.  Sewer Sanitary/Storm) Management (Ms. Cain) Sanitary & Combined Sewers - Major Projects Storm Sewers - Major Projects See the presentation for more details.  Santay/Combined'siom Sewer Maintenance - Consent Order    Financial Management (Manager)  Manager presented the pros and cons related to Continental Real Estate proposal on NEW TIF Waterfront Apartments. Council voted ini favor of going forward with the project.  Account Balances as of 02/28/23  General Fund Escrow  94,068 113,561 $ 5,356 $ 15,031 $ 13,589 $ 39,625 26,571 $1,221,272 $1,059,638  140,092 (2023 Reserve) 319,491 Calhoun/PW-Truck)  Highway Maintenance (Liquid Fuels) Capital improvements Police DEA Task Force Police Pension Fund Service Employee Pension Fund Penn Vest Reimbursements Sanitation Sewer Fund Penn-Vest Loan  Preliminary Legislation for Next Week:  Approve February 2022 Legislative Council/Caucus Meeting Minutes. Approve and ratify all bills paid and to be paid for the month of March Motion to approve resolution to increase Police Services to $90/Hour.  2023.  End of Meeting at 8:08 P.M.