WEST HOMESTEAD BOROUGH COUNCIL Caucus /Work-Shop Meeting June 6, 2023 Minutes Call to Order President Baran called the meeting to order at 6:15 P.M. RollCall The roll was called to establish a quorum. Present were, Ms. Ferson, Mr. Harhai, Mr. McLaughlin, Ms. Scolieri, and President Baran. Ms. Cain and Mr. Guzzi were 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 anyone in the audience if they had any questions not included on the agenda. No response. Mr. Harhai presented a motion to move to an Executive Session; Ms. Scolieri seconded. Mr. Harhai presented a motion to return from the Executive Session; Ms. Scolieri seconded. Mr. Harhai presented a motion to vacate/rescind Council Vote on Conditional Use at 1069 Forest Avenue (Auto Repair). Ms. Scolieri seconded. Motion approved at 6:26 P.M. Mr. Harhai presented a motion to begin the advertised Public Hearing. Ms. Scolieri seconded. Solicitor Lederman interviewed Borough Engineer regarding the Planning Commission conditional use of the Auto Repair Shop at 1069 Forest Avenue. Conditional use #6 allows for 23 vehicles to be parked outside the shop. After further review from, the number of vehicles was Mr. Harhai presented a motion to Council to approve the change from 23 vehicles to 10 vehicles permitted to be parked outside the shop per the Planning Commission conditional use #6. Mr. Harhai presented a motion to end the advertised Public Hearing. Ms. Scolieri seconded. The Caucus Meeting was turned over to Borough Manager Bill Etherington Motion approved at 6:16 P.M. Motion approved at 6:25 P.M. Motion approved at 6:27 P.M. reduced to 10 vehicles. Ms. Scolieri seconded. Motion approved by Council at 6:34 P.M. Motion approved at 6:36 P.M. 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. Repairs performed by Extreme Restoration are complete. Insurance settlement complete. Update from Police Pursuit on November 16, 2022. RTK request was denied due to open investigation. Mark Hamilton will be the attorney representing our insurance (Hub Intl). Manager discussed status on Guardian Angels Building collapse. Matt Bovee resigned his Conservatorship and ini turn goes back to owner Jill McAfee. Engineering report shows major concerns still present. Solicitor presented to Council next steps in the process. Solicitor and Owner (McAfee) Attorney to meet with. Judge next week on repair Manager noted Council will be recognizing Officer Swindell for his bravery related to the No Update. Still an open investigation. status. May 2, 2023 incident. Engineering Code Enforcement (See Slide Show for more details) Manager discussed the numerous Code Violations, repeat offenders that require escalation to citations, potential properties for demolition or Sheriff Sale. Code Enforcement is a "Process" and progress will eventually be made. Manager reiterated this process takes time and involves various actions with multiple players involved who must perform actions for the process to work in a timely and Guardian Angels Building still in court with original owner McAfee on timeline of Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge - Will meet with M&J (Waterfront) on Zoom call in June. Repairs have been outlined and forwarded to the Owners Association. Passages to Recovery Building Improvements. Manager, Solicitor, Chief of Police, Fire Department President to meet with team in June. Possible demolition due to Issue NOV's for Walnut Street regarding the Garbage / Recycling cans being left Need to investigate West 7th Avenue intersection with Howard Street for pothole Need to investigate 1131 Cascade Drive for PAWC repair. Did not perform curb to See Slide Show for more details and Code Enforcement Report for 2023. accurate manner. repairs. Solicitor to provide update. $663K in repairs required. architectural problems preventing redesigning. on the sidewalk. repairs. curb repair. Streets Repair - General Streets for 2023 = Vivjon Drive, Schauffler Drive, West Hazel Way, Kran Drive. All Need to put a plan together on the repair of Basic Avenue Street and Retaining Wall. Appears that the retaining wall I-Beams are structurally sound, but the streets have been paved to specifications. railroad ties need replaced. PADEP Consent Order - Manager shared Engineering document on PADEP Consent Order requirements, timeline of activities and fines associated with missing timelines. Mark (Engineering) has achieved several deadlines for reporting, Due Diligence Report, Annual Waste Load Report, and Nine Minimum Controls Report. No update on the West Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan - Manager advised Council that the Public Meeting occurred on April 27th. Good and Positive feedback from residents of all 3 Boroughs. Next step, meeting with the 3 Planning Commissions on the implementation of Calhoun Field mprovements - (See Slide Show) Manager provided Council the current expenses for this project in terms oft the value add for the residents VS. the replacement ofe 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 has been applied for by the Manager. Senator Brewster provided a letter of support for the NEW Grant. 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. Manager and Engineer had a site visit with a consultant on April 5, 2023, to determine work required going forward. A Steering Committee will be formulated. Run Stream Project with. Army Corp. of Engineers. the Plan. Authorities/Boards/Commissions See Slide Show Zoning Approvals/Matters See Slide Show Committee Reports Administration Manager/ecretary, Manager provided Council with updated HR Management objectives including: Employee Handbooks - WHPD Complete, Non-Uniform Employees In-Process Employee Performance Reviews - WHPD Complete, Non-Uniform by 09/30/23 Need to Investigate Parking Meter Collection and Enforcement. Administrations Role in Code Enforcement (See Slide Show) Borough Properties /E Blighted & Vacant - (Ms. Scolieri) /( (Mr. Harhai) Request by Fran Serenka to pay off all liens against property on West 8th Avenue. Act 152 Demolition to include property residing at 698 Doyle Avenue. Community Affairs (Ms. Ferson) Clean-Up Day Event on May 6th went very well again this year. Thanks to ALL who Memorial Day Event also went well on May 29th. Thanks to ALL who helped and The Summer Recreation Program will run from June 5th through July 21st. participated. Question: Should we perform this twice a year? participated in the event. Personnel (Ms. Scolieri) Council will recognize Officer Swindell from the incident occurring on May 2, 2023. Council will recognize the Boy Scouts of America who helped clean up the Memorial on Sarah Street. Public Safety (Mr. Harhai) = See Slide Show Police Report for 2023 Reviewed Police Report and Minutes/Actions from Public Safety Meeting. Manager provided Council with projected revenue from AMC Waterfront Details. $84K. Discussed topics that were addressed at the monthly Public Safety Meeting. Manager presented to Council updated YTD Police Overtime Analysis. Public Works (Mr. Mclaughlin/Managen, See Slide Show- PW Report for 2023 Manager provided Council with Summer 2023 activities on the radar. Manager provided Waste and Recycling numbers. (See presentation) Sewer Sanitary/Storm) Management (Ms. Cain) Meeting with ALCOSAN on West Run Trunk Sewer. Cost to Repair and transfer agreement. Sanitary & Combined Sewers - Major Projects. Storm Sewers - Major Projects. See presentation for more details. Financial Management (Manager) Santaly/Comonedisiom Sewer Maintenance - Consent Order. Manager provided Council with SRCOG benchmarking Sewer Rates from other Manager presented to Council the bullets pertaining to how' West Homestead can remain Municipalities compared to West Homestead. Financially Sustainable. Account Balances as of 05/31/23 General Fund Escrow 26,371 0 174,631 102,749 16,132 $ 17,016 38,901 7,110 $1,107,314 $1,041,722 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 321,265 Calhoum/PW-Truck) Preliminary Legislation for Next Week: Approve May 2023 Legislative Council/Caucus Meeting Minutes. Approve and ratify all bills paid and to be paid for the month of June 2023. Motion to approve Resolution 23-XXX for ENEL-X, Advisory Services to enter into a 2 Year agreement extension for energy consulting services. Motion to approve Resolution 23-XXX authorizing Allegheny Economic Development the filing of application for demolition (Act 152). Motion to approve Resolution 23-XXX that identifies the Carnegie Library of Homestead which provides services for the residents of West Motion to Hire 7 Part Time Employees to work the Summer Recreation Motion to approve Resolution 23-XXX Tri-COG Land Bank list of Homestead Borough. Program for 2023. properties. End of Meeting at 8:27 P.M.