WEST HOMESTEAD BOROUGH Caucus /Work-Shop Meeting December 5, 2023 Minutes  Call to Order  Council President Ashley Cain 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. Guzzi, and Ms. Scolieri. Mr. Harhai and Mr. McLaughlin were absent. A quorum was established. Mayor Joe Baran, Manager Bill Etherington, Solicitors Stanley and Michael Lederman, Engineer Mark Brashear, and Borough Secretary Donna McMichael were also present. President Cain asked anyone in the audience if they had any questions not included on  the agenda. No response.  Ms. Ferson presented a motion to accept the resignation of Officer Brad Barron effective on 11/20/2023. Ms. Scolieri seconded the motion. All Council Members approved. Ms. Ferson presented a motion to approve the hiring of Patrol Officers Craig Martin, Christopher Makosey, and Kiana Thompson, salary, and benefits per Collective Bargaining Agreement, contingent upon normal screening process approvals. Ms. Scolieri seconded the motion. All Council Members approved.  The meeting was turned over to the Borough Manager: Hot Topics and Actions from Prior Month Meeting  Update from Police Pursuit on November 16, 2022. Mark Hamilton will be the attorney representing our insurance (Hub Intl'). No Update. Still an open investigation. Status on Guardian Angel Building collapse. Matt Bovee resigned his Conservatorship and in turn goes back to owner Jill McAfee. Engineering report shows major concerns still present. Solicitor Lederman provided an update that many of the fees have been paid  and the owner is committed to future repairs. See below current timeline on the 2024 Budget Process.  10/21/23 - Perform 9 Month Actual VS. Budget. Overview 2023 EOY Cash Flow Analysis 10/28/23 - Personnel Meeting - Employee Reviews for 2024 Budget 11/06/23 = November Caucus Work-Shop - 2024 Preliminary Budget Presentation 11/13/23 - 11/15/23 - Departmental Meetings for 2024 Budget 12/05/23 - 5:00 P.M. -Advertised Meeting 2024 Budget Final Version to Council 12/12/23 - December Legislative Meeting - Final approval of 2024 Budget    Engineering Reports Code Enforcement  West Homestead Code Enforcement involves numerous Code Violations, repeat offenders that require escalation to citations and 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 fori the process to work in Same status on building improvements with Passages to Recovery officials. In summary, the building will be demolished and rebuilt to specifications. Demolition Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge - Met with M&J (Waterfront) on Zoom call in June. Repairs have been outlined and forwarded to the Owners Association. $663Ki in repairs required. Timeline on construction was, just provided. Engineer working Issue NOV's for Walnut Street, Cherry Street, West gth Avenue, regarding the Garbage /F Recycling cans being left on the sidewalk. Magistrate withdrew  a timely and accurate manner.  early 2024, construction to begin mid to late 2024.  with Waterfront Engineer on construction permits.  citations due to language in existing Ordinance.  Streets Repair - General  Streets for 2023 = Vivjon Drive, Schauffler Drive, West Hazel Way, Kran Drive. All streets have been repaved to specifications. Mark Brashear confirmed that the completed paving on Vivjon Drive meets all specifications and does not see any Need to put a plan together on the repair of Basic Avenue (street and the retaining wall). Appears that the retaining wall I-Beams are structurally sound, but the Streets for 2024 = Based on Preliminary Budget, there will be NO street repairs in  issues.  railroad ties need replaced.  2024.  Sewers /PADEP Consent Order  Engineer noted that the current Lateral Inspection requirements have been revised Engineer provided the Pros & Cons on transferring the M44 Trunk Sewer to Alcosan per the recommendation from the Sewer Management Committee. Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan - Manager working with Homestead Borough Manager to close out $100K Grant. Next step, meeting with 3 Planning Commissions on the implementation of the Plan. Manager met in November on next steps. There will be a  in the Northern Region due to "Combined" Sewer Systems.  combined Planning Commission review on January 10, 2024.    Calhoun Field Improvements - Manager provided Council with the current strategy for the two-phase project. Phase 1 (Construction in Process) will be mostly brick & mortar, new track, and new ramps. Scheduled for Fall of 2023. Phase 2 will be new playground equipment, new shade structures, new playground surfacing, repaved basketball court with pickle ball lines. Scheduled for Spring of 2024. Manager working with DCNR/DCED and Pashek-MTR on new funding that will hopefully cover close to 100% of the project. Current Status = All construction completed except for handrails, which are  expected to be installed end of January 2024.  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 be extended for one more year due to the Alcosan Tunnel project. Manager and Engineer had a site visit with Consultant on April 5, 2023, to determine work required to go forward. A Steering Committee has been formulated and July 17, 2023. Manager noted a Public Outreach Meeting was held on September. 23, 2023 at COSTCO parking lot near gas station. Also met on October 25, 2023, to finalize  met on  features of the park.  Authorties/Boards/Commissions  See Presentation Zoning Approvals/Matters See Presentation Committee Reports  Administration Wanager/ecretary,  Status on Code Enforcement : (See Presentation)  Borough Properties (Ms. Scolieri) / (Mr. Harhai)  See Presentation Community Affairs (Ms. Ferson)  Clean-Up Day Event #2 had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.  Light Up Night was well attended.  Personnel (Ms. Scolieri)  All Borough Employees have been given their respective Annual Performance Review.  Public Safety (Mr. Harhai)  See monthly Police Report for November 2023 and YTD (see attached report in  presentation).    Public Works (Manager)  PW employees working on standard work schedule activities for the month of November 2023. Now working on decorations for the Borough Building and Manger (Village). Received New Garbage Truck. Posted old Garbage Truck on Municibid. No luck on the  projected $25K. Reduced to $15K.  Sewer (Sanitary/Storm) Management (Ms. Cain)  The Goal/Objective of the group is to maintain fundable and sustainable sanitary and storm sewer systems that adhere to governmentar (DEP)conditions and requirements Engineer noted that the current Lateral Inspection requirements have been revised in the 3F Rivers Wet Weather Conference (11/1/2023 & 11/2/2023) was attended by Borough  (Consent Order).  Northern Region due to "Combined" Sewer Systems. Engineer and Sewer Technician. Report to follow.  Financial - Account Balances  See Presentation  Legislation for Next Week See Presentation  Public Comments on Non-Agenda items  No response.  Meeting Adjourned at 7:32 p.m.