BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024  Awork session of the Borough Council of the Borough of Franklin Park was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 2344 West Ingomar Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237. The meeting was also held virtually via remote audio and video conferencing.  Council President Uday Palled called the meeting to order.  COUNCIL MEMBERS: Laura Czekaj, Second Vice President. Jiang Li, Vice President.. Brian S. Malkin Lucas R. Myslinski. Uday Palled, President. Thomas C. Schwartzmier. Junior Counciiperson Milal Deli.. Mayor Dennis E. O'Keefe ENGINEER: SOLICITOR: STAFF:  present present present present present present present present present present present present absent present present absent present present present present  Shawn' Wingrove, Lennon, Smith, Souleret Engineering, Inc.. : present Brad Simmons, Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc..  Robert Max Junker, Babst Calland Zach Brower, Recreation Program Director. Gary Bucuren, Superintendent of Public Works.. Rege Ebner, Borough Manager. Jim Huff, Manager of Golf Course & Parks Facilities. Cathy Krummert, Borough Secretary. Aron Leach, Police Chief.. Andy Nock, Assist. Bldg. Insp./Fire & Tech Official.. Tim Phillips, Building InspectorlZoning Officer.. Sam Snyder, Police Lieutenant. Scott' Weiskircher, Finance Director/Borough Treasurer.  AUDIENCE: 5  ANNUAL MEETING WITH RECREATION BOARD CHAIRPERSON RACHEL BRICKER - Ms. Bricker reported that everything is going well with the Recreation Board, and the members work well together. They appreciate Council's support. The Board enjoys planning and attending the events, and they receive good feedback. The Festival in the Park went very well, and they are now planning the Halloween event with trunk or treat including some local businesses. They have good participation from CURRENT FINANCIAL MARKETI FLUCTUATION - Mr. Jason Staley of Schneider Downs was present 2023 AUDIT REPORT PRESENTATION - Mr. Brian McCall of Meyer Duessel CPAS presented the 2023 HOME RULE GUIDANCE, PA ECONOMY LEAGUE - Currently the Borough position is strong; however, we have a lot of looming infrastructure needs in the future including stormwater and enclosed surface water drainage facilities within the right of way on state roads that will put a strain and burden on the Borough in the future. The Borough is looking to explore the pros and cons of Home Rule and looking for the best approach. Mr. Vinny Cannizzaro and Mr. Gerald Cross of the PAI Economy League discussed  the community for all events. The Board welcomes ideas and feedback. tod discuss the current market fluctuations and answer questions.  Final Audit Report.  their experience guiding municipalities through the Home Rule process.    BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024  There are many reasons why municipalities choose to pursue Home Rule, and the biggest one is tax flexibility. It gives a municipality greater pathways and mechanisms for more revenue enhancement. The involvement of the PAI Economy League is very limited prior to the election of the Government Study Commission. Itwould be more of al local operation prior to that time, although they can provide materials to help with pre-election education to help the public understand what their role would be asa Commission member. They consider themselves staff to the Government Study Commission. They will assist the Commission with the education phase to decide ift they want to pursue a Home Rule Charter, which usually takes 6-9 months. Once a decision is made to draft a Charter, they will also assist the Commission with figuring out what the new government should look like to draft the Charter. That may include going through the existing form of government to see whati is working and what is not working.  The DCED could also offer assistance.  OLD BUSINESS:  Home Rule Charter - Council discussed the information provided by the PAI Economy League. Mr. Schwartzmier would like to get a better idea of what we will need to spend in the future for stormwater and for enclosed surface water drainage facilities within the right of way on the ten state roads in the Borough in order to determine ift the benefits justify the effort, time and expense to investigate Home Rule. Dr. Liwould also like to see the estimated cost associated with the Home Rule process. Council would like Mr. Ebner to reach out to the PAI Economy League to find out the costs associated with their assistance. Council discussed the possibility of raising taxes or forming a stormwater authority VS the flexibility ofH Home Rule to charge fees to cover additional expenses. Mr. Palled will reach outt to Jefferson Hills and Duquesne to ask the reasons why they chose to pursue al Home Rule Charter, and if they have a firm assisting them. Council would like to investigate ift there are any firms that do this type of advisory work at no cost and if they could speak with Council or provide information to assist the Borough through the process. McCandless Franklin Park Ambulance Authority (MFPAA)2024 second payment - MFPAA had provided most of the requested financial information, and Council authorized the second payment. Amotion will be added to the regular meeting agenda. Prior to making the final payment later this year, Council should ask MFPAA what the other municipalities have paid. Water issue at 1623 Norman Drive water issue - Council previously discussed an issue with spring water at 1623 Norman Drive where the Borough permitted the property owner to pipe the water onto the road to flow to the next catch basin. A complaint was received regarding the water lying on the road. Mr. Phillips noted that the roads are designed tot take water in the gutter line and move it to the catch basin. West' View' Water. Authority tested a water sample and found chlorine in the water that they believe was coming from a sprinkler in the area. Mr. Bucuren noted that the flow of the water has slowed down drastically, but iti is still lying on the road. He took another sample today, and the water is clean with no odor. The water follows the natural flow down to the closest catch basin. When residents cut their grass, the grass clippings and leaves are laying in the water and may cause an odor. Mr. Bucuren estimates that the cost would be $6,000-$8,000 for the Borough to pipe the water down to the next catch basin, and we would have to cuti into the road along the curb. Council discussed that this would set a precedent and open the door for many other similar requests in the future that would be very costly to the Borough. Mr. Bucuren stated that his department addresses these types ofi issues prior to scheduled paving to alleviate these types of problems and complaints. Staff will continue to monitor the conditions at this location over the winter months and track icing conditions.  REGULAR MEETING AGENDA REVIEW:  Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 687-2024, townhomes ordinance Ordinance No. 687-2024 amends Chapter 212 of the Code of the Borough of Franklin Park, "Zoning," to amend the residential uses area and bulk requirements table and revise garage door standards for multifamily buildings. Council will hold the public hearing on September 18th during the regular meeting, and the Planning Commission will meet the night before to review the ordinance. Comments were  received from Allegheny County and provided to Council.  2    BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024  Mr. Schweiger had questions in regard to his Laterra/Cardinal Ridge Plan. He thought maybe we had invoked the pending Zoning Ordinance doctrine, and he could submit his application right now. Council will have the option to vote on the ordinance following the public hearing or table it  for further discussion. STAFF REPORTS:  Report by Scott Weiskircher, Finance Director/Treasurer He is starting to work on the budget. Report by Tim Phillips, Building Inspector/Zoning. Officer  The Planning Commission will review the townhouse ordinance and will consider a conditional use application for as ground mounted solar array on McAleer Road. The Zoning Hearing Board will consider an application for a variance for as side yard He was able to contact Paul Gallenstein, the owner of the property in Settlers' Walk that the Borough is trying to acquire for an MS4 project. This willl be discussed further in executive Mr. Malkin asked Mr. Phillips questions regarding the! Notices of Violation Report.  encroachment on Henry Lane.  session.  Report by Jim Huff, Manager of Golf Course & Parks Facilities will obtain the contract for approval at next month's meeting.  Scholarship Golf Outing - Mr. Huff will proceed with scheduling the outing for. July 28, 2025, and Golf Course Clubhouse Exterior Renovations Bid - Onel bid was received, and it was much higher than anticipated. Staff and Council discussed the possibility of rejecting and readvertising the bid. Mr. Huff will review and advise ifa a motion should be added to the regular meeting Acorn Park Project - Construction will: start Monday, and we will start to see activity from Independent Enterprises. The project will continue into 2025 for restoration, and Mr. Wingrove Deerfield Estates Phase 2A - They are working on storm sewers and water line installation, and they are expected to pave this season so they can begin selling lots int this phase. Ramblewood Project - The bid will be advertised the next two weeks, and CEC is finalizing the Montgomery Road Stormwater Project - This bidi is also being advertised concurrently with the Ramblewood Project in the hope that we will receive lower bid prices for more work. Matterhorn Project - The project should be finished next week. Fish Run Project - We have officially made itt to technical review, and they have puti it out for public notice. This is a good indication that we are coming toward the end. MS4 Report - CEC should have the report prepared early to mid next week at the latest for The Public Works Department installed privacy screens on the holding cells in the police department as part of the accreditation requirements. Lieutenant Snyder noted that Bruce Kennedy and Brian Scholz did a great job, and their work was very detail oriented. Mr. Weiskircher, Mr. Bucuren, Mr. Huff, Mr. Wingrove and Mr. Simmons left the meeting at this time.  agenda.  Report by Shawn Wingrove. Borough Engineer estimates a spring opening for the park. Report by Brad Simmons, Stormwater Engineer  bid documents.  review.  Report by Sam Snyder, Police Lieutenant  3    BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024  REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OF SIDEWALK STANDARDS - Mr. Tim Merolillo of 2523 Brandt School Road in the Summer Fields Plan was present and stated that he does not want to dig up his asphalt governor's driveway to install the required sidewalk when he did not know that the sidewalk was required. He indicated that the drawing that was submitted for occupancy did not show the required sidewalk. It was noted that the Borough only issues occupancy permits based on the structure, not sidewalks. The Borough allowed him to construct his driveway, and now he will have to spend $5,000 more to remove the driveway for the sidewalk installation. Mr. Junker indicated that this plan has been involved in litigation. The plan was approved with five lots, and sidewalks were a requirement. The developer provided al bond for the plan, but then stated that he did not want to install the required sidewalks. The Borough seized the bond to help cover some of the cost for the sidewalk installation and will go after the developer to recoup the additional costs for the sidewalk installation by the Borough. Itis 100% the developer's issue. Mr. Merolillo asked how he could recoup the additional $5,000 it would cost him to dig up his driveway. Mr. Junker noted that Mr. Merolillo would need to pursue action against the developer because the sidewalks were shown on the recorded plan and should have been installed by the developer. Mr. Merolillo also briefly discussed issues with other properties in this plan. Mr. Phillips SENIOR PROGRAMMING - The Mayor discussed that the Borough previously offered a Senior Lunch Program each month that was discontinued during COVID. There is still interest in the program, butit became difficult to maintain the program due to cost. Mr. Brower reviewed the details of the program, including previous costs for a catered lunch and entertainment. Council discussed some options and the possibility of seeking out private sponsorships to help defray the costs. They would like to brainstorm some ideas and get creative with costs and programming. The program does not have to be the same as  left the meeting at this time.  itwas. Mr. Brower left the meeting at this time. MANAGER'S REPORT DISCUSSIONITEMS:  2025 Minimum Municipal Obligations (MMOS) for Pension Plans = The 2025 MMOS were  presented to Council in the meeting packet. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:  Mr. Schwartzmier discussed the Wexford Run speed study noting that there were very few cars that exceeded the speed limit. He also discussed the speedingproblem on Cole Road, and he would like to see a solar speed sign installed. We could pursue grants to cover the costs of these Mr. Schwartzmier noted that resident and veteran Howard Pfeifer will turn 101 soon and he was in Mr. Schwartzmier stated that he has been communicating with resident Chuck Goulding who spoke at the Land Use Committee meeting along with Mr. Baker. Both Mr. Goulding and Mr. Baker would be willing to provide more input that would benefit tree health within the Borough. It was suggested that they be put in touch with the EAC rather than the Land Use Committee. Mr. Schwartzmier asked for clarification regarding the motion on the regular meeting agenda authorizing the publication oft the optional ordinance enactment public notice under section 108of the MPC pertaining to Ordinance No. 687-2024, and Mr. Junker provided the clarification. Mayor O'Keefe noted that he had attended the August 21st land use committee meeting, but he Ms. Czekaj reported that she, Mayor O'Keefe, and Mr. Ebner met with Jack Casey and Nick Giorgetti of McCandless last week to discuss the possibility ofe extending trails from McCandless  signs.  the Labor Day parade.  was not included in the attendance. The correction will be made.  into Franklin Park.  4    BOROUGH OF FRANKLIN PARK BOROUGH COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 acquisition, and potential litigation.  EXECUTIVE SESSION - An executive session was held to discuss police personnel, property As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at approximately 10:45 p.m.  Respectfully: submitted, Cathy L. Krummert Borough Secretary  CAtiwnet  5