EAST PITTSBURGH COUNCIL  MINUTES May 19,2020  The May 19, 2020 meeting oft the East Pittsburgh Borough Council was called to order by Mary  Carol Kennedy at 7:03 p.m. via video teleconference.  Mr. Abrams took the roll: Present:  Absent:  Mary Carol Kennedy, Council President Stacy Simon, Council Vice-President Paul Borkowski, Council Member Earnest Frazier, Council Member Jonathan Reyes, Council Member Seth Abrams, Borough Manager Nick Evashavik, Solicitor Dave Gilliland, Engineer Denise Hartford, Secretary Lou Payne, Mayor All recited the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENTS received.  Other:  Public comments were solicited to be submitted via mail or email. No comments were  ENGINEERSREPORT Mr. Gilliland report is on file.  Mr. Abrams brought up a question about possibly moving the short term step repairs that were awarded at the last meeting to be aj part ofthe GEDTF grant that was applied for. Mr. Gilliland explained that even when the County or State set a grant minimum, there is no guarantee of funding at the minimum. They will often award for less than the minimum request. Mr. Gilliland cautioned that the amount of the grant awards could also decrease due to reduced revenues due to COVID-19. Determined to keep the application as is, and to proceed with short term repairs as Satira Construction has reduced the quote to $13,825 from the original $15,825 by capping the  voted on at the April Council meeting.  steps between 548 Grandview and 700 Grandview.  East Pittsburgh Borough  May 19, 2020 Minutes  Page1    1. Motion to approve the bid from Satira Construction int the amount of$13,825 to cap/repair the steps beside 548/700 Grandview made by Mr. Borkowski. seconded by Stacey Simon. Roll call vote was unanimous ini favor. Motion passed. Manhole cover ini front of5 515 Ridge Avenue was loose. Frame and lid were replaced at a cost of  $19501 by Urban Construction.  MOTIONTO. APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES  Ms. Simon made the motion to approve the February 2020 Council Minutes. It was seconded by Mr. Reyes made the motion to approve the March/April 2020 Council Minutes. It was seconded  Mr. Borkowski. Roll call vote was unanimous in favor. Motion passed. by Ms. Simon. Roll call vote was unanimous in favor. Motion passed. Mr. Reyes made the motion to pay the bills in the amount of $45,724.54. Seconded by Mr. Frazier. Motion passed unanimously by roll call. FIRE MARSHAL REPORT the report is on file.  MOTIONTOPAYI BILLS  Citations are now being issued, and the Magistrate'soffice is accepting them, but hearings will likely not take place until September due to backlogs. We also expect to be able to tow  abandoned cars again. PUBLIC WORKS = no report. POLICE no report  Zoning Hearing Board- - no report MAYOR'S REPORT  Mayor Payne asked about placing light pole banners to celebrate the 125th anniversary oft the Borough. There will not be any celebration planned for 2020. The hope is that local businesses would sponsor the anniversary banners. Mr. Abrams will obtain pricing and suggested that the Borough place additional banners that could be placed year-round, not only for the 125th that The Mayor also announced a funding cut from the program that has supplied the flowers at Braddock and Electric. This had been a continuous program for the past 28 years. Mr. Evashavik reported that he has been attending various meetings recently, including one regarding borough budgeting in light of COVID-19, and that a 25% drop in revenues should be expected. Also reporting that the consent decree/plan by ALCOSAN was approved by the courts,  would be a one-time only use.  SOLICITOR REPORT  sO the transfer of sewer lines should move forward. MANAGER'S REPORT - The activities report is on file.  Specific areas to note are the month to month/year comparison of revenues. Overall revenues are up in 2020 Vs. 2019 and 2018. The list of projected revenue decreases shows the Borough with a potential loss of $99,000, or 7% of the budget. This can be absorbed by the fund balance without  East Pittsburgh Borough  May 19, 2020 Minutes  Page 2    concern. Monitoring will continue to keep up with the changes int revenues. Ms. Simon asked why property taxes are doing better in 2020. Mr. Abrams stated that across the region that on- time collections are up. Delinquent tax collections are within ai few hundred oft the annual budget The Borough'si insurance was placed out for bid, and no new quotes were received. EMC presented an $8,000 annual increase. Through discussions and a detailed review, we decreased it toai net increase of $4,000, which is a reasonable increase based on claims history. CD 46 was awarded in the amount of $20,000. This was a $57,000 application to pave Grandview from Franklin to Ridge. Glenn Engineering will help determine the area to bej paved COMMUNICATIONS: - A letter/solicitation from the Pennsylvania Community Rights Association. One oft their issue areas is fighting fracking and injection wells. Council requested that Mr. Abrams obtain additional information, and possibly invite to a Council meeting or  thanks to our new communication and collections plan.  with the reduced funding.  informational session. OLD BUSINESS  2. Ratification oft the vote on 22 April 2020 to extend the 2% discount on property taxes until 31 August 2020 and to remove the penalty on property taxes until after31 December 2020. Motion made by Mr. Frazier and seconded by Ms. Simon. Roll Call 3. Motion to approve the replacement oft the manhole cover and frame by. JL Urban Construction for $1950 made by Mr. Reyes. Second by Mr. Frazier. Roll Call vote was  vote was unanimous in favor. Ratification passed.  unanimous in favor. Ratification passed.  NEW BUSINESS  4. Council made ai motion to table the vote on the adoption oft the Rules of Order. Motion to 5. Motion to approve a resolution to accept C&D Towing and Recovery as the authorized a. Ms. Simon asked ift the borough could have multiple contracts. Mr. Evashavik advised that this was not a contract, and that changes could be made at any time. b. Ms. Simon made the motion to accept the resolution to authorize C&D Towing. Mr. Reyes provided the second. Roll Call vote was unanimous in favor. C. Mayor Payne requested that al letter be sent to Allmor to thank them for their  table was made by Mr. Reyes and seconded by Ms. Simon.  towing service.  Resolutions passed. years ofs service to the borough.  East Pittsburgh Borough  May19, 2020 Minutes  Page 3    Ms. Kennedy received al letter from the Steel Valley Authority stating Tom Michlovic and David Perala will continue to represent the region as board members unless objections are received.  ADJOURNMENT pm.  Ms. Simon made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session to discuss matters of litigation at 8:26  Executive Session adjourned at 9:18 pm.  Respectfullys submitted M  Borough Manager  East Pittsburgh Borough  May 19,2020 Minutes  Page 4