Council Meeting September 9, 2024  Page 2  Turtle Creek Borough regular monthly Council Meeting, on September 9, 2024, was called to order by President Nick Bianchi who led the Pledge of  Allegiance. Roll Call:  President Bianchi = present Mr. Estocin = present Ms. Henkel = present by phone Mr. Nolan = present Solicitor - present  Mr. Sanker - absent Mr. Spencer = present Mr. King - present Mayor Forgie - present  Mayor Forgie sworn in Dennis Rupert new full time Police Officer. Mr. Bianchi stated that the police department now has'7 full time officers plus two part time officers. He thanked the Chief for all his hard work.  Approval of the August 2024 minutes:  Motion  Mr. Spencer, Ms. Henkel approving the August 2024 minutes as submitted. Motion carried. Mr. Bianchi and Mr. Estocin abstained due to being absent at the last  Meeting.  Correspondence: None  Citizens Report: Arth Sylvester-144-A Watson Drive-Came to the July meeting regarding speeding and not stopping for the stop signs and has seen no changes. Wants the 10mph speed sign moved from around the Response from Council: The area will have to lose a parking spot to put the stops signs on the right hand side of the road. The line painter will be out to line the area then the stops signs will be put on the right hand side of  corner to the entrance to Watson Drive.  the road.    Page 3  Ron Gehry-1208 Chestnut Street-Reporting again about the parking during football games at the Stadium on Chestnut Street. Was told by the School District that it would cost too much to clear out the weeds on their property. Is the School District is required to keep their property clear of weeds? Yes Would like to have a town hall meeting with Council and the School District to try and work out the parking issue on Chestnut Street. Mayor stated that there were many parking tickets issued during the game and will ask the School District to not have the tournaments at the Stadium anymore. Marilyn Shumaker-339 Thompson Street-stated that the property next door to her, 341 Thompson Street, has been vacant for years and the overgrowth is growing onto her property. Mr. Bianchi stated the Borough has received court paperwork that a company is trying to take conservatorship. The hearing is in November 2024.  Motion  Mr. King, Mr. Nolan declairing the property at 341 Thompson Street a nuisance and to abate the property.  Motion carried.  Chris Marney-1320 Chestnut Street Wanted to thank the employees at the Borough for help with some issues. Wanted Council to be aware that the Band parents were letting people in the back gate which had cause parking issues. Notification was made to the School District and they locked the Monica Malloy and Steven Mitchell-Penn Avenue Ext. Residents. Drivers are not stopping for the stop signs on Penn Avenue Ext. A lot of drivers are also speeding. Would like some traffic control devices. Asked if lights can Council is in the process of making a policy like the Borough has for handicap parking spaces, for traffic control in the Borough. Lights can be installed on the stop signs and will ask the Police to make extra patrols on  gate.  be installed on the stop signs.  Penn Avenue Ext.    Page4  Lou Lantzy-940 Oxford Street Thanked Council for making Oxford Street a one-way street but asked if Do Not Enter sign could be moved to the end of Oxford Street at Virgin Alley. At no cost to the Borough there is a program to honor Veterans will their picture on a banner to attach to a pole. You need a Veteran's group to sponsor. As the Emergency Coordinator I have been having trouble get the emergency response plans from Woodland Hills School District and Propel School. Must have a plan for having a gathering over 2500 people. We will look into how best to  address this situation.  Mr. Bianchi stated that if people are parked illegally then the police need to be notified. Mayor Forgie will notify the Woodland Hills School District of this issue and ask that they let the Police know about any activities at the field. Multiple vehicles speeding up and down Chestnut Street everyday. The Police and Public Safety Committee will look into this issue.  Committee Reports:  Mr. Bianchi-The Minimum Municipal Obligation Uniform Police Pension amount for 2025 is $171,764.00. The 2024 amount was $137,868.00.  Increase is based on unit increase.  Motion  Mr. Spencer, Ms. Henkel approving the 2025 MMO obligation for the Uniform Police Pension in the amoynt of $171,764.00.  Motion carried.  The Minimum Municipal Obligation Non-Uniform Pension amount for 2025  is $4,970.00.  Motion  Mr. Nolan, Mr. King approving the 2025 MMO obligation for the Non-Uniform Pension in the amount of $4,970.00.  Motion carried.  Concurring Resolution for the GEDTF Grant to pave Harper Drive.    Page 5  Motion  Mr. Spencer, Mr. Estocin approving the Concurring Resolution for GEDTF paving of Harper Drive. Motion  carried.  Council has decided to amend the Ordinance #831 regulating the manner of collection, the type of containers and the disposal of garbage and refuse  in the Borough of Turtle.  Motion  Ms. Henkel, Mr. Nolan authorizing the Solicitor to prepare the amendment as outlined for October's meeting.  Motion carried.  Ms. Henkel- The Borough listed the 2009 Ford Truck on Municibid.  Motion  To accept the winning bidder's bid of $14,700.00 for the sale of  the 2009 Ford F-550. Motion carried.  The Borough will be receiving 15 more trees to be located in the following areas: Larimer Avenue Playground play space, and the 7th Street playground, Thompson Street closer to the Church and across from CVS. Mr. Estocin- The Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department submitted a request to use the community room on September 16, 2024 at 6p.m. for a  Planting scheduled for early November.  CPR training class.  Motion  Mr. Estocin, Mr. Nolan permitting the Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Dept. the use of the community room on 9/16/24 at 6p.m.  for CPR training. Motion carried.    Page 6  Mr. Nolan-Just received a notice regarding the Veteran banner and will be looking into it. Thanked all the police officers for the great job  they did.  Mr. Spencer-Hiring of a 7th full time officer that has completed all the requirements for employment. Rose Mizak at the hourly rate of $28.85.  Starting date for full time is September 6, 2024.  Motion  Mr. Spencer, Mr. Nolan approving the hiring of Rose Mizak to full time officer at the rate of $28.85 hire date of September 6, 2024. Motion carried.  Police schedule for a non-consecutive day agreement has been agreed to  by the police union for the year 2024 only.  Motion  Mr. Spencer, Mr. Estocin approving the agreement with the police union for the non-consecutive day schedule for year  2024 only. Motion carried.  Mr. King- None  Police and Public Safety  Mayor Forgie-Thanked the Chief and the department for the  professionalism regarding the incident in town. There was also a drug bust  on a vehicle passing thru town. Chief's Report for August 2024:  Total Incidents Total Lockups  543 9    Page 7  Traffic Suspicious Person Thefts Stolen Vehicle/Guns Wanted Persons Shots Fired Transport to ACJ Investigations Dispute/Domestics Juvenile Comp/Runaway Check the Welfare Accidents Animals Comp. Other Solicitor = None Old Business:  101 15 4 4 7 3 6 3 39 7 15 10 21 198  Ratifying payment of the August 2024 bills in the amount of  $213,671.47.  Motion  Ms. Henkel, Mr. Spencer ratifying the action taken by the Borough Administrator in the payment of the August 2024 bills in the amount of $213,671.47. Motion  carried.  New Business: None  Motion  Mr. Estocin, Mr. Spencer adjourning until the next meeting on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7pm. Motion carried.  Recorded by Julie Pantalone