Wy EST. 1901 Borough of West Homestead Caucus I Workshop Meeting Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Minutes Council President Ashley Cain called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance: Roll Call: Present: Ms. Cain, Ms. Ferson, Mr. Fonos, Mr. Harhai, Mr. Karafa, Mr. McLaughlin, Ms. Nikolas. Also Present: Solicitors Stanley Lederman and Michael Lederman, Engineer Mark Brashear, Secretary Donna McMichael. President Cain asked anyone in the audience if they had any questions on agenda items. No comments were made. Police Chief Rozzo gave an update on the Police Department. Motion by Dave Harhai; Second by John Karafa To approve the hiring of Police Officers Eric Callen and Dennis Rupert, salary and benefits per Collective Bargaining Agreement, contingent upon normal screening process approvals, effective as of January 7, 2025. Vote by roll: Ms. Ferson (yes), Mr. Fonos (yes), Mr. Harhai (yes), Mr. Karafa (yes), Mr. McLaughlin (yes), Ms. Nikolas (yes), Ms. Cain (yes) REPORTS: Mark Brashear: Engineer, ABC's (Authorities / Boards / Commissions) Update the Zoning Ordinance to present to the Planning Commission this month. Doyle Avenue Wall: Working with Gateway Engineers on the permitting for Peoples Gas. Stanley Lederman, Solicitor Proposed Ordinance next week on Transitional Housing Committee Reports Capital Improvements (Ray Fonos, Chair) Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday each month at 5:00 pm Last Year: Items that are over $5,000. Unbudgeted income goes into this account. This Year: Reduce TY by $100,000.00. Investigate an open line of credit. Unbudgeted income goes into this account. Use building projects as a major focus. Need tax revenue to help fund. Communications (Lynn Nikolas, Chair) Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday each month at 6:00 pm Last Year: Facebook communications This Year: Migration of -gov emails on January 20. Community Affairs (John Karafa, Chair) Meetings on the 3rd Tuesday each month at 4:00 pm Last Year: - The winner for the Christmas Decoration contest is the Sullivan household on Pinewood Drive. This Year: Change Community Day from August. Properties (Dave Harhai, Chair) Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday every other month at 4:00 pm (February, May, August, and November) Dave to give Donna a list of issues for Code enforcement. There is a meeting on Saturday, January 25th at 1:00 pm with Brandon Ingram, Sarah Fullwood, and Entrepreneurs. Vacant homes, get a real estate agent to reach out to owners. Public Safety (Bill McLaughlin, Chair) Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday each month at 5:00 pm The playground has electrical issues. This Year: Improve meetings. A lot of repetition. Discuss at Caucus issues to be addressed. Sewer Management (Barb Ferson, Chair) Meetings on the 1st Tuesday each month at 5:30 pm Last Year: Moved forward in a timely manner. All reports were turned in on time. This Year: Hire a Sewer Technician. Personnel (Ashley Cain) Police Officers (2) hired. Interviews on Friday for the Public Works opening. Sewer Technician next. Borough Manager to be discussed. 2025: President's Report Capitalize on grants. Growth in Community. Public Works: training on equipment, driving multiple trucks. Deadline for re-election. What are the dates? Petitions due? Look at all insurances. Cost analysis on garbage and recycling. Code Enforcement. President Cain asked anyone in the audience if they had any questions on any non-agenda items. Joe Deasy: 1. Asked about the lease. Stanley is reviewing and will be discussing with Council. Motion by Mr. Harhai, Second by Mr. Karafa To enter into an Executive Meeting at 7:04 p.m. All voted in favor of the motion. Returned from Executive Meeting. Discussion on Legal and Personnel issues. Adjourned the meeting @ 8:05 pm.