TENTATIVE MINUTES OF APRIL 1, 2025 MEETING SHIPPINGPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS OPENING BY PRESIDENT PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MEMBER ATTENDANCE: ABSENT- William Green. PRESENT = Cindy Mortimer, John DePaolis, James Wilkinson, Josh Ordich, President Williams, Joe Hawthorne, Mayor Erickson. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: - Motion by John DePaolis and seconded by James Wilkinson to approve the April 1, 2025 meeting agenda..motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE MINUTES OF MARCH 4, 2025 MEETING- Motion by Cindy Mortimer and seconded by Josh Ordich to approve the Tentative Minutes of March 4, 2025 meeting .motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE WORK SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 17, 2025 MEETING- Motion James Wilkinson and seconded by John DePaolis to approve the Tentative Minutes of March 17, 2025 meeting .motion passed unanimously. CORRESPONDENCE - None. TREASURER'S REPORT - Motion by Josh Ordich and seconded by Joe Hawthorne to approve the Treasurer's Report, as presented, and pay all bills.. motion passed unanimously. EXPENSES: AMTRUST INSURANCE COMPANY- - WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE RENEWAL-S17,05.00 (To be paid in 4 installments) - Motion by John DePaolis and seconded by James Wilkinson to approve this payment..motion passed unanimously. WOLTZ & WIND FORD - 10 YEAR WARRANTY - $4,080.00 - Motion by Cindy Mortimer and seconded by Joe Hawthorne to approve this payment..motion passed unanimously. VERNON DELL TRACTOR - MOWER SERVICE - $464.36 = Motion not needed for this payment as it is already accounted for in the budget. VEOLIA WASTEWATER - FEBRUARY 2025 WASTEWATER - $8,946.76 - Motion by James Wilkinson and seconded by John DePaolis to approve this payment..motion passed unanimously. VEOLIA WATER - FEBRUARY 2025 WATER - $6,059.68 - Motion by John DePaolis and seconded by Josh Ordich to approve this payment..motion passed unanimously. VEOLIA REPLACEMENTS - SOLENOID VALVES & SS VALVE OPERATOR = $3,936.00 - Motion by Joe Hawthorne and seconded by Josh Ordich to approve this payment..motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENT = None. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. POLICE (MAYOR AND CHIEF) B. ROADS AND BRIDGES - The road supervisor submitted a quote of $33,228.00 for tarring and chipping Ferry Hill, Morrow Drive, and Ewing Hill. Before approving the quote, the council requested a cost comparison for repairing the Kerona Plot roads to determine the more cost-effective option. To further evaluate the matter, President Williams suggested a work session be held. C. MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT - None D. BUILDING AND GROUNDS - Bernice Nelson from the Fire Department submitted 2 quotes for a digital sign to replace the deteriorating one. The council liked the options but requested modifications and updated cost estimates. Bernice will follow up with the company and council at a future meeting. E. PARKS AND RECREATION - Cindy Mortimer informed the council that this year's summer help will focus on enhancing the park's landscaping for a more updated and appealing look. F. WATER AND SEWER - None VEOLIA WATER REPORT - Dennis Ottaviani reported that a routine DEP water inspection is scheduled for April 2, 2025. He assured that this inspection is meant to assess how the borough manages its water systems and identify potential improvements. He also shared that John Noto, Manager of Midland Water Authority, is aware of Shippingport's interest in alternative water solutions. Noto has expressed interest in attending a council meeting to introduce himself, provide updates on water quality and ongoing efforts, and answer public questions. Additionally, a representative from Vistra's training center contacted the borough secretary regarding the possibility of becoming a water customerinstead of relying on the plant's supply. Due to ongoing water line issues, they are exploring alternative sources. If the council considers this request, an engineer may need to assess the infrastructure to determine feasibility. Joe Hawthorne inquired about alternative meter reading solutions and asked whether supplying water to Vistra could help mitigate the borough's THM issue by increasing water circulation. Dennis mentioned he would have more information on meter reading solutions next month. He also noted that supplying Vistra may or may not be beneficial, depending on the current issues they're experiencing with the line. LSSE WATER SOLUTIONS AND SMALL WATER GRANT OVERVIEW - Jason Stanton from LSSE provided an update on the water quality issues discussed at the previous meeting, highlighting Shippingport's interest in exploring alternative water supply options to address ongoing THM concerns. He presented three potential solutions that the council requested be considered: restoring wells, switching water authorities, or installing an activated carbon filter. He recommended the activated carbon filter, as wells have had past issues and changing suppliers might not resolve the problem long-term. Jason also reviewed the PA Small Water Grant, including the application process, fees, and deadlines. The application, due by the end ofApril, would cover $500,000 of the project cost, while the borough would be responsible for $925,000 and a $100 application fee. LSSE provided the necessary documents for council review, and if approved, they would need to be completed and returned. Jason mentioned that additional grants could be pursued to cover the borough's portion. Lastly, Jason clarified that the service order authorization submitted by LSSE covers the evaluation of potential solutions and any additional work needed for the selected option. Joe Hawthorne inquired about the possibility of installing an inlet between the two plants and whether this could help monitor and affect pollutants. Jason responded that the option for Shippingport to establish its own water treatment plant is very expensive and would likely be inefficient to maintain. President Williams asked about the likelihood of securing additional grants to help cover the borough's share of the funds, as well as the typical rates and matching requirements for such grants. Jason explained that the availability of grants or loans depends on the specific programs applied for, as requirements vary. Based on his past experience with other municipalities, there's typically a 40-50% chance of receiving maximum assistance. Attorney Urick noted that while Shippingport didn't cause the issue, it's now facing the consequences, which he believes is unfair to both the borough and its residents. He asked Jason if the borough could back out of the grant ifit chose to. Jason confirmed that the borough would have the option to back out if necessary. SOLICITOR'S REPORT = The solicitor addressed the topics listed on the agenda, focusing primarily on items 13, 14, 15, and 19. Items 13 and 14 would require motions to proceed with the grant application. Items 15 and 16 relate to the recent development across the road, where anticipated heavy traffic (buses, construction trucks, workers, etc.) could exceed road weight limits and damage borough roads not designed for such use. The proposed ordinance would protect the borough's roads by allowing companies to bond them if they plan to use them. Item 19, discussed at the previous meeting, involves creating a rental ordinance to protect tenants and hold property owners accountable for property maintenance while helping the borough manage housing. The solicitor also updated the council on the Shippingport Industrial Park development, noting that he had contacted Chris Cox. He shared that a company called Vantage had shown interest in being a customer and planned to redevelop the area but later withdrew without explanation. Despite this, the solicitor confirmed that the pending permits from Shippingport Industrial Park for the land development will remain in effect. DISCUSS AND MOTION, IF NECESSARY, TO APPROVE THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR. A SMALL WATER SYSTEM GRANT - $925,100.00 (Project cost and application fee) - Motion by James Willkinson and seconded by Josh Ordich to approve the filing of a grant appliration..motion passed unanimously. DISCUSS AND MOTION, IF NECESSARY, TO APPROVE LSSE SERVICE ORDER AUTHORIZATION - $10,000.00 (Per Diem) - Motion by Josh Ordich and seconded by James Wilkinson to approve the service order authorization .motion passed unanimously. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOLICITOR TO ADVERTISE AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN EXCESS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR BOROUGH ROADS - Motion by Joe Hawthorne and seconded by James Wilkinson to authorize the solicitor to advertise the proposed ordinance..motion passed unanimously. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SOLICITOR TO PREPARE AN APPLICATION AND RESOLUTION FOR AN EXCESS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR BOROUGH ROADS - Motion by James Wilkinson and seconded by John DePaolis to authorize the solicitor to prepare an application and resolution.. .motion passed unanimously. MOTIONTO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 438 - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF SHIPPINGPORT ADOPTING A FORM. APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISION. AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REQUESTS - Motion by Joe Hawthorne and seconded by John DePaolis to adopt Resolution 438.. .motion passed unanimously. DISCUSS APPOINTMENTS TO THE SHIPPINGPORT PLANNING COMMISSION AND MOTION' TO APPOINT, IF NECESSARY - The solicitor suggested that the council should plan to appoint residents to the borough's planning commission, noting that no volunteers have come forward from the community sO far. DISCUSSION ON RENTAL ORDINANCE AND MOTION, IF NECESSARY, FOR THE SOLITICTOR TO DRAFT A RENTAL ORDINANCE - Motion by Josh Ordich and seconded by John DePaolis to authorize the solicitor to draft the proposed ordinance..motion passed unanimously. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. DISCUSS GEESE POPULATION MANAGEMENT AND POTENTAL from SOLUTIONS - The borough secretary reported that Nathan Swigart the USDA contacted her about the possibility of granting permits again. Nathan explained that for the lethal option, three years of non-lethal harassment documentation must be submitted with the application. While the borough has used non-lethal methods in the past, no supporting documentation was found. To apply for lethal permits, the borough must begin documenting non-lethal harassment for at least two years, with the third year qualifying for the lethal permit application. Residents at the April 1st meeting agreed that the geese have been a nuisance and volunteered to assist with the documentation. The council agreed to allow residents to help with the issue and suggested the borough secretary create time sheets for participants to track their involvement and begin the documentation process. NEW BUSINESS: a. DISCUSSION ON BOROUGH SECRETARY ATTENDING 2025ANNUAL BOROUGH CONFERENCE - President Wiliams announced that the borough secretary would not be attending due to scheduling conflicts. b. DISCUSSION ON COUNCIL MEMBERS TRANSITIONING TO TABLETS FOR DIGITAL MEETING DOCUMENTS - President Williams informed the public that the borough is considering switching to digital tablets for council members to access meeting documents, instead of using paper copies. He explained that this change would reduce paper and ink costs, simplify the secretary's task of preparing packets, and improve accessibility for council members. James Wilkinson added that with the right software, the secretary could make the packets interactive, allowing members to easily navigate them without having to scroll through. The solicitor also noted that many other boroughs have made this transition and found it to be very successful. PUBLIC COMMENT - Jason Stanton commented that along with the grant application that was just approved, a resolution that was submitted must also be passed in order to apply for the grant. MOTION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 439 - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF SHIPPINGPORT REQUESTING A PA SMALL WATER GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000 FROM THE COMMONWEALTH FINANCING AUTHORITY TO BE USED FOR WATER SYSTEM QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS - Motion by James Wilkinson and seconded by John DePaolis to adopt Resolution 439...motion passed unanimously. Corporal Nicholas Prosatski introduced himself to the community. He shared that their department is interested in attending more council meetings and mentioned that they have recently conducted a few reports within the town. He wanted to inform the public and kindly invited anyone with concerns or those wishing to discuss community matters to feel free to approach him. Tim Goughnour mentioned to the officer some concerns regarding speeding. Mayor Erickson inquired about the officer's average response time. The officer explained that, while he didn't have an exact figure, the response time would generally be quick as they are stationed nearby and often in the Monaca area. Pat Lampe mentioned that Shippingport does not have 24/7 police coverage and asked if they provide such coverage. The officer confirmed that they do have 24/7 coverage. President Williams expressed gratitude to the officer for attending the meeting and for his service to the community. Pat Lampe asked what is going on across the road and whether the timber from the recent logging operation would be available. Attorney Urick explained that Shippingport Industrial Park had an agreement with Vantage to develop a data mining center. Although Vantage had planned to redevelop the land across the street, they later backed out of the deal. Despite this, Shippingport Industrial Park still has pending permits and will proceed with them. President Williams responded to her second question, stating that road supervisor Jeff would have more information on the timber. He noted that, as far as he knew, the timber wouldn't be sold but would be disposed of according to DEP regulations. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. ADJOURN - Motion by John DePaolis and seconded by Josh Ordich that the meeting adjourn, and it was adjourned at 8:37 p.m. motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Kayla Carpenter Borough Secretary