MEETING MINUTES FORD CITY BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MIEETING BC3 Armstrong November 25, 2024 *At the request of Council President, the Vice President will call the meeting to order and lead* CALL TO ORDER The: meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM and the audience was advised that the meeting on November 25, 2024, is being audio taped by Ford City Borough to be made available for borough council members. Is anyone else audio or video taping the meeting? Vicki Schaub, recording audio. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL Present: Council President Carol Fenyes, Vice) President Richard Chimka, Counciwoman Mary Alice Bryant, Councilwoman Sally Beck, Councilman Tom Ondrusek, Councilwoman Vicki Schaub, Mayor Tim Bureau, Borough Manager Charles Stull, and Solicitor Anna Hosack CITIZENS AGENDA COMMENTS None EXECUTIVE SESSIONS - None CONSENT AGENDA 1. Bill List, October 28, 2024 2. Bill List, November 11, 2024 3. Treasurer's Report, October 2024 4. Water Report, October 2024 5. Police Reports, September-October 2024 6. Code Enforcement Report, October 2024 7. Fire Report, October 2024 8. Zoning Report, November 2024 9. Meeting Minutes, October 28, 2024 Having no objections, the consent agenda was passed. MIDCOUNTY TRANSIT AUTHORITY Patty Lynn Johnston and Tiffany O'Neal, Executive and Assistant Executive Director ofTown & Country Transit (TACT), attended to discuss Ford City Borough's contribution to the authority as well as how the authority serves the borough and its residents. 1 CONNECTIONS OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY Jessica Andrews with Connections of Armstrong County shared some information about their organization as well as an initiative to create shelter opportunities for homeless individuals in the county. FORD CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY Andrea Kiehl- McKibbin, director ofl Ford City Public Library, has prepared an update on current matters at the Ford City Public Library as well as sharing some upcoming events that FCPLis facilitating. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Charles Stull, Ford City Borough Manager, has prepared an update regarding recent borough matters as well as his existing projects. ENGINEER'S REPORT Joel Romagna, Sr. Project Engineer with Stiffler, McGraw & Associates, prepared an Engineer's Report for existing projects within the Ford City Borough, ACTION ITEMS 1. 2025 Shade Tree Commission Funding Certification Council President Carol Fenyes made the motion to approve the Funding Certification ofthe Shade Tree Commission as Submitted by the Commission and as required by Title 8 - Borough and Incorporated Towns (the Borough Codes). Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 2. Approval of 2025 General Liability Insurance Proposal - McGowan Goyernmental Underwriters Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to approve McGowan Governmental Underwriters Insurance Proposal, received October 25, 2024, for general liability coverage for calendar year 2025 in the amount of $33,791 and to authorize proper Borough officials to execute all documents and take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. Council comments: Councilwoman Vicki Schaub was concerned with the low deductible price. Motion carried: 6-0 3. Approval of 2025 Digital Risk/Cyber Insurance Proposal Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to approve the McGowan Governmental Underwriters Cyber Insurance Proposal, received October 25, 2024, for digital risk/cyber liability coverage for calendar year 2025 in the total amount ofs $2,305 and to authorize proper Borough officials to execute all documents and take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. 2 No comments Motion carried 6-0 4. Approval of 2025 Worker's Compensation Insurance Proposal - AmTrust Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the motion to approve AmTrust Financial Commercial Insurance Proposal, dated November 7, 2024, for workers compensation coverage for calendar year 2025 in the amount of$51,479, authorize transfer of the servicing agent to McGowan Governmental Underwriters, and to authorize proper Borough officials to execute all documents and take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Council President Carol Fenyes seconds the motion. Council comments: Counciwoman Vicki Schaub felt that this should have been kept locally with Wolfe Agency. Motion carried: 5-1 with Councilwoman Vicki Schaub opposing 5. 2025 Budget Approval Council President Carol Fenyes made the motion to approve and adopt the Borough's final budget for fiscal year 2025, as presented and recommended by the Borough Manager. Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 6. Approving 2023 DCED Audit and Authorizing Execution of Management Representation Letter Councilwoman Sally Beck made the motion to approve the 2023 DCED Municipal Annual Audit and Financial Report prepared by Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC, and authorize Borough Council President to execute the ancillary Management Representation Letter dated October 30, 2024. Councilman Tom Ondrusek seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 7. Appointing an Auditor for 2024-2026 Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to appoint McCall Scanlon & Tice, LLC to provide auditing services for 2024-2026 at a cost of$16,000 for 2024, $16,500 for 2025, and $17,000 for 2026 as well as a cost of$6,000 per single audit throughout the three-year appointment and authorize appropriate Borough officials to take any and all necessary action to effectuate the same. Counciwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. Council comments: Councilwoman Vicki Schaub asked about the need for a single audit. Motion carried: 6-0 8. Zoning Officer Resignation Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the otion to accept the resignation ofZoning Officer Tyson Klukan from his position effective November 29, 2024. Councilman Tom Ondrusek seconds the motion. 3 No comments Motion carried: 6-0 9. Appointing Zoning Officer Councilwoman Sally Beck made the motion to appoint Chris Yanoff as Zoning Officer effective immediately with a salary increase of$1.95 per. hour as recommended by the Personnel Committee. Councilman Tom Ondrusek seconds the motion. Council comments: Councilwoman Vicki Schaub felt that his hours should be increased with this appointment, but other members ofCouncil disagreed. Borough Manager Charles Stull reminded Council that they had just approved the 2025 budget which reflected his current allotted hours. Motion carried: 5-1 with Councilwoman Vicki Schaub opposing. 10. Resolution 23-2024: Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Local Share Account (LSA) Authorization for Phase 1 of the Borough's 5th Avenue Streetscape Project Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the motion to adopt Resolution 23-2024 requesting a Local Share Account (LSA) Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for Phase 1 of the Borough's 5th Avenue Streetscape Project, authorizing the Borough Manager to prepare and submit on the Borough'sbehaff: said Grant application, and authorizing and directing proper Borough officials to execute all documents and agreements associated with, and to take all action necessary to facilitate and obtain said Grant. Council President Carol Fenyes seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 11. Resolution 24-2024: Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Local Share Account (LSA) Authorization for Dogwood Alley Roadway Improvements Project Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to adopt Resolution 24-2024 requesting a Local Share Account (LSA) Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority for Dogwood Alley Roadway Improvements Project, authorizing the Borough Manager to prepare and submit on the Borough' 1S behalf said Grant application, and authorizing and directing proper Borough officials to execute all documents and agreements associated with, and to take all action necessary to facilitate and obtain, said Grant. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 12. Approval of 2025 Siren Inspection Agreement with Federal Field Services Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to approve an Annual Preventative Maintenance Inspection Agreement with Federal Field Services for 2025 at a cost of$1,050 and authorize proper Borough Officials to take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 4 13. Nonprofit Development Corporation Approval and Authorization to Execute an Amended Cooperation and Sub-Recipient Agreement Related to the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant for Butler County Community College Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to (i) approve an amendment to the Cooperation and Sub-Recipient Agreement with Nonprofit Development Corporation related to a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program Grant to help fund the construction of a new satellite facility for the Butler County Community College to be located in the Borough, in a form acceptable to the Borough Solicitor, and (ii) authorize proper Borough officials to execute the amended Agreement, and any other documents required pursuant to the same, including the "RACP Statement of Compliance Acknowledgement, 27 and to take any other action necessary to secure the grant. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 14. Authorizing Support by Council and Application by Ford City Borough Planning Commission to TreeVitalize for the 5th Avenue Tree Project Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the motion authorize Ford City Borough Planning Commission to submit an application to the TreeVitalize program for the 5th Avenue Tree Project with the support of Ford City Borough Council and authorize proper Borough Officials and Commission Officials to take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. Council comments: Councilwoman Vicki Schaub expressed concern with tree roots on 5th Ave. Motion carried: 6-0 15. United Steel Workers Collective Bargaining Agreement Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion to approve a collective bargaining agreement with United Steel Workers Union on behalf of Local 158-02 for a three-year period beginning January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027 and authorize proper Borough Officials to take all action necessary to effectuate the same. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 16. Ordinance 762: Mid-County Transit Authority Articles of Incorporation Amendment Councilwoman Mary Alice Bryant made the motion to adopt Ordinance 762 amending the Articles of Incorporation of the Mid-County Transit Authority in order to extend the existence period of the "Authority. 93 Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 5 DISCUSSION ITEMS -4th Ave. Speeding - 1100-1300 Blocks Council President Carol Fenyes mentioned receiving a call from a concerned resident on the 1200 block of 4th Ave about speeding near the Ford City Public Library, then bringing the matter to council to discuss possible options to remedy the situation. MEETING ANNOUNCEMENTS Assistant Secretary Abby Nimerosky announced that the Ford City Area Business and Professional Association will have their 5th Annual Small Business Saturday Cookie Crawl and that the Ford City Borough Office will be participating for the first time. CITIZENS COMMENTS - Open Comments NEXT COUNCIL MEETING -December 9, 2024, 6:30 PM at BC3 Armstrong ADJOURNMENT - 8:20 PM Councilman Tom Ondrusek made the motion for adjournment. Councilwoman Sally Beck seconds the motion. No comments Motion carried: 6-0 AUTHORIZING MINUTES Allrn mmurskg Assistant Secretary Lulluy - pw lw Council President Secretary 6