WH EST. Caucus / Workshop Meeting Tuesday, May 5, 2025, 6:15 pm Council Chambers Borough of West Homestead Minutes Call to Order President Cain called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm in Council Chambers, 456 West Eighth Avenue, West Homestead, PA 15120. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call The roll was called to establish a quorum. Present were Mr. Harhai, Mr. Fonos, Mrs. Ferson, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Karafa, Ms. Nikolas and President Cain. A quorum was established. Mayor Joe Baran, Borough Manager Cindy Bahn, Solicitors Stan Lederman and Moe Lederman, Borough Engineer Mark Brashear, and Administrative Secretary Donna McMichael were also present. Public Comment on Agenda Items There was no public comment on agenda items. Reports: 1. Mayor's Report, Joe Baran - Mayor Baran reported that the West Homestead VFD, Police Department, Emergency Management Coordinator, and DPW all played a role in the Borough's response to the recent storm. He thanked Duquesne Light Company for their work in restoring power to Calhoun Manor and Calhoun Village. The new line painting machine has been delivered to the Borough. The Mayor reported that body cams and tasers, obtained through grants, are in use. Beginning May 25, the Police Department will return to 8-hour shifts. All annual training requirements for officers have been met. Phase I of accreditation is nearly complete; Phase H will be completed in August and Phase III in October. 2. President's Report, Ashley Cain Ms. Cain asked about the turn-around time for properties acquired by the Tri-COG Land Bank. Ms. Bahn will get additional information. She also asked the Borough Manager to request that DPW cut the grass at/near 3548 Fieldstone Drive. 3. Manager's Report, Cindy Bahn Ms. Bahn reported that she has addressed a significant email backlog in the manager's inbox. She, with assistance from Mr. Brashear, closed out the 2019/2020 DCNR grant for Calhoun Park (walking track, parking lot, railings) and is working to complete the DCED grant (pavilion, picnic tables), as well as researching additional grants. The Manager submitted a grant to DCNR for field lights at Calhoun Park. Ms. Bahn responded to 8 Right to Know requests. She assisted with the Borough's disaster response to the recent storms, and participated in 2 meetings with the County regarding the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan. 4. Solicitor's Report, Stan Lederman Mr. Lederman stated that he will work on the Resolution for Warrantless Summary Arrests for the Police Department, which is required for Accreditation. 5. Engineer's Report, Mark Brashear Mr. Brashear reported that crack sealing is underway. The contractor noted that it's not possible to address every crack when it hasn't been done for a while, SO they will focus on the larger cracks. To date, 5 pallets of compound have been used. Mr. Brashear asked if the lower Borough should be done, and Council was in agreement that it should. He noted that there is a little money left in the DCED grant for Calhoun Park and that he and the Borough Manager are researching additional play equipment. The Engineer stated that there is an opportunity to do several Alcosan projects in conjunction with Homestead, and he is working to coordinate those. 6. Authority, Board, Commission Reports a. Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), Mark Brashear No report. b. Planning Commission, Mark Brashear Mr. Brashear reported that there is 1 matter before the Commission in May, involving a garage at 1003 Laurel Hill. There will also be an addition project at 3650 Pinewood coming before the Commission. C. Shade Tree Commission, Barb Ferson No report. Discussion: CONNECT/Tree Pittsburgh Canopy Alliance Cohort d. Zoning Hearing Board, Mark Brashear No report. 7. Committee Reports a. Capital Improvement; Ray Fonos, Chair Mr. Fonos noted that the Committee discussed the Calhoun Park field lighting project last month. He also reported that architect John Kudravy is interested in working with the Borough on plans to address issues with the municipal building. b. Communications: Lynn Nikolas, Chair Ms. Nikolas noted that she has updated the Borough website. She is also working on a process for organizing street files and processing home sales. C. Community Affairs; John Karafa, Chair The Committee is working on the Summer Rec Program. He is looking for a speaker for the Borough's Memorial Day program. In June, he would like Council to recognize Eagle Scout Ryan Packer for his work on the concession stand at Calhoun Park. The Committee is also planning for Community Day. d. Personnel; Ashley Cain, Chair Ms. Cain reported that there will be personnel matters to discuss at Executive Session. e. Properties; Dave Harhai, Chair Mr. Harhai noted that the Committee will meet next week. He turned over several properties to Ms. McMichael for follow up with the Borough's Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Harhai requested the Solicitor's assistance in removing a squatter from 320 Walnut. Mr. Lederman responded that the Borough should board up the property and he will file a petition to get the squatter off the property. f. Public Safety; Bill McLaughlin, Chair Mr. McLaughlin reported that the speed bump near the entrance to Calhoun Park will be installed before Memorial Day. Mr. Harhai recommended installing permanent speed bumps. Ms. Cain requested that the speed bumps be priced as part of the 2025 paving project. Mr. Brashear will get an estimate. He noted that people are still dumping in the Calhoun Park parking lot. He also stated that DPW would like to apply pea gravel around the flag pole and along the sidewalk beside the parking lot. Mr. McLaughlin complained that nothing has been done with the Guardian Angel building on W. Eighth Avenue. He suggested that the Borough ask the City to pay for their share of Basic Avenue. g. Sewer Management; Barb Ferson, Chair Ms. Ferson reported that the vac truck is on hold for now. She also noted that inspection reports and plans for grease traps at Waterfront Restaurants within the Borough have not been received; she will contact the property owners again. She further noted that the overflow on Sarah Street is increasing; Mr. Brashear will follow up with the Army Corps of Engineers. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items Christina Deasy, 682 W. 7th Avenue. Suggested that the Borough forgive the taxes on the Guardian Angel building. Ms. Ferson responded that the taxes have been paid. Motion to Enter into Executive Session Mr. Karafa moved that Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, and Mr. Harhai seconded the motion. Council adjourned into Executive Session at 7:23 pm and returned to the Regular Meeting at 8:35 pm. Adjournment There being no further business before Council, President Cain adjourned the meeting at 8:36 pm. ATTEST Bindu baur AuG Cindy L. Bahb/Interin Borough Managerl Secretary Ashley Cain , Council President