Wy Regular Meeting EST. 94 01 Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 6:15 pm Council Chambers 456 West Eighth Avenue, West Borough of West Homestead Homestead, PA 15120 Minutes Call to Order President Cain called the meeting to order at 6:15 pm in Council Chambers, Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call The roll was called to establish a quorum. Present were Mr. Fonos, Mrs. Ferson, Ms. Nikolas, Mr. Harhai, Mr. Karafa, and President Cain. Mr. McLaughlin was absent. A quorum was established. Mayor Joe Baran, Junior Counciiperson Abigail Novak, Borough Manager Cindy Bahn, Solicitors Stan Lederman and Moe Lederman, Borough Engineer Mark Brashear, Police Chief Charles Rozzo, Fire Chief John Karafa, Emergency Management Coordinator Dan Churma, Baldwin EMS Chief Todd Plunkett, and Tax Collector Lisa Guckes were also present. Notice of Executive Session President Cain noted that she called an Executive Session of Council on May 9, 2025 at 3:00 pm in the municipal building to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken during or following that Executive Session. Public Comment on Agenda Items There was no public comment on agenda items. Opening of Bids for Contract #2025-PVG-01, for Roadway Repaving and Repair Mr. Lederman opened the six bids timely received for the 2025 Paving Program. All were in order and included the appropriate bid bond. Mr. Brashear recommended that Council take action at their June meeting in order for him to vet the bidders in order to ascertain the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Reports: 1. Mayor's Report, Joe Baran Mayor Baran thanked emergency responders and the Department of Public Works for their storm response. No injuries were incurred, and most power has been restored. He reported the data for April traffic stops in the Borough. 2. Police Chief's Report, Charles Rozzo Chief Rozzo reviewed statistics for April. He noted that Sandcastle will soon be opening; 2 officers will be assigned to that detail Mondays through Thursdays, and 3 officers on Fridays through Sundays. He noted that the Department is returning to 8-hour shifts for the summer. The Department is preparing for the "Girls on the Run" event to be held 05.18.25. 3. Fire Chief's Report, John Dindak Chief Dindak reported that the VFD responded to 54 calls in April; most were due to generators and the recent storms. The fire station was open for 5 days for residents who lost power to refrigerate medications and charge any medical equipment. The Department will be installing the military banners on 05.13.25Solicitors 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. 4. Baldwin EMS Report, Todd Plunkett Chief Plunkett reported that they responded to 39 calls in April, resulting in a year-to- date total of 163. Baldwin EMS took delivery of a new ambulance and a new squad vehicle. 5. Emergency Management Coordinator's Report, Dan Churma Mr. Churma reported that April was a busy month, with the Steel Valley Race and the storms. He took delivery of a new vehicle last month. He is also preparing for the "Girls on the Run" event on 05.18.25. Mr. Churma also discussed the Borough's participation in the Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is revised every 5 years. The Plan will be completed by December, 2025 and enacted in early January, 2026. 6. Solicitor's Report, Stan Lederman, Moe Lederman Mr. Lederman noted that Council will be taking action on 3 resolutions at this meeting. He also stated that Ordinance No. 740 will not be considered tonight, but at a special meeting later this month. He described it as a LERTA, similar to the TIF previously enacted for The Waterfront development. In regard to The Waterfront Apartments, Mr. Lederman suggested that Council choose a 3rd party individual or business to inspect the entire building. 7. Engineer's Report, Mark Brashear Mr. Brashear reported that crack sealing is complete, except for Edgewood and Cherry. 8. Reports from Outside Organizations a. CONNECT: No Report b. Steel Rivers COG; Barb Ferson: Ms. Ferson reported that the meeting was cancelled. C. Steel Valley Accelerator; Dave Harhai: Mr. Harhai reported that the Accelerator hosted a 5k race, and an Oyster Bash under the bridge. 9. Committee Reports a. Capital Improvement; Ray Fonos, Chair Mr. Fonos noted that the Committee met April 15th, when 3 topics were discussed, including sources for grants to repair and reconstruct the sidewalks in the norther district, the plan to replace the field lights at Calhoun Park, and an architect for a potential remodel of the Borough Building. b. Communications; Lynn Nikolas, Chair Ms. Nikolas noted that she is continuing to update the Borough website. C. Community Affairs; John Karafa, Chair Mr. Karafa thanked the Council members who helped with the May 3rd cleanup. He also noted that the Borough will be hosting its annual Memorial Day program at the municipal building; he spoke with DPW about sprucing up the front of the building is looking for a speaker for the Borough's Memorial Day program. d. Personnel; Ashley Cain, Chair Ms. Cain reported that there will be an action item later in this meeting. e. Properties; Dave Harhai, Chair Mr. Harhai noted that the Committee will meet June 10th but he plans to meet sooner with the Police Chief, Ms. Nikolsas, and Code Enforcement. f. Public Safety; Bill McLaughlin, Chair Mr. McLaughlin was not in attendance. g. Sewer Management; Barb Ferson, Chair Ms. Ferson reported that the Borough will be reposting the sewer tech position. She also noted that the transfer of the Borough's trunk lines is moving forward, and that 12 manholes need to be replaced. Action Items 1. Motion to Accept the Minutes of the April 1, 2025 Council Caucus Meeting and the April 8, 2025 Regular Council Meeting, as Presented. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried, 6-0. 2. Motion to Approve and Ratify All Bills Paid, and to Be Paid, for the Month of May, 2025. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried, 6-0. 3. Motion to Ratify the Email Vote of 05.07.25 to Place Employee #114 on Paid Administrative Leave, Effective Immediately, Pending an Investigation into the Potential Improper Use of a Membership Card and Credit Card Co-titled with the Borough of West Homestead. Email Vote: Aye: Mr. Fonos, Ms. Nikolas, Mrs. Ferson, Mr. Karafa, Ms. Nikolas, President Cain Nay: Mr. Harhai Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa Aye: Ms. Ferson, Mr. Fonos, Mr. Karafa, Ms. Nikolas, President Cain Nay: Mr. Harhai Motion carried, 5-1, with no abstentions. 4. Motion to Ratify the Email Vote of 05.07.25 to Place Employee #488 on Paid Administrative Leave, Effective mmediately, Pending an Investigation into the Potential Improper Use of a Membership Card and Credit Card Co-titled with the Borough of West Homestead. Email Vote: Aye: Mrs. Ferson, Mr. Fonos, Mr. Karafa, Ms. Nikolas, President Cain Nay: Mr. Harhai Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa Aye: Ms. Nikolas, Mr. Karafa, Mrs. Ferson, Mr. Fonos, President Cain Nay: Mr. Harhai Motion carried, 5-1, with no abstentions. 5. Ratifying the Email of 05.10.25 to Retain the Law Firm of Campbell Durrant as Special Labor Council at a Rate Not to Exceed $225/Hour. Email Vote: Aye: Mrs. Ferson, Mr. Fonos, Mr. Harhai, Mr. Karafa, Mr. McLaughlin, Ms. Nikolas, President Cain Nay: None Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 6. Motion to Extend an Offer of Employment to the Following Individuals to Staff the Summer Recreation Program: John Dindak, Evan Ferrari, Robert Gogo, Carmella Marzec, Abbie Novak, Shelby Novak, Ashley Peyton. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 7. Motion to Hire a Temporary Administrative Assistant at a Rate Not to Exceed $26/Hour, Pending the Successful Completion of Pre-Employment Screenings. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 8. Motion to Hire Daniel Kossak as a Temporary Fulltime DPW Laborer at a Rate Not to Exceed $17.50/Hour or Exceed a Period of 90 Days, Pending the Successful Completion of Pre-Employment Screenings. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 9. Motion to Extend the Hours of the Interim Borough Manager Up to 40 Hours/Week on a Temporary Basis Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 10. Motion to Adopt Resolution 25-009, Approving the Context and Compatibility of the Addition at 3650 Pinewood Drive Upon the Recommendation of the West Homestead Planning Commission. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 11.Motion to Adopt Resolution 25-011, Accepting, if Awarded, a Grant from the PA DCED, GTRP Program to Make Security Improvements to Calhoun Community Park. Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. 12. Motion to Adopt Resolution 25-012, Amending Resolution 2024-007, Adopted March 12, 2024, to Designate the Subject Area as a Deteriorated Area". Moved: Mr. Harhai Second: Mr. Karafa All voted in favor of the motion. Motion carried 6-0. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items Brendan Deasy, 534 W. 7th Avenue: Requested a detailed budget; Ms. Nikolas noted that she uploaded a budget to the Borough website in April. Stated that this is the first time he has seen the Borough not using Mr. Lederman, and asked why the Borough is bringing in a law firm. Talked about his sister's business. Christina Deasy, 682 W. 7th Avenue: Asked if there were any Borough programs for small businesses. Jamie Caterino, 1003 Laurel Hill Drive: Asked about removal of a downed tree; Mr. Karafa noted that DPW will take care of it tomorrow. Motion to Enter into Executive Session Mr. Harhai moved that Council adjourn into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter, and Mr. Karafa seconded the motion. Council adjourned into Executive Session at 6:53 pm and returned to the Regular Meeting at 7:25 pm. Adjournment There being no further business before Council, President Cain adjourned the meeting at 7:26 pm. ATTEST Dudchboee e Cindy L. Bahn, term Borglgh Manager/ Secretary Ashley Cain Council President