BRIDGEVILLE BOROUGH
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 10, 2020 – 7PM via Zoom.us
425 BOWER HILL ROAD BRIDGEVILLE, PA 15017
Download August Minutes and Meeting Packet [PDF]
ROLL CALL:
Council President, William Henderson
Council Vice-President, Nino Petrocelli, Sr.
Council Member, Bruce Ghelarducci
Council Member, Joseph Colosimo
Council Member, Joseph Verduci
Council Member, Virginia Schneider
Council Member, Nicholas Ciesielski
Mayor, Betty Copeland
Solicitor, Thomas McDermott
Borough Engineer, Kevin Brett
Borough Manager, Joseph Kauer
Police Chief, Chad King
Fire Chief, Raymond Costain
Southbridge EMS, Dan Miller
COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR- VISITORS, PLEASE STATE NAMES AND ADDRESSES
Pat DeBlasio stated that he too is saddened by the passing of Mr. Miller.
KirstenRodgers requested Borough Council to consider revising its ordinance that prohibits the keeping of chickens in the Borough. She stated that both her daughter and she are currently keeping chickens and received an ordinance violation notice. They suggested possible regulations such as
limiting the number of chickens being kept and that the coop should be kept twenty feet from property lines.
Mr. Henderson stated that a complaint was received about their chickens warranting the notice. He affirmed that our current ordinance does not allow the keeping of chickens in the Borough and that has been confirmed by the Solicitor. He agreed there is room for discussion on revising this
ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Ciesielski, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci to direct the Planning Commission and Administration Committee to study and recommend revisions to the Borough ordinance that prohibits
the keeping of chickens; the motion carried unanimously.
Bob Fryer said that the Chartiers Valley School Board meets tomorrow to finalize their reopening plan for the new school year. He expressed his interest to be appointed to the Planning Commission and stated that he can be asset that can leverage grant funds to the Borough and provided multiple
references to Borough Council.
Mr. Colosimo stated that we have other who applied for the Planning Commission position and that he would like them also to be interviewed by Council.
BUSINESS
1. A motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mrs. Schneider, and carried to approve the July 13, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
2. A motion was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to approve the August 2020 Bill List. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
3. A motion was made by Mr. Colosimo, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci, and carried to approve the August 14, 21, 28, September 4, and 11, 2020 payrolls. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
4. A motion was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Petrocelli, and carried to authorize Partial Payment No. 1 – Final from Victor Paving & Construction, Inc. for Contract No. 19-R0l, 2019 Roadway Improvement Program, in the amount of$102,805.89, payable from the Liquid Fuels Fund, as reviewed and recommended by the Borough Engineer. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
5. A motion was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to award bid and authorize Stefanik’s Next Generation Contracting Co., Inc. to repair the concrete headwalls to the Commercial Street culverts in McLaughlin Run Creek at the price of $20,974. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
6. A motion was made by Mrs. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci, and carried to adopt Resolution No. 2020-11, a Resolution of the Borough of Bridgeville, approving the Coronavirus Relief Fund Recipient Agreement with the County of Allegheny. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
7. A motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to appoint William Johnson as a full-time police officer, from the Eligibility List as certified by the Borough’s Civil Service Commission on August 6, 2020, subject to passing the physical and psychological examinations. Mr. Ghelarducci stated that six applicants applied for the
position, five tested, four passed and that Mr. Johnson scored first. He thanked the members of the Civil Service Commission for their efforts to complete this recent testing. Mr. Petrocelli questioned if Mr. Johnson is currently a part-time officer here in Bridgeville, and Mr. Ghelarducci responded, yes. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
8. A motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to appoint Daine Lower as a part-time police officer, subject to passing the physical and psychological examinations. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
9. A motion was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci, and carried to accept and pay any commission due – July 2020 Real Estate Tax Collector Report. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
10. A motion was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mrs. Schneider, and carried to accept the June 2020 Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
11. A motion was made by Mrs. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to accept the July 2020 Police Report. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION, VIRGINIA SCHNEIDER
Mrs. Schneider reported that the hours of the
Borough Office have recently changed to 8AM to 4PM, effective August 10th
She also stated that the office will no longer be taking sewer payments to avoid Jordan Tax late fees. Mrs. Schneider explained that the bills were previously held here in the office until Jordan would send someone down to pick them up. By the time they were picked up and processed, it was beyond the due date and late fees were being assessed. Sewer payments are now to be mailed in with the provided envelope to avoid any late fees. Mr. Henderson stated that this effort is to protect the citizens from late fees.
FINANCE, JOE VERDUCI
Mr. Verduci stated that the committee has been busy and has
recently met a couple of times. He encouraged the citizens to complete the 2020 Census.
Mr. Verduci discussed the budget to actual for the year and reported that the finances are comparable to last year despite the pandemic. He stated that there are a couple of expenditures that are over budget, but the reasons were understandable. Lastly, he stated there are a lot of projects underway and soon to be under construction requiring us to move ahead with a loan to pay for these capital improvements. He stated that the Committee will talk to banks to get proposals.
PARKS & RECREATION, JOE COLOSIMO
Mr. Colosimo stated that the fields need rain as the drought is burning up the grass. He encouraged Council to install security cameras in Chartiers Park; he stated that they would have caught who recently illegally dumped there if cameras were in operation.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS, NINO PETROCELLI, SR.
Mr. Petrocelli stated that the Public Works Department has been very busy cutting grass, completing line painting getting ready for back to school and is actively removing sediment from McLaughlin Run Creek in the Commercial Street culverts. He said the crew is doing a great job.
PUBLIC SAFETY, BRUCE GHELARDUCCI
Mr. Ghelarducci reported that the Committee is working to address the Fire Chiefs concerns with a property on Washington Avenue. He stated that
the Manager and Fire Chief met, and a plan is in place to rectify the nuisance alarms and building code violations.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS
MAYOR, BETTY COPELAND
Mayor Copeland congratulated Chief King on recently getting married, and wished happy anniversary to Councilmen Verduci, Colosimo and Petrocelli, who all recently celebrated wedding anniversaries.
POLICE CHIEF, CHAD KING
Chief King thanked the Civil Service Commission, Mayor and Council for the hiring of the two officers. He stated that both are excellent candidates, and that Officer Johnson is expected to start next week. The Chief stated that the Department is planning a “snow cones with the cops” event to introduce the officers to the community.
SOLICITOR, THOMAS MCDERMOTT
Solicitor McDermott provided the confidential solicitor’s
report prior to the meeting.
BOROUGH ENGINEER, KEVIN BRETT
Engineer Brett presented the Engineer’s Report prior to
this evening’s meeting. He updated and reviewed the following information:
2020 Road Program – work is expected to begin within 30-45 days.
McLaughlin Run Park Improvements – preconstruction meeting is scheduled for August 14th with the contractor.
Jane Street Ramp, Bower Hill Storm Sewer and McLaughlin Park Ballfield Lowering/ Trash Rack
Projects: County environmental review has been completed and approved. The projects should be put out to bid shortly.
Maple Street Wall- construction is now underway.
The Engineer stated that he met with the Borough Manager last week and discussed open projects.
Mr. Verduci questioned when the GEDF grant projects will be put out to bid and construction to start?
The Engineer stated that he expects construction to be underway this fall and closed out by first quarter 2021. He is working to coordinate that the McLaughlin Ballfield work is done first so that it does not impact the separate park improvement project.
Mr. Petrocelli questioned when is work on the Borough Building parking lot expected to start?
Engineer Brett stated that Youngblood Paving will do this work when they start our 2020 Road Program. It is expected within the next 45 days. Mr. Petrocelli stated that we need to get working on the design of the new sign.
Mr. Henderson replied that the Borough Manager is already working on
it.
FIRE CHIEF RAYMOND COSTAIN
Chief Costain reported that the department responded to 46 calls
for service in July. The Chief thanked the Public Safety Committee and Manager for addressing his concerns about nuisance alarms.
SOUTHBRIDGE EMS, DAN MILLER
Mr. Miller was not present for the meeting.
BRIDGEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MARY WEISE
Not present. Mayor Copeland questioned when the business recognition banner will be rehung on Washington A venue. Mrs. Schneider stated that it will be rehung before Labor Day weekend.
BRIDGEVILLE LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE
No one present.
BRIDGEVILLE PARKING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE
No one present.
BRIDGEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. Tolmer reported that the Commission is working on project recommendations for Council to consider, and that a priority so
far has been a new Comprehensive Plan.
BOROUGH MANAGER, JOE KAUER
The Manager thanked everyone for welcoming him to the Borough staff. He stated that the transition has been very smooth. The Manager stated that he submitted his written report and welcomed any questions.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Mr. Petrocelli, seconded by Mr. Colosimo, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 PM. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.