BRIDGEVILLE BOROUGH
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2020 – 7PM via Zoom.us
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
BUSINESS:
1. A motion to approve the October 12, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted was made by Mr. Colosimo, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
2. A motion to approve the November 2, 2020 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes as submitted was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
3. A motion to approve the November 2020 Bill List was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
4. A motion to approve the November 13, 20, 27, December 4 and 11, 2020 payrolls was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Colosimo; motion carried unanimously.
5. A motion to authorize the advertisement and public display of the proposed 2021 Budget was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mrs. Schneider; motion carried unanimously.
6. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-17, determining and declaring three structures, individually and collectively, as blighted properties. (For CDBG Grant Application: 145 Liberty St., 146 Liberty St. and 105 Prestley Road.) Motion was made by Mr. Colosimo, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
7. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-18, authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Community Development Block Grant Program in the amount of $71,300 for residential demolitions was made by Mr. Ciesielski, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
8. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-19, authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Community Development Block Grant Program in the amount of $30,750 for Darby Way and Station Street Catchbasin Replacements was made by Mrs. Schneider, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
9. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-20, appointing a delegate and alternate delegate to the Southwest Allegheny County Tax Collection Committee was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
10. A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2020-24, authorizing the submission of a grant to the Active Allegheny Grant Program seeking funding for the Bridgeville Active Transportation Plan Project was made by Mr. Colosimo, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
11. A motion to authorize the advertisement and public display of Ordinance No. 1019, an Ordinance establishing the 2021 Sewer Rates. (2021 Rates: ALCOSAN fee increase only. New monthly fee of $15.83 per 1,000 gallons and $6.37 Customer Service Charge.) Motion
was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Colosimo; Mr. Verduci reported that the Bridgeville portion of the sewer rate remains unchanged, it is only an increase in the ALCOSAN fees. Mr. Ghelarducci questioned the customer service charge fee. The Manager explained that the fee is the ALCOSAN customer service charge that is billed quarterly split into monthly payment. Motion carried unanimously.
12. A motion to authorize the advertisement and soliciting for proposals for the Comprehensive Plan Update Project was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
13. A motion to accept the lowest proposal received and award contract to Stefanik’s Next Generation Contracting Co., Inc., in the amount of $20,500 for the repair of the concrete garage floor in the Police Sally Port portion of the Borough Building was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mrs. Schneider; motion carried unanimously.
14. A motion to authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare plans, specifications and bid documents for the Werner Avenue Stabilization Project. Motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Colosimo, Mr. Colosimo questioned the Borough Engineer on the fees for resident services. The Engineer explained that is the fee for site inspections. He estimates the work to last three weeks and part-time inspections are proposed. Motion carried unanimously.
15. A motion to approve the disbursement of $145,203.77 for Partial Payment No. 2 and approving Change Order No. 2 of the McLaughlin Run Park Phase 2 Improvements Project in the amount of $10,782.37 for additional grading work that was needed, to Sciarretti Site Development and Paving Co was made by Mr. Colosimo, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci;
motion carried unanimously.
16. A motion to accept and pay any commission due – October 2020 Real Estate Tax Collector Report was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mrs. Schneider; motion carried unanimously.
17. A motion to accept the October 2020 Police Report was made by Mr. Ciesielski, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION, VIRGINIA SCHNEIDER – Mrs. Schneider reported that the Committee is now reviewing the first draft of the new Employee Handbook. She reported that the goal is to have the handbook adopted by the end of this year. Regarding the 2021 Newsletter, Mrs. Schneider reported that ad sales have started, and articles are now being drafted.
She stated that the quarterly update mini newsletter was included in the October trash bills. Also reported that the design of the Borough Building LED sign has been completed, and the Public Works will be installing its electrical conduit shortly. New Resident Packets are being prepared and
mailed to new homeowners in the Borough each month and that the lease on copiers and printers has been renewed saving thousands of dollars over five years.
FINANCE, JOE VERDUCI – Mr. Verduci reported the General Fund is doing well, revenue is at 97% of budget, expenditures are at 81 %. He stated that the closing on the Capital Improvements Loan is scheduled for November 12th and that the 2021 Budget will be available for public inspection
n the website and in the office starting tomorrow.
PARKS & RECREATION, JOE COLOSIMO – Mr. Colosimo reported that water to the parks has been shut off for the season and the restroom buildings have been winterized. He reported that paving at McLaughlin Run Park is currently on hold until the work with lowering the ballfield is complete. Mr. Colosimo also reported that a local boy scout recently repainted all of the picnic tables and benches within Triangle Park and recommended that the Mayor present him with a proclamation.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS, NINO PETROCELLI, SR. – Mr. Colosimo reported the following:
• Leaf collection is ongoing and will nm through first week of December. Leaves are to be swept into piles at the curb. Please do not place any other yard waste such as sticks and debris in the leaf piles. Program follows the street sweeping schedule.
• Brush Grinder Crew is collecting tree trimmings and limbs placed at curbs during the month of November. All brush material must be no larger than 12 inches in diameter
• Grass cutting of parks, borough properties, right of ways and abandoned properties continues.
• Utility Companies notified on street restorations needed for open Street Opening Permits for the season. They were also provided with the Borough’s specifications on how the roads are to be restored.
• Light fixtures on the front of the Borough Building were upgraded to LED fixtures.
• Washington Ave. Street Light Electric Repairs
o Crew repaired the two lights that were not connected at Station Street. New conduit was installed, lights energized, and sidewalk restored.
o Lights in 400 block that were out, problem identified as a broken section of conduit. Crew replaced this section of conduit on Station Street, reconnected and restored the street and sidewalk.
o Electrician replaced the service box at Washington Avenue and Bank St.
Extension. He will prepare a quote to replace the other four service boxes on Hickman and Station Streets.
• Park Maintenance:
o Water Services disconnected at all parks for the season and crew winterized each park.
o Crew dressed up the landscaping around the Gazebo in Triangle Park.
o Planted new Christmas Tree within Triangle Park
• Equipment Maintenance:
o New Dump Truck – delivered, insured, details are being made and it is
ready for service.
o Salt Spreaders added to the dump trucks and ready for winter
operations.
• Sign maintenance is on-going, replacing missing signs and repairing damaged locations.
• Ongoing maintenance has been dedicated to filling potholes and repairs to multiple streets
and alleys.
• Cleaned catch basins and swales throughout town on rainy days.
• Foreman responded, marked, and reported multiple PA-One Call requests.
PUBLIC SAFETY, BRUCE GHELARDUCCI – no report.
MAYOR, BETTY COPELAND – Mayor Copeland reported that the sister of the late Mayor Dolde, Dolores Davis, recently passed away. She also reported that the Bridgeville American Legion Post will be celebrating its I 00th anniversary on Wednesday, November 11th with many local officials
including Senator Pam Iovino and herself attending.
POLICE CHIEF, CHAD KING – no report.
SOLICITOR, THOMAS MCDERMOTT – Solicitor McDermott provided the confidential solicitor’s report prior to the meeting. He reported that the Planning Commission has and is currently reviewing the draft Ordinance that would allow chicken keeping. The Solicitor also repotted that he has
provided his legal opinion letter for the upcoming loan closing on November 12th and that the proposed Ordinance for 2021 sewer rates has been modified and made more user friendly.
BOROUGH ENGINEER, KEVIN BRETT – Engineer Brett reported work on the 2020 Road Program is to be complete by the end of this week. He also stated that the other contract work underway in town right now is going well and that work on the Jane Way Project is delayed due to the materials being on back order.
FIRE CHIEF, RAYMOND COSTAIN – Asst. Chief Meglen reported that the Department responded to 30 calls for service this past month.
Asst. Chief Meglen reported that the BVFD’s Sleigh Full of Cash fundraiser is underway and that the Department will be having a Pancake Breakfast on December 6th_ details will be posted on the Department’s Facebook page.
SOUTHBRIDGE EMS, DAN MILLER – no report.
BRIDGEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MARY WEISE – Mayor Copeland reported that the Historical Society will be having a lecture on November 24th on day by day encounters of civil war soldiers. She also reported that note card sales are underway and encouraged everyone to consider joining their membership.
BRIDGEVILLE LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE – no report.
BRIDGEVILLE PARKING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE – no report.
BRIDGEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE – Ms. Cimarolli reported that the Planning Commission at their last meeting reviewed the proposed long-term flood mitigation plan for McLaughlin Run Creek and that actions on chicken keeping and pedestrian safety improvements were tabled until the December meeting.
BOROUGH MANAGER, JOE KAUER – the Manager reported that with the upcoming retirement in the Public Works Department expected for February, the employment ad for the laborer’s position is currently being posted and advertised. Application are being sought through December 4th. He also reported that grant applications were completed this past month for the Active Allegheny Transportation Plan and two CDBG projects.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Verduci stated that we need more structure in reporting from the Library and Parking Authorities. He suggested possibly having a regular report from each quarterly. Mr. Verduci stated that the Parking Authority has not reported at all this year. Mr. Petrocelli commented that the citizens deserve to know what is going on with the Authority.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Petrocelli wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
ADJOURNMENT – A motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 PM. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.