Monthly Meeting of Borough Council
January 11, 2021 – 7:00 pm via www.Zoom.us
Meeting ID: 7328600080 / Password: 032445
Borough Building, Council Chambers, 425 Bower Hill Road
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 / Asst. Chief Meglen
Southbridge EMS, Dan Miller
ABSENT: None
COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR – None
BUSINESS
1. A motion to approve the December 14, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes as submitted was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Petrocelli; motion carried unanimously.
2. A motion to approve the January 2021 Bill List was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Colosimo; motion carried unanimously.
3. A motion to approve the January 15, 22, 29 and February 5, 2021 payrolls was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
4. A motion to authorize the disbursement of $3,323.88 to Youngblood Paving, Inc. for Partial Payment No. 2 (final) and authorize the execution of Change Order No. 1 that resulted in a contract decrease of $28,289.27 for the 2020 Roadway Improvement Program was made by Mr. Petrocelli, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously.
5. A motion to authorize the disbursement of $45,697.50 from the Capital Project Fund to LM&R Excavating, LLC for Partial Payment No. 2 for the McLaughlin Run Park Flood Mitigation Project was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Petrocelli; motion carried unanimously.
6. A motion to approve the request and grant retirement to Public Works Assistant Foreman Charles Maceil effective March 23, 2021 was made by Mr. Petrocelli, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci; motion carried unanimously. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Ghelarducci both gave well wishes to Mr. Maceil and thanked him for his years of service to the Borough.
7. A motion to reappoint Mr. Bruce Ghelarducci to the Civil Service Commission with a six year term was made by Mr. Petrocelli, seconded by Mrs. Schneider; motion carried with Mr. Ghelarducci abstaining from the vote.
8. A motion to authorize the sale of the surplus 1996 Chevrolet Pickup Truck and 2008 Ford Crown Victoria Police Cruiser via the public auction site www.municibid.com was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
9. A motion to authorize the Solicitor to create an Ordinance that would prohibit parking on McMillen Street, for the purposes of creating an emergency fire lane, in a 50-foot area across from 616 McMillen Street (Goodwill Villa), as requested by the Fire Chief was made by Mr. Petrocelli, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; Mrs. Schneider questioned the parking on McMillen Street, stating that she understands the need for the fire lane but stated other issues on this street need reviewed as well. Mr. Ghelarducci stated that he would like to discuss this matter further with the Public Safety Committee. Chief Costain stated that recently there have been two fires at this building and that ladder trucks have difficulty getting access to the front of this building. Mr. Henderson stated that safety is paramount, and the ordinance is for Fire Department access. Mr. Petrocelli requested that temporary no parking signs for the fire lane be posted now while the Public Safety Committee studies the matter further. Motion carried unanimously.
10. A motion to authorize the purchase of a 2021 Dodge Charger Police Cruiser with emergency equipment upfitting from Team Force Inc. at state Costars pricing at a cost not to exceed $49,288 was made by Mr. Ciesielski, seconded by Mr. Ghelarducci: Mr. Henderson commented that a lot of the costs of this vehicle is the camera and emergency equipment. Chief King stated that the Dodge Charger was the most affordable option this year, costing $5,000 less than a Ford Explorer. Motion carried unanimously.
11. A motion to accept and pay any commission due – December 2020 Real Estate Tax Collector Report was made by Mr. Verduci, seconded by Mr. Petrocelli; motion carried unanimously.
12. A motion to accept the December 2020 Police Report was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Ciesielski; motion carried unanimously.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION, VIRGINIA SCHNEIDER – Mrs. Schneider reported that the Borough Building phone system is going to be updated in the next week. The current system has been in and out of service repeatedly over the past couple of months. She also reported that renovations to the Borough office is complete and that the Public Works crew is now painting hallways and other parts of the Borough Building. Mrs. Schneider updated Council on the status of the LED message sign at the Borough Building, she reported that masonry work just started and that the sign should be installed within the month. Lastly, regarding newsletters, she stated that the Quarterly Update for the first quarter will be sent out with this month’s trash bills and that work on the annual newsletter is now complete and should be printed soon.
FINANCE, JOSEPH VERDUCI – Mr. Verduci reported that 2020 Budget to Actual, General Fund: Revenue ended at $3,483,193.53, Expenditures of $3,037,255.22, giving a 2020 surplus of $445,938. Sewer Fund: Revenue ended at $1,534,543, Expenditures of $1,214,137, giving a surplus. Garbage Fund: ended the year with revenue greater than expenditures of $21,073. He also stated that 2021 Budget is in effect with our ledgers and that upgrades to the Freedom Accounting Software is to be completed in February.
Mr. Verduci stated that 2021 Insurance policies for Properties and General Liability have been renewed. We were able to increase the property values by 5% while remaining within budget. He stated that the audit will be completed this spring and he also congratulated the Borough employees for watching expenditures so well during the pandemic.
PARKS & RECREATION, JOSEPH COLOSIMO – Mr. Colosimo reported that park construction is currently on hold due to the winter weather. He stated that he would like to have a Committee meeting in the coming month.
PUBLIC WORKS/BUILDINGS, NINO PETROCELLI, SR. – Mr. Petrocelli stated that the monthly report for the Department has been passed out. He stated that the crew has been doing an excellent job clearing the roads this past month. He stated that Bridgeville always has the cleanest roads in the winter.
He also reported that the Committee will be interviewing candidates for the Public Works Laborer position on January 19th. Mr. Petrocelli stated that we have four excellent candidates and that he would like to see a hiring at next month’s meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY, BRUCE GHELARDUCCI – Mr. Ghelarducci stated that the Committee will be meeting with the Police and Fire Chiefs to further discuss the McMillin Street parking matter.
MAYOR, BETTY COPELAND – Mayor Copeland reported that she had the privilege to swear into office the newly elected officers and firefighters of the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company on January 7th. She also reported that Joanne and Bill Henigman are retiring and that they have sold Sami’s Screen House on Station Street to Chris and Tracy Colussy.
Mr. Verduci stated that the former PNC Bank at the corner of Station Street and Washington Avenue has recently sold and that a new business will be going into this space. He stated that he is excited to see new business coming into this space.
POLICE CHIEF, CHAD KING – Chief King reported that the Buddy the Elf event went very well, he stated that all Bridgeville children received a toy that day from Santa Claus.
Mr. Colosimo questioned that if the Borough sells both black and white Crown Victoria police cars will the Department have enough vehicles? Chief King stated that we hung on to these vehicles for off-duty traffic details and they are not needed. He added that he would like to recommend that we sell the second car to Oakdale Borough, waiting until we get more information on when the new car is on its way.
SOLICITOR, THOMAS MCDERMOTT – Solicitor McDermott reported that he has been reviewing the Employee Handbook. He stated that it is very well written and that he plans to have his recommendations back to the Administration Committee this week.
BOROUGH ENGINEER, KEVIN BRETT – Engineer Brett reported that the 2020 Road Program is now completed and closed out. He sought the assistance of Council to prepare the 2021 Road Program so that we can get it out to bid soon. The Engineer discussed the need to possibly include the paving work at McLaughlin Run Park into the 2021 Road Program. He stated that the current park contractor presented a Changer Order for paving work that is 2.5 times the costs quoted in the 2020 Road Program. He stated that he cannot recommend us approving this Change Order. Mr. Petrocelli stated that we cannot use Liquid Fuels funds for the park’s paving, the Engineer acknowledged and agreed but said they could be bid together though.
The Engineer reported that work on the Jane Way ramp is to start next month. The flood mitigation work at McLaughlin Run Park is done. He stated that the trash rack has been installed and that the contractor will have to come back in the spring to reseed the field.
Engineer Brett reported that the sanitary manhole work in McLaughlin Run Creek has been completed. He also reported that they are currently putting the specifications together for the roof replacement project and that they are working with the Manager on an ALCOSAN Grow Grant.
Mr. Verduci reported that the fence and gate at McLaughlin Run Park was installed this week. Mr. Petrocelli stated that he thinks it should have been set back farther from the road.
FIRE CHIEF, RAY COSTAIN – Chief Costain reported that the Department responded to 38 calls for service this past month and a total of 341 calls for 2020. The Chief stated that he new QRS vehicle is in service that they purchased from Dormont Fire Department.
SOUTHBRIDGE EMS, DAN MILLER – stated that he can answer any questions from his monthly report. He stated that response times were up one to two minutes this past month mainly caused by winter weather events. Director Miller also commented that he would like to see the McMillin Street Fire Lane implemented as there is difficulty getting ambulances into this parking lot and facility.
BRIDGEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MARY WEISE – Mayor Copeland reported that artwork from Marge Orlandini has been donated to the Historical Society and put-on display at LaBella Bean and Bridgeville Appliance. She also reported that planning is underway on the 10-year anniversary of being in the old train station this coming March.
BRIDGEVILLE LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE – no report.
BRIDGEVILLE PARKING AUTHORITY REPRESENTATIVE – Mr. Henderson reported that their submitted report and update has been distributed.
BRIDGEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE – no report.
BOROUGH MANAGER, JOSEPH KAUER – the Manager reported that the new trash rack at McLaughlin Run Park is being monitored and cleared by the Public Works crew.
OLD BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: None.
A motion was made by Mr. Ghelarducci, seconded by Mr. Petrocelli, and carried to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 PM. All in favor, motion passed 7-0.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________
Joseph Kauer
Borough Manager / Secretary