AVALON BOROUGH REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING July 15, 2014 Klicker opened the meeting at 7:35 with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call: Cortese, Klicker, Lloyd, Narcisi, Nelson, Pascale, Vetterly. Also present: Solicitor Jessica Crown, Borough Manager Dilmore, James Protin and Drozd. Absent: Donnelly, Neal, Chief Kokoski, Mayor Haslett, Tax Collector Klicker. Nelson moved: To accept the Minutes of the June 17, 2014, Avalon Borough Council Meeting. Cortese 2 nd COMMUNICATIONS: o Penndot regarding the 2014/15 Service Agreement. The Borough will receive $16,355 for the Salting Agreement. o PA Department of Labor on a personnel issue, forwarded to the Solicitor. o YMCA inviting all Council to Y week including a tour and festivities. o Allegheny County regarding the Feasibility Study forwarded to the Engineer. o Allegheny County Health Department regarding W. Bellevue Road, Solicitor to report. Pascale moved: To accept the Treasurer s Report as submitted for July 15, 2014. Cortese 2 nd To accept the Tax Collector s Report as submitted for the month of July 2014. 1
To accept the List of Bills as submitted for July 15, 2014, in the amount of $437,785.51. Discussion followed on what is included in this List of Bills. To accept the Finance Report as submitted for the month of July 15, 2014. Nelson 2 nd PUBLIC COMMENTS: Dave Zivic 923 Malvern Road President of Avalon Fire Company Thank you for your time and consideration on purchasing new equipment. Last 3 years as president, it was my goal to purchase a new fire truck. Thank you for your time in possibly making this happen. Robert Powell 814 Florence Avenue Discussion on the recent curb cut at 844 Florence Ave. Speaking for the neighbors as well and presenting a signed petition of those adamantly opposed to the curb cut and front yard parking. Thank you for taking care of the grass issue of the property abandoned on Jackman/Elizabeth. 2
Ed Repp 826 Florence Avenue Also speaking in regard to the curb cut and parking issue at 844 Florence Avenue, he is concerned about a second curb cut and front yard parking issue at a house next door to 844 Florence. There is a safety issue for people on the sidewalk with the vehicles parked so closely together. Charles Zurbach 848 Florence Avenue Concerned about the safety of 844 Florence parking in the front yard. The vehicle has a bike rack on the back of it and there is not enough room to park completely in the driveway, the rack extends into the sidewalk. Additional comment from Mr. Powell that there is an alley behind the homes that is used by other addresses for off street parking. It was indicated that they have also applied for putting in a garage behind their home as well. Mr. Zurbach also questioned whether burning brush was permitted in a barrel. Mr. Repp questioned the Solicitor regarding the second address applying for a curb cut. It was stated that, under the new ordinance, they must apply for the curb cut. The Solicitor also answered the question regarding the variance on the garage for 844 Florence. If needed, a zoning variance hearing will be conducted. Tim Dlugas 649 Center Avenue Thank you to everyone that helped with Community Day on Saturday, July 12. It was a success and a good start to a yearly event. 3
Jackie Yurkovich Grandview Avenue Grandview Avenue in need of repair, being undermined on the opposite site. Discussion followed regarding parking issues for street sweeping days. Bill Silay 827 Malvern Rd. Thank you to Council for the support of the annual 5K race sponsored by the Y for the Northgate Cross Country Team. MAYOR: No report. SECRETARY/MANAGER: o Discussion with QV COG regarding the Comcast renewal. o Final work on the curb cut contract with the Vance family. o Working on the Banner Community Application o Duquesne Light program to convert 33 street lights on California Avenue to 12 year LED lights. ENGINEER: Report submitted. o Jim Protin reported for Chester Engineering. Rachel Carroll will be stepping back in to planning and design. Mark Scally will return to Avalon Borough beginning in August. o Recommended houses on Marie Avenue be tested for asbestos. ACHD requires multiple demolitions on one street be tested. o Dilmore provided status update on N. Birmingham wall project. SOLICITOR: o An Executive Session was held immediately prior to the meeting to discuss litigation and personnel matters. 4
FINANCE: List of bills included repayment of the TAN Loan and the 2 nd payment to the contractor for the N. Birmingham Wall project. Work to begin on the 2015 Budget, cost overruns on the wall and the wet weather project should be considered as they were not included in the current budget. SAFETY: Dilmore stated that Mr. Pascale followed up with shadowing the Manager and the Administration Office for a day. Good experience. Narcisi moved: To authorize the Secretary to advertise in cooperation with the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department for the acquisition of an aerial ladder truck for the purpose of determining final price for such equipment, so that Council and the Fire Company may explore joint financing available for said purpose. The advertising shall contain the specifications for the aerial ladder truck as provided by the Fire Department. STREETS: Cortese-Abstain Vetterly moved: To accept the donation of a parcel of land identified as Allegheny County Lot and Block 214-M-52 from Louise Levinson and Cynthia A. Friedman Revocable Trust and to pay all costs associated with the transfer of the property to the Borough. Property known as the Semple Avenue park. Motion authorizes President Klicker to execute all documents to effectuate the transfer of said property. Discussion followed regarding the property. Neither party was aware about the ownership of the property. The issue was revealed at estate planning on their part. The owners wish to donate it to the Borough. 5
The Borough will pay taxes through 2104, apply for tax exempt status for 2015. A 60 year title search will be completed to verify property status. To accept the proposal of Tough-Seal of Pittsburgh, for the crack-sealing project on California Avenue at a cost, not to exceed $6000. Pascale 2 nd To change out the street lights on California Avenue to LED lamps at a cost not to exceed $3900.00 Pascale 2 nd Discussion regarding the Columbia Gas work being completed on Orchard Avenue between Fisk and Cleveland. There is an opportunity to take care of sewer problems between those streets as well as at Belva across Orchard and install a manhole, repair catch basins (MS4) and correct the sink holes (CD money left from last year) before the gas company paving is completed. CORP/PLANNING: Cortese moved: To authorize the Secretary to advertise for an Ordinance authorizing an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement for selecting and retaining a Professional Services Company to prepare an update to Avalon Borough s Comprehensive Plan. Nelson 2 nd To authorize president Klicker to execute the Intergovernmental Cooperation agreement with the Boroughs of Bellevue, Ben Avon, and Ben Avon Heights, for the purpose of updating the Borough s Comprehensive Plan, as long as no substantial changes are made to the draft. 6
The is necessary to update the 10 year plan as well as applying for any grant monies. All the Boroughs must advertise. To approve Resolution #1105, a resolution approving the solicitor rotation for the Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon Heights Comprehensive Planning Commission from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2017. LIBRARY: The Library has many events scheduled for children and adults. Programs are always advertised in the The Citizen. Make it a point to come to the Library. Thank you to everyone working on the Avalon NOW Community Day and the 4 th of July Celebration. Lloyd moved: To remove the tabled motion of Ordinance #1351 from the June 17, 2014, Council Meeting. Cortese 2 nd Discussion followed on what Ordinance #1351 entails. Nelson moved: To accept Ordinance #1351, an Ordinance defining and setting of street opening regulations. Cortese abstained To accept the proposal of Duquesne Light Company, to enter into the LED Light Program, at a cost of $3,815.00. 7
Pascale 2 nd 4 th OF JULY: Huge success, well attended. Thank you for all your help. Fireworks were better than the city. Cortese moved to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted Harry W. Dilmore Manager 8