BOROUGH OF AVALON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING November 21, 2017

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1 BOROUGH OF AVALON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING November 21, 2017 The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm with Council President Josh Klicker presiding, leading the Meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. An invocation followed by Lt. Minnie Cleveland from the Salvation Army. Roll Call of those present: John Crawford, Victoria Donnelly, Joshua Klicker, Thomas Lloyd, J.P. McFeeley, Shawn McWilliams, Patrick Narcisi, Lee Nelson, William Pascale. Also present: Mayor Brigitte Jackson, Solicitor Megan Turnbull, Borough Manager Lorraine Makatura, Assistant Manager Brian O Malley, Engineer Kevin Brett. Absent: Tax Collector Ed Klicker Nelson moved: To accept the minutes of the October 17, 2017 Council meeting. Pascale moved: To accept the Tax Collector s Report as submitted for the November 21, 2017 meeting. Narcisi 2 nd To approve the List of Bills as submitted for the November 21, 2017 meeting, in the following funds: General Fund $324, Sewage Surcharge $49, Health & Sanitation $ To approve the October Profit Loss Report and October Treasurer s Balance Sheet Report as submitted on November 21,

2 PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items): Lt. Minnie Cleveland Salvation Army Lt. Minnie Cleveland spoke about the ministry and social services that the Salvation Army offers Avalon and the surrounding communities. They are very excited that Avalon has offered the Salvation Army the opportunity to use their building for their toy drive. The toy drive will help over 200 families in the North Boroughs and surrounding areas this December. The Salvation Army also offers some assistance programs with utility bills and a local food bank. Councilman Klicker commented that Avalon was happy to be a distribution point for the toy drive and the Borough is looking forward to it. Rendon Elsesser 625 Taylor Ave Mr. Elsesser wanted to bring the Boroughs attention that there are some residential properties on Taylor Ave that are vacant and is worried about raising children near these empty homes and also the value of real estate near these vacant properties. Councilman Klicker explained that Borough has limited options in regards to cleaning up vacant properties because due to liability concerns. The Borough administration office works with the County Health Department, the Building Inspector, and the Police Department when possible. Manager Makatura said that she had spoken with Mr. Elsesser about one of the properties on Florence and the administration has added it to the list of vacant properties. Councilman Crawford talked about if the stability of the structure could be considered a safety issue that would need to be addressed. Councilwoman Donnelly spoke about how the Allegheny County Health Department quickly responded to a complaint regarding a property in Avalon recently. Councilman Lloyd shared with Mr. Elsesser a card with contact info with Avalon s County Councilman (Patrick J. Catena). Councilman Donnelly introduced Mr. Elsesser to State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl s Chief of Staff who was in the audience as another government office that may be able to help. 2

3 MAYOR: Mayor Jackson provided a police activity report. Attended the Community Opioid Information Meeting on November 8 th and thanked everyone that participated, especially State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl s office for their help with the event. The Brighton the Season Event will be December 9, 2017 SECRETARY/MANAGER: A letter from ALCOSAN was received with the increased rates for the next 4 years: 2018: 7.5% 2019: 7% 2020: 7% 2021: 7% ENGINEER: 2017 Road Program Finalized Contract C and will prepare final change orders for all the paving contracts for the December meeting. Phase 1 Consent Order Discussion took place in regards to the report that is due in December about flow reduction in our sanitary sewer system. SOLICITOR:! Announced that an Executive Session will be held immediately following the meeting to discuss personnel, litigation, and legal purposes.! Spoke about the possibility of proper zoning updates for mini-casinos based on new legislation that passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature. FINANCE: Councilman Pascale wanted to point out that there were a few large payments that are in the list of bills. Payments for the paving contracts of $81,589 and $57,672 along with associated engineering fees. Also there was a $25,950 storm sewer/pool repair project. Councilman Pascale wanted to thank all of his fellow council members and administrative staff for their work on the budget meeting on November 12 th that went late into the night. The next Budget Meeting workshop will be November 28 and December 5 if necessary. 3

4 Pascale moved: To ratify accepting Allegheny County CDBG42 grant bid specification for the demolition of 423 Florence Avenue from Ken Reilly Contracting in the amount of $20,500 to demolish 423 Florence Ave with the Borough approving payment of the additional $2,000 over the grant amount of $18,500. To advertise December Council meeting will be changed to 7:00 pm, Thursday, December 14, Councilman Pascale said that this change was to accommodate the Salvation Army s Toy Drive. To advertise Ordinance #1366, establishing an annual storm and sewage line maintenance program. To advertise Ordinance #1374 fixing the compensation for council members for the Avalon Borough at $1,875 per year ($156.25/month). SAFETY: Narcisi moved: To approve a handicap parking space near 320 S. Ohio Street. 4

5 PUBLIC WORKS: Crawford moved: To accept Resolution #1150, a Resolution joining Avalon Borough with other similarly affected municipal bodies within the ALCOSAN service area to create a unified approach to source reduction efforts and adopting a source reduction study. McWilliams, Nelson, Pascale, Donnelly, Lloyd, Crawford, Narcisi, McFeeley - YEA Klicker NAY (8-1 VOTE) BOROUGH DEVELOPMENT: McWilliams moved: To accept Resolution #1146, a Resolution confirming Avalon Borough s application for CDBG grant funds for ADA Playground Surface Improvements at Avalon Community Park. To accept Resolution #1147, a Resolution confirming Avalon Borough s application for CDBG grant funds for ADA Pool House Improvements. To accept Resolution #1148, a Resolution confirming Avalon Borough s application for CDBG grant for Playground Improvements at the playground located at S. Birmingham Avenue and Orchard Avenue. To accept Resolution #1149, a Resolution confirming Avalon Borough s application for CDBG grant funds to continue the ADA Ramp Program. 5

6 To ratify accepting the Allegheny County CDBG42 grant bid specification for the ADA Access to the Avalon Park Playground from Satira Construction, Inc. in the amount of $13,950 with the Borough approving payment of the additional $5,950 over the grant amount of $8,000. Pascale 2 nd McWilliams, Nelson, Donnelly, Lloyd, Clicker, Crawford, Narcisi, McFeeley - YEA Pascale NAY (8-1 VOTE) 4 th of July: No Report. Allegheny County League of Municipalities: Councilwoman Donnelly spoke about the ALOM Holiday Dinner and how they raise money for at-risk youth. She will be attending the event. Councilman Lloyd announced the Councilwoman Lloyd would be sworn in as first vicepresident of the Allegheny County Borough Association at the Holiday Dinner. Library: Mrs. Claus will be hosting a tea party on December 14 th and has invited Santa Claus. The event benefits the Friends of the Avalon Library. The Friends of the Avalon Library are going to donate towards the cost of a new ADA door at the Library. Avalon Now will hold their Brighten the Season Event on December 9 th from 12-4PM. Councilman Lloyd talked about this being a Community Event with the lighting up of the tree at California Park. He talked about how far the Borough has come with the Christmas tree light up over the years to a planted tree. Councilman Lloyd wanted to thank the DPW crew, Councilman Crawford, and Lorraine for all their help with the Holiday Decorations. Councilman Lloyd asked everyone to consider purchasing their Christmas Tree from the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department. 6

7 QVCOG: No Report. Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Jackson announced that the Chamber s Holiday Celebration is December 1 st from 6-8PM. NEW BUISINESS: No New Business PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items): Vince Pallus State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl s office Mr. Pallus told Council that he would be delivering Pennsylvania Grant Books at the next meeting. Mr. Pallus encourages everyone to sign up for s from the Representative and spoke about the new humane law regarding leaving pets out in the cold. Mr. Pallus said that he would follow up with the solicitor regarding a clarification regarding the mini-casino legislation. Nelson moved to adjourn at 7:47 pm to executive session. Respectfully submitted Lorraine Makatura Lorraine Makatura Borough Secretary 7