Borough of Forest Hills Next Ordinance: 1060 Public Session of Council Next Resolution: 1173 December 21, 2016

Transcription

1 Borough of Forest Hills Next Ordinance: 1060 Next Resolution: 1173 Call to Order: Pledge of Allegiance: Mr. Erbeldinger Mayor Porco Roll Call: Mr. Burleigh Absent Present Mr. Kiley Absent Mr. Lawrence Absent Present Present Mr. Erbeldinger Present Mayor Porco Present Janet Sullivan, Tax Collector Present Stephen Korbel, Solicitor Present David Gilliland, Engineer Present Steven Morus, Manager Present Marty B. O Malley Citizenship Award Friends of Forest Hills Dog Park Mr. Erbeldinger & Mayor Porco The Mayor and Council President Erbeldinger recognized the Friends of the Forest Hills Dog Park with the O Malley Citizenship Award. President s Report: Mr. Erbeldinger Mayor s Report: Mayor Porco Mayor Porco congratulated the Forest Hills Dog Park for receiving the Marty B. O Malley Citizenship Award. He attended a fundraising event for Caileigh McDowell, the Woodland Hills student who passed away. They raised enough funds to establish a scholarship for any student with an interest in political events. Mayor Porco expressed his wishes for a happy and safe holiday season. Tax Collector s Report: Ms. Sullivan Ms. Sullivan reported on collection efforts for November and at year end. Chief of Police Report: Chief Williams Chief Williams thanked all for their support this year.

2 Borough of Forest Hills Page 2 Fire Chief s Report: Chief Theilacker No report Woodland Hills EMS Report: Chief Mastandrea No report Solicitor s Report: Mr. Korbel Note that an executive session was held following the Dec. 13 committee meetings to discuss litigation & personnel issues. One is requested following tonight s meeting as well on similar issues. Wilkinsburg Penn Joint Water Authority Report: Ms. Broz Ms. Broz reported on Authority activities. There will be no rate increase the next year. WPJWA will redo part of Cascade near Lamar next year. Public Comment Agenda Items At this time, citizens may address council on any issue appearing on today s agenda. Only residents and taxpayers of the Borough of Forest Hills will be permitted to address council. Comments on non-agenda items will be taken at the end of tonight s meeting. Speakers will be permitted to speak for a maximum of 5 minutes. Groups of people will be required to designate a spokesperson to represent them before council who may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes. Citizens are asked to use the microphone at the speaker s stand, clearly state their name and address for the record and keep comments brief and to the point. Please spell the name for the record. Vivian Broz, 312 Burlington Road asked what Mr. Lawrence changed regarding the use of the Westinghouse Lodge by Seniors? responded that the edits were minor language improvements. Paul Dechancie, 119 Hazel Pl., Ardmore Blvd. comments. He wants to address council on a road hazard at Ardmore Boulevard at Filmore Road. The third lane is a parking lane and abruptly ends at Filmore Road. Because it is a parking lane, he makes his turns onto Filmore from the center lane and has almost been hit several times by people driving in the right parking lane. You can t tell that the road ends. There are no signs and it is a dangerous situation.

3 Borough of Forest Hills Page 3 Committee Reports: PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Motion: Move to ratify the sale of surplus equipment via the bid process as follows: Leaf Box 1 (90% to DEP) $ Leaf Box 2 $ Leaf Box 3 $ Leaf Vacuum $ 6, Leaf Vacuum (90% to DEP) $ Dump Truck $13, Ford Dump Truck $16, Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. The borough engineer submitted the following report to the committee: Public Works Committee A. Avenue F/Barclay Sewer Project The two new manholes on Barclay for the new municipal building have been installed and the new storm sewer to connect the new building to the storm pipe on Avenue F is in progress and should be completed by December 15. B. Additional Sewer Work The following 4 projects are in design phase and should be advertised for bid in either January or February, 2017: A. Cherry Valley Storm Sewer Liner B. 8 diameter storm pipe on Kenmore near Commonwealth Bank. C. Sewer lateral for the pool lodge D. 10 Sewer Liner along the westerly side of Ardmore between Braddock Road and Sylvan Alley C. CD 42 Demolition The County has approved a grant in the amount of $8,405 for the demolition of 109 Berkley Avenue. This work will likely not occur until D. Interim Consent Decree

4 Borough of Forest Hills Page 4 We have filed the required Progress Report for the DEP Interim Consent Decree as required. A copy of said report was provided to the borough office. 2. The committee reviewed the following update from 3 Rivers Wet Weather (3RWW) on sanitary/stormwater issues: Executive Director John Schombert noted his retirement from the organization effective at year end in the latest update. He added: I would like to convey my appreciation for your support and active involvement that have helped the region collaborate on such a challenging issue. While we have made great strides over the last 18 years, we know there is still much work to be done. 3RWW is positioned to continue its work of assisting municipalities with the transitioning of Mark Wolinsky to Executive Director. Mark, formerly Assistant Manager of Hempfield Township Municipal Authority, joined 3 Rivers earlier this year as Deputy Director. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience along with an enthusiasm for tackling this important issue. 3. The foreman reported on tentative work planned for December (other than normal maintenance work and Chalfant work and depending on weather): Clean and televise sanitary sewer various locations Street Sweeping Install merry-go-round in Main Park Leaf collection including various parks Snow removal work and prep Install pole lights Ardmore business district 4. In Committee of the Whole, members agreed to permit the foreman to purchase 2 new radios for the trucks with funds to come from the recent sale of surplus equipment. FINANCE COMMITTEE Motion: Move to approve payment of bills for the month of November in the following amounts: General Fund Budget: $ 171, Corrective Action Budget: $ 92, Fire Protection fee $ 1, Road Improvement $ 1,971.78

5 Borough of Forest Hills Page 5 Capital Improvements Plan $ 1, Roll Call Vote: Yes Detail of Non-General Fund Items: Corrective Action Budget: Fire: Road Improvement Capital Improvements Engineering, Ave. F repairs, general sewer repairs, materials & supplies, fee refunds, equipment repairs Utilities (phone, electric, water), pest control Paving program, crack sealing Fuel pump repairs Motion: Move to adopt a Resolution 1173 establishing and updating fees for various borough services and permits to be approved in the 2017 budget. Roll Call Vote: Yes Motion: Move to approve ordinance no fixing the tax rate for the year 2017 and appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the municipal government. Ordinance title reads as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF FOREST HILLS, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, FIXING THE TAX RATE ON REAL PROPERTY FOR THE 2017 FISCAL YEAR.

6 Borough of Forest Hills Page 6 Note that the ordinance specifies one (1) mill of said tax levy being dedicated to a permanent street and paving improvement fund or for purposes related to the construction of a new Borough building. Roll Call Vote: Yes Motion: Move to approve the final budget for 2017 as follows: General Fund Budget: $5,884,237 Capital Improvements Plan Budget: $ 294,797 Road Improvement Fund Budget: $ 370,088 Corrective Action Budget: $2,637,105 Liquid Fuels Budget: $ 205,307 Fire Protection Services Fee $ 211,778 NOTE: Summary information on the final 2017 budget and fee and tax rates are attached to this agenda starting on page 11. The millage rate is estimated based on current information provided by Allegheny County on the current taxable assessed value for 2016 and is subject to change. thanked everyone who had input for the 2017 budget. Mr. Erbeldinger pointed out that there was no increase in millage for Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. Committee members reviewed the contents of the monthly cash flow report. 2. The manager provided a final draft of the budget to committee members along with updates to his budget message.

7 Borough of Forest Hills Page 7 BOROUGH PROPERTY Motion: Move to authorize the Borough manager to approve any necessary agreement in a form acceptable to the solicitor with any utility company that provides service to the new borough building site. Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. The Committee reviewed the following report from the borough engineer: Borough Property A. Fire Hall Sewers - This project has been completed. B. Koch Park/Dog Park Project The County has given their approval of the change order to increase the fence height at the large dog park and delete several items at Koch as approved by Council last month. TCVCOG has now issued contracts. Work should be underway in 4-6 weeks weather permitting. C. Westinghouse Rec Center Basement Regarding the water issues in the basement of the Rec Center, my recommendations were: 1) Dye test the roof drains to see where they go. 2) Inspect the roof drains by camera to see if they are leaking. 3) If the water seepage is found to be a spring near the front wall, a French drain would be recommended. I will report back to the committee once the testing is complete. The only asbestos seen was behind a wall in an access space which should be sealed off after the water issue is resolved. I don t think DPW has had a chance to do this testing yet. 2. Members will continue discussion of potential changes to the pool rental agreement at the committee s December meeting. 3. In Committee of the Whole, members approved the rules for use of the rec center lodge by seniors as edited by Mr. Lawrence.

8 Borough of Forest Hills Page 8 PUBLIC SAFETY Motion: Move to approve resolution no establishing the monthly pension contribution by police officers in accordance with the police pension plan ordinance of the Borough of Forest Hills. NOTE: The resolution states the amount of Participant Contributions due shall be established at 5% in Roll Call Vote: Yes Motion: Move to approve a new pursuit policy based on one recommended by the Allegheny County District Attorney. Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. The manager reviewed a final draft of the 2017 Fire Protection Services Fee budget which still stands at $211, Members reviewed fire department bills for the past month. OPERATIONS & POLICY Motion: Move to approve the minutes from the November 16, 2016 council meeting.

9 Borough of Forest Hills Page 9 Voice Vote Yes Motion: Move to approve the calendar attached to this agenda specifying council committee and business meeting dates for 2017 and authorizing the manager to advertise this schedule as well as the schedule of other boards and commissions as required. Voice Vote Yes Motion: Move to award a contract to Doug Krusper Tree Service, Inc. in the amount of $29,400 for the removal, pruning and special treatment of specified trees along Borough streets and in Borough parks. asked if Krusper Tree Service has a licensed arborist. Mr. Morus stated that they do but if they did not, Carl s Tree Service has an arborist and that he, Jim Theilacker and Don Branzel have been handling as much as they can. The Tree & Shrub committee watches this. said we only got two bids on this. Roll Call Vote: Yes Motion: Move to approve a change order from Doug Krusper Tree Service, Inc. in the amount of $3,500 for the removal of two trees on Lennox Avenue that were not included in the original bid specifications.

10 Borough of Forest Hills Page 10 Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. The borough continues to seek volunteers for the 2019 Centennial Committee. A separate committee is important for planning, organization and fund raising purposes. Please contact the office if interested. The centennial celebration tentatively will coincide with the 2019 Community Day event. 2. The borough continues to seek volunteers to serve on various boards and committees and asks interested residents to contact the manager at the borough office for further information. A number of vacancies remain including several on the Environmental Advisory Council. 3. Members reminded all of the change in recycling beginning in Collection will be bi-weekly only and all should refer to the calendars in the latest issue of the Tree City Times. Calendars will also be mailed with the trash bill in January and a calendar is on the borough website. An announcement via the borough s phone notifications system will be sent as a reminder to all between Christmas and New Year s. PLANNING & ZONING Motion: Motion to adopt Ordinance 1061 vacating Sterlingwood Point Road. Mr. Korbel reminded everyone that they had a hearing at last month s meeting and this is the next step in the process. Roll Call Vote: Yes General Report: 1. Members briefly discussed the Silversmith property with solicitor Steve Korbel.

11 Borough of Forest Hills Page Mr. Branzel was ill and unable to provide a report for December Old Business: None New Business: Mr. Korbel has one new item. As part of the sale of the borough building and magistrate site we have been proposed by the site developer to alter the location of Short Street by leaving the entrance at the same location but it would drift closer to Filmore from its current location. In order to do that, you ll need to authorize Mr. Korbel to prepare an ordinance. Motion: Motion to authorize the solicitor to prepare and advertise an ordinance to relocate Short St. in accordance with the proposed redevelopment plan submitted by Pitt RE LLC. Roll Call Vote: Yes Public Comment Other Items At this time citizens may address council on any issue. Only residents and taxpayers of the Borough of Forest Hills will be permitted to address council. Speakers will be permitted to speak for a maximum of 5 minutes. Groups of people will be required to designate a spokesperson to represent them before council who may speak for a maximum of 10 minutes. Citizens are asked to use the microphone at the speaker s stand, clearly state their name and address for the record and keep comments brief and to the point. Please spell the name for the record. Sandy Thomas, 17 Sherwood Road re: the property next to her. First issue: Notification to her of the meeting last November one day before the meeting took place. She spends winter in Florida. Received notice of this meeting a couple of weeks ago in Florida. She suggested that the borough be notified of snow birds who spend their winters in Florida so they receive these notices in a timely manner.

12 Borough of Forest Hills Page 12 Mr. Korbel said we send notifications to the adjacent property and we send them first class and certified as required by law. Mr. Korbel stated that we make no further attempt to contact her if the letter is returned because they have met the legal requirements. Second issue: When property was changed to make differentiation, she was not notified. That was about ten years ago. She was never notified that the road was going to be put in place. Mr. Korbel said when subdivision plans are proposed, there is no legal requirement that we notify adjacent property owners. That s only for Zoning Hearing Board type issues. We are required to advertise in the newspaper which we comply with. Her third point is that a property has been for sale with a for sale sign for 32 years. Can you put a limit on how many years a for sale sign is posted? For sale signs affect property values. Next, the borough weed ordinance was not applied to this property. There were weeds taller than her consistently up to Sherwood Road. Can the Borough s week ordinance be enforced? Mr. Korbel said that if you have a complaint about a property in the borough, you should notify the code enforcement officer. said this is a problem he has been faced with many times by various home owners. He said that trying to keep certain lots cleaned of weeds would require cutting every week and this could become problematic because of the location of the weeds. We ve asked people to clean up weeds that are in a right-of-way or on the front of the property. Ms. Thomas suggested the ordinance be changed to state that if a property faces the road, the weeds need to be cut. Both and Mr. Erbeldinger said that could be looked into this. Ms. Thomas asked if the for sale sign can be taken down. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn or adjourn by acclamation Voice Vote Yes Next Scheduled Council Meeting: January 18, 2017

13 Borough of Forest Hills Page 13 Next Scheduled Committee Meetings (order may be adjusted): Tuesday, January 3, 2017: Borough Property, Public Works, Operations and Policy, Public Safety. Tuesday, January 10, 2017: Committee of the Whole, Finance, Planning and Zoning. Council may choose to meet as a whole and conduct business if necessary on either or both dates. Meetings begin at 7 PM. Note on Meetings: As needs arise re: the new borough building and related issues and contracts, council business and committee meeting dates may change and/or committee meetings may include special business meetings where actions may be approved. Some changes or additions including stand alone special meeting dates could be made with very short notice (though they will be properly advertised).

14 Borough of Forest Hills Page General Fund Budget Summary Fee Sewer Fee (per thousand gallons) $ 4.75 $4.75 Trash/Recycling (per unit) $ $190.00* Millage rate ** Fire Protection Services Fee $45/22.50/90*** $45/22.50/90*** Notes: * Seniors qualifying under the borough s ordinance (Act 77) for a property tax reduction will also qualify for a reduced trash fee pending council approval. ** Millage rate subject to change pending receipt of the borough s final 2017 total assessed value as determined by Allegheny County. *** Homeowner/Rental Unit/Business per year- pending approval of 2017 fee resolution General Fund Budget % Change $5,879,855 $5,884, % increase 2017 Capital Improvements Plan 2017 Projects $294,797 (increase of $100,972) 2017 Road Improvement Budget (revenues & expenditures) Road Improvements $370,088 (increase of $59,988) 2017 Corrective Action Budget Projects (revenues & expenditures) $2,637,105 (increase of $163,574) 2017 Liquid Fuels Budget Projects (revenues & expenditures) $205,307 (increase of $38,277) 2017 Fire Protection Services Fee Budget Revenues & Expenditures $211,778 (decrease of $4,322)

15 Borough of Forest Hills Page 15 Any differences in these summaries due to rounding. Borough of Forest Hills 2017 Budget Summary by Category % of Total Revenues 2017 % of Total Revenues Acc't No. Revenues Budget Actual to 12/12/ Budget Budget 2017 Budget Taxes 301 Real Property 2,942,500 2,795, % 2,962, % 310 Act 511 1,008,600 1,255, % 1,073, % TOTAL TAXES 3,951,100 4,050, % 4,036, % 320 Licenses & Permits 33,150 34, % 28, % 321 Cable TV Franchise 142, , % 151, % 330 Fees & Fines 55,200 46, % 55, % 340 Interest, Rents & Royalties 89,600 74, % 71, % State 354 Grants 32,000 19, % 28, % 355 Shared Revenue 111, , % 113, % TOTAL STATE 143, , % 141, % 357 Local Government Grants (RAD) 191, , % 202, % 360 Charges for Services 201, , % 191, % Reimbursements 362 Public Safety 51,390 46, % 53, % 363 Public Works 59,978 54, % 61, % TOTAL REIMBURSEMENTS 111, , % 114, % 364 Sanitation 661, , % 590, % 367 Recreation Pool 108,000 4, % 108, % Programs 13,800 9, % 13, % Tennis & Misc. 9,050 4, % 8, % TOTAL RECREATION 130,850 17, % 130, % 380 Miscellaneous 168, , % 170, % TOTAL REVENUES 5,879,855 5,824, % 5,884, %

16 Borough of Forest Hills Page 16 Borough of Forest Hills 2017 Budget Summary by Category % of Total Expenditures 2017 % of Total Expenditures Acc't No. Expenditures Budget Actual to 12/12/ Budget Budget 2017 Budget Borough Administration 400 Legislative 22,118 18, % 23, % 401 Administration 728, , % 737, % 403 Tax Collection 28,715 31, % 29, % 404 Legal Services 119, , % 120, % TOTAL ADMINISTRATION 898, , % 911, % Public Safety 410 Police 1,680,623 1,617, % 1,765, % 412 Ambulance 9,798 10, % 10, % 415 Neighborhood Crime Resistance 8,950 4, % 8, % 416 Auxiliary Police 5,000 1, % 5, % 419 School Crossing Guards 10,769 10, % 10, % TOTAL PUBLIC SAFETY 1,715,139 1,643, % 1,801, % 414 Planning & Zoning 46,652 64, % 51, % Sewage/Sanitation 427 Refuse Collection 606, , % 524, % 426 Recycling Collection 4,700 3, % 4, % TOTAL SEWAGE/SANITATION 610, , % 529, % Public Works/Maintenance 406 Magistrate's Office Building % % 409 Building Maintenance 99,348 84, % 101, % 430 Public Works 664, , % 624, % 431 Street Maintenance 91,250 78, % 91, % 436 Sewer Maintenance 82,649 81, % 87, % TOTAL PUBLIC WORKS/MAINT. 937, , % 905, % Recreation 451 Programming 7,516 4, % 6, % 452 Swimming Pool 178,820 57, % 176, % 453 Tennis 7,822 7, % 10, % 454 Parks 115, , % 120, % 459 Recreation Center (Westinghouse) 72,333 65, % 76, % TOTAL RECREATION 382, , % 389, % 455 Tree Service 103,815 78, % 101, % 458 Senior Citizen Center 12,550 7, % 6, % Debt Service - Capital Projects 486, , % 491, % 492 Reserve for Capital Funds 425, , % 462, % 480/490 Miscellaneous 260, , % 233, % TOTAL EXPENDITURES 5,879,855 5,815, % 5,884, %

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