Borough of East Washington
Business Council Meeting December 4, 2017 – 6:00 pm
Call to Order President Jerad Cypher called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
Roll Call Attendees: Michael Gomber, Mayor, Jerad Cypher, President, Mary Taufer, Vice President, Council Members- Charles McHugh, Matt Boice, Jan Murdoch, Guy Tucci, Jerry Cypher, Absent, Solicitor Dennis Makel, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Joyce Ellis, Absent, Secretary, Sandy Motichak
Pledge of Allegiance Lead by President, Jerad Cypher.
Motion Jan Murdock , second Jerad Cypher, to approve November 6, 2017 minutes. Motion passed
Motion Matt Boice , second Mary Taufer, to approve bills: General Account $157,823.26 and Liq. Fuels PLGIT $ 221.12 Motion passed.
Widmer Engineering, Inc. Rich Rush said the Sheraton Drive Project was complete and under budget by approximately $500.00. Hufnagel (Contractor for PA American Water) was to pave Lockhart and Bakewell with leveling course and wearing course, etc. weather permitting. Hufnagel is to notify Rich when they will be doing the paving. He stated the Bob Burns provided an estimate of approximately $75.00 /foot to do curbs. Also an estimate of approximately $35-$40 per sq. foot to pave back parking lot.
Public Comment
Action Items
1. Motion Jerad Cypher, second Mary Taufer, to approve Ordinance No. 535 of 2017 – 2018 Budget. Motion passed.
2. Motion Matt Boice, second Jan Murdoch, to approve Ordinance No. 536 of 2017 -Tax Levy for 2018-Tax rate 2.749507 mills. Motion passed.
3. Motion Jan Murdoch, second Matt Boice to approve December 24, 2018 and December 25, 2018 as paid Holidays for 2018. Roll Call, Tucci-yes, Cypher-yes, Taufer-yes, Murdoch-yes, McHugh-no, Boice-yes. Motion passed.
Motion Guy Tucci , second Jerad Cypher to leave the day after Thanksgiving as a paid Holiday for 2018. Motion passed. McHugh-opposed.
Motion Matt Boice, second Jerad Cypher to approve 2018 Calendar as amended. Motion passed. McHugh opposed.
4. Motion to Mary Taufer, second Jan Murdoch, to authorize Treasurer to transfer $46,206.50 from Local Share Account to General Account to pay Payment #3, Custom Contracting. (Final Payment Sheraton Drive Project). Motion passed.
5. Motion Jerad Cypher, to use the Washington Co. Redevelopment Authority 2018 Community Development Block Grant of
$50,000 for the following projects pending approval from Rob Phillips, Assistant Community Development Director:
1. $25,000 for Lemoyne Center Kitchen upgrades
2.. $20,000 for the Borough Building rear parking lot redevelopment and lighting.
3. $2,500 for Transitional Employment Consultants (TEC) storm sewer
4. $2,500 for 515 East Beau repairs.
Roll Call vote: Taufer-yes, Boice-yes, Cypher-yes, Tucci-no, Murdoch-no, McHugh-no. Tie vote. Mayor voted No to break the tie. Motion DID NOT PASS.
Discussion
Ø President Cypher indicated the next Columbia Gas Co. Project meeting will be December 7, 2017 at 9:00 am.
Reports
Police Department–Chief David Bradley-Absent
Code Officer-Gerald Coleman. Code Officer discussed Columbia Gas meeting he will meet with representatives from Columbia Gas to walk the brick streets in the borough to review the condition of the streets for the Columbia Gas project. Columbia is to provide East Washington Borough with a specification from Mt. Lebanon or the City of Pittsburgh as to how to repair brick streets. Mr. Coleman brought to the attention of council concern with Republic Trash service and the request to have a large dumpster placed at the salt lot. Republic would have a driver with a pickup truck pick up trash though the borough and put it in the dumpster to be picked up once a week. Discussions continued and no official action taken. Code Officer also presented his report and a Property Maintenance Violation Spreadsheet that will be used to track violations in the borough.
Mayor Michael Gomber stated he announced that Andrew Uram : “Business Man of the Year” award for his continued support of East Washington Borough. Mayor Gomber told Council that the sidewalk ordinance need to be addressed. It need to be updated to include language for specific measurement of 1/2 inch crack in the sidewalk, it would have to be replaced due to safety issues. Put in certain parameters as to specifics in the ordinance. President Cypher said council will review the ordinance. Council discussed the Columbia Gas may potentially replace our sidewalks and curbs while doing their project in the borough. The ordinance needs updated in order to enforce it Council asked our Engineer to provide some standard specifications for the sidewalk ordinance. Mary Taufer commented that it is difficult to hire a contractor that will put in just a small sidewalk; if several sidewalks in a row need replaced then it would be more feasible for the contractor to do the job.
Council Members:
Jerad Cypher, President – discussed with Council the possible of placing a bright colored notice on a property that is in violation of an ordinance and if taken down would be fined. Solicitor Makel said that in order to charge a fine there must be legislation –an ordinance in place to enforce the fee for the violation. Some questions arose as to the purpose of the notice as only being a warning and what happens if someone other than the property owner takes the notice down.
Motion Jerad Cypher , second Charles McHugh to authorize the Solicitor to create an ordinance that code officer could post a neon notice to a property in the borough that would be in violation of an ordinance with language that may include if removed, a fine would be charged. Motion passed.
Mary Taufer, Vice President-None
Matt Boice, Leaf pickup throughout the borough ongoing. Some signs placed in the borough. The new storage shed that was purchased has been delivered and set up at the Salt Lot. The garden tractors, lawn equipment and various items have been moved into the shed and organized.
Motion Mary Taufer, second Guy Tucci, to authorize Council Member Boice to request a refund of $1,700 from electrician, Bright Light Enterprises and/or West Penn Power. Electric service and lights project at the Salt Lot on hold until further notice. Motion passed.
Jerry Cypher-Absent
Jan Murdoch-None
Chuck McHugh
Guy Tucci-None
Solicitor (Dennis Makel – Lingg property update. Solicitor Makel stated he received the signed Easement from Mr. Lingg.
Motion Jerad Cypher , second Mary Taufer to approve the easement/agreement with Mr. Lingg and East Washington Borough. Motion passed.
Motion Jerad Cypher, second Mary Taufer to enter Executive Session for personnel reasons at 7:45 pm. Motion passed.
Motion Jerad Cypher, second Mary Taufer to continue meeting out of executive session. Motion passed.
Motion Jerad Cypher , second Mary Taufer, to use the Washington Co. Redevelopment Authority 2018 Community Development Block Grant of $50,000 for the following projects pending approval from Rob Phillips, Assistant Community Development Director:
1. $25,000 for Lemoyne Center Kitchen upgrades
2.. $20,000 for the Borough Building rear parking lot redevelopment and lighting.
3. $2,500 for Transitional Employment Consultants (TEC) storm sewer
4. $2,500 for 515 East Beau repairs.
Roll Call vote: Taufer-yes, Boice-yes, Cypher-yes, Tucci-no, Murdoch-no, McHugh-no. Tie vote. Mayor voted No to break the tie. Motion DID NOT PASS.
Adjournment
Motion Jerad Cypher , second Mary Taufer to continue the meeting at the call of the President. Motion passed with unanimous vote.
Secretary, Sandy Motichak