Pledge of Allegiance led by Maryann Weinstein, President

Public Comment

Any person from the public may speak for a 3-minute period. Total time allotted for public comment is 15 minutes. Please state your name, address and subject. Please choose a representative to speak if you have the same concern.

• Jeff Bull, Fairmont Avenue – Mr. Bull stated that he was on the Washington-East Washington Joint Authority Board and his term is ending December 31, 2020.  It is his understanding that the Business Manager sent a letter to Council recommending Mr. Bull continue to serve on the WEWJA board.  He said he would continue to serve on the WEWJA authority board if Council approved his appointment.

Discussion & Updates

• Mayor’s request to add his email and attachments to the minutes – President Weinstein stated that Solicitor Dennis Makel sent an opinion to Council regarding the Mayors request.  There was a lengthy heated discussion between Borough Council Members, the Solicitor, and the Mayor. Council member Kent James commented that there should be a separate reference section for supplemental documents on the website but felt the minutes should be preserved for official motions and/or approval of borough business.
• Solicitor Makel asked Mayor Gomber if he is a resident of the borough. because the mayor and his wife have purchased a home in S Strabane Township and his house in East Washington is for sale. The home in S Strabane appears to be lived in given the presence of large trash containers and extensive Christmas decorations at that home. The Mayor replied yes.As a result of the discussion, a motion was made by Doug Corwin, second by Joe Fulton to authorize Solicitor Makel to write a letter to the Washington County District Attorney to investigate the Mayor’s residence.
  

  Maryann Weinstein	Yes
  Kent James	Yes
  Tim Hurney	Absent
  Douglas Corwin	Yes
  Daniel Bird	Yes
  Demond Nixon	Yes
  A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
  Motion passed

   

Motions & Updates

• Motion Demond Nixon, second Joe Fulton, to approve Minutes, November 2, 2020, and CONTINUATION of meeting November 16, 2020. – Motion passed.
• Motion Kent James, second Doug Corwin, to approve Bills GEN Acct.  $ 25,385.76 (Checks 6956 to 6991), and PLGIT (Liq. Fuels) $ 110.00 (Check No. 975) and ARLE Acct. $ 1,156.70. (Check No. 1001).  – Motion passed.

Official Action:

1. Budget Approval – Motion Kent James, second Dan Bird, to approve Ordinance No. 545 of 2020 – BUDGET (duly advertised)
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

2. Ordinance No. 546 of 2020 – TAX Levy 2021 – Motion Dan Bird, Doug Corwin second to approve Ordinance No. 546 of 2020 – TAX Levy 2021. (no tax increase)
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

3. Schedule of Fees – Motion Demond Nixon, second Dan Bird to approve Resolution No. 013 of 2020 – Schedule of Fees – 2021. (no changes)
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

4. Report from Neighborhood Improvement Committee – Council discussed the IPMC as referenced in Resolution 005 of 2017.  As a result, a motion was made by Doug Corwin, second Kent James to rescind Resolution 005 of 2017 because the enforcement of the IPMC applied only to rental properties and it was inconsistent and vague.  The Blight committee is reviewing the ordinances and Property maintenance requirements are outlined in Ordinance No. 166.
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

5. Allocation of $5,000 to Citizens Library for 2020 – Motion Doug Corwin, Kent James, to approve the allocation of $5,000 to Citizens Library for 2020. (correspondence from Citizens Library)
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

6. Washington-East Washington Joint Authority appointment – Discussion – Washington-East Washington Joint Authority appointment/re-appointment position (5-year term). (correspondence from WEWJA) (Mr. Jeff Bull’s term ends December 31, 2020) Motion Dan Bird, second Kent James, to re-appoint Mr. Jeff Bull to the Washington-East Washington Joint Authority Board to serve a five (5 year) term ending December 31, 2025.
   

   Maryann Weinstein	Yes
   Kent James	Yes
   Tim Hurney	Absent
   Douglas Corwin	Yes
   Daniel Bird	Yes
   Demond Nixon	Yes
   A. Joseph Fulton	Yes
   Motion passed

7. Flashing light remote upgrade possibility – Council discussed the proposed upgrade of the Flashing light to be installed at the Faith Christian School, and the cost for the automatic control of turning on and off the device remotely.  Mr. Lucero, Public Works Supervisor and Chief David Bradley felt it was not worth the money.  They suggested using the remaining grant funds be used to add portable speed limit signs that can be moved throughout the Borough may be a better use of the money.  No official motion was made, just a consensus that the portable speed limit signs would help reduce speeding pending PENNdot approval before installing them.
8. Reports – previously sent to council and Mayor via email – Dropbox.
9. Deer– Council discussed the deer population in the borough and President Weinstein said she would contact Mr. Cloonan to explain there is no support to do anything right now regarding his complaint about the deer in his area. There is no way to control the deer population.
10. STMP interviews – President Weinstein reminded Council and the Mayor that there is a zoom meeting on December 10, at 1:00 pm to hear representatives proposals/power point presentations for the Strategic Management Plan. Employees are welcome to attend the meeting.

Reports

• Mayor Gomber – No report
• Solicitor – Dennis Makel
• Council Members – Reports / Discussion
  • Maryann Weinstein, President – No report
  • Daniel Bird – No report
  • Douglas Corwin– No report
  • Kent James, Vice President– No report
  • Demond Nixon – No report
  • Joe Fulton– No report
  • Tim Hurney– No report

Motion

• Motion Doug Corwin, second Joe Fulton, to continue the meeting on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7:00 pm via zoom. – Motion passed. 9:40 pm.