Pledge of Allegiance lead 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.

• Kris LaGreca, 55 Morgan Avenue. Mr. LaGreca introduced himself to council and is an employee of W&J college as the Director of Digital Strategy. He is glad council is considering glass recycling in the borough. He requested one of the street lights on Morgan Avenue be shut off due to the light being too bright. He wanted to know if Council is considering fixing the curbs on Morgan or put Morgan on the list for repair.

Motions

• Motion Kent James, second Tim Hurney, to approve Minutes January 23, 2020. Motion passed.
• Motion Demond Nixon, second Dan Bird, to approve Bills Gen Account $14,755.11. Motion passed.

Reports:

• Engineer – Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering, Inc. – Absent
• Park & Shade Chair, Reca Panian – Absent

Action Items/Discussion:

1. Resolution 005 of 2020 – Motion Demond Nixon, second Doug Corwin to approve Resolution 005 of 2020 – President of Council (Weinstein) directed as signer for the Automated Red Light Enforcement Project (ARLE). Flashing light near the Faith Christian School. – Motion passed.
2. Glass Recycling – Council discussed the proposed Agreement with South Strabane Township for glass recycling. The cost to the borough is $57.87 per dump removal. Several members had comments such as will this be cost effective or how many residents will take their glass to South Strabane. The agreement does have a 30 day out clause. There is no penalty for withdrawal, however the borough would need to send a letter to withdraw from the agreement effective 30 days from date of letter. Solicitor Makel advised Council that a resolution was necessary authorizing the adoption of the Glass recycling Agreement effective the March meeting.Consequently, a motion was made by Kent James, and second by Tim Hurney to authorize Solicitor Makel to generate a resolution to accept the Glass Recycling Agreement with South Strabane Township. Motion passed. Dan Bird – opposed.
3. Street Projects – Before discussing street projects Mrs. Weinstein presented information from a grant seminar she and the Mayor attended about a strategic management and planning grant offered by the state. The state will send in a team to evaluate the operations and management of the borough. Council was interested in hearing more about the program. Mrs. Weinstein will arrange for a meeting with Johanna Pro from the DCED on March 26 which was the date that will get the best attendance.President Weinstein then opened the floor for discussion as to what road projects may be done in 2020. The four roads discussed were LeMoyne Ave Extension, gutter and drainage and road surface, North Wade and Wilmont, both of which have areas that need to be resurfaced and Central Avenue brick repair and replacement in the area of a large pothole and concrete replacement at the bottom of the hill. Careful review of the engineer’s estimates, and the 2020 budget should be considered to determine what roads to repair this year. Mrs. Weinstein noted that expenditures for the MS4 requirements might also be needed this year. She will contact Sarah Boyce and set up a meeting to discuss the MS4 requirements Mr. Nixon felt that action should be taken on Central Avenue due to the safety concerns of the current condition of that road. President Weinstein projected an estimate of $50,000 would be needed to repair Central, North Wade and Wilmont.A motion was made by Kent James, second Demond Nixon to authorize Rich Rush, Engineer, to prepare specifications to REPAIR Central Avenue, North Wade Avenue, and Wilmont Avenue and advertise the same to be submitted by Noon, March 12, 2020. –  Motion passed.
4. Curb/Sidewalk Ordinance – President Weinstein stated that she had researched ordinances of several boroughs in Washington county to determine if the borough or property owner is responsible for the curbs and/or sidewalks. Her findings revealed that the property owner is responsible for the sidewalks and is usually responsible for the curbs. She felt it is not necessary for Council to change the Curb/Sidewalk ordinance at this time given the possibility of having the strategic management and planning program done this year. She will send council her spreadsheet when it is complete.
5. Grants – The flood grant that Mr Nixon asked about at the last meeting was submitted in December. Per the Mayor future flood grants should be a joint effort between the City and the Borough to increase chances of getting the grant. A grant for the playground was discussed with a representative from the state DNR by the Mayor, Mrs. Weinstein and Aaron Lucera. The Mayor stated this is on hold because of the possibility of partnering with the City on a larger recreation grant. Aaron Lucera has sent information on the condition of the park to Mrs. Weinstein which she will forward to the rest of council.
6. Furnace Maintenance – The Furnace Maintenance was discussed. A motion was made by Kent James, second Tim Hurney to approve the 2-year renewal maintenance agreement with McVehil at the cost of $69.95 per year. – Motion passed.
7. Hopper Driveway Easement – Mrs. Weinstein stated that this issue is on the agenda tonight for discussion only to familiarize the new council members with it. John Hopper has asked the Council to approve the curb cut that he made to construct the driveway he would like to use to access his property at 595 North Wade. The original application was for the cut to be made so that the driveway would enter directly onto his property. Without informing the Borough, he made the cut onto the McIlvaine property adjacent to his property. Upon learning of this, the Borough found him in violation of the permit and is not allowing him access to the driveway. He has entered into an amended easement agreement regarding the driveway with the McIlvaine’s and based on the revised terms wants Council to permit him to use the curb cut as it stands. Council discussed the situation which is very complex. Mrs. Weinstein asked council members to contact her with questions. The original permit request will be sent to Council members who already have copies of the original and amended easement agreements.

Reports / Discussion

• Mayor – Michael Gomber told Council he was getting a memorial for Officer John Dryer who was killed in the line of duty at no cost to the borough.
• Solicitor – Dennis Makel No report
• Maryann Weinstein, President – No report
• Kent James, Vice President – No report
• Daniel Bird – Mr. Bird asked if the 2020 Borough Calendar was approved. It will be on the next Agenda.
• Douglas Corwin – Dr. Corwin suggested that the videographer, Judy Panasik, place her recordings in the public domain, where the whole world, rather than only her friends, might view them. Utilize YouTube, for example.
• Arthur Joseph Fulton – Mr. Fulton said he would be scheduling a meeting with his team and put together a presentation regarding the borough Communications Plan and asked any Council members if they had any suggestions to send to him via email.
• Tim Hurney – No report
• Demond Nixon – No report

Motion

• Motion Joe Fulton, second Doug Corwin to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm. – Motion passed