East Washington Borough
Council Meeting Monday, November 4, 2019 7:00 pm
Call to Order President Matthew Boice called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
Roll Call Attendees:
Mayor, Michael Gomber Solicitor, Chris Furman for Dennis Makel
Council President, Matthew Boice Engineer, Rich Rush, Widmer Engineering- Absent
Council Member, Timothy Hurney Park & Shade Chair, Reca Panian, Absent
Council Member, Charles McHugh, Secretary, Sandy Motichak
Council Member, Jerad Cypher, via phone call
Council Member, Dawn Petrosky
Council Member, Maryann Weinstein
Pledge of Allegiance Led by President Matthew Boice.
President Boice announced that he was changing the order of the Agenda items so that the business of the Borough could be done prior to Public Comment
1. Motion Jerad Cypher, second Maryann Weinstein, to approve Minutes –October 7, 2019 and October 29, 2019 with addition of word if all cell phones and approve bills – General Account $ 23,549.29. Motion passed.
2. Motion Chuck McHugh, second Tim Hurney to authorize payment of Citizen’s Library allocation of $5,000.00 for 2019. Motion passed.
3. Motion Maryann Weinstein, second Tim McHugh, to award the Trash Bid and amendment (Term Jan 1, 2020 to Dec 31, 2021) to the lowest bidder, Republic Services, and finalize documents at the December meeting. Motion passed.
4. Motion Chuck McHugh, second Tim Hurney, to approve Resolution 006 of 2019 -Automated Red Light Enforcement Project Funding Agreement. (authorizes President of Council and Mayor to sign Agreement on behalf of EWB) Motion passed. Dawn Petrosky Abstain.
Public Works:
President Boice stated that at the last meeting was a discussion from Mr. McDowell regarding the paving of Elmhurst. Mr. Boice told Council he asked the Engineer about paving Elmhurst and if we were going to do it next year he wouldn’t do anything. We looked further and asked while we have the equipment here what would it cost us do all of Elmhurst. And the cost would be right around $25,000 to finish the road. If we waited until next year or the year after, about $10,000 of it would have to be repaved. Adding the mobilization fee of $3,000-$4,000 to bring back the equipment and $7,000 to $8,000 of asphalt again. There are reserve funds and suggested to finish that area of the borough while the equipment is here. Also expressed his disappointment to Mr. Rush about Morgan Excavating because they were supposed to be here in July for paving.
Motion was made by Dawn Petrosky, second by Tim Hurney
Discussion:
Mr. McHugh wanted the record to show that if anyone questions why council or future council members that Elmhurst is not the worst road in the borough that is being done why we made this decision. Do not want any retaliatory remarks directed at them. Mr. Hurney asked Mr. Boice that there would be roughly $10,000 in saving? Mr. Boice said yes $10,000 savings in the long run. But it makes sense to do it now. To be noted that there are half a dozen roads that are in worse shape. Mr. McHugh stated that was his point that we have clear documentation and rationale as to why we did this road and not do the next worse road. That council made this decision because it was more cost effective to do this project now while the equipment was here in the borough now as a result of staging costs.
Mr. Boice stated again motion on the floor made by Dawn Petrosky, second Tim Hurney to approve the change order from Morgan Excavating in the amount of $25,000 additional funds be allocated to pave the entire length of Elmhurst in conjunction with the paving of the South Watson project to commence paving on November 11, 2019. That council made this decision because it was more cost effective to pave Elmhurst now while the equipment was here in the borough as a result of staging costs, etc. i.e, estimated $10,000 cost savings. Motion passed.
Council discussed the purchase and installation of 2 doors for the basement of borough building and garage door.
Motion Maryann Weinstein, second Chuck McHugh to approve the bid proposal to Brent Dubina in the amount of $1,375.00. (1) man door with Wi-Fi capabilities to lock and unlock from a remote location and (1) basement steel door. Motion passed.
Council discussed yellow lines being painted on South Wade. Due to concerns about safety and accidents on South Wade, a motion was made from Maryann Weinstein, second Tim Hurney to authorize a payment of $1,175.00 to PLP Co. Pavement Marking Contractor for painting 4 “ Yellow centerline markings on South Wade and 8” white hot thermoplastic pavement marking on South Wade and East Wheeling St. Crosswalks. Motion Passed.
Motion Chuck McHugh, second Dawn Petrosky, to authorize the purchase of a Samsung Note 10 cell phone in the amount of $350.00 to be used by employee, Aaron Lucero, Public Works. President Boice noted there is no change in service. Motion passed.
President Boice discussed he met with following individuals and with Mr. Richard Cleveland on October 23, 2019 to discuss grant writing services. Matthew Boice, Sara Widmer, Aaron Lucero, Reca Panian, Mayor Michael Gomber.
Mr. Cleveland submitted a proposal for services with initial up front preparation fee of $100.00 per hour and the hourly rate is valid through calendar year 2020. Administration of grant and submission fee will be negotiated not to exceed 5% of the grant amount.
Grants East Washington Borough may qualify for
1. H2O Water grant $500,000 no match
2. PA Small Water Grant 15% match
3. DCED Flood Mitigation 15% match Stream bank restoration MS4 required.
Discussion continued and President Boice asked Mr. Furman to review the contract.
1. Services won’t commence until the borough authorizes them
2. No provision binding us to him, that we can’t use anyone else.
3. Termination provision is for convenience by owner effective upon receipt of notice of grant writer.
4. In scope the writer is not authorized to begin upon agreement or otherwise stipulated by owner.
Mr. Furman stated it is a safe agreement.
Motion by Chuck McHugh, second Jerad Cyper to utilize Rich Cleveland’s services on retainer and not obligate current or future council through this agreement and that there are no fees unless council agrees to apply for the grant. Motion Passed. 4 yes, 1 no. Petrosky – No.
Motion was made by Maryann Weinstein, second Chuck McHugh to engage Rich Cleveland to proceed with applying for the 2 grants that are due December 13, 2109 at a fee not to exceed $5,000. President Matt Boice will handle any details regarding this agreement. Motion passed.
PRESIDENT BOICE ACCEPTS NOMINATION(s) FOR VACANT COUNCL MEMBER
Motion Maryann Weinstein, second Dawn Petrosky to nominate David Stotka for vacant council member position.
Weinstein-Yes, Petrosky-yes, Boice-yes, McHugh-no, Hurney-no, Cypher-no. Tie Vote Mayor broke tie with no.
Motion Chuck McHugh, second Tim Hurney to nominate Katie Imler for the vacant council member position.
Weinstein-no, Boice-no, Cypher-yes, Hurney-yes, McHugh-yes, Petrosky-voted no, then changed to abstain.
Motion Matt Boice, second Maryann Weinstein to nominate Demond Nixon for the vacant council member position. Weinstein-yes, Petrosky-yes, Boice-yes, Cypher-yes, McHugh-no, Hurney-no. Motion passed.
Mr. Demond Nixon is named the Council Member to fill vacant council position.
Public Comment – Any person from the public may speak for a 3 minute period and total allotted time for the public to talk is only 15 minutes and no more. Please state your name, address and subject. Please choose a representative to speak if you have the same concern.
Chief Bradley stated that he was not able to be at the last few meetings however felt that some of the actions of individuals that attended the meetings were childish. He proceeded to say that he has taken the authority out of the hands of the Council for removing people from meetings. He read Section 5503 of the Crimes Code -Disorderly Conduct, and Section 5508 – Disrupting a Public Meeting. He also read the Borough Resolution 007 of 2014 Public Participation at public meetings.
Mr. Dan Bird, Thayer Street – No comment.
The following residents expressed their positive opinions of Chuck McHugh as a Council Member of the borough and their concern regarding statements made by Mr. Uram at the October 29, 2019 meeting. Mr. David Kucherawy, 115 Wilmont Ave. Mr. Kelly Alderson. 57 North Watson. Dan Bower 3 Wilmont Avenue. Anna Holmes, 12 Wilmont Avenue. In addition, Mr. Kucherawy was concerned over the fact that perhaps someone on council released the list of names of individuals that submitted ordinance concerns to the Code Officer and how or why was this done.
President Boice then stated that he apologized for not knowing at the last meeting that Mr. Uram was not a resident of the borough.
Mr. Jeffrey Bull questioned Public Comment on the Agenda as to before or after business of council. And free speech. Chief Bradley asked if it is appropriate to say yell Fire in a building, or yell Bomb; free speech has some restrictions. He then read sections from Resolution 007 of 2014 Public Participation again.
Mr. Bull asked Secretary if $60,000 of uncollected trash payments were recovered or how much was collected. Secretary responded that approximately $11,000 was recovered in house and she would provide him the information indicating the total amount of delinquent trash payments received. She said it becomes a wash (becomes equal or even) because at a certain point the borough stopped billing/collecting or paying the trash payments.
Mayor Gomber- Mayor Gomber asked Council to consider amending the Curb and Sidewalk ordinance to change the language to reflect that the borough is responsible for the curbs on the streets in the borough and not the property owner. No action taken. Ongoing discussion.
Solicitor –Chris Furman for Dennis Makel – Nothing to report
Council Members – Reports/Discussion
- Matt Boice , President
- Jerad Cypher No report
- Tim Hurney No report
- Charles McHugh – Mr. McHugh wanted to thank the residents that attended the meeting showing support for him. Also as per the Code Officer, any ordinance violation information such as names will no longer be given to Council members or whoever holds that office
- Dawn Petrosky No report. Except that are those documents subject to the Sunshine Law? Chris Furman stated
that the names of the person that filed the complaint can be withheld if there is an ongoing investigation, safety concern or other rationale for withholding names or other data.
- Maryann Weinstein No report
Motion Maryann Weinstein, second Dawn Petrosky, to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 pm.