The Borough of Tarentum held a duly advertised, regular public meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Below you will find all relevant reports, documents and communications presented at the public meeting. Copies of the agenda and minutes are also available on this site.
PDF Agenda:
2018.03.08 – Agenda
Prior Meeting Minutes:
2018.02.06 – Minutes
Meeting Documents:
2018.03.08 Communications
2018.03.06 Agenda Meeting Sign In
2018.03.08 Regular Meeting Sign In
Code Officer Report 2018.02
Engineers Report 2018.03
Eureka 2018.02 Report
Highland Hose 2018.02 Report
Summit 2018.02 Report
Meeting Agenda
Call to Order.
*PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG.*
| Ms. Lou Ann Homa, Mr. Tim Cornuet, Ms. Carrie Fox, Ms. Rhonda Dzugan, Ms. Erika Josefoski, Mr. Adam Blythe, and Mr. Eric Carter. | ||
| Department | Name | Present: |
| Borough Manager | Michael L. Nestico | |
| Borough Solicitor | David A. Regoli | |
| Chief of Police | William S. Vakulick | |
| Code Enforcement Officer | Chris Fabec | |
The following executive sessions were held:
Tue., Mar. 06, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. for personnel and legal matters.
Motion to accept the agenda as presented.
Motion to accept the minutes of the February 6, 2018 Meeting.
Opportunity for citizen comment.
- Tim Rapp – Letter requesting appointment to the Zoning Hearing Board.
- President’s Report
- Mayor’s Report
- Chief’s Report
- Solicitor’s Report
- Engineer’s Report
- Update for March 2018.
- Manager’s Report
Upcoming Events:
March 14, 2018 – Highlands Hockey Tarena Night
March 27, 2018 – 1:00 PM – Senior Bingo Spring Event
March 27, 2018 – 6:00 PM – Recreation Board Meeting
March 31, 2018 – 8:45 AM – Easter Egg Hunt
March 31, 2018 – 9:00 AM – Easter Bunny Pictures
April 3, 2018 – 6:00 PM – Borough Agenda Meeting
April 5, 2018 – 6:00 PM – Borough Council Meeting
- Administration, Employee Relations, and Finance Committee
- Water
- Electric
- Streets and Sanitary Sewers
- Public Safety and Civil Service
- Fire Department Meeting Report(s)
- Parks and Recreation
- Property and Zoning, Library, and Health
- Code Enforcement Monthly Report
- AVN COG
- KOZ
- Redevelopment and Revitalization
| Motion to pay the bills as presented. | ||
- Motion to approve the request from Selena Foster to utilize the Tarentum Park for a family reunion on Saturday, August 25, 2018 and denying use of the kitchen and bathroom facilities.
- Motion to approve Resolution 18-07:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA SETTING FORTH THE FEES CHARGED BY THE BOROUGH FOR STREET OPENINGS, SURFACE OPENINGS AND PAVEMENT OPENINGS.
- Motion to approve Resolution 18-08:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 9, 2018 TO APRIL 13, 2018 AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEEK.
- Motion to authorize the Borough Manager to execute and approve the contract with PRX Energy LLC for electrical distribution consultation services and deposit a retainer in the amount of $10,000, said amount to be distributed from the Electric Fund.
- Motion to appoint Terry Chambon to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a four-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2021.
- Motion to appoint Joshua Fox to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a three-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2020.
- Motion to appoint Rich Heuser to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a two-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2019.
- Motion to authorize the solicitor to prepare a Request for Proposal for the purchase of various chemicals to be utilized at the water treatment plant in Tarentum Borough.
- Motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $15,000 toward the cost of a joint municipal Comprehensive Plan with Brackenridge Borough and Harrison Township, said funds to be distributed proportionally from the General Fund, Electric Fund and Water Fund, as dictated by the final result of said Plan relative to each department.
- Motion to approve Resolution 18-09:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTING MODIFICATIONS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR POLICE CIVIL SERVICE TESTING AND HIRING PROCEDURES.
- A motion to authorize the Borough Manager to execute and approve the purchase agreement with Harris Local Government for an additional finance software license in the amount of $1,300.00 and an annual maintenance fee of $220.00.
Motion to adjourn the meeting.
Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Council Vice President Adam Blythe.
*PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG.*
| The following members were present: Ms. Lou Ann Homa, Ms. Carrie Fox, Ms. Rhonda Dzugan, Mr. Adam Blythe, and Mayor Eric Carter. Absent with cause: Mr. Tim Cornuet, Ms. Erika Josefoski | ||
| Department | Name | Present: |
| Borough Manager | Michael L. Nestico | x |
| Borough Solicitor | David A. Regoli | x |
| Police Chief | William Vakulick | x |
| Code Enforcement Officer | Christopher Fabec | x |
Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. for personnel and legal matters.
Motion by Ms. Fox, second by Mr. Blythe to accept the agenda as presented.
The motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Dadowski, second by Ms. Fox to accept the minutes of the February 6, 2018 Regular Council Meeting.
The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Bill Mayhugh, 347 W. 11th Avenue, questioned the borough regarding the water quality at his property. Thanked public works for coming to his property and checking on the matter. Stated that the water is the cleanest it has been in years. Cautioned that it is not fully resolved. Talked about moving the hydrant to the end of the line. Borough manager provided a response to the concern and indicated that the matter was being addressed. Manager also indicated that the issue may exist from main line in to the home. Mr. Mayhugh informed the manager after the meeting that he installed new copper lines roughly 25 years ago and does not believe it is the result of an issue on his end of the line.
1. Tim Rapp – Letter requesting appointment to the Zoning Hearing Board.
A. President’s Report – President absent with cause. No report for March 2018. B. Mayor’s Report – Provided a police department report on arrests, activity and citations. C. Chief’s Report – N/A D. Solicitor’s Report – Prepared Property Tax Exoneration forms for 136 W 7th to be sent in to County and School. Item should be voted on in April 2018. Prepared a draft copy of a Street Opening Ordinance for Borough review, which would be an update of the existing street opening Ordinance. E. Engineer’s Report – March project status report read by Manager. Report attached as meeting Exhibit. F. Manager’s Report – Update regarding community events; Advised public of hydrant flushing occurring throughout the Borough beginning in April 2018; Advised council and public of the Purdy v. Borough of Chambersburg matter in which public officials’ private Facebook accounts may be subject to Open Record Laws. G. Administration, Employee Relations, and Finance Committee – N/A H. Water – Mr. Blythe indicated that the Borough will be looking in to the water rates for Borough customers; Minor repairs to the HVAC system will be occurring at the water plant; Borough will be looking to have bid proposals put forth for water plant chemicals. I. Electric – Ms. Fox provided an update HB 1405 and informed the public that a new bill has been presented in the State Legislature which only applies to Ellwood City. J. Streets and Sanitary Sewers – N/A K. Public Safety and Civil Service – Ms. Dzugan, on behalf of Mr. Cornuet, provided February monthly reports for all three fire companies. Reports are attached as meeting Exhibits. L. Parks and Recreation – Ms. Homa deferred to Ms. Fox because she was not able to attend the Recreation Board meeting in February. Ms. Fox advised that the Recreation Board will now hold meetings on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m, due to the time changes for regular council meetings. Working on scheduling summer events and concerts. M. Property and Zoning, Library, and Health – N/A. Code officer report provided for February 2018 and details provided on enforcement statistics. N. AVN COG – Ms. Fox detailed that last meeting was February 28, 2018. Provided an update on the COG paving equipment program. Mentioned Borough possibility of participating in the program. Item will be discussed in April 2018 and possibly a decision by Council on whether to participate in the program. O. KOZ – N/A P. Redevelopment and Revitalization – N/A |
Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Fox to pay bills for the month of February.
The motion carried unanimously.
1. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Fox to approve the request from Selena Foster to utilize Tarentum Park for a family reunion on Saturday, August 25, 2018 and denying use of the kitchen and bathroom facilities. Voting in favor were Ms. Fox and Mr. Blythe. Voting in opposition were Ms. Homa, Ms. Dzugan and Mr. Dadowski. The motion failed 2 – 3.
Discussion was held on this item. Coming soon.
2. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Fox to approve Resolution 18-07:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA SETTING FORTH THE FEES CHARGED BY THE BOROUGH FOR STREET OPENINGS, SURFACE OPENINGS AND PAVEMENT OPENINGS.
The motion carried unanimously.
3. Motion by Ms. Fox, second by Mr. Blythe to approve Resolution 18-08:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DECLARING THE WEEK OF APRIL 9, 2018 TO APRIL 13, 2018 AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT WEEK.
The motion carried unanimously.
4. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Dzugan to authorize the Borough Manager to execute and approve the contract with PRX Energy LLC for electrical distribution consultation services and deposit a retainer in the amount of $10,000, said amount to be distributed from the Electric Fund. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Motion by Ms. Fox, second by Ms. Dzugan to appoint Terry Chambon to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a four-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2021. The motion carried unanimously.
6. Motion by Ms. Homa, second by Mr. Blythe to appoint Joshua Fox to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a three-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2020. The motion carried 4-0 with Ms. Fox abstaining.
7. Motion by Ms. Fox, second by Mr. Blythe to appoint Rich Heuser to the International Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board to serve a two-year term, said term to expire December 31, 2019. The motion carried unanimously.
8. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Mr. Dadowski to amend original item #8 to authorize the solicitor to prepare bid specifications for the purchase of various chemicals to be utilized at the water treatment plant in Tarentum Borough. The motion carried unanimously.
9. Motion by Ms. Homa, second by Ms. Dzugan to authorize the expenditure of up to $15,000 toward the cost of a joint municipal Comprehensive Plan with Brackenridge Borough and Harrison Township, said funds to be distributed proportionally from the General Fund, Electric Fund and Water Fund, as dictated by the final result of said Plan relative to each department. The motion carried unanimously.
10. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Fox to approve Resolution 18-09:
RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF TARENTUM, COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA ADOPTING MODIFICATIONS TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR POLICE CIVIL SERVICE TESTING AND HIRING PROCEDURES.
The motion carried unanimously.
11. Motion by Mr. Blythe, second by Ms. Fox to authorize the Borough Manager to execute and approve the purchase agreement with Harris Local Government for an additional finance software license in the amount of $1,300.00 and an annual maintenance fee of $220.00. The motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Chuck Beacom, 114 W. 7th Avenue, Chuck’s Carpet, questioned whether he would be entitled to a reimbursement of his building permit fees which were paid for the construction at his business, Chuck’s Carpet. Mr. Beacom was advised that the fee is set by the dollar amount he indicated in his original application, and that fee is paid to the third-party code enforcement company. He would have to seek reimbursement from said company.
Ms. Gina Landa, 512 E. 6th Avenue, asked who is creating the joint municipal comprehensive plan. The response from the Borough Manger is that the plan will be created by the joint communities and there will be public participation from all communities for this endeavor. Ms. Landa then asked if there is a timeline to begin the process. The response from the Borough Manager was that the earliest it could begin is June 2018, but that is dependent upon all other municipalities approving their participation. The planning process will last at least one (1) year from the start date.
Motion by Ms. Fox, second by Ms. Homa to adjourn the meeting at 6:48 p.m. The motion carried unanimously.