BOROUGH OF AVALON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING December 14, 2017 The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm with Council President Josh Klicker presiding, leading the Meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. An invocation followed by Mayor Brigitte Jackson. Roll Call of those present: John Crawford, Victoria Donnelly, Joshua Klicker, Thomas Lloyd, J.P. McFeeley, Shawn McWilliams, Patrick Narcisi, Lee Nelson, William Pascale. Also present: Mayor Brigitte Jackson, Solicitor Megan Turnbull, Borough Manager Lorraine Makatura, Assistant Manager Brian O Malley, Engineer Kevin Brett. Absent: Tax Collector Ed Klicker Nelson moved: To accept the minutes of the November 21, 2017 Council meeting. Pascale moved: Pascale 2 nd To accept the Tax Collector s Report as submitted for the December 14, 2017 meeting. Lloyd 2 nd To approve the List of Bills as submitted for the December 14, 2017 meeting, in the following funds: General Fund $ 188,235.44 Health & Sanitation $ 507.88 Sewage Surcharge $ 18,235.44 Nelson 2 nd 1
To approve the November Profit Loss Report and November Treasurer s Balance Sheet Report as submitted on December 14, 2017. Crawford 2 nd PUBLIC COMMENT (Agenda Items): Paul Loedding No address given. Mr. Loedding owns a rental property at 118 Cleveland Ave. does not understand why the room is not filled with other landlords in regards to the Fire Inspection/Rental Operating License requirement. Mr. Loedding is upset that in 2013 his units passed and he paid $35 per unit. He received a letter that said his Fire Inspection/Rental Operating has expired in 2017 and he needs to pay $75 per unit. He would like Council to work with their third party inspector to keep the cost down. These fees are the rates are just being passed on without any consideration for this landlord and others. He provides a very good rental property and doesn t understand why Council has accepted the $75 per unit rate by the third party inspector. MAYOR: President Klicker commented that we have been down this road many times before and yes there have been increases since the 2002 ordinance was passed. He said that Council would be exploring pricing soon for the third party inspector contract when the contract is up with a Request for Proposal. President Klicker thanked Mr. Loedding for coming to the meeting. December 9 th was the Brighten the Season event and Mayor Jackson offered thanks to all that were involved. Avalon Volunteer Fire Department is still selling Christmas Trees and invited everyone to check out the visit from Santa program. Spoke about the KDKA news segment about Chief Kokoski and Officer DiCesare. Mayor Jackson made a donation to Mary s Bears and Balls on behalf of the Borough of Avalon from her daughter s project to collect teddy bears and stuffed animals for the police to give to children in certain situations. Councilmember Lloyd thanked Mayor Jackson for her dedication to the Borough during her term as Mayor. 2
ENGINEER: 2017 Road Program Work has been completed and final change orders are being completed. All projects came in under budget. CDBG Grants Most of the ADA Ramps have been completed and the Demolition project has begun. Storm/Sanitary Sewers Will be preparing a sewer module permit for the sewer line connection at the Pool. Letter has been sent to Bellevue s engineer about working together to address storm water/sewer issues near the joint sanitary sewer line on West Bellevue Road. On December 1 st the Sewer Flow Reduction Study was sent to DEP. GROW Grant bid documents will be put together for January. SECRETARY/MANAGER: None at this time. SOLICITOR: None at this time. QVCOG: Next meeting will be in Emsworth. Library: The Library is creating their 2018 budget currently. The Friends of the Avalon Library are hoping to have the new ADA door installed in early 2018. Since this is his last meeting as a Councilmember, Councilman Lloyd wanted to talk about all the great things that Council has accomplished as a group over the last 8 years while he has been on Council. He wanted to thank everyone here for making that happen. 3
FINANCE: Pascale moved: To accept Ordinance #1366, establishing an annual storm and sewage line maintenance program. Nelson 2 nd McWilliams, Nelson, Pascale, Lloyd, Klicker, Crawford, Narcisi, McFeeley - YEA Donnelly NAY (8-1 VOTE) To accept Ordinance #1374 fixing the compensation for council members for the Avalon Borough at $1,875 per year. Councilman Pascale said that this was a downward adjustment for the correct amount based on population and the PA Borough Code. To accept the 2018 Avalon Borough Budget as advertised. Nelson 2nd To advertise Ordinance #1375, an Ordinance levying an ad valorum real estate tax and fixing the rate at 9.83 mills for the tax year 2018. Lloyd 2 nd Councilman Pascale noted that this is unchanged from last year and has been for a number of years now. To accept the proposal from WesBanco for investment and custodial services for the Police and Non-Uniform Pension plans, effective January 1, 2018. To advertise the January 2, 2018, Avalon Borough Reorganization Meeting, and all 2018 council, committee, and planning commission schedules. Nelson 2 nd 4
Councilwoman Donnelly mentioned that the Borough has handouts for the ALCOSAN program for income eligible customers that are struggling with their bills. SAFETY: Narcisi moved: To accept Resolution #1151 recognizing Brigitte Jackson for her service as the Interim Mayor of Avalon Borough for 2017. Lloyd 2 nd Council President Klicker presented Mayor Jackson with a framed copy of the resolution. To advertise Ordinance #1376, an ordinance to conduct annual Commercial Fire Safety Inspections. Pascale 2nd To advertise Ordinance #1377, an ordinance defining the Office of the Fire Marshal. Crawford 2 nd To approve a handicap parking space to be located at or near 511 Marie Avenue. McWilliams, Nelson, Donnelly, Lloyd, Klicker, Crawford, Narcisi, McFeeley - YEA Pascale NAY (8-1 VOTE) To approve a handicap parking space to be located at or near 637 Park Avenue. 5
PUBLIC WORKS: Crawford moved: To accept the proposal from Anago Cleaning Systems for cleaning services at the Avalon Library and Borough Building, effective January 1, 2018. Narcisi 2 nd BOROUGH DEVELOPMENT: McWilliams moved: To accept the ALCOSAN resolution fixing the 2018 sewer rates and charges at $7.42 / 1000 gallons and a customer service charge of $15.60, with a 7% yearly increase to follow for years 2019 through 2021. 4 th of July: No Report. McFeeley, McWilliams, Nelson, Pascale - YEA Crawford, Donnelly, Klicker, Narcisi, - NAY (4-4 Tie) Mayor Jackson voted NAY MOTION FAILS Allegheny County League of Municipalities: Councilwoman Donnelly noted that she was sworn in as the 3 rd Vice-President of ALOM and 1 st Vice-President of our region. Chamber of Commerce: Mayor Jackson spoke of the light-up night that was well attended. 6
NEW BUISINESS: McWilliams moved: To approve resolution #1152 prohibiting the location of a Category 4 Mini- Casino licensed facility within the Borough. PUBLIC COMMENT (Non-Agenda Items): Nelson moved to adjourn at 7:36 pm Crawford 2 nd Respectfully submitted Lorraine Makatura Lorraine Makatura Borough Secretary 7