REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013
BOROUGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM – MINUTES
THE REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OF THE GLASSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL, EUGENE SKERKOSKI.
Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL: Bradley, present; Crncic, present; Kowalski, present; Kudla, present; Skerkoski, present; Trunzo, absent; DiMarco, absent; Mayor Evanovich, present.
BIDS FOR THE AUDITORS WERE OPENED BY THE SOLICITOR, GARY MATTA:
1. Case/Sabatini Auditors – Not a bid proposal. Audit finding letter-material weaknesses
P.O. Box 10885
Whitehall Towers
470 Street Run Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-2023 (Given to Borough Manager)
2. ParenteBeard/LLC
20 Stanwix Street, Suite 800
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 – Declined to submit a proposal
3. DeBlasio & DeBlasio Associates 1 Yr. 3 Yr.
266 Frye Farm Road $7,500 plus out of pocket $7,450 plus out of pocket
Greensburg, PA 15601 (travel, copies,gas,printing) $7,550 plus out of pocket
$7,650 plus out of pocket
4. Alpern Rosenthal
339 Sixth Avenue, 8th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 – Declined to submit a proposal
5. Maher Duessel 3 Yr.
503 Martindale Street-Ste. 600 $7,800
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-5746 $8,025
$8,250
6. Theresa Shanta 1 Yr.
1503 Thistle Dr., Greensburg $7,850
Gary Matta, Solicitor, said they are all in the same price bracket. The out of pocket expenses could run into cost with the mileage.
John DeSue said that he met with Maher Duessel along with Nancy Crncic, Mayor Evanovich and Andrea Foster and the girl that was from the firm was very good.
Mayor Evanovich said they were professional and timely.
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John DeSue said we always had the audits done in a timely fashion.
Dave Kowalski, Councilman, said why wasn’t I invited to the meeting.
John DeSue, Borough Manager, said it wasn’t a scheduled meeting.
Mayor Evanovich said she was the only one who took it upon herself to come in.
Gary Matta said DeBlasio is $7500 and there are out of pocket issues and Maher Duessel is $300 more with no out of pocket expenses.
Find out what out of pocket expenses are for DeBlasio & DeBlasio.
Eugene Skerkoski, Vice President, said we could ask the three bidding firms to come in if you want, Mr. Kowalski.
Dave Kowalski, Council, said I would vote on it now if that’s what Council wants.
Solicitor Gary Matta said even if you are satisfied with one bidder I would recommend that the Board contact them. It depends with what the needs are here.
John DeSue, Borough Manager, said we have had a problem with the last auditor for the last few years. They got nothing done. We posed all of these questions to the firm that we met with and I was very satisfied.
Eugene Skerkoski, Vice President of Council said we should table the bidders until we have time to review the paperwork.
Nancy Crncic, Council, remarked for the secretary to call every one of us the next time there is a meeting.
Anna Kudla, Council, said if someone couldn’t attend, we have a summary of what went on at that meeting.
CITIZEN’S CONCERNS AND REQUESTS: There were no residents signed up.
Motion: Crncic seconded by Bradley
That the minutes of the Regular Monthly Meeting of January 15, 2013, be accepted as written and made a part of the Borough Records.
Motion Carried.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Parks and Recreation: David Kowalski, Chair/Council
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Just a reminder that residents can register in February, 2013, for their kids to be signed up for all of the Borough events. These signups will be held on Tuesday and Saturday from 1 to 3 and March 2 to 5 is the extension for signups. There is a Coloring Contest going on right now for the kids. There will be no Easter Egg Hunt just a Pancake Easter Breakfast on March 23, at the American Legion Post 443.
I will attend a Community Conservation Grant Training Seminar at Franklin Park on February 26 to learn how to apply for this grant. This is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
SEWAGE COMMITTEE: Thomas Bradley, Chair/Council
Expenses for January, 2013………………………………….$ 42,093.61
Receipts January, 2013………………………………………..$ 34,490.61
Total Delinquent Sewage Collected is $12,477.00.
A new blower was purchased for the plant at a cost of $4,200
Chlorine Tank one ton - Ordered new scale 4500 with dual tanks 150 lbs.
We are scaling down on holding tank for chlorine. We will have this installed by next month’s meeting. Everything else is in good shape. I went to a political rally on Sunday and ran into Port Vue Mayor Brian Hranics. He is collecting aluminum cans during the Month of April, and would like to know if Glassport wants to join forces with them. This will include the elementary school.
The pick up date will be April 27 and he is donating all of the proceeds over to Children’s Hospital for families that have an emergency situation bringing their child to the hospital and the child is admitted. This money would provide the family with overnight accommodations until they get on their feet. I think it is a pretty good thing to get involved in. I will contact the Mayor and he will get the literature out to the Elementary School.
Eugene Skerkoski asked is there any way we can individually distribute this information.
Thomas Bradley said April 27 all of the recycling cans will be delivered to the Port Vue Municipal Garage. If we can let Glassport residents know, myself and whoever else could go and collect the aluminum cans from our residents.
Eugene Skerkoski said include us his article and give us some recognition.
Bradley said April was picked because of the A for Aluminum cans.
STREET AND LIGHT COMMITTEE: Terry DiMarco, President of Council read by Eugene Skerkoski
Month of January, 2013 Street report was read. There was an ice problem on Pacific Avenue. Signs were installed at the top and bottom of Pacific Avenue. The Bureau of Mines has come in and said they are responsible for this problem.
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MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY: Nancy Crncic, Chair/Council
Last year the Boro applied for a Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund (CITF) grant through TRCOG for the Youth Center renovation. This project met the program eligibility but was not granted because of the available funds at this time were not enough to grant all applications.
The Central Business District plan is now in the final stages. A public meeting will be held tomorrow at the Senior Center beginning at 5:00 with a presentation at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. This plan is being funded by a Community Development Block grant through Allegheny County Economic Development and administered by TRCOG.
POLICE & ORDINANCE COMMITTEE: Eugene Skerkoski, Chair/Council
Total mileage on the police cars was 4,240 (2007, 2010, 2011)
Parking Meters - $ 300.00 Traffic Citations……………. 18
Parking Violations $ 76.00 Non-Traffic Citations……. 12
JP Fines……………….$2,658.00
Total Police Calls………….. 343
Total Collected……$3,034.00 Arrests by Officer…………. 20 Citations by Traffic
UCR Reports are available upon request for the Month of January, 2013.
FIRE, WATER AND AMBULANCE COMMITTEES: Anna Kudla, Chair/Council
There were 23 incidents for the Month of January, 2013
Congratulated Wayne Lewis for the Fire Marshal Course that he took through Liberty Mutual for heroism and also recognize him for the Swift Water Rescue Team
SANITATION COMMITTEE: Paul Trunzo, Chair/Council
SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE: Paul Trunzo, Chair/Council
471 Meals were served
Next Bingo is Tuesday, March 5. Everyone is welcome
Income Tax Filing will be available for Seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm starting February 19th. Must sign up at the Center. Only three spaces remain open.
New Garbage Hauler will be Waste Management – They started on February 18, 2013.
AWARD BIDS FOR THE GARBAGE COLLECTION
Motion: Crncic seconded by Kowalski
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To award the Garbage bid to Waste Management beginning on Monday, February 18, 2013 in the amount of $10.80 per month first year, $11.12 per month second year, $11.46 per month third year and two option years.
Motion Carried.
John DeSue, Borough Manager, said everything is going to be identical to what you have. In time hopefully, everyone is going to put their garbage out and eventually they will have three trucks to pick up in one day and one truck to get into these little alleys.
Tom Bradley said the first bill will be for three and one half months. We are looking into some billing where you can pay for a year in advance.
Eugene Skerkoski said there intention is to do this for one month. They are going to transfer after one month.
Mayor Evanovich said Waste Management is making it look better. We now have clean garbage cans with lids on them. They will work with Council anytime. It will be addressed very quickly. Picking all the garbage up in one day is phenomenal.
Eugene Skerkoski said we will have to allow a little grace period even after all of the Borough residents have been notified. If there is only one day and someone gets left behind the garbage men will have to come back and pick it up.
MAYOR: Michael Evanovich
Read Police Report for the Month of January, 2013
Read letter of resignation from Nicholas Caito. He started a new position on February 4, 2013.
Motion: Kowalski seconded by Bradley
To accept the resignation of Nicholas Caito.
Motion Carried.
January, 2013 Juvenile Report – 9 Males (Ages 12 to 15) 4 Females (Ages 13 to 17)
A lot of this is children fighting with parents. A little more discipline is needed.
We will be going on a very aggressive ticketing venture. We have two drivers and six cars. There will be a lot of unhappy people out there.
Bob March said we have a lot of parking on the sidewalks that should be stopped too.
Mayor said if we have a car parked on the sidewalk pick up the phone and tell the police.
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Eugene Skerkoski said notify the police or notify the Borough Building. It is a matter of discretion. If the officer feels it is not a safety hazard it is his discretion.
Mayor Evanovich said just call 911 to get ahold of them directly.
Eugene Skerkoski said we have twenty five foot roads and we are limited on parking. The officer has to take a report and if he feels it is a traffic hazard he will tag and tow the vehicle.
Mayor Evanovich said we will be giving Civil Service tests to police officers in the near future.
We will be hiring one police officer to fill Mr. Caito’s position.
Dave Kowalski, Council, mentioned that Crime Watch is doing some exciting things. We joined the National Night Out. We are a registered member of National Night Out. Our goal is to have a blue light in each window in Glassport for support of the police officers and the fire department. We joined the NATW (National Association of Town Watchers). All of this is funded through Crime Watch. We will have a monthly report for Council Meetings.
Eugene Skerkoski, Vice President, thanked Mr. Kowalski and all the volunteers that are involved.
Without due diligence it will collapse. I appreciate all that they are doing and to keep everyone who is volunteering.
TREASURER’S REPORT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST – TRACY HARRIS, TREASURER
Total Revenues for January, 2013…………………………………………$ 82,885.04
Total Expenses for January, 2013………………………………………….$ 194,412.84
Excess of Revenues over Expenditures…………………………………$(111,527.80)
Total Cash Assets:…………………………………………………………………$ 488,411.52
Total Liabilities (Including 2013 TRAN Principle)…………………..$ 258,579.49
SOLICITOR: Gary Matta (Dodaro, Matta and Cambest)
Amendment to the Police Manual on Domestic Violence Calls and Updates
Motion: Bradley seconded by Kowalski
To amend the police manual on domestic violence calls and updates.
Motion Carried.
Resolution #1 (2-19-2013) – Borough Auditors Positions Eliminated from the Ballot
The Borough Code gives you the option to use elected or appointed auditors. Technically if you have them taken off the ballot this is just a housekeeping measure as stated by Gary Matta.
We have been using a CPA to do the audits. To be an elected auditor, you don’t have to be a CPA.
Motion: Kudla seconded by Crncic
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To have the three Borough Auditor positions eliminated immediately from the ballot.
Motion Carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Eugene Skerkoski, Vice President of Council
The Tax Anticipation Loan was funded to the Borough of Glassport General Fund in the amount of $200,000 on Tuesday, January 29, 2013. This loan was supplied by the First Commonwealth Bank at a Fixed rate of 1.90% with no penalty for early prepayment. Thanks to the help of Suzanne Parks this was a rather smooth transition.
Received a check from SBA Monarch Towers in the amount of $1,035.00 for the cell phone tower lease.
Penn E & R Environmental & Remediation, Inc., has submitted a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Renewal Application NPDES Permit No. PAQ214396 for Three Rivers
Marine & Rail Terminals, LP located at Glassport and Lincoln Boroughs. This facility was purchased on October 19, 2012, and Three Rivers now intends to submit a renewal application for the same NPDES Permit. Still pending last meeting. Eugene Skerkoski, Vice President, said we had a meeting with the President on what was going to transpire. The solicitor was here and all of Council was invited. The solicitor stated that we did send a letter for a thirty day extension. Mr. Skerkoski stated that after the meeting transpired, he felt that they are making updates to what was there. We had issues with the dirt, noise and hauling with the last company but the President received all of these issues quite well and if we start getting complaints we will start citing them. That remains to be seen until they start operations. They wanted to start operations at 6:00 am, but the noise ordinance states they cannot start until 7:00 am and finish at 4:00 pm. We told them about all the complaints that we had and we assured them that if we start receiving complaints, we will start knocking on their door.
Received a confirmation on the AIM Loan for the 2010 Police Car. The unpaid principal is $17,759.40, and paid through December 31, 2012. The annual interest rate is 1.79%. Date of note was 12/15/2009. Final payment due date is June, 2015. Payments are $5,919.80 each year
For five years. The loan was for $30,000.
A transfer was made to Guggenheim Life Insurance Company from The Hartford Life Insurance in the amount of $75,000 to cover the expenses for the retired police officers.
Pennsylvania American Water Company is offering its environmental grant program for 2013. They are seeking programs that result in positive environmental changes. Watershed protection activities, biodiversity projects and surface/ground water protection education programs are a few examples of possible entries on the 2013 programs.