Good evening. It's my pleasure to
welcome everyone to the March 17th, 2026
Verona Burough Council workshop super
committee meeting. Please join me in
standing for the pledge of allegiance
to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for its
oney.
>> Roll call, please. Is Mr. Russell
>> Sparling?
I hear you. Is he online?
He
>> says he will be there in five minutes.
>> Councilman Jamales
>> present. Counciloman Rodriguez.
>> Councilwoman Carpenter present.
Councilwoman Redzac
>> present.
>> Councilman Long
>> here. Councilwoman Provenza
>> present.
>> Mayor Cooper
on either
>> and then Jacob Russell is the f manager.
I'm here.
>> Welcome.
Um before we begin, um I just want to
take a quick moment to um first thank
Jason Dailyaly who's been serving as our
interim burrow manager for the last
approximately eight months. Um he will
will be continuing on as a trainer um
while Jacob gets acclimated. Um we'll be
discussing that proposal in a little
bit. Um but I just want to give him a
warm round of applause for providing the
bureau um leadership during this time.
joining later via Zoom. But we also got
him um a beer mug because hopefully now
he can relax a little more and enjoy a a
beverage of his choosing with the less
time he'll be spending in our bureau. Um
I also of course want to welcome our new
permanent burough manager um Jacob here
who is running uh his first meeting with
us tonight. Um we're so happy to have
you Jacob. Um, thank you so much for um,
your interest in serving in this
capacity for our burrow. Um, we also
have a small token for you as well.
>> Um,
>> which is just a coffee mug because you
will need all the caffeine once you get
started.
>> And we take it as a good sign that
you're starting on St. Patrick's Day.
Hopefully lots of love for all of us.
Let's get the welcome.
>> Uh, no. I'm just excited to get started.
Um, yeah, a lot to learn, but uh, I
think we'll we'll all learn together.
>> Thank you. Um, also before we get to
comments, um, I'd like to allow speakers
if there are any additional agenda items
at this time.
>> Yes, I believe there are.
Let me see what they are.
Um,
let's see here.
>> Um, Tim may have one. Um, would you like
to
>> um on the agenda? So, we need to add it
to it.
>> Oh,
>> yeah. So, I'm looking for a motion to
add the voting.
>> I'll motion to add.
>> Very good. Okay. We have a motion by
councelor Long to add the voting of a
$7,500
firet truck repair for inspection um for
discussion and voting on the agenda
tonight. Do I have a second?
>> Second.
>> Second by councelor Carpenter. Are there
any comments or questions? All those in
favor to add that
>> I.
>> Are there any opposed? We'll add that
item. Are there any other agenda items
to add?
>> Um yes. I believe we need to
uh add an item about discussion
discussing the committee priorities and
deadlines.
>> Yes. Very good. Councelor Hender, you're
making a motion to add the discussion of
council committee priorities action
items and deadlines for this year agenda
for tonight. Do I have a second?
>> Second by councelor Penza. Thank you.
Questions or comments? All those in
favor? Hi.
>> Are there any oppos? We'll add that as
well.
>> And
I believe there might be another
discussion that we want to have that's
not on the agenda. Make a motion to add
um a discussion on policies for how we
interview or hire new part-time police
officers.
Thank you, Councelor Carpenter. Uh
there's a motion on the floor to add the
agenda for tonight discussion on the
policy for how council interview
interviews and hires new part-time
police officers. Is there a second?
>> Second by councelor Penza. Any comments
or questions? All those in favor?
>> Are there any oppos?
Very good. We will be adding that to our
discussion for tonight as well.
With those three additions, we'll move
on to section four, registered comments
from the public, which there are none.
So, we'll move on to section five,
comments from the public. This time,
council will hear comments on public
related matters. Please approach the
podium or raise your virtual hand. State
your name and address and limit your
remarks to 3 minutes or less. Comments
should focus on burough business,
policies, or actions, council versus
thoughtful feedback on decisions and
performance while maintaining respectful
and constructive dialogue. Any comments
from the public?
>> We'll go ahead with audience first.
>> Let me bring up
>> I I talk pretty loud. So,
>> um my vice president is so
as well.
>> Yeah.
>> Uh my name is Michael Brown. I live at
547 East Railroad Avenue. Um
my concern is the sidewalks going down
east railroad and subsequent areas uh
Diamond Way uh several of the road
paths. Um, the burrow had told me last
year that a lot of these were privately
maintained by the residents and it's my
understanding that railroad east and
west are actually burrow property and
I'd like to at some point get
confirmation on that because I'm unable
to use a power wheelchair to navigate
and the doctors have been trying to take
my license away uh because of my
condition because they don't want they
do not want me driving but that's the
only way I could get around if I need to
get something for myself. My wife is not
available.
So, I'm just looking at some point if we
can find out how we can make these uh
accessible for everyone. I know there's
others a girl from the hill that walks
the walker
>> in the street that people are
complaining about and it's because she
said she can't use the sidewalks.
>> So,
>> yes, absolutely. We can get clarity on
it.
>> Can you please restate your name again?
>> Michael Brown. Michael Brown.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you, Joey.
Are there other public comments from the
audience? If not, we'll move on to the
one on Zoom.
I
>> think uh
>> H has to raise their hand again
>> if they still want to talk.
>> Can you just allow her to talk?
Heather.
>> Hi Heather. Did you wish to make a
comment?
>> Hello.
I'm sorry I I couldn't hear you guys. Um
my name's Heather Fern. I live at 558
Spruce Street. Um my concern was the uh
sidewalk on the corner of Center and
Second. I'm so glad to see some work
being done on that. Um and understand
the weather has not been cooperative. I
get it that it snowed. Um, but I would
just like to suggest that since there's
now a ginormous hole there, that if
maybe we could get like a lighted um
horse there just to alert people that
there is a giant hole in that entire
section of sidewalk is now completely
missing.
>> Yeah.
>> Lighted what?
like a lighted horse like that you would
put near a giant hole so that people
know that it's there because that's
where the kids the high school kids
catch the bus in the morning,
>> right? Or like traffic cones or um
>> Well, they had traffic cones but with
the wind they blew away.
>> Oh, I see. Okay. So, something more
stable.
>> Right. Right. just until because I know
it's going to be a few days now before
they're able to even pour the cement
because of the the temperature
obviously, but um just so no one else no
one falls into the hole that um
something's there to keep people safe.
>> Absolutely. Um this should be a
straightforward one. Jacob, do you mind
asking AJ to bring this up?
>> Are there any other comments from the
public?
Okay, great. Um, we'll be moving on then
to section six. We have the financial
report for tonight.
Um, councelor Carpenter is chair of
finance, do you mind giving us a brief
update?
>> I will do my best, but I make no
guarantees. It's okay.
I got it.
Okay, what I can tell you is for the
month of February that we brought in
$101,17326
and we spent
$26,943.77
for a net income of$105,77051.
1 cents. However, please keep in mind
that at this time of year, that's
usually the case. We do have money in
the bank. Um, and as soon as March,
April, May comes around, we will be
getting our taxes and those numbers will
be much better. Um, any other questions
about finance? Um Jason, our interim
burough manager will be joining us on
Zoom in a in a few minutes and um he can
make time maybe if people have
questions.
>> He could answer them.
>> He's on Zoom now.
>> Oh, is he? Can we just make him into a
panelist maybe?
There you go. Thank you.
>> Hi, Jason.
>> Hi, everybody. How are you?
>> Uh maybe you want to add something more
to the finance report.
>> No, I think that was pretty thorough,
Nance. That was um that was pretty good.
Um, yeah, I think you're you're spot on
that,
you know, we usually run a little bit in
deficit here for the first three months
and, you know, as our EIT and our real
estate taxes start to come in, we will
um, you know, start to, you know, see
that positive revenue start to come in.
So, that's um, you know, that's pretty
accurate.
>> Okay. Thank you.
Are there any questions or comments from
council on the finance
um financial report for tonight?
>> All right. Um we'll be moving on then to
section seven discussion items. Um, I'm
going to go ahead and have us start with
one of our added items, which is the
discussion of council priorities, action
items, and deadlines with our
consultant, Tracy Boltz. Um, just for a
little bit of context for anyone who may
have not been here through the beginning
of the year, but Tracy's been leading us
through a series of exercises in the
absence of a comprehensive plan where as
a council, we brainstormed a myriad of
things that we would like to accomplish
in the next six to 18 months. And then
we ranked them um and we sorted them um
at our last meeting into general areas.
So, tonight we're going to be um taking
a more narrow look at uh the items and
uh an action item for each of the items
that our committees are moving forward.
Um so, Tracy will lead the discussion,
but um it'll be largely with the chair
of each committee where we then return
these items with Jacob's help. So,
thanks to you both for your help with
this.
>> Absolutely.
>> Thank you for having me again. This has
been fun process with all of you. I
think it's been um very very
enlightening and everything like that.
So what I have um on the presentation
this evening is what we last time when
we had the super committee meeting we
added the different priorities and
everything to it. And if you recall we
have the short term which is the 3 to
six months the midterm which is 6 to 12
months and then the long kind of like
the long term which is 12 to 18 months.
So you can go ahead and move to the next
slide. So what we're going to do tonight
is we're going to talk a little bit
about discussion on the priorities and
we're really going to try to focus on
the short term so we can look at some
timelines and deliverables. Um so we can
come to we you know once we start
building this out and Jason or Jason
I've talked about it but I've also
talked a little bit with Jacob. We're
going to start building it out kind of
into like a major spreadsheet, putting
together all of the different
committees, putting together timelines,
that type of thing. Really having some
deliverables. But right now tonight,
what we want to do is have each
committee focus on the 3 to six month
priorities. Talk a little bit about it,
timelines, deliverables, and like I
said, and Jacob's going to capture it.
Okay. So we will start if you can move
to the next slide. We will start with
the executive and administrative um with
Trish as the lead Nancy and John. So
looking at the short term and remember
we added some different items to this.
So I want you to take a look at the
short term. I want you to just think
amongst yourselves and then just really
really just facilitate a discussion on
when you think timelines are going to be
what's happening. I know for instance I
think John I know you already started
talks with Owan so that's already in
progress so like like what's the next
step on that so like I'm going to pause
right there because this is your show
this is your your baby I'm just helping
so um go ahead and
talk about like we hire manager done
check the box we've already met it
initiating talks you want to talk a
little bit about that
What would with the one?
>> Yeah. Like where the status of it,
what's your timeline?
>> Well, we're we're going to be meeting
and we're uh we're just initiating right
now. Just a just engaging to see
throwing ideas ideas out on just how we
can build a just kind of a little joint
committee.
>> Okay.
>> Where we can just
>> pause you real quick. I'm going to just
like read the description just so
context. Yeah. So, this is a new
committee that we created after having
um Dormmont's assistant bureau manager
come and talk and we realized um there
was a lot that was being handled by um
the president and vice president and now
prom that weren't visible or being
captured. So, um we decided to copy
Dormmont in more ways than one and add
this committee. So, there's full
transparency about all the decision-
making and things that are going on. Um
so the purpose of this committee is to
overcome thorough operations, personnel
matters, intergovernmental coordination.
Shall make recommendations to improve
and expedite the business and procedures
of council and its committees. The
committee is also charged with reviewing
staff support and training needs,
personnel policies, and fostering
cooperative relationship with
neighboring municipalities and regional
organizations each cause as well as
maintaining relations with state and
federal representatives. Um so what you
said is great. Um, you also attended the
last COG meeting. Um, and we're planning
to rotate our participation monthly in
the COG meetings. Um, are you planning
on going to additional Oakmont meetings
or should we rotate that as well?
>> Well, I didn't go to the last Oakmont
meeting. It was I think it was Nancy
that went to the last Oakmont.
>> It was okay. From February.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> But I also think Jacob might have
something to add.
>> Oh, yes. Are you meeting with anyone in
Oakmont?
>> Uh, yes. Um it's it's either tomorrow or
Thursday. I forget exactly which day. Um
because I added so many meetings to the
calendar
yesterday. Um but I'm meeting with the
burough manager. Um so we're just going
to discuss working together. Um you
know, different projects in the area. Um
a lot of what they do, you know, does
affect us and a lot of what we do
affects them. So it's good to keep those
lines of communication open.
>> Totally.
>> I'm hoping to meet with them pretty
regularly.
Yeah,
>> Scott could also maybe help as as a
mentor a little bit for Jacob, which
would be fantastic
>> and Jacob could help him back perhaps
with the latest and greatest that Jacob
has to know.
>> Yeah.
>> Um so if we were to capture an action
item for that item, I would say um
continued participation. Someone go to
the monthly meeting. So we'd have COG
covered. Um maybe one of us could go to
the house meeting this month or early
next month
>> for a book.
Yeah, Oakant meets on the first and
third Tuesdays. So, they're meeting
right now as well or they will at 7
o'clock. So, we won't be able to do it
on the third Tuesdays, but I can try to
go on the first Tuesdays
or whoever wants to go, but I'll do my
best.
>> That sounds great.
>> And then we could we could rotate to
COG,
>> you know, rather whoever wants to go.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Who is ever available. So, I know um in
lines with that uh Representative
McAnnandrew um wants to set up a meeting
with us. I'm not sure exactly when or
the format if he'll talk at a meeting or
if he prefer a smaller group to either
this community or finance or maybe a
committee meet with him regarding grants
and goals.
We want to talk a little bit about
obviously we implemented the super
committee structure. So check
>> I will add to that though um we've been
discussing a lot and I don't know how
much we've talked about it at a meeting
but we are considering this very much a
trial. Yeah.
>> Um so we will be reviewing midyear to
see if adjustments need to be made. The
big change from last year really other
than pushing the meters meet exclusive
together is that we don't have
advertised committee meetings. The
expectation is you are working with your
committee. however format works for you.
That could be phone calls, that could be
emails, that could be sharing materials,
but that you are meeting with them in
between meetings. If we aren't meeting
our action items that we're establishing
tonight, then um one thing we're
considering is asking everyone to have a
publicly advertised committee meeting
every month, the second half of this
year. But I want to give this pilot um a
go and see if we're able to accomplish
that without those because I know they
can be very stressful um requiring an
agenda and so much communication.
So I would say um the action item is to
review mid year. Also we won't have this
meeting in May. So
um just pointing that out.
>> That's a good that's a I think that's a
good um a good review of where you are.
You know what I mean? As far as this
goes, because again, other communities
do it, other communities. Yeah. So, it's
definitely Yeah.
>> What about um the insurance renewal,
>> right? And I'm going to grab a pen.
Sorry.
>> I can speak to that,
>> please.
I know that then Jason is here on Zoom,
too, but I think we're well on our way
to looking into a a new um
company uh depending on what their
proposal comes up with.
>> Is that 7C is on the agenda?
>> What's that?
>> 7C employee benefit renewal.
>> Yes. Okay, great.
>> So, Jason, maybe when we get to employee
benefit renewal, you could speak to
that.
Yep, that sounds good.
>> Okay, thanks.
>> Okay, then and then you can probably
establish Jacob, you establish a
timeline and when that is happening and
something like that because if it's
happening now, you're you're going to
probably have that done within the next
month.
>> Yeah,
>> we we need to have the proposal
completed and uh decided upon by April
1st because it takes the company,
whatever insurance company, broker, I
don't quite know how it goes. um they
need 30 days to get everything figured
out because our renewal date is May 1st.
>> Yeah. Yep. That makes perfect sense.
And then what about the DPW contract?
>> Yeah, I forgot about that.
>> DPW that's coming up. We need to do it.
>> I mean, and I don't mean to put anyone
on the spot. I think I think that I just
I mean I know that we want to capture
some timelines and we really want to
kind of put this out there and stuff
like that. So I I don't again I don't
mean to put you on the spot, but if you
want to just throw out there a date and
we can move it or do something like
that. What do you think about that,
Trish?
>> That's excellent. Um so we'll have to
get that in place obviously by the end
of the year. It is great that we have uh
our labor attorney in place now to help
expedite the contracts process. So, we
really need to start, I think, with like
the first year with the three of us, but
um you know, it's not super urgent,
would be on the radar.
>> I I would I would think we would need to
get that started early. Earlier, the
better negotiations
agree.
>> Okay. So,
>> push that too late in the year could be
bad,
>> right? Agreed. Um better to be early
than than not. So I guess we will
verbalize that as we will meet to review
the contracts before our next super
committee meeting
>> and then um the police pension funding.
I'm so glad this is going there. So,
this is super important to me, I think,
to all of us because we do have a
phenomenal chief now who is rebuilding
our department with officers and I think
we are all very proud of. Um, we owe it
to them to give them everything that
they're entitled to and they deserve.
And one opportunity for improvement is
our pension fund is currently still
underrefunded.
Um, fortunately, there are a couple ways
that we could address this that don't
involve tax increases. And one is
putting an RFP out to look for different
alternative plans that would offer a
higher rate of return. It's going to be
a somewhat complex process that um, we
probably look to have Jason's guidance,
Jacob. Um, I'm hoping even during this
transition period, it's something you
can help us spearhead because every time
every amount of time that passes, we're
basically losing what we owe these
wonderful people that are serving and
protecting us. Um, so as far as an
action item for that, um, Jason, I don't
know if you have bandwidth to help us
begin to draft that RFP for the police
pension funding.
Yeah, I actually have a uh a model RFP
that we could use for that and kind of
outline that process. Um, you know, my
thought is is that, you know, this is
probably, you know, probably one of
those midterm goals that, you know, we
could probably get started, you know, I
would say probably within the next 60
days, uh, for sure to get that, you
know, to get that process started and
start having some education with council
and Jacob on, you know, what that, you
know, what that process you would look
like. But um you know maybe with the
target goal of having the uh RFP on the
street by you know maybe May you know
May 1st or or somewhere along there or
miday maybe even. So um I think I think
that's a realistic target and then with
the with the goal of having the plan
being in place um and a change made you
know definitely by the end of the year
there is a there is definitely a
transition that takes place with this
whenever you you change pension plans
and and it can take you know seven
months. uh one community I was working
with, it took a year, you know, to make
the to make the uh the total change
over, but it all starts with this
education and and RFP process.
>> Phenomenal. Um so, could we put that on
the agenda for the April super committee
meeting?
>> Yeah, I think Yeah, for sure. I think
that's a good idea and um I can work
with Jacob on lining up, you know,
someone to come in to uh talk about the
uh the the plan and change process and
also have a draft RFP for you for that
uh for that meeting.
>> Awesome. Thank you so much.
>> And what we can do, Jacob, is we can
move that to a midterm goal as long as
rest of council as long as the committee
approves that. Mhm.
>> Okay. Yeah, that'll be a little
>> And then the last one is obviously the
junior council project assignment for
our wonderful junior council person,
John, and we've figured it out or worked
on it yet.
>> We've done the process. Do you want to
share the latest update?
>> Yeah, the latest update is that we have
found a former council person who's
willing to be a mentor for both John and
Ally. Um I don't know, is Ally on Zoom
by any chance?
So, no. Okay. Just wondering. She can
watch the uh the recording. And so, um
we're still uh working on exactly what
that mentor would do for them. I have
sent him any of the information
that I h uh was available to me about
junior council photographs. I'm sure you
can find a lot on the internet and uh
we'll we'll develop a plan and help
these guys out and probably make it
official at the business meeting in
April.
>> I'm hoping you can attend um and bring
your your mom back and we like
officially um
make this a thing.
Mayor's proclamation.
Yes.
>> Okay. Um and I don't know if the draft
junior counselor work template has been
shared yet.
>> I shared it with the mentor personally
but and then I left it to him to figure
out where he how he wanted to go and
also also gave him Amanda's information.
>> Okay, great. Um maybe just uh certainly
before the next super committee meeting
because uh we have business meeting but
just maybe in um Dave and Steve if you
have any questions or need some
>> Absolutely.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Great. Okay. Yeah. And and as long as
you're okay, I'm going to move to the
next committee. So again, I think we got
some action steps as well as timelines
for the short term.
if there's anything you're missing.
>> I'm just going to comment real quick on
the employee manual. Yes.
>> Um because that is on the agenda for
tonight as well as that being the HR
manual update. Um John, I was going to
let you speak to this when we get to it.
But just as a heads up for everyone, we
were thinking an easier way for us all
to digest it is just taking a chunk of
that every super committee meeting and
just reviewing a chapter at a time as a
council with your new brow manager um
collectively.
And if you have any thoughts on that
because I know you're
>> No, I'm willing to I want to get that
across the finish line. You know that,
Sean. Like we have to get that across
the finish line. That's like one of the
big things. So, yes, absolutely. So,
>> um
Okay. So, we'll move on to finance.
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, uh let me read
the definition. Yes.
>> Finance grants and long-term fiscal
planning. This is held by Nancy, John,
and we added we added myself to this as
well. Um, shall review and make
recommendations regarding the bureau's
fiscal health, bud practices, and
long-term financial sustainability.
Shall examine spending efficiency,
capital funding, pensions, and
obligations, and report to council with
recommendations. The committee shall
also manage a grant schedule and
timeline, ensure appropriate matches,
and seek opportunities to leverage
grants and place borrow funds when
possible.
Thank you.
And honestly, we have only like fewer
short-term goals, but bigger shortterm
goals for these. Yeah. So, Nancy and
John, do you want to like let us know
where you are with the police grant
application?
What we we're looking as far as action
steps and timeline.
>> Well, I'm not sure about the police
grant application. I would defer to our
police chief.
>> I can comment. Um the cost federal grant
that we applied for last year is not yet
open, right? Um last year we did hire a
consultant for a fee of around $1,000 to
help us navigate the bureaucracies
associated with federal grant
application. Unfortunately, we were
unsuccessful. Um however, we at least
have some of the basic knowledge in
place to reapply. Most notably an
account that we presume we know how to
access it still. I haven't personally,
but I think you have
>> somewhat
>> somewhat. Um and then Chief Asel also
shared with me earlier, we do have some
members of the community with expertise
in grant writing. Um so we're willing to
take a stab at it again perhaps with the
help of volunteers this time. Um instead
of consulting
>> um so as soon as that opens we'll
discuss next steps.
>> I think it generally opens in May.
>> That's what I remember.
>> So we can record that as an action item.
Um letting everyone know when that's
open.
>> Yeah.
>> Closes. Nancy,
>> it's short. I think it was 30 days.
>> 30 days. Okay. So, it still should
probably remain on the short.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, contact P&L for training. What is
P&L?
>> I don't know. That's like,
>> you know,
>> it was something about training. I'm
trying to think what you brought up last
time. So, I'm pretty sure I unless it's
another acronym and I transcribed it
incorrectly. Um, that could be. So,
something about training and I don't I
think it was training for council as
well as employees that type of thing. I
mean, we could take it off if you think,
but that's not
>> Was it on one of the posty notes?
>> It may have been posty. Okay,
>> I have those, but I'll look them later.
Okay.
>> So,
>> we can table it.
>> Clarification.
>> Yeah. No, we could table we could table
it. Maybe maybe it'll come back to us. N
>> there was a lot of trans.
>> All right. Institute a pension plan
committee. So I have heard over the
years that some bureaus have a separate
committee for the pension plan because
it is so um you know a little bit
overwhelming and a complication but I've
just been sort of letting Jason do his
thing on this and waiting you know for
for what might be the next steps.
>> Okay. Do you mind if I suggest that
maybe you table that or we put that onto
more of the long term? If we're going to
go through the RFP process, go through a
whole process like that. Maybe that is
something that you do not need to do at
this point and put it on a longer term.
>> Yeah, I would. Yes, that's a great idea.
I like it. Um, under the 6 to 12 though,
I would say work with manager produce
quarterly budget. Um the first quarter
is going to be over at the end of this
month.
>> So my hope is that maybe at the next
super committee meeting that we could
present something
>> uh for the first quarter. So that could
actually it could switch places with the
pension plan thing at least
and um
sure
>> is that you're I'm sorry. Is that where
you're developing a real time of budget
report? Is that what you're talking
about or you're talking about?
>> No. The third one under 6 to 12 months
>> um is going to happen in the next 3 to 6
months because it's it we're going to be
looking at the first quarter which is 3
months in. So
>> So that can move to 3 to 6 months.
>> Yes.
>> But that's all I need to say about that
unless John or Trish want to add
anything
>> with finance.
No,
>> I was you sent an email um where you had
a whole bunch of items. I just
>> I did. I know. Um but I thought they
were mostly captured in this.
>> Okay, that's all.
>> Yeah,
>> good for now.
>> Okay. All right. So, we can move on to
the next committee. Next slide.
>> Profit and loss was the other
>> profit and loss training.
>> Profit and loss training. Thank you,
Joey.
>> Thank you. I thought it profit and loss
but okay that didn't make sense.
>> All right. Do you want should um council
president do you want to read the
do you want to read the definition?
>> Yes I'm happy to. As everyone can see
this is John's committee with Kelly and
Curtis right now. And this committee
shall uh so communication community
engagement shall oversee bureau
communications and resident engagement
to ensure transparency and
accessibility. shall review and
recommend improvements to communication
platforms including the website, social
media, and alerts. The committee shall
also coordinate with a citizens advisory
board of boards, develop systems for
resident feedback, and ensure that
burough ordinances are accessible to the
public and regularly updated to reflect
current policies and practices.
>> Thank you.
So, John, do you want to let us know
where we are with the establishing a
citizens advisory board? Yeah. So last
week uh we met with uh Jason Albertie
and uh Colin Wehagen with the RAA
and uh to get kind of some feedback uh
on how we can craft a a uh an advisory
board. Uh you know, and we've you know,
we've been kicking this thing around,
you know, since last week. And I also
had some
a couple emails from the public
um
some feedback from from last meeting,
you know, with uh how we should
construct it and u you know I had made
the suggestion last week where thought
that we should have various stakeholders
of you know different organizations such
as you know
chamber and garden club and you know
ruining club would have you be involved
>> you know but uh you know that
there was another
uh resident that thought that you know
maybe we should have it as you know have
other residents that perhaps are are not
don't have a voice
>> be involved
Um
the other the meeting that we had last
week, uh you know, we talked about
having it more I guess having it a
different theme every year
more like geared towards parks and wreck
for this year to try to like
enhance our parks and make
make a more, you know, aesthetic or, you
know, try to
somehow
uh fix everything up and not spend as
quite as much money perhaps. I don't
know. Um,
>> I will add
>> what what what you know, tell me how
you're
>> You're doing great. Um, yes, I suggested
having a focus area of the boards. Um
because I think different people are
interested in different things and
reflecting on our time on council the
last couple years um one contentious
issue is the harmonious relationship
between the different users of some of
our recreation facilities. Um and no way
to um you know neglect the input of
recreation board which does do a lot to
ensure assets are updated plan different
events. Um this is more uh to get
feedback from users on how we make
everything um maximize the the use and
um the collaboration between everyone.
Um, so in some ways I think you were
successful in capturing some people who
may not be otherwise recommended because
to my knowledge there really isn't
anyone from RA currently um talking and
um Jason's obviously the president parks
and rack but it's nice to talk with him
as well with you being head of this
committee. Um, so I think one of my
questions right now is who else would be
helpful to capture. Um, that could maybe
be what our action is is figuring out
what other stakeholders are missing in
this conversation.
Um, be it PTO or other park users. I
don't know. That's a question.
Um and also um like
>> business owners or or right um
you know
>> I think you can really get creative with
it like I mean honestly and I think
it'll probably be ever evolving but you
could start with like a certain number
of you know potentially like looking at
different things like I'm just thinking
and you know this too John I'm thinking
of like a work safety committee you have
like a certain number of management a
certain number of employees and like you
know to get like you know so
I mean, it's your your oyster. Yeah.
>> I I forgot we also have that as a
discussion item later, so we can
>> Okay. Pause that for now. Although, I
did want to ask um Tracy or anyone in
your experience with other councils. Um
that's something where you would
officially appoint members of the public
for a period of time. Um because I think
some framework might be good.
>> I honestly do not have any experience
with citizens advisory boards. Um I
don't Jason probably does. He might be
more of the expert. I don't know if he's
>> How large of a board?
>> My guess is less than like 10 like do
you know what I mean? If that would be
Yeah. I mean, so if you're I mean, we
can do you want to put as far as like
just some notes and the action steps is
kind of establish the
>> establish like the to council presidents
establish the the mix of it and then
maybe by next subcommittee meeting at
least come with a super committee come
with that.
>> Yeah. The framework.
>> Yeah. And again, I you know, I when I
spoke last week, I you know, I had an
initial idea that I wanted to have is
stakeholders that were kind of already
uh and I and I get that, you know,
the people that already uh have these
organizations that already, you know,
the presidents of, you know,
chamber, they're already talking to us.
>> Mhm.
>> I get that.
>> So, they're already here
>> and I totally get that and I and I
that's something I you know I understand
that.
>> So, yes, maybe we do need to have some
outreach to
maybe some other corners in the
community that, you know, some people
that
>> don't have a voice
>> and need to be heard. So, uh, but I I
would love to find out how we can reach
out to them or
bring them into the
>> um
I'm sorry.
>> No, I'm just saying that's perfect. Go
ahead.
>> Yeah, I was going to say, is there
anything midterm or long-term that um
Kelly, Curtis, and John, any of you want
to kind of like just bring up think that
you already started working on? Anything
of that nature?
I just wanted to say that I think that
we're going to finally start to make
some headway on the billboards that
people have been complaining about. It
is in the description, you know, um you
know, rural communications, resident
engagement, um that kind of thing. So,
um we're getting closer. I I believe I
think with Jacob here and John too could
do some training with ScreenHub and
learn how to work those billboards.
>> Okay. Do we want to put that on a
short-term go list like the list then?
>> Yeah, I think it'd be good to not be
saying happy holidays on the billboards.
>> Okay. So, we will add a shortterm
um billboard
management.
>> Find it charming at this point. Um, I'm
wondering if we can't since there are
less short-term items for this
committee, if we can't break a
short-term action item off of one of the
net or long-term goals. Um for example
ensure website and social media
containing and um maybe we could take
some piece of that um a review of our
social media page maybe looking at other
platforms or what would be like
effective communication just
>> I could suggest one thing which I think
would also help for the billboards would
maybe be
>> um working with communication and
engagement um sub make kind of like a
schedule of things that we know
>> we want to be on the billboard every
year. Um and then kind of the criteria
for what's acceptable to go on the
billboards like you know like if
somebody comes with a certain event um
you know kind of giving me guidance on
if I can you know yay or nay it um or if
it needs you know further policy for
that
>> there's a policy but I don't think it
has a timeline.
>> Yes, there's a timeline on policy.
>> Do you have it readily? I do not have it
um readily but I know that there's uh
nothing can be up for longer than 3
months.
>> I do. Yeah.
>> The policy um it's it's in the office.
There's a policy on those times and how
to get stuff on to still build side. So
the policy for all that
>> I do recall that. Um, whoever can most
readily somebody said I know you're
getting
>> I can Yeah, I'm going to be here next
week and I'm looking at that's that's
next the file clean up which we're
almost done with the file clean up. So,
>> um, but I can look for the policy and I
can try to find it or if you can, you
know, try to find it and then we can we
can review the policy, see what we want
to do and then bring it back to council.
>> Um, that and thank you for the call out.
>> The policy also has the sizes for both
of them. billboards on there. So
>> yeah, something like that is
>> ask Teresa. She should have it.
>> I I think we did look briefly, but
>> Teresa should have it. You're saying?
>> Yes. Um that would be great.
>> She doesn't have any of the things.
>> Um yeah, and then we can look at what
needs filled in. Um I think the yearly
timeline is update if it's not already
captured, but I'm sure there's things to
add if it is captured.
So, Jacob, I think your idea is spot on
because from a branding and a marketing
perspective, what you want to do is you
want to put that calendar together and
you know this because you did it for I'm
sure for for state representative Joe
Andrew. So,
>> you definitely and then you then you can
then you can mimic on your social media
same thing um and it'll all kind of flow
together from a branding perspective. So
I think do I just want to make sure I
captured for shortterm we're going to
put billboard management
>> we're going to put review of social
media
>> um and obviously the review of the
policy
>> and then do we want to put the calendar
establishing at least a draft of a
calendar
>> um for short term
>> okay
>> um
I was also learning a public comment
policy and I know at various times we
talked about comment
box
>> like a suggestion box.
>> Yeah.
>> Do we want to do anything with that?
Does it seem like it would be easy to
implement? We want to do some changes
essentially too
>> system
a whole bunch. You got a lot of
different areas to get to us. Why don't
we just stick to like a couple not
adding?
>> You can tell me that too. Yes, my
suggestions a lot so many so many of us
to answer. So
>> I'm not saying you take on the whole
system. I'm just saying do you want
setting up system
>> instead of the comment box
and then
>> yeah don't you do like a QR code where
it goes directly to
like an email
like comment code scan it hey this is my
comment that way sorry I'm just
>> don't worry sorry we could just put that
as the think the next month is to
discuss that. Is it too much or
>> Yeah, I just don't like the paper. I
feel like lost.
>> Yeah, one thing that I maybe not is our
emails are on the website, but they're
kind of all all over like you have to
copy and paste.
>> Um, and I still don't think my email
we had somebody who had to like go
type my email to cops.
So for everyone's awareness uh internal
and external should now be able to email
council226 at berboro.org to get all
counselors plus mayor. Um however I
think like other organizations said it
might be nice just have like a Google
form where the public just puts it in
one place and then it goes. I don't know
how easy or hard that is to implement
but maybe looking at that could do
something you guys take not take on and
just
>> or a Microsoft form. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Great. Okay. Anything else on the
communications
that we want to talk about with John
Kelly?
>> I think even community events. I mean,
wouldn't that be like an ongoing yearly
thing where you say, you know, 6 12 12
week? I mean, if we're going to do a
community event,
you know, it's going to be all done.
>> Well, yeah. And I think we okay so we
put that on there but again from a
committee perspective and council
president you can so what I think and I
again I go back to just Jacob's
suggestion put together a calendar of
events for the year. Do you know what I
mean? Maybe establish like who's going
to go to what because that that's the
biggest thing with that is you want to
make sure you're present. Do you know?
Yeah.
>> I mean so that and we know you know
there's certain events in Verona that
have that you have every year. So I mean
those type of things I think from the
committee perspective that would be
something you would do as a committee
bring it back to super like to to the
rest of council be like okay Nancy what
are you going to or okay you know what
are you going to but like because
Jacob's suggestion on these calendars
and like putting something like that
together and we we still could do it
we're in the first quarter but we still
could do it that would be ideal for the
rest of the year. I don't know how you
feel about that Jacob. Um, I think that
would be a good idea. Um, in the
represent office, I was in charge of
community events and we had something
similar was a big wall calendar and we
put, you know, even in a month we kind
of put, okay, we know like Pen Hills has
their summer fest, you know, in July
usually just to kind of keep keep in
mind, you know, what events we would go
to table at. Um maybe one thing to
consider about you know um council
members kind of being present in the
community and showing up to the events
um is kind of thinking about certain
comm certain community events maybe kind
of scheduling times where you know maybe
me and Sylvia going to go in the morning
for a little bit um to kind of show that
you know we're present all hours and we
have people there. I think you know
something like that would be good to
consider.
>> So that was me John you and your
community could come up with something
like that.
>> Okay. So yeah, I mean and if you don't
have to, like I said, maybe you come up
with a plan for that for next meeting
and then a schedule and bring it back or
whatever.
>> Okay, I think we can Okay, we can move
on to the next committee.
>> Planning an active transportation,
you
>> go ahead transportation, right? led by
Curtis with myself shall consider and
investigate matters related to
pedestrian safety on the sidewalk
systems and active transportation. Shall
review and recommend improvements to
sidewalks, walkways, and community
connectivity, including riverfront
development and other community assets,
as well as the development of long-term
plans to strengthen the burough's
commercial corridors. The committee
shall coordinate with the planning
commission on the comprehensive plan
development and other planning
initiatives and incorporate
sustainability as a guiding principle to
ensure resilient and responsible growth.
Just a couple small things.
And right here we only have really one
short-term goal. So it's Jones Street
walkth through grant. So I will turn it
over to you Curtis.
>> So is that the one with uh
Representative McAndrew coming in? Okay.
Um,
>> do you want to work with Jacob to get
home schedule?
>> Sure. Yeah.
>> So, that's our action step.
>> So, we don't have a date for that as of
now.
>> No.
>> Okay.
>> He decided he wants to do that with us,
which good opportunity to talk about
other grants related to accessibility
connectivity
topics.
related is we are setting up the ELAT
technical assistance program. Brie of
the art street work specifically looking
at Riverbank Park and how we can
implement the bike lane without
disrupting the already less than ideal
parking situation there. Um so I will CC
you in getting that scheduled. We will
report out to council. anyone really
wants to attend, please let Curtis or I
know.
>> Anything, Curtis, that you want to talk
about on the midterm or the long term or
Trish? Any anything that you want to
address?
>> Yes. Um, we've recently had public
comment regarding the discussion on
speed hub edition to Seldon.
>> You want to put that?
Well, um I can update everyone to date
or anyone who wasn't there that um our
engineer Matt Pitch did confirm her
initial suggestion which is there is no
cost savings to do it in tandem with
current paving work in the area not on
selier. Um so it's going to cost the
same amount no matter when we do it
unfortunately. So, um, as much as I want
to see it implemented sooner than later,
it may be something we have to look at
the budget or I don't know if anyone
knows of grants that would be applicable
to that. Um, it probably speaks to a
larger trafficcoming assessment that may
be needed throughout the bureau. Um,
looking at the other areas that maybe
not looking at right now.
Anything else from a planning and active
transportation?
>> I do want to Oh, Susie, I was just
talking about you.
>> Um, Susie, I was just talking about
filled in.
>> Okay.
>> There's no cost saving me to do the
speed humps now um with the nearby
paving, unfortunately. So, we're
probably going to have to
look into a longer term financial
mechanism to support those along with
any others that may be needed in the
area.
>> All right. Well, then they got to get
some better system down there to slow
them down and stop,
>> right?
>> The stop signs aren't working,
>> right?
>> Uh maybe put a camera down there that
takes a picture of the plate blowing
through
>> and then nail them.
>> Right.
Okay. We have
>> you're better off.
One, you have to prove
>> but two, there's no infrastructure there
to support.
>> Okay.
>> You have to have Wi-Fi and you have to
have electricity.
>> You can use curts.
>> Right now it's about $200 to $300 a
month for coal for Wi-Fi.
Um, so something Curtis had suggested to
me, which we weren't sure if it was our
committee or um, Tim's committee, is
doing, um, I guess a walk audit to look
at all crosswalks that need to be
painted, all turn lines that need to be
painted. We could incorporate areas that
need to be hung. So at least we have a
plan and we can begin to implement them.
>> I don't know.
So that was uh the action I is to kind
of review needs for sidewalk. There's an
organization called Civic Mapper um that
they actually mapped out I think a lot
of the sidewalks in the area. So I think
that would be a good jumping off point
>> uh for that that
actually
>> that might be a good project for the
junior health.
>> Yeah. I don't know if you have a
particular interest in that.
Well, I'll more into it.
>> Okay. We'll talk to any of us probably
Cartis for this one if that's something
you want to do. I would say in terms of
action items for next meeting if you
want to get that information from uh
Jacob.
>> So, and then one more thing, this might
be with uh Tim's committee, but we had a
resident talk about sidewalks on East
Railroad.
be something that we want to attend to.
>> Great point.
>> Um,
>> would that be under the
multimodal
thing that we're getting coming up?
>> No.
>> No,
>> we have something for sidewalks.
>> So, we were trying to capture a lot of
that with that, but that wasn't the
connectivity route that the grant was
funded for. So, we were We may be able
to do pieces or consider other things.
Great point, Curtis. Um,
I don't know if our action item is just
to certainly to evaluate it and get back
to him. Um, but then maybe ask Matt at
the business meeting what options we may
have for that because Matt did ask us
for ideas for the upcoming grants.
>> So, let's keep that in mind. Um,
>> we could do those sidewalks and
hopefully be able to finish second and
center or is that already being funded
by another grant? I'm not sure.
>> Um, that's being replaced, but um there
are certainly many other areas in the
burrow that we can look at.
>> So, I do have one. So, I guess that's
the first action item is the business
meeting. Get an answer, discuss it on
that. Um, in terms of ideas for grants
though, I did want to suggest um
longerterm planning looking at the
alternative
route feasibility study for one of the
upcoming um ECNR
probably matching that with um BCG
funding but those are due in April and
May. So,
I hope um that sounds like amenable to
everyone. Unless there are other ideas
for that, I'd like to suggest that at
the business meeting as well.
>> Yeah. Um I'm meeting with Matt tomorrow.
Um it's either tomorrow or Thursday. I
don't get my days fixed, but we're going
to do kind of a drive through. So, he'll
kind of go over the project with me. So,
I'll bring a sidewalk.
>> Thank you so much.
And then you might have answered I'm
sorry. What committee would that fall
under? Tim or would that be
>> silence?
>> Yeah.
>> Well, this is a good point of
discussion. So, they're largely
privately owned. However, they're
important for the reasons stated in this
committee, which is like connectivity
and accessibility. So, I would say that
stays with us, but for our own
infrastructure, we stay with you. So
like the actual roads and paving
schedule and things that we own
vehicles.
>> One thing I think
people don't
>> Yeah.
>> Sorry Jim, I couldn't hear you.
>> People that don't fix the sidewalk on
second.
>> Yeah, exactly.
>> Well, I mean we are we're fixing that
and then then we will charge him if he
doesn't pay.
I mean that's one approach. Um and I
don't object to that. The only thing I
have seen happening over the years is
that there are so many people that
literally could not afford to fix their
sidewalk and that's why they don't get
fixed.
>> So I I I don't know the answer. I'm just
saying I've heard
>> 50% of the town doesn't have sidewalks.
>> Let's be honest. There's not a sidewalk
in front of my house.
>> True.
>> Yeah.
>> Right. True. But I mean, I I would love
to see all of our sidewalks that need to
be improved to get
>> at least a system in place that isn't
entirely like negative enforcement. Like
if there's some we could try a positive
enforcement first given the economic
situation. Um
so an institution will stay with us for
now. Yeah. Let us know what Thank you.
>> Okay. All right. Yeah. Yes. No. Okay.
We'll move to the next um committee
which is infrastructure and public
safety. So you want to read the
definition?
>> Yes. Um so this T is sharing this with
Curtis. I actually had Sylvia as a
question mark. Sia I wasn't sure if you
wanted to participate in this or not.
It's up to you. You can let us know. But
the purpose of this committee is to
oversee burough infrastructure, public
safety facilities, and emergency
preparedness, which was brought to light
by the recent snow emergency in January.
Shall review and recommend improvements
to roads, signage, lighting, and storm
water systems to ensure safe and
reliable operations and maintain a
schedule of upgrades. The committee
shall also coordinate with emergency
management staff to strengthen access
routes and safety planning and report to
council with recommendations for ongoing
maintenance and capital upgrades.
So I think on the first um and Tim I
think we talked about like please grant
application obviously it was kind of
twofold.
That's not I I have the whole set of
>> okay shortterm goals.
>> All right.
>> Um right now actually I'm going to
action plan and high winds.
Um, I will be setting up meetings with
uh the chief of police, the uh the fire
chief, the b manager, the head of DPW,
and represent uh representatives from
the lower valley athletics uh ambulance
service. And we will be uh talking about
how we can better communicate and plan
for our upcoming disasters that have
been run. um blizzards being one of
them. Uh floods and now in Pennsylvania
we have live.
>> Do you think a new fire whistle would
help that?
>> Yeah, I would I Dan approached me last
meeting. I will be having a in-depth
meeting with Dan on uh more uh
fire safety.
>> Can you get your hands on I have a whole
list of the stuff I need to do for them
and the pictures if you want to. Do you
have them by chance?
>> If someone can email him to me,
>> he can maybe get him.
>> Yeah, I talked to J. We'll be having a
meeting in the next couple weeks. Um
>> I have a screenshot.
>> Yeah. So, um that is one of the things.
The other thing will be I am going to
make an active list of the street lights
that are broken throughout the town. Um
I know there's a couple down below the
tracks that are flickering and then work
with Matt to get those fixed to Dukane
Light.
Um,
>> which ones are flickering because I'm
wondering it's not too late to tie that
in with the green light go application.
>> I don't know. I don't know exactly which
ones. I know there's a couple on Penn
Street and now just flashing.
>> Can you ask?
>> There's also the one that has the the
one on the boulevard also the with the
thing that has the bad conduit.
>> Oh, no. These we're talking about the
Dukane Light, street lights, not street
lights. Are we still working on the the
other fancy
>> street?
>> Well, the street lights um we just need
to get the number off the pole and send
it to
>> light. They take care of that. That's
their responsibility.
>> But in the
>> Thank you.
>> But the ones that are part of our
streetscape
>> Yeah. that have I was addressing or
trying to address while I was in public
safety.
>> Um,
Chief, has there been any uh progress
with that at all?
>> Yeah.
>> So, Jacob can check with public works,
but he doesn't have the back
information. Can one of you forward that
to Jacob? And then, Jacob, would you
check? No. Um, as far as the emergency
plans, we will be working on the flood
ones first. Um, since that will be the
most uh pressing thing that will be
coming up because spring and summer
flood season.
>> Um, and the high winds. Um, we will be
pushing blizzard one till the back
because we won't that till the beginning
of next winter. Um, I'm sorry. I will
also be meeting with the mayor as well.
>> Do you want me to put um that on the
short term then? Like
>> yes, this is my short term. That's my 3
to six. Okay. Okay. And then please
grant application. Do you want me to
just kind of like that be tabled?
>> Um I mean I think the grants go through
the executive committee anyways.
>> Yeah.
>> So you guys are with a grant. Um
>> we can move that to
>> concentrate on public.
>> Yeah. We talked about application by the
executive committee and then execution
by your comm. That's what we kind of
talked about.
>> End up be personnel anyway. So it makes
me
do that one. So pile
>> in the soap pile. I mean I plans we
already put out there put a salt pile
and the best option we have is to put it
here in the building in a garage. Um
>> I think that gets it away from the river
and it doesn't take up much of the
parking lot next to the uh thing. Matt
had already did the measurements and
everything.
I think that would be the best. We put
it close to the DPW.
We would actually have an enclosed
garage for it so that we get rain on um
and then we get the the land down there
for parks.
>> The only problem with putting it next to
the burrow building when they do remove
the salt for a storm, the whole parking
lot will be covered in white.
>> Parking lot's going to be covered in
white anyway because it'll be worse.
Trust me, we have we have 500 ton of
salt in our property alone and it's a
mess.
>> It's it's like that down on Arch Street
also and they leave Arch Street and Arch
Street is right next to the river and
the last time I checked it's poison to
put salt in the river.
>> No, it goes on river. It goes in the
river anyway. It does, but having it
right next to the river is more of a
biological uh hazard than it would be to
have it up here and have a little bit of
white on our concrete
>> that can be cleaned up.
>> Yeah. Hopefully they would be willing to
clean it up when things settle down.
>> Yeah. Once the weather comes up will be
naturally salted by the salt that they
leave from, you know, falling out of the
truck or whatever. And they only have
salt parking lot anyway.
So, uh, does council have comments on
that?
Does anyone not decides the reason?
>> Personally, I love the idea.
>> So, is the goal to
move the salt from that location and
make it like a parking lot or something
or
>> extend the park?
>> Okay.
>> Parking lot, uh, bathrooms, stuff like
that for the park.
>> Yeah, I like that idea.
I would just like to make one more
comment on that. You know, we're trying
to beautify the town, make it look
presentable. It's going to look like
hell there, but that's up to this board
to do that.
>> It's a it's a closed garage other than
the whiteness on the parking lot, which
we see on the streets through the winter
anyways. Um, the garage closes.
>> What do you mean by garage? You're
>> like building a garage, like a whole
building.
>> We're going to build a garage. They can
open it up, go inside, pull the salt
out, put it in the trucks, close the
garage door, drive away.
That way it doesn't look like an
eyesore. It's just an extension to the
burrow building. That that's the best
option we have in town. We don't have
any other place. So, it's either leave
it where it is
>> or talk about putting it up here
somewhere.
>> Are you talking building another add to
the garage?
>> We don't have room inside now. No, we
don't have room inside the grass. No.
>> So, is it Sorry, just for my
clarification.
>> Or are you looking to put like where the
parking lot is or like
>> Not the whole parking lot. It would be
the the back edge of the building over
so many Matt has a idea cuz he was
looking into it um a couple years ago
for us. But yeah, it would take up maybe
seven spots in that parking lot
>> and it's not we don't use it a whole
lot. is usually used by the businesses
after 5:00. Um, but it's still owned by
the bureau. So,
>> what's the man say? What are we talking
moneywise?
>> I was going to suggest we have Matt give
an update on feasibility, rough cost,
any grant options at the business
meeting.
>> Perfect. So, we will continue that
discussion.
>> Is there anything else on that list like
you need to update, change?
>> Uh, not really. I mean, the cameras, uh,
Officer Dashel has been pretty good
about replacing the cameras around town.
Um,
and so I don't really know if there's
much going on there. There is, then I
mean, looking at talking about that is
almost done.
>> Yeah, that's what I figured. You were
you you've been giving pretty good
report.
>> I was going to give an update on the
stamp. I just finalized most of it. Um,
I don't know when when's the proper time
to talk about this now. Um
later unless you have time
Tracy does have
>> Yeah, that's all I mean on that not
um
>> the paving plan for the long term. I
mean we already have the road biotics.
It's still good. I mean we've been
repairing the roads, so those ones
should go to the bottoms. We should just
be moving the roads up the list
>> and having them completed as they get
done.
Where does the string sign placements
go? Did they go on this one?
>> That's what we were.
>> Yeah, the alley. I mean, I thought we
were already setting up.
>> I gave I gave a list of third by third.
So, shortterm or medium. I would say
shortterm, right?
>> Yeah. Well, I guess
>> short
>> short to medium. I mean, we're doing
three. We're doing a third year, a third
of next year.
>> These are being picked by calls. This
isn't just randomly picking stuff calls
at to justify immediate placement of
unnamed roads.
>> Yes,
>> we understand. Yeah,
>> you have a call volume of calls to those
roads. Right.
>> Right. And we have to figure out what it
is between this street and this street.
Well,
>> yeah. Very easy now. We know with the
middle.
>> Yeah. So, uh yeah, if you got that, we
can we can get to work on that. Um
>> but I I think actually the action for
that now is with Jacob and DPW. Jacob
ordered the signs.
>> Yes. and then DVDW install which by the
way reminds me about the two-hour
parking add-ons that need ordered. I
just want to make sure that is
>> were the first third already picked.
That's what
>> No, no, no. Exactly. So, I'm saying I
don't think that there's much.
>> So, I mean I think Jacob and DVW should
get with Officer Dell with the list of
calls and pick the
>> number of the signs.
I I think I'm happy. So, we just
>> cheap.
>> Uh, but I I'm just wondering if we've
assessed
uh have any idea of the cost of the
polls and the signs and what line item
on the budget that might be going under.
>> Okay, good question. The reason we broke
it up was because of cost,
>> right? We're not even sure where in the
budget that would go.
>> Right. Good question.
>> It's something I review, Jason. I don't
know. Okay, we're gonna understand we're
going over a lot of budget stuff um
starting next week.
>> So, get kind of settled in and then
>> hopefully I'll have an interview soon.
>> Cool.
>> I wrote down
>> perfect. Um, we'll be talking about the
SCMP phase two, which is where I was
going to primarily talk about this, but
as it relates to your committee, Tim,
I'm just going to mention the um, fire
alarm system inventory that we did
informally this weekend with the fire
safety specialist who graciously donated
his time to walk through and give us
fresh eyes on some of the things that we
are currently missing in our burough
system, brought to light by a recent um,
incident with smoke that um, set off
fire alarms that quickly realized to be
insufficient. Um, so there are only two
detectors and alarms of the entire
building. We have a system that is
original to the building. So it's
incapable of saying neither where the
fire is um activating the alarms that
are not alarming if they're not already
both alarming as well as remotely
alerting anyone. So if the building was
empty, a fire would burn um until
someone drove by and noticed it.
Basically, we ultimately have two exit
signs with strobe lights. The one in the
hallway is non-functioning. Um
uh those were the major ones. So um
we're probably looking at a complete
fire alarm system upgrade um the SCMP
phase two. But just FYI for everyone's
awareness, we do at least have an
assessment of that.
>> We just got the email.
>> Very timely.
Um I also did want to thank um Kelly for
spearheading some of the fire department
inventory. Um, I wanted to check in with
you too. I think your workload is good,
but um, we we could have three people in
the community if you wanted to still
participate in looking at that inventory
further or looking at if you wanted to
be on that.
>> Which one?
>> The infrastructure.
>> Infrastructure if that would look at um,
>> yeah,
>> that'll help.
>> Fantastic. you should actually have that
or Jason does and then maybe you can get
it to him and heard him too. Yes, it's a
lot of pictures so I don't
>> Yeah, I think he mentioned on the first
day there's a folder of them. Um I have
access to the email so if it was emailed
to him at some point I should be able to
see it too.
>> Yeah, I have the paper. I just
screenshot it because I I don't need all
those pictures.
>> We'll connect about and I'll I'll take
it off.
>> Awesome. Anything else?
No.
>> All right, we can move on to the last
committee. Oh, there's two more
committees. I'm sorry. Like what? Parks
and Recreation.
Yeah. Um, so we've expanded it a bit.
Um, not to just like duplicate the work
of our parks and recreation board. Um,
this committee will intersect parks and
re parks and recreation, but also
include inclusion and quality of life
development. So, this is chaired by
Kelly with participation from Sylvia
Nancy. This committee shall consider all
matters related to recreational spaces,
accessibility, and community well-being.
Shall oversee park amenities,
maintenance, and ADA accessibility, and
make recommendations to council for
improvements. The committee shall also
promote inclusive placemaking
initiatives, encourage responsible
property stewardship that supports safe
and well-maintained housing, and
directly address light removal efforts
as part of broader neighborhood cleanup
and beautifification work to enhance
quality of life for residents.
So, Kelly, I'll let you take it from
here. I mean, I know I know you can't
address the blites. Remember, we've
talked about this before. So, the other
the web committee is working on the the
plan for blight, which was
refresh my memory. Um,
>> well, planning is probably
>> and then this is addressing, remember,
we talked about that. So, so there's a
plan, there's a committee that's gonna
look for what is going to be the plan
for the blight and then what are we
going to do? and then your committee
would look at what to address it. So I
don't know if that should remain on
short term if it should be moving based
upon what you're going to be needing to
get from the other committee. Um but
again Kelly committee Kelly Nancy
and if there's anything else on midterm
or long-term you want to address.
>> Well the sidewalk was going to the one
was going to be fixed Friday. Okay.
that um swings the Kelly Finman who's um
doing them. I just need to know who who
approves it. Tim, do you guys tell me
what size is like do I
>> what I mean
>> for swings.
>> You would have to talk to question. I'm
not on
>> uh you I mean they have to be meeting
the second Monday of every month at 6:30
here. Um and they're on Zoom also. So
you can always bother
talk to them. They they give very good
feedback on
>> Yeah.
>> She's going to buy it. She just seems to
know what we did our job. I suppose
>> it it turns out that getting uh the kind
of swing that was being discussed
like everything else is way more
complicated than just buying a swing and
hanging it up.
>> And I don't remember all the details
about what that was. who Vince may
remember or
I don't know uh Matt maybe he knows.
>> I think it would have to go through the
um engineer because it has to be ADA
compliant.
>> Yeah.
>> So none of us here could say, "Yeah,
let's do this." Yeah. It's got to be
done professionally through the
engineer.
>> Yeah.
>> So we're in line with, you know,
compliance.
So, if we were to propose a next step
for this, what would it look like?
>> Uh, you mean for the swings?
>> I would think to get in touch with Matt
and ask him what the actual process is.
>> Is it is it a swing that's going to take
uh replace one of the existing swings? I
think there's four of them. You know,
take one down and put that one on. I
have no idea what it looks like or
>> it's not going to go just this way.
That's what I mean. I have, you know
what I mean? I don't think maybe none of
us have an idea what it actually looks
like or what's involved. That's why, you
know, the engineer.
>> So, it looks like a saucer
and then there's, you know, so say that
like let's go with like a frisbee
mentality, you know, and then there's a
string going up almost like something
would hold a plants, you know, on the
wall that you hang. So then there's like
four things and like kids will get in it
and they like a lot of my friends that
have autistic kids like they sit in it
and they just twist. It's just you know
they love it.
>> Yeah. Okay.
>> Yeah. And they it's insane. They they
don't have anything. So,
I'm not sure everybody
was crazy, you know, but I'm sure
there's there's something they need to
look into to make sure that if you don't
go right
>> certain I I don't know, I guess.
>> So, the action step is the business
meeting to talk to the engineer
>> um about the ADA compliance swing
>> um to then determine next steps.
We'll talk about that at the next super
committee.
>> Would the going back to the blight
thing, would there
would it be would uh setting up a
meeting with Jamie, our code enforcer
person.
>> Um not sure yet. Um going back to the
swing for a minute. Um, as a reminder
because um, some people are newer, um,
we do have requests that go to our
solicitor and engineer go through the
bureau manager um, to consolidate for
like cost effectiveness. So, and I saw
you capture that. So,
>> yeah. Um, that's what just kind of real
quick about the uh, park thing. There's
some things I talk to Matt about uh,
like Cfield stuff. So, I think if we can
maybe just connect you kind of fill me
in to make sure I have all the
information about that. um you know then
I can bring it up um um there and I did
also meet with Jamie today um and I know
there was the house that the chimney
collapsed um we were doing a little bit
with that and he was kind of walking
through the process um I reached out to
county um for see if there's county
dollars for it since the owner it
wouldn't be eligible for that
>> um so we're waiting on them to submit
permits to
>> do they have to pay for for that then
>> to pay for
>> the owner like of that home. Does he do
that they have to pay for that?
>> Yeah. Um I as it explained to me it
there would be some funding sources
available for us. Um if nobody owned it
if nobody claimed it but since somebody
already did which I I believe that
happened at like the first hour I
started um somebody claimed it then they
can't release any of those. So, the
reason I'm asking you is there's a
garage
where I live and it's really bad. Like,
>> it's super dangerous. I mean, they
there's
>> you know what I'm talking about. I mean,
I I've I've tried my best. I've called
Habitat for Humanity. I've called
everybody and this was before I was on
here and tried to get this help. This
guy helps.
>> Um, but they just don't have the money
to fix it and it's really dangerous. You
can go up my alley and it's on the left
side. You can't miss it. Um, so I would
love to help them. I just had no didn't
know where to go with this one. But
that's why I'm asking.
>> Um, yeah, that's that's a good question.
Um, we'll probably have to discuss
exactly the the situation there. Um, you
know, Jamie kind of explained the
process for, you know, that he has and
he did kind of mention some cases when
things are like that, you know, you got
to be cautious about, you know,
displacing people um for them. That was
just one of the things that he
mentioned. Um, and another thing I want
to bring about like addressing blight in
the community. Uh, another thing you
talked about is having an active code
enforcement that's kind of up to date
and modern. It can really help prevent
blight in the future. Um, just kind of,
you know, give some things.
What if we I know this is going to
be off, but what if we like where you
live and where you live where like you
take a couple streets and we look and
see what people need. You know, I
personally went to the people and ask
them if they need help. I mean, I I get
nothing out of this. Again, I wasn't
even on here. I was just trying to help
people
>> and I didn't want to overstep and they
just I'm not going to get into their
issues, but they need help. Um, so maybe
like we could go I mean there's so a lot
of elderly people that need help. Maybe
we could each take a street or two and
look and see how can we help.
>> So you're suggesting like a
comprehensive survey to assess needs.
>> Yeah. I mean there's a lot of things we
need to do the house.
I mean it's dangerous.
>> So I'm going to suggest two things. Um
the first is can Kelly join you on your
next meeting with Jamie? I don't know if
it's re reoccurring. Um, we it was more
of an instruction uh meeting, but I'm
I'm certain we could probably set
something up, you know, in the future.
>> Yeah.
>> As far as an action item for the next
meeting, um, could you develop like like
a couple questions like that you would
want all of us to ask um either I know
you said they're elderly, so maybe ask,
but also Google form.
I'm just saying, you know, some are so
like I don't want to like
>> assume that they can't help themselves,
but I don't know that and that's why I
would like to ask.
>> I totally agree. I think assessment is
like the first thing. Yeah.
>> Um we want to make sure we capture
everyone and also that we're asking the
same questions because one person might
be like, I need help in my house. One
person will be like, we need to find a
job. So
>> that's how Yeah.
>> Right. Um
>> Yeah.
>> Yep. Yep. Yeah. I think you have them.
Then I was thinking because that that
would be a great thing for you. you do
want to meet and Jacob can just probably
start it right again just a spreadsheet
with all the different things like the
blade and the community and then have it
noted like this if there's you know
obviously extenduating circumstances
versus somebody just doesn't want you
know to fix it or something of that
nature because I don't even know in
situations like that and I'm not the
expert and maybe like the solicitor or
something is if somebody wants to deed a
piece of property over to the burrow can
you do something with it or something
like that I don't even know how that
works You know what I mean? Sure. These
are awesome.
>> We talk about the committee.
>> Yeah. And we've had variations of that
at some point. So, um
I'm open to involving.
>> Would you mind if John came with us if
he was interested?
>> That would be great.
>> What are you interested in, John? We're
gonna get you in.
>> He's gonna let us know. I don't mind if
John goes to as many things as
>> Yeah. Whatever you're interested in.
What are you interested in? So yeah,
>> don't even need to ask just yeah
invitation. Um I don't know if this is
also a good moment to discuss the recent
grant opportunity that Curtis secured
through um agent Pittsburgh
>> uh Alagini County Health Department. So
improving healthy aging. Yeah.
>> Okay.
Um, I just want to note that I don't
know that we have an action step yet
other than um reviewing the milestones
for the unmatched $9,500 grant. But I
think that would bode well with some of
the things Kelly is thinking in terms of
not helping our population, particularly
the elders, at least getting information
to them or maybe some sort of
>> say like here's my question. Yeah, this
is might be a little bit off like for
Michael Brown. Yeah.
>> What if we asked people that are in
need? He's in need,
>> right,
>> of this walk.
>> What if we asked him, "What areas are
you traveling or whatever to get to that
faster?" Like the girl that we need to
fix the sidewalk. You know what I mean?
That way we could get to that faster
than let's say another intersection or
something that you know
>> it's um isn't it um healthy aging the
focus of it is healthy aging.
>> It might be something that is more for
seniors. I don't know what the age cut
>> but to Kelly's point
>> some of that isn't that thing. Sorry it
is.
>> Yeah. No. And I was uh so hold on.
Um
>> is it is there a quality of life
improvement? Quality of life
improvements.
>> So
the award's
going to send the award agreement and
then um reporting requirements and
timelines and then she will disperse the
9500. So, I mean, I'm I'm not going to
answer for them, but I don't see why
that wouldn't be an improvement to
healthy aging or, you know, somebody who
needs
>> sure wheelchair access.
>> Yeah, walkers, wheelchairs.
>> Also, just wanted to mention and we can
talk later.
>> You know, I'm involved with the senior
center which happens to be located in
Oakmont, but it is for Oakmont and
Verona. I would like to go to a meeting.
>> Yes. Okay. Having one on Thursday,
>> but um but uh I'll talk to both of you
guys about that. I don't know anything
about this grant. I think it's great
that we have the money. They only gave
it to nine communities right in the
county. Only nine. We're one of the
nine. They got $9,500, but we do need to
have a plan. Would it cover like uh ADA
ramps
or sidewalk?
>> I don't see why it wouldn't, but again,
I don't I don't want to answer. I don't
want there to be a guideline.
>> Just we just need to have a plan of
support because I read up on it online
and I know there's a report due in
September.
>> So, how about in terms of an action
item? Um heard and Nancy ask each of you
to come up with one idea for this grant
for the April super committee meeting.
>> All right. I I just um just a question
too. So this grant we're not sure exact
like the funds were given but not for
something specific. We kind of decide
you know what
I just thought I had
>> we're we're confirming Curtis is
confirming the requirements and so we'll
have more information
>> and we're discussing using this
potentially for like a sidewalk or
something like that. I think it's going
to cover our infrastructure personally
infrastructure much more.
>> So I think it's probably social.
>> You can look it up under the Alagany
County Health Department $9500 grant.
That's what I did last week or whatever
you brought it up and looked at. I don't
remember everything I read, but it was
very informative.
>> Speaking of um sidewalks and
>> Yeah. and updates. I was listening to
see since there is some overlap between
committee in terms of accessibility and
he is your committee in terms of
connectivity if the two able to work
together to sort plan for inventorying
um sorry I should say update our
inventory of sidewalks as well as park
lots and paint markings again borrowing
what Jacob has and also for everyone's
reference we did complete a sidewalk
inventory I don't have it I was trying
to find it but we completed it in tandem
with our act transportation plan in 2022
so that should also That be a good
starting point.
>> I know exactly who I'm going to cut.
>> I do.
>> Yes, I think we do have some members of
the public.
>> Repeat that. Um,
uh, we don't have a formal process yet
for involving public, but if any members
of the public are interested in helping
with any of the efforts discussed here
tonight and in general, excuses
hesitant to reach out. Um, you don't
have to go to me, just talk to the
committee chair. We welcome all of your
help. I think the is going to be
separate from that 9500
a whole separate entity.
>> Yeah, I think you're right.
>> Um, great. I also wanted to bring up two
more items. One is would this be
particularly a noise ordinance? Not
writing the coordinates.
>> I looked one up.
>> Yeah.
That's quality of life.
>> I see. Mhm.
>> You know what I used to think next, too?
So,
>> midterm
or how about look it up like look it up,
research it for short term and then come
up with midterm.
>> Yeah, that sounds good. I think yeah,
Kelly, whatever you looked already maybe
find others. We can share that out at
next month's super committee meeting. I
think at some point we're gonna have to
talk in business meeting though. we have
our solicitor um and our engineer
present to formalize that.
Um and then last but not least um in
terms of quality of life, Kelly, I
didn't know if you wanted to say
anything about the animal chip sensor
that you're doing to the burial or if
that
>> I hate talking. I feel like I've been
talking about this for seven years at
this point. It's coming somewhat. It's
worth three.
>> If it doesn't anytime soon, I quit.
>> Well, what is holding up the process?
>> I sent three emails that there BPW is
supposed to pick it up and never back.
>> So, I reached out to Trish and just
>> Jacob DPW. He's already he's got it. Um,
it's large. I offered to pick it up.
>> It's not So, it's it's really not that
big. It's just a pain. So it's it's
probably about this high. Yeah. It's not
heavy at all, but it's metal. So the
door will flip. So that I wanted to take
the door down, you know, so
>> breaking. And then there's stuff in it
that I have more stuff. I'll stock it
up, but it just needs to come down here.
I wanted to talk to BPW because I need
to tell them what to do, what I need
done basically, so they could, you know,
I have to buy parts.
>> Yeah.
Part of part of the issue is
they work from 7:00 to 3 and so do you.
So when you're available, they're not
here.
>> But I could always meet with them at
lunch or something. Come up. They want
to pick it up then, show them exactly,
you know.
>> All right. Good to know.
>> Yeah.
>> Great. And then maybe in the future
we'll revisit like um the lobby and if
we want to consolidate some of the
reference material and documentation
available for the public maybe more
communication stuff but
>> I think if I'm not mistaken Tom said
some of that stuff has to be at the
double doors.
I think it was. But yeah.
>> Yeah. What I was think like maybe we
could get a different type of setup. You
know, the ones that look like slots kind
of and they kind of pop out a little
bit. That way that can go on one wall
above the pantry and then the other side
could be the scanner for because you
don't want to have all that with people
and skip you know pet stuff.
>> I think opportunity.
>> I do think you're talking about the
twirly things that have all the
information. one you have out there. Put
the other one up.
>> The idea is for people to be able to
come into the vestibial without having
to enter the building to get the
information that they want.
>> It'll still be there. We're just talking
about having a different setup
>> because it needs to be there.
>> Things are going to have to be installed
into the brick.
>> Yeah, probably like a clear maybe like a
clear one so that they can see what
they're looking at. They don't have to
keep pulling each one out. Do you know
what I mean?
>> Yeah.
I love it.
>> Okay.
>> If you want to send us a link, we can
discuss it.
Be great.
>> And I'm sure DPW
>> they can figure I'm sure they can figure
it out.
>> It's not my committee, but can I say
something?
>> The social worker.
>> Oh, yeah.
>> The social worker. Yes.
>> Yeah. So, just Okay. So I was
corresponding with the um social worker
in Sharpsburg burrow and
it's a completely grantf funded position
opportunity. Um
I'm not on the committee but it's
something that I am interested in uh
just because I'm interested more in
prevention and diversion as opposed to
other things. But uh yeah, I don't know
if anybody else is interested in that as
much as me, but I just
>> Can you get more information on the
grant and how that works and stuff like
that? Share with colle
>> helpful because Yeah,
>> that's a good idea. It's 100% grant fun.
Um, another opportunity or I'm not sure
if it would qualify for social worker
but certainly social services including
like um drug prevention programs is an
opportunity that Jason mentioned which
is the neighborhood assistance program.
Jason if you want to chime in about that
at all. We have a relatively short
window to apply but Verona is well
suited to crush all of their criteria.
So, I just want to make sure that we
have an understanding of the focus of
this, but essentially um it partners
with businesses. So, um part of the
taxes they would pay are then funneled
into the municipality for certain
designated um social services. So, it's
a great opportunity and I see you
unmuted. Please chime in.
>> Yeah, for sure. This is going to be a
focus that um I'm going to spend on with
uh Jacob next week is you know digging
into this program a little bit more and
um you know and so what you know what
this program is is that you know rather
than you know a big corporate sponsor of
this program uh paying their their tax
bill uh to the Pennsylvania Department
of Revenue, they essentially are able to
divert that payment to the you know to a
receiving agency through this program.
Um there's some specifics to it like you
know we have to utilize a uh a 501c3
you know the funds can't be directly set
up to the you know you know to the
burrow but they can they can be set up
through a 501c3
uh for this program and um I'm planning
on going over the the details with Jacob
and we'll probably start digging into
that you know a little bit more next
week but you know Verona seems like they
are you know perfectly positioned for
this program and um if you If you look
into what other municipalities in in
Pennsylvania and especially southwest
Pennsylvania have done with this um you
know they get tens of thousands if not
hundreds of thousands of dollars a year
through this program. Um there again
there's some stipulations to it that
we'll dig into, but um it really is a a
possible opportunity to uh you know for
the bureau really to get a lot of stuff
done and for this to be a you know you
know a possible recurring revenue source
in the short term. So we'll we'll have
more to report on that but you know it
it's an exciting program and one that uh
you know that hopefully the bureau is
going to be able to be eligible for.
>> The application closes June in June I
>> Yep. I think you're right. And the focus
areas include affordable housing,
community economic development,
community services, crime prevention,
education, job training, neighborhood
assistance, and neighborhood
conservation
to plant those seeds. So, um perhaps we
can discuss next meeting or next super
committee meeting. Um
thank you, Jason.
Um, if you guys need um a council member
or committee to help catalyze that,
reach out to us and let us know.
What else for your committee?
>> We'll add some more.
>> We did. We added some more. Okay.
>> Yeah, that's good. So the last thing I
have is um Sylvia I think you have a
liaison committee that um you might want
to work with like the different
committees and stuff like that. Is there
anything that you want to report out on
or anything you want to share?
>> I
was not really head of any committee but
I was more or less working
>> different ones. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Anything you want to share about
how the structure or anything you want
to talk about? I didn't want to leave
you out, you know, like we
No, I agree with
everything that's going on, different
subjects, and I took notes of
everything. And um that street business
is something that can't wait. We can't
wait until somebody calls and gets hurt.
That needs to be addressed ASAP.
It
>> really does. And I think putting the
swing up at the ball field you do have
children that can really use it.
>> That's another thing I think that
going to be a good thing.
>> Okay.
>> But I think that has to be dealt with if
you have the authority to know how to
do.
So I think it's great um Sylvia you're
also attending um and coordinating with
Alam and all of the civic groups within
our community um like the church which
um while we're on the topic of the
leazison activities um I do want to make
sure everyone does have on their
calendar that council volunteer to serve
and um provide the food for the August
community dinner. Um, we'll have more
details such as a menu and cost to
follow. Um, if cost is restrictive for
you, that is totally okay. We can work
together. Um, I do ask that you serve
either setup or clean up so that the
workload is distributed evenly and in
line with everyone's work schedules. So,
>> okay. So, we're we're scheduled for
August.
>> We're scheduled for August unless you
know otherwise.
No, I have not I didn't know we
>> August 26, the last Wednesday of August,
we're the host of the United Methodist
Church uh monthly dinner.
So, it's summertime. We usually have
some kind of summer meal, you know,
>> since August. It's the last Wednesday in
August. because I already have you
penciled in.
>> All right,
>> great. Thanks for reading that.
Okay, I think this part of the meeting
is wrapped up, but you guys did a great
job though. Seriously, like honestly,
like pulling it together and pulling out
some action items and pulling out some
timelines and everything like that. So,
I think we're going to continue that
just to make sure we I know council
president like we've talked about just
keeping it on track and really moving
all of these because you have so many
great things going on really moving them
forward. So, is there anything else you
want to add before I can?
>> No, I'm good if everyone else is good.
>> Good.
>> Good. We're good.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks for your assistance to keep us
accountable.
>> All right. Without further ado, then
we'll be moving on to section seven,
which is discussion item. If no one, I'd
like to start with the
one of the three additions that we made,
which was the policy for interviewing
and hiring new part-time police
officers. Um so currently we have a
committee of three council members that
interviews part-time officer applicants
after our chief has done a a
screening and an interview. Um
it's come to my attention that um other
police departments don't have that
process. Um certainly our full-timers do
go through a very exhaustive process
involving the civil service. But my
question is for all of council tonight
because of course uh a bit of
firefighting. We do have an interview
coming up and our next council meeting
is in four four weeks. So I just wanted
to review this with everyone and say
what is the objective of these
interviews? Um and to to meet that
objective does it still require a
committee of three interviewing part-
timerrs? Um mayor I want to start with
you if you have any thoughts on that.
You mean as far as the council
interviewing
>> the part
>> or any offic
>> and why wouldn't you want them to or
>> I'm just curious
>> primarily because I trust the chief's
recommendation and he best understands
the needs in terms of scheduling and
skill set that I as council member don't
have much more to offer or provide. It
is also a scheduling constraint. So
sometimes creates a bottleneck. They
can't find a time for three council
members to sit down with the candidate.
>> I I have no problem doing He does very
The chief does a very good job at that.
I mean, that would be up to the board,
not not me. I mean, it's always been,
you know, in the past 36 years, if not
more that I've been here, that the um
the board always interviewed them along
with the chief. Chief would, you know,
do the recommendation.
>> Yeah. So, I guess my question is what
else may fulfill whatever need that was
fulfilling? Like we talked about always
having the resume before we vote, which
I think is good
>> um for us all to look at.
>> Um are there other steps that would be
able to take the place of that?
>> Oh, really? I mean, like I said, the
chief goes through very thoroughly.
>> Yes.
if I can suggest um
>> I don't know um just kind of like
shooting from the here but um could you
get like a letter like if they work at
like another department saying that
they're in good standing um
>> act 57 covers that
>> they cover that. Okay.
>> Yeah. there's already up to state law
that's placed
uh that
>> I mean I believe that the interviews for
the council is more of a character
evaluation than job evaluation. I mean
they get background checked by the chief
before we even interviewed them. But I
think listening to their answers and how
they answer things gives you an idea of
people's characters which you don't
always get with one person.
>> So having three different opinions is
better than just having one opinion.
That's that's my my opinion.
>> No, I would have to agree with that.
That when they come in, you see what
kind of person they are, what stance,
>> hows
um I mean that's that's how we determine
how we hire them most of the time. month
on their record because the whole reason
they got an interview is because their
record showed that they were good enough
to at least get an interview here. Um so
yeah, I think that our interviewing is a
character interview and I think we need
to do that. Um that's just my opinion.
>> Yeah. Um another consideration was also
that part- timerrs um are generally
working a small subset of hours.
Unfortunately, many of them have left
and honestly I think we're trying to
raise more towards full-time positions.
So, um me it doesn't carry uh the same
magnitude as other physicians. Although
I don't disagree. I did ask Tom the same
question. How many times has the
committee of three disagreed with the
chief's recommendation?
>> Well, I'm not saying that we I've never
disagreed. Even when old Chief M was
here when he made a recommendation, I
didn't just
>> it was my opinion and what I would tell
council what how I thought that was
>> or should we vote yes or no. That's that
was why I interviewed people so that I
could see what their character was and
see if that if I wanted them to be a
police officer in the time at all.
>> Right.
>> Um and I mean that's our job. That's why
we're here among other things. But
that's one of the things we're here.
uh you could take it away, but that's
just giving away our uh the things that
we're we're supposed to be doing anyway.
So,
>> I don't want to suggest taking it away.
I just want to make sure
>> I think I said it before and we made a
committee and it was we stuck with three
people. There's seven members of this
board and we're we all work different
hours. So, there could be a time that
three of us are available in the
afternoon and three of us aren't. Um I
think it should just be the three people
that are available. Interview the
person. Get them in as fast as possible.
get an interview, get it done.
>> It's not hard
>> comments on the side.
>> The only comment I have, which it
doesn't really have anything to do with
any of comments I've already made, but I
think having a Zoom interview is in for
taste.
>> Yeah,
>> I I think that was that's not a good
good look.
>> Okay,
that's all. I mean, it should be a face
to face.
I I
I would trust the chief definitely and
uh it probably make a good point that
there's never really been a
recommendation by whatever chief of a
part-time police officer that we didn't
vote for. I do agree that we definitely
have a resume and plenty of time to read
it, think about it. If there's any
questions that come up, being able to
maybe funnel those questions to the
chief. Um, and I if we don't interview
them ourselves, maybe the chief could
just come before we would vote and
summarize like what they gleaned from
their interview and share with us. I
know
>> that we have a potential candidate
right now,
>> right?
>> And there's a bottleneck. So, the
question is,
>> let me stop you right there. Okay.
>> That wouldn't be able to be in a public
forum. That would be a personal that
would have to be an executive session
setting. Throwing it out there.
>> What's that?
>> You just said to give a synopsis of
>> No, no. Here in that' be a personnel
issue, correct?
>> Yes.
>> Yeah. So, you couldn't do that in a
public meeting. It have to be an
executive.
>> Okay. That's just Yes. Clarification.
Thank you.
>> But I think the assumption is fair. you
wouldn't be making the recommendation
too higher if there was anything within
the applicant,
>> right? But I think it would allow us,
you know, even if we just had an exact
session 15 minutes before the meeting,
it would allow us to hear from him if we
didn't have a chance to interview. So
for instance, for Thursday, of these
seven people, are there three people who
are available on Thursday at 5:30? I
want to look at John and Curtis first
for comments before we discuss the
development money for Thursday. Could
you either do you have anything to add?
>> Well, I um
I'm of the opinion that uh you know, if
we're going to vote on someone to bring
him into the bureau as a police officer,
I think we should interview him.
>> My opinion.
>> And I don't I don't really necessarily
think it should be like a, you know, an
interrogation. It could be an informal
interview. just someone that we could
welcome on board. We I could I trust the
chief's recommendation, but just someone
that we could just meet and greet. It's
just kind of an informal, you know,
welcome aboard type of thing just to see
what the person's character is.
>> Are you
>> because we are going to we are be voting
this person into, you know, bringing
bringing them on board. We're going to
vote them into to the burrow.
>> We don't know. We don't know. I mean, a
a piece of paper, the resume doesn't
tell you enough of what a person's
character is. I mean, you got to look
them in in the eye in my opinion.
>> Can you just clip back for me, John? Are
you suggesting that we continue with the
standard list of questions that you
probably think?
>> I I um I I I don't know about the
questions per se, but I think we we
definitely I think at at the very least
we need to to meet with the person,
okay,
>> before we vote before we vote. My
opinion. Okay. And
>> but but you know and I I trust I trust
the chief's recommendation
but uh I think I welcome aboard or just
just to just to meet the person look
them in the eye or whatever before we
even
>> we ask them to do you know
>> do you have anything
>> not anything about that just I mean if
if if I'm allowed to ask it for public
transparency what is the goal Like how
many police officers are we
able or allowed to like what?
>> Six full-time, two part-time. Now the
part-time
>> that could be two part- timerrs working
one day a week. We're still not what was
it 32 hours a week for each parttimer.
There's a lot of We're not hitting that
right now. We can throw another
part-time in there. We have one. Well,
Anony's trying to get up to speed, but
without going into too much personnel,
someone's going to be backing off hours
wise. So, we need to fill that void,
right?
>> So, to get another part-time to pick up
and we're not, the two part-times we
have are not working 32 hours a week
right now. So, we have room for
potentially two more part-timers to fill
up that point. So each officer is
basically working 16 hours or
16 24 hours a day. So there's room for
additional part-time there to fill that
that role of hitting the part-time hours
that have been budgeted of 32 hours. So
two positions for 32 hours.
>> So 64 hours total.
>> Okay. Six full time.
>> Six full time. And and if I may,
I think our council also by it by
meeting them, we also know who they are.
Like we we should know who our officers
are,
>> you know, by looking at them on paper.
Okay. Well, we've just voted on the
person we didn't even meet or whatever
and then we see somebody on the an
officer in the car. Oh, there there's a
new guy. Who who is that?
>> Totally.
>> You know, we want to know who they are.
I feel the same the whole time. So,
>> let's go back to Tim for a quick follow
up before we discuss. He's actually just
the questions that we ask.
>> Yeah.
>> In the meetings, they're not about
them how they or police officers like
how good they are with a gun or how
they're personal questions. They're
they're to to see some like I said to
see someone's character. That's why I
like the questions. I thought they they
gave good insight. And like I said, the
other thing is like I I was against not
interviewing the full-timers because we
don't know. They get hired. We we vote
on hiring them, but at the same time, I
I
don't need them before we hire them.
>> I don't know, right?
>> So, as far as Thursday, how do we want
to proceed? Um, sounds like we want to
have some form of an interview and we
can continue this discussion. I know
John's available Thursday. Is anyone
else available? Probably.
>> Okay.
>> What's that?
>> So, Sen,
>> I'll be at work.
>> Oh,
>> Kelly, would you want to?
>> It depends if
>> Yeah. No, you can attend. I'll tell you
what.
>> Okay. So, we have Kelly, John, and
Sylvia. able to send Thursday.
>> Time is it? Okay.
>> I don't have my
>> Well, we'd like to make it 5:30 if we
could.
>> Um, yeah, just because there's another
meeting coming in at
>> 5:30. Okay.
>> 5:30. Okay. We can
>> I'll let you in tomorrow.
>> Oh, let you know as soon as I get home.
>> Good.
>> That's this Thursday.
>> Yep. Yes.
>> Two days from now.
>> You're right. No problem.
>> Okay.
>> All right. So,
>> it will
Maybe a problem.
All right. Um
we'll plan to maybe keep that on the
radar as a discussion item opportunity
for um evolution groups.
Um so we will go ahead if there's no
other comments on that item with 7A
which is a discussion of the STMP the
strategic management program grant phase
2
um application. So, we have Mr. Dailyaly
present. For those of you who may or may
not be aware, Verona Burough applied for
and received funding through DCED, the
Department of Community and Economic
Development to first receive an
evaluation and assessment report. It's
very lengthy. If anyone hasn't found it
on our website, um we'd be happy to
connect you with it. It has many, many,
many, many, many recommendations. Um
Jason's company, Daily Consulting, was
the firm that provided that to us. So it
was worked out nicely that Jason was our
interim B manager for many reasons but
one was his familiarity with our plan.
We have been successfulish in
implementing phase one funding. Um so
the goal of this discussion is to um
review the status of phase one and start
to drop. We want to implement into phase
two which isn't due until June. Um, but
we'd like to get it in sooner than later
because the sooner we can submit our
application for each phase, execute what
we've submitted for um, than we're uh,
prepared to submit when the next round
opens if we completed the last phase if
that makes sense. Um,
so Jason, thank you so much for joining.
Um, I'm not sure. Hi, I know you
provided in January if you want to kick
off this discussion. Tom is also
prepared to provide an update on all of
the security and infrastructure upgrades
that have occurred or not occurred as
part of phase one. So, however you want
to handle that.
>> Yeah, sure. Thanks. So, the um yeah, as
as you mentioned, you know, we are
eligible for um you know, to continue to
put applications together um you know,
considered phases uh once we complete
each phase. So, you know, Tom has been
very diligent at uh working to get all
of the uh contracted work um uh
completed. Uh that really involved a lot
of the IT infrastructure and the camera
work for the police department. Um that
grant was for around 112 113,000
and we're we're just about to the end of
that. There's still some work that they
have to do. Um they've got to submit
some invoices. we've got to pay those
invoices and then we're you know the you
know the process is is that we have to
you know close out phase one um before
we can you know start piecing together
phase 2's application. So um you know
really what you you we're approaching
this correctly by uh um you know putting
projects in right now that can be done
relatively quickly. And by quickly, I
mean, you know, we got this award and
Tom turned this thing around probably
in, you know, 3 or 4 months. So, that's
a really quick turnaround time for a
grant of that size. So, once we get this
thing closed out, we can be um we can
have the rest of um the next application
ready to go. In fact, we can be working
on that now if we get the quotes that
you had mentioned, you know, possibly
for fire protection and for, you know,
um access control um upgraded throughout
the building. Um, and if there's other
items that um, you know, that you all
wanted to consider. But the correct way
to do it is exactly how you are doing
it, which is um, get these ones that can
be applied for and done quickly so that
you know you can continue to get your
projects done, closed out, and then get
your your next application submitted.
>> Yep. Thanks for that additional context,
Jason. Um Tom, did you want to walk us
through your recommendations?
>> I guess
you'll get yelled at if you don't.
>> Yeah, yell at me again.
>> Okay. Um
we're about 80% complete. When we
started this, I thought it'd be a lot
easier than it was, but it just realized
how bad we're behind in the times.
>> Yeah.
>> Um so a lot of the projects, there are
15 projects on this first uh stand
print.
>> Mhm. started with 11 and we started
going down this road. We realized, well,
this needs fixed, this needs replaced.
So, we went from 11 to 15. Um,
they're all in the pipeline. The last
two I just approved today. They should
be potentially relatively quickly. Um,
they are uh LPRs on the boulevard from
center to wild, excuse me, to Rivertown
shops
>> that include license plate readers. Um,
this is through the Alageney County
District Attorney's Office. We got a
good deal on it. Something you can't I
couldn't pass up.
>> So, I try to incorporate that into this
and
>> three year threeear uh deal locked in at
two years.
>> Two years.
>> Yes.
>> Um, and then they renegotiate the price.
DA's office says this is all handsree.
If we want LPRs, we have to go through
the DA's office.
>> So,
>> so is this if you go through a red
light, it'll like get you
>> No, it's nothing like that at all. that
only cities of the first and second
class can have that. Not that.
>> So, wait, can you explain it?
>> A license plate reader reads a license
plate. It tells us if the car is read,
suspended, registered uh properly. If
the owner is wanted or if it's flagged
by a police department for some type of
crime, it will flash on our computer
screens in our cars saying go get it.
>> Oh boy. Better make sure your
registrations are all up to date. It's
more so for
It's more so for wanted people um in
cars that are used in crimes. We get
emails all the time. Hey, have you seen
this car and it came through Fifth and
Liberty downtown? You know, oh, it came
through Penn Hills at Frankstown. You
know, if you see it, stop and hold it or
whatever, please.
Um so,
working our way through that. Um
and like I said, we're about 80%
complete. Uh right now I'm at $104,847
out of the $113,000
that we were awarded. So 7153 is left
and I have a couple small ticket items
that could be done um with that
remaining balance, but I'm going to
leave that buffer until I get all the
invoices paid to ensure we don't go over
budget.
>> Great. Um, but like I said,
unfortunately with what we've had to
work with, there's always been costs uh
adjustments and then with something
always seems to pop up we have to fix.
>> Yeah.
>> So, any questions about it?
>> Um, so you sent us some details about um
recommendations going forward which
obviously will be to continue where
we've discovered gaps and deficits,
>> right? um on one of the future projects
obviously now on high traffic areas or
areas of interest and for those of you
who haven't noticed this whole block
from center basically the Dame Street
has cameras now um all over um I do want
to get Riverbank Park but not until we
get finalized what we're going to do
down there because um in talking to
Davis communication we're going to put
uh Wi-Fi and cameras down there and only
to move it you're just creating more
costs. So once we finalize what's down
there, we can get a proposal together to
put cameras out of Riverbank Park. So
obviously that'd be the last piece that
I would be looking for as far as high
population, high in traffic areas. Um,
another one is first at center avenue.
That's one of those ones that I can do
quickly depending on funds uh remaining
in this grant. Another one is Jones
grant that may be more challenging
because of internet connectivity. Um,
and then another one was cruiser rages.
They've gone through two or three
cruisers there. At some point in time,
uh, the department has to look at
replacing the radios because Alageney
County is going to be upgrading to radio
systems. We're going to have to get new
radios no matter what. Um, so that
that's something that's probably one,
two years, maybe three years out that
we're going to have to do. We're talking
big bucks. Um, cruiser radios just three
17 $20,000. And that's not including
portable radios together. Three radios
about 17 $20,000.
Um, and then obviously I have on there
riverbank cameras. Um, and then
electronic lock for the building, which
I believe there is a quote for that.
>> Yes.
>> Um, another area that I wanted to get
cameras would be South Avenue at first.
And I actually been talking today with
the superintendent. Um, we're going to
try to utilize Ver. And my original
proposal was to slap one of our cameras
up there and use their Wi-Fi
electricity. And they're like, well, how
about we just give you access to our
cameras. So great. Um, we're trying to
get that going. That's one less thing I
have to worry about as far as paying for
for cameras at First and South. And not
only that, we have a whole lot covered
with Riverviews School District cameras
on the outside, not the inside. So,
anything else?
>> That's phenomenal. I think Matt um, our
engineer had a comment about Riverbank
Park cameras and that we could put it on
the edge of the building. I don't know
if he meant the garage.
>> Probably the garage, but then internet.
You're going to have to run internet.
Okay, that's $200 to $300 a month
>> at least.
>> We're finding it out now trying to get
these LPRs. Um, it's not all
>> megabytes, terabyte, whatever. I don't
know any of that stuff. It's not fast
enough.
>> Yes,
>> that's what he referenced earlier in the
meeting, right? It when we were talking
about done by
>> Seldon,
>> a pole and the internet for putting
aside how you uh get the electricity,
>> but it sounds like
It's $200 to $300 a month to run that
pole with the Wi-Fi.
>> Now, the reason why it's not that
expensive for us, we're basically doing
a loop here.
>> I don't know the intricacies of it, but
they're doing something called a bridge
where they're connecting pole to pole
through wireless connections.
>> So, something like Southern Bridge,
what's it going to connect to? Nothing.
There's nothing nearby for us to connect
to.
>> Yeah.
>> Um that's already pre-established. Same
thing with Riverbank Park. There's
nothing there.
>> Yeah.
I mean, that's going to cost a lot more
to set up services and then start
running.
We don't even know how many cameras we
want down there. So,
>> do we have any idea when we will know
what the plan is for Riverbank Park and
how long it will take?
>> Well, I did ask Matt about the Riverbank
Park planning branch and he said there
would be an update
first half of this year, I believe,
unless I'm optimistically remembering.
Um, but they're still finalizing, right?
But I do feel that River Park, it's
crucial for safety reasons to get
something there as soon as possible.
Understanding your point about wanting
to relocate. Um, I are there any other
options? I mean, does utilizing some of
the infrastructure pickle wall make
sense? I don't know.
>> I just know you're looking at 15 20 plus
grand to put cameras down there
>> and you don't want
>> that's starting off. That's the low end.
>> Yeah. We'd like to put this in phase
two.
>> Potentially.
>> Yeah.
>> Um so assuming we do the fire safety
system complete upgrade, that ballpark
is 50ishk.
>> That's
>> and this grant you typically put in for
100k.
>> And those locks are 55,000.
I believe that's what ADA told me. So
>> for the whole for everywhere all the
doors.
>> Wow.
>> So that doesn't leave much to do.
>> Yeah. Um Jason, I'd just like to ask
this question. How many phases to stamp
is there? Are there?
>> So the the grant itself is good for five
years and you can apply for as many
phases as you can complete up to
$200,000 a year.
So, the total the total grant
applications can total $1 million over
five years. The max is $200,000 a year.
And you can do it in as many phases as
you can get completed.
>> And um okay, so remind me if you know
when did the start? What's our start
date? Is it 24 or 25? you know, I think
that it was I think that it was 25 uh is
whenever the board com uh adopted the
plan. It was early in 25 and and just
for people's uh understanding and
correct me if I'm wrong about this, but
we have to spend the phase whatever
previous phase we have to spend all that
money before we can apply for the next
phase. So, you know, we want to spend
the money on things that
>> we can spend quickly first and then
maybe put our comp plan toward the end,
which is one of the things we want to
get done.
>> Yeah.
>> So, Jason, is there any harm in
submitting our phase two with a grant
amount that exceeds 100,000?
>> No, not at all. Um, you know, so I mean
the program's gotten popular and I can
tell you the typical awards that I'm
seeing are in like the 125 range.
So, you know, even though you can, you
know, that would be the max application
that I would put in um just because I
think that they're, you know, like I
said, the the program is pretty popular
and, you know, there you're more likely
to see it awarded if it's around that
number.
So, I quickly have
anything that was not completed in phase
one, which is hopefully not a huge
dollar amount. I would suggest Riverbank
Park cameras,
I would suggest the fire safety system
overhaul.
>> The locks, that's the 125 right there.
>> And the lops.
Are you talking about when you say
locks, are you talking about the entry
locks?
>> All the locks in this building.
>> It is going to be how much?
>> Uh AJ has about 50 55,000
>> electronic locks.
>> Will those work at the park too or
>> I believe so.
>> AJ can speak to that. I I can't.
>> Okay.
>> So,
>> um Okay. Is there anything else that
anyone wants to add to that? Otherwise,
I think we have drafted our
camp phase two.
>> Jacob and Jason, thank you so much for
taking it from here.
>> I just want to ask one other question of
Jason.
>> How how wide a net can we cast for these
spaces? Like what are the criteria
uh for getting a grant? What what things
can and can't we apply for?
>> Yes. So, honestly, it just has to be
anything. you know, I I wrote the report
pretty broadly, you know, um but it has
to be number one included in the in the
stamp report. Um and you know, we we can
make an amendment to that if we need to,
but it it needs to be in the stamp. So,
you know, everybody that has reviewed
that the the final stamp for report or
uh the final uh report primarily, you
know, step steps one through uh four
have all the recommendations in them and
there was there was 80 plus
recommendations maybe even more than
that that were in there.
>> Thank you so much.
>> Great. Thank you.
>> Any other comments in council on the
stamp program?
Okay, very good. Um, we'll be moving on
then to section 7B,
HR manual update. Um, I said I would
defer to you. I should help you say that
we review chapters one and two.
>> Okay.
>> So,
>> the uh what I did is uh Guess what?
Should we put up on up on the screen or
J out? Thank you, Jacob.
>> How many changes in the latest draft
handbook?
>> Well, the one the concise version.
>> Yes. 10 10 pages.
>> Oh, I thought it was 48.
>> No. Well, yeah. Well, the the old one
was 48, but yeah, the the one that uh
was
whittleled down is 10 pages.
>> Okay.
>> Um when you say whittleled down,
>> concise the concise version.
>> Okay. So you created like a
>> Yeah.
>> shorter version.
>> Yeah. A shorter version. But
>> would you suggest adopting the shorter
version or still the long?
>> Well,
I still would like the
I would still like our solicitor to
really go over it. There's
>> there's some issues with it. I think
>> I just want to figure out a path
forward. Yeah. Um, for example,
um, for example, there's a
couple things in here
where it says
under,
well, here's one for holidays. It says
there's a critical thing here. It says
the the policy states that employees
receive 11 paid holidays, but the list
contains 12.
>> Right? So
>> we have inconsistencies.
>> Yeah, we took some consistencies in
there.
>> Medical leave, FMLA risk. The medical
leave policy provides only four weeks of
unpaid leave. It says the federal FMLA
mandates 12 weeks for covered employers,
50 plus employees within 75 miles of
Corona B qualifies as a covered
employer. This policy is facially
non-compliant with federal law. Now,
apparently we're not FMLA. We're not an
FMLA voice. So, so we're going to have
to confirm whether we fall under those
guidelines or not.
>> I see.
>> Um,
>> so my thought was we could take it
chapter by chapter at the super
committee meeting. We could still do
that, but I'm wondering if we want to
follow it up at the business meeting
with a list of the questions that we
uncover. Would
Yeah.
>> Yeah.
>> Um, and I don't know, has everyone had a
chance to review the jobs in much
detail?
>> So, if we could set it as um a goal,
review chapter one and two of the
original document for the April super
workshop meeting with questions for a
solicitor
um being held to the main business
meeting. Does that sound like a t
forward?
>> Yeah. Yeah. And the other one is there's
another section here with in relation to
workman's compensation. Now,
>> I don't know how that relates to how
how that falls into uh contracts with,
you know, labor contracts.
>> Yeah.
>> Because if we're if we're talking with
unions,
>> I don't know how that I don't know how
that works.
>> Sure.
>> So,
>> Sure. That's uh that's another thing
where you have to I I you know there's
some pitfalls in here that I'm I'm I'm
not sure about. So
>> we still have to
>> let's bring it up section by section
that discussion and then um we have
actually been utilizing our labor
attorney for contracts and employment
issues. So, um, if that's the route that
makes the most sense, we could have him
review it or man Craig review it,
honestly, um, to then move forward in
the next month.
Great. Everyone does have a copy of the
draft though. Yes.
>> Yes. Okay. Very good. So, begin perusing
it when you're eager for some fantastic
reading. um so that we can be prepared
to discuss the first two chapters in
more detail in next month's super
committee workshop meeting. The first
chapter is only like seven pages. Um
>> okay. So this is a different version.
>> That's the next version.
>> You're talking about the longer version.
>> Yeah.
>> All right.
Treasure I have on the screen.
>> Yeah. That is that the beginning of it.
>> You can scroll down. Look behind you.
Yeah. Um
>> I think
>> that's a good that looks like the
condensed version.
>> That looks like a condensed version.
>> Yeah.
>> Never mind. Um can you forward that to
the block version?
>> Yeah.
>> Are there any other comments or
questions from council on that item for
this meeting? All right. Um moving on to
7C, employee benefit renewal. I know we
touched on this earlier. Is there any
further discussion needed?
>> Um, I think
>> this is coming.
>> Jason wasn't here maybe when we first
touched on it.
>> Jason, uh, Nancy gave a highle summary
of the employee benefit renewal process
that is being undergone right now. Uh,
if you have anything else to add on
that, let us know. I know we were trying
to get that in place by May 1st.
>> April.
>> Yeah. Yeah, we're in the process right
now. Um I know that Denise um from um
Municipal Benefit Services has all of
our information. Uh she's in the process
of getting our quote together for us. I
would expect to have that possibly by
the end of this week and um then council
would be able to you you you may need to
um you know, so that would need to be in
place for the May 1st start date. So
there might it may be necessary for you
all to um get together for an executive
session to review this. Um it does
involve personnel. It it would involve
um you know conditions of the labor
contract. Uh but it would need approved
relatively quickly you know if the
numbers are favorable for the burrow um
you know to you know to consider
approving that. So, as soon as we get
that, you know, I'll be in touch with
Jacob on, you know, how to how to move
forward with that and get you guys all
assembled to to possibly take some
action on that.
>> Okay, great. We'll look forward to
communication from Jacob regarding that.
Are there any other questions on that
comments? Uh 7D,
I know we pretty much summarized this
earlier with the citizens advisory creat
by John. Um, anything else to add?
We have some actions. Um I think
um moving on to 7E, we have the mayor's
legislative update.
>> Yeah. Um as I reported last meeting,
that's why I'm looking on my phone. Um I
was invited to the Butler County Mayor's
Association meeting and there was a a
woman there uh from the Pennsylvania
State Mayor's Association, Wendy
uh
>> Nickerson.
>> Nickerson. Yeah. Thank you. And she
brought up
um some legislations. It was uh this
legislation is sponsored by Senator
Scott Hutchinson of of Bonango County.
It would require PENDOT to maintain
their storm water facilities on state
highways in burrows
with the population under 2500. And
that's uh currently in committee. Uh we
actually have one on Alig Boulevard that
um I don't know if we repaired it
temporarily or what, but there's a lot
of communities they're saying, "Hey, you
know, even though it's our road, the
state road, you're responsible for
fixing the um storm drains, which these
communities don't have any money." So,
that's going to be a big help. Um
let's see, what else did it say? Um
yeah, there's another one if I if I'm
reading this correctly that they're you
know they're trying to pass where
um
as far as advertising goes.
Um because there's you know newspapers
are getting you know very scarce or you
know not you know like the postettes are
no longer a post gazette but it's going
to uh require the use of um your you
could use your website you know to start
advertising things things you know
rather than have to go through a
newspaper because like I said you know
newspapers are becoming scarce anymore
and Uh
there's another bill that says this bill
would allow, it's uh sponsored by
another senator,
um would allow for a fee placed on
commercial requests under the right to
know law. I'm not sure what that meant.
>> I think right now if you put in a right
to know request and then the people in
the office have to run around and find
the information if we have it and then
provide it. to whoever's requesting it.
There's no fee to cover the
administrative time that it takes to put
that together.
>> Okay.
>> And so there this sounds like they're
ask you know saying we'd be able to
charge a fee.
>> Yeah. Now that you said that you're
you're right. You're absolutely right.
Um it just you know it was very
interesting and I do appreciate them
always inviting me to their um mayor's
association meetings. It's just like the
Alageney County Mayor's Association up
with Butler, you know, the ones on my go
to that's all I have.
>> Um I just wanted to add something to
that if I might.
>> Uh I went to Alageney County Bros
Association meeting last week. Okay. And
um there is a paper uh in your packet
from both the ones that the mayor was
referring to and the one that I got from
uh ACBA. But I think there's a pata
one.
>> Okay. But I will point out one I think
that's really important is Senate Bill
509 that would allow our police to get
the radar the road police instead of
just the city police
>> would make it much easier to catchers.
Um, so that was one in particular. And
then on the page that we do have, House
Bill 369,
um,
uh, has to do with light reduction and
what it takes to create a land bank.
Um, but there is another page, I'm
pretty sure, that goes between these two
pages that sometimes I missed.
>> And if I may, I I believe Pennsylvania
is the only state that does not allow
radar. used by other than state police.
>> Yeah. Is that you know that's true?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. And and it's nothing but a
political thing because every other
state in the United States is allowed to
do that except for Pennsylvania.
>> Yeah.
>> And I'm not going to get into the
political part.
So, um I will for council I will find
the original and get all three pages uh
six page whatever many pages and scan
them and have send them out to you so
you can see the other page of the legisl
legislation that's going through.
>> Appreciate those updates from both of
you. Are there any question or comments
from council?
Okay, very good. Uh without further ado,
then we'll move to section eight action
items. The first uh of actually three
items for tonight is the manager
training proposal.
Burough manager training and mentoring
protocol.
The bureau and council has received a
proposal from daily operation consulting
to provide professional training and
mentoring services for the burough
manager Jacob Russell. The training
program includes guidance on municipal
compliance requirements, financial
management, personnel administration,
project oversight, and council meeting
administration.
The mentoring program is designed to
support the manager during the
onboarding process and throughout the
initial operational period. Services
will be build at an hourly rate with the
total mentoring budget not to exceed
$20,000.
At this time, the board will consider
approving the professional training and
mentoring proposal as presented.
I do want to point out that the hourly
rate is $135 per hour. The initial
program will be from March through June
at six hours per week and then June
through November at 3 hours per week
with a not to exceed arrangement of
$20,000.
Um, Mr. Daly has just sent a letter of
intent that needs signed tonight.
Apparently, there is funding available
through DCED to offset this cost to the
bureau. Mr. Daly, did you care to
elaborate on any of that?
>> Yeah, sure. So, um, you know, so that
initial proposal there is, um, you know,
was really, you know, put in place
there, you know, pending if we did not
get any of that funding from the state
uh to help with that. So, you know, the
letter of intent was was drafted. Um,
you know, the state can help to offset
about onethird of that cost
um is, you know, is what I'm expecting.
uh and what I have historically uh seen
uh you know with their funding uh you
know to help offset administrative
training like that. So um the proposal
in addition to the you know the letter
of intent will help get us to um you
know I think a you know a lower number
than that but you know I I always have
to put that in there just in case it
doesn't come through. But you I am
pretty confident that they have uh
funding available for that.
Great. Um,
Jacob, does the proposal seem um good
with you? Do you have any comments or
questions?
>> Um, it's it seems good. Um, there's a
lot to learn. Uh, you're two days in.
Um, Jason's been a great help so far.
Um, even just these first two days. Um,
and yeah, I think it sounds good. It's
going to take some time. Um, but I think
we're working together is gives us the
best chance to get up to speed as fast
as possible.
>> Okay. Very good. Then with that being
said, at this time I'll look for a
motion to approve the program manager
training and mentoring proposal as
presented.
>> On the table and we'll
want to make the motion.
>> I'll make the motion. We have a motion
by councelor Sterling, a second by
councelor Janellis. Are there any other
comments or questions?
>> Yeah, Jason, I just wanted to uh
reiterate or re ask uh you had mentioned
that there's another brand new burough
manager and another municipality
somewhere and
>> it might be able to offset some of the
other costs by uh some Zoom training
with the two of them together or
something like that. But could you
expand on that?
>> Yeah. So, um, you know, so you know, as
you guys know, I'm I'm serving in an
interim role or I have served in an
interim role in some other communities
and one of the other managers uh where I
am um helping them out right now with
some onboarding as well. That's in um
Alageney Township in West Morland
County. um you know I've I've set up you
know similar times in a similar
arrangement with them where um you know
I meet with them individually but then I
also at the at the week's end have a a
you know weekly review uh time set up
where you know they can just you know
ask any questions uh go over anything
specific that's been going on in the
community. You know the thought was was
that you know once I get the individual
training along enough that you know we
can start reviewing some of the things
that affects both of them that you know
that can be a nice split cost between
the two communities and you know that
can further extend you know my my
availability and time that I can give to
both of them. So um I think it's a I
think it's a win-win as soon as I can
get there with everybody. Um, I think
it's going to be, you know, in a in a
couple weeks, but, um, I think whenever
I can get there, I think there could be
a real, you know, maximization of the of
the hours that way.
>> So, with that idea and DCED, we could
cut back considerably on some of our
costs of this proposal.
>> Absolutely. Yep.
>> Thank you.
>> We appreciate your cost savings
approach. also looks like it may provide
a networking opportunity which is also
appreciated. Are there any other
comments or questions about the motion
on the table?
Um I also do want to let the record
reflect that councelor has left the
building. Um
I know how he wants to vote but he's
he's not officially on Zoom. So um
>> are we sure? Can we sure?
>> Yes, he's uh he can hear. He is not
personally on.
>> Okay.
>> Uh with all that being said, all those
in favor?
>> I.
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Motion carries. Moving on. Section HB,
civil service rules revision.
The bureau and council has reviewed
updated civil service rules and
regulations governing the hiring,
promotion, and disciplinary procedures
for police personnel. These rules
establish procedures for examinations,
eligibility lists, appointments,
promotions, and other personnel matters
in accordance with Pennsylvania code.
The proposed civil service rules and
regulations have been prepared for
consideration and will serve as the
governing procedures to the civil
service commission and the
administration of police personnel
matters.
At this time, the board will consider
adopting the civil servant rules and
regulations as presented.
Um, at this time I will look for a
motion to approve the civil service
rules and regulations as presented in
your packets. Do we know it was changed
or updated?
>> Yes,
>> it was sent to you guys last week. Um, I
don't know if you thought an email from
Teresa.
>> I don't know what's up.
>> It's in there. The blue, if you flip
through it page by page, the blue is
things that were added and the red are
things that have been taken out.
>> So blue,
>> no definition. You have to go to page uh
let's see page. I see.
>> Yeah.
Like 10 captain, but the bigger ones are
further forward. If you look um on
section
4618E
number three has been changed quite a
bit
and section 46
has been
>> the polygraph the whole polygraph thing
has been removed
>> and I think that the goal of doing this
is to help to be more present with the
times
with what other uh civil service
commissions do in other towns to um and
to help
things happen more quickly in terms of
hiring full-time. Chief, is there
anything else you'd want?
>> No, that that's it. It's it's taken a
while to get to this point since last
year, but that's it. We're trying to get
out of the 90s and be in the 2020s
>> and get a get an eligibility,
>> right? And that's my intent here in
April is to test and have an eligibility
list.
>> So the idea
of
I mean asking Teresa to send to us last
week so people would have a little bit
of time to to look at it
>> and we did keep it in color so you could
tell where the blue and the red are.
>> Appreciate that.
>> Yes.
Um I don't see anything of any concern
here personally.
Is anybody else?
>> Are you taking questions for this
portion?
>> This is rather informal. So go ahead.
>> Does this allow for permanent
appointments?
>> Can you use the mic, please? I mean, if
you want to sit down with it, that's
>> I'm just That's okay. I just looked at
minutes from a couple of months ago.
Does it Did you guys permanently appoint
someone to the civil commission
recently?
>> Civil service.
>> Civil service. Yes. Yes.
>> Right. Within the last couple months.
Yeah.
>> Okay. So you are permitted to have
permanent appointments in the bureau
now.
>> Uh it shouldn't be permanent. No, it's a
>> civil service regulations have been
staggered. Look, I don't have in front
of me. So
>> my question was if they appointed
someone permanently, which I think
>> your agenda said so much that I just
want to make sure it wasn't because I'm
not reading it because I don't believe
title 8 allows you to do that. So I just
want to make sure you were not trying to
do that.
>> Correct. I think there's like a twoyear
>> two two four and six for the three
members of the uh um commission and then
the three alternates which we have the
first time in 34 years are also on a
rotation too.
>> So every two, four and six years you
have to read it once.
>> Right. Your agenda did not say so much
so much. So I just wanted to address
that but that's not reality. That's
different and I'm I'm glad for that.
Thank you. Thank you.
Okay. So, we make the motion of the
we
move to approve the civil service rules
and regulations as presented.
>> I will second.
>> We have a motion by councelor Carpenter
to approve the civil service rules and
regulations as presented. A second by
councelor Sterling. Are there any
additional questions or comments? All
those in favor?
>> Are there any post? Motion carries. We
had a have a third action item on the
table for tonight. This one was added to
the agenda earlier in the meeting.
Council has been presented with a repair
for our older of the two fire trucks.
The repair totals $7,52545
um which should be included in this
packet and materials.
This repair is necessary to ensure safe
and continuous operations of our burough
owned fire truck vehicles.
With that being said, at this time I'll
accept a motion to approve the fire
truck repair for its inspection.
>> I will make that motion.
>> We have a motion first by councelor
Sperling to approve the fire truck
inspection repair. Is there a second?
>> Sure, I'll second. We have a second by
council. Are there any questions or
comments?
>> I have a question for what year is that?
Great question.
>> 22 years old.
>> How long do they live with? Do you know
20? I think 22 years old.
>> Yes.
>> As old as you.
I do want to mention that Chief Danti
did reach out to me today about that and
suggested a meeting coming up with um
Jacob publicly finance and um councelor
Long about uh capital replacement.
>> Are there any other questions or
comments?
>> So it's basically the replacement of the
U cylinder head
>> gas.
>> Yeah.
I will um also mention it's interesting
um that our vehicle maintenance and
repair budget
for the um fire department
is 5,000 although I saw somewhere else
today that it was 6,000 so I have to
research that again. Um so clearly 7500
is over our budget. Uh so we would hope
that maybe there would be some another
area where we could go under budget
otherwise it's going to be over budget.
Any other questions or comments? All
those in favor? I. Are there any oppos?
Motion carries.
Section eight. Comments from the public.
At this time, council will once again
hear comments on public related matters.
Please approach the podium or raise your
virtual hand, state your name and
address, and limit your remarks to three
minutes or less. Comments should focus
on bureau business policies or actions.
Council encourages thoughtful feedback
on decisions and performance while
maintaining respectful and constructive
dialogue. Are there any comments to be
public?
>> Yes.
>> Oh, let me get my pen back out.
>> Our life would not be complete, Susan.
Let's bring up something. Welcome to the
burrow, Jacob.
>> Um, concerning the mess that they made
on the corner of second and center.
>> Mhm.
>> They took it from bad to horrible. There
was a big deep hole. Why was not the
company doing this, paying attention to
the weather forecast,
and then if it they saw that it was
going to be bad, they could have held
off or put a metal plate over it, put
something over it because it is a
hazard.
As you all know, Bill Cross is up there.
He said yesterday, one of the girls was
not paying attention. She was running
late.
>> The cones are blown down. The tape is
blown down. He had to yell at her to get
on the road. So, we've got to get a
plague over or something over it before
somebody does get hurt and then take
action against the burrow for allowing
this to happen
>> and to the company that's doing the job.
Thank you.
>> Thank you, Susie. Um, I did want to let
you know that was uh mentioned earlier
as well and we do have it on our
actions.
>> Okay.
>> Yes.
>> Because I wasn't feeling good. I wasn't
sure if I was going to make it tonight
or not.
>> We're glad you did.
>> Are there any other comments from the
public?
>> Are there um Hi, Joey.
>> Yeah, no one's online. I will.
>> Thank you.
>> Um, I just want to say I was here back
in 2024 and I voiced a vote of no
confidence for many of you that are here
with our police department. I had had
the state police of my home three times
and I was not happy with that. I know we
talked about this. I think I owe you
another visit. I want to compliment what
has happened in recent months with the
hiring of our new chief. Want to thank
you for that. I don't think I've been
here since you guys had uh made business
of that and had made it official. I
think what's more telling me is not what
actions you were hoping to take with it.
What actually happened from that. Um, my
complaints last time were having to wait
an hour for somebody to come from the
airport through the tunnel over the
Alageney River, back over the Aligen
River in here, and that was not
acceptable. I know that we're far from
that now. So, I want to thank you for
that. What happened this last week was
unfortunate, but um, being a resident of
Vogel's Lane and when everyone sees that
in the news, they want to know if that's
our part of the street. I want to tell
you that anybody that lives on Vogel's
Lane is a member of the 500 block. A lot
of people had a lot of phone calls, a
lot of emails, a lot of people asking
how they're doing and we all appreciate
that. With confidence, I will tell you
there was not a long wait for what had
happened. I looked back at my camera and
within 90 seconds of a 911 call, there's
police coming down my street quietly,
quickly, and doing their job. And when I
looked out, at my surprise, there was
actually two ambulances and a number of
police. And I didn't hear anything, but
I saw something. Um, and I know
investigations are probably still
pending. There's lots to go on, but for
the first immediate hours, actually
minutes, hours, days to follow, I just
want to say I appreciate having a local
police department, local police officers
who know us who are reporting in support
of our communities that are around us
helping us as well. So, I just I owe you
uh a return to the podium to tell you
that I appreciate the steps you guys
have taken as a as a as a whole.
Um, then I also have another question
has to do with the finances. Law firm
that you guys have that you hire now,
what law firm do we pay for the services
of our solicitor?
>> Um, Craig Alexander.
>> Oh, what law firm?
>> That's his own
>> him as a he has his own law firm now.
Him and how many employees?
>> He has at least one associate. Um, and
then we also have our labor lawyer as a
separate entity.
>> And
>> that's my question. So, if we have
another lawyer, what I heard tonight was
that we had to a grant support program
that we paid $1,000 for, which
unfortunately failed to yield funding.
We have multiple consultants, one of
which was here over an hour. We have a
intro manager. We have a permanent
manager. Welcome. I'm glad to have you
here. Uh we have our solicitor. We also
have a labor attorney. If the first hour
and a half, two hours of me here is
trying to save time and money. Um I just
want to voice some no confidence now
after the police one. Um, I think you
guys are easily direct distracted by
some things. Very well intended, but
there's a lot going on. There's a lot of
money going out. There's a lot of consu
uh consultations going on. There's a lot
of talk going on. And I can appreciate
that, but it's like you're starving. You
guys are talking about us eating dessert
>> down the line eating. So, I I I applaud
you for one working together, two
speaking publicly about it. But I do
want to tell you there's a lot on your
laundry list of things to do. I just
want to make sure you don't lose sight
of things by things that you're easily
distracted from which I think come
easily to some of you. Um I said this
last time and I will say it again this
time. I appreciate us having our parks
and our recreations but I think in one
breath some people just lazily and
easily go straight to parks and wrecks
as something where they're comfortable
with but it's not where we're needed. I
think we have many things. The amount of
strength it took for this gentleman I
parked next to him in our parking lot to
come up here. You couldn't even walk to
the podium to tell you about his
disadvantage as a resident who was here
who needs something. And a lot of what
you mentioned tonight are wants and I
know you want a lot of things about
gification. We're talking last time I
was here you guys were talking about um
spent a whole lot of time talking about
grilling hot dogs up at Cribs Field and
about how you get the restrooms and
those things figured out. You were
wasting your time. Don't do that again.
Please. I don't want to come back a year
and a half later and say again that I
believe you guys are are distracted by
those things. But u some of the
conversations tonight I can fully
appreciate that it's probably something
that we would benefit from. I totally
get that. But our our priority should be
closer to home uh more to the sidewalks
not being able to come up here and
discuss what he wanted to say and having
microphone brought to him to ask for
something. Um I at least I think it was
you that brought it up. It's like oh
that's something we should bring into.
So I appreciate you doing that. But like
I said, if there were 50 things you
discussed in that PowerPoint that you
went through page after page, um you can
probably only tackle 15 of them
honestly. So, um kudos to you for aiming
high and looking farther further, but I
just want to remind you as a resident
we ask of you as a collective. I just
ask of you as a resident, just keep
focusing on the short term on the things
that you can do and don't be distracted
by the um so I don't mean that to be a
sideways compliment. I mean that to be
just very honest to you guys. I
appreciate what you've been doing. I can
see a difference and I appreciate that.
And more specifically with what happened
last week, um it's it's really mean my
goodness. So, thank you for that.
>> Joey, thank you. Um I do also want to
commend Chief and that of the officers
who were there and responded. Um which
chief vessel was uh officer Satushi
Siori and
>> Are there any other public comments?
One thing, Trish, that swing that you're
talking about, if somebody wants to see
what it resembled, go up to Hugs from
Home Daycare at the top of Alton Road
and
Frankstown there
>> by Arby's.
>> Yes, by Arby's. My niece has a daycare
and she has one of those swings. It's
not as big and as elaborate that we
should get for the park, but if you want
to see something, you can go and check
it out. She has one up there because I
help out at her daycare. Very good.
We're gonna note that as an additional
comment. Thank you. Uh any on Zoom?
>> We have to pull up the list. I think you
see
anybody else.
>> Looks like there are no other comments.
Um we had to pention earlier to welcome
Jacob. I we Nancy, John, and I brought
some cookies and candies. There's more
cookies than people here. So please
everyone take one
>> or two or three.
>> Um at this time I'll take a motion for
adjournment.
>> I'll make that motion.
>> First by councelor Carpenter, second by
>> Are there any council for comments?
>> All those in favor?
>> Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you
for coming out tonight.