Good evening. It's my pleasure to
welcome you to the April 14th, 2026
Toronto business meeting. Please join me
in standing for the pledge of
allegiance. I pledge algiance to the
flag of the United States of America and
to the republic for which it stands. One
nation under indivisible with liberty
and justice for all.
Thank you. Mr. Russell
Councilman President
Counciloman Rodriguez
>> present.
>> Councilwoman Carpenter
>> present. Thank you.
>> Councilwoman
Mayor Cooper
>> present.
>> Councilman Wong
>> here.
>> Councilwoman Penza
>> present.
>> Uh Sissa Alexander here. and engineer
are present.
>> Thank you. Are there any additional
agenda items at this time?
>> Very good. Uh section five, we are
intending to swear in our new junior
council members, but we'll be pushing
that back to later in the meeting, but
hopefully they can join us.
>> That brings us to section six,
registered comments from the public.
Uh we also have a presentation from
Representative Docandrew and also
Senator Fasa. This is also being pushed
back to our next meeting April 21st. So
next Tuesday here um beginning at 6 p.m.
Section seven, comments from the public.
At 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 three
minutes or less. Promise should focus on
burough business policies or actions.
Council encourages thoughtful feedback
on decisions and performance while
maintaining respectful and constructive
dialogue. Are there any comments from
the public?
>> Good luck.
Hi, I'm Jan from Urban representing this
silupa
and I just wanted to thank Nancy Trish
and Matt for meeting with us in December
and reviewing the road. As I understand
it tonight, you're going to approve the
contract for the construction. So, I
just want to say thank you very much for
meeting with us. Um if it is I guess I
would say one comment that if it is the
going to be um the double way two-way as
it is at in front of Silvin that uh that
it be as narrow as it can be to be a
two-way if it's not going to have the
bike lane as we thought just uh whatever
that we can get there. Our primary
concern is uh pedestrian safety and low
vehicle volume uh low vehicle usage. So,
we don't want to encourage a lot of
traffic down there. Uh we like uh it's a
great place for people to walk and bike
and all that. So, anyway, again, thank
you so much.
>> It does have the speed up in that
section as well.
>> Yes, that would be I forgot to mention
that. Really glad to see the speed up.
Okay. Thanks.
>> Thank you, Jan. Also, Matt mentioned,
but we will be doing um a walk through
with ELAP, the local local technical
assistance program on Monday the 27th,
but that is for the River Parking,
etc. situation, but um you're welcome if
you wish. Are there any other comments
from the public?
>> Give them an update on Sure.
>> So, they're both tied up
722 Bruno Street. Um, I talked to both
John and Ally just now. They are both
out of their commitments tonight. So,
they won't be pending
and confirm, but I'm wondering if maybe
next week try to redo.
>> Great.
>> So, I'll let them know and I'll try.
>> That works out even better with the
senator.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah.
>> Cool. So, sorry about that. Yeah, I'll
>> keep on patient.
>> We appreciate you being there, mentor,
and keep us posted. Thank you.
>> Susie Davis, 537 Bridge Avenue. As
everybody knows,
>> um I was down River Bank Park the other
day and I noticed underneath the
climbers, I pointed out about two years
ago, there's bolts sticking out about 2
in, and a kid running through there
could either scrape its face, its
thighs, its head. I said something
before it was supposed to be addressed,
but all they could do is either cut it
back or put a rubber cap on it. So, when
my grandchildren were underneath there
and the other little kids that went were
down there, we were all watching that
they didn't get close. It's a hazard
down there. Thank you. And hopefully
they pave the alley between Haron and
Brun out there because the ruts are
horrible.
>> Is it?
>> Yes.
>> The one that goes up. Yes.
>> Yes.
>> Uh they should be in town on Thursday.
>> Okay. because they said you can't even
walk from there and most of the alleys
wored out in down center.
>> Yeah, they should be fixing the ruts uh
tomorrow and Thursday morning with
asphalt showing up from lunchtime on
Thursday.
>> Definitely hopefully on
>> Front Street as well.
>> Yeah, thank you for getting the sidewalk
done up at Sec.
It's only taken two years.
Susie, I wonder would you be able to
take a couple pictures of where those
bolts are and then maybe send them to
Kelly who's uh parks and wreck and
>> however you want to make arrangements.
Kelly, you have my number. I have yours.
>> Y go down there because I said I I sent
someone a couple years ago when I had
babies down there. We don't usually go
down there. We usually go up to CRS.
They wanted to go down by the river and
everything. I says, "Okay." So, we
walked down there and I was like,
"Bully, they're still there. It's a
hazard. Somebody's going to get hurt
there. I know you're working on
upgrading the parts and everything, but
that's one major thing you got to do."
Thank you.
>> Got it. Trust you to keep us posted,
Susie, on the alley and other things. I
do want to make mention that our arts
and rec board does usually do an annual
assessment. So, you and Kelly and or in
collaboration doing a couple more things
like that. Please Jacob, I think you can
probably go ahead and forward that to
Are there any other comments from the
public? Any online?
Okay, very good.
With that, we will move on to section 8
reports. The first is the council
preference report. Um so first I just
wanted to make a quick reminder of a
forthcoming policy by the exact
committee uh that non-emergency agenda
items should first be vetted through the
most appropriate committee before they
are brought to council for discussion
preferably at the workshop super
committee meeting. This is just to
ensure that our meetings are efficient
and ideas are well vetted before they
are discussed here with the whole group.
Uh secondly, I want to
make mention that Tuesday, March 31st,
council did hold an executive session
from about 7 to 9:30 p.m. to discuss
personnel. Specifically, we reviewed our
new um employee benefits package. We'll
be on the agenda for action later on
this evening.
>> Next, we have the mayor's report. May
Brown,
>> I have a couple things. Um on TV or I'm
sorry, on the news uh it was they were
um interviewing
uh some business people up in Ross
Township about vape shops. There's nine
of them in their business district. They
have no ordinance. they are going to put
an ordinance in. And I spoke to um our
solicitor about that and when we were up
Seven Springs, he actually ran across um
some council people in Ross and he was
talking to them, but you know, he could
answer that in a minute. But um you
can't keep the businesses out of the
town or in town. Okay. Uh, we have a
bait shop on the main drag and we have
one down in the shopping center. And we
do have storefronts up on the main drag,
even down at the shopping center. And I
would hate like heck to see um more vape
shops coming, you know, coming into
town, especially with the uh
recreational marijuana
uh that they want to pass. It's just
going to draw more people into town. Uh
I don't want to say, we just don't need
anymore. and Ross um on the news then
Craig can go you know a little more
detail which is to that um they're going
3,000 ft from the you know from the the
bake shop building either way and 3,000
ft uh in front of uh any school or
church that they cannot put one there
and I really hate to see the town get
flooded with big shop I spoke to the
police chief in my um on Lebanon and he
said the same thing that they're passing
an or an ordinance on vape shops because
they don't want too many in their
business district this week. You know,
they they need to put a cap on
something. I mean, I'd like to see a
clothing store or, you know, something
else coming into town instead of a vape
shop, you know, that doesn't um
in a sense really benefit a lot of
people here in town. Um, so Craig, if
you'd like to elaborate on with
>> Okay, he's going to do it in his report.
So that's one of the one things that um
I'd like to see council possibly, you
know, hopefully pass, you know, about
the vape shops. Uh, the other thing is
too, and I did talk to Matt on this, um,
the construction equipment that's left
around town. Now, I understand that the
u um people's gas is working on North
Avenue and they have to park over to
Bfield. I have no problem with that. But
I do have a problem is when uh they dug
up the street corner up on Second and um
Center Avenue and they left their um
backhoe there probably for four or five
weeks. I mean they were done with the
digging and uh I come home one evening
and it was gone. I said, "Oh, good. It's
gone." Two days later it came back. I
mean we're not a parking spot. Do your
job and get the equipment out of there.
That's my opinion. It's, you know, I
mean, we, you know, we're,
they should get parking tickets if
they're going to leave them here. You
know, why should our residents have to
move their vehicles? I understand if
they're working, but they were done
digging. It should have been removed.
And uh like there one down on First
Street and Matt's aware of that also
when they ripped that house down.
Apparently the big excavator
flipped over and I guess they couldn't
get it started and it's probably been
there for months in New York. You know,
we already took possession of one. We've
already took possession of one uh
excavator that's uh been parked up by
Cripsfield. And I I asked AJ, this was
almost a year ago, you know, well, I
asked um Jason, you know, call call the
towing company and have them tow it out
of there.
>> And uh the police department, they try
to find out the owner. They call
people's gas. No, nobody knows whose it
is. So, as far as I'm concerned, we own
an excavator that's down at the yard.
And if they happen to come back for it,
we need to charge them storage.
you know, I mean, we're not in the
business to keep your equipment and tow
your equipment. So, there'd be a towing
charge plus a um storage fee, but I
don't think they're coming back. I mean,
how do you miss a bit, you know, piece
of equipment like that?
They should just go up to Ace Lock and
key, have him come down and uh rekey it
up here on Wildwood and we have an
excavator.
>> I'm looking at our staff. It sounds like
there is probably an ordinance we could
have implemented that would capture the
situation.
>> Probably either that or policy. Sure.
>> I'm thinking an ordinance if we need to
stand behind the fee. And
>> like I said on the es, you know, on the
machinery, I I understand that the water
or the gas company had, you know,
they're doing a major job. They need to
put equipment there. They have it
blocked off properly, but I'm sure
they're not going to just leave and
leave all that stuff there for weeks and
weeks. They're going to take it with
them and move on to the next job.
>> Do do you think it might have been maybe
a subcontractor that worked for them
that perhaps went went out of business?
>> Who knows? Nobody knows. We can't find
people's guess has no idea who it
belongs to. I'd require them to present
you with a bill of sale before they take
it, too, because who knows if they're
the proper owner.
>> That's true, too.
Uh maybe you can tell AJ or you if they
come for it when you proper bill. So I
mean that they're they have to have it.
We have all of ours that we bought, you
know, equipment wise.
>> Yeah. But as of now, we on excavator.
>> There was a small piece of equipment
>> down on Arch Street.
>> I forgot about that from December until
last month. And with it, it was a thing
they were using that does the scoring or
whatever you called it. Cutting the
sawing,
>> cutting.
>> Cutting.
>> And the big round thing saw thing that
goes on it was laying on the ground for
that entire time, which potentially
could have been a problem. It's gone
now,
>> but it was sitting there.
>> It was sitting there for about six
months.
>> Exactly. That's what I'm talking about.
Get your equipment off our streets.
Yeah.
>> Off.
>> And it wasn't on the street. It was on
the side, but then it took up a parking
place all winter long that someone might
want to park there.
>> So, uh, does council agree does this
elevate to the point where I saw Craig
thinking you took a note. Do we want
Craig to Is that something next month?
>> Yeah. I mean, that's up to board. I
mean, I'm just proposing that, you know,
my opinion that, you know, we need to do
something, put something in place.
We're being taken advantage of,
>> right?
Um, and one one more thing too is um I'm
going to tell you if I was on council, I
would make a motion to pretty much fire
that uh paving company. I mean, what
they did I think is a shame. I realize
that the weather, you know, came in very
fast and the asphalt plants, you know,
shut down, but the um the binder that
they put down first um you know, they
they could have brought it all the way
to um High Street. They left a big
section. Um
>> there's a hole there.
>> Yeah. And same way getting onto the voc,
you know, in front of the canyon there,
you know, they left that. We actually
had to call them to come back because
there was a hump there. You know, that's
hard on the snow plows.
>> Um that was a terrible, in my opinion,
it's a terrible job. You know, they just
up and left dug every all the roads up.
you know, if
they knew winter was coming, they
shouldn't have dug all the roads up like
they did and just walk away from it.
That's my opinion on that. And like I
said, if I was on council and I guess
they're starting, what did you say,
Matt? Thursday.
>> So, they were they were in town today
fixing some of the the holes like over
on front street there. They'll be back
tomorrow doing some of the prep work and
then Thursday they'll be paid.
>> Well, we need to hold them too though
because that that needs to be done. They
shouldn't have left them the way they
did. I mean there was bricks exposed so
they were all the way down you know to
the bricks and they just walked away
from it. Uh you know the uh it was
either water or gas um you know turn off
that valve they were sticking up and um
and to me that was a you know piss poor
job that they left this town. I I
completely agree and with Jason, we we
threatened taking their their bond. So
there there was conversations had with
them.
>> See, I I Yeah, I I would have and like I
said, if I was on council, because I
can't make that motion as mayor, but if
they weren't going to start soon, I was
going to if it was me, I would make a
motion to use their bond. I don't I you
know, to get things moving.
>> Yeah.
Once again, my point is these companies
seem to take advantage of running and
I'm tired of it.
>> And I'm not blaming anybody on this
board, believe me. But it's just that we
need to step up like other communities.
Hey, when are you going to get this
done? You know, you're obligated. If
not, we're going to find somebody else
and use your bond money.
>> Put the threat on them.
>> Yeah.
No means making excuses for the
contractor, but he he would keep them
short in several communities. He he did
a lot of stuff late in the year that he
didn't have the capacity to finish. Uh
he left several roads in Sharpsburg
unfinished kind of the same way. Uh he
didn't finish some of the the road work
in lower burl either. So he he's
scrambling now the beginning of the year
to finish that. So I mean he he kind of
made a a bad mark on himself by
overextending himself. So
>> just and just make sure
>> the other communities had the same
conversation about the bonds as well.
>> Yeah. Danny House claimed that the
asphalt plant was going to stay open for
him.
>> Those were all conversations we had.
Yeah.
>> Yeah. I just want to add a comment that
we had been forwarding comments we
received from the public about the same
issue CC uh to Matt and so we were aware
of conversations that were had in line
with this. Um unfortunately we are
generally restricted to the lowest
responsible bidder but perhaps we can
capture this for future bidding.
>> Correct.
>> And I'm sure your guys will be there
your you know to make sure they're
putting the right depth down and
>> correct. We'll have someone,
>> you know, so on and so forth. So they
don't come in just hurry up and asphalt
and take off the next time.
>> Yeah. Especially dealing with this
contractor, we will have someone there
full time.
>> That's all I have.
>> Are the same company that's doing Arch
Street?
>> No.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you. We'll move on to C.
>> We have the burrow manager report next.
Misel.
>> Yes. Um so the first thing I want to
talk about is the strategic management
plan. Um phase two which is coming up.
Um we're closing out phase one of chief
dust has been kind of focusing on um
putting cameras around um which is going
to help with the safety of the public.
Um in phase two uh it's going to be
we're thinking about $125,000
what the grant's going to be. It'll be
10% matching. Um, so the burrow will
kind of be responsible for about 12 to
13,000 of that. Um, we're looking at
safety, quality of life, and
particularly um updating the burrow
building um with some ADA accessibility,
some fire alarms. We're in the process
of getting bids and seeing kind of how
far we can stretch that that money um
from there. Uh the second thing is uh
working on the main street resolution.
We did a walk through uh with the
chamber on Diamond Way. Um they were
very interested in pursuing that money.
It was a very narrow window to apply for
that grant. Um but I think we have a
resolution tonight um that council will
be able to vote on. Um as was mentioned
also the LTAP walk through for Arch
Street um is coming up uh kind of help
us determine which side the bike lane
should go on. Um kind of that technical
assistance for that decision. There's a
lot of pros and cons um between that.
And a large portion of my time has been
taken up by the employee benefit review.
Um changing our health insurance that
structure what it looks like. Um a lot
of conversations. It was something that
I kind of had to jump into because of
open enrollment being May 1st.
Conversation had to happen quickly. Um
and it's pretty rare that the burough
would see a win-win um better health
coverage or the same health coverage at
a neutral or savings uh to the burrow.
Um healthcare it goes up every year and
um kind of getting ahead of that I think
will will put us in good position. Um
and additionally not it not even being a
month that I've been here uh a lot of
training um I've been doing. So, uh,
Pennsylvania Municipal League, um,
they've had courses on finance. Um, PSA,
which is the Pennsylvania Association of
Burrows, uh, they do trainings about
your role as a manager, things to look
out for, um, more technical, um, and as
well as ALOM, uh, which a couple of us
went to. Um, there's a lot of seminars,
a lot of talking to other
municipalities, seeing what they do. um
you know if there's things that we can
kind of adapt to Verona um yeah it's
it's an ongoing process um but it's been
taking up a good portion of my time
>> report questions for Mr. vessels.
>> Um, regarding the stamp phase to um the
quotes for the fire alarm system, uh,
chief vessel noted we may want to also
incorporate the burglar system with that
if possible. Um, but I'll let you to
discuss that further. Um,
>> and the second, um, question, Tom, I
don't know if you're gonna mention this
report, but, um, regarding potential
cameras at Riverbank Park, um,
>> I can go.
>> Okay. Yeah, because we have that.
>> Yeah, we talked a little bit about.
>> Thank you.
>> Okay. Very good. Uh, we'll move on to
item D, the public works report.
So yes, um DPW has been very busy. Um
with spring comes a lot of projects. Uh
a lot of their time has been spent on um
surrounding the parks. Um they've been
working a lot to get the water on. Um
they had to order some parts uh so the
water can be turned on. Um they did
place a second and center of the horses
um for better visibility. Um even though
it's not necessarily the burrows um you
know they we weren't doing that work in
house uh we thought it was important to
to make sure that there would be uh it
would be the safest configuration.
Um they worked on kind of removing and
installing uh some of the veteran
banners. Um ordering the alleyway signs
that was mentioned. They got new uh rear
tires from the backhoe. Um they did put
up that temporary fence along Ridge
which we're looking to to make more
permanent um structure there. Um so not
just the the plastic. Uh they repaired
some of the vinyl ceiling at cribs. Um
in March they did snow removal um which
which took a little bit. Um hopefully we
won't get any more snow uh until next
winter. Um they helped run some Ethernet
cables for the police department for
some of the cameras that are going in.
Uh and cleaned up the uh Verona War
Memorial and they also um are working on
putting the uh Roger Duffy sign um the
pole for it in place which should be
installed probably the sign will go up
sometime in May. Um the welcome to
Verona sign on Second Street which I
think looks very nice. Um it it looks if
you haven't seen it
>> got a lot of compliments on it. Yeah, I
I think it looks they did a really good
job on that. Um they attended some
trainings, one on temporary traffic
control. Uh they've got some new tires
for the dump truck and they dealt with a
u a sewer call on Center Street. Um
there was some line that was installed
correctly. Uh so that took a lot of time
to fix that.
>> Jacob, um on that uh improper
installation on the store on Center
Avenue, that's not the address, is it?
494.
>> No, it's I I might have wrote it down
wrong when AJ was
>> No, that's that's fine. I just want to
clarify that for the record.
>> 494 and
>> Yeah.
>> 494. No
>> seven. Yeah, that's not a mistake.
>> No problem.
>> Questions on the public work support?
>> Uh just one other thing. I didn't know
if you want to mention about the street
sweeping.
Um we're yeah uh so this the street
sweeper is being repaired. Um there's
uh it's going to take some time for it
to be fully fixed. Uh one of the things
that me and AJ discussed was the
possibility of renting one. Um it's very
expensive to do, but you know we might
have to space out what the normal street
sweeping schedule is. Um but some of the
areas look pretty bad. Uh so we want to
kind of ensure that we're we're uh doing
that maintenance if possible even if
it's just a temporary solution.
>> What about the uh salt situation? Um did
we get all of our a loted salt in
because it wasn't coming in if you
remember. I mean we all remember that.
>> Um I don't know. Was that brought up in
the last business meeting in March?
>> It's been brought up uh
>> January.
>> January. Um the the COG hired a got a
contract with a different company and
every municipality was hunting for salt
because um I don't know what they did or
what happened. Um but I just want to
know um if you could check with AJ if we
um some some of um
burrows from what I understand they were
going after them for reimbursement of
you know the a lotment that they got.
So, I know AJ says they got two triacles
in, but I'm sure there was a lot more
than two triacles that we were, you
know, we allocated.
>> Yeah, I can reach out to um AJ and check
on that. Um I know one thing I think we
did purchase salt from Bon Furrow time,
>> right?
>> You know, in a little bit. So, but I'll
check to make sure that we got
>> I don't want to pay for something we
didn't get and this company hopefully
whoever's on the cog goes to the
meetings. I hope they're going to
reconsider for next year.
>> Company canceled the contract. So, they
have they are in the process of finding
a new vendor.
>> But part of the problem too was that
they couldn't get up and down the rivers
because the ice
>> Yeah. I think the ice or the salt
sometimes it takes like two months
because it comes up by barge.
>> Yeah.
>> So,
>> yeah. Or well in advance.
>> All right. Very good. We'll move on to
section 8 code enforcement report.
>> Yeah. Um so Ju uh provided a report. Um
there is um so some of the the top five
violations it seems were um well some of
the main was accumulation of rubbish and
trash weeds um accessory structures uh
and then roof or flashing that needed
fixed. Um he did 13 new cases um 19
initial code inspections which was the
bulk of the the work. Uh 14 follow-up
inspections. 13 co court courtesy
notices and 11 violation letters and
issued one citation. Um
majority of what he has been doing um 61
or 62% of the time is occupancy
inspections. Um he's been out there uh
he he's been pretty vigilant about
things and and the requests that we pass
along to him. Um
yeah and
yeah that's it.
questions on the code enforcement
report.
All right, very good. Thank you for data
F. We have next the police chief's
report.
Okay, for February 2026, we had 276
calls compared to 167 last year, which
brings us to 839 calls for the year and
469 calls from last year. Um,
so we're rounding out phase one of the
stamp grant. Um, license plate readers
have gone up on ARV. We are waiting to
get um cameras and license plate reader
at Rivertown Shops entrance on ARB.
That's going in on Friday. They're doing
the rough work now. I anticipate
everything to be live with Boulevard
within a week or so. Um also, um Davis
Communication made a mistake to our
benefit. They over bid something. So,
we're we're going to have midblock
camera 700 block of ARB. So you're going
to have the whole block the 700 block of
air is going to have uh be under video
surveillance. So um
I wrote a policy uh and provided it to
Craig regarding reimbursements for
students contract should an officer
leave. We have a mechanism in the
contract but there's no teeth to enforce
it. So, I wrote something up, he
reviewed it, gave a thumbs up. It' be
for your discussion next meeting and
then the following meeting to vote on
it. Um, it's plain Jane stuff stuff that
municipalities do. You know, we just
have to have in place. Um, on a side
note, the officer that left for another
agency, um, we should have it hopefully
tomorrow a check for everything that he
owes birth. Um, his, um, new agency paid
for everything.
Um,
I sent out collection letters regarding
the amusement fees. They're slowly
coming in. We have about 75% of the fees
collected to date. Um, so within the
next two weeks I'll send out a reminder
letter and then another two weeks I'll
take enforcement action again for
businesses that haven't provided those
fees. Uh, currently I'm working on a
grant for new uh, cruiser and portable
radios for the department uh, for
Motorola. Get those upgraded. Um, also
we're doing a heck of a lot of training.
I'm trying to do in-house training as
much as possible to save the borrow
money. Um, in exchange you got to pay
them over time. Instead of sending them
somewhere to a school, we're doing it in
house. We have a couple trainings coming
up in May and June. Active shooter uh
training, first aid, stuff like that.
Combat first aid um that we'll be
involved with with other agencies. Like
I said, it's free, but you got to pay
them. So, you know, we're going to
minimize the cost as much as possible.
And that was it. Oh, um, if you notice
on the print on I gave you on the
company use for online bills, 85% of our
payments are online. It's fantastic. Get
quick, easy. Teresa likes it a lot
better than dealing with checks and
everything else. That's going great and
looking to switch over more uh online
payments as as time progresses with
everything. So, as far as police
concerned, any questions,
>> Tom,
>> how are the uh new c the cameras
working?
>> Fantastic. I encourage you to see them.
I mean, they're they're phenomenal. Um
trying we have about 32 cameras. We're
adding like six more. Um oh, stay up
phase two. Um the DA's office, I sent
Trish and Dave, they want to have a
meeting. They're ecstatic about what's
happening here. Um they are making a
eastern suburb rural crime center um I
believe it's going to be Pit Karen or
Monroville and they want us to be a part
of it because our cameras are fantastic
um because they want to link everything
with other agencies um so that if
something happens in Monroville they can
you track it you know Monroville Hills
Verona so forth and so um in the coming
months we're going to sit down with with
Stephen Sala and talk about enrollment
in that program which is fantastic
because it's going to help not only us
it's going to help other agencies and I
I will tell you right now uh the cameras
in place have solved a number of crimes
pretty quick including the fire we had
in I mean looked at video knew who it
was got an arrest that's I mean that's
how quick it was so that that's that's
great um stamp phase two I met with
Davis communication
um I mentioned this before they are um
you know they'll give you a bit but we
don't know what's going on with the
market you're going to spend 15 $20,000
in cameras that maybe a couple years
later you're gonna have to move and it's
going to cost thousands of dollars to
rearrange rec reconfigure whatnot. They
recommend it and I'm going to listen to
them because if the experts hold off
until you get a finalized plan with
Riverbank Park, there's no electricity
in park. So, we're going to have to run
electricity. So, as soon as you get
electricity run, maybe we can start
looking at program cameras. The lights
down there need replaced. That's another
thing we need to look at getting new
lights or solar pace. Um, so that would
be my recommendation. It's up to you. We
can still throw it in there, but um
you're just wasting money down the road.
You know, you may get the grant for
$20,000 for cameras down there and then
three years later have to spend $10,000
to reconfigure it, which is not going to
be part of the grant. You're wasting
money. Let's do it right the first time.
Anything else?
>> I have a quick question. On page two of
your on the back of your first page, it
says money's collected February. Did you
mean February or March?
Okay.
>> Um, thank you for remembering to bring
that back up. Matt, I think we had
suggested in terms of cameras at a
previous meeting uh using a structure
that was less likely to change than
other configurations. Does it make sense
to perhaps look at just using the u the
poles the lighting and looking electric?
>> Yeah, I could work with the with the
chief. I mean, there's certain things
that aren't going to change. I mean, um,
like fencing around the courts won't
change. Um,
eventually the pavilion could change, so
we probably don't want to look at,
>> right,
>> mounting anything there.
>> Um, we're not entirely sure of the the
building layout or renovations there.
So, I wouldn't want to attach anything
to the side of the building there.
>> That's the only spot they would be
willing to put a camera right now. know
what's on that building, but you don't
know what we're doing with the salt
shed. We don't know what we're doing
with the building.
>> That's why
it's probably best to hold off until we
know,
>> right? And ideally, I'd like to see a
minimum of three cameras down there and,
you know,
>> near the salt shed, middle of the park
with a 360 or 180 degree and then on the
other end, it was fine.
>> So,
>> you're saying they wouldn't put them on
the lights or the fencing?
>> No.
>> Fencing is too low.
>> Okay. Can you give us a ballpark Matt?
Um, for a timeline I know it's very
ballpark from now until we get a grant,
do the work, all that stuff. Do you know
is it a year, two years, three years?
>> So we have the we have submitted for the
LSA grant which following suit with
previous years. They announce those
sometimes between like September and
Novemberish. uh so we can hit the ground
running if awarded have plans ready for
spring of next year with construction to
the mid mid to late summer of next year.
>> So in between during the winter this
coming winter into 27 you'd be making
all the plans and correct
>> all that and then presumably
constructing
next summer and fall.
>> Correct.
>> Do you think they'd actually be able to
finish it though?
It just depends on the timing of when
the contract gets there. Um when they
when they bid it, if they have other
work lined up, they're not always able
to get there right away. So whenever the
actual construction would start, um that
would be dependent.
>> We could potentially be looking at about
two years from now. Then
>> with with a a building renovation and
stuff like that, you could we could try
we put some language in the bid to to
speed it up. Um, but I wouldn't want to
put an unrealistic expectation of
>> telling you June because chances are
it's not June of next year.
>> Yeah. I I I'm I'm not asking for that. I
just want to get an idea so that we know
what we're looking at.
>> Yeah. Unfortunately, when when dealing
with existing buildings and renovations,
they always take longer than than
expected. So I would I would say even if
we have it bid out in spring of next
year, it's going to take most of the if
not all the rest of the next year to get
it completed. Now that doesn't mean that
bits and pieces are aren't usable as
they get completed, but total package
wise I'd say very late 27, early 28.
Matt, my question um regarding this is
does it make sense to start with some of
the electrical work for the stamp phase
2
because we know we'll need electric
regardless.
>> Uh if the stamp phase 2 is able to pay
for some of the electrical, we could get
started on that. Um I'm not exactly sure
what holes you're referring to in the
middle or the
>> We could do any I mean there has to be
electricity right now. The lights are
solar powered.
>> Okay.
>> There's no electricity going to those
light so they're going to need to be
electrifying. It may be an idea to
actually swap those out as part of the
grant new lighting for the park, right?
>> Yeah.
>> So, do that first and then phase three,
we can do the whole cameras.
>> Yeah. And I I can reach out to my
contact at Dukane Light. Um it it would
be up to the burrow, but I don't even
though we'd have to run underground, we
could probably have a new aerial drop
over to the poles and connect them that
way. Um something to think about. We we
could start that process.
Okay. Um,
so do we want to have Matt get quote for
starting some of that stays Jason?
>> Uh, yes. One thing I want to mention too
is because it was brought last week
about the salt shred moving that um,
>> yeah,
>> we we do have like one plan um that was
kind of discussed where it could go in
the parking lot. Um
we're we have a couple of conversations
about other areas um which are in very
preliminary stages but um the idea is
that we could hopefully have an option
at different price points of where it
could go.
>> Um you know seeing if maybe the the
railroad would be willing to enter
museum with us. Um
>> you know so hopefully those
conversations will give us kind of the
creative idea of getting the salt out of
there and move um and help with the
timeline. Thanks for that update. Um I
also want to thank you chief for getting
the uh the schools to share their
cameras with us.
>> Oh I I don't know if I mentioned that
last meeting. Um ideally I mean you want
a key areas you want to have enough
camera coverage and one of them would be
burner. Um I reached out to the
superintendent and the principal of
burner. They're in the process of giving
us full access of exterior only cameras
um which would go directly into uh
department. all we would have to pay for
a new a large monitor, a 40inch monitor.
Um, hook it up to a pre-existing
computer. So, it's it's not a
detrimental cost at all. Um, it's going
to save us tens of thousands of dollars
instead of putting cameras up at that
intersection. Um, so that's that's in
the in the works. Um, unfortunately,
it's probably going to be over the
summer that we get access, but better
late than never. So, um, they're pretty
excited about it. Um, they're in the
process of getting new cameras and it
saves us money. So,
>> thank you. Any other questions or
comments for Chief Pessel?
>> Appreciate your hard work.
>> Next up, we have the fire chief support.
>> Good evening, council.
>> Again,
>> um to summarize the monthly report for
March that I submitted for your review,
uh fire county will answer 28 calls in
the month of March. Uh it does include
two residential structure fires, one
appliance fire, two extinguish fires,
two brush fires, two odor
investigations, one commercial fire
alarm, one carbon monoxide alarm, one
water condition, one elevator rescue,
one structural collapse, 10 wires down
or arcing, three vehicle accidents, and
one EMS assist. Of those called, 14 of
those were in the burrow of Verona.
Mutual aid was provided to uh six calls
into Oakmont, six calls into Penn Hills,
one call into Plum, and one call into
Springdale Township.
Another thing I wanted to mention to uh
council and the public. Um our emergency
siren of the station is currently down.
Um the windstorms on the evening of
March 13th, uh we had a power surge come
through our 48 line and it um destroyed
the entire system. So, we're in the
works of uh getting that replaced um
right now. So, we just ask the public to
remain vigilant on our emergency
response. Watch out for the fire trucks,
sirens, just so aware.
>> Dan, how much does that cost to replace
the fix?
>> I I'm still waiting on for that.
>> Oh, okay.
Is there any way to add that to like our
our website so people that don't watch
and can
>> So we we did uh send some notifications
out um through different channels um put
on Facebook
um we had the neighborhood blog watch
as well. Yeah.
>> Yeah. I've noticed some older stuff on
the sites.
>> Other questions or comments for Chief
TV?
>> How do you get the notifications when
there's an alarm about the alarm?
>> So, we have um we have a paging system
that run out and also um with technology
we get uh phone notification as well.
Awesome. Awesome.
Thank you for your report, your hard
work and service.
Next up, item 8 I, we have our
solicitor's report with Mr. Alexander.
>> We have a EMS report.
>> I don't
I don't think anyone's here. I'll be
happy to go over it.
>> Thank you so much. Um, for the month of
March,
Lower Valley did 11 advanced life
support calls, eight basic life support
calls, 11 fire standbys,
10 refusals, three lift assists, one
cancellation,
one mutual aid,
and one no transport for a total of 46
calls.
>> Very good. Thank you. Any questions or
comments on the EMS report?
Great. Now without further ado, we'll
move into our solicitor's report. Mr.
Al, thank you. Um
I did submit a written report. U want to
touch on a couple things. The mayor had
mentioned the vape shop ordinance and
how vape shops are
popping up all over Ross Township. I
don't know how many of you all get out
in Monroeville. They're also seem to be
on every block out there on both sides
of the road and in Monro there's like a
22 there's also sort of a commercial
road behind that that the burrow
buildings on and that is also lined with
>> vape shops. So they they are absolutely
everywhere anymore. And uh I I agree
with the mayor. He gave a good summary
of what the ordinance looks like. I did
uh speak with one of the Ross Township
commissioners who I'm uh friendly with
and uh she is going to uh email me that
ordinance and I will put together a
draft that I feel is in uh the best uh
needs of the burough and we can
circulate a draft next month on that and
uh appreciate the mayor taking the lead
on that. Uh the other thing I wanted to
just uh point out on my report is the
International Property Maintenance Code
ordinance. Uh we we talked a little bit
about that last month. I believe that uh
Jacob has passed a copy of that out for
everybody. You'll see in there uh the
adoption of the ordinance, but you also
see in there modified standards. You're
allowed to modify certain standards
within the ordinance. And so what I did
was I went back and looked at the
modifications we did back in 2015 and I
incorporated those not 2015 but when we
adopted the 2015 ordinance uh I
incorporated those into this ordinance
and then Jamie Shaw also had suggested
modifications as well in an email that I
had from him and I incorporated the mod
the modifications that Jamie had
suggested and
our old modification conflicted in some
way uh with with Jamie's. I just made a
decision on which one I thought was
better. And uh like our old ordinance
said uh we over 8 in were violations.
Jamie said 10. I thought 10 was
sufficient. I mean you're not going to
site them anyway. So
>> Oops.
I have one community that made it six
saying the same thing. Well, you're not
going to set up at six anyway, so let's
make it six. Maybe they'll get them at
8.
>> Can you think of any of the other
changes or suggestions that you were
having here?
>> I I I don't think I have a copy of the
words in front of me, but I could go
through them all with you. Um,
>> well, I don't I just was thinking just a
couple of other It's It's back in the
back of the the
>> There's a period of time where you have
to have screens in your windows for for
insects. Uh, our old ordinance was uh
September 1 to May 31st. Jamie's uh
recommendation was October 1st to April
30th. And that seemed reasonable to me.
Uh I believe that the when we did the
ordinance the last time Mark Stanton uh
came up with a lot of the suggested
modifications and you know the court
code enforcement officer himself so he
he he was familiar with those but I
think the Jamie's detention works
better.
Same with uh what you have to keep your
house heat on in the winter time. Uh our
ours was a lot well not a lot but one
month wider window than what what Jamie
did.
>> What's the minimum?
>> Yeah,
>> 68
in certain parts and 65 in other parts.
>> Okay. And so that's really just about
the the
>> who's
not going to get cited on it
>> unless you're in there inspecting for
some other reason.
>> Correct.
if he
>> um Okay. I just was curious what kind of
changes you were going through.
>> And
one of the things you had to make you
had to watch for is because in in the
2015 ordinance uh you know 103.5
you think that if you go to 2020 one
ordinance and 103.5 is going to be the
same thing. No, they changed the
numbers. So, you have to find out where
that modification actually goes and
because they have it in there somewhere.
You just have to find where they moved
it to.
>> Right.
>> Thank you.
>> That's it.
>> Thank you. Other questions or comments
from Mr. Alexander?
>> I think I had one other
see. Um,
can you Oh, no. You addressed already.
Thank you.
I just uh we'll move on to section 8A
engineers report. Mitch,
>> thank you. I prevented my submitting my
written report. A few updates to go with
that. Um so Jacob had touched on the
sore issue at 494 Center Avenue. Uh what
had happened there was the the owner was
having a backup. He had a plumber out,
came his line. um was determined that
the sor lining work that was done did
not properly reinstate the sor lateral
there. Uh I got soon as I was notified
of it by AJ got on the phone with the
contractor. We reviewed the videos. They
determined that there was a mistake made
there. Um his plumber was able to cut a
temporary hole in it. The plumber was
back uh out on site the next morning and
fixed it from inside the main. Uh, I've
since put the homeowner in touch with
the contractor's insurance uh because it
falls solely on the ins the contractor
for this issue. Uh, and I'm in continued
communication with them to make sure
that that was all right. Um, so I think
there was a there was a letter sent to
the bureau of council was made aware.
Craig and I worked that out, responded
to them, uh, informed them that it was
not the a claim against the burrow's
insurance but rather the contractors. So
that's moving forward. Um, but it's all
been taken care of uh until it goes
through the contractor's insurance.
Uh, we have on the agenda tonight the
award of the CDB50
um sanitary shorelineing. Uh, that would
be to inside pipe. Uh, and the the
amount of the award on the agenda is
148,450.
We do have a um an 86,000
CDBG grant for that. Uh so our local
match will be 61,000.
Uh we also have on the agenda tonight
the award of the Arch Street um paving
and bike lane upgrades. Uh that is
Tresco Paving. Uh we put that out in the
bid as the a base bid for all the paving
work. the add item one add item one was
for all the line painting in and bike
lane work. We did that because we don't
have the final location locked down. So
that way we can negotiate with the
contractor, let them know that that
won't be done right away. Um and then
add item two, uh we put in there to do
additional depth paving um for the the
section that's paved already. Um based
off our initial submission of the grant,
we had applied a letter saying that the
bureau would commit 55,000 to to the the
grant. It is not required because the
multimodal does wave that match amount.
However, if we do award uh add item two
on the surface, it's 66,000. Uh but by
awarding add item two, it eliminates the
need for the base repair item and the
base bid trimming approximately 15,000
from the project and it also eliminates
um some tonnage of the wearing course
from the base bid which is another
15,000. So even though on paper it's 66,
it's realistically 36
>> uh once it would be installed. Um so
initially like I said we we had stated
you would put 55,000 towards the
project. Um but if we award add item
two, which would be my recommendation
because then instead of inch and a half
of paving, we'll be getting 4 inches of
new paving on the road. Uh we would be
approximately 25,000 in locally on that.
>> Oh, that's great. So 25 instead of 50.
>> Correct.
>> Okay.
Um, one item that came up um, just a few
hours ago when I was talking to Oakmont
Water, uh, if you recall a few few years
ago on First Street, they had several
breaks of their 12-in water line. Uh, we
were discussing the grant that the
burrow has for paving of of North
Avenue. Um, so that line turns and goes
up North Avenue until it gets to Oak
Alley. Uh, and then it goes down Oak
Alley as a 12inch line and then the rest
of the way up to second is a 4 inch
line. Um, they had asked me what our
timing was because they would like to
place the rest of that 12-in line before
we would pave the road. Uh, I told them
as of right now, we don't have it fully
designed. We were talking about the idea
of stamped concrete to look at a brick
um aesthetic and and things like that.
So, we're we're just collecting final
quantities right now. Uh, so the the
field manager I talked to, he was going
back to his office to talk about their
timing as well. I did tell him that we
were looking to have this project this
year, which he wasn't sure if they would
have be able to get their water line in
this year. So once we get their timing,
it's something that we'll have to
consider. Um, I certainly don't want to
pave a brand new road for them to rip it
up in spring. So it as that conversation
continues, I'll have more information
And that's all the updates I have that
weren't already on my report.
>> Question.
>> Yes.
>> Um,
down on our street, it'll get done when
it will get done, but they also ripped
up about half of Sheridan. Um, which is
I don't know if that
is covered by any. I don't think it was.
And so do you know how we're going to
get shared and fixed?
>> I will talk with B water about that as
well for the area that they they ripped
up there.
>> Uh my initial thoughts are we can
probably add it to our our contract and
get reimbured like we've done for other
projects.
>> Get reimbured from up from that.
>> That way they don't have to pay a payer
to come out and do a very small patch.
We can but I'll start that conversation
with them.
>> Yes. Yep.
>> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Pitch. Any other
questions or comments for our engineers?
Okay, thank you. We'll move on then to
section 8K. This is council member
remarks. Um, we only have Nancy and Tim
with items on the agenda for tonight.
So, we'll start with those. Um, I wanted
to ask if anyone who attended Elam would
like to share anything during this time
as well. Um, please to share with us. Uh
so councelor governor.
>> Okay. Um well I have more to say than
just what's on there because I just
thought of them all. But um all this
quarterly report on finance is therefore
to remind me to say we will be working
on a quarterly report that just ended at
the end of March. and um Jacob and
myself and probably with the assistance
of Jason, we'll figure out a way if we
can't get it done by next week, it'll
definitely be the business meeting of
May. Have that finished. Um the grant
that Curtis got uh was on what's it
called? Healthy aging.
>> Yeah. Um, I had an idea that since I'm
on the board of the senior center that
serves both Verona and Oakmont that um,
we could maybe figure out an idea of
what to do with that grant. I'm going to
get with Curtis and start working on
that. Uh, because I don't really know
anything about the grant you do what we
can put together. Um, I want to let
everybody know that I have been to two
presentations by um, a couple of
different people. One at the Alageney
County Burs Association board meeting
and another
was at the COB meeting. Oh, that was the
other
>> Okay. Um, and
these people are talking, it's it's
Alagany Forward is the name of the
group, and they're in phase one of them
doing a countywide comprehensive plan,
and they want people's input. So, they
gave me all these cards to hand out, and
all you have to do is put your camera on
your phone and focus in on this QR code.
It'll take you to some information and a
survey. and they would like people to
start taking the survey. So, when the
meeting is over, if people could please
come up and uh help yourself to a card
and take the survey, that would be
great. I'm looking at possibly having
them come and do presentation here. Um
because I think that down the line it
could be helpful for us for our
comprehensive plan that we would like to
get done for Verona. So, please help
yourself to those cards. Um,
I did do a training today by local
government academy. I think John did it
as well. Um, it just was on funding
uh availability and all the different
ways you can get money. I knew a lot of
it, but there were some new things and
they will be sending out the PowerPoint
and the uh recording of the meeting. So
we can it was a brief training. Um so it
was it was very good. Um and then also
um alum I did go to alum. There was a
lot there but the one thing I want to
mention right now is uh they there were
a couple of presentations about blight
and the one that I went to um had three
people there. One of them was Ann Lewis
who does the land bank um work at the
TRIRCOG
uh land bank and um I vaguely vaguely
remember years and years ago we had
somebody here talking about land banks
and it didn't seem to make sense at the
time but it's been at least eight maybe
10 years since we've had that
presentation and she is eager to come to
municipalities and give present
presentations about uh entering the land
bank program and um I won't go into the
details. She she'll do that. But I think
it's really worth looking into to help
uh with our light situation here in um
and one by one we can start turning
these around.
Um,
and so that was one big thing that I got
a I'm going to have to review my notes
more and give you more maybe to to be
determined or you know to be uh
continued is the word I'm looking for.
And I did go to the current meeting
>> and there were a couple of things that
were um a couple of things that were
what is that? Okay. a couple of things
that that they went over, but I can't
remember what they are right now. Get
back get back to you next week about car
as well. That's it for me. Thanks.
>> Um I think it would be lovely to have
your speaker come um perhaps later in
the year at a workshop.
>> Yeah.
>> So I we but we this is more time
sensitive. This is same as that. So I
would like to consider having them
coming here also
>> to talk about
um the alagini forward program we're
doing.
>> Yes.
>> Okay.
>> Um since you mentioned COG that's when I
realized we also did the announcements.
Would you like to proceed with this?
>> It's okay if you
>> sure then we'll go back to
>> good evening.
newsletter is coming up. We will be
meeting articles and uh the uh due date
is going to be on Friday, May 1st. We
absolutely can't go over that date
because printer is already set to go
with it. So, if you can get any of your
articles in, please make sure they're in
no later than May the 1st. And uh for
articles, Donald board can be reached at
412828367
or at Verona Newsroom.com.
And for ads, anyone wishing to do an ad,
I can be reached at 4128287726.
Chamber of Commerce. Their next meeting
is going to be on Tuesday, April the
28th at 7 here in the Burough Building.
And have our vice president here this
evening. Chief Tom, would you like to uh
add anything to the chamber? Any update?
>> You know, we had a great turn up for the
Easter.
Say a couple hundred kids running out of
candy, but not sure.
>> Yes, that was a good one. Thank you,
Twin Bar Ministries. Their next dinner
is going to be on Wednesday, April the
29th here in the ver here at the Verona
Methodist Church and it will be from
4:30 to 6:30.
Historical Society next meeting is going
to be this Thursday, April the 16th at 7
PM and that will be here in the Burough
Building and the guest speaker is going
to be Doug Palance and we're going to be
speaking on the history of grain farming
and all are welcome. We enjoy having the
people. They're really great speakers.
So try to come you enjoy it and along I
understand it was a very successful very
wonderful uh conference and um a big
thank you to the uh Verona council
members that were there and represented
Verona. Thank you.
And uh lastly are there any questions or
comments?
If not uh I thank you very much. That
concludes my reports.
>> Thank you, councelor Pvenza. You're
welcome. We'll go to councelor Long
next.
>> All right. Um, first I have a letter
that I got from parks and wreck that I
would like to read um by the community
garden.
Um, the subject is ensuring fair access
to garden beds and constant safe
maintenance. Um
as the Verona community garden is a
public park and therefore belongs
equally to all residents of Verona and
is also therefore the legal
responsibility of the burough of Verona.
It is essential that we address two core
priorities fair access to garden beds
for all residents of Verona and
maintaining the space in a safe and
consistent manner.
Um fair access to garden beds. It has
come to our attention that the Verona
Community Garden has for some time been
operating with a wait list of residents
seeking beds. It has also come to our
attention that long-standing garden
participants are seeking to sublet their
beds to maintain their own access and
control even while they're not using the
beds.
Other residents continue to wait.
um conservation with the community guard
members. The conversation with the
community guard members confirmed that
there is no plan in place to encourage
the turnover of beds with the result
that the membership today is largely the
same as the original membership. to
ensure equal equality among our
potential gardeners and to bring the
rental system more in line with the
practices of the other Verona public
parks. We recommend reviewing the
current bed allocation processes to
better align with the community values
and inclusiveness and transparency.
Specifically, no members should be
allowed to maintain control over bed
they are not currently using for any
given season. Any bed not be being used
by a gardener on record should be
designated as available allowing a
weight listed resident to garden. Among
returning gardeners, there should be a
limit for the number of seasons one
household retains the bed to ensure new
gardeners have the opportunity to
participate. Bed should not be retained
in perpetuity regardless of ability to
pay.
If there continues to be a wait list
once fair and universally applied
allotment system is in place there
should be clear and transparent
communication regarding when those
weight listed residents may expect to be
allocated of space.
To summarize it is unacceptable that
residents be weight listed indefinitely
particularly while beds are not being
actively used. This is hoarding of a
public resource
and is not consistent with the reision.
res reservation system for other public
parks. It cannot be permitted.
Regular maintenance is critical for the
safety, cleanliness, and sustain
sustainability of our garden. As a park
within Verona Burough, the burrow is
ultimately responsible for the safety of
the community garden and therefore
has a considerable interest in its
maintenance. uh rooting and collapsing
rotting and collapsing beds, high weeds
and uneven surfaces pose the danger to
the community
and insurance liability as does uh
substandard DIY repairs.
Common space maintenance. We propose a
rotating schedule posted in an
accessible location for shared tasks
such as path planting, weeding, and
other common spaces, compost management,
similarly common tasks, bed maintenance.
We also strongly encou encourage the
development of shared standards of
maintenance of the beds themselves so
gardeners know what to what is expected
of them as to prevent issues such as
weeds, rodents, etc. in one bed from
impacting other spaces, structure and
skilled repairs. There should be a
process for escalating repairs
which may require expertise or skilled
skills beyond that of the membership so
DPW or other appropriate resources can
be brought in. Providing clear
guidelines and periodic training
sessions will help ensure all members
understand and fulfill their
responsibilities reducing risk and
fostering a sense of shared stewardship.
We welcome feedback from council, the
steering committee, and community
members on these suggestions. By working
together, we can continue to make the
Rona community garden a thriving
inclusive space for everyone. Thank you
for this attention to these important
matters. Sincerely, the members of the
parks and recreation.
Um, I read that because I have uh a lot
of concerns over the community garden.
Um, first and foremost, the other thing
that uh, Parks and Rec wants is a full
audit of the community gardens.
>> Tim, I'm just going to pause you real
quick. I'm confused why this coming
president parks and rocking through.
You're not currently in board, correct?
>> I'm not, but I am part of infrastructure
and the parks are infrastructures and
I'm also part of public safety and
there's a lot of public safety issues.
>> Technically, parks with all Kelly's
committee, which is recreation. If you
could have Jason redirect this through
Kelly for further discussion.
>> Listen, all I'm calling for today is a
stop to all construction at the garden
until something can be put in place that
the burrow can track because right now
the community garden is running and the
burrow has no idea what's going on down
there because they don't report to us.
They build whatever they want. They do
substandard work. The beds are falling
apart. It's a dangerous place down
there. And like I said, I'm a public
safety. I was asked to read this, so I
read it.
But I'm calling for a stop of anything
being built at the community garden by
any member of the public. It's a park.
There's there are specific contractors
that need to be hired to work inside
parks.
That's all I have.
>> Okay.
>> Very good. Thank you. Um,
are there any other comments from other
council members? I wasn't sure along or
in general.
Very good. Without further ado, we'll
move on to section nine, old business,
of which there is none. Section 10,
ordinary items.
Up first, 10 A. At this time, council
has been provided with a copy of the
bills from March 2026. So, I will accept
a motion to accept the bills.
>> I'll make a motion to accept the bills.
>> Have a motion by councelor Carpenter to
accept the bills. Do I have a second?
>> Second.
>> Second by councelor Rodriguez. Any
questions or comments? All those in
favor?
>> I. Are there any opposed? Motion
carries. 10B. Council has been provided
with the minutes from the February 10th
and February 17 meetings. At this time,
I will accept a motion to approve these
minutes.
>> Make a motion.
>> We have a motion by councelor Long. Do I
have a second?
>> I will second.
>> Second by councelor Jamelis. Are there
any questions or comments?
>> All those in favor? I.
>> Are there any opposed?
Motion carries. This brings us to
section 11, new business and action
items.
11A.
The bureau must adopt a resolution
showing our support for the Verona
Chamber of Commerce, seeking funding
through the Main Streets Alagany.
Main Streets Alageney is Alageney
County's coordinated initiative to
support neighborhood commercial
districts and downtown business
corridors across the county.
At this time, I will entertain a motion
to adopt our resolution to support.
>> I move to approve the resolution
supporting the Verona Chamber of
Commerce's participation in the Main
Streets Alagini program as presented.
>> Motion by Councelor Carpenter, a second
by councelor Pvenza. Are there any
questions or comments?
>> Uh, great job drafting this.
Um, all those in favor.
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Motion carries.
>> 11B. Council has reviewed proposals for
the burough's annual landskeeping
services. At this time, I will entertain
a motion to approve the landing contact
for the upcoming season.
>> I'll make a motion.
>> We have a motion first by councelor
Long. Is there a second?
I'll second
>> second by council carer. Are there any
questions or
>> Yeah. Um I just want to make clear that
this is with ResNetic Landscaping the
people that we've been using the last
several years
and um I just don't know Jacob if you
know
um this is bi-weekly weed removal.
Does that mean twice a week or twice a
month?
>> Um,
>> twice a month.
>> Twice a month.
>> Okay. So, twice a month. And then also
removal of dead shrubs and so on and so
forth
and also blowing of landscape related
debris from sidewalks. So, so that's
supposed to happen twice a month.
There's a bunch of stuff they're going
to do to clean up and get ready for
spring and mulch and all that. and
that's great. Um, I don't know how we
can do this, but I'm just hoping that
there is a way that we can kind of keep
our eye on the fact that they are doing
this twice a month because in past
summers it's looked by the end of July
through August and it's kind of starting
to look run down and
that's all I don't really have a
question. I just had that call.
>> Is this the only company we can deal
with or is there anything else out
there? Oh, there's lots of other ones
out there. At the time when these people
were um procured, they had the best the
best rate going.
>> When does that happen?
>> Um they need to be starting like
>> No, no, no. I mean, when did we just
like books?
>> I don't remember exactly. I don't think
that we took bids this year because we
have a lot of change going on. This
guy's been here. He's a good guy. He
does the work for the most part. Um but
it's a good idea I think for next year
to maybe um okay
>> we can look at some other um estimates
proposals but because it's under 12,500
we're not obligated to do that legally.
>> I believe that's the number 12,500 this
year
something like that. Yeah.
>> So that I just keep an eye out.
>> Yeah. The the pricing isn't that bad.
It's just regularly make sure they're
getting the work done.
>> Yes.
>> Right. Yeah. Yeah. So, everybody just
keep an eye out and if you see some
landscaping areas that you think Resnik
is responsible for, I'm not really clear
on exactly everything that he is in
charge of, but um you know, let's just
keep an eye out and call him if things
are looking
>> 132 is the current
>> 132. Okay.
>> Can we find out where they're they do
this first? I mean,
>> it's a lot of I mean just know what
>> Well, it's like by the pavilion um along
here in the Burrow building street.
>> Where's that?
>> Up by the cannon.
>> Yes.
>> I believe they mulch up there.
>> A good rule of thumb kind of is like the
mulched areas. So, if it's like kind of
around or near mulch, that's what they
would cover out right outside here. All
the tree beds along ARB and East
Railroad really will have trees that
mulch
and
you know if there's a lot of weeds then
we need to let them know to come and get
those weeds out.
>> I think it's good for um AJ too can
report you know while they're working
they notice areas they can
>> That's true.
>> Yeah. Thank you.
>> All eyes on that then. Um, all those in
favor?
>> I
>> Are there any opposed?
That motion carries. 11 C.
>> The line item that was previously used
for the bike derby specifically has
since been used for accepting general
donations and is in need of renaming.
The recommendation is to rename this
line which is line item 380 um.900
to police department donations to allow
for more general use of these funds. At
this time I will entertain a motion to
accept this recommendation by our
manager.
>> I move to approve the renaming of the
account line 380.900
to police department donations as
recommended.
Have
>> a motion by councelor crumper. Is there
a second?
>> Also,
>> second by councelor Sperling. Any
questions or comments?
All those in favor?
>> I.
>> Are there any opposed?
>> Motion carries.
>> 11 D. Council has been provided with a
resignation letter from police officer
Charles Siori effective March 31st,
2026.
Officer Siori has dutifully served the
burough of Verona and Verona Burrow
would like to thank him for his service
to our community.
At this time, I will entertain a motion
to accept his letter of resignation.
Reluctively, Sylvia,
>> we have a first by councelor Provenza.
Um, I believe a second reluctantly.
>> Yes, a reluctant. Yes. Are there any
questions or comments?
>> I'd like to thank Officer Siori for his
service.
>> Yes.
>> It was very good.
>> Yes.
>> Quick.
>> Yes.
>> All those in favor?
>> I. Are there any opposed?
>> Motion carries.
>> The motion. Yeah, but it said it's this
and this are not in the same.
>> I did. Thank you.
We'll we'll come back to the um
item 11F.
Due to recent vacancies in the Verona
Police Department, Verona Council must
hire a full-time police officer to
ensure our residents are continually
receiving the safest services from our
police department. At this time, I will
entertain a motion to hire Joshua
Marorrow is a full-time officer
contingent upon successful completion of
the medical examination, psychological
examination, and background check.
Um, I move to hire Joshua Marorrow be a
full-time patrolman contingent on
medical exam, psychological exam, and
background check.
>> Second.
>> Thank you. We have a first by councelor
Carpenter and a second by councelor
Pvenza. Are there any questions or
comments? All those in favor? I
>> Are there any opposed?
Motion carries.
Uh this one 11g due to recent vacancies
in the Verona Police Department, Verona
Council must hire a part-time police
officer to ensure residents are
continually receiving the safest
services from our police department. At
this time, I will entertain a motion to
hire James Brad as a part-time officer
contingent upon a successful completion
of a background check.
>> Real quick question.
>> How can we get the motion on?
I I would move to hire I'd move to hire
James Rod be a part-time patrolman
contingent successful background check.
>> Thank you. We have a first by councelor
Gllis.
>> Thank you. A second by councelor
Carpenter
>> just with the two. So with the one
residing in this one, how many does that
put you?
>> How many police officers do?
>> Full time. If you're placed in
Charlotte, that's six full time. We're
budgeted for two part-time working four
days a week each. That's eight out eight
shifts a week. We're not getting that.
That's why we're adding part time just
all those in favor. I are there any
opposed?
Motion carries.
118.
To better serve our residents and stay
updated with the best code practices,
council must adopt the 2021
International Property Maintenance Code.
To do so, council must first move to
advertise an ordinance that would
officially adopt the 2021 International
Maintenance Code.
At this time, I will entertain a motion
to advertise.
We have to advertise motion to advertise
this.
>> We have a first by councelor Long. Is
there a second?
>> First, I just had a question.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. I miss heard you. Um, do
we have a persona?
>> So,
just to get clear,
>> do we have a first?
>> No, because he's saying that we've
already done this.
>> Um, we will comment on that in a moment.
Can I have a first? Okay, I'll make
first.
>> The first by councelor Carpenter. Do we
have a second?
>> I think they want to understand.
>> Do we have a second?
>> You can't have discussion until you get
a motion to second on the floor.
>> All right, I'll make
>> a second by councelor Penza. Thank you.
Um, when we compared the agenda, it said
as a discussion, not action item.
And it certainly doesn't hurt to do it
twice. It hasn't been advertised. So
>> it hasn't been advertised.
>> It has not been advertised.
>> We know that for sure. So we're not
paying the advertisement twice.
>> Okay. That's all. I think people I think
we just discussed it against what
they're saying.
>> Yes. The agenda item read discussion of
2021 adoption, not
>> okay.
>> That's the advertise.
>> Right. Yeah. because I don't think we
had the
>> Yeah, good. Okay.
>> Are there question on that? Are there
resources for the public to look up the
uh international property maintenance
code?
>> Yes.
>> As far as you know, free resources or
>> you can find it up there
>> and just put it in Google. It would come
right up
>> or or you have to pay for those
>> there. You can find it out there where
you don't have to pay.
>> Okay.
>> Any other questions or comments?
>> All those in favor?
>> Are there any opposed?
Motion carries.
Uh we're going to go back to on the
agenda item 11 G, which is motion to
ratify employee health benefits
proposal.
The bureau must ratify their decision
made in an executive session to adopt
municipal benefit services healthc care
proposal to the employees of Verona
Burough. At this time, I will
entertaining motion.
>> I move to ratify the decision to offer
the employees of Verona the health
benefits proposal administered by
municipal benefits services.
>> I'll second.
>> Thank you. We have a first by councelor
Preparator, a second by councelor
Sterling. Are there any questions or
comments?
>> I just want to say that Jacob did an
amazing job as a new bureau manager
negotiating all of this and and guiding
us through and the meeting that we had
two weeks ago to discuss it although
long was very informative. Everybody was
here. Everybody was asking really good
questions and this was quite the
process. It was a long process. But I
think that not only are is it good for
us because we're saving money, but we're
giving enhanced benefits, better
benefits for the same or less money to
all the employees here. So, I'm very
happy about this.
>> Yes. I'd like to reiterate our gratitude
as council to Jacob for diving in this
hands-on which was countless hours of
work and I know we're all very proud to
be able to present count uh present our
staff with um enhanced benefit options
um while maintaining fiscal
responsibility to the burrow. So
>> and that's including dental and vision
as well.
>> Yeah.
Any other questions or comments on that?
All those in favor?
>> Are there any opposed?
Motion carries.
>> Moving on to item 11. I motion toward
the CD50 sanitary sealer lining to
Robinson pipe cleaning company in the
amount of $148,450.
Our burough engineer has received quotes
to complete this work in accordance with
our grants that we have received and has
recommended that we proceed with uh
Robinson Pipe Cleaning Company. At this
time, I entertain a motion to award this
uh this company. I will make the motion
to award CD50
sanitary service mining Robertson pipe
cleaning company in the amount of
$148,400.
>> Thank you. We have first by council. Do
we have a second?
>> Second by councelor Sterling. Are there
any comments or questions? All those in
favor?
I are there any opposed?
Motion carries.
This brings us to last but not least
11J.
Motion to award the Arch Street bicycle,
pedestrian and motor motorist
improvements to TCO Corporation in the
amount of 178,785.
This is in accordance with the grant
that the bureau received uh which is our
DCEG multimmoal transportation fund for
2025.
And we are motioning to add alternative
line item number two for $66,962.50
through our foundation.
>> Is that all one motion?
>> And it'll save us money. However, Matt
explained that. Yeah,
>> I'll make that motion.
>> Okay,
>> we have a first by councelor Sperling.
Is there a second?
>> Oh, sorry.
>> Second by councelor Ker. Any questions
or comments?
>> Just for clarification, there was a
typo. is trusted.
>> T R E S O
>> questions or comments? All those in
favor say I.
>> I. Are there any opposed?
>> Motion carries.
Thank you.
At this time, we will return to comments
from the public. Section 12. Council
will once again hear comments on public
related matters. Please refer to the
podium or raise the virtual hand, state
your name and address and try and limit
your remarks to three minutes or less.
Comment should focus on burough business
policies or actions. Council encourages
thoughtful feedback on decisions and
performance while maintaining respectful
and constructive dialogue. Are there any
comments from the public?
Davis again.
>> Um, where do you live again?
>> Everybody in town knows where I live.
Um, Matt, concerning the people that
were working on Center Avenue at 494.
Uh, they should had a five in there to
to direct traffic because we had those
school buses coming up and if they're
coming across First Street, nobody could
see them. So if they're coming across
first street and turning on the center
avenue to go down the hill, nobody knew
that they were there. It was bad there.
I because I was crossing. I went over
for my bus. I went there early. I was
directing traffic. I was their flag
first.
>> Was it the crew that was Friday morning
or the crew that was digging them?
>> Digging.
>> So that was a private contractor. We
didn't know that they were digging until
after AJ got called about it.
or else we would have had a better
control of it
>> because there was no traffic.
>> They just had they just had the cones.
>> Yeah.
>> And then they had half the center avenue
block so that we had to alternate I had
to alternate the traffic coming up and
going down the hill.
>> Okay.
>> But yeah, we got to do a little bit
better especially at that busy
intercept.
>> Yeah. Apologies for that. That was that
contractor was the property owner's
contractor or else we would have
>> and I haven't seen them to say something
then they got a lousy company. No
control there. And I agree with you,
Dave, about the heavy equipment sitting
around. That piece on First Street's
probably been there six months.
>> Yeah. And and Mayor Rubro brought that
to my attention. Uh just the way it was
sitting, it's kind of tucked back in
there.
>> Yeah. So, nobody really notices. They're
like hiding.
>> I sent an email or phone call to the
company yesterday morning. I haven't
heard back, so I'll reach out to him
tomorrow as well. She's dead.
>> And I want to thank our police
department
for over the weekend we had some
incident. I'm sure you saw some of it on
the news. Uh my grandchildren were the
ones that the dog came charging at. You
know, luckily
>> I missed this. What happened?
>> Yeah.
>> Uh the one neighbor on on Ridge Avenue,
she has a doll. It got loose. She
doesn't have control of this doll. It
came charging. I was walking my great
grandchildren up the street to go up to
see because we always take up apples and
stuff for the deers and stuff. They
wanted to go see if we needed to
replenish it. Now I spend probably I
don't know how many dollars a month on
food for the deers up there. They
enjoyed but we're going up the street
and the dog got loose from the owner
growling aggressively and charging
after. And then another dog across the
street came down charging aggressively.
the police. I called the police
immediately. They came up. They talked
to them and as we know, other things
happened on the street. But I want to
thank the Veron Police Department for
their quick reaction.
>> Have you noticed
I've noticed a lot more loose dogs? I
mean, I was just walking my dog and had
a dog chase us.
>> I do see it a lot when I'm out walking.
>> Just a suggestion. I carry mace with UV
dye in it. So you could shoot.
>> That's why I said from that long when I
walk up to the street with the
grandchildren I'm with you don't have to
worry right now. One of the dog well one
of the owners is not available but her
dog I believe is still in the area. I
see when I do go up I'll either have
mace or I'll have a little pocket knife
and that dog comes near. Sorry to say,
but the dog will get help over my
grandchildren or even myself. Yeah,
>> not disagree.
>> As I said, so when next time my great
grandchildren are down, I'm going to get
a hold of somebody that I know has a
dog, a very gentle dog. Let them see
this gentle dog so that they don't get
this fear. I'll bring them.
>> Okay,
>> come on.
>> Okay, go. We'll walk over and see you
then.
>> So maybe there is real quick. Is there
increments that a dog has to be on a
leash?
to be a black person.
>> Huh?
>> You should apply the company that did
what that's doing work on North Avenue
right now. I I've talked to them
numerous times and everything and they
said, "You want to join us?" You know,
because they watch me, you know.
>> Yeah, you're right.
>> You know what you're doing.
>> Yeah. I said, "No." I said, "I just like
my little part time. I get to get out of
the house a little, spend time with the
children, which I enjoy immensely." I
says, "And then I go home. I don't have
to worry about standing there all day."
I just like my little little bit.
>> Thank you, Steph.
>> Are there other comments in the public?
Steve.
>> Yeah. 72.
>> Yeah. Um to add to Suz's comment about
the private property owner with the
street opening. Um so I saw that
firsthand. Thank you for directing
traffic.
>> Um that was a bit of a mess. I'm just
wondering one, did that private front
have a street opening permit? Um, and
two, are there any uh
is there anything that would require as
part of that permit process for them to
have a flyer that you could either if
it's not in there, add it to future
update or enforce that because that was
a huge issue and they never should have
been allowed to excavate in the street
without proper fires. So, thank you.
>> I have a question on top
>> to answer that. They did submit a
permit. Uh, unfortunately, it was
submitted under an emergency. Teresa had
forwarded to me for review. I did not
get to it that day. So, by the time I
got to it, the the hole was open
already. So, it was just a little bit of
a breakdown between us. Uh, so they had
we got to it any time, we would have had
made aware that they had to have some
type of flagging or lane closure to
bail.
is
sorry if I real quick. So is there a way
to pen analyze them after the fact that
>> we'll have to check the ordinance to to
see.
>> Yeah cuz I'm I mean and I realize like
if it's not in there you can't just
willy-nilly say oh slap on the wrist
you're getting punished but it's not in
there seems like maybe this has opened
up a need for maybe revising the
ordinance. So just just something to
look into. Thanks. Yeah, we'll take a
look. And then once I got more involved
with the the project, uh because it was
private, we didn't really know until
they went into the road. And apparently
the the plumber had been working for a
couple days, hammering and whatnot, and
the digging was the last ditch resort.
And because they were backing up, it was
done as an emergency, and the timing
just didn't work out that I got the
email opened in time. Uh but I'll work
with Craig and see what the ordinance
says. What street is center?
>> Center right at center first.
>> Just to clarify, if if let's say your
your sewer line from your house, if it
goes into the road, well, it does go,
but I'm saying if it goes to the main
and it's your sewer line that's cracked
or damaged and you have to cut into the
road, I mean I mean that's on you.
>> Correct. Right. And then you have to pay
for the road. You have to pay I mean and
then then and then anything associated
with traffic control correct all that
stuff you have to pay for.
>> Yes.
>> Are there any other comments from the
public?
>> Donald
63rd Avenue. Um I'm not here to tell how
to do their job. In fact, I
but I do want to bring up the fact that
there was a hole at the bottom of Second
Street for I don't know how many months,
maybe six months, maybe a year
and that hole got bigger and bigger and
uh it was really a a danger. If anybody
would have rolled into it, probably
would have uh threw their car out of
control.
Could have been an accident. should have
been a broken uh tire, broken rim,
whatever.
And that uh it was there for months
and not repaired. Now, I found out that
it's in U Pen Hills.
I would uh I don't know whose job it is
on council to communicate with Penn
Hills, but uh somebody should have
communicated with Penn Hills and had
them come out and rep patch that.
Finally, uh, one of a civilian
did call Penn Hills and they did come
out and patch part of it. I think it's
still partly opened yet. I don't know,
maybe they ran out of package. I'm not
sure.
But in the future, I'll use this as a a
learning experience here. When things
like that occur,
take action and get those things fixed.
Uh I hear a lot of action going on
tonight of different uh things that
different projects
that wasn't exactly a project but uh it
needed to be fixed
and uh so please in the future uh I
don't know if anybody here actually saw
that hole. I don't know if anybody
passes that way on council frequently
but I do and uh
it it it just needed to be fixed. So,
thank you for listening to me and uh
please try in the future to be more
proactive with Fen Hills and get things
done. I heard the mayor say uh being
taken advantage of. Well, don't let
yourself be taken advantage of. Speak
up. Thank you. It was it was brought to
these um um managers
attention and he I presume he did call.
But the funny thing is I seen that today
and it was like they patched this spot
here and there's two bigger spots right
there.
>> Yeah.
>> McDonald let you know it was reported to
them for months and months.
>> It was we reported it to them.
>> Then when things aren't done I don't
know who what the next level is. You
know fix it yourself.
>> The sky keeps getting not fix
you know.
you're you can tell them what to do.
>> Thank you, Donald. Yeah, I will.
>> All right, that's awesome.
>> Remind everyone that need to have a
full-time bur manager now. So, thank you
for your proactive
encourage council as well as all members
of our community to um to be proactive
>> focus for the last couple minutes. Um,
but also if you are stuck and you don't
know where to start, please don't
hesitate to reach out to Jacob. Did you
have anything to add?
>> Um, yeah. I just like to add that Head
Hills also um recently got an interim
burrow manager. Um, they they had some
personnel change over. Um, so it's
something that I'm looking to do is set
up a meeting with her. Um, I've known
her my previous role. um just so we can
kind of get familiar with each other and
hopefully iron out some of those issues
with you in our governmental
coordination.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> She's very responsible.
>> Yeah, it is.
>> Um other comments from the public. Do we
have one online?
>> We check online.
>> I don't see any
>> with that. I will entertain a motion for
>> first by council long.
>> Second by council. Any questions or
comments? All those in favor? I. Are
there any opposed?
>> Thank you. Thank you for coming out
everyone. Have a good night.